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Iran’s president says US memorandum is best path out of stalled war, and other Middle East news

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Iran‘s president defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the best way out of a stalled war.

Meanwhile, the new head of the Islamic Republic’s top security body warned, in a more forceful tone, of retaliation if neighboring countries support U.S. threats to further sanction Tehran.

Pakistan’s army chief planned to travel to Tehran on Monday, Iranian media reported.

A Palestinian man was beaten by an Israeli settler outside his home, and Israel’s military said they were pursuing a stabbing suspect in a separate attack, the latest violence in the occupied West Bank. An Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed a child, according to a local hospital.

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Here’s a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East on Sunday. Full coverage can be found here.

Iran seeks to get past this stalled phase

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a recent memorandum of understanding as the best way for the country to move beyond what he described as a situation of “neither war nor peace.”

“There is not a single provision in this agreement that amounts to capitulation,” Pezeshkian said in a speech published by state-run IRNA early on Sunday. “The supreme leader sets the policies, and we will follow that path.”

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The deal known as the Memorandum of Understanding that U.S. President Donald Trump signed in June set a 60-day deadline for ending the war with Iran and reaching an accord on its nuclear program. That period ended last week, but no signs of compromise have emerged, especially on the crucial issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, vital to global shipping.

Pezeshkian also linked the agreement to Iran’s economic prospects, saying the country couldn’t attract investment in this stalled phase.

Nearly six months into the war with the United States and Israel, Iran’s economy is suffering under sanctions and a naval blockade.

Iran’s security chief warns neighbors not to join any sanctions

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Meanwhile, the hard-line new leader of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned Tehran’s neighbors against joining the new U.S. effort to hurt Iran’s economy.

“If (Trump) wants to do something, we will retaliate in a seismic manner,” Mohsen Rezaei said in an interview with the state broadcaster that aired Saturday.

Rezaei was named this month as part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Tehran’s political and military stance. His interview with IRIB is his most extensive public statement since then.

Rezaei said Iran would target oil-shipping routes out of the Persian Gulf — alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz — if neighbors join what he described as the economic war against Iran.

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Pakistan’s army chief will visit Tehran

Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir will lead an official delegation traveling to Tehran on Monday, Iranian state television reported, citing Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei.

Two regional officials said that the visit was part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran, and urge both countries to return to the negotiating table. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

— By Munir Ahmed in Islamabad.

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Iran executes man arrested during January’s protests

The judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported on Sunday the latest execution connected to the protests, identifying the man as Majid Adineh and saying he was arrested Jan. 9 in Mohammadshahr, near Karaj, west of Tehran. Authorities said that he was carrying a handgun with 30 rounds of ammunition, two stun guns, two cans of tear gas and a battery-powered chain saw.

The judiciary said that forensic examinations indicated the handgun had been fired on Jan. 8 and 9. Mizan said Adineh had joined the unrest following calls by groups opposed to Iran’s government and alleged that he had received training from groups outside the country.

A Revolutionary Court in Karaj later convicted Adineh under Iran’s law imposing harsher penalties for espionage and cooperation with hostile states. Mizan said that the verdict accused him of carrying out operations on behalf of Israel, the United States and other groups Iran considers hostile.

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Israeli settler teen arrested in beating of Palestinian amputee

Police arrested a 16-year-old boy from the Israeli settlement of Avigayil in the beating of a 61-year-old Palestinian man. Saeed Muhammad Ibrahim Rabah was struck with a pipe outside his home in the occupied West Bank, leaving him with bruises and pain, a year after he lost a leg after being shot by a settler.

Rabah told The Associated Press that two settlers arrived with a tractor at his home in Khirbet al-Rakeez in the southern West Bank on Saturday afternoon. One of them began moving stones the family had placed at the property entrance and tried to enter.

One settler struck him on his back with a pipe when he approached them to find out what they were doing, Rabah said. He said the violence is an effort to make families like his leave.

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“We will remain, no matter what happens,” he said after going to the police on Sunday to file a report. “This is our land and this is our homeland, and we must protect it.”

Police said they also took in for questioning a 17-year-old from Jerusalem, who allegedly stood nearby and filmed the assault with a phone.

Rabah said in April 2025, he confronted settlers on his land while his son filmed and one of them shot him in the leg, which was amputated at a hospital.

Separately, Israel’s military said Sunday they were pursuing the suspect in a stabbing attack that injured a 24-year-old Israeli man in the area of al-Auja, in the eastern West Bank. Israel’s emergency services said the victim was taken to a hospital in moderate condition.

