Two drones heading towards Jordan and Bahrain have been shot down by RAF Typhoon jets during defensive air sorties in the Gulf, the defence secretary said.
He said on Monday: “The UK is now conducting defensive air sorties in support of the UAE. Typhoons successfully took out two drones, one over Jordan, the second heading to Bahrain.
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“The third Wildcat [helicopter] has now arrived in Cyprus, and we’ve now deployed additional RAF operations experts in more than five countries in the region, helping coordinate regional military and civilian airspace.”
Image: A Typhoon jet is prepared for defensive operations across the Middle East. Pic: MoD
Image: Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter on an initial test flight at a British base in Cyprus. Pic: MoD
He added that the destroyer HMS Dragon would set sail for the eastern Mediterranean “in the next couple of days”, where it will join US air defence vessels.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has posted a short video on X showing a drone being blown up by RAF jets.
Image: HMS Dragon, which will depart Portsmouth in the coming days. Pic: MoD
Image: Loading stores on HMS Dragon on Monday. Pic: MoD
The defence secretary also confirmed that 37,000 British nationals have been evacuated since the start of the war in Iran and three chartered flights to the UK have now taken off from Oman’s capital, Muscat, “with more to come this week”.
Mr Healey said “fragments” of the Iranian drone that hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus last week “are being analysed for foreign military hardware by our experts at DSTL [Defence Science and Technology Laboratory]”.
The cabinet minister also said that after the UK gave the US permission to use British bases for defensive operations, the first US bomber aircraft landed at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, on Friday.
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Day 10 Iran war: Videos from on the ground
Earlier in the Commons, the chancellor admitted the conflict in the Middle East is likely to put “upward pressure on inflation“, although the UK is ready to support the release of oil reserves as supply issues continue.
Rachel Reeves said additional funding had been approved for the MoD to deploy “additional capabilities” in the region.
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Meanwhile, Downing Street has steered away from suggestions that the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is preparing to deploy to the Mediterranean.
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No decision about deployments had been made, and the Prince of Wales has always been at a high level of readiness, Number 10 said today.
The shadow defence secretary responded to Mr Healey’s statement in the Commons by criticising the government for the delay in sending HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean.
James Cartlidge said it had “completely undermined Britain’s international standing” while Mr Healey defended the government’s response and called Mr Cartlidge an “armchair general”.
The IT system was the target of a cyber attack on Friday with the EA carrying out a full password reset as a security measure in response
The Education Authority says positive steps have been made towards restoring access after an IT system used by pupils in Northern Ireland was hit by a cyber attack.
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The IT system was the target of a cyber attack on Friday, April 3, with the EA carrying out a full password reset as a security measure in response.
The C2K school system, provided by Capita, is used as a curriculum support.
The Education Authority (EA) said it was taking the incident “very seriously” and apologised for the impact on pupils who may be preparing for exams over the Easter break.
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It said that user passwords are being reset over the weekend, with priority given to students at post-primary schools who are due to sit exams.
In an update on Saturday afternoon, a spokesperson for the EA said: “EA continues to engage with the C2K system provider, Capita, to minimise the impact on staff and pupils, following a recent cyber-attack.
“We are making positive progress towards restoring access to the schools’ C2K system.
“EA teams, along with the service provider Capita and colleagues in schools, have worked around the clock to rapidly develop and test a safe and secure solution.
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“We have started to roll this out in schools, with initial priority given to post primary schools and pupils in exam years.
“Work will continue over the weekend and Easter period to restore access across the estate. Details of arrangements will be communicated to pupils by their school as soon as possible.
“We apologise for the unavoidable disruption, but would reassure users, this essential security measure was taken to maintain the integrity of the system and safety of all users.
“EA would like to thank schools and partners for their support as we continue monitor progress over coming days. We will continue to keep schools, parents/carers and pupils updated via EA website Education Authority and our social media channels.”
It’s a bright spring Tuesday morning, the time is 11am.
