Images reportedly taken from the scene show The Fairmont Hotel on The Palm on fire this afternoon
Georgia Diebelius and Helena Vesty NHS, social care and patients reporter
15:58, 28 Feb 2026Updated 16:11, 28 Feb 2026
A hotel on The Palm in Dubai is reportedly on fire after an alleged missile attack.
Images reportedly taken from the scene show The Fairmont Hotel in Dubai on fire this afternoon, the Mirror reports.
According to Sky News, Dubai’s media office has said emergency services responded to an ‘incident’ in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area. No more details have been provided.
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The flames come after Donald Trump stated that the US had launched ‘major combat operations’ in Iran overnight.
US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.
Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said the strikes were being carried out “to remove threats”, while witnesses in Tehran reported hearing explosions. There have been “dozens” of strikes across Iran.
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The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East.
People ran for cover earlier today in Dubai as a loud bang was heard near the Marina. In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a death was reported after debris fell on a residential area.
Britain was not involved in the strikes on Iran, and the government has advised UK nationals in some parts of the Middle East to “shelter in place”.
Making a statement to the press on Saturday afternoon, Sir Keir said British aircraft in the region were “in the sky” as part of “co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies”.
In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, Sir Keir condemned Iran’s retaliation “in the strongest terms”.
The three leaders said: “Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”
Sir Keir’s statement comes after he chaired a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee before speaking to allies including France’s President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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Saturday’s attack follows mounting tension in the region, with the US deploying a fleet of warships and aircraft to pressure Tehran.
Talks between the US and Iran regarding Tehran’s nuclear programme ended on Thursday without agreement.
On Saturday, Israeli authorities said the strikes – dubbed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the US – were intended to “thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel”.
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In a video posted on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump said the attacks were “a noble mission”.
He said Iran had “attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland”.
A British holidaymaker wreaked havoc at a Polish ski resort when he smashed his car into a hotel while allegedly high on drugs.
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A British tourist faces up to five years in prison after smashing his car through the lobby of Gołębiewski Hotel in Karpacz, Poland.
The 36-year-old, who has not been named, reportedly acted like nothing had happened and drove off – despite his black Mazda ripping several doors off their hinges during the brazen incident, which was caught on CCTV, the Sun reports.
He was detained after cops spotted the badly damaged car around a mile away from the hotel.
The state of the hotel lobby after the incident, which was caught on CCTV (Picture: policja.pl)
Preliminary tests indicated he had drugs in his system and intoxicants were also found in the car, detectives said.
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On Wednesday, he was charged with failing to stop for a traffic stop, damaging property, possessing psychoactive substances, and driving under the influence.
He remains in custody and faces up to five years in prison for the crimes.
He was also fined £10,500 for the damage caused to the hotel and was banned from driving in Poland for four years.
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Police spokeswoman Edyta Bagrowska said: ‘Officers spotted a black Mazda with bodywork damage in a parking lot. A man was inside.’
When he saw the police, he tried to flee but crashed into a police car during the subsequent pursuit, Ms Bagrowska said.
The 36-year-old was taken into custody (Picture: Edyta Bagrowska/policja.pl)
Despite trying to resist, the ‘visibly agitated’ man was apprehended and taken into custody, she added.
The incident is not the first time shocking crashes have been caught on CCTV.
Last January, a Range Rover driver left a trail of destruction when their vehicle crashed into a sewing shop in west London.
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Pictures from the scene showed the front of the Sewing Machine Centre on Hounslow High Street completely smashed up.
In another crash which happened in December, a car ploughed through a house’s garden wall ‘like a freight train’ and flipped over, dumping its driver midair into a swimming pool.
The house’s CCTV caught the carnage as it unfolded in Laughlin, southern Nevada in the US.
The house’s owner Cletis Reed later told Fox5 News: ‘I figured something happened in the street and I come out to see my entire backyard destroyed.’
Where once this was a Liverpool team who were the Premier League’s worst performing from set-pieces, there has been a radical transformation since the turn of the year that has put them among the very best.
The first three goals against West Ham were all the direct result of corners and, in the case of Cody Gakpo’s fourth, one that was recycled soon after. Arne Slot’s players still struggle to defend them, but in this case they could rely on West Ham being even more erratic than the home team when it came to getting organised. Liverpool are still making mistakes – just not as many as this opponent.
