Labour Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons was accused of commissioning surveillance of journalists
Labour MP Josh Simons has stepped down as a Cabinet Office minister following an inquiry into claims that a think tank he headed before joining Government commissioned surveillance of journalists.
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Labour Together, regarded as one of the most influential bodies within Labour circles, was accused of paying Apco Worldwide £36,000 to investigate reporters who had written articles about its work.
An inquiry by Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics adviser concluded that Mr Simons had not violated the Ministerial Code, but the Makerfield MP said he had “become a distraction from this Government’s important work”.
Mr Simons had faced mounting pressure to quit and had maintained that Apco had been engaged to look into an unlawful hack. In a letter to the Prime Minister, ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus said Mr Simons now accepted that the terms he had agreed with Apco were “wider than he had understood” and that he had acted “too hastily in confirming their appointment”.
Sir Laurie said Mr Simons had acted “in good faith” and noted that the MP acknowledged the “perceived gap between his public statements and what he now accepts appears to be a more extensive scope has been damaging”, reports the Express.
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He added: “I see no basis for advising you of any breach of the Ministerial Code by Mr Simons but you will wish to consider, in the light of this distraction and potential reputational damage, whether he continues to hold your confidence as a member of your Government.”
The Prime Minister said he accepted “with sadness” the resignation of Josh Simons from his position as a Cabinet Office minister.
“I want to express my thanks for the commitment, focus, and energy you have brought to ministerial office,” he said in his response to Mr Simons’ resignation letter.
Sir Keir added: “In accepting your resignation, I also want to place on record that the Independent Adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, found no breach of the Ministerial Code. I am grateful for your full and proactive cooperation throughout his work. I understand that, to avoid any ongoing distraction from delivering the Government’s mission, you have taken the difficult decision to step aside. I respect that decision, and I look forward to continuing to work with you in driving forward the Government’s priorities.”
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In his resignation letter, Josh Simons stated: “I welcome that Sir Laurie Magnus has cleared me of breaching the Ministerial Code. It was important to me to complete this process to prove that I behaved with integrity and that my public statements have been truthful and honest.
“Nonetheless, it is clear that my remaining in office has now become a distraction from this Government’s important work. For that reason, and with sadness and regret, I offer my resignation. It has been an honour to serve this great country.
“The work of reporters like Gabriel Pogrund, Harry Yorke, and Henry Dyer sustains our democracy. With rigour and objectivity, they hold those in positions of power to account. In an age when trust in politics is low, anything perceived to be an attack on their integrity and independence deserves thorough investigation. As I have said many times, I never sought to smear these newspaper reporters.”
Apco was commissioned to investigate the “sourcing, funding and origins” of coverage in 2023 regarding Labour Together’s failure to declare more than £700,000 in donations. The think tank was fined £14,250 in September 2021 for delayed reporting of donations between 2017 and 2020, after a self-referral to the Electoral Commission.
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Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart said Sir Keir Starmer ought to have dismissed Mr Simons sooner. In a post on X, he wrote: “Labour waited to refer the case to the Independent Adviser to delay judgement until after the by-election (fat lot of good that did). Need full investigation into Labour Together now.”
Close allies of Mr Simons maintain he has done the “responsible thing” to bring an end to the “distraction”, and that he never sought to smear or investigate journalists. They insist he “won’t be quiet on the backbenchers” but will argue passionately for change that benefits the country.
A further ally added: “In stepping aside despite being cleared, Josh has shown he’s the type of person to take responsibility and put the long term direction of the Government first. He’ll not give up his energy in driving the party and this country forward.”
Jack Whitehall returned to host the BRIT Awards 2026 ceremony on Saturday night with viewers divided over his performance
Joe Crutchley Screen Time reporter
22:03, 28 Feb 2026
BRIT Awards viewers found themselves expressing identical sentiments mere moments after the programme commenced.
The British music industry’s most prestigious annual event returned to ITV on Saturday evening (February 28) as numerous global pop stars competed for the coveted trophies.