“I’m sorry, I’m still laid in bed right now,” explains the mother of murdered schoolboy Harvey Willgoose, as she answers my telephone call. “It’s horrendous getting up every morning because I dream about him [Harvey] and wake up every time with a pain in my stomach, I can’t move.”
It’s now 421 days since Caroline got the life-changing call at work from her mother-in-law to tell her something serious had happened to her 15-year-old son at school.
She remembers how a police car swiftly arrived, and she began a journey under blue lights to hospital to be by Harvey’s bedside. When the patrol car dropped down to normal speed and the flashing lights were turned off, she thought he was “alright”.
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But the grim reality was her son had slipped away.
Harvey had been stabbed through the heart with a 13cm hunting knife by fellow pupil Mohammed Umar Khan, also 15, who launched his fatal attack outside the canteen at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield in front of children and teachers.
“I think about that day all the time,” says Caroline. “The hope my boy is ok, the shock of finding out and then the mix of rage and sadness. No mother, no parent should ever have to go through it, because it never ends, you can’t move on from it.”
Caroline Willgoose with Harvey before his murder last year (Supplied)
Shortly after his death, the heartbroken mother paid tribute to her son, describing Harvey as “caring, loving and a funny young man”. She shared happy pictures on social media of him at a festival and others with her on holiday in Tenerife and Greece.
Then, days later, when the football team he supported, Sheffield United, played in the city, Caroline and Harvey’s father, Mark, joined supporters in a march before the game. At the 15th minute of the match, emotion broke out inside the stadium as the crowd, joined by players, delivered a standing applause to celebrate Harvey’s life.
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Today, in the back garden of his home, where he would play football with friends, the nets are still up, and the ball is on the grass. Inside the three-bedroom house, his school shoes are still out, his clothes are in an ironing pile, and his bedroom remains untouched.
“His dad sometimes goes in [the bedroom] to have a cry because it still smells of him, everything inside has remained the same,” Caroline says.
“We’ve got a dog, a cockapoo, which was born just the day he [Harvey] passed, and he won’t even go that room, he knows there’s something. His [Harvey’s] shoes, clothes in the ironing pile and balls and nets in the garden…. I just can’t get rid of them.
“It’s also simple things like I find an old drawing he’s done from primary school, and things like that. Mother’s Day cards, too. You don’t want to move those things, and they just remain static for you, because you never want to leave your son behind.”
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Caroline Willgoose speaks alongside her husband and Harvey’s father Mark at a press conference following the year anniversary of Harvey’s death (PA)
The despair over Harvey’s death has, at times, escalated into frustration and anger over the past year of immense grieving for the family.
Earlier this year, an independent review into Harvey’s death, which was commissioned by the academy trust that runs his school, found “several missed opportunities” to address behaviour and manage risk before the stabbing.
According to the family lawyers Irwin Mitchell, the review, which was not published, showed records were not requested or reviewed before Khan’s move from another school, where there had been incidents involving violence, weapons references and anger.
Also, despite an investigation into a knife allegation on the day of Harvey’s death, the law firm said the report found Khan was allowed into school “unsearched and without any completed assessment”.
The criminal trial, which saw Khan convicted of murder and detained for at least 16 years, heard tensions were running high at the school in the week before the attack, with a lockdown declared on one day after an unproven claim that a pupil in a fight had a knife.
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Harvey had stayed off for most of the week, texting his father: “Am not going in that school while people have knives.”
Screen grab taken from CCTV issued by South Yorkshire Police of Mohammed Umar Khan (green tag) and Harvey Wilgoose (blue tag) in the corridor at school before Khan killed fellow pupil Harvey (South Yorkshire Police)
“I feel guilty because we urged him to go into school,” says Caroline. “I felt like we led him into the lion’s den. He didn’t want to go. But then also, where was the protection for my son? Where were the checks by the school?
“If they’d even looked at his [Khan’s] phone they’d have realised he was heading down a dark road with an unhealthy interest in weapons. He was out to kill somebody; there were so many missed opportunities.”
The school trust did release the report’s 10 recommendations, saying it would help implement them. They included mandatory record sharing of any pupil school move with senior sign-off confirming safeguarding and behaviour records have been reviewed before a pupil starts.
