There are four proposals that could shape the future of local government in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

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The future of Cambridgeshire’s councils hangs in the balance as the latest proposals for local government reorganisation have highlighted divisions between councils. Authorities in the final areas invited to submit their preferences for new structures have been confirmed, with a consultation launched on 52 proposals across 14 geographical footprints.

The Government has pledged to end the two-tier local government system in areas which incorporate both district councils and larger authorities with responsibilities for services such as social care. A consultation allowing people to have their say on the proposals will run for seven weeks until March 25, 2026.

Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape what works best for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. LGR is emotive and views differ – this really matters – so we need as many people and organisations as possible to respond.”

The Government argues that the two-tier system “slows down local decisions, sees local economies fragmented with different councils responsible for different priorities, and means outdated boundaries stop our towns and cities from growing”.

But councils are split on how areas should be organised to improve efficiency and promote growth. Across the 14 areas which submitted proposals on November 28, five areas submitted five different proposals. These areas are Derby and Derbyshire; Devon, Plymouth and Torbay; Kent and Medway; Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool; and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough joined those in Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire in submitting four proposals. There were three separate proposals in five of the areas, and two proposals in two other areas.

The proposals from councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are as follows:

• Cambridgeshire County Council submitted a proposal for two unitary councils.
• Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council submitted a proposal for two unitary councils.
• Fenland District Council and Peterborough City Council submitted a proposal for three unitary councils.
• Huntingdonshire District Council submitted a proposal for three unitary councils.

Launching the consultation, local government minister Alison McGovern said: “As set out in the invitation, these proposals include the areas of existing neighbouring small unitary councils. Some proposals were accompanied by requests for boundary change; whereby existing districts would be split. These will require careful consideration.”

Responding to the latest proposals, chair of the County Councils Network Matthew Hicks described the announcement as “an important milestone” and urged residents and stakeholders to engage with the consultation. “County councils have worked hard to put forward ambitious, evidence-based proposals that will improve services and deliver fewer, leaner councils: fully in line with the Government’s stated criteria,” Mr Hicks said.

“Conversely, some of the competing proposals put out to consultation risk splitting high-performing care services into smaller councils – well below the stated criteria. At the same time, they promise hundreds of millions in savings to adult and children’s services with little supporting evidence.”

Mr Hicks added that it was vital for the Government to “closely scrutinise and rigorously evaluate all proposals against their own statutory criteria”. Decisions on the proposals for areas in the devolution priority programme, which includes Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cheshire, are due next month.

“The decisions will shape local areas for years to come, so it is vital they ensure any new councils are able deliver savings to reinvest in frontline services, safeguard care to the most vulnerable and foster the economic growth this country desperately needs,” Mr Hicks said.

Armed police responded to reports of a man with a possible handgun outside a UK school as the children and parents were placed in lockdown

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Armed police descended on a street outside a primary school after reports of a ‘gunman’ caused children and staff to go into lockdown.

Firearm officers were called to Carron Street in Fenton in Staffordshire following concerns that a man was armed with a handgun this afternoon (February 5).

Co-op Academy Clarice Cliff, located nearby, was advised to keep students indoors while the situation was being handled from around 3.10pm.

Staffordshire Police have now confirmed the arrest of a 26 year old man from Stoke-on-Trent on suspicion of weapons offences. Stoke on Trent Live reported an air pistol, knife and hatchet have been confiscated.

Officers are maintaining a presence in the Fenton area this evening to provide reassurance to residents. A call has also been made for any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage.

A spokesperson for the force said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of weapons offences following reports of suspicious activity in Stoke-on-Trent. We were called at 3.20pm today to Carron Street in Fenton after reports of a man acting suspiciously in the area with a possible handgun.”

“Firearms officers attended the scene. An air pistol, a knife and a hatchet were recovered. A 26-year-old man, from Stoke-on-Trent, was detained at the scene. He has since been taken into custody while inquiries continue.

“Officers continue to monitor the area and carry out patrols to reassure the local community. Anyone with relevant information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage should call us.”

The school was placed under lockdown from approximately 3.10pm until 3.50pm.