It would be unfair to blame the early-season form on the departure of coach Aaron Briggs, formerly responsible for Liverpool set-pieces – but something has changed.
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A fourth straight win, since the defeat by Manchester City on February 8, takes Liverpool level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United, but it was still an anxious afternoon at Anfield for much of it. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team had moments where they looked competitive, especially the midfielder Mateus Fernandes, one of the game’s most influential players. But they also looked very flaky at the back – goals in the first half from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and then Alexis Mac Allister were all avoidable and put the game out of reach.
Meticulously maintained by the current owners, the property comprises a spacious entrance hall that leads to a light and bright lounge, a cloakroom, utility room, and, to the rear of the property, the kitchen, which is the hub of the home.
Living area accessed from entrance hall (Image: Harrington Brown)
Another light-filled space – thanks to two large glazed patio doors, which open onto a small balcony – the kitchen is home to stylish fitted units and integrated appliances including an oven, hob, and dishwasher, and has ample space for a bistro dining table.
There is also a handy storage cupboard on the ground floor for added convenience.
Upstairs is the family bathroom boasting a luxurious Jacuzzi bath and a shower plus three well-proportioned bedrooms, including the generous master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe.
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Bedroom one: Double room with walk-in wardrobe. (Image: Harrington Brown)
The loft, which is perfect for providing additional storage, can be accessed from the landing.
Externally, the property benefits from a block-paved driveway with parking for two cars.
A side gate from the driveway leads to the immaculate low-maintenance rear garden which features a gravel path to a storage shed, a neatly maintained lawn, a gravel seating area, and a raised deck ideal for relaxing on, alfresco dining, or entertaining guests.
Kitchen: Fitted units and integrated appliances with doors to balcony (Image: Harrington Brown)
Located a short drive from Consett town centre, this home is offered for sale with no onward chain.
Sporting events across the Middle East have been impacted following US and Israel strikes against Iran, with F1 personnel facing flight chaos in particular
Consequently, the conflict has begun to spread across the wider region, with explosions reported in Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait. Tensions between the nations have been escalating in the region for weeks, with President Donald Trump deploying what he termed an “armada” of military force, in an operation named ‘Epic Fury’.
A number of sporting events in the Middle East have been impacted as a result of the conflict, with Mirror Sport outlining these below…
As per the Mail, hundreds of F1 personnel have had their flights cancelled ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The new Formula 1 season is scheduled to kick off at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday, March 8 at 4am GMT.
However, approximately 2,000 team and organisational staff have had to alter their routes after Doha and Dubai – which are significant stopover hubs for Qatar and Emirates airlines – were closed on Saturday. Due to airport closures, F1 travellers have been rerouted onto flights via Hong Kong and Singapore, whilst others are taking direct flights to Perth and Qantas.
An F1 spokesperson said: “Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, not in the Middle East – those races are not for a number of weeks. As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”
Despite F1 bosses maintaining that the Australian, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will proceed as scheduled in April, it’s understood that they have backup plans ready should there be a need to alter venues.
Meanwhile, F1 tyre supplier Pirelli has called off their two-day wet tyre test in Bahrain. In a statement to PlanetF1.com, Pirelli said: “The two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit, have been cancelled for security reasons following the evolving international situation.
“All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is working to ensure their safety and arrange their return to Italy and the UK as soon as possible.”
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Football
FIFA have announced that they will “monitor developments” in Iran following US action in the region. The country has qualified for the 2026 World Cup and is set to play several group stage matches across North America, but FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has indicated that their situation will be monitored in the lead-up to the tournament.
Speaking at the International Football Association Board’s annual general meeting in Cardiff on Saturday, Grafstrom said: “I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did. We had a meeting today, and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.
“We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating. We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments, as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe.”
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Elsewhere, Richard Keys was pulled off air at beIN Sports following the UK government’s advice for British nationals in the Middle East to “take immediate shelter.” The presenter, who has been based in Qatar for over a decade, was unable to broadcast due to the strikes on Iran, leading beIN to switch to coverage based in London.
Keys wrote on X: “Thank you all for your messages. It was a bit lively earlier. I don’t have space to express my feelings about that idiot Trump. No show today. You’ll be in the capable hands of our colleagues in London. Thoughts and prayers for everyone in our region. Ramadan Kareem.”
