The UK has inadequate means to stop ballistic missiles fired from Iran, military experts have warned – although they also voiced doubts over Iran’s capability and its desire to carry out such a strike.
British defences lack the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles, they have claimed, and the systems that they do have are out at sea, and in numbers too small to be fully effective.
The base on the Chagos Islands is 3,800km (2,360 miles) away from Iran, further than previous estimates on the range of Iran’s missiles.
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On Sunday morning, senior government minister Steve Reed stressed that Britain was safe, as he called Israel’s threat exaggerated and an attempt to garner support for the war. Hours later, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson doubled down on Mr Reed’s comments, stating that the country had the resources to “keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks”.
However, some military experts have suggested that Britain could be left vulnerable if Iran did have the capacity to strike.
Professor Michael Clarke, who was director general of the Royal United Services Institute think tank, told The Independent: “Could Britain defend itself against ballistic missiles coming from anywhere, whether it’s Russia or Iran? The answer is absolutely no. We have nothing.”
The UK has six Type 45 destroyers (UK MOD Crown copyright)
The only line of defence the UK had was its Sea Viper systems, he said, which are carried on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers and can counter ballistic missiles. One of the six destroyers, the HMS Dragon, has been ordered to Cyprus, while three others are in port and are effectively non-operational, Mr Clarke added.
However, Britain, as a member of Nato, is protected by the organisation’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, which includes sites in Poland and Romania. It also features four US Navy destroyers, which are better equipped than the Type 45 destroyers and can intercept the missiles.
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Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Rusi think tank, told The Times: “If launched towards the UK, this is what Nato’s BMD is designed for. The UK isn’t actually defenceless against a threat launched from Iran.”
Speaking on Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, Mr Reed said: “We have systems and defences in place that keep the United Kingdom safe, and that will continue to happen.”
The housing minister refused to say how close Iranian missiles had come to Diego Garcia, but said the fact that one was intercepted and the other failed shows “that our defensive capabilities are correct”.
Britain could be unable to defend itself against an attack from Iran, experts have said (AFP/Getty)
Mr Clarke also said he was doubtful Iran had the missile range to reach the UK. “I’m not sure they could have reached Diego Garcia. We don’t know. The fact that they tried, it may have been just a political gesture,” he said.
Retired Brigadier Ben Barry, who was formerly a Nato commander and director of the British Army Staff, described the UK’s defence system as “not adequate” against the threat of weapons such as ballistic missiles, if they reached the country.
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He told The Independent: “UK’s ability to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, is not adequate to protect the UK homeland, and it’s not clear that it’s adequate to protect UK troops deployed overseas where there’s a considerable threat.
Diego Garcia was targeted by Iran this week (DOD/AFP via Getty Images)
“If an enemy had ballistic missiles that were capable of reaching the UK, just having three ships would mean protection was pretty minimal. One could sit in the Thames covering London, but there’d be hard choices about what to do with the other two.”
Mr Barry, now a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that if Iran were to attack the UK, the defence force would have “the option of attempting to attack missile launchers. But to do that, it would effectively have to join the war along with the US and Israel. So far, the UK has said it supports only defensive action in the conflict.
“You could argue that it would be preemptive self defence, but in practice, to coordinate RAF aircraft looking for missile launches with Israeli and US aircraft, it would be very risky to do that unilaterally,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence said it has the resources available to defend Britain (PA Wire)
An MoD spokesperson said: “We have the resources we need to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.
“The UK operates a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working in tandem with our Nato allies.
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“This government has prioritised the need for air and missile defence for UK national security after years of underfunding, and that is why last June, following recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review, we announced up to £1bn in new funding to improve air and missile defence and keep the UK secure.
“This includes a new £118m contract announced last year to deliver six state-of-the-art Land Ceptor missile systems, which as part of the Sky Sabre system can hit a tennis ball-sized object travelling at twice the speed of sound.”
Dr Blankshein said: “Through excavating and through the photogrammetry work that we did, we were able to build a picture of this coherent timber structure, not just bits of wood supporting a stone mound with a kind of timber platform underneath, but actually, the timber itself was the basis of the structure.
Cambridgeshire Police said the force is aware of antisocial behaviour and is working alongside partners to tackle it
Residents have raised concerns about antisocial behaviour in a Cambridge suburb. Some locals have said they would highly recommend Trumpington as a place to live and that it is the ideal location for families.
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However, some told CambridgeshireLive that “everything [in Trumpington] looks amazing” but that there are problems with antisocial behaviour.
Elif Gueu, 51, has lived in Trumpington for three years. She said she likes Trumpington because it is a “very multicultural place” where it is “peaceful” and people “respect each other”. She likes that she is not far from Cambridge city centre, but she does have some concerns about the area.