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Airstrike in Gaza kills a 4-year-old child

Four-year-old Mohammed Taha died after an Israeli airstrike hit a house in central Gaza on Sunday, hospital authorities said. The strike in the town of Zawaida also wounded at least five other people, including a child, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, which received the casualties.

The strike came minutes after residents said they received a warning from the Israeli military to evacuate the area where the house is located. Israel’s military didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement released on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he instructed the military to “act immediately and forcefully” to prevent the launches of balloons, kites or drones from Gaza toward Israeli communities bordering it.

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“We view every launch as an act of war in every respect,” he said.

Before the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel — when 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage — burning kites and balloons were sent from Gaza into southern Israel, causing fires and other damage.

While the heaviest fighting has subsided since a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war took hold in October, Israeli forces have carried out repeated airstrikes, killing more than 1,280 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza.

The overall war death toll in Gaza has passed 73,400 Palestinians, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. But it doesn’t give a breakdown of civilians and militants.

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Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations. Five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire.

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Car destroyed and huge hole left in roof after London house fire | News UK

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Car destroyed and huge hole left in roof after London house fire | News UK
The cause of the fire is under investigation (Picture: London Fire Brigade)

A fire has destroyed a semi-detached house and a car in New Malden, a suburb of south west London.

The blaze erupted yesterday at around 9.35pm, engulfing the ground floor and first floor of the home on Mount Pleasant Road.

Photographs shared by the fire brigade show the fire, which raged until 1am today, ate a large hole in the roof.

Charred solar panels can also be seen, with the now burnt insulation covering the front of the two-storey building also exposed.

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Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a house fire on Mount Pleasant Road in New Malden. The ground floor and first floor were completely destroyed by fire and half of the roof was damaged in the two storey semi-detached house. A car port in the front garden was also destroyed in the blaze. One gas cylinder was removed from the scene and cooled it to an ambient temperature as a precaution, as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat. Thankfully, no injuries are reported. Station Commander Steve McGhie was at the scene, he said: "The fire was producing smoke that affected the local area, residents nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed where possible. "One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was deployed as a water tower, allowing crews to tackle the flames from above." The Brigade's 999 Control officers received the first of 24 calls alerting them to the fire at 2136. They mobilised fire crews from Surbiton, Kingston, Sutton, Wimbledon and surrounding fire stations. The fire was under control by 0100. https://x.com/LondonFire/status/2091326544325054558
A carport in the front garden was also destroyed in the blaze (Picture: London Fire Brigade)
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a house fire on Mount Pleasant Road in New Malden. The ground floor and first floor were completely destroyed by fire and half of the roof was damaged in the two storey semi-detached house. A car port in the front garden was also destroyed in the blaze. One gas cylinder was removed from the scene and cooled it to an ambient temperature as a precaution, as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat. Thankfully, no injuries are reported. Station Commander Steve McGhie was at the scene, he said: "The fire was producing smoke that affected the local area, residents nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed where possible. "One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was deployed as a water tower, allowing crews to tackle the flames from above." The Brigade's 999 Control officers received the first of 24 calls alerting them to the fire at 2136. They mobilised fire crews from Surbiton, Kingston, Sutton, Wimbledon and surrounding fire stations. The fire was under control by 0100. https://x.com/LondonFire/status/2091326544325054558
No one was injured(Picture: London Fire Brigade)

A car parked in the front garden and the carport – which shelters vehicles from rain or snow – were both destroyed.

A gas cylinder was removed from the property and ‘cooled it to an ambient temperature as a precaution, as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat’, the fire brigade said in an incident report.

No one was injured. The cause of the fire is unclear.

Station Commander Steve McGhie, who was at the scene, said the 70-strong crew had to tackle the blaze from above.

‘The fire was producing smoke that affected the local area,’ he added.

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‘Residents nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed where possible.

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Two men arrested over Newtownabbey stabbing released

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Belfast Live

An injured man was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries

Two men arrested in connection with a stabbing on Co Antrim have been released by police.

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The PSNI was alerted to a report that a man had been stabbed in the Glenville Park area of Newtownabbey at around 8.25am on Saturday.

The injured man was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries, which were not thought to be life-threatening.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon used with intent.

A second man, aged 58, was also arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon used with intent and disorderly behaviour.

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The PSNI said on Sunday afternoon that the 32-year-old had been released on bail to allow for further police inquiries.