The broadcaster’s decision was based on advice from the Foreign Office, which read: “Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”
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Despite the ongoing conflict, the Saudi Pro League’s round of matchweek 24 fixtures will proceed as scheduled, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s match for Al-Nassr against Al-Fayha at the AL Majma’ah Sports City. Persian Gulf Pro League matches between Mes Rafsanjan and Aluminium Arak, Zob Ahan and Persepolis, and Esteghlal Khuzestan and Malavan, however, have been postponed. Matches in the Qatar Stars League have also been cancelled.
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Tennis
While there was uncertainty over the doubles final of the Dubai Tennis Championships, the event ultimately took place. Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara achieved a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic to secure their second title in as many weeks, following triumph at the Qatar Open earlier this month.
Daniil Medvedev, meanwhile, claimed the men’s singles final with a walkover of Tallon Griekspoor, with the Dutch competitor withdrawing due to a hamstring injury. Elsewhere, Holger Rune – who is in Doha today – posted on X to confirm that he was safe.
He wrote: “Doha today. We are all safe,” whilst sharing images of missile trails in the sky above. Medvedev and his competitors have also been left stranded in Dubai, due to flights out of the country being suspended for the time being.
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MotoGP
Following Qatar Airways’ announcement that all flights are temporarily grounded owing to airspace restrictions, MotoGP journalist Simon Patterson shared on X how this might affect drivers and teams. He claimed: “MotoGP’s airline of choice is Qatar. A lot of the paddock are scheduled to be on tomorrow night’s Bangkok to Doha flight.”
The Thailand GP is due to take place at 8am at the Chang International Circuit on Sunday, March 1.
Boxing
Boxing star Chris Eubank Jr shared alarming footage of Dubai ablaze after air raid warnings echoed across the city. At least three explosions have been reported in the area, with Eubank Jr posting on Instagram afterwards to appeal for people to “be safe”.
He posted: “Explosions going off on the Dubai Palm right now. Please everyone be safe.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
It had been on my list for a while and I’m glad I finally tried it out
When I heard that Michael Deane was going to be opening a burger restaurant along with the former operations manager of McDonald’s, I was a little taken aback and wasn’t sure what to expect.
The one thing I did know, though, was that I had to give it a go and report back on what it was actually like. It opened in November 2025, so it has had a few months to settle in and find its feet.
What we ordered:
The ‘Flink House’ burger, which came with cheese, flink sauce and pickles.
The ‘Flink Oklahoma’ burger, which had cheese and fried onions.
A side of breaded brie, which came topped with hot honey.
2 dips and 2 soft drinks.
What we liked:
As I previously stated, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this place, and sometimes that’s a good thing because I went in with an open mind. I was pretty shocked by just how good these burgers were. I am not usually a smash burger kind of guy, but the quality of these was really good. The buns really stood out to me because of just how fresh they were, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a fresher one, to be honest, because they can often be a bit of an afterthought.
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The breaded brie that we got was also really good and definitely worth picking up to share. Anyone who reads these reviews often enough knows that I’m a bit of a fiend for hot honey, so I was always going to like it. However, don’t worry if you’re not, because it is quite subtle and doesn’t overpower the dish.
The staff in here were really good, and the moment we walked in, even though it was busy, someone came over to check if we were okay and directed us to a seat. They were attentive throughout and asked us how we got on at the end, and were genuinely interested in the chat, which is rare.
What we didn’t like/ would change:
I’m going to get an eye roll for this one, but I do think the only thing I noticed was that the lighting was a little off in the restaurant. It was a bit too harsh for my liking, but I do like it a little dimmer when I’m eating out. This is one that is absolutely personal preference, though, and some people like it brighter.
How much it cost:
Everything we got came to £38 in total. I did leave there thinking this was okay, and I realise it’s definitely a little on the expensive or premium side. But I do think that the quality of what we got reflected that price.
Both of the burgers came with chips, which doesn’t always happen now. The dips and soft drinks shot the price up here because they came to £10 in total, so if you removed those, it seems a lot more palatable.
All in all, I left here and said to myself that I will definitely be back because I really enjoyed it. They’ve created an elevated burger here and really seem to know what they’re at.
