Christine Carter, from Norton, had been enjoying her holiday in Dubai, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran at the weekend.

She is due to fly back to the UK on March 12 but is now unsure how she will get home.

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Christine said: ” It’s very surreal feeling and I think that’s for all the people here, at least I’m staying with family over here

“It was very frightening on Saturday night when all our mobiles were getting alerts and hearing the missiles getting intercepted. The noise of them were terrible big boom sounds.

“Yesterday again we heard the missiles. The locals are told to work from home and schools and parks are closed.

“People were still going to bars and restaurants and trying to keep normal as they can. Again this morning with missiles been intercepted more booms. The fighter jets have been in the air all morning. As far as getting home absolutely no idea. I’m supposed to fly back March 12.”

Major airlines have suspended services leaving thousands of Brits facing uncertainty over when they will be able to fly home. More than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday alone across seven major Middle Eastern airports, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.

Before joining Slimming World, Lesley Johnstone’s health was beginning to suffer in several serious ways.

A single photograph changed everything for Bonkle woman Lesley Johnstone.

Taken at her husband Stephen’s birthday celebration, the image stopped the 55-year-old in her tracks. She could not believe what she was seeing and in that moment she knew she needed to take control of her health and her future.

Before joining Slimming World, Lesley’s health was beginning to suffer in several serious ways.

She said: “I felt exhausted all the time, struggled with low energy and became breathless easily. I had been diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver disease, had high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and she worried these conditions would only worsen as time went on.

“The thought of getting started filled me with anxiety and I knew I could not continue as I was.”

Lesley joined Christopher’s Slimming World group in Coltness feeling nervous and unsure what to expect. But the moment she walked through the doors she was welcomed with genuine warmth and reassurance.

Those fears quickly dissolved and she felt ready to begin. Stephen, 57, decided to join at the same time so they could support one another from day one.

In the early weeks Lesley noticed small but powerful changes. She could climb the stairs without getting out of breath. Her energy began to lift.

She started to look forward to doing things again. For the first time in a long while she felt a spark of hope for the future.

She was surprised at how generous and flexible the eating plan was. Lesley had avoided pasta for years believing it was off limits, but she was delighted to learn that it is a Free Food at Slimming World.

She enjoyed satisfying portions of real food and lost weight beautifully without weighing or counting.

Some of her favourite meals quickly became family favourites too, including Marry Me Chicken, Burger in a Bowl, Slimming World style loaded fries and her go to mousse desserts, which she says helped her stay on track without feeling deprived.

She created new healthy habits that have stayed with her. She now eats more fruit, walks every day, cooks without oil and avoids butter.

Support from the group and her consultant Christopher played a huge part in her success. Christopher checked in with her during the week which helped keep her motivation high. Members shared ideas and strategies that helped them all through tricky moments.

Lesley says the real turning point came on her very first night during the new member talk which gave her the confidence to believe she really could do this.

That belief paid off. Lesley went on to lose an incredible three stone 13 pounds and transformed her confidence, her health and her outlook on life.

Stephen lost 1 stone 8 pounds alongside her and together they have rediscovered their love of walking.

Days out with their dog Mitsy are now easier and far more enjoyable.

Her incredible achievement was recognised in group when she was proudly awarded Greatest Loser, something she describes as one of the proudest moments of her journey.

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As World Obesity Day approaches on March 4 there is national focus on the challenges people face with their weight and the impact it can have on wellbeing.

Lesley hopes her journey shows what is possible when people find the right support.

Now Lesley is ready to support others. She will officially open her brand new Slimming World group on Wednesday, March 18, at 7pm at the Brass Band Hall on Windsor Street in Shotts.

If you are struggling with your weight, worried about your health or simply want to feel more like yourself again, Lesley is encouraging you to come along.

She says taking that first brave step changed her entire future and she is ready to help others change theirs too.

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Ten countries have been attacked after the US and Israel declared war on Iran

Across southern Lebanon and Beruit 31 people have been killed with 149 also injured due to strikes from Israel, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. It comes as tensions rise across the world with the US and Israel declaring war on Iran.

On Saturday, February 28 the United States and Israel launched a joint military attack on Iran following weeks of pressure from President Trump threatening action unless Iran’s leadership agreed to give up its nuclear programme.

Since the first US-Israel strike on Iran on Saturday 14 cities have been hit in Iran.