It added that the 58-year-old man had been released unconditionally.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “A 32-year-old man who was arrested following a report of a stabbing in the Glenville Park area of Newtownabbey on Saturday, 22nd August, has been released on bail to allow for further police enquiries.

“A 58-year-old man, who was also arrested on Saturday in relation to the same incident, has been released unconditionally.”

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Celtic fan Paul Lennon carried to final resting place by Thai Tims after brain cancer battle

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Daily Record

Paul Lennon, who founded the Thai Tims, has been laid to rest in Thailand.

Paul Lennon has been carried to his final resting place by members of the Thai Tims as mourners gathered to say a heartbreaking final farewell to the devoted Celtic fan.

The beloved dad was surrounded by fellow Hoops fans as his funeral procession made its way from Pattaya Irish House, with “You Never Walk Alone” ringing out during the emotional send-off.

Mourners could be seen wearing Celtic strips and some donned kilts as they walked behind Paul’s casket for one final journey.

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His two sons and wife were among those who joined the long line of family, friends and supporters paying their respects.

A video shared on TikTok showed Paul’s casket being carried to a local temple with the huge procession following behind. Mourners were seen at the religious site paying their respects beside Paul’s open casket and laying flowers.

Pipes played as a Celtic flag was held aloft, while hundreds of flowers were left in tribute to the man who devoted much of his life to helping children in Thailand.

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One of Paul’s sons paid an emotional tribute to his dad and his love of the Hoops.

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He said: “Celtic meant everything to him. He loved Celtic. And Celtic helped me and my father bond together as father and son.”

Posting the footage to TikTok, staff at the Pattaya Irish House added: “Today the Thai Tims and the Celtic Supporters Club from Pattaya Irish House had the privilege and honour to carry Paul Lennon to his final resting place. It was a humbling moment to be part of his send off and to walk with him one last time. We are deeply grateful for the chance to stand by him and to share this with Paul, the boys, and all who loved him. Rest easy, Paul. You’ll always be one of us.”

Paul, the founder of the Thai Tims and the Good Child Foundation in Thailand, passed after a battle with an aggressive brain tumour earlier this week.

The 60-year-old had been diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma (IDH-wildtype) and had been receiving palliative care after undergoing major brain surgery. His diagnosis had left him unable to communicate, but the Celtic support rallied around Paul and his family in his final months.

Hundreds of tributes were paid to the kind-hearted dad, who spent more than two decades helping children with Down’s syndrome in rural Thailand alongside his wife Pun.

Paul and Pun founded the Good Child Foundation after their son, Berni, was born with Down’s syndrome.

Paul used his love of Celtic to help teach English to children who had been excluded from mainstream education, using songs sung by supporters at Celtic Park in his lessons.

The youngsters became known affectionately as the Thai Tims and their videos singing Hoops favourites went viral, attracting millions of views online.

Paul’s legacy extended beyond the Thai Tims and his work teaching children. He also devoted himself to keeping alive the memory of murdered Blantyre teenager Reamonn Gormley.

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Reamonn volunteered at the Good Child Foundation in Thailand during a gap year in 2010 before he was tragically stabbed to death in an attempted street robbery in his hometown the following year.

Paul formed a partnership with Blantyre Soccer Academy in Reamonn’s memory and helped organise tributes involving the Thai Tims.

The children recorded a special charity version of Just Can’t Get Enough in his honour, raising money for the Good Child Foundation and knife crime charity Crimestoppers.

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Following news of Paul’s death, Celtic issued a tribute to the lifelong supporter. A statement from the club said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club sends their prayers and deepest condolences to the family of Paul Lennon, who has passed away.

“Paul did such great work with the Good Child Foundation and Thai Tims, and we know he will be sadly missed by so many. May he rest in peace.”

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Concern for welfare report on Belmont Road, Bolton

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Concern for welfare report on Belmont Road, Bolton

On Belmont Road, closer to the Horrocks Fold side, police confirmed they had arrived at a “concern for welfare” report on Sunday (August 23).

It’s understood emergency services were no longer seen there by midday, after they arrived in the morning.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Officers are responding to a concern for welfare.”

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The identity of the person involved in the report has not been disclosed, and no casualties have been confirmed by police.

The Bolton News will provide updates if we hear anything.

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I discovered a new love for Cambridge through a longstanding tradition

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Cambridgeshire Live

I couldn’t wait to try out this classic tourist activity for the first time

Punting is a longstanding tradition in Cambridge and is one of the things the city is most famous for, alongside the university. Although I work in Cambridge and live in the county, I have never actually been punting.

