UK flights to the Middle East have been cancelled – and airports in Dubai and Doha have grounded all services – after the US began attacking Iran.
Multiple cities in Iran were hit by missiles, while counter strikes targeted US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait – as well as sites in Israel.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) warned Britons in those countries to “immediately shelter in place” and to avoid travel to Israel and Palestine.
“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,” advised the FCDO.
It said it was “working around the clock” to support British nationals affected.
UK citizens are being urged to sign up to Register Your Presence and travel advice emails so the Foreign Office can send the latest information.
Thousands of Britons are potentially stuck due to the temporary closure of airspace and airports in countries such as the UAE and Qatar.
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British Airways cancelled Saturday’s Dubai, Doha, Amman and Abu Dhabi services, as well as flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain up to 3 March.
A BA flight from London to Doha, Qatar‘s capital, was among dozens forced to turn around or divert mid-flight early on Saturday, according to flight tracking websites.
Image: Dubai International Airport has grounded flights. File pic: Reuters
London Heathrow said “a small number of flights” had been cancelled or delayed.
Its departures board on Saturday afternoon showed cancellations including an Emirates flight to Dubai, a Qatar Airways flight to Doha, and an Etihad service to Abu Dhabi.
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A Gatwick spokesperson said it was also “expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights”.
Manchester Airport departures showed a Saturday night Emirates flight to Dubai had been scrapped as it shared a post advising people to check with their airline.
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Wizz Air also confirmed flights between London Luton to Tel Aviv were suspended in both directions until 7 March but that “operational decisions will continue to be reviewed”.
Virgin Atlantic said journeys from destinations including India and the Maldives could take longer as the routes were being altered for safety reasons.
Many other large airlines have also paused flights to the Middle East, as well as some routes flying over the region, including Delta, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines.
India’s airlines are also suffering serious disruption.
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Its aviation ministry said more than 400 flights by domestic carriers had been cancelled on Saturday and a similar number were expected on Sunday.
Dubai airports at standstill
The worst disruption is likely to be caused by the grounding of flights at Dubai’s main airport, the world’s busiest for international traffic.
People jetting out for a winter break – and the thousands who change aircraft there – are set to have their plans upended after the UAE closed its airspace.
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All flights at Dubai’s International, Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have been suspended.
Image: Jets were avoiding Iran on Saturday, while UAE traffic also ground to a halt. Pic: Flightradar24
At least 90,000 people transfer every day in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi on just three airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, according to analytics firm Cirium.
People in Dubai were earlier filmed running for shelteras air raid sirens sounded and witnesses told Reuters at least three big blasts were heard over the city.
A fire broke out near the entrance of the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel after debris reportedly fell from an Iranian missile.
Dubai five-star hotel on fire after ‘missile strike’
A Dubai airports statement called the closures an “exceptional precautionary measure”, while Emirates said safety was its “highest priority” as it halted flights.
“You have crews, planes and passengers stranded all over the world. It’s a massive logistical nightmare,” a Gulf airline source told Reuters.
Moment free-falling missile hits Doha
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Qatar’s international airport also suspended all services after the country’s airspace was locked down in case of more attacks from Iran.
People were earlier forced to run for cover as a missile – which was likely intercepted – tumbled out the sky and exploded in a residential area of Doha.
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America’s largest regional air base, al Udeid, is near the city and Iran has deemed all US bases in the region as fair game.
As Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion, Sky News has partnered with Voices of Children, a Ukrainian charity, to tell the stories of teenagers living through war.
Oleksandra
Image: Oleksandra. Pic: Voices of Children
I am 17. I was born and lived in the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region until the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Over the past four years, I have moved four times, losing my home and the opportunity to see my peers and friends in person. I have been studying online for four-and-a-half years.
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During the full-scale invasion, I first lost my grandfather and then my home. On 24 February 2022, the day of the invasion, my family packed our belongings and left for the Rivne region, nearly 700 miles away. My grandfather refused to leave. He wanted to stay in Bakhmut. Some of our extended family members were still there. On 27 March, doctors discovered a blood clot in his leg. My grandfather died in his hometown and is buried there. I was unable to say goodbye to him or go to the funeral.
My house has been destroyed, nothing remains but bricks. But in truth, I lost my home the moment my grandfather died. Home is about memories, and memories are about family. Over these four years, I have never truly felt at home anywhere, and sometimes it feels as though that sense of home may never return.
The first thing I do when I wake up is check the power outage schedule. Online classes start at 8.45am and end at 3.55pm. Every day begins with the news and ends the same way. Before bed, I check which regions are under air raid alerts.
Over time, I’ve got used to the fact that my peers communicate exclusively via the internet and messaging apps. I realised that if I did not maintain contact with friends and peers, the four walls could become my only “friends”. It sounds frightening, but unfortunately, this is what life looks like today.
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I try to talk to others as often as possible. I spend most of my day in my room and rarely leave the house before four in the afternoon. I live in a village, and in the nearest town there is almost nothing besides shops and cafes: no clubs, no activities, no real opportunities to grow.