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Jack Whitehall returned to present the ceremony, which welcomed several notable personalities in attendance, including Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Shaun Ryder, Bez and Mark Ronson, who received this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Music award.
Topping the nominations this year are Olivia Dean and Lola Young, each securing five nods, with both artists competing for British Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Act.
International representation came from HUNTR/X, the vocal talents behind the KPop Demon Hunters group, New York performer Sombre and genre-defying Spanish artist Rosalía.
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Nevertheless, criticism flooded in within moments regarding Jack Whitehall’s hosting duties. On X, one viewer stated: “Why do they insist on bringing back Jack Whitehall year after year we are tired.”, reports the Daily Star.
Another contributed: “Jack Whitehall is unfunny idiot pls get him off my TV. The first 20 seconds was more than enough.”
A third wrote: “Jack you ain’t funny.” A fourth stated: “Jack Whitehall getting more and more unfunnier with these jabs at Manchester.”
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Conversely, other audience members praised Jack’s performance, with one individual commenting: “Jack Whitehall is the best host.” Another person wrote: “Love Jack lol.” A third commented: “Jack and Harry are so iconic, so glad they’re back.”
Earlier this week, Jack was a guest on Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby to discuss the upcoming BRIT Awards. During the chat, Jack gave a glimpse into the extensive preparation that goes into his jokes for the evening.
**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**
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“There’s a few roasts and jokes that are planned at the moment, to be fair none of the script has gone off to the ITV lawyers, I imagine by Saturday 50% of that will get cut. In fact they’ve already started to pre-edit me,” he revealed.
Jack continued: “I got an email forwarded over to me that was from the ITV lawyer that was just all about how litigious Donald Trump is. Just a sort of, which is red rag to a bull for me.”
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Twenty-one years on from the murder of Lisa Dorrian and her family say the investigation has not wavered and that commitment has carried them through the darkest times.
The search for her body and for answers as to why she was murdered and disappeared in February 2005 have now entered their 21st year and her loved ones say they will never give up.
Today we recount Lisa’s movement’s before her death and the timeline of events that police are dealing with in the current investigation, from the early assumption that she was a missing person to confirming she had been murdered, and the Dorrian family’s turmoil across two decades.
The Victim
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Lisa Dorrian, 25, was a shop assistant from Bangor, who went missing on February 28, 2005. She left behind her mother and father, Pat and John, and three younger sisters, Joanne, Michelle and Ciara.
The fateful evening
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Lisa spent the evening before she vanished partying in the Newtownards house before she travelled to a party in Ballyhalbert Caravan Park, out of season and all but abandoned by holiday makers.
The last man to see Lisa alive, was Mark Lovett, a then 17-year-old groundsman and labourer at the park, who was also at the party.
In a police statement Mark Lovett told officers that he and Lisa had been together in the caravan when they saw flashing lights outside, accompanied by loud noises at about 4.45am. He said the pair were frightened and left the caravan, running into the darkness initially together, but they lost each other.
Mark Lovett confirmed that he dialled Lisa’s mobile phone but said it went unanswered.
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Lisa was never seen again.
Arrests
Police have made numerous arrests over the years, but to date no one has been charged with either the murder or disappearance of Lisa Dorrian. The PSNI are still actively working Lisa’s case and earlier this week, ahead of the 21st anniversary, a 40-year-old woman and 42-year-old man were arrested by detectives on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial. They have both been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Lisa’s last moments alive
Detectives believe that Lisa was strangled in the Ballyhalbert caravan and her body was secretly buried a short distance away.
The caravan in which she was last seen and which had been held by police for forensic testing for years, has finally been destroyed.
But multiple and repeated tests had failed to locate any trace of Lisa’s blood or any indication of her killer.
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Fight For Answers and Justice
Lisa’s family has spent two decades waiting for her return, knowing that she is dead and wanting a Christian burial for her.
A campaign for justice led by Lisa’s sister Joanne with the full backing from her sisters Michelle and Ciara and their father John, continues and the Dorrian family remain resolute in their determination to see justice done.