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While on a visit to Cambridge to see a friend, I decided it was finally time to get on a punt and explore the sights from the water. Not wanting to risk this sunny Saturday in August being fully booked, I paid £39 to pre-book a time slot online.

At 1.30pm, we made our way down to the water and got onto the punt. As I sat down, it was a little unnerved at how close the water was to me. However, my nerves soon eased as we began our trip. Our guide told us she was going to give us a little bit of a history lesson on the sights as we passed them.

One building that particularly stood out to me was part of St John’s College. There was a wall almost completely covered in ivy, and the guide claimed this was a special type of ivy that couldn’t be cut by students. She said that it was so precious that if it covered the windows, it had to be left due to its rarity.

One thing that made my friend and I laugh was some of the accommodation on offer to students at the university. The buildings being pointed out as accommodation seemed more like castles or grand mansions. They are worlds away from the tiny flats I lived in at Nottingham Trent when I was a student.

Although it was a bit more overcast on this day than it had been all week, I was actually quite glad. Being on the punt with no shade from the sun wouldn’t have been as enjoyable.

One of the best sights of the journey was seeing the Backs. I’d seen so many photos of the Backs, with King’s College Chapel in the background and beautiful greenery in front. It was just as beautiful in real life, and I’m so pleased I got to see it. As we went further down the river, we were joined by families of ducks and the odd swan swimming amongst the boats.

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I felt so immersed in Cambridge tradition, and the quiet of the water made it such a relaxing tour. Coupled with a little tipple, it was a really lovely way to spend an afternoon in Cambridge.

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Rory McIlroy’s 2026 prize money on the PGA Tour dwarves that of Shane Lowry

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Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have both had strange PGA Tour seasons

The 2026 PGA Tour season has proved an unusual one for both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.

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Despite facing their individual challenges, the duo have collectively banked more than $10m in tour earnings this year.

McIlroy kicked off his campaign in spectacular fashion, claiming victory at Augusta National and successfully defending the green jacket he memorably secured in 2025, cementing his legacy as a grand slam champion.

However, since that triumphant April showing, the Holywood native has found consistency elusive, with only a T-7th placing at both the PGA Championship and Scottish Open suggesting he might challenge for another trophy.

Nevertheless, he enters Sunday’s final round of the BMW Championship in the last group, though trailing leader Wyndham Clark by five strokes, reports the Irish Mirror.

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While the six-time major champion hasn’t been quite as active or successful in terms of tournament wins this season, his earnings remain substantial.

His Augusta triumph in April added $4.5m to his coffers, while a T-2nd finish at the Genesis just weeks prior brought in $1.8m.

All told, McIlroy has accumulated just over $8.5m from his PGA Tour performances in 2026, a figure that could rise considerably over the coming fortnight as he targets success at the BMW Championship and next week’s Tour Championship finale at East Lake.

For Lowry, the PGA Tour experience this year has been rather more turbulent. A promising opening saw him firmly in the mix at the Cognizant Classic, only to surrender a commanding position in the closing stages.

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The County Offaly golfer began his final round at the Masters trailing McIlroy by just two shots, but struggled on the concluding day to finish tied for 30th.

Overall, it has been a campaign to forget for Lowry, who placed 62nd in the FedEx Cup season standings and consequently bowed out of the playoffs at the opening stage.

Despite these setbacks, Lowry still concludes his PGA Tour season having banked an impressive $2.45m.

He will be back in action at the Irish Open next month, eager to end the year on a positive note.

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Rory McIlroy 2026 prize money

Shane Lowry 2026 prize money

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Barcelona make Alejandro Balde decision after Man Utd boss Michael Carrick drops hint

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Alejandro Balde wants to leave Barcelona before the transfer window closes and he’s been linked with joining Manchester United amid their search for a left-back

Manchester United target Alejandro Balde has been left out of Barcelona’s squad for their La Liga opener against Elche. Balde, 22, is on the Camp Nou chopping block and wants to secure a move away ahead of the transfer window closing on September 1.

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The Spaniard is an option for United, who are scouring the market for a left-back. Talks have reportedly been held with Balde’s agent, Jorge Mendes, with the Red Devils preparing a bid of €40million (£33m).

On Sunday, Barcelona announced their 25-man travelling squad to face Elche and Balde wasn’t included. Marc Casado and Hector Fort were also left out, with all three players up for sale.

