WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are divided along party lines on U.S. military action against Iran, according to polls conducted since the war began, with most polls showing opposition is higher than support.

Polls suggest that many Americans are worried the military action is making the U.S. “less safe,” even as they see Iran as a threat to U.S. security. There are also warning signs for Trump as he confronts the possibility of a prolonged conflict that could come with significant economic turmoil. Trump gave conflicting messages on Monday about the war’s timeline, suggesting it could be near its end while also threatening additional force against Iran if the country disrupted the global flow of oil.

Fluctuating oil prices may already be alarming voters. A poll conducted over the weekend found about 7 in 10 registered voters are “very” or “somewhat” concerned that the war will cause oil and gasoline prices to rise, and the vast majority expect the U.S. action against Iran will last at least “months,” if not longer.

Republicans are largely behind the president, the polls show, but there are indications that they are wary of any response that would lead to U.S. troops on the ground in Iran. And after Trump campaigned on the pledge of putting “America first” and ending U.S. involvement in “forever wars,” the Iran conflict could become a particular point of friction.

More oppose than support the US military action

About half of registered voters — 53% — oppose U.S. military action against Iran, according to a new Quinnipiac Poll conducted over the weekend. Only 4 in 10 support it, and about 1 in 10 are uncertain.

That’s similar to the results of text message snap polls from The Washington Post and CNN, both conducted shortly after the joint U.S.-Israel attacks began, which also indicated that more Americans rejected the military action than embraced it.

A recent Fox News poll found opinions more evenly divided: Half of registered voters approved of the U.S. military action, while half disapproved.

Several of the recent polls show a majority of Americans believe the Trump administration has not provided a clear explanation of the reasons behind the military strikes, and there are some divisions about whether Iran truly posed an “imminent and direct threat” to the United States, as the White House has said.

Most voters in the Quinnipiac poll — 55% — said they did not believe Iran posed an “imminent military threat” to the U.S. before the current military action. On the other hand, about 6 in 10 registered voters in the Fox News poll said Iran poses a “real national security threat,” and a recent AP-NORC poll found about half of U.S. adults were highly concerned that Iran’s nuclear program posed a direct threat to the U.S.

Voters are worried about gas prices

As oil prices oscillate, the vast majority of voters are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about oil and gasoline prices rising in the U.S., according to the Quinnipiac poll. Only about one-quarter of voters are “not so concerned” or “not concerned at all.”

The highest levels of concern are driven by Democrats and independents, but about half of Republicans are also at least somewhat concerned about the war increasing gas prices.

On Monday, Trump said the U.S. would take further action against Iran if they made any attempt to stop the global oil supply.

About half worry about US safety, doubt Trump’s judgment

As the Iran war spreads into the Middle East, many Americans also worry Trump’s military decisions have made the U.S. less safe.

About half of voters in both the Quinnipiac and Fox News polls said the U.S. military action in Iran makes the U.S. “less safe,” while only about 3 in 10 in each poll said it made the country safer. The CNN poll found about half of U.S. adults thought the strikes would make Iran “more of a threat” to the U.S., while only about 3 in 10 thought it would lessen the danger.

About 6 in 10 U.S. adults said they trusted Trump “not much” or “not at all” to make the right decisions about the U.S. use of force in Iran, according to the CNN poll. Republicans expressed more trust than Democrats or independents.

An AP-NORC poll conducted before the strikes similarly found that 56% of U.S. adults trusted Trump “only a little” or “not at all” to make the right decisions about the use of military force abroad.

Concerns about deploying troops

Most voters are concerned about a possible expansion in the war’s scope.

About three-quarters of voters oppose the idea of sending ground troops into Iran, according to the Quinnipiac poll that was conducted after the deaths of six U.S. service members were announced. The death of a seventh service member was reported Wednesday.

The Trump administration has acknowledged the likelihood of American casualties, and has not ruled out sending American soldiers to Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that it was “foolishness” to expect U.S. officials to say publicly “here’s exactly how far we’ll go.”

Only about 2 in 10 in the Quinnipiac poll supported sending troops to Iran. Even among Republican voters, the poll found more oppose than support sending ground troops, 52% to 37%.

For many Glaswegians, the fire that has destroyed the Union Corner building next to Glasgow Central station is an unsettling reminder of fires that obliterated the city’s famous School of Art, first in 2014 and then again in 2018 while undergoing restoration.

