The Kurds were instrumental in stopping Islamic State (IS) fighters from spreading into much of northeastern Syria and Iraq.

Could they be called again to help the West? It's a thought that's being widely talked about.

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For their part, the Iranian-Kurdish militia living in neighbouring Iraq are literally chomping at the bit to cross the border and join a popular uprising against the Iranian regime.

I know this because they've told me.

In recent days, like the American bases, the bases of Kurdish armed groups have been struck by rockets and drones from Iran as well.

For safety, they spend as much time as possible off base as they prepare for war, which is why I met a senior political figure in the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran, in a deserted building, in a town nestling below mountains that lead to Iran.

Karim Parwizi will command one of the armed elements preparing to cross the border.

He told me they have been planning to take up arms against Iran for years, but believe that now is the time to join the American-Israeli war.

"For many years, for decades, this regime has attacked us, killed our people, and carried out acts of genocide against us," he said.

"Now that the regime is becoming weaker and weaker, we see this as an opportunity to finally move toward achieving our freedom."

Iran has threatened to bomb Kurdish towns and cities over the border if they get involved.

I asked Parwizi if they're worried about those threats.

"The regime does not need an excuse to attack us," he replied. "For the past 47 years, they have targeted us regardless."

He added: "Even though this is described as a conflict between the United States and Iran, we have been attacked repeatedly whether we are involved or not.

"We have lived under constant threat. So no, they do not need any justification to attack us, they have been doing it for decades."

How much military cooperation remains, or has even increased, between the Americans and Kurds since the war against Islamic State is the subject of some conjecture.

Officially at least, neither American nor Kurdish political leaders have indicated it has changed one way or another.

Strategic American bases and runways lie in Iraqi Kurdistan, so the US military presence here is a constant.

'This time is different'

Zanyar, a member of the Peshmerga - as Kurdish fighters are called - told me he and others want to follow the encouragement of US President Donald Trump to Iranian civilians to rise up against the government and its security forces.

I met him in a safe house for families of the fighters actively preparing for battle.

Zanyar's wife and infant were killed in an Iranian missile strike here four years ago - remember Iran has been attacking the Kurds on and off for years.

Crossing the border to fight the regime and its forces is now personal for him, and he, like so many others, says now is the time.

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"It's true that in the past there were moments when people tried to rise up, but the efforts were not coordinated, but this time is different," Zanyar told me.

"You have people inside Iran who are openly dissatisfied with the regime, you have opposition groups that are more united and determined to remove it, and importantly, much of the international community now agrees that this regime must go.

"That coordination makes this moment different, and it gives us hope that this could be a real opportunity for change."

Would a Kurdish ground incursion kickstart a nationwide uprising in Iran - or herald the start of ethnic sectarian chaos instead?

Like so much in this war, nobody is sure of the endgame.

It's a place where journalists and their cameras are usually not allowed; its brutal history makes it a highly sensitive location.

But this morning it was shut down to the usual tourist hordes, and we were invited in and allowed to film freely; a mark of a special occasion.

The occasion this time is an annual political event known as Lianghui or the Two Sessions.

It's China's equivalent of the State opening of Parliament, a moment of pomp and ceremony, a moment where the curtain rises just a touch on what China's leaders think, and what they want.

Nearly 3000 delegates are here from across the country, all members of China's legislative body.

Many were wearing the traditional dress of China's many ethnic minorities; a show of diversity deemed highly important.

In theory, they are here to discuss policy and vote on new laws and constitutional changes; in reality, they rubber-stamp decisions already made behind closed doors.

But there is no denying that the spectacle of it all is impressive.

In the cavernous Great Hall Of The People, everything was pitch perfect; the band, the staging, even the tea cups were refilled in perfect choreographed unity.

Trying to decipher where China is headed is always a little bit of a game of reading between the lines, and so it was today.

The economy, for instance, is clearly still sluggish. The published growth target of 4.5 to 5% is the lowest goal China has set itself for over 30 years.

But this year, there is a little more insight about what China's ambitions might be, and that's because this year sees the publication of China's latest 'Five Year Plan', a blueprint of sorts on what China's strategy should be between now and 2030.