Both Balde and Fort’s chances of game time took a hit this week when Barca welcomed back Joao Cancelo, who can play on the left and right-hand side of defence. Cancelo’s arrival on loan in January led to a reduction in minutes for Balde, whose 2025-26 campaign was also blighted by hamstring injuries.

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Barca boss Hansi Flick hailed the 22-year-old in his pre-match press conference but isn’t sure whether he can compete with Cancelo. “He’s a player of immense quality, and it’s important to know if he’s confident he can compete in his position,” Flick said.

“That’s what I want to see from all my players. Every day I observe what they do, their level, whether they demonstrate that they’re at the level to play.”

Flick’s comments come after Michael Carrick was quizzed on United’s left-back search before they started the Premier League season with a limp 2-0 loss away to newly promoted Hull. “I just think we’re looking to strengthen the squad,” Carrick replied.

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“We’re certainly working towards that, making the most of the situation that we have and trying to improve things and trying to move forward. You know, I said the same thing to you last time.

“So, yeah, certainly trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it. And I think we’re a good way to doing that, so far.”

Lewis Hall of Newcastle was United’s top left-back target earlier in the window, but he’s seen as unattainable this summer for a variety of reasons. Newcastle don’t need to sell and have already lost three key players, while United have spent most of their budget on midfielders.

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Gaby Roslin comforts emotional dog owner in new ITV series ‘it’s heartbreaking’

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Things took an emotional turn during the first episode of The Joy of Pets as Gaby Roslin spoke to a couple who are fostering a blind dog

TV veteran Gaby Roslin was on hand to provide emotional support to a dog owner who appeared on ITV’s, The Joy of Pets.

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The brand-new series, which kicked off on Sunday (August 23), saw Gaby and her co-star, Dr Bolu Eso, celebrate the nation’s love of animals. In the first episode, Gaby and Dr Bolu were in Horsham, West Sussex, where they met a number of furry animals, including dogs, rabbits and even a rat.

During the first episode, Gaby was joined by dog owners Paul and Anna, who are currently fostering a blind husky named Cookie.

Talking to owners Anna and Paul, Gaby discovered that the couple had already lost a dog over a year ago. Paul admitted that he was reluctant to care for a dog “full time” but was keen to foster.

After telling the RSPCA their story, the charity was happy to allow the dog-loving pair to foster Cookie, who became blind in both eyes as a young pup.

Talking about Cookie, Anna said: “We just fell in love with her straight away and she actually does look like our old dog as well. So when she came out, he was a husky dog, same colouring, so it was a bit like ‘ok,’ but in a nice way.”

Paul added: “It was spooky!”

Later in their chat, as the couple continued to share their story, Gaby highlighted how brave they were after losing their first pup, whom they had had for 13 years.

Seeing Paul become increasingly emotional, Gaby hugged him and said: “Everyone understands this, Paul. Losing a pet is heartbreaking; you can’t deny it.

“And you’ve found another pet that has created you a whole new life together, I think it’s wonderful. But I can see what she means to you.”

Gaby, who came up with the concept for The Joy of Pets, has expressed her love for all animals and has shared her highlights from the series. But despite her admiration for animals, she currently has none of her own.

She said in a statement: “My husband is allergic to dogs and cats, so I spent a lot of time taking my friends’ dogs for a walk. I grew up in a house full of animals.

“When I was born, there was already a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, there was a cat that was mainly outside, there was a tortoise, two rabbits and we used to always take the guinea pigs home from school to look after them in the holidays. My mother was obsessed with animals, so that’s definitely where I got it from.”

The Joy of Pets airs Sundays at 11:30am on ITV1.

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How to watch Newcastle vs Liverpool FC: TV channel and live stream for Premier League today

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Iran-linked hackers shut down UK power plant – should we be worried? | News UK

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Iran-linked hackers shut down UK power plant - should we be worried? | News UK
At no point was there a risk to the wider energy system (Picture: AP/Getty)

Cyber hackers linked to Iran shut down a UK power plant for four days.

The incident, which occurred in July, involved an unidentified small-scale energy generator, according to The Telegraph.

Hackers unlikely had civilian harm in mind when targeting the power plant, though it is reportedly the first time Iran-linked crooks knocked one offline.

The National Cyber Security Centre, part of the spy agency GCHQ which investigates attacks on infrastructure, declined to comment as it does not routinely acknowledge individual incidents.

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The power grid was never at risk and the incident had no impact on energy production, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero told Metro.

