Tehran's air defences were activated to counter small aircraft and drones late Thursday, as the White House signalled that it will not be reined in by a congressional deadline on the Iran war.

The Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that air defence systems, heard in some parts of the Iranian capital, were activated "to counter small aircraft and reconnaissance drones" for around 20 minutes but that the situation had returned to "normal".

BEIJING, April 30 (Reuters) - China's military said on Thursday its naval and air forces conducted combat readiness patrols in the Scarborough Shoal and surrounding areas in the disputed South China Sea.

"Such patrols serve as an effective countermeasure to cope with all sorts of rights-violation and provocative acts. They are meant to resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea," Chinese military's Southern Theater Command said in a statement.

By Naveen Thukral and Panarat Thepgumpanat

SINGAPORE/BANGKOK, April 30 (Reuters) - Rice supply is expected to fall this year as farmers cut planting acreage across Asia because of fertiliser shortages and soaring fuel costs from the Iran war, with an emerging El Nino also set to squeeze output of the world's most consumed staple.

By Alexander Dziadosz

BEIRUT, April 30 (Reuters) - In a parking lot strewn with rubbish near Beirut's Mediterranean coast, Hassan Yahya has taped a cardboard sign to a traffic signal pole beside the tarp tent that now serves as his home.

"Kfar Kila welcomes you," read the lines scrawled in thin pen.

April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will receive a briefing on new plans for potential military action against Iran on Thursday from the leader of the U.S. Central Command, Brad Cooper, Axios reported on Wednesday.

The briefing will take place on Thursday, according to the report which cited unidentified sources. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CENTCOM has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure targets, Axios reported, citing sources.

By Renju Jose

SYDNEY, April 30 (Reuters) - An interim report into last year's Bondi Beach mass shooting on Thursday advised increased security around Jewish public events and further gun reforms among 14 initial recommendations, but found Australia's legal and regulatory frameworks did not hinder security agencies in preventing or responding to the attack.

April 29 (Reuters) - The United States is asking other countries to join a new international coalition that would enable ships to navigate the Strait of Hormuz after traffic through the waterway stalled, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The proposed coalition, dubbed the "Maritime Freedom Construct", would share information, coordinate diplomatically and help enforce sanctions, the Journal said, citing an internal State Department cable.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund will stop financing LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season, throwing the future of the breakaway tour into serious doubt, US media reported Wednesday.

LIV Golf, founded in 2022 as a main rival to the PGA Tour, plans to inform staff and players on Thursday that the Saudi Public Investment Fund will no longer bankroll the circuit beyond this summer, the Wall Street Journal said.

BENGHAZI, April 30 (Reuters) - At least 17 migrants died and nine are missing after their boat broke down and drifted for eight days in the Mediterranean Sea, Libya's Red Crescent and Libyan security sources said on Wednesday.

The Red Crescent said in a statement that the volunteers in cooperation with naval forces and coast guards of the Libyan National Army rescued seven survivors during recovery operations off Tobruk city in eastern Libya, near the border with Egypt.

April 29 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his administration was reviewing the possible reduction of U.S. troops in Germany, adding that a decision would be made shortly.

"The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time," Trump said on Truth Social.