SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers on Thursday that it believes the teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is close to being designated as the country’s future leader as he moves to extend the family dynasty to a fourth generation.
The assessment by the National Intelligence Service comes as North Korea is preparing to hold its biggest political conference later this month, where Kim is expected to outline his major policy goals for the next five years and take steps to tighten his authoritarian grip.
In a closed-door briefing, NIS officials said they are closely monitoring whether Kim’s daughter — believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old — appears with him before thousands of delegates at the upcoming Workers’ Party Congress, said lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun, who attended the meeting.
First appearing in public at a long-range missile test in November 2022, Kim Ju Ae has since accompanied her father to an increasing number of events, including weapons tests, military parades and factory openings. She traveled with him to Beijing last September for Kim’s first summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in six years on the sidelines of a World War II event.
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Speculation about her political future intensified last month when she joined her parents on a New Year’s Day visit to Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a sacred family mausoleum displaying the embalmed bodies of her late grandfather and great-grandfather, the country’s first- and second-generation leaders. Some experts saw the visit as the clearest sign yet that she’s positioned to be the heir to her 42-year-old father.
South Korean officials initially expressed doubt that she could be chosen as a North Korean leader, citing the country’s deeply conservative culture and tradition of male-dominated leadership. But her increasingly prominent appearances in state media have prompted a reassessment.
In its previous assessment of Kim Ju Ae’s status in September, the NIS told lawmakers that Kim Jong Un’s decision to bring her along on his trip to China was likely part of an effort to build a “narrative” possibly paving the way for her succession.
“In the past, (NIS) described Kim Ju Ae as being in the midst of ‘successor training.’ What was notable today is that they used the term ‘successor-designate stage,’ a shift that’s quite significant,” Lee said.
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According to Lee, the agency cited her growing presence at high-profile military events, her inclusion in the family visit to Kumsusan, and signs that Kim Jong Un was beginning to seek her input on certain policy matters.
Not much is known about Kim’s daughter
Despite her increased visibility in propaganda, North Korean state media have never published the name of Kim Jong Un’s daughter, only referring to her as his “respected” or “most beloved” child.
The belief that she is named Kim Ju Ae is based on an account by former NBA star Dennis Rodman, in which he recalled holding Kim Jong Un’s baby daughter during a trip to Pyongyang in 2013. South Korean intelligence officials believe she was born sometime that year.
In 2023, South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers that Kim Jong Un and his wife also likely have an older son and a younger third child whose gender is unknown.
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Since its foundation in 1948, North Korea has been ruled by male members of the Kim family, beginning with the country’s founder Kim Il Sung and followed by his son, Kim Jong Il.
Kim Jong Un was just 26 when he was officially named heir during a 2010 party conference, two years after Kim Jong Il suffered a debilitating stroke. Following his father’s death in December 2011, he was abruptly thrust into the throne with relatively little preparation.
Some analysts suggest that Kim Jong Un’s decision to debut his daughter early possibly reflects his own experience of being rushed into power.
Party congress may offer hints toward succession plans
Kim Ju Ae’s first known visit to Kumsusan last month was also her father’s first visit to the site in three years. Given the palace’s status as a key symbol of the Kim family rule, the trip should be seen as a symbolic gesture by Kim Jong Un to present his daughter as his heir before his grandfather and father as he prepares for the major ruling party congress, said Cheong Seong-Chang, a senior analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.
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The Workers’ Party congress in late February, last held in 2016 and 2021, could provide a stage for Kim Jong Un to formalize his succession plans, possibly by giving his daughter the party’s first secretary post, its No. 2 job, although such a decision might not be immediately disclosed to the outside world, Cheong said.
Other analysts question whether she would receive such a high-profile post or any formal party role, given that party rules require members to be at least 18.
If Kim Jong Un does use the party congress to cement his daughter as successor, the signs would be more subtle, said Koh Yu-hwan, former president of South Korea’s Institute of National Unification.