Central Station is the busiest in Scotland with 25 million visitors a year. Even more pass by its grand gated entrance, bordered by a number of Victorian-era buildings like Union Corner. Built in the mid-19th century where Union Street and Gordon Street meet, the building’s famous dome (behind which brightly lit adverts acted as a beacon guiding people to the station beneath) and Victorian façade on Union Street have collapsed.

The fire will have obvious economic consequences for the city, particularly through the loss of businesses caught in and close to the fire. But the emotional effect of the fire will be felt by the city’s residents and visitors, particularly if the building lies in ruins indefinitely.

The value of built heritage and losing a building that is part of the fabric and history of a place extends beyond economic effects to something more emotional. This threat to different communities’ sense of place and cultural identity could be a catalyst for collective action.

A sense of belonging

Our built heritage has a considerable influence upon those who view and experience it. It can generate joy and even improve mental health. It also contributes to our sense of place; that is, our emotional attachment to a landscape such as an urban area. It derives from the character and distinctiveness of a place, which people perceive, in part, through buildings. As the fabric of the city, buildings and their environment act as a stage upon which social and cultural networks are made and reinforced.

Similarly, cultural identity is an implicit feeling emerging from the sense of belonging to a particular culture. It is multi-faceted and dynamic, drawing on the past while remaining permeable to the present. It can be considered a historical reservoir, created from representations of a shared past, amongst numerous other factors.

Continuity of cultural identity may rely on material continuity of the place. These important yet implicit aspects of daily life are affected when changes occur to the built fabric of a landscape, such as the loss of Glasgow’s historic buildings.

Glaswegians have faced this before in recent memory. Directly opposite Union Corner is the ornate C’a d’Oro building, built in 1872 to emulate the grandeur of the original building in Venice. It was destroyed by fire in 1987, rebuilt and reopened just three years later.

A strong desire persists among Glasgow’s citizens to see the Art School (known affectionately as “the Mack”) rebuilt again, but renovation is yet to start thanks to a series of ongoing wrangles. The time lag of restoration in Glasgow is further evident at the Egyptian Halls, a category A-listed building, also on Union Street. It faces an uncertain future after lying empty for 30 years.

Public outcry and support

The sense of place created through built heritage often extends beyond the local community. The National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro went on fire in 2018, destroying not only the early 19th-century building but nearly all of the artefacts and documents it housed. An immeasurable loss that led to global outcry, it was likened to the burning of the library of Alexandria in 48BC. There were immediate calls for the restoration of the building and it is due to reopen in the next year.

A few months later, in 2019, Notre Dame cathedral in Paris was severely damaged by fire. Just like the Mack in Glasgow, this occurred during restorative works. The emotional connection to the historic building resulted in international outpouring of support, as well as financial aid from donors in 150 countries, which saw €750m (£650m) raised in ten days.

The connection between built heritage and cultural identity was evident in the decision – which was not uncontroversial – to rebuild the cathedral in line with 19th-century ideas of the medieval period. This envisioning dictated the cathedral’s first major restoration in 1844 under architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.

Designated a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site, it was this version of the 800-year-old building with which most people were familiar and emotionally connected. It was therefore favoured over modern reimaginings or indeed interpretations focusing on other periods of the building’s long existence.

À lire aussi :
Notre-Dame reopens in Paris 5 years after fire – its reconstruction preserves the past and illuminates France’s modern ambitions

The public demand to restore The National Museum of Brazil and Notre Dame was not driven by the economic potential of the heritage assets. Rather, a collective sense of place was profoundly affected, which transformed into action. This is seen on a smaller scale when the climate crisis causes incremental damage to built heritage.

Preservation and conservation are almost constantly called for despite growing acknowledgement that not all built heritage can be saved in the face of the climate crisis. There have been attempts to save structures before they are lost, such as the dismantling and removal of the Cruester Burnt Mound structure, a Bronze-age building on the Shetland island of Bressay, into the local heritage centre.

This collective action can extend from heritage preservation to focus on the cause of the initial problem. Greater awareness about the inevitable loss of late medieval castles in West Cork, Ireland, has instigated climate action among the local community.