Each of the burgers has been carefully thought through and paired brilliantly. The ‘Flink sauce’ is also one of the best burger sauces I’ve had in some time. So, in my opinion, this combination of owners seems to be working and is definitely worth a trip to East Belfast to try it out.
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In the interest of fairness and transparency, we pay for all the meals and drinks we review. This ensures that we are giving accurate and honest representations of the food and service that we receive. So, unless we state otherwise that we were invited down, we have paid for the meal ourselves and visited without the knowledge of the eatery, so you can trust our opinions aren’t skewed by a freebie.
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The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine, and has urged Brits already in other Middle Eastern countries to “immediately shelter in place”
A passenger on board a flight out of Dubai back to London, was forced off the plane 10 minutes after boarding as airspace in the region closed over strikes.
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Mike Boreham was on board British Airways flight 108 along with hundreds of others heading to Heathrow, as the United Arab Emirates came under attack from missiles as Iran retaliated to the US-Israeli military strike.
While sitting on the plane at the gate around 10 minutes after the pilot announced that boarding was complete, the captain came back over the PA system to say the airspace was closed and no-one was taking off.
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They all headed back into the terminal and it is not yet clear when the flight will be able to finally take off. Mr Boreham told the Independent: “We were all boarded. The flight is completely full. About 10 minutes after the ‘boarding complete’ announcement we were told airspace is closed.”
After the closure was announced, many flights heading for Dubai returned to their starting points, including Emirates from Dublin, Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and LOT to Warsaw. Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended.
Jo Rhodes, Which? Travel Expert, said: “In light of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, many airlines are taking precautionary steps to amend their schedules, including cancelling flights in the region. Given the extraordinary circumstances, passengers on delayed or cancelled flights will not be entitled to compensation.
“However, if you are flying with a UK or EU airline, or are departing a UK or EU airport with any carrier, your airline should provide assistance during your delay. Depending on the length of your delay, assistance may include food and drink and, where necessary, overnight accommodation. If your journey is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund.”
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine, and has urged British nationals already in other Middle Eastern countries to “immediately shelter in place”. The FCDO said: “Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran, Israeli airspace has now closed.”
British nationals in the region are urged to take “sensible precautions”, including following advice from regional authorities, staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents are up to date. The updated advice on the FCDO website also warned British nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait to immediately find shelter in place.
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“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,” the update read
Zack Snyder has pushed back against criticism of his fanbase while reflecting on the legacy of his work with DC Films.
The filmmaker, 59, directed three films for DC’s extended universe – Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017).
After the original release of Justice League saw him cede creative control of the project, a hard-fought fan campaign to “release the Snyder cut” ultimately resulted in the development of Zack Snyder’s Justice League(2021), a vastly different version of the film in line with his own vision.
During an appearance on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, Snyder addressed fans’ calls for him to continue the “Snyderverse” – despite his collaborations with DC having seemingly come to an end.
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“I would never say there is no way,” Snyder said. “I was on the ride that created Justice League, and if you were in my shoes there were numerous times, dark times, when there was no chance that there will ever be my version of it. It will never exist. It can’t… cost, politics, everything stood against.
“And yet it exists. The fans should never forget they did that.”
Snyder also condemned people who gave his fanbase “flak” for being “toxic”, pointing out the money they had raised for suicide prevention.
Zack Snyder pictured in 2024 (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
“They also raised a ton of money for suicide prevention. They did a lot of good,” he said. “They catch a lot of flak for being toxic or whatever, but they literally saved human lives. You can go f*** yourselves if that’s what you think.”
Snyder’s daughter Autumn died by suicide in 2017. The tragedy prompted him to depart the production of Justice League and led to Avengers Assemble’s Joss Whedon stepping in to re-shoot and re-cut parts of the film.
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The Snyderverse fandom raised around half a million dollars in honour of Snyder’s daughter, given to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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Elsewhere in the interview, Snyder defended the middlingly received Batman v Superman, stating: “My 100 per cent honest reaction to Batman v Superman and how it’s received in the world is… Do you really want a movie that’s had all the edges shaved off it by the focus groups?
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“Do you really want a movie where the decisions have been made in a boardroom, or tested ideas have been rendered for your enjoyment? Do you really want the Kmart version of your story? Is that what you really want?”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
BRUSSELS (AP) — World leaders reacted warily to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday that triggered concerns of a broader conflict.