For example, the party may issue self-praise about how North Korea has survived longer than most other Communist states and credit that to how the country established a “successful inheritance of the revolution,” he said.
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“If you see comments like that, it would be reasonable to think that Ju Ae has been cemented,” as heir, Koh said.
The man has been charged with murder and possession of a gun in a public place.
18:59, 12 Mar 2026Updated 19:02, 12 Mar 2026
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Jordan Gray in Motherwell.
Jordan died at a property in Shields Court in the North Lanarkshire town shortly after 10.30pm on Sunday, December 14
Robert Clark appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court today, Thursday, March 12, charged with murder and possession of a gun in a public place.
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The 58-year-old made no plea and was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. He will appear before the court again in eight days.
Police Scotland confirmed earlier today that a second man, aged 30, has been arrested in connection with Jordan’s death after officers executed a warrant in Motherwell. Enquiries remain ongoing.
Cath Williams was granted her licence on Tuesday after Evan Williams had been convicted was convicted of assaulting a dog walker with a hockey stick
18:55, 12 Mar 2026Updated 18:55, 12 Mar 2026
The wife of Evan Williams secured her first Cheltenham Festival victory with only her second runner as a trainer when Ask Brewster claimed the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on Thursday. Cath Williams took over the licence from husband Evan only on Tuesday, the day after her husband was convicted of assaulting a dog walker with a hockey stick by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court,
Williams was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after the court heard he had repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, after he was found on his land at Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan in December 2024. Mr Dandridge, from Swindon, Wiltshire, suffered injuries including a fractured arm.
Sentencing was adjourned until April 14 for reports and to give Williams time to put in place alternative arrangements for his racing business should he be jailed.
Cath Williams’ first runner was Libberty Hunter, who came second in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday, and 24 hours later, Ask Brewster went one better in the amateurs race under Shane Cotter.
She said: “I’m delighted, it’s been an emotional week and it is what it is, we’ll deal with it.
“I don’t know the jockey but he was brilliant. I think Evan spoke to a couple of the Irish lads and so did Conor Ring and that is who we got.
“We were confident coming in to it and we knew he was in good order. We just needed the good ground from yesterday and we were worried when it rained this morning. Our runners have finished first and second this week, what more can you ask. The two runs from our horses have been huge.”
Cotter was recording his first Festival triumph on the 22-1 shot who, having led for most of the race, demonstrated plenty of courage to hold off Road To Home in the final strides.
“To have a ride here is unbelievable but to have a winner, I’m lost for words,” said Cotter. “I can’t thank the Williams team for putting me on this horse today and they prepared him beautifully. He jumped and travelled everywhere.
“There was not really any moment of worry until I popped the last and could feel something coming to me. I heard Patrick (Mullins) coming to me but when he got to me my horse went again, he was very game.
“I’ve dreamt of this since I was seven or eight years old. I’m speechless.”
Former Man United star Adnan Januzaj opted to take a pay cut to remain at Sevilla in the summer, after struggling with form and injuries
Former Manchester United star Adnan Januzaj has spoken about his struggles since leaving Old Trafford. The now 31-year-old has been with Sevilla since 2022 and took a pay cut last summer to remain with the club.
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Januzaj came up through the youth teams at United after joining from Anderlecht as a youngster. He made 63 first-team appearances, scoring five goals, before completing a permanent move to Real Sociedad in 2017.
He impressed with the Spanish side, scoring 23 goals in 168 appearances, earning him a move to Sevilla in 2022. However, injuries and form issues saw him struggle to make an impact.
He spent time on loan with Istanbul Basaksehir and Las Palmas. Upon his return, he has made 13 appearances for the club this season, after agreeing the pay cut.
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Speaking ahead of Sevilla’s La Liga clash with Barcelona this weekend, the Belgian explained why he took the decision to stay: “The pay cut? I wanted to play here giving my best for Sevilla, because I haven’t had the opportunity for the last three years,” he said.