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Department officials briefed energy bosses and wrote to companies with advice, direction and next steps following the shutdown.

SELBY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Recently installed wind turbines generate electricty in the shadow of Drax, Europe's biggest coal fired power station, on August 24, 2010 in Selby, England. The Rusholme wind farm will create 24 Mega Watts when fully operational in comparison to Drax which creates 3,960 Mega Watts. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Most small-scale power plants only kick in for a few hours a week to top up energy supplies, such as when it’s not that windy (Picture: Getty Images)

A government spokesperson added: ‘The UK has a highly resilient energy system.

‘We work closely with the energy sector to protect infrastructure and ensure the highest security standards.

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Could hackers target anything else in the UK?

Security experts have long warned that a cyber attack by a foreign country during a time of war isn’t just the stuff of cheap Hollywood films.

Fears of Iranian-linked cyber attacks have been high since the US and Israel launched a deadly attack on Iran in February, igniting a war.

Factories are easy targets for cyber attacks, Steffan Roxrud Thorvaldse, CEO of Qbee, a device management platform, told Metro.

‘Modern factories now operate as “smart” environments where everything is connected, from sensors and cameras to robotics and control systems,’ he said.

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SELBY, ENGLAND - JUNE 19: An aerial view of the Drax Power Station in the rural constituency of Selby and Ainsty on June 19, 2023 in Selby, England. Last week, the MP for Selby and Ainsty, Nigel Adams, announced he was standing down with immediate effect. He had already declared he would stand down at the next election. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Which power plant was breached is unclear (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

‘That means more ways in for attackers.’

Attackers can gain entry by slipping into security holes in online systems, such as a CCTV camera that uses out-of-date software.

‘From there, attackers can move through networks and potentially interfere with systems that control real-world operations, like factory machinery and production lines,’ Thorvaldse added.

Some experts worry that ‘Iranian hacktivists’, groups which either have ties to or are sympathetic to the regime, could strike.

Richard Ford, CTO of the cybersecurity specialist Integrity360, said: ‘It’s impossible to say what companies could be next and whether any will be in the UK, but the chances of it will depend on the UK’s perceived involvement in the war.

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‘Although, as with the war, it is not just the US and Israel being targeted but also their partners and allies.’

A man crosses Tehran's Enghelab Square on July 15, 2026, past a giant anti-US billboard featuring US president Donald Trump in a coffin with text in Persian reading "We Kill Trump". Hostilities renewed between Iran and the US, endangering a memorandum of understanding, reached in June with Qatari and Pakistani mediation, aimed at ending the war. The confrontation resumed on July 7 after attacks on ships in the Gulf, which Iran has attributed to Iran. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /
No major hacks from Iran-backed groups have happened (Picture: AFP)

Other experts worry that hacking groups could also be posing as Tehran-affiliated to stir up tensions.

Or they are using the Iran war to pursue their own agendas, such as what a pro-Russian group did by prying open CCTV footage of an Ipswich go-kart track in March.

‘#TimeOfRetribution,’ the group said in a Telegram post at the time, seen by Metro.

Hacktivists can be hired on the dark web, a shady, heavily encrypted corner of the internet away from prying eyes, to knock out websites.

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One common – and cheap – hack offered is a distributed denial of service (DDoS), which brought down a massive chunk of the web last November.

Computer vandals jam a website with so many requests that it buckles under the load and becomes unresponsive.

Despite these concerns, experts who specialise in tracking Iranian hacking groups have seen little activity.

Shopper entering a Marks and Spencer food hall on the concourse of Waterloo Station in London UK. April 2026
Hackers targeted Marks and Spencer’s last year (Picture: Getty Images/iStock Unreleased)

This was to be expected. The Intelligence and Security Committee, which oversees spy agencies, said last year that while Iran spends millions of dollars on hacking groups, it’s ‘unlikely’ they’d break into British facilities.

The risk of a successful cyber attack against UK infrastructure is between five and 25%, the Cabinet Office said in July.

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Still, Ford says it’s vital the government is prepared for cyber attacks, which officials routinely stress that they are.

‘The worst case, which is less trivial to launch and successfully orchestrate, would be a breach of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) such as electricity, water supply, health services and food supply, and that could have a myriad of effects and be the highest impact felt by Britons,’ Ford said.

‘M&S is a very good example of a cyber attack,’ he added of the Easter breach last year, ‘particularly in terms of severity and impact where shelves were left bare and customers unable to place orders.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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