This powerful yet unquantifiable sense of place and its connection to cultural identity can be a catalyst for positive action, particularly when supported by those with the power to enact and accelerate change. The full effect of the fire in Glasgow is yet to be realised, but the city’s experience of previous fires has demonstrated that collective action will likely emerge from the ashes.

Animal charities have seen an influx of abandoned animals as tourists fear the war

British citizens in Dubai have been leaving their pets behind, with some asking vets to put them down in a desperate attempt to flee to safety according to reports.

It’s been over a week since war broke out in the Middle East after Israel and the USA struck Iran and killed its leader, Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran struck military bases across the Middle East including including Tehran, Beirut and the UAE, including missile strikes and drones in Dubai.

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Since then, the strikes have lead to mass flight cancellations with many holidaymakers told to stay in their hotel and being unable to currently fly home as the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to the UAE.

The emirate, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is home to tens of thousands of Brits, many of whom have packed up their belongings as they try and leave their lives in the Middle East behind. Unfortunately, many expats have “ditched” their beloved pets in the process, reports the Mirror.

Vets working in Dubai have reported that there has been a wave of inquiries from people asking about putting down their dogs, and a re-homing group explained how they’ve been left overwhelmed with the number of expats ditching their animals on the streets.

Some vets have even admitted that they were made to put down “healthy animals” by owners who didn’t want to deal with relocation fees and any paperwork involved.

A local dog re-homing group, K9 Friends Dubai, has shared that they are overwhelmed with the rising number of calls about abandoned puppies, as well as owners looking to give up their animals.

Speaking with the Mirror, Claire Hopkins, 53, a Dubai resident who volunteers with animal charities, said these groups were “under major financial stress” thanks to the sudden influx.

She added that popular fundraising pages like GoFundMe are banned in Dubai, making it more difficult to carry on their work amid the Middle East war.

Claire continued: “Some pet owners are stressed and panicking. It’s right across the board, and I think the Brits are better than most, but you’re talking about 200 different nationalities here in the UAE. Some people want to give back their adoptive pets. There are dogs starting to be abandoned.”

Addressing how the flight chaos happening across the region has impacted the abandoned pet crisis, Claire went onto say: “The airlines aren’t taking animals at the moment anyway as the flights are operating a very reduced service. If you wanted to get a rabies jab, then you have to delay your travel by a further three weeks.

“I’m sorry to say that vets have had inquiries about euthanasia, which is disgusting. Most vets would pass them on to the shelters, but we’re already full.”

There has also been disturbing images circulating online which show dogs tied to lamp posts without any food or drink. A volunteer at a Dubai dog day care company, The Barking Lot, said: “Some vets have even confirmed that owners are coming in to euthanise healthy pets because they don’t want to deal with relocation costs or paperwork.”

War Paws, a charity which works to help animals during conflict, told the Mirror that ditched pets is not a new issue, with CEO Louise Hastie saying: “It’s happening across Iraq and Ukraine as well …some people just don’t see pets the way we do. Abandoning pets at the border or on the streets, not even leaving them with the vet – there’s really no excuse for it. Dubai is an affluent country.”

A man was found dead in a car on Saturday

Police have issued an update after three men were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a “physical altercation” in a Welsh town. A 36-year-old man was found dead in a car following the incident in Tredegar town centre, Blaenau Gwent, over the weekend.

Early inquiries by Gwent Police established the man died after being involved in “a physical altercation” in Tredegar town centre some time between 10pm on Friday and 2am on Saturday. He was found dead in a car on Saturday morning in St James Way, the force later confirmed.

Three men, aged 18, 19, and 51, all from Tredegar, were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident.

In an update issued on Tuesday Gwent Police said the three men had been bailed “pending further onquiries”. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter

“Officers are continuing their inquiries to establish the full circumstances”, the statement added.

Detective chief inspector Robin Fuller previously said: “We are in the early stages of this investigation and I offer my thoughts to the family of the victim.

“We’re working to establish the full circumstances and are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who was in the area of Castle Street, opposite the Castle Hotel and Jem’s jewellery, between 1am and 2am on Saturday.

“If you have dashcam footage this could also help our investigation so please get in touch.”

Anyone who witnessed the altercation, or has any information that could help police, can call police on 101 quoting log reference 2600071626. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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While Australia is outside the Middle East, it’s not unusual for passengers flying there to stop in places like Dubai and fly over the affected countries and airspace.