“I’ve always felt affection at all the clubs and I try to repay it with my quality and by being able to contribute.”
Januzaj also spoke about how he has overcome outside pressure, adding: “If I listened to everyone’s opinion, I’d be dead, I’d quit football and stay home. Football can change a lot; today you’re the best and tomorrow you can be the worst.
“If you’re not mentally strong, you won’t get anywhere. I’ve always stayed calm, working as hard as possible. I have such natural technique that sometimes on the pitch I seem relaxed, because it’s been my style of play since I was little.
“But I’ve always been committed to wanting to play football.”
He added: “It’s never really been a problem with coaches, it was other kinds of problems. At the clubs I’ve been to, I’ve done well.
“This year I’m here to try to perform as well as possible and give Sevilla something I haven’t been able to give them in recent years…I feel very good now and in the last few matches I’ve started to give a little more.
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“There are 11 matches left and I’ll give my best until the end of the season. The most important thing is to avoid relegation first and then give the best performance possible if I stay healthy.”
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 for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
The fear of mines laid by submarines, kamikaze drone boats and GPS jamming have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has long threatened to shut the narrow waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil supplies passes, knowing that doing so would cause market havoc and send prices soaring. This is effectively what has now happened.
At least 16 ships have been hit by Iran since the conflict began, with Tehran releasing a video (below) of what it claims is the moment an oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Iraq – with devastating consequences.
Now, 3,000 ships and around 20,000 crew are trapped or affected in the region, the International Maritime Organisation says.
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So what tools and weapons is Iran employing in its blockade of the crucial trade route – and what is it holding back for later?
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Sea drones, sometimes called USVs (unmanned surface vehicles), are small, unmanned vessels that operate on or below the water’s surface, making them difficult to defend against, particularly at night.
In January last year, footage released by the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (below) purportedly shows such craft in an underground tunnel.
Naval drones laden with explosives have reportedly been used in at least two attacks on oil tankers in the region since the war began.
On 1 March, a crude oil tanker was hit 44 miles off the coast of Oman, killing one crew member.
Days later, the Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe was hit near an Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port.
Video posted online shows what resembles a naval drone slamming into the side of the ship, triggering an explosion that sent plumes of smoke into the sky.
Six ships are reported to have been struck since early Wednesday alone, the most intense period of naval strikes by Iran so far.
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Iran has also suffered significant casualties at sea, with reports of 87 deaths after the US sunk an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka last week.
Meanwhile, Iranian UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), or flying drones, have also been seen. Dr Sidharth Kaushal from the RUSI thinktank told Sky News that they may pose a lower risk to the actual ships, but are a danger to their crews and have a psychological impact.
Watch: Iran’s tactical advantage in the Strait of Hormuz
Is Iran deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz?
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The possibility of Iran deploying anti-ship mines to the Strait of Hormuz has come increasingly into the spotlight as the war has continued.
Made infamous through their use in huge minefields in the Second World War, these weapons would pose a grave threat to ships passing through contested waters.
Iran has some “contact mines”, according to Dr Kaushal.
But a more sophisticated threat comes in the form of mines that can lie in wait for ships on the seabed. When a vessel passes above them it is detected by a sensor and then the mine releases a torpedo-like charge, Dr Kaushal says.
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These mines could be laid by ships – though these would likely to be targeted by US-Israeli strikes – or by so-called “midget submarines”.
The submarines are based on a model from North Korea and can be used to clandestinely lay mines.
It’s unclear how many mines – if any – have been laid in the Strait of Hormuz.
Dr Kaushal cited reporting from American sources that suggests “a small number – dozens so far” had been deployed. Sources told the Reuters news agency that Iran had deployed about a dozen mines and that most of the locations were known.
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‘Strait of Hormuz was always going to be Iran’s ace card’
Stocks of anti-ship missiles
“What the Iranians haven’t used much thus far is their arsenal of anti-ship missiles,” Dr Kaushal says.