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Not only are they working towards their own answers and conclusions, they have fiercely backed the proposed Charlotte’s Law which would keep convicted killers behind bars until they reveal the location of their victim’s body.
Separate rewards of £5,000, £10,000 and £50,000, endless appeals, anniversary interviews and documentaries have still not triggered the truth about the whereabouts of Lisa’s body.
But the family say there will be an answer, there will be a burial and there will be justice.
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Murder Timeline
Sunday, February 27 into Monday, February 28, 2005 Lisa Dorrian, 25, a shop assistant from Bangor, Co Down, attends a house party in Ballyhalbert with a new group of friends following the break up of her relationship.
Lisa travels the short distance to a static caravan at a park in Ballyhalbert, on the Ards peninsula. Amongst other people there is the last man to see her alive, then aged 17, Mark Lovett.
The pair are left alone in the caravan. Mark Lovett reports them being spooked by flashing lights in the darkness and loud noises coming from outside. He reports how he leaves the caravan with Lisa who runs into the night never to be seen again. He tells police Lisa was last seen around 5am.
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March 1 – 5, 2005 Joanne Dorrian has not heard from her sister and starts to become concerned when her phone rings out.
Joanne calls a number of Lisa’s friends and appeals for information about where she had last been seen over the weekend.
She contacts police with her fears that something terrible has happened to Lisa and drives endless roads around the coast and countryside in an attempt to find her, fearing she would succumb to the bitter cold if she had had an accident.
March 6, 2005 The police are now treating Lisa as a missing person. Her parents, John and Pat, make a public appeal for information and her whereabouts in the previous six days.
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John says: “If she is out there and sees all this involvement with the police and the media, it doesn’t matter. Don’t worry about it, come back.” Police say they cannot rule out that a crime has taken place.
March 7, 2005 Searches are stepped up as police involvement intensifies prompting extensive air, land and sea searches along the Ards Peninsula.
Police carry out a reconstruction at 5am GMT, timed to the exact hour Lisa was initially assumed to have gone missing.
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Drivers on the coast roads around Ballyhalbert are stopped and prompted for information. A former boyfriend of Lisa said she had been spending more time in the Ballyhalbert area.
March 13, 2005 PSNI escalate their missing persons case to a murder investigation.
Fears are raised that loyalist paramilitary interests are preventing people coming forward with information.
Graffiti appears in Ballyhalbert linking the murder to the paramilitary Loyalist Volunteer Force.
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April 28, 2005 A £10,000 reward is offered for information leading to the recovery of Lisa’s body.
The Dorrian family offer the money hoping to bring their horror to a conclusion and to give their daughter a resting place.
Dad John Dorrian, said: “This has ripped the family apart and we cannot move on until we can give Lisa a Christian burial.”
May 17, 2005 A BBC Spotlight investigation claims loyalist paramilitary groups are carrying out a parallel investigation into the death of Lisa Dorrian.
The programme reports that members of the UFV and Red Hand Commando had interrogated two teenagers over her disappearance, and believed the LVF are behind the crime.
David Ervine, then leader of the Progressive Unionist Party which is closely linked to the UVF, said he “had no doubt” that Lisa was killed by the LVF.
He appealed to those involved but no information was forthcoming to Mr Ervine.
Lisa’s mother, Pat, said their family is willing to speak to loyalist paramilitaries about finding Lisa but did not “want any retaliation and comeback”. The police later confirmed there was no paramilitary involvement in Lisa’s murder or disappearance and rumours created a smoke screen to protect the real culprit.
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May 19, 2005 A memorial service is held for Lisa and a park bench is put in place in the grounds of council offices in Bangor.
May 27, 2005 Conflicting accounts over phone calls made around the time Lisa disappeared, emerge.
Two men questioned over the murder gave different accounts of a phone call said to be made moments after she disappeared.
He told police that he called Lisa’s mobile phone and spoke to a man known to Lisa who, he claimed, told him he was in Bangor, Co Down, with a female.
This male is reported to have told police he was in the company of a male and a female in a flat in Ballywalter, and that Lisa’s phone had been left in the flat.