In a message sent to parents during the busy pick-up time, the school stated: “We are keeping the children inside as a precaution as a member of the public has informed us of a possible danger in the locality. This is a precaution and all children are safe. We will update you as soon as we have the all clear. Thank you for your patience.”

Roughly 40 minutes afterwards, the school notified parents: “We have been given the all clear. You may collect your child/children as usual. Thank you for your patience and support.”

One father informed StokeonTrentLive: “There was an incident in Fenton at the Co-op Academy Clarice Cliffe. The school was put on lockdown. Kids were locked in the school and parents were locked on the school grounds due to reports of a man with a firearm on Carron Street.”

Anyone with information should contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 494 of February 5. To report anonymously, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Jesy Nelson launched her Prime Video series but also announced a new one-off special focused on her campaigning work on behalf of babies Ocean Jade and Story Monroe

Jesy Nelson is making an extra documentary on top of her new TV series – all about her campaign for newborns to be tested for Spinal Muscular Atrophy at birth. The former Little Mix star and mum-of-two finished officially filming her Prime Video series some time ago about her career and becoming a mum.

But she decided to allow the cameras to keep rolling after her twin daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster were diagnosed with SMA Type 1, a rare condition which causes muscle wastage. Jesy is calling for UK babies to be checked for SMA at birth via a heel prick test and The Mirror has joined her on this campaign, which will now be boosted by a Prime video programme, going out late in the year following the twins journey and Jesy’s call for action.

At the launch of her series Life After Little Mix which is released on February 13, Jesy discussed the new extra show and her hopes for change. She explained: “I just hope people continue to watch the next part of the journey. When the girls got their diagnosis, we decided that we wanted to continue filming. As hard as it was, we were like, ‘You know what? There’s a reason you guys are here, and we’ve got to make the best out of this situation’.

“I’m sure you guys are aware, like, I’m trying to get it[SMA] made part of the heel prick test. That’s like my main goal right now, as well as looking after my beautiful girls.

“I mean, I haven’t even seen it back yet, but I already know it’s gonna be tough. But I’m just so happy that we’ve been able to document everything, because I really believe that we’re going to make change. Like, I feel it.

“I love how dedicated people are to spreading awareness about everything that I’ve been through and this(new programme) is going to shed even more.”

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Last month Jesy appeared on This Morning last month and vowed to “shout from the rooftops” to campaign for change. She wants SMA to be part of an NHS blood test that is normally carried out at five days old, and currently tests for 10 other conditions.

At her London screening today Jesy also gave a brief update on the health of the twins, who she has previously said may never walk due to SMA. She said: “They’re so good. They’re like, the best, you know, they’re doing the best that they can, and they’re happy and they’re smiling, and that’s, all I can ask for. I just can’t wait to show it to them(TV series) when they’re older and just be like ‘Look what you did, look how amazing you are’.”

The brave twins have already survived against the odds. They developed twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in the womb which could have been fatal and doctors tell Jesy in the Prime Video Series there is “90-95%” chance both of the babies won’t survive if they don’t take urgent action.

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Poignantly during complications whilst pregnant she tells the cameras: “I can’t imagine not having these babies.

“It just progressively keeps getting worse, I can’t, I’m getting upset. Literally my brain can’t compute not having these babies because they’re my children now, and I felt them kick. They’re properly formed little humans.”

* The series Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix is available on Prime Video from February 13. It will be followed by a one-off special later in the year. For further information on Spinal Muscular Atrophy please visit: https://smauk.org.uk/

Daniel Turner appeared at Durham Crown Court for a scheduled sentence on Wednesday (February 4) by video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton.

He previously admitted offences of possessing cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, cocaine and cannabis, plus possessing criminal property, relating to a watch and cash proceeds of the sales.

But Judge Richard Bennett addressed the defendant’s counsel, Robert Mochrie, at the outset of the hearing having read a background pre-sentence report on the 21-year-old defendant.

“He has been spoken to by the Probation Service.

“He claimed he was in debt to those above him and was paying off that debt due to an addiction.

“Given the quantity of drugs and criminal property involved, I will have considerable difficulty accepting that account as a credible one.”

Mr Mochrie said he had not had the chance to speak to the defendant prior to the hearing.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said: “The police are saying he played a ‘leading role’ in the supply.