Whether you’re set to travel to Australia or know someone who is, you might be wondering if it’s safe to travel.

It’s worth staying updated with the latest travel advice and warnings.

The UK government has updated its travel advice for those heading to Australia (Image: Newsquest)

What is happening in the Middle East?

The US and Israel attacked Iran last month, killing its supreme leader.

The first reported American casualties included three American service members as the US and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran on Saturday, February 28.

Five were seriously injured in military operations targeting Iran, the US military said.

Airspace closures in the Middle East have resulted in a number of commercial flights being grounded since the attacks began on Saturday.

Airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet have changed their flight schedules since the attack and travel advice has been updated for those in the region or thinking about travelling to the region.

Is it safe to travel to Australia?

The UK government’s latest advice for those travelling to Australia can be found on the website.

It says: “Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.”

British nationals should check the latest travel advice before travelling (Image: Newsquest)

The government warns that while Australia isn’t in the Middle East, travel can still be impacted.

It says British nationals should check their airline or tour operator’s latest travel updates before heading there.

You should also check your travel insurance policy before travelling and monitor travel advice, including local and international media.

Recommended reading:

Brits can sign up for email alerts and the latest travel advice.

Away from the Middle East conflict, the UK government says “there is a higher risk of bushfires in Australia during the spring and summer seasons, from October to February.”

It reminds travellers that “no travel can be guaranteed safe.”

To find the best air beds for guests, I tested a selection of double, king and queen options from brands including Argos, Decathlon, Dreams and Active Era. Each had a built-in pump and could also be inflated manually.

I rated them on design, warmth, comfort, portability and ease of assembly. I also considered pillow and edge support, how easy it was to get on and off the bed, and whether they came with useful extras, such as a puncture kit or carry bag.

I asked friends of different heights and ages to try each bed, lying on their backs, sides, and stomachs, then sitting up. To check durability, I let my two young children jump on each for two minutes – great fun for them, though not exactly recommended by manufacturers.

If you’re looking to improve your sleep more generally, be sure to read our guides to the best pillows (including the best pillows for side sleepers) and the best duvets.

As for the best air beds for camping, Phoebe took her picks on the road to test comfort, packability and value.

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Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best sleep product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don’t accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles.

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There are some non-negotiables when it comes to boxes the best kids’ smartwatches should tick. They need to comfortable, fairly robust, and have reassuring safety features and parental controls.

Beyond this, you can also expect to find kids’ smartwatches with similar features to the best adult smartwatches. For this review, my three young testers and I used watches with activity and health tracking, GPS tracking, and calls and video calls. These “phone watches” can be a great choice for parents who aren’t quite ready to purchase a mobile for their child, but want to safely stay in touch with them. Bear in mind you’ll probably need to cover the rolling cost of a SIM card for these kinds of features though.

If your child is keen on sport (more than 90 per cent of children between five and 16 years old reportedly are), you might purchase a wearable tech gadget to encourage and track movement. By wearing a watch, they can reach their step goals, with more advanced options tracking heart rate, too.

Ultimately, parents should consider what they want to get out of their kids’ smartwatches, whether that’s a fitness tracker, a mini mobile phone or simply a more interactive watch. Here, I’ve rounded up the best ones on the market from a parent’s perspective.

Read more: 7 best kids’ headphones for noise-free screen time

The best smartwatches for kids in 2026 are:

• Best overall – Garmin vivofit jr.3: £64.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best budget buy – Disney Encanto character print smartwatch: £24.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best for heart-rate monitoring – myFirst fone S3: £169.99, Myfirsttech.com
• Best for easy set-up – Tikkers plain blue interactive watch and headphone set: £34.99, Argos.co.uk

How I tested

With the help of three testers (aged four, six and 13), I put a selection of kids’ smartwatches to the test over many weeks, assessing them on factors such as battery life, fun factor and screen quality. You can scroll to the bottom of my review for a more in-depth look at my full testing criteria.

Read more: The best kids’ tablets for homework, gaming and more

Manchester City fly out to Spain today ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League round of 16 first leg vs Real Madrid

Manchester City have confirmed their 23-man travelling squad to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. Erling Haaland, who missed the FA Cup fifth round victory over Newcastle United, has been included after training with his teammates in Manchester on Tuesday morning.