Two separate allegations are made regarding Lisa’s death during two meetings at Belfast City Hall – the first was that she was being harassed by two men over money for drugs in the weeks leading up to her death and the second was that she was minding £20,000 at her Bangor flat for a male. The details of these unsubstantiated allegations were given to David Ervine who passed them to police.
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May 31, 2005 The Dorrian family meet with David Ervine who stressed his involvement was a bid to help the family with no political agenda. Mr Ervine described the circumstances around the murder as a ‘cesspit’ and added: “If you leave cesspits alone, they multiply.”
June 12, 2005 Lisa’s family release 26 balloons over Bangor’s seafront to mark her 26th birthday.
June 28, 2005 Lisa’s sisters Michelle and Joanne and their father John are joined by Linfield manager David Jeffrey and Glentoran counterpart Paul Millar, with players from both teams to show their support for the family before the Setanta cup game at the Oval in Belfast.
July 1, 2005 Fundraising to keep the Lisa Dorrian appeal in the public eye steps up. Blue ribbons are given out to support attempts to locate Lisa’s body. Four people questioned by police about the murder have been released without charge.
September 16, 2005 Police say they believe Lisa’s body may have been submerged in water and appeal to boat owners in the Ards Peninsula to check their vessels for signs they had been tampered with or broken into.
August 23, 2006 Rock band Snow Patrol pledges its support to the efforts to find Lisa’s body and wear blue ribbons during their performance at a gig in Belfast to highlight the family’s plight.
December 11, 2007 Lisa’s family mark 1,017 days since her disappearance as they prepare for another Christmas without her. Dad John, says the family still feel “just like it happened yesterday” and appeals for information. He said: “We would appeal to them in humanity, please any small bit of information, give it in confidence. It is gnawing in our stomach, we know she’s out there somewhere. It would give us great relief if we could just know where she was.”
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October 16, 2012 Police investigate an area of farmland near Comber, Co Down, as part of a search for a vehicle possibly used in Lisa’s disappearance. No evidence is found and the search is called off.
February 23, 2015 Shortly before the tenth anniversary of Lisa’s disappearance, her family once again appeal for information. Crimestoppers offers a new reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
June 28, 2015 Convicted killer Jimmy Seales tells a newspaper that he knows where the body of Lisa Dorrian is buried, claiming she was dumped in a sealed container on an illegal landfill site near Ballygowan, Co Down. No human remains are found.
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December 28, 2016
Lisa’s mum Pat dies aged 59. Her daughters later say she died from a broken heart over the death and disappearance of Lisa.
Family friend Lady Sylvia Hermon said: “News of Pat’s death has come as a dreadful shock, and I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact I won’t see her again or hear her distinctive voice or share another pot of tea with her.
“The pain of losing Lisa, her eldest daughter, in such awful circumstances and of never having had the chance to give her a proper Christian burial undoubtedly took a terrible toll on Pat’s health.
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“Her heart ached every day of every year without Lisa. Every day she longed for the discovery and return of Lisa’s remains, but that just wasn’t to be. It’s so very sad and so cruel that Pat hasn’t lived long enough for that to happen.”
January 5, 2017 The funeral of Pat Dorrian, Lisa’s mother, takes place followed by a burial at Clandeboye Cemetery, Bangor.
Mourners are told that the death of her daughter “took an unbearable toll” on Pat and that while her wish to see Lisa buried would not be fulfilled for her, “it is one that can still be fulfilled for her family”.
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February 15, 2017 Police search land outside Comber for Lisa’s body. The search ends a week later with no human remains being found.
February 28, 2017 Lisa’s dad and sisters recorded a video message appealing for help on the twelfth anniversary of her death.
They address the person who was with Lisa at the moment she died, and say: “It’s never too late to tell us. A place is all we need. Please help yourself by easing your conscience. Tell us where Lisa is.”
June 29, 2018
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Following an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch three fresh search sites are identified and work by specialist police officers gets underway, including wooded areas in Craigantlet Co Down and Carrickfergus, co Antrim with specially-trained police dogs. Joanne says: “We have endured 13 years of torture. We lost my mum about two and a half years ago and she just couldn’t cope with not having Lisa.” No evidence is found.
