UK - The number of people on long-term sick leave has soared to a new high in a worrying sign about the state of Britain's workforce. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 2.829 million people were described as long-term sick between last December and February – up by 16,000. In all, long-term sickness accounted for 30.1 per cent of 16 to 64-year-olds considered to be economically inactive. Economists warned that long-term sickness, particularly among younger workers, risked 'scarring careers'. Charlie McCurdy, economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: 'Britain is in the midst of the longest sustained rise in economic inactivity due to ill-health since the 1990s. This rise has affected all age groups – but especially young people and older generations. The rise among the young – driven primarily by poor mental health – is worrying, as long periods out of work can permanently scar their careers.'

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - The typically scorching UAE heavily relies on cloud-seeding - a technique which sees aircraft fire salt flares into clouds to speed up condensation and induce rainfall - to provide its groundwater. Flight-tracking data analysed by the Associated Press showed one aircraft affiliated with the UAE's cloud-seeding efforts flew around the country on Sunday. Meanwhile, Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), told Bloomberg several cloud-seeding sorties were flown in the days before the unprecedented rainfall hit. The rains began late on Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 0.79 inches of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified at around 9am local time on Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city. By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.59 inches of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 3.73 inches of rain at Dubai International Airport.

UK - Going vegan won't improve your health, an experiment suggests. Researchers have discovered plant-based meat products offer no 'clear benefit' for heart health. People who ate fake sausages, burgers and mince also seemingly had worse blood pressure than their meat-consuming counterparts. Experts today labelled the 'health halo' surrounding plant-based meats unjustifiable and urged the food industry to 're-evaluate the development of the next generation of meat alternatives'. Study co-author, Dr Sumanto Haldar, a lecturer in nutrition science at Bournemouth University said: 'At present, producing these plant based meat alternatives often involves a substantial amount of processing.' People who ate fake sausages, burgers and mince also seemingly had worse blood pressure than their meat-consuming counterparts. Experts today labelled the 'health halo' surrounding plant-based meats unjustifiable and urged the food industry to 're-evaluate the development of the next generation of meat alternatives'

RUSSIA - A major Russian military airbase in Crimea has come under attack, according to local reports, sparking fresh fears Putin could launch a nuclear attack. Residents living close to the Dzhankoy airfield reported hearing explosions in the vicinity. Videos circulating on social media channels show what appear to be rockets striking the airbase, with huge balls of flames rising into the night sky. Russian air defence systems can also be seen firing missiles towards the incoming projectiles.

CHINA - A leading Chinese academic has written off Russia's chances of winning the war in Ukraine, in a devastating blow to Vladimir Putin. Feng Yujun is a top Russia specialist at Peking University and delivered his withering assessment of Putin's war in Ukraine in an article for the Economist. The professor cited four main reasons why Russia was on course to defeat in its ill-judged war.

CHINA - World powers should focus on restoring peace and stability in Ukraine rather than seeking “selfish gains,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday. The chancellor arrived in China on Sunday, accompanied by a large delegation of ministers and business executives. Meeting with Scholz at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Xi told the German leader that all parties should work together to restore peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. The Chinese leader also outlined four principles that he believes will prevent the conflict from escalating.

MIDDLE EAST - Iran strike on Israel was ‘decoy’ as Tehran could launch attack that is '10x bigger'. The IDF said on Sunday that about 360 missiles and drones were fired from Iran and that “99 percent of the threats” were taken out with the help of allies in the US, UK, and Jordan. Iran’s chief of general staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, said the mission was a "success" on Sunday. The IDF said that "a few" of Iran's high-speed ballistic missiles did enter Israel. A 10-year-old child in a Bedouin village is in serious condition after being struck by shrapnel from the Iranian attack. Sayed Muhammed Marandi, professor at the University of Tehran who is the son of Alireza Marandi, a physician who has served in Iran's government, speaking to Times Radio, he claimed Iran is preparing for the "next stage" of the conflict and could even launch an attack 10 times the size of Saturday's strikes.

IRAN - Iran's missile and drone barrage against Israel was the first act of a tough new strategy, Tehran says, warning arch foe Israel that any future attack will spark "a direct and punishing response". This spells a dramatic shift from past years in which the Islamic republic and Israel have fought a shadow war of proxy fights and covert operations across the Middle East and sometimes further afield. Iran said it had dealt "heavy blows" to Israel and hailed the operation as "successful".

IRAN - Iran has vowed to unleash a weapon "never used before" against Israel if the country retaliates for Tehran's missile and drone blitz. Israel told Iran today they won't get off "scot-free" for the attacks as the world waits with bated breath for their response amid fears of an "uncontrollable war" across the Middle East. But Iranian security chief Abolfazl Amouei last night warned that if Israel does respond then Tehran is "prepared to use a weapon that we have never used". It is unclear what weapon Amouei was referring to, but he warned Israel to "act wisely" as it considers its next steps.

IRAN - Iran vowed to launch ten times the amount of missiles in a fresh strike against Israel if it unleashes a retaliatory hit. An attack ten times the size would see over 3,300 weapons hurled at Israel, including more than 1,400 missiles. The recent threats mark another escalation in the blazing power battle between the two foes that is threatening to spark an all-out war across the region. But Israel appears undeterred by Tehran's warnings as it confirmed again last night it will strike back. This is the fear of the UN's nuclear watchdog chief who said yesterday he is "concerned" that Israel may target Iran's nuclear sites.