“Looking at the ‘tick list’, evidence now suggests it was into the tens of thousands of pounds.”

Mr Abrahams added: “The Crown is now considering a serious crime prevention order in this case.”

Judge Bennett said he would allow the Crown lawyers and the defendant’s counsel chance to assess the new evidence prior to a rearranged sentencing hearing.

Adjourning the case for seven weeks, Judge Bennett told Turner: “I had hoped to have been able to sentence you today.

“But, because new material has been uploaded onto the system relating to this case, both the prosecution and defence will have to consider that evidence.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

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“The police will provide an updated statement in four weeks and your counsel will have to consider that evidence.”

He remanded the defendant, of Cradoc Grove, Ingleby Barwick, to remain in custody pending sentence, at Teesside Crown Court, on Thursday March 26.

But he told Turner the time he has spent on remand in custody prior to being sentenced would be deducted from his eventual sentence.

Prosecutors said the children, aged five, six and seven, were playing on the footpath when a car reversed out of a neighbouring house and over the top of them

A motorist drank up to 12 tins of beer before he allegedly drove over three children in a west Belfast neighbourhood, the High Court has heard.

Thomas Maughan, 37, fled the scene after the two girls and a boy were trapped under his car at Black Ridge View, prosecutors claimed.

Details emerged as he was granted bail on charges related to the hit and run collision where one of the young victims suffered a fractured pelvis.

Maughan, of Black Ridge Gardens in Belfast, faces counts of driving with excess alcohol and causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving.

He is also accused of failing to stop, report or remain at the scene of the accident on August 24 last year.

Prosecutors said the children, aged five, six and seven, were playing on the footpath when a car reversed out of a neighbouring house and over the top of them.

The driver then got out and fled on foot without checking on their condition, it was claimed.

Maughan was arrested after being spotted at the end of the street in a taxi blocked off by emergency service vehicles.

During interviews he admitted driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop following the collision, the court heard.

Maughan told police he began drinking at an engagement party the previous night and continued on into the day of the accident.

“He stated that he had approximately 12 beers before the incident,” Crown counsel disclosed.

Maughan said he drove to visit a family member in the area before getting back into his car.

He saw no-one nearby as he was leaving, but then heard children screaming and reversed amid concerns they could be trapped.

The three young victims were taken to hospital to be treated for potentially serious injuries.

One of the children sustained fractures to their pelvis and tyre marks, while another of them suffered cuts and bruises.

Maughan had been out on bail but returned to custody last month for allegedly breaching an alcohol ban.

Opposing his bid to be released again, the prosecutor submitted: “Clear CCTV of the incident showed the defendant getting into his car and driving directly over the three children on the footpath.

“They were trapped under the vehicle, the defendant reversed back over them and parked up… without checking on their welfare.”

Maughan’s lawyers previously argued that he had failed to see the youngsters because they were lying on the ground playing with chalk.

When he heard the screams he reversed at that stage to lessen the impact and free them.

Mr Justice Simpson was told that last month’s breach involved no further offences.

Granting bail to Maughan once more, the judge warned: “If he is found having consumed alcohol again he will not have another chance.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Sony’s long-rumoured Horizon multiplayer game gets its first proper trailer demonstrating its new art style and gameplay.

In late 2022, Guerrilla Games announced it was working on a multiplayer spin-off of its Horizon games, via job listings that described it as something akin to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series.

Aside from a leak that suggested the game would feature a cartoonier art style, compared to the main games, there haven’t been any updates on it. A completely separate Horizon multiplayer game was announced in Novembe – an MMO by South Korean studio NCSoft – but until nothing on Guerrilla’s game.

Rather than wait until the next rumoured State of Play, that’s supposed to air this month, Sony and Guerrilla Games have just gone ahead and announced Horizon Hunters Gathering via a lowkey blog post and video.

Unlike the PC-only Horizon Steel Frontiers, Hunters Gathering is billed as a co-op action game that will launch for PlayStation 5 and PC (complete with cross-play and cross-progression), where up to three players work together to battle Horizon’s many mechanical beasties.