Striking back, Iran has launched strikes across nine countries including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. An Iranian drone has also struck a runway at a UK military base in Cyprus.

Israel bombed Lebanon after Hezbollah – Lebanese paramilitary group – joined the war in the Middle East.

Reports from the IDF have claimed that a senior member of the militant group has been killed in the strikes.

Lebanon’s health ministry has confirmed the death of 31 people with over 100 injured as the Israeli military claim the attack on the country will last days.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said: “We have begun an offensive campaign against Hezbollah. We are not just on the defensive, now we go on the offence.

“We need to prepare for several days of fighting, many. We need strong defensive readiness and continuous offensive preparedness, in waves.”

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You can go the easy way with this and buy sliced mango, sachets of passion fruit pulp and ready-made meringue – just add some chopped pistachios as you put the pudding together and forget the basil. The from-scratch version is more special, but only you can decide how much time you want to spend cooking.

The meringues can be made up to a week ahead.

Requires 45 minutes infusing time plus overnight cooling.

Lindsay Lohan, Vicky Pattison and other celebrities are confirmed to be safe in Dubai amid the ongoing Iranian strikes – with many taking refuge in basements while stuck in the country.

Iran hit the United Arab Emirates and its neighbours on Saturday (28 February) in retaliation to the United States and Israeli forces’ attack on Iran shortly before, which resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Kahmenei.

The strikes on the UAE have resulted in the death of one person and several injuries after Dubai International Airport was targeted, while a five-star hotel in Palm Jumeirah went up in flames when a projective struck the area.

Among those taking refuge from the attacks are British and American celebrities holidaying in the country, with many taking to social media to speak out about the global crisis.

Freaky Friday actor Lindsay Lohan, who lives in Dubai with her husband Bader Shammas and their son Luai, announced on Sunday (1 March) that she was safe in the city. “Praying for peace,” she wrote on Instagram. “Stay safe everyone. God bless us all.”

Fellow resident Kate Ferdinand – who is married to ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand – also revealed on Sunday that their family was safe after sleeping in the basement of their home. The couple relocated to Dubai last year with their young children.

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“Thank you for all of your messages and sorry for the silence, i haven’t wanted to worry you all I just haven’t been able to find the words. We are safe,” she said on Instagram.

“The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands. We are hoping for calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary. Although Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn’t believe we all got a sleepover in the basement.”

She added: “This whole experience is very eye opening & I am praying for anyone affected. Lots of love to everyone.”

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Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison, who was holidaying in Dubai with her husband Ercan Ramadan, was forced to stay in the country after her flight to Sydney was cancelled due to the attacks.

“Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening. But like many others our flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai,” she wrote on Instagram. “We’re receiving a lot of messages from people asking if we’re ok- which we are.

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“We are currently in our hotel and have been assured we’re safe. We are aware that the situation that is unfolding is scary and I’m also aware that there’s a lot of videos circulating on social media which are understandably concerning.”

She added that they are trying their “best to stay calm” and thinking of everyone “feeling unsettled and unsafe right now”.

Luisa Zissman , a former star of The Apprentice, revealed that her home in the UAE city was shaken by “massive bangs”, forcing her and her family to retreat to the basement also.

“Keeping the kids entertained and indoors,” she wrote on Instagram. “We got itchy feet and went to take them to the park and literally as we went to step foot out the door we heard 2 massive bangs that shook the house, we retreated and then heard another 2. So now movie time in the basement.

“So surreal and scary. I do have faith that UAE defence will keep us all safe.”

Zissman is not the only reality star who is trying to stay safe in Dubai amid the strikes – with Love Island 2023 winner Sammy Root struggling in the city while on holiday. “First ever day in Dubai, get me out of Dubai immediately,” he wrote on social media.

While series two star Kady McDermott spoke out about “scary times” in the UAE after watching missiles fly above her head. “The UAE government are doing an amazing job at keeping everyone safe by intercepting the missiles. Everyone stay inside and stay safe through this scary time,” she wrote.

The Independent has contacted the representatives of Lohan, Pattison, Ferdinand, Zissman, Root and McDermott for comment.