These include the Iranian variant of the C802 Chinese ballistic missile or the home-produced Kheibar Shekan missile.
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“They have kind of achieved their strategic aim for now,” Dr Kaushal says, referring to the fact that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed.
This might change if there was an attempt to have commercial vessels pass through the waters escorted by warships.
“If there is an effort to force the Strait with naval forces I think some of the capabilities might be more relevant.”
The US has refused near-daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war, saying the risk of attacks is too high for now, sources told Reuters.
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Image: High levels of GPS interference have been detected in the region. Credit: gpsjam.org
Not just Iran carrying out GPS jamming?
The issue of GPS – or, more correctly called GNSS (global navigation satellite systems), jamming – is increasingly an issue for airplanes and ships worldwide.
And the Strait of Hormuz has been a hotspot for electronic interference since before the conflict broke out.
While it can be used to antagonise adversaries, it’s often used as a defence measure against drones.
Dr Ramsey Faragher, director of the Royal Institute of Navigation, told Sky News that multiple countries may be using the technology in the Gulf.
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“It’s probably a combination of Iran possibly turning up and turning on more of its own interference sources,” he said. “But also I suspect neighbouring countries have now turned on some of their own in order to try to defend against the drone strikes.”
Image: Clusters of ships in specific geometric patterns show on tracking services – likely caused by GPS interference. Pic: VesselFinder
Disrupting navigation signals is one of the “cheapest and effective first lines of defence” against drone attacks, he says.
A look at a map of known GPS jamming in the region appears to show hotspots over Oman and the UAE, which are among the countries targeted by Iran since the conflict broke out.
On VesselFinder, which tracks ships worldwide based on their location transmissions, huge clusters of boats in oddly geometric shapes can be seen. This is likely to be a result of GPS interference and not indicative of their actual positions.
Dr Faragher added: “It’s definitely one of the most active spots in the world right now for electronic interference and that’s impacting, as we all know, not just maritime shipping and commercial shipping but it’s impacting all of the aircraft that fly nearby that region as well.”
“We were promised watering, and I’m not sure that has been done so I am a little annoyed about that. I know the forecast has not been kind, but few people complain about too much rain.
“The conditions suit some horses, but for the big favourites we would like it softer.”
Jon Pullin, clerk of the course at Cheltenham Racecourse, said they had watered the majority of the ground on Wednesday evening.
Pullin told BBC Sport: “After racing concluded on Wednesday, selective watering took place on the majority of the new course to maintain the going description of Good, Good to Soft in places.
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“Our focus is on producing safe jumping ground for all our participants and that has been provided today.”
Two horses died on the opening two days of the 2026 Festival – Hansard on Tuesday, then HMS Seahorse on Wednesday – but all came home safe on Thursday.
Mullins is the most successful trainer in the history of Cheltenham, having saddled 118 winners. Regarded as the most prominent trainer in Ireland, he has also trained the last two winners of the Grand National.
Five Mullins-trained horses won on the opening two days of the Festival, but none on day three.
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The 69-year-old said he had concerns about the ground from early on Thursday, with his fears confirmed as the day continued.
Mullins added: “I talked with JP [McManus, Fact To File’s owner], and said, these horses are too difficult to acquire.
“We waited all day for rain that was half-promised, so we made the decision not to run.”
Fact To File was the only horse Mullins withdrew on Thursday, with another 15 of his trainees running.
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Shortly before Fact To File’s withdrawal, racing fans saw 40-1 shot White Noise win the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and the Stayers’ Hurdle was taken by Home By The Lee, another long-priced victor at 33-1.
Mullins himself directly suffered at the hands of an outsider in the final race of the day, as his Road To Home was beaten by a nose by 22-1 shot Ask Brewster in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap.
Heavy rain had been forecast at Cheltenham on Thursday morning, but while there was some wind and rain it was less than expected and the going was good for the Ryanair Chase.
It was eventually won by Heart Wood, which beat Jonbon – the new favourite following the absence of Fact Or File – by several lengths.