April 1, 2019
More than 40 police and specialist search personnel move into Ballyhalbert at dawn as police announce fresh searches of the caravan park in Ballyhalbert, Co Down where Lisa was last seen alive.
Searches started at a disused RAF airfield in the seaside village and include a vast area of underground bunkers and ponds. Ground penetrating equipment is deployed in the search. No human remains are found.
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April 5, 2019
A man and a woman are arrested in connection with the disappearance and murder of Lisa. A PSNI spokesperson said: “A 49-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were arrested today in the Newtownards and Ballyhalbert areas on suspicion of murder. They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.” The pair were released without charge.
April 20, 2022 A multi-millionaire TV reality star and dad-of-six donates £50,000 to boost a reward fund for information about the location of Lisa’s body. The donation was made by businessman Barrie Drewitt-Barlow.
September 10, 2023 Lisa’s family release the image of the last place she was before she went missing, a caravan on the Ballyhalbert site that was transported to PSNI property for full forensic examination and has since been destroyed.
October 4, 2023 Netflix broadcasts a new crime series examining the unsolved murders of four women in Northern Ireland aged from 15 to 25 including Lisa. The lives and deaths of Lisa Dorrian, Inga Maria Hauser, Arlene Arkinson and Marian Beattie will be revealed in detail as their families continue their search for answers and justice.
February 12, 2024 Work starts on the gravestone which marks Pat Dorrian’s burial place in Clandeboye Cemetery, Bangor. Lisa’s name is included with the words LISA: 12th June 1979- MISSING SINCE 28th FEB – 2005.
February 25, 2024 The Dorrian family visit the family grave at Clandeboye Cemetery and see Lisa’s name on the headstone for the first time. Joanne said: “Those words were very carefully chosen. Just two dates and nothing else at this stage because we’re not finished. There will be more added to the gravestone when we have Lisa returned to us.
“For now we are content we’ve done the right thing as a family. Then Lisa will be buried with mum and her life and our love for her will be memorialised on the headstone, just as we have with mum.”
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May 31, 2024
A two week billboard campaign ran over what would have been Lisa’s 45th birthday in areas of Northern Ireland frequented by her killer, those who helped him and others who have yet to reveal their secrets. The billboards featured an image of the caravan where Lisa spent her last moments before she was murdered.
February 27, 2025
On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, detectives, for the first time, released CCTV footage, which is the ‘last known footage’ of Lisa in the days before her disappearance.
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Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman, from the Police Service’s Major Investigation Team, said: “We’re releasing CCTV footage, along with still images. This is the last known footage of Lisa in the run-up to her disappearance. My hope is to jog memories, and to encourage anyone with information to speak up.”
December 8, 2025
A 68-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Lisa’s murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial. He was then released following questioning.
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February 25, 2026
A man and a woman arrested by detectives investigating the disappearance and presumed murder of Lisa Dorrian were released. A 40-year-old woman was arrested in Bangor on Wednesday, and later a 42-year-old man was arrested in Scotland.
They were both arrested on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial. On Thursday evening, the Police Service of Ireland said both had been released on bail pending further inquiries.
In a statement, the PSNI said detectives “remain determined to provide justice for Lisa’s family”.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Key members of Congress are demanding a swift vote on a war powers resolution that would restrain President Donald Trump’s military attack on Iran unless the administration wins their approval for what they warn is a potentially illegal campaign that risks pulling the United States into a deeper Middle East conflict.
Both the House and Senate, where the president’s Republican Party has a slim majority, had already drafted such resolutions long before the strikes Saturday. Now they are ready to plunge into a rare war powers debate next week that will serve as a referendum on Trump’s decision to go it alone on military action without formal authorization from Congress.
“Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of U.S. meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East?” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a leader in the bipartisan effort. He said the strikes on Iran were “a colossal mistake.”
In the House, Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are demanding Congress go on record with a public vote on their own bipartisan measure. “Congress must convene on Monday to vote,” Khanna said, “to stop this.”