Oleksandr Usyk will take on Rico Verhoeven in Egpyt in May with the WBC ruling his heavyweight world title will be on the line

Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight world title WILL be on the line when he takes on kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

Usyk will take on the Dutchman in Egypt on May 23 with Verhoeven fighting for just the second time in a boxing ring. Usyk, who holds three of the world titles, had been told his WBC belt would not be on the line for the fight, but that decision was reversed just 24 hours later.

The WBC committee has ruled Usyk can make a voluntary defence of his belt before they force him to defend it against mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel. A statement from the sanctioning body read: “After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of sanctioning WBC world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s voluntary title defence against legendary kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven.

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“At its 63rd Annual Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the WBC granted Champion Usyk a voluntary defense. Subsequently, the WBC received a petition to sanction the Usyk v. Herhoeven fight as a voluntary defence. Champion Usyk’s has showcased incredible activity in recent years, facing and defeating champions in his division like Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois twice.

“He did all of that while maintaining his undefeated record. In reaching its approval decision, the WBC Board of Governors considered champion Usyk’s activity, which is unprecedented, especially in the heavyweight division.

“Rico has been competing professionally at an elite kickboxing level since 2005. Over the course of two decades while maintaining that very highest level of competition, he has established himself as arguably one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxing champions of all time.

“Rico’s professional journey has been exceptional, which includes headlining and selling out major stadium arenas in front of 30,000 and 40,000 spectators worldwide. At 36 years of age, he competed in 76 professional kickboxing fights. Rico just recently vacated the Glory Kickboxing Heavyweight title going undefeated in 11 years.

“The transition from kickboxing to boxing is not unprecedented. Many Muay Thai athletes have successfully crossed over into professional boxing and competed for WBC titles early in their boxing careers. This WBC decision is within the WBC rules and regulations. The pyramids of Egypt will give this event a historic importance and surroundings. That has been the dream of many, including our beloved WBC President Jose Sulaiman.”

Canada and India signed a 10-year uranium supply agreement as Mark Carney met Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday, signalling a reset in strained diplomatic ties.

The Canadian prime minister called his visit to India “a new era of partnership” while delivering his statement alongside his Indian counterpart. The two nations announced a host of agreements on energy, trade, and education.

“This visit marks the end of a challenging period and, more importantly, the beginning of a new, more ambitious partnership between two confident and complementary nations,” he said.

“We are advancing towards a Canada-India Economic Partnership agreement with an aim to conclude it by the end of this year,” he added.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply in 2023–24 following allegations by the previous Canadian government that Indian agents were involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia. Diplomatic expulsions and stalled trade talks followed, but both sides are now seeking to move toward a comprehensive economic partnership, with officials earlier signalling India was “no longer” a threat.

Mr Carney said Canadian company Cameco has signed a long-term deal to supply uranium to India. The agreement, valued at $1.9bn, will secure long-term Canadian uranium supplies for India’s expanding nuclear sector, part of a broader push into energy cooperation which includes oil, gas and critical minerals.

Canada is the world’s second-largest uranium producer, accounting for roughly 13–15 per cent of global output. Cameco is the Saskatchewan-based producer and one of the world’s largest publicly traded uranium companies.

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The new deal comes as Delhi accelerates plans to expand nuclear power as a central pillar of its energy security strategy. Nuclear currently accounts for just over three per cent of India’s electricity generation. The country operates 22 reactors with an installed capacity of 6,780 megawatts and is aiming to raise that to 22,480 MW by 2031. Over the longer term, India plans to expand nuclear capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047.

In December, India introduced legislation to open its nuclear sector to private investment for the first time, allowing firms selected by the government to build and operate plants. The proposed law forms part of a wider plan to make atomic energy central to India’s clean energy push and would also allow private firms to import and process uranium.

Limited domestic uranium production has made long-term import agreements increasingly important. India produces roughly 600 tonnes of uranium annually, while projected reactor demand is expected to exceed 1,800 tonnes as capacity expands. Much of the country’s reserves are low-grade, and the addition of more light water reactors will further increase reliance on imported fuel.

India’s electricity demand is projected to grow by about two-thirds by 2030 compared with 2024 levels, as the world’s fastest-growing major economy expands its industrial base. India’s high commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, said the country is willing to buy “whatever Canada is offering” on energy as it seeks to fulfil its needs.

“On energy, there is an appetite which even Canada cannot fulfil and we are willing to buy whatever Canada is offering on crude, on LPG, on LNG,” he told CBC News ahead of Mr Carney’s meeting in Delhi.