Pep Guardiola’s decision not to select Haaland last weekend sparked concerns he could be miss the last-16 clash. But, the City boss confirmed after the match his absence was to allow him to rest. “I didn’t think to let him play and I prefer him training to [clicks fingers] make a rhythm,” Guardiola said on Saturday. After injury when he drops he always struggles to have that real pace.”

There are also spots on the plane for Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi. The duo who signed from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace respectively in January, were ineligible to play the final league phase fixtures against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray.

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However, when the registration window reopened, both men were added to City’s squad for the knockout stages and could make their Champions League debuts at the Bernabeu. Mateo Kovacic was spotted in training on Tuesday but has not been deemed fit enough to travel to Madrid.

The Croatia international has been missing since October after sustaining an ankle injury. Guardiola confirmed the midfielder would play a part in the final stages of the season and his return to the first-team is edging closer, even if this game has come too soon for him.

City head into the knockout tie as favourites considering their home advantage in the second leg. The Blues were also victorious earlier this season when the two teams met in the league phase. Nico O’Reilly and Haaland scored in a 2-1 win.

City’s travelling squad to face Real Madrid

Goalkeepers – Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford, Marcus Bettinelli

Defenders – Max Alleyne, Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov, Matheus Nunes, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri

Midfielders – Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden

Forwards – Antoine Semenyo, Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush

While profit and sustainability rules (PSR) were about a club’s balance sheet of all revenues over a three-year period, SCR is just about team costs on a seasonal basis.

The new rules will operate a dual system, with clubs in European competition having to adhere to Uefa’s SCR limit of 70% – so a club could be sanctioned by Uefa but be compliant in the Premier League.

The higher limit is intended to protect the Premier League’s competitive balance, given the increased income that will be received by those clubs competing in Europe.

Chelsea and Aston Villa were both given heavy fines by Uefa for breaches in the 2024-25 campaign, and that is when the limit in Europe was 80%.

The Premier League has added some wriggle room, too, with a multi-year rolling allowance of 30% that permits clubs to spend beyond the limit. It allows clubs to invest ahead of revenue and variance or sporting underperformance.

An assessment is made each March, and the allowance is crucial to determine possible sporting sanctions applied in the same season.

The 85% marker is known as the Green Threshold. Spend above that and you get a financial penalty, although this will be far less punitive than Uefa.

The Red Threshold is 85% plus the allowance. Go beyond that, and it is a fixed six-point deduction which increases by one point for every £6.5m spent over the Red Threshold.

Think of it this way – every club will start next season on 85% + 30% allowance, so effectively 115%.

Any clubs that spend above 85% will face a fine, but they would need to be in excess of 115% to lose points.

But those percentages will change for 2027-28.

If a club spends 105% on their squad next season, it means they have used 20% of their allowance, and for 2027-28 their maximum spend before potential sporting sanction is 95%.

If a club spend less that 85%, they can increase the allowance again to the maximum of 30%.

The 26-year-old has denied the charge and will now stand trial

Gallagher PREM side Bristol Bears have suspended hooker Will Capon after the former England U20s player was charged with rape.

The 26-year-old appeared in court on Friday, having been accused of the assault in Exeter in September 2021. Capon, who has spent 12 years at Bristol after joining the club’s academy in 2014, denied the charge when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court last week and he will now stand trial at the same court in September next year after being granted unconditional bail.

Bristol have confirmed that the front rower was suspended from “all club activities” after being charged.

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However, he has not played since May last year, having undergone surgery on a knee injury suffered during the Bears’ pre-season training camp in Portugal ahead of the current campaign.

Capon made his senior debut for Bristol in 2018 as they secured promotion to the Gallagher PREM, and made 13 appearances for them last season, scoring four tries.

He was also part of the England squad at the World Rugby U20s Championship in 2019, while he was called up by Eddie Jones to train with the senior side two years later.

In a statement issued to The Telegraph, Bristol said: “Bristol Bears can confirm that Will Capon is suspended from all club activities pending the outcome of an ongoing legal matter.

“The club will not be making any further comment while legal proceedings are active.”

A brief statement from the Crown Prosecution Service read: “Will Capon is charged with one count of rape.

“Next hearing is a case management hearing scheduled for 26 July, 2027 at Exeter Crown Court.”

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