She said: “Sometimes there are some shouts and fights. There are some issues around here.” In one incident, in the last year, she said she was “shocked” because she said she saw “someone chained by police”.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Members of our Neighbourhood Policing Team are aware and are working with partners, including residents associations, housing associations and councils to tackle ASB.”
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Another lady, who wished to remain anonymous, said Trumpington is “very nice on the exterior” but “there is a lot of social discord beneath the surface and a lot of anti-social behaviour”. The resident of 10 years added: “A lot of the time you have got people doing things they shouldn’t be doing.”
She said that over time, Trumpington has seen some “violent incidents”, including a fire and vandalism. The lady said that “on the surface, everything looks amazing but you just have some problems from time to time.”
The spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police continued: “We would encourage anyone who experiences anti-social behaviour where they live to report this to us, so we are able to build up an accurate picture of what is happening in an area and act accordingly.”
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On the other hand, others have said that they have not experienced this and that it is actually the ‘best place for for families to live in. Raneem Almutairi, 32, has lived in Trumpington for around eight months.
She said she thinks it is the “best area for families to live in Cambridge”. Raneem said she has heard of the concerns but she “feels safe”. “I haven’t seen anything or experienced anything myself”, she added.
Information about antisocial behaviour can be found on Cambridgeshire Police’s website, where it can also be reported.
– The Attenborough’s hawkweed or Hieracium attenboroughianum – the wildflower became the first living species in the UK and Ireland to be named after him. It was discovered more than 10 years ago in the Brecon Beacons but it took a decade for scientists to establish whether or not it was actually new.
A gardening expert known shared his popular three-step method for reviving a tired lawn this summer
The condition of your lawn can make or break the overall look of your garden. As temperatures climb and rainfall becomes scarce throughout the summer months, grass can deteriorate far more rapidly than many homeowners realise.
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To help keep your lawn looking lush throughout the season, gardening expert and TikTok creator Ish has shared his straightforward three-step approach to maintaining verdant grass for months on end. In a recent video, he said: “If you want a perfect lawn like I’ve got here, well, I’ll show you just how easy it is in three steps.”
Ish wrote in the video’s caption: “Today’s gardening tips will show you my tried and tested method to reviving an old, tired lawn by introducing air into the soil, seeding and feeding it. Your grass has never looked better.”
Breathing new life into a neglected and worn lawn needn’t be an overwhelming task. Ish’s technique, in fact, breaks it down into just three straightforward steps.
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The first step involves preparing the lawn to ensure the grass is in good health and clearing away any moss, reports the Mirror. Ish advised using a lawn tonic or iron sulphate dissolved in water and applied via a watering can, spreading the mixture evenly across the grass before leaving it to absorb over several days.
This process causes the moss to “turn to crisp”, at which point you can begin scarifying the lawn. To prepare the ground, an aerator, scarifier, garden fork, or hand rake can all be used to puncture the soil, allowing water to drain through more effectively.
Scarifying is a lawn maintenance technique that involves using mechanical blades or tines to cut through and extract a thick layer of thatch – comprising dead grass, roots and organic debris – from your lawn.
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By thinning out and clearing away this material, the overall condition of your lawn is significantly enhanced, promoting improved air circulation, water penetration and nutrient uptake while removing competing matter within the soil.
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Ish said: “Once you’ve successfully butchered your lawn, you can now focus on over-seeding, especially where there are bald patches where the weeds and moss were. And did you know you could get special lawn seed for shady parts of your garden? Now you do.
“Leave the lawn to grow and in about four to six weeks, making sure you keep it fairly hydrated, and then after that, you want to introduce a good feed. Do this every couple months or so and your lawn will absolutely thrive.
“And if you’re feeling particularly lazy, do this in the rain. You don’t have to water it in then.”
B&Q recommends giving your lawn a thorough watering to help the soil retain moisture. The retailer also suggests that the optimal time to aerate your lawn is a day or two following rainfall, while the soil remains damp.
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That said, it’s advisable to steer clear of aerating lawns after “extremely” heavy downpours, as the ground may become saturated. Following scarification and aeration, you can apply generous amounts of autumn grass seed, which contains higher levels of phosphorus.
This feed prioritises root development, in contrast to feeds with higher nitrogen content, which concentrate on encouraging grass growth. After completing these three steps, Ish assured viewers they can enjoy their lawn “all summer long”.
The luxury Derwent Manor Boutique Hotel, set on 20 acres of countryside near Allensford, has several cottages on its expansive land.
The popular hotel claimed that the actor and comedian, Rowan Atkinson, was born in one of the cottages on site.
The Derwent Manor Hotel (Image: Tripadvisor)
Hollywood’s Rowan Atkinson is best known for his title roles in the sitcoms Mr Bean and Blackadder, along with his performance in the spy action film Johnny English.