“We are willing to take whatever,” he added, referring to uranium. “Nuclear is a huge field in which we want to work together.”

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India imports the vast majority of its oil and gas, and as global trade becomes increasingly volatile, with India facing tensions with the US over Russian oil purchase, the war in the Middle East and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has rattled energy markets, the country is ramping up its efforts to secure dependable long-term fuel supplies.

For Canada, the deal reinforces Mr Carney’s ambition to position the country as a reliable energy supplier to Asian markets beyond the US, which has so far accounted for the overwhelming majority of Canadian crude exports, but US-Canada relations have also been under increasing strain in recent months, with president Donald Trump’s repeated jibes calling Canada the 51st state of the US.

“Team Canada is here on a mission. Premiers, ministers and I were in Mumbai working to double our trade with India, secure energy partnerships, and attract massive new investment – to build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy,” Mr Carney wrote on X during his visit.

He has described India as a “natural partner” and earlier said his visit marks “the end of a challenging period, and more importantly, the beginning of a new, more ambitious partnership between two confident and complementary nations.”

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Several airlines have suspended all their flights to and from the Middle East amid conflict in the area

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Officials are understood to be working on plans that could see more than 100,000 Brits evacuated from the Middle East. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper suggested that 102,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region, while about 300,000 British citizens are in Gulf countries targeted by Iran.

British nationals have been advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the Foreign Office’s travel advice, which could change rapidly. Those in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been urged to register their presence with the Foreign Office online.

The Government has used a registration scheme before to provide urgent updates to people affected by international crises. It has not previously needed to deal with so many people in so many different countries.

Ms Cooper told BBC Breakfast: “The latest figure I have from this morning is we have 102,000 people (who) have responded to our proposal to ask people to register their presence so we know where they are, particularly in these Gulf countries that have been targeted so we know where they are and so that we can get them rapid information.

“In many of these countries the airspace is currently closed because of the Iranian attacks. This is deeply stressful obviously for people because we’re talking about a lot of people who are holidaymakers, who were transit passengers just passing through or people on business visits to the region and who we want to make sure can get safely home.”

Any repatriation of UK nationals would likely be organised by the Foreign Office, it is understood. One potential route could see people travelling by land to Saudi Arabia from where they could board flights.

The Civil Aviation Authority oversaw mass repatriations of customers affected by the collapse of travel companies Monarch and Thomas Cook as they involved many holidaymakers protected by the Atol scheme.

Airspace closures in the Middle East have resulted in a number of commercial flights being grounded since the attacks began on Saturday. Nearly half of the flights scheduled to depart from London Heathrow to the region on Sunday were cancelled.

Analytics company Cirium said 24 of the 56 flights from the UK’s busiest airport were axed. British Airways said it is “closely monitoring the situation” and has cancelled “a number of our flights to the Middle East”.

Virgin Atlantic axed two flights to Heathrow on Monday – one from each of Dubai, UAE and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – while others were rerouted. Qatar Airways said on Monday morning that all its flights remain suspended.

Etihad’s flights to and from Abu Dhabi are grounded until at least 10am on Monday. Emirates has suspended all operations to and from Dubai until 11am on Tuesday.

Martin Short’s co-stars, Selena Gomez and Steve Martin, skipped the Actor Awards in solidarity after the sudden death of his daughter.

The actor cancelled all events after Katherine was found dead in her home at 42 with a self-inflicted injury late last month.

Co-stars Selena and Steve were both absent from the ceremony despite the best comedy series ensemble nomination for Only Murders In The Building.

Martin, 75, was also nominated for best comedy actor, with the award going to Seth Rogen for The Studio.

The trio are incredibly close, with Three Amigos star set to go on tour with Steve, but all their tour dates have now been postponed.

On February 25, a spokesperson for Martin’s family announced the ‘devastating loss’ and asked for privacy.

‘It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,’ a representative said.

‘The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.’

Katherine was one of three children adopted by Martin and his late wife, Nancy Dolman (who died of ovarian cancer in 2010). They also adopted two sons, Henry, 36, and Oliver, 39.

She was a social worker who also worked closely with Glenn Close’s charity Bring Change 2 Mind.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) claimed she had not ‘been heard from in 24 hours’ when a friend called the police.