Guerrilla already seems to know that the cartoony aesthetics will prove controversial, as studio director Jan-Bart Van Beek is quick to justify it after sharing a cinematic teaser.

‘Yes, we’re going with a very different look here and that’s very much by design,’ Van Beek explains, saying that since Hunters Gathering is a ‘very dynamic co-op game’ focused on teams, they wanted ‘an art style that really matches that energy.’

We imagine the goal is also to attract a broader audience and try to appeal to younger players (given how Fortnite-esque it looks in places), but Guerrilla already tried marketing Horizon to kids with Lego Horizon Adventures and that was a complete flop.

The gameplay at least looks to be in-line with the main games, like Horizon Forbidden West, but flashier and with multiple players combining their skills.

Unlike the MMO, you don’t get to build your own character and instead pick one of multiple pre-made characters, each with their own weapons and playstyles. Which seems to make it essentially a hero shooter.

Guerrilla has so far confirmed two gameplay modes: Machine Incursion, where you fend off waves of machines, culminating in a boss fight, and Cauldron Descent, which sounds like a roguelite in how you explore ever-changing rooms and complete different trials.

While there’s no release date yet, there will be a beta playtest that runs at the end of this month, so if you want to participate you’ll need to sign up for the PlayStation Beta Programme.

There will be a story campaign in the final release, one that can be enjoyed solo, with Guerrilla promising ‘new mysteries, characters, and threats,’ and that the narrative will continue after launch with subsequent updates.

Not to be cynical, but similar language was used to drum up excitement for Concord, and you all know how that turned out. Granted, Hunters Gathering has the advantage of being connected to an established franchise but there’s no mention of whether it’ll be free-to-play – although most Sony live service titles are not.

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On the bright side, this must be a game that Sony has some measure of faith in, as it’s one of the only live service projects the company hasn’t scrapped in recent months.

Guerrilla insists it’s still committed to single-player games, so you don’t need to worry about Horizon 3 being abandoned, but the studio has no updates to share on that front.

Perhaps the oddest thing about the Hunters Gathering unveil is that it happened at almost exactly the same time as today’s Nintendo Direct, which seems unnecessarily churlish, and overconfident, on Sony’s part.

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The Wales captain was speaking on Jonathan Davies’ S4C programme, Jonathan

Wales captain Jac Morgan has opened up for the first time on the uncertainty of the past few weeks after the Ospreys‘ owners were chosen as the preferred bidders for rivals Cardiff.

Y11’s interest in the Arms Park club could see the Ospreys extinct by the summer of 2027. No guarantees have been given beyond that point, with Swansea Council claiming that a meeting with the Welsh Rugby Union and Ospreys last month confirmed the club will cease to be a professional rugby region after next season.

Regardless of their future, Morgan will not be at the Ospreys next season, having signed a deal with Gallagher Prem outfit Gloucester.

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But the 26-year-old, who is also captain of the club, admitted on Wales legend Jonathan Davies’ S4C show ‘Jonathan’ that it had been a tough situation for the players and staff to contend with.

“It’s been quite difficult to deal with,” said Morgan on the Welsh-language show. “With everything, from not knowing what the future looked like for the Ospreys to finding out the news in the evening the same time as everyone else when it went online.

“It was hard to find out like that. But I think the best thing is that we’ve played a couple of games since then.

“I have to say, fair play to the lads, the coaches and everyone else. The staff who work behind the scenes, like the S&C and physios.

“How much they’ve helped and how close we’ve come as a squad. I think the way we played against the Lions and the Dragons over the weekend shows how close the group is.

“It’s brought us closer as a group. We just want to put a performance on the pitch that we’re proud of.”

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Morgan then confirmed that the players and staff had no prior communication from the Ospreys’ bosses ahead of the news breaking that Y11 were the chosen bidders for Cardiff.

“So the only thing we saw was what came out online, really,” he said – with former referee Nigel Owens chipping in to call the situation “disgraceful”.

“That’s the reason I went up north,” replied dual-code icon Davies, who left Welsh rugby for rugby league back in 1988. “We lost a Wales game and the Union didn’t offer me any support.

“I said, ‘Right, I’m off. I’ve had enough of this.’ But if you don’t feel that you’re part of something and they don’t care about you.