European leaders held emergency meetings and took measures to protect their citizens in the Middle East, with key leaders calling for a negotiated settlement between Iran and the U.S. Australia and Canada were more open in their support for the strikes, while Russia and China responded with criticism.
Britain, France and Germany called for a resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region. They did not directly comment on the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement their countries didn’t take part in the strikes on Iran but are in close contact with the U.S., Israel and partners in the region.
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The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Iran’s nuclear program.
“We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future,” they said.
The strikes on Iran create a dilemma for Washington’s allies. While European leaders firmly oppose Iran’s nuclear program and crackdowns by its hard-line theocracy, they are loath to embrace unilateral military action by President Donald Trump that could breach international law and unleash a broader conflict.
Trump’s strikes on Iran last June, and the arrest of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro last month, caused a similar quandary.
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Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the strikes “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state.” The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.
China’s government said it was “highly concerned” about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and called for an immediate halt to the military action and a return to negotiations. “Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.
Concern of ‘new, extensive’ war
It was unclear whether U.S. allies were given any advance warning of the attacks. The German government said it was only given notice Saturday morning. France’s junior defense minister said France knew something would happen, but didn’t know when.
Earlier on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting in response to the strikes in Iran.
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“The outbreak of war among the United States, Israel and Iran has serious consequences for peace and international security,″ Macron said earlier on Saturday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency committee on Saturday morning. “We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict,” a U.K. government spokesperson said.
The German government’s crisis management team also was also due to meet on Saturday.
“NATO is closely following developments in Iran and the region,” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supports the U.S. in its effort to stop Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb. He described Iran’s current leadership as a destabilizing force and noted two attacks on Australian soil that were blamed on Tehran.
Australia in August cut off diplomatic relations with Iran and expelled its ambassador after accusing it of orchestrating two antisemitic attacks in the country.
Canada too, despite recent tensions with the U.S., expressed its support for the military action. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
EU urges diplomacy
Responding to the attack, the European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called the conflict in the Middle East “perilous” and said she was working with Israeli and Arab officials to pursue a negotiated peace.
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EU leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in hopes of “ensuring nuclear safety.”
“We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he was concerned the failure of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran meant a “new, extensive war in the Middle East” would happen.
‘Totally irresponsible’
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in harsher words.
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“These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons,” said its executive director, Melissa Parke.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Israeli strikes on Iran and accompanying U.S. military action, warning that the escalating conflict has pushed the Middle East to the “edge of catastrophe.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday condemned what he described as “unwarranted attacks” on Iran during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
___
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Ciobanu reported from Warsaw. Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris, Paolo Santalucia in Rome, Suman Naishadham in Madrid, Elise Morton and Krutika Pathi in London, Jamey Keaton in Geneva, Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Fatma Khaled in Cairo, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing and Adam Schreck in Bangkok contributed to this report.
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares personal impact of war
Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted he is “not the best father”, as he spoke of the personal challenges he has faced during the four-year war with Russia.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian president said his role had taken a toll on his family, but that it was his duty to lead Ukraine.
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He said he would do anything to bring about peace for his country, and confirmed that another round of trilateral talks was likely to take place next week.
“During the war, I’m not the best father… because I don’t have too much time for my children,” he told Sky News in an interview that aired on Friday.
“I’m the president of Ukraine, I don’t compare my job… because my choice… is duty. My choice is Ukraine. That’s why I said I’m no good father during the war.”
Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 16:36
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Rishi Sunak accepts role with Zelensky for Ukraine’s economic renewal
Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 16:05
Zelensky condemns Iran for becoming ‘Putin’s accomplice’
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine “knows all too well” about the conflict in the Middle East, as he condemns the Iranian regime.
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In a post on social media, he said: “Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin’s accomplice and supplied him with “shahed” drones, and not only the drones themselves, but also the technologies to produce them. Iran also provided other weapons to Russia.
“Our position is well known, and Ukraine has stated it repeatedly, including recently. It is important to preserve as many lives as possible. It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively.
“Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians.”
Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 15:37
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Time and place of peace talks depend on security situation in Middle East, says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that the time and place of the next round of trilateral peace talks would depend on the security situation in the Middle East and the level of “real diplomatic possibilities”.