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Massie blasted Trump’s own presidential campaign slogan and said: “This is not ‘America First.’”
But most Republicans, particularly their leaders, welcomed Trump’s move against Iran. Many cited the longtime U.S. adversary’s nuclear programs and missile capabilities as requiring a military response.
“Well done, Mr. President,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. “As I watch and monitor this historic operation, I’m in awe of President Trump’s determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evil’s worst nightmare.”
War powers debate tests Congress
The administration’s decision to launch, with Israel, what appears to be an open-ended joint military operation aimed at changing the government in Tehran is testing the Constitution’s separation of powers in deep and dramatic ways. Nearly two months earlier, Trump ordered U.S. strikes that toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
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While presidents have the authority as the commander in chief to conduct certain strategic military operations on their own, the Constitution vests Congress with the power to wage war. Before the Iraq War began in March 2003, Republican President George W. Bush made a monthslong push to secure congressional authorization. No such vote was attempted on Iran, and an earlier Senate effort to halt Trump’s actions after last summer’s strike on Iran failed.
The congressional debate over war powers would mostly be symbolic. Even if a resolution were to pass the narrowly split Congress, Trump likely would veto it and Congress would not have the two-thirds majority needed to overturn that rejection. Congress has often failed to block other U.S. military actions, including in a Senate vote on Venezuela, but the roll calls stand as a public record.
Republican leaders back Trump’s action
The response by House Speaker Mike Johnson reflected the party’s long-standing views. Iran, he said, is facing “the severe consequences of its evil actions.”
Johnson, R-La., said the leaders of the House and Senate and the respective intelligence committees had been briefed in detail earlier in the week that military action “may become necessary” to protect U.S. troops and citizens in Iran. He said he received updates from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and will stay in “close contact” with Trump and the Defense Department “as this operation proceeds.”
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., commended Trump “for taking action to thwart these threats.”
Thune said he looked forward to administration officials briefing all senators — a signal that lawmakers are seeking more answers to their questions about Trump’s plans ahead.
Democrats warn strikes are illegal
Many Democrats are calling the operation illegal, saying the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war. To them, the administration has failed to lay out its rationale or plan for the military strikes, and the aftermath.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the president has undertaken “illegal, regime-change war against Iran.”
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“This is not making us safer & only damages the US & our interests,” Van Hollen, D-Md., said in a social media post. “The Senate must immediately vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop it.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said while Iran is a “bad actor and must be aggressively confronted” for its human rights abuses and the threat it poses to the U.S. and allies, the administration “must seek authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war.”
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, demanded that Congress be briefed immediately on the administration’s plans.
“Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home,” he said.
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Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Matt Brown contributed to this report.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Israeli officials have said. The assassination of the 86-year-old leader of the Islamic Republic, who had no designated successor, would throw its future into doubt and raise the prospect of a protracted conflict given Iranian threats of retaliation.
In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this evening there were ‘growing signs’ that Mr Khamenei had been killed when Israel struck his compound early on Saturday. Shortly after the address, two officials told the Associated Press that Israel had confirmed his death.
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Mr Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in 1989. He had the final say on all major policies, leading Iran’s clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard – the two main centres of power in the country’s theocracy.
Asked about reports that Mr Khamenei was killed in air strikes on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said: “We feel that that is a correct story.” In a brief phone interview with NBC News, he said “a large amount of leadership” of Iran had been killed, adding: “I don’t mean like two people.”
He also said “most” of Iran’s senior leadership is “gone”, including many people who make decisions. Asked who might become Iran’s new supreme leader, Mr Trump said “I don’t know but at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like” before noting he was being “only being a little sarcastic” in suggesting that.
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The Israeli military said the strikes also killed Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Iranian Security Council and a close adviser to Mr Khamenei, and Mohammad Shirazi, the head of Mr Khamenei’s military bureau, were also said to have been killed.
Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said at least 201 people had been killed. The first strikes appeared to target the Supreme Leader’s compound in central Tehran.