The trust also said a number of “robust measures” had been introduced since Harvey’s death – although Caroline says they haven’t gone far enough.
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Following her son’s death, an MP, on behalf of the family, asked the school if it would introduce a knife metal detector, known as a knife arch, at its entrance. It responded by saying handheld knife detectors are already in use, she said.
The Independent understands the school took advice on options for security after Heavey’s death and has since brought in other changes including bleed kits, enhanced staff training and updated search policites.
The knife used by Mohammed Umar Khan to murder Harvey Willgoose (South Yorkshire Police)
Caroline, who offered a donated knife arch to all schools in the Sheffield area, says: “Schools are more worried about reputation and not scaring the parents, I’ve even heard some say [knife arches] they look frightening. But by not having the arches, they are putting children at risk.
“It’s a sad matter of fact that if there was one at All Saints on the day Harvey was murdered, he would still be here today.”
Caroline is also calling for stricter punishment for children caught with knives, claiming school leaders avoid suspensions “because it looks bad on school targets”. It comes on the dayThe Independent reveals there were more than 700 incidents of knife crimes in schools in England and Wales last year.
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“Doing this, trying to raise awareness and push schools to take action, helps me continue with my life,” she says. “It’s all in the name of Harvey – I just know he would want me to be doing this.”
Cambridge have extended their dominance of the men’s Boat Race, overcoming some of the most choppy and windy conditions in recent memory to win for the fourth consecutive year.
With a team packed with internationals and Olympians that have swept all before them this year, Cambridge arrived as clear favourites to chalk up yet another win after only losing once in the past decade.
Cambridge began strongly, despite the slight disadvantage of starting from the Middlesex station, before Oxford rallied gamely during a messy middle section of the race.
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Both teams were warned by the race umpire and there were a series of close calls between the oars of the two sets of rowers.
With water frequently lapping up into the boat in virtual sea conditions, there were briefly even fears that one of the boats could become submerged.
Oxford’s unexpected resistance was brave, but there is no bluffing over the 4.3-mile Championship Course and Cambridge gradually eased to a comfortable four-length victory to win what was the 171st Boat Race. It was Cambridge’s seventh win in eight years to extend their overall lead since 1829 to 89-81.
While the Dark Blues were again defeated in the men’s race they had had something to celebrate in the earlier women’s race, ending a 10-year wait since their last victory.
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After starting from the supposedly slower Middlesex station, Oxford led from literally the first stroke to the last, prevailing over Cambridge for the first time since 2016.
Since then, the Light Blues had won eight times in a row, with the 2020 edition cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic. In front of their proud parents, sisters Lilli and Mia Freischem became the first siblings to compete against one another in the Boat Race, with Oxford’s Lilli securing family bragging rights.
The Dark Blues powered off, taking a lead of half-a-length within the first minute. Cambridge rallied but, as the crews then settled going into the first turn just after Hammersmith Bridge, Oxford had already established clear water. This was vital given that Cambridge had won the toss, and choosing the Surrey station would have given them an advantage on that bend. The Oxford lead mitigated that advantage hugely, however, as they could then move across into the water in front.
Dozens of people were taken to the hospital after the bee swarm attacked a crowd in Panama (Picture: Bomberos De Panama)
A swarm of bees has left 150 people injured, with 50 in hospital, after it attacked a crowd at an Easter event.
Residents in the town of Penonome in central Panama, South America, were left shocked after a colony of Africanised bees, or better known as killer bees, swarmed the neighbourhood.
The swarm happened during the Via Crucis religious procession, known in English as the Stations of the Cross ceremony, which is often held on Good Friday to represent Jesus’s journey to the crucifixion.
Around 150 people were injured in the attack, while 50 were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
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The local fire department said the recent bee attack marks a series of several in the region this year (Picture: Bomberos De Panama)
According to local outlet Destino Panama, among those injured was the priest who led the religious event, the local fire department said.
The local fire department was called to the scene and shared footage on its social media showing residential streets lined with several emergency service vehicles.