The Ukrainian president said he would give fresh directives to his negotiating team at the talks.
Earlier in the week, Zelensky said the next round of talks would likely be in Abu Dhabi in early March.
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Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 15:06
Tehran ‘had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario’, says Ukraine
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said Tehran “had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario”, and condemned the Iranian regime.
“The Iranian regime, which has been mocking the Iranian people for decades, has launched a large-scale policy of violence against its own people and other countries.
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“This includes massive human rights violations within the country, support for militants who have brought chaos to other countries in the region, and direct military support for the aggressor state of Russia in its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.”
It comes after the US and Israel launched co-ordinated strikes across Iran on Saturday.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the “reason for the current events is precisely the violence and arbitrariness of the Iranian regime, in particular the murders and repressions against peaceful protesters, which have become particularly large-scale in recent months.”
Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 14:19
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IAEA: local ceasefire will help restore power backup to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday it has negotiated a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, allowing the restoration of a backup power supply to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).
Rafael Grossi, director general of the agency, said in a statement: “The fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) between Ukraine and the Russian Federation commenced today.”
He added: “The IAEA has previously facilitated four temporary ceasefire agreements, which allowed five separate repairs to power lines connected to the ZNPP.”
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Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 13:30
The women ready to take up arms to defend Finland against Russia
The women ready to take up arms to defend Finland against Russia
Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 13:00
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Territorial concessions are a ‘red line’, says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky has stood firm on his position to not sacrifice any territory to Russia in order to secure a peace deal.
Asked why he wouldn’t give up Ukrainian territory if it meant an end to the war, he told Sky News: “It’s our territory, and it sounds unbelievably strange that we have to withdraw from our land, that they occupied our land and nobody can pull them out.”
He said if Ukraine were to withdraw from territories like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, there would be 200,000 people who would have their land occupied by Russia.
“Who said to Russia that these people are ready to be Russian people, and if they don’t, they will kill them, or push them to the front or push them to prison,” president Zelensky said.
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Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 12:30
Paralympics opening ceremony boycott grows as more nations vow to protest return of Russian athletes
The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Paralympics is facing an escalating boycott, with a growing number of nations planning to skip the event in protest against the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) made the contentious decision in September 2025 to allocate 10 combined slots to Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to participate with their national anthems and flags.
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This move has ignited a political storm, set against the backdrop of Russia’s four-year invasion of Ukraine.
Following Ukraine’s initial decision to boycott the ceremony last week, Finland has now confirmed its non-attendance, according to IPC Chief Brand and Communications Officer Craig Spence.
Harriette Boucher28 February 2026 12:02
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Zelensky: ‘US not doing enough to end the war’
Volodymyr Zelensky wants the US to ramp up its efforts to end the war and said the Trump administration was not doing enough.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian president said it was “not simple” to have a relationship with an administration that had previously called him a dictator and claimed Zelensky had started the war with Russia.
Asked if he trusted Donald Trump, the Ukrainian president said: “You know it’s more about me and President Trump, it’s not about personalities, it’s more about institutions. Ukraine and president, and United States and president.
“We need to trust each other, and that’s why I’m trying to build such relations with the United States. Relations can’t be dependent on their personalities.”
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President Zelensky said he had a “long” and “peaceful” phone call with President Trump on Wednesday night, which was joined by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
He said there will likely be a trilateral meeting between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow next week.
Haaland didn’t travel to Elland Road with the Man City squad, after suffering an injury in training ahead of the trip.
Norwegian pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft revealed on Viaplay Football that the 25-year-old striker’s issue is only minor and he is expected to return for City’s game with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
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Erling Haaland is out of Man City’s clash with Leeds (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
City can ill afford any slip-ups in the Premier League title race as they try to hunt down Arsenal, trailing the Gunners by five points heading into the weekend, albeit with a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been in superb form domestically in recent week, winning four and drawing one of their last five league games since a 2-0 defeat in the Manchester derby in mid-January.
Haaland’s absence will be a blow however, with Omar Marmoush set to lead the line against Leeds – and the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki as the other attacking forces in the starting XI.
The Norwegian has scored just two goals in his last six Premier League games but still tops the divisions’ goalscoring charts with 22 goals this season.