“Did you know Rowan Atkinson – aka Mr Bean – was born in our very own Rowan Cottage… and that’s exactly how it got its name?
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“Rowan Cottage is a beautiful three-bedroom retreat, complete with a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, and a cosy lounge.
“Step outside and you’ll find a stunning garden with a hot tub, overlooking the valley and the breathtaking Hownsgill Viaduct.”
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The recently refurbished Derwent Manor also hosts weddings and events.
Rowan Atkinson is best known for roles in Mr Bean, Blackadder and Johnny English (Image: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments)
One Tripadvisor review said: “After booking our wedding here a few weeks ago we thought we would head up for an overnight stay and to try out the food.
“Amazing stay in one of the hideaway rooms. Beds and pillows are so comfy! Lovely chill vibes in the bar area and the staff are very welcoming and friendly.”
The Derwent Manor, Allensford (Image: Tripadvisor)
Another added they enjoyed a ‘wonderful experience’ at the hotel, celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary.
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“We’re both very grateful for our room upgrade, which was a lovely surprise, the entire stay was fantastic as it always has been, food delicious and beautifully kept grounds and luxurious interior and rooms.”
“This is our third visit to the hotel, it is so nice,” a satisfied customer said. “The staff on reception and the staff in Prego restaurant are so pleasant and helpful. The grounds are so peaceful as you’re away from the main road and the views are lovely.”
The Reds battled back from 2-0 down to level the match through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo before Kobbie Mainoo scored a 77th-minute winner for Manchester United.
United’s victory confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League and all-but secured them third-place in the Premier League with a six-point lead over fourth-placed Liverpool with three games remaining.
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Speaking after the game, Old Trafford legend Gary Neville suggested Manchester United were not far away from challenging for the Premier League title and said it was ‘up for grabs over the next one or two years’.
But Carragher dismissed United’s title credentials and also ruled Liverpool out of winning the Premier League next season, claiming there will be another title race between current contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.
Asked if Liverpool or Manchester United are in a better position to win the Premier League next year, Carragher said on The Gary Neville podcast: ‘I still think Liverpool are better-placed and the reason I say that is we’ve seen Man United’s best team out there today.
Michael Carrick after Man Utd beat Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
‘Liverpool are three of four short there. They also have the players who have won before in terms of the biggest trophies.
‘I don’t think either of them will be there in terms of the title next season. I still think it will be Arsenal or Manchester City.
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‘There’s a false economy with Manchester United when they haven’t played any European football and they went out in the first round of both cup competitions.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool have endured a shocking season (Picture: Getty)
‘Now that can fool you. Man United will finish third this season but I don’t think for a minute believe they’re the third-best team in the Premier League.
‘I still think Liverpool are in a better position in terms of the squad when the injured players get back and having those players that have won trophies before.’
Addressing the same talking point, Neville said: ‘There’s a couple of real unknowns. The managers and which club is going to recruit the best this summer.
Arsenal and Man City are battling for the title (Picture: Getty)
‘Both are going to sign three or four. But how much money do the clubs have to spend money on recruitment?
‘I do think the league could be up for grabs over the next couple of years and I think Manchester United could be in a position to exploit that.
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‘At some point, Pep [Guardiola] has to leave. And I don’t think the other big clubs aren’t quite right. There is a league title up to grabs over the next one to two years.’
Manchester United return to Premier League action next weekend against Sunderland, while Liverpool face Chelsea at Anfield.
Title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City can barely be separated going into the final few weeks of the Premier League season.
A woman has shared her top tips for travelling with only hand luggage, including a ‘genius’ carry-on hack to help you avoid paying extra baggage fees at the airport
Paige Freshwater Social Newsdesk Writer
02:06, 04 May 2026
A savvy traveller has been praised for revealing her ‘genius’ method to maximise hand luggage capacity while sidestepping additional charges when flying.
“Number one, I put a bag inside a bag. You see this bag [referencing her video], there’s another bag inside of it. I usually go to Boots or Duty Free, and get a bag because they are not allowed to touch anything inside something you’ve bought already within the airport.
“I have a crossbody bag, obviously that’s fine, it’s tiny. Then I have my small suitcase, make sure you roll everything within your suitcase so it can fit.”
Additionally, she suggests getting on the aircraft promptly to secure space in an overhead locker instead of attempting to cram it beneath your seat.
Commenting on her post, one user said: “I do the duty thing too. Get a cheeky meal deal from Boots and ask for the biggest bag.”
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Another user added: “People also don’t realise you don’t need to use those plastic bags for toiletries, you can use your own see through makeup bag, doesn’t matter how big.”