It is not known what caused the swarm to descend on the crowd, but attacks are more likely to occur between January and April when food is scarcer, and the dry, hot weather can make them more irritable.
The swarm marks a series of several bee attacks in the region, with more than 1,820 recorded cases in January and February this year alone, Destino Panama reported.
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What are killer bees?
Killer bees, also known as Africanised bees, are a hybrid strain of African and European honey bees, according to the Natural History Museum.
The bees were bred by Brazilian geneticist Dr Warwick E Kerr in 1956 in an effort to improve honey production in Brazil.
The hybrid species combines the European bees’ ability to generate greater honey yields with the African honey bees’ better adaptation to warmer climates.
African honey bees are naturally more aggressive than European varieties – a trait which has been passed onto killer bees.
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They are only found in parts of North, Central and South America.
Locals were left shocked after the swarm attacked the neighbourhood (Picture: Bomberos De Panama)
Can killer bees actually kill humans?
Despite their rather dangerous name, a single killer bee is no deadlier than any other honey bee species, the Natural History Museum says.
Killer bees tend to be smaller than honey bees with short wings and carry less venom.
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What makes them appear so deadly is when they are forced to defend their nest.
When a European honey bee is threatened, only 10% of the bees will venture out of their hive to protect their home.
Killer bees can be deadly in swarms, but a single killer bee is no deadlier than a European honey bee (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61)
In comparison, killer bees will empty their nests, flying in swarms of around 300,000 to 800,000.
Their numbers can increase exponentially, as with every sting, a pheromone is released to signal for more bees from the colony to join the onslaught.
It is estimated that around 1,000 stings could kill an adult human.
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However, it is important to note that killer bees do not attack for no reason.They use their stinging defence when they genuinely believe their colony is at risk.
During an in an interview with YouTube channel Avirales which was released last weekend, Fernandez was not directly asked about Real Madrid but was questioned on which city he would like to live in.
‘I’d like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid, it reminds me of Buenos Aires,’ Fernandez said.
‘Players live where they want. I’d live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I’d be more comfortable in Spanish.’
‘There are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.’
Chelsea drop Enzo Fernandez for two games
On Friday, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior confirmed that Fernandez will not be selected for his side’s FA Cup tie against Port Vale on Saturday, or their Premier League match against Manchester City next Sunday.
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‘It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way,’ Rosenior said.
‘I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. As a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful.
‘In terms of the decision, it’s not all about me, or the sporting directors. The ownership, the players, we are aligned in our decision.
‘The door is not closed on Enzo. It’s a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed.’
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Enzo Fernandez posted a picture from Chelsea’s training ground on the day of the team’s FA Cup tie vs Port Vale (Instagram)
Enzo Fernandez’s agent brands decision ‘unfair’
Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, has said that the Argentina international does not understand the decision and could ‘explore other options’ this summer.
‘The punishment is completely unfair,’ Pastore told The Athletic.
‘Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team’s most important players.
‘There’s no real reason or justification for why he has been banned. Enzo didn’t understand the situation. When the coach told him he accepted it because he’s a highly professional guy who’s always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions, but we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn’t mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it. He only mentions Madrid, the city.
‘Our plan after the World Cup is to meet with Chelsea again and, if there is no agreement, to explore other options.’
The restaurant serves square pizzas that you can order in half and full sizes.
An Italian restaurant in Cambridge has been named one of the best in the region. Tradizioni won the award for the best restaurant in the East of England at the UK Italian Awards 2026.
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The UK Italian awards celebrates businesses across the UK with regional awards being given out to “give the whole country a chance to shine”. Other categories included best chef, best pasta restaurant, and best tiramisu.
To win the award, Tradizioni had to register and acquire enough votes from the public to be shortlisted as a finalist. The restaurant was then visited by the award’s judges, who then decided on the winning businesses.
The Gala Final Dinner was held on Monday, March 30, in London where all of the winners were handed their awards. The evening was designed to “celebrate everything that makes us proud of our unique ties with Italy”.