But there are conflicting reports coming out of Iran about Mr Khamenei’s death. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Mr Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive “as far as I know”. Al Jazeera has also reported that Iran’s semi-official news agencies Tasnim and Mehr are reporting that the supreme leader is ‘steadfast and firm in commanding the field’.
A good pair of jeans can last years and be worn for a range of different occasions.
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Jeans are a staple item to have in your wardrobe and can be worn for in almost any weather. A good pair of jeans can be re-worn for years and are easy to style with a range of items you already own for running errands or meeting friends.
Tesco F&F has just launched a huge line of jeans just in time for the spring including the F&F High Rise Flared Patch Pocket Jeans in Navy. The jeans have been “designed with a statement-making flared leg and patch pockets” to help you stand out.
The jeans have belt loops and a button fly fastening that “give them a classic look and feel”. The jeans are currently being sold for £25 and would be great for a range of occasions.
The jeans were posted in a video showcasing the new range on the Tesco F&F Instagram page. The video was captioned: “Denim season is here and @debbielegrainger has all the styles you need. Shop 25% off all denim in store and online now.”
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Fans of the clothing brand have already taken to social media to share their opinions on the new jeans. One commenter said: “Love these!” and another said: “Ahhh they all look so good.”
If you want to pick up the stylish flared jeans or any other pair from the new collection, you can go to the Tesco website to browse all of its clothes. You can also go in person to a Tesco store with a clothing department.
If Tesco’s jeans are not quite in line with your style, you might like these alternative options from Boden. There are these High Rise Wide Leg Jeans that reviews say are “extremely comfortable” or these trendy Primrose Patch Pocket Jeans.
Referee Peter Bankes called halted play in the 12th minute at Elland Road to allow Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush to break their fast at the time of sunset.
The three players were given around a minute to take on food and water on the touchline, but the break was met by boos and offensive chanting from a section of the Leeds supporters.
A message reminding supporters that the players were breaking fast was shown on screens at Elland Road.
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Speaking about the reaction from a section of Leeds fans, Guardiola said: ‘It’s the modern world, right? Look what’s happening in the world right now today again, right?
‘Respect the religions, respect the diversity, that is the point.
Pep Guardiola says religions and diversity should be respected (AMA/Getty)
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‘It’s a rule, we didn’t say it, the Premier League said it’s okay for the fasting you can have one or two minutes, so the players do it. It is what it is, unfortunately.’
Asked about the booing, Leeds assistant manager Edmund Riemer said: ‘I’m focused on the game so I don’t really hear it but disappointed with some supporters that that happened.’
A statement from Kick It Out on the incident read: ‘It’s massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans booed when Manchester City’s players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road this evening. This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium.
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‘Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It’s an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities.
‘But as tonight’s reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance.’
Paula and Tony Hudgell who campaigned for the register (Picture: Invicta Kent Media/Shutterstock)
Abusive parents will be placed on a register like sex offenders are under proposed changes.
The Child Cruelty Register would see parents and caregivers who physically harm children closely monitored by police and face similar restrictions to registered sex offenders.
It would be introduced through an amendment to the Police and Crime Bill and follows extensive campaigning by Paula Hudgell.
Her adoptive son Tony had to have his legs amputated after he was badly abused and neglected by his birth parents.
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‘To be able to sort of get this over the line has been quite a challenge,’ she said reacting to the news.
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‘I am delighted. It feels very surreal after such a long campaign, and hopefully it will save many lives going forward.’
Tony was just 41 days old when Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith left him with multiple fractures and dislocations, leading to organ failure, toxic shock, and sepsis.
Tony had to have his legs amputated after he was badly abused and neglected by his birth parents (Picture: Invicta Kent Media/REX/Shutterstock)
They then left him untreated for 10 days, leading to his injuries becoming so bad he had to have both his legs amputated.
The ‘remorseless’ pair were each jailed for 10 years in 2018.
The amendment, which the government expects to table ‘shortly’ and is expected to come into force in November, would cover crimes including child neglect, child cruelty, abandonment, female genital mutilation (FGM), and infanticide.