A third user revealed: “But nowadays you can even bring a cabin wheeled bag, just a rucksack. I do the duty free bag but Ryanair told me they have limitations on duty.”
Another traveller suggested: “I always bring a pillow case put some clothes in.”
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This comes as fellow passengers revealed their top tips for enhancing the airport journey, with one stating: “You can’t bring a full water bottle through airport security, but you can bring an empty one.”
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They continued: “Most airports have water bottle fillers installed at drinking fountains after security. Beats paying six dollars for bottled water.”
Building on this advice, another passenger suggested making security screening quicker by taking off bottle caps, demonstrating to officers that containers are genuinely empty.
Someone else offered an alternative approach: “You can bring ice in a bottle though as long as it’s not melted. I like to do that and then fill it up inside the airport. I love ice water.”
One savvy flyer recommended bypassing the first water refill point beyond security – typically congested with queues – and heading to the next available fountain for a swifter top-up.
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Another traveller shared a health-focused suggestion for extended journeys, noting: “For personal comfort, I find compression socks to really help during longer flights/trips.
“I also carry an empty water bottle through security, then refill it before boarding in order to have plenty of water for the flight.
“I carry a light sweater or thin-down vest in my bag (too many cold flights). Noise-cancelling headphones. I also carry a small external battery pack.
“Always plan for the worst (long lines, delays) allow plenty of time and arrive early.”
Shaun Murphy is facing a serious test in the shape of Wu Yize (Picture: Getty Images)
Wu Yize played some spectacular snooker on Sunday night and leads Shaun Murphy 10-7 after two sessions of the World Snooker Championship final.
The pair were level at 4-4 after the opening session, with both showing signs of nerves, but both were more settled in the evening.
The 22-year-old in his first final made a blistering start at night, knocking in breaks of 82 and 103 to stride into a lead.
Murphy wasn’t doing much wrong and took the next with a 72, but Wu claimed the next two, including an 89 to look in good nick at 8-5 ahead.
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It was pretty relentless attacking snooker from both, with Murphy feeling forced into the odd safety, while Wu took on near enough everything.
The Magician made 70 to take the 14th, before Wu responded with a 66 as the fans in Sheffield continued to be treated to brilliant scoring.
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In my new newsletter, The Table, I analyse the biggest talking points, pull back the curtain on the sport and crown the biggest winners and losers every week.
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The next edition will look back on what has been a great World Championship yet again, so there’s no better time to sign up.
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While Murphy was not poor by any stretch, it felt like he was hanging on to Wu, but it looked like he might escape with just a one-frame deficit when he took the 16th and got in the balls in the 17th.
Wu Yize takes a commanding three-frame lead against Shaun Murphy in the 2026 World Snooker Championship final! 👏He leads 10-7 overnight.📺 Watch conclusion to the World Snooker Championship tomorrow live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/x2sm4uTvrc
He was a touch unlucky to land awkward and played, what looked like, a perfectly good safety, but Wu sank an immense long red and knocked in 91 to finish the day 10-7 up.
Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry was loving the performance of the thrilling Chinese star from the BBC studio.
‘What a player. He’s just brilliant. He plays the game properly and goes for the shots,’ said the Scot.
Stephen Hendry is hugely impressed by Wu Yize (Picture: Getty Images)
‘He’s obviously at a stage of his career when he’s not had many scars and he’s not thinking about the consequences of missing. He’s just having fun.
‘The important thing is when he’s playing shots, he’s fully committing to them. There are no thoughts of bailing out at any stage.’
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He added: ‘He’s having fun out there and that’s the worst kind of opponent you can have, someone who looks as though they’re enjoying themself.’
Six-time champion Steve Davis said Wu is ‘scaring the life out of everyone he plays’ after wins over Lei Peifan, Mark Selby, Hossein Vafaei and Mark Allen.
Wu Yize is looking very strong in his first Crucible final (Picture: Getty Images)
Hendry said Wu is at the forefront of ‘frightening’ snooker talent from China now at, or rising to, the top of the game.
‘The talent coming through from China is quite frightening,’ he said. ‘[Zhao] Xintong last year, Wu Yize now, a guy called Chang Bingyu who beat Shaun this year with 100 per cent pot success. The young talent is frightening.’
There is a long way to go in the race to 18 frames, which comes to an end on Monday, but Murphy has work to do to keep up with the Chinese phenom.
– The debut episode of Dynasties – which focused on the chimpanzee – became the most popular programme of the month when it aired in November 2018. The series, narrated by Sir David, also documented the struggles of baby penguins fighting to avoid an icy death, with the BBC camera crew intervening and coming to the rescue of the stricken birds, breaking a long-held stance of wildlife filming not to get involved.
“For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he said in a post on social media without specifying which countries.
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