It might sound a bit lofty, but in the past these plans have been highly indicative; in the 1980s, for example, it was a Five Year Plan that heralded China's infamous Reform and Opening Up -- the policy that ultimately made it rich.

This year's plan focuses on how China can really grow and win through leadership in the high-tech race; it seeks technological self-reliance, national security, and state guidance of the economy.

While Xi Jinping didn't speak himself today, there is absolutely no doubt that everything laid out was a reflection of his leadership and his vision for an ascendant China.

He comes into this annual political moment in arguably one of his strongest positions for years; hot off a year of outmanoeuvring Donald Trump in the US-China trade war, purging swathes of his military's leadership and further consolidating his absolute power.

You can see it in everything from the staging to the deferential body language; his power is all but unchallengeable.

And it's absolutely designed to send a message to the world.

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While Lianghui is primarily focused on domestic policy, it is not happening in a vacuum and events in the Middle East are the unavoidable backdrop.

The reality is that China won't mind the contrast between the show they staged today, with all its displays of unity, order and might, with the chaos they see being unleashed by President Donald Trump.

It's a contrast that suits their narrative - China is the superpower worth betting on.

Food and drink giant Nestle recalled dozens of batches of its SMA infant formula and follow-on formula in January.

The recall, which has affected more than 60 countries, was sparked by concerns about the presence of cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin that can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

Danone has also recalled batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate first infant milk, citing the same contamination concerns.

See the list of recalled products

The UKHSA said it is looking into cases from across the UK where children have fallen ill with symptoms "consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning".

Investigators said 35 of the babies were male and 26 were female.

Confirmed infections due to other seasonal viruses were only noted in "some" of the children, said the UKHSA.

Since the first Nestle recall in early January, Sky News has spoken with several families who unknowingly fed their babies from affected batches.

Chloe Fernandes's eight-month-old daughter Rebecca needed hospital treatment after being fed a now-recalled batch of prescription-only SMA formula.

"Rebecca became very ill mid-December," Ms Fernandes, from Nottinghamshire, told Sky News.

"She had horrific diarrhoea and severe vomiting which led to her choking and needing to go to hospital."

Her daughter was treated for dehydration and has since fully recovered.

Ms Fernandes added: "All parents need answers. It was a horrific experience."

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A spokesperson for Danone North Europe told Sky News: "We would like to reassure all parents that our infant formula products on sale are safe. To date there are no confirmed cases of sickness or symptoms linked to our products."

The UKHSA confirmed to Sky News that "testing capabilities" to fully confirm cereulide poisoning in affected children are "currently limited in the UK", something it is working to remedy.

But its investigation has confirmed toxin was introduced into the formula via an ingredient, an oil, produced by a third-party manufacturer and shared by both Nestle and Danone - although both producers have now confirmed they are no longer using the supplier.

"Testing of the recalled formula has confirmed presence of the toxin in some batches at levels that exceed limits set by the European Food Safety Authority and therefore pose a potential health risk," said Gauri Godbole, the UKHSA's deputy director of gastrointestinal infections.

"Parents and caregivers are advised to recheck and remove all recalled formula from their homes to prevent illness in their children."

In a statement, Nestle said it was "very sorry to hear about these cases".

"Our teams will work closely with any families who report these types of concerns to us," it said.

"All batches of the ingredient (from other suppliers) are now being systematically tested to confirm the absence of cereulide."

Former Royal Marine Alun Harris-Richards, 61, suffered a fatal heart attack while trying to prevent Natasha Smith, 38, from leaving the premises and fell to the ground, where he struck his head.

At the High Court in Edinburgh in January, Smith pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and assaulting another Asda employee during the same altercation.

She was sentenced on Thursday.

Lady Haldane said on the day in question, Smith "set in train a series of events that ultimately had devastating consequences for Alun Harris-Richards, his family and all who knew and loved him".

The judge added: "Mr Harris-Richards lost his life that day when he was simply doing his job as a security guard in a supermarket."

Following Mr Harris-Richards' death, a post-mortem examination found he had a coronary artery condition.

Pathologists reported that people with the condition are "at risk of sudden death at any time" and this is particularly true in times of illness or stress.

The incident occurred at the supermarket in Arbroath's Westway Retail Park, Angus, on 30 June 2024.