Ethan Ives-Griffiths was subjected to weeks of abuse at the hands of Michael Ives and his wife Kerry Ives before his death
Nina Massey, Press Association Law Correspondent
18:03, 12 Mar 2026
The Court of Appeal has rejected a bid to increase the sentences of a couple who were jailed for life for murdering their two-year-old grandson. Ethan Ives-Griffiths was subjected to weeks of abuse at the hands of Michael Ives, 48, and his wife Kerry Ives, 47.
The toddler was extremely dehydrated and severely underweight with visible marks and bruises when he collapsed with a catastrophic head injury at his grandparents’ home in Flintshire in August 2021.
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In October last year the couple were jailed for life at Mold Crown Court. Michael Ives was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years imprisonment and Kerry Ives for a minimum of 17 years. Don’t miss a court report by signing upto our crime newsletter here
On Thursday Bill Emlyn Jones KC, for the Solicitor General, asked the Court of Appeal in London to increase the sentences, saying they were “unduly lenient”.
But Lord Justice Popplewell, Mr Justice Sweeting and Judge Penelope Moreland ruled that the sentences were appropriate and should not be increased.
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Reading the judgment, Lord Justice Popplewell said Ethan was a “brave” and “resilient” boy with a “strong character” and that his grandparents “did not like him standing up for himself”.
Setting out some of the facts of the offending, he added that CCTV showed Michael Ives carrying his grandson by the top of his arm and appearing to punch him after putting him into a car seat.
Other footage showed the boy in the back garden “walking with a peculiar, wide stance and an uncertain gait”, which could be linked to the early effects of brain injuries caused by previous blows to his head, the judge said. To humiliate Ethan, Michael would make him stand with his hands on his head, he added.
Ethan had been placed on the child protection register, requiring him to be seen every 10 days, but when his mother last saw her social worker, on August 5, she spoke to him on the doorstep and told him Ethan was having a nap.
Lord Justice Popplewell continued: “On behalf of the Solicitor General, Mr Jones contends that for Michael and Kerry the minimum terms of 23 years and 17 years, respectively, were unduly lenient.
“He says that when sentencing for the murder the judge could not divorce the aggravating factors of the murder from the factors of what had gone before.”
The judge added: “In Michael’s case we are not persuaded that the sentence was unduly lenient.” He also said that it was clear that the sentencing judge, Mr Justice Griffiths, had the overall position “clearly” in mind.
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The judge said that the panel was also “unpersuaded” in Kerry’s case that the minimum term was unduly lenient. “The judge was very well placed to assess her culpability and personal mitigation,” Lord Justice Popplewell said.
Ethan’s mother, Shannon Ives, 28, of Rhes-y-Cae, near Holywell, who had been staying with her son at her parents’ home, was found guilty of causing or allowing his death and of child cruelty, and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Gordon Cole KC, for the mother, appealed against her sentence, telling the court the jail term was “too long” and that the judge had not fully taken into account her personal mitigation.
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Lord Justice Popplewell said the judges had given careful consideration to his arguments but were unpersuaded that they justified “interfering with the sentence”.
Measles is an airborne virus (Picture: Getty Images)
A single London borough has had 80 cases of a ‘fast-spreading’ measles outbreak in less than three months.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that notoriously causes a red rash behind the ears or hairline that quickly spreads downward.
At least 235 cases of measles have been confirmed in the UK since January, according to UK Health Security Agency data released today.
Of them, 107 occurred in the past four weeks.
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The agency says 80 laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease were in Enfield, north London, and 15 in the neighbouring borough of Harringey.
What to know about measles
The virus can’t be easily stopped in its tracks (Picture: Getty Images)
Measles spreads when infected people cough or sneeze, spewing viral droplets that float in the air for hours and wriggle on surfaces.
It’s six times more transmissible than Covid-19, making it difficult to contain.
The virus, also called rubeola, can be spread days before symptoms even begin.