An insider told The Daily Mail that Martin was ‘inconsolable’, adding: ‘For someone who brings so much joy to so many, who is always trying to lift others up and make them laugh, this loss has completely shattered him.

‘He is gutted, and as you would expect, his closest friends are surrounding him with love and support.’ 

Martin previously spoke about grief a couple of years after the death of his wife at just 58 years old.

He told The Guardian: ‘This is the thing of life that we live in denial about, that it will ever happen to us or our loved ones, and when it does you gain a little and you suffer a little. There’s no big surprise.’

In 2019, he told AARP he ‘still communicates with her all the time’, adding: ‘This idea that it just ends, and don’t speak of them – that’s wrong. That’s based on denial that we’re all going to die. So to me, she’s still here.’

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Writing in the Sunday Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Nigel Farage claimed postal voting has turned the UK’s elections into a “laughing stock”, adding that allowing non-British citizens to vote is “absurd”.

Currently, anyone eligible to vote in UK elections can choose to do so by post but under Reform UK’s plans this would be limited to the elderly, disabled, serving armed forces personnel and those working overseas during an election.

Under the proposals, Commonwealth citizens, who can currently vote in all types of UK elections if they qualify as a resident, would lose their right to go to the polls.

A spokesperson for Reform UK confirmed the changes would not affect Irish citizens, who also have the right to vote in parliamentary elections.

The policy was born out of Mr Farage’s belief that allowing Commonwealth citizens to vote “undermines national sovereignty” and leads to elections being fought over international rather than domestic issues, Reform UK said.

In 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated there were around 1.2 million Commonwealth nationals living in the UK.

Mr Farage said: “For too long, postal voting has allowed our elections to be turned into a laughing stock, riddled with fraud, intimidation and outright cheating. It’s been allowed to go on for years and has poisoned trust in our democracy.

“Meanwhile, allowing non-Brits – people with zero connection to this country – to vote on our future is absurd. It is right that only British citizens should be able to vote in British parliamentary elections.

“That’s why a Reform government will immediately ban wholesale postal voting and ensure only British citizens can vote in elections in order to bring back trust to British democracy.”

The announcement comes after Reform UK asked the police to investigate allegations of election fraud in the Gorton and Denton by-election this week.

The winner of the election was Bolton-born Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer, 34, who managed to overturn a significant labour majority to become the new MP for Gorton and Denton.

Green Party’s Hannah Spencer celebrates winning the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former MP Andrew Gwynne who cited health reasons for his decision. Picture date: Friday (Image: Peter Byrne)

Election observer group Democracy Volunteers warned it had witnessed “concerningly high levels” of “family voting” – an illegal practice where two voters use one polling booth and potentially direct each other on voting.

Mr Farage promised to take “action” after the next general election if nothing is done about the allegations, adding: “If this is what was happening at polling stations, just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes.”

Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said allegations of “family voting” taking place in the Gorton and Denton by-election are “deeply concerning” but branded Reform UK’s plans a “headline-grabbing” exercise.

He said: “Rushing to impose sweeping bans on postal voting is a kneejerk reaction that risks disenfranchising pensioners, disabled people and overseas British citizens who rely on postal ballots to have their say.

“We must safeguard our elections with proportionate, evidence-based reforms, not headline-grabbing measures that could lock law-abiding voters out of our democratic process.”

The Reform UK leader has frequently complained about postal voting when his parties have lost by-elections.

When his former party, Ukip, lost the Oldham West and Royton by-election in 2015, Mr Farage alleged postal votes had been abused, saying the result raised questions about the conduct of elections in constituencies with large ethnic minority communities.

When his Brexit Party lost the Peterborough by-election in 2019, Farage again criticised the postal vote system.

The Brexit Party candidate challenged the result in court but later withdrew the challenge and was ordered to pay the winning Labour candidate’s legal costs.

The latest Electoral Commission data, from 2024, shows no evidence of large-scale election fraud in the UK, with 94% of allegations resolved locally with “words of advice”, or resulting in the police taking no further action.

Reform UK MP Richard Tice questioned the validity of postal ballots when his party’s candidate lost the Rochdale by-election in 2024, stressing the result should act as a “serious wake-up call” to the electorate and those in power.

In none of those cases was postal voting fraud ever proved and none resulted in any convictions.