Found on Mill Road, the restaurant first opened in 2014 and has made itself a staple food spot on the street. Tradizioni serves a range of traditional starts such as burrata with rocket and cherry tomatoes, bruschetta, and fritto misto.
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In terms of its main courses, the restaurant has plenty of popular pasta dishes to choose from as well as steaks, lamb chops, and fish. Tradizioni also offers pizzas but rather than the usual round shape, the pizzas are square and come in half or full sizes.
You can either book a table in the restaurant or enjoy your meal at home by ordering a takeaway. You can also order products and ingredients from the deli shop to recreate your favourite dishes from Tradizioni at home.
Reviews of Tradizioni describe the restaurant as a “beautiful place” and the food is “consistently lovely and authentically Italian”. Tradizioni can be found on Mill Road next to Sedgwick Street.
The restaurant is open from 12pm to 10pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 5pm to 10pm on Mondays.
It’s the seventh time in eight years that Cambridge have come out on top in the Men’s race
Cambridge have secured their seventh win in eight years of competing in the Men’s Boat Race against Oxford. It means the Light Blues have continued their run of recent dominance over their fierce rivals.
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But it was a different story for Cambridge in the Women’s race, who were beaten for the first time since 2016. The Light Blues have dominated over the past decade, but it was Oxford who came out on top after a blistering start.
Oxford burst into the lead from the start and maintained the place at the front all the way to the finish line. It was a closely-fought battle of strategy with Cambridge holding on right until the final few hundred metres, but it was Oxford who took victory in the rough and windy conditions.
“I’m excited that I’m not too wet,” Sammy Houdaigui, cox for Cambridge men, told Channel 4. “That was a fantastic race. All credit to Oxford and the eight rowers. We had the right athletes in the boat and I’m glad I got to be a part of it.”
Harry Geffen, for Oxford, said: “It’s mixed emotions. We’re gutted to come away with a loss. A lot of people thought we’d roll over but we gave it all we had. That’s racing.”
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He added: “It was pretty rough out there. We practiced for that, especially yesterday. Nothing quite prepares you for when you’re 12 minutes deep and questioning whether you’ll make it. We stuck in there and that’s all you can do.”
She felt really proud to hit the milestone just in time for Easter
Olivia Snoddon’s 100th Parkrun
This 10-year-old is celebrating the Easter weekend by marking a huge athletic milestone.
Olivia Snoddon, who has a personal best time at the weekly 5K in Hillsborough Forest Park, took part in her 100th Parkrun on Saturday morning.
And the Co Down schoolgirl marked the occasion in style, storming to a new personal best of 21:31 and an impressive age grading of 79.32% – her previous PB was 22.05 minutes.
Olivia told Belfast Live afterwards: “Today I ran my 100th Parkrun and I felt really proud. I love coming every week and seeing everyone, and all the volunteers are so kind.
“I’m really happy all my hard runs helped me get a PB. It felt amazing to finish today, and I’m excited to keep going and reach my next milestone.”
She started taking part in the Parkruns with her dad Steve when she was just eight years old and quickly developed a strong passion for running.
These days, Olivia is often one of the first people to arrive at the event and has progressed to the point where she is now regularly the fastest female taking part overall.
Olivia’s dedication has also been recognised at a regional level, having recently qualified for the Northern Ireland Athletics Junior Cross Country Endurance Squad. She is also a proud member of Lagan Valley Athletics Club minis.
Speaking to Belfast Live ahead of Saturday, dad Steve said the family are all very proud of Olivia and her achievements: “We’re incredibly proud of Olivia. To reach 100 Parkruns at just 10 years old is a fantastic achievement, but more than that, it’s her attitude.
“She genuinely loves running, is always up early and ready to go, and gives it everything every single week.”
Today, Nasa has launched its first crewed mission around the Moon for more than 50 years.
The Artemis II mission will last about 10 days and take its astronauts further into space than anyone has been before. The four-person crew will not land on the Moon but will circle it, aiming to set the stage for an eventual human landing for the first time since the 1960s and 70s.
Adam is joined by space scientist, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and astronaut Tim Peake – who together host the podcast 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II.
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