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Symptoms start around a week after someone gets in contact with the virus, such as a runny nose or a cough.
Within days, measles’s more infamous symptoms, like red or brown blotches and white spots in the mouth, called Koplik spots, emerge.
There’s no specific treatment for measles, other than remedies in hospital, like IV drips and painkillers, to make recovery easier. A vaccine remains the best way to prevent infection.
Seven schools in Enfield and Harringey have seen measles outbreaks, with some children requiring hospital treatment, the BBC reported last month.
Most were not immunised against the virus.
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Latest London news
To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub.
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While measles outbreaks do happen, the speed of the infections has taken local healthcare workers aback.
Health experts say that 95% of people need to be vaccinated to curb the spread, with current vaccination rates well below that at 91.9%.
Protection is gained from the two-shot Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (MMRV) vaccine, given to children when they are 12 months old.
Together, the doses are about 97% effective at preventing an infection.
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Enfield has the lowest uptake in the UK, which has alarmed people like Dr Jo Sauvage, the chief medical officer of the North Central London ICB, which organises healthcare for north London boroughs.
‘As the cases overall rise, it’s really distressing to see the numbers of children who are seriously ill also increase, with more children requiring hospital care,’ Dr Sauvage tells Metro.
Dr Yimmy Chow, UKHSA’s London region deputy director, says that children and adults who become infected with measles can suffer ‘needlessly’ in hospital.
Both Dr Sauvage and Dr Chow say there’s a simple thing people can do, however. Get vaccinated.
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The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is the best way to protect against the disease (Picture: AP)
‘Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known, and it will find those who are unvaccinated. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide vital protection,’ Dr Chow says.
‘If your child has missed any vaccinations, or you are unsure whether they are up to date, please contact your GP surgery as soon as possible — it is never too late to catch up.’
The World Health Organisation declared the UK is no longer considered to have eliminated measles last month.
The man is facing two years in prison for allegedly taking the prohibited footage.
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter and Olivia Bridge
16:27, 12 Mar 2026
A traveller who allegedly filmed Iranian missiles in Dubai could face prison time for the footage.
The 60-year-old man, from London, stands as one of dozens of people accused of breaching strict laws in the United Arab Emirates against creating or uploading social media posts relating to conflict.
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The legal advocacy group, Detained in Dubai, reports there are 21 people accused of the crime, reports The Mirror.
The Londoner was arrested in Dubai on Monday this week. It is reported he has deleted the footage from his phone immediately when asked by the authorities, and claimed to have had no knowledge of committing any offence.
Radha Stirling, director of the London-based Detained in Dubai organisation, said: “Amongst those charged is a British man who says he deleted the video immediately when asked and meant no harm, but is still among those facing charges.
“The official allegation relates to: ‘broadcasting, publishing, republishing or circulating rumours or provocative propaganda that could disturb public security.’
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“Under UAE cybercrime laws, one post can lead to many arrests. Anyone who shares, reposts or comments on the same content can face the same charges. and be named on the same charge sheet.
“The charges are vague and broad but serious nonetheless. Those charged could face lengthy prison sentences.
“Residents could also be detained under national security laws, held indefinitely, denied access to their embassy and be subjected to human rights abuses. In times of tension, extreme caution is advised.”
Prosecutors in the UAE had warned last week over the risks of sharing “rumours” about incidents in the UAE amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
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A social media post from UAE Public Prosecution said: “Any person who shares or reposts content from unknown sources shall be subject to legal accountability in accordance with the applicable legislation, even if they are not the original creator of such content.
“Be aware and informed… Information is a responsibility, and spreading rumours is a crime.”
It comes as Iranian drones have continued to strike Dubai in the past 24 hours despite Tehran issuing an ‘apology’ to its Gulf neighbours for the war.
Two drones launched from Iran fell near Dubai International Airport yesterday, leaving four people injured. And authorities rushed Dubai Creek Harbour area late last night after another drone struck a high-rise building, sparking a fire on several floors. Photographs taken this morning showed windows blown out and smoke damage on a section of the building’s facade.