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Anyone on it would have to tell police if they move house, change their identity, travel abroad, or live with children again after serving their sentence.
Sentencing minister, Jake Richards, paid tribute to Mrs Hudgell for her ‘remarkable fight to ensure no child should go through the life-altering abuse that her son Tony did’.
He added: ‘Child abusers do not deserve shielding; children do. The Child Cruelty Register will ensure these offenders are visible to the police, allowing authorities to see and act when risks arise.’
Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: ‘We’ve listened to the Hudgells, and to the many families who feel the system hasn’t done enough to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society, and we are taking vital action.
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‘Whether it be online, on the streets, in schools, or from their own caregivers – children are being kept safer under this government.’
Laura Anderson is stuck in Dubai amid the city being bombarded with Iranian missiles.
Scots Love Island star Laura Anderson has been left stranded in Dubai with her daughter after the city was bombarded with Iranian airstrikes. This comes after the US and Israel have launched a major attack on targets across Iran after Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government”.
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Iranian forces have since launched counter attacks at US military in the UAE. Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central, and explosions were heard in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have closed their air space. Emirates has also announced a suspension of all flights from Scotland to the UAE with Qatar expected to follow, with the Foreign Office urging Brits to shelter in place amid the missile strikes.
Many have been left stranded as a result, including Laura, 36, and her daughter Bonnie, who had just arrived in Dubai on Friday. The reality star posted photos of herself and the tot in Glasgow Airport on her Instagram story before sharing a video of her accommodation, writing: “Welcome to Dubai”.
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However, within a matter of hours, Laura posted the words, “Horrendous situation, Bonnie and I are fine”, alongside a white heart emoji.
Flights have been halted indefinitely at Dubai International Airport amid the bombardment, according to Dubai’s airport operator. Dubai-based airline Emirates said: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai.”
They continued: “We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities. We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused.
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“We are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”
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Flydubai has also suspended operations at this time.
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The theft took place on Rae’s Gardens in Bonnyrigg between 8.45am and 3.10pm on Wednesday, February 25.
20:31, 28 Feb 2026Updated 20:34, 28 Feb 2026
Police in Midlothian have initiated a manhunt following a break-in at a residence during daylight hours. The burglary occurred on Rae’s Gardens in Bonnyrigg between 8.45am and 3.10pm on Wednesday, February 25.
The premises was broken into, and a quantity of jewellery was taken. Residents have been urged to come forward with any information.
Anyone with dash-cam or personal footage have also been encouraged to contact police.
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Detective Constable Aaron McCall said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are urging anyone with information to contact us.
“If you were in the area between the times stated and witnessed anything suspicious, or have any information that may assist our investigation, please let us know.”, reports Edinburgh Live.
“Anyone with dash-cam or personal footage from the area on Wednesday is asked to contact us if it holds anything relevant.”
Information should be passed to Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 2328 of 25 February, 2026.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the reaction to some of his Muslim players being booed at Leeds
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called for more respect after loud boos greeted a pause in play to allow Muslim players to break their fast for Ramadan. Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush headed to the touchline during a first-half stoppage when the sun went down and the Leeds crowd booed despite the reason for the stoppage being put up on a big screen in the stadium.
“It is a modern world, right? [You see] what is happening in the world today,” he said. “Respect religion, diversity, that is the point. The Premier League says you can have one or two minutes, you can have for the [fasting] players to do it [break their fast]. It is what it is, unfortunately.
“Of course they [the players] know it. We took on a little bit of vitamins because [Rayan] Cherki, [Rayan] Ait-Nouri did not eat today. No more than that. The question is, can they do it or not? What is the problem?’”
Daniel Farke was unable to conduct any post-match interviews after being sent off at the final whistle for complaining to the referee about the lack of time added onto the six minutes of injury time as City wore the clock down. His assistant Edmund Riemer stepped up to do media duties and was asked about the incident.
“I’m probably the guy who doesn’t hear a lot because I’m really focused on the game,” he said. “But I’ve heard about it. Obviously some of the supporters did it, so we try to learn out of it, it’s disappointing. We need to do better next time.”
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