“As the lads have shown at the Ospreys, the most important thing, when things go against you and your backs are against the wall, that’s when you need support from the region and, more than anything, from the Union.

“If you don’t get that, you don’t have any faith in them at all. That’s the reason I went – I couldn’t cope. I couldn’t believe what the lads would do when I went.

“That was just about me, on that scale. Now, with the region, and the amount of people who could lose their jobs. That they haven’t been involved in the meetings – it’s disgusting.”

Davies then asked Morgan if he could imagine Welsh rugby without the Ospreys.

“No, I can’t, no,” replied Morgan, who is currently sidelined through a shoulder injury. “I can’t see how it would work as there’s so much talent in the villages in that area.

“I remember playing in Ospreys Cup games, playing against all the villages when I was young. Loads play in that area. We all grew up supporting the Ospreys. Where would we go to next?”

Morgan, who is not involved with Wales’ Six Nations campaign through injury, hopes to be back by the end of March. On the show, he also called leaving the Ospreys “probably the most difficult decision” he’s ever had to make.

However, he will be joined by his close friend, Wales and Ospreys team-mate Dewi Lake, at Kingsholm. Lake, who is captaining Wales in Morgan’s absence, is also joining Gloucester next season.

“I knew he’d had a meeting, but I hadn’t said I was going because I didn’t want to influence Dewi’s decision,” said Morgan. “I wanted him to make the best decision for himself.

“We both knew that we’d met up with them. At the end of the day, whatever was best for him would be best for him.

“I then found out that he had definitely more or less signed when the leak came out online. I texted him and said, ‘Looks like we’re both off, then’.”

Emma Raducanu took a step closer towards her first final since her US Open triumph after storming into the semi-finals of the Transylvania Open.

If Raducanu’s critics feared her game would take a dip after ditching her most recent coach, the 23-year-old answered them emphatically with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Poland’s Maja Chwalinska.

In her third match since parting ways with Francis Roig after the Australian Open, Raducanu, who is the top seed at this WTA 250 event, played with uninhibited freedom and flair to set up a semi-final showdown with Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova.

Raducanu has been the top seed at four previous WTA tournaments throughout her career, but has never been able to finish any of them with a trophy. Having dropped just 14 games all week in Romania, the country of her father’s birth, she is in fine shape to finally break that streak.

After winning 11 games in a row against Kaja Juvan on Wednesday, Raducanu made it 19 in 20 before Chwalinska finally got on the scoreboard at the start of the second set. 

Following the opening set bagel, Chwalinska, the world number No 146 upped her game and Raducanu’s level dropped slightly as the match became more competitive. Just when it seemed Raducanu would run away with the match after breaking to lead 3-2, Chwalinska broke straight back. However, Raducanu made it three breaks in row to lead 4-3 and comfortably served out the match.

“I’m very happy with my performance. I played a great match from the beginning and I was pleased I could get off to that start,” said Raducanu, who finished her on-court interview in Romanian. “Of course, there’s always moments of adversity to overcome and I did that pretty well in the second set.”

Full report to follow…

A BEAUTY fan has revealed the controversial trick that keeps her skin looking youthful.

So if you want glowing skin but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place and will need to take notes. 

Raquel Velasco, a lifestyle content creator who often shares wellness and skincare advice online, recently took to social media to share the simple way she keeps her complexion clear.

Posting online, the brunette, who is from the United States, confirmed that people always say to her: “I thought you were 35.”

Revealing her age and setting the record straight on how she stays looking so young, the influencer wrote: “I’m 50. I’ve been shaving my face for 25 years and NO my hair doesn’t come back thicker.”

Raquel then explained that she shaves her face using a facial cleanser and does this once or twice a month. 

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She also acknowledged that shaving her face helps with exfoliating the skin and means her skincare “gets absorbed way better.” 

The beauty enthusiast began shaving her face around the age of 23 and confirmed that she uses the Harry’s Men’s 5 Blade Razor.

You’ll be able to buy it for £8.75 from Boots but for those on a budget, you’ll be pleased to know it has currently been reduced to just £6.90 at Waitrose. 

