Who says the world is impossible to predict these days?

Two things have just happened that we could have seen a mile off.

Events in the Middle East have followed the exact script for “what happens if you attack Iran”, a scenario analysts have been predicting for decades.

If you take on the ayatollahs and threaten their future, they will take the gloves off and attack just about everybody. Check.

They will also make it effectively impossible to send shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by sinking tankers and forcing up the price of insurance to intolerable levels. Check.

The price of oil will soar. Gulf allies will warn of an apocalyptic collapse in energy supplies. Economists will predict the sky falling on our heads and a global economic calamity. Check, check, check.

And the pain for an American president facing midterm elections, if he allows them to happen, will just become too great. Check.

Experts have sat in TV studios predicting just that for years with maps and warnings about shutting off the world’s jugular.

The second predictable outcome has become a constant of our time. Trump Always Chickens Out.

Robert Armstrong, the man who coined the term the TACO president, wrote in the Financial Times today: “It is, of course, utterly unclear whether the president’s comments have anything to do with a change in balance of the war on the ground.

“What they did communicate clearly, to the delight of markets, was that Trump is looking for an exit.”

Which is all the Iranian leadership needs to hear.

Trump wants out.

Whether it’s this week or next or a bit longer, Iran’s government just needs to hang in there.

America and Israel wanted regime change. If it is not changed, they will have failed and Iran’s leadership will, rightly or wrongly, declare victory.

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Ayatollah’s son takes supreme power

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They may have lost every warplane and naval ship in their inventory. But they will remain in power, despite the yearning for change among so many of their people who had been promised help was ‘on its way’ by the US president.

Read more:
‘The fighting feels like we’re going to finish it – once and for all’
Energy prices ease amid hopes Trump will soon call halt to war

As for the Iranian nuclear programme, Trump will declare it obliterated. Again.

But as long as Iran has the scientists to rebuild it and the leadership committed to doing so, it can still rise from the ashes like a Persian phoenix.

What do future adversaries learn from all this?

In Beijing, they have been closely watching as they plan to seize Taiwan at some point during Xi Jinping’s presidency.

They have a better gauge now of Donald Trump’s tolerance for economic pain, a crucial factor as they game the invasion of their neighbour.

A president they always feared as unpredictable and mercurial has arguably become a little less so after what he called his recent “short-term excursion” in the Middle East.

Cherish Bean sent her mum a text message just before she died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, an inquest has heard

A teenage girl complained of having a ‘headache’ the night before she died alongside her boyfriend in a holiday cabin, an inquest has heard.

The young couple, Cherish Bean, 15, and her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, both from Sheffield, were on a family holiday last month at the Little Eden Holiday Park in Bridlington when tragedy struck.

Hull Coroner’s Court has heard the pair spent the evening with their family on February 17 and were otherwise “fit and well” before their bodies were discovered in the cabin the next day.

The opening of the inquest into their deaths at Hull Coroner’s Court revealed the teens were both “fit and well” when they spent the evening together with their family on February 17. However, Cherish reportedly complained of feeling unwell.

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Senior coroner Professor Paul Marks said Cherish left the family cabin for a smaller one, known as the “Mancave”, where she stayed with Ethan at around 9pm and the pair watched television, reports the Mirror.

About an hour later, the youngster returned to the main cabin, complaining of a headache. She took some Calpol because the family had no paracetamol, the inquest heard.

After going back into the smaller lodge, Cherish sent a final text to her mother after 10pm, saying goodnight and that she loved her, Professor Marks said. He added that Ethan went back to the cabin at a similar time.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Robinson, of Humberside Police, reported that four individuals “associated with the management and maintenance” of the holiday park have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. They were subsequently interviewed and released on bail, he added.

When questioned by Professor Marks if there was reason to suspect the couple’s deaths were “associated with carbon monoxide poisoning”, Det Ch Insp Robinson confirmed there was.

He informed the hearing that the official cause of death was still awaiting the forensic pathologist’s examination.

Det Ch Insp Robinson stated that the boiler from the cabin had been retrieved and a forensic assessment had been conducted, aided by specialist gas engineers. He mentioned that both the Health and Safety Executive and the National Crime Agency had been consulted.

Professor Marks postponed the inquest until after the police investigation concludes. He expressed: “I would like, once again, to extend my condolences to both the families of these young people.”

In a statement previously issued by the police, Cherish’s mother said: “My perfect girl, my angel, has left this world and we are broken as a family. I am broken as a mother, and I will never ever be the same again.

“If you know me, I live and breathe my babies, and we were away for a few nights making the best memories ever. We have had the best life together and it has been ripped from under us.”

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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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