The court heard that during the confrontation, which was recorded on Mr Harris-Richards' body-worn camera, Smith shouted, swore, falsely accused her victim of assaulting her, and repeatedly attempted to pull a bag containing the alcohol from his grasp.

In footage shown to the court, Smith screamed "you're not allowed to touch me", "get your f****** hands off me" and "who do you think you are, f****** Hulk?"

Repeat offender Smith said she planned to sell the alcohol to a pub.

After Mr Harris-Richards fell to the ground, Smith continued to struggle with two female employees and grabbed one of them, put her hands around her neck and threatened: "I will end you."

The woman was also punched in the face and had her hair pulled during the assault.

Advocate depute Adrian Stalker previously told the court that shortly before the struggle, Smith was seen in the spirits aisle at the supermarket and a staff member became suspicious that she might be shoplifting.

Smith went to the self-service checkout area carrying a can of alcohol and bags, but then went towards the exit, triggering alarms.

Mr Harris-Richards and another staff member intercepted her and took hold of a reusable bag she was carrying containing two bottles, but Smith would not let it go.

During the confrontation, Mr Harris-Richards' breathing became laboured and he fell to the floor.

Mr Stalker said: "He was immediately unresponsive.

"The deceased received first aid, CPR and emergency medical treatment from staff, customers and paramedics where he had fallen. These efforts were to no avail."

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Lady Haldane said she had received moving victim impact statements from members of Mr Harris-Richards' family.

She added: "It is clear Mr Harris-Richards was a much-loved member of the family who was deeply involved with his children and grandchildren."

A background report prepared on Smith showed that she had suffered trauma in her own life and significant adverse experiences in childhood.

Defence solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin said his client felt "deep remorse" for her actions that led to the death.

He said that at the time of the killing she was "in the throes of drug and alcohol abuse" and footage of the events showed her desperation to keep a hold of the bag and its contents.

Mr Gilmartin said she did not intend to cause Mr Harris-Richards harm, but has to live with the fact that her actions brought about his death.

He said she was haunted by nightmares of the incident.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: "This was an unprovoked attack on a man who was simply doing his job.

"Natasha Smith's actions resulted in tragic consequences and robbed a much-loved family man of his life.

"Our thoughts lie with Mr Harris-Richards' family and friends. We are sorry for their loss."

Joani Reid, who was elected in East Kilbride and Strathaven at the last general election, issued a statement after the Metropolitan Police announced three arrests on Wednesday morning as part of a counter-terrorism investigation under the National Security Act.

The force did not name the suspects - all men, aged 39, 43, and 68 - but one of them is her husband, David Taylor.

They have all been released on bail, the Met Police said on Thursday morning.

Ms Reid said: "I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law.

"I am not part of my husband's business activities, and neither I nor my children are part of this investigation, and we should not be treated by media organisations as though we are.

"Above all I expect media organisations to respect my children's privacy."

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She also said she had never been to China, never spoken about the country or its regime in parliament, and also never knowingly met any Chinese businesses, diplomats, or government employees while serving as an MP.

"I am not any sort of admirer or apologist for the Chinese Communist Party's dictatorship," she added.

Ms Reid is the granddaughter of trade unionist Jimmy Reid and served as a councillor in Lewisham, south London, for eight years before becoming an MP.

Her husband is listed on the MP's register of interests as a director of Earthcott Limited, a lobbying firm.

Government 'deeply concerned'

Security minister Dan Jarvis made a statement in the Commons following news of the arrests.

He told MPs the government - which has sought to forge closer economic ties with China - is "deeply concerned by an increasing pattern of covert activity from Chinese state-linked actors targeting UK democracy".

"If there is proven evidence of attempts by China to interfere with UK sovereign affairs, we will impose severe consequences and hold all actors involved to account," he added.

Tories question Labour's China approach

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Beijing earlier this year and planning permission has been granted for a controversial "super embassy" in London.

Mr Jarvis told MPs "it continues to be in our long-term strategic interests to engage with China".

But the Conservatives accused Labour of pursuing a "failed policy of appeasement".

Shadow cabinet minister Alex Burghart called for the Chinese ambassador to the UK to be summoned and told interference "will no longer be tolerated".

He also said China should be placed on the highest tier of the government's Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.