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The Dubai Media Office said multiple emergency teams responded to the incident in the waterfront district, with residents evacuated as a precaution.
“No, I don’t talk about the Nobel Prize,” Trump said.
The comments would come as a surprise to the Donald Trump of a few months ago, who regularly spoke about how he deserved the high diplomatic honor.
Throughout 2025, the president claimed he had stopped at least eight wars since taking office, though an Independent fact-check underscored how many of these claims were inaccurate, exaggerated, or premature.
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The U.S. is under heavy scrutiny for an apparent American strike on a girls primary school in Iran that killed scores of children (ISNA)
That didn’t stop nations and institutions seeking favor with Trump from playing into the president’s well-known interest in a Nobel Prize, which reportedly is fueled in part by his anger that President Barack Obama won one first.
In January, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado symbolically gave her Nobel Prize to Trump during a White House meeting, though the prize organizers say she remains the sole holder of that year’s honor.
The prior month, the international soccer organizing body FIFA gave Trump a newly created peace prize, which it announced weeks after Trump was snubbed for a Nobel and came as FIFA prepares to host the World Cup in North America in 2026.
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Whatever Trump’s present interest in the Nobel is, there are few doubts that his administration has scrambled global relations with an oftentimes aggressive and unilateral approach.
The administration has tariffed enemies and allies, kidnapped the leader of Venezuela, launched a soft war on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, assassinated the leader of Iran, and threatened the military takeover of Greenland, despite it being a NATO ally.
It has also failed to definitively end crises that the president confidently claimed he would solve, such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza wars.
A mobile repair expert from Vodafone has warned that poorly aligned wireless charging could be the culprit behind declining battery health, as uneven contact forces the device to work harder, generating heat and accelerating long-term battery degradation.
James Todd, national repairs manager at Fonehouse, said: “Modern phones have large camera bumps.
“When they sit unevenly on a wireless charger, the phone isn’t making optimal contact, so it has to work harder to charge.”
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The risks of using illegal ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks
Vodafone has teamed up with Fonehouse to offer same-day, in-store repairs in as little as two hours through its Fix & Go service, available in 18 Vodafone stores.
Mr Todd explained that although wireless charging is often seen as a convenient option, improper alignment between the phone and the charging coil can lead to excessive heat generation.
He said: “Wireless charging is often seen as a convenient hands-off option.
“But if the phone isn’t properly aligned, it can actually be worse for your battery than a cable.”
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This misalignment causes the device to draw more power, creating heat that gradually reduces battery capacity.
Mr Todd said: “Over time, that heat reduces the battery’s capacity.
“It’s not something you notice straight away, but after a year or two, people wonder why their phone won’t last the day.”
The problem is especially common in vehicles, where phones are often left loosely on wireless charging pads while running navigation, music, and other apps.
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To prevent battery damage, Mr Todd recommends using properly aligned wireless chargers, such as magnetic systems, or simply switching to a good-quality charging cable.
He said: “If you’re using wireless charging, alignment is everything.
“That’s why magnetic systems work so well, because they make sure the connection is optimal and reduce heat.”
Signs of battery deterioration include faster-than-normal battery drain, devices heating up during charging, sudden percentage drops, and unexpected shutdowns.
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Should you charge your phone overnight?
Mr Todd said: “By the time people come into a repair shop, the damage has usually been building for months.”
He said that small adjustments to charging habits can significantly extend battery life and prevent unnecessary repair costs.
He said: “Take a second to make sure your phone is sitting flat and properly lined up.
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“It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your battery and one of the mistakes we see most often.”
Beyond battery issues, another frequent problem is debris in the charging port.
Mr Todd said: “Every day you plug in your phone to charge, debris gets pushed further and further down into the port until the cable can’t properly connect.”
He said that a quick, professional cleaning can often resolve the issue without the need for expensive repairs.
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