However, if you’re looking for a men’s razor that’ll do just the job but for more than half the price, you’ll find an affordable Amazon own-brand alternative for just £1.57. 

While many are sceptical about shaving their face in fear it will cause irritation or spots, Raquel got candid on the controversial beauty hack as she confirmed: “To avoid acne, I exfoliate and cleanse before, then I use a facial cleanser to shave and always a sharp blade.” 

Not only this, but according to Healthline, while shaving your face could cause damage or lead to ingrown hairs, it can also help clean up and brighten your skin, making it easier to apply make-up.

In addition to removing hair, the experts recognised that facial shaving can also be used as a mechanical exfoliator to remove dead skin cells.

Beauty fans beam

Raquel’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @raquelschwetzv, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up 2.1 million views. 

Beauty fans were in awe of Raquel’s “amazing” skin and many were in total disbelief at her age. 

WHAT you look in your 20s

TikTok user

One person said: “You look amazing!” 

Another added: “I would never have guessed you are 50. Your skin looks amazing.” 

A third commented: “WHAT you look in your 20s.” 

Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “50 years???? Are you serious?? I give you 30 years.” 

At the same time, one user wondered: “Does your face feel spikey?”

In response, Raquel confirmed: “No. The hair is fine so it’s not spiked like legs.” 

While one beauty fan gushed: “I do this once a week. Love it.”

To this, Raquel responded: “I love it too! Especially putting on skincare and make-up right after.” 

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As US and Iranian peace negotiators hold desperate talks to try and avoid war on Friday morning the American military has continued building up its assets parked in the Arabian Sea

US commanders have continued to boost the military strength of their potential attack force in the Middle East amid intense fears war with Iran could break out.

As well as a carrier strike force and six destroyers, squadrons of F15 fighter jets and electronic jamming planes, another aircraft carrier may be deployed, according to sources. The latest of several communications planes have also arrived in the Middle East to help plan a war on Iran if peace talks on Friday in Oman fail.

A third US Air Force E-11A aircraft departed from Chania International Airport on the Greek island of Crete yesterday. It touched down about four hours later at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia in readiness to help commanders in any attack on Iran.

READ MORE: Donald Trump hits out warning Iran’s Supreme Leader he ‘should be very worried’READ MORE: War fears soar that Iran will launch drone blitz on US taskforce

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Earlier in the week US stealth bombers and F-15s flew into a base in Jordan. And in Qatar four UK Typhoon attack jets have deployed to help the US and Israel defend against possible attack.

But the vanguard of any attack is likely to be launched by USS Abraham Lincoln’s F-35C and Super Hornet fighters. A carrier-launched F-35C brought down a Shahed-139 attack drone sent by Iran towrads the carrier fleet days ago.

On Thursday afternoon a White House official confirmed Jared Kushner, Donald Trump ’s son-in-law and a key figure in his Middle East policy negotiations, and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, have arrived in the Qatari capital. It is believed the pair flew into Doha to prepare for their meeting On Friday morning with an Iranian delegation which include Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister.

Iran has apparently told the US some of its demands are ‘off the table.’ The US is believed to have insisted on no nuclear material inside Iran, security for protesters and limitation of Iran’s ballistic programme.

It is believed Tehran has responded by telling the US the ballistic weapons programme negotiations are completely ‘off the table.’ Some officials inside Tehran, sources told the Daily Mirror, are now believed to have decided a conflict is inevitable.

And it is thought the Israeli government may already have decided it will attack Iran’s missile sites if the American military force is not given the attack order. The US began building up its huge armada in the Middle East weeks ago amid reports the Tehran regime was violently clamping down on opposition protests.

Trump threatened military action if Iran does not agree a deal on its nuclear programme and to stop killing protesters. Asked whether Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei should be worried, he said: “I would say he should be very worried.

“He should be. As you know, they’re negotiating with us.” But Khamenei, who went into hiding for weeks as security officials launched a violent crackdown on protesters, warned the US on Sunday that any attack on Iran would spark a “regional war,”

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It is believed more than 7,000 deaths can be accounted during the Iranian uprising but investigators fear at least another 17,000 deaths took place. And it is even thought the killing has continued.