The strength to keep going now comes from my younger brother – he cheers me up. It also comes from the support of my family and friends. I dream and hope to enter university, to find someone I love and to live the kind of life I want.
Marko
Image: Marko. Pic: Voices of Children
I’m 14 and I live in the city of Kryvyi Rih [a city in central Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown]. For me, a day during the war feels like Groundhog Day. It means waking up in the morning without any sense of control, during an air-raid alert before classes, knowing your only choice is to sit in a cold school shelter or stay at home. For me, it’s a constant fear of dying without having done anything meaningful for others.
What’s frightening and strange is that the fear of dying pushes you to live, to grow, to develop in every possible way. Over these four years, I’ve been trying to do what I would have done over an entire lifetime. I don’t know what life will be like after the war, or who I will be, or whether I will even be at all. So for now, the war feels like my only chance to live.
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The first day of real change for me was 25 February 2022. I was cleaning and washing out the basement at home, the improvised bomb shelter we still use. I remember the emotions when I first heard explosions, planes and sirens. Since then, the war has become a terrible backdrop even to good moments.
My birthday was on 16 July 2025. I spent it in the basement under shelling. I’m used to people congratulating me in the morning as a new day begins. But that day, the greetings started at midnight. We weren’t sleeping because of a Russian attack. That night is etched in my memory, filled with a mix of emotions.
The hardest thing for me is coming to terms with what has happened. Understanding that life will never be the same. It’s hard to navigate the search for justice in a world where objectivity may not even exist. It’s emotionally exhausting to know that people keep dying, and they cannot influence it. What keeps me going today is the chance to live not only for myself. The chance to grow, to do something for others, to exchange knowledge and experiences. The chance to dream, to plan a future that feels fragile and uncertain, yet still desired. Both acquaintances and those closest to me help me hold on. I won’t get another life.
From Wall Street to Ukraine’s frontlines
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Sofia
Image: Sofia. Pic: Voices of Children
I’m from Odesa. The full-scale war began when I was 15. This year, I will turn 20. My father was killed on the frontline defending us. I think of him every morning at 9am, when the country pauses for the minute of silence.
I never imagined I would learn what silence truly is. It had always been layered with birdsong, laughter, the voices of passersby, the hum of cars.
But now, at exactly 9am, silence falls across the entire country. Your heart begins to pound. Slowly, you clasp your hands in front of you. You hear the breathing of your classmates. Their heads are bowed in respect, like yours. This silence is different, filled with despair, pain and anxiety that make it hard to breathe. In your mind, you quietly say “thank you” to your father, who remains forever imprisoned in this single minute. In that moment, which feels like an eternity, the ticking of the clock stops. Students return to their seats. The lecturer resumes the lesson. And your barely healed wound aches again. You simply don’t show it.
Image: Sofia. Pic: Voices of Children
At some point, you catch yourself thinking that this year you will turn 20. Why does it feel so hard to leave adolescence behind? Nothing costs as much as a childhood stolen by force.
In times of grief and overwhelming pain, I go home. I take off my shoes and sink my feet into the cool sand along the Odesa shore. Still, in the end, despair gives way to hope. Because the sea always listens, takes your anxiety and buries it in its depths.
Sometimes, I’m troubled by how I no longer know where my home is. Over 19 years, it’s changed three times. My preschool childhood was in Kamianske in Dnipropetrovsk, my primary school years in Feodosia in Crimea, my middle and high school years in Lviv, and now my university years are in Kyiv.
When I left and said goodbye to everyone in Feodosia, I told them I would come back. It feels as though I made that promise to Feodosia itself, and now, not by my own will, I am breaking it. I didn’t really process that grief for a long time, and now I find myself crying about it often.
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About two years after we moved, I began to forget Feodosia: the 40-minute walk to school, our summer house near Ordzhonikidze, the smell of the forest and sea, the park by the music school. A month ago, for the first time in eight years, I wandered through Feodosia on Google Maps. I cannot describe how good, painful and tender it felt at the same time. My mother and I have talked about how, even if we one day return to Crimea, to the places I now miss so deeply, they will hardly be the same places where little Marichka once ran. With those thoughts comes despair first, but then, gradually, acceptance.
Little Blossoms playgroup helping children with developmental delay thrive
The sound of laughter and the buzz of early Tuesday morning activity filled St Mark’s Church Hall in Newtownards this week as parents and toddlers gathered for Little Blossoms Playgroup.
Part of the South Eastern Trust’s Early Foundations Programme, Little Blossoms is delivered in partnership with Surestart and Trust Learning Disability Nurses. The parent support programme is designed for pre-school children experiencing developmental delays in play and communication.
The sessions provide important stepping stones in a child’s development while equipping parents and carers with practical strategies to support early play, communication and social interaction, particularly when children are showing signs of learning difficulties or autism.
Thomas Edgar, whose son Darragh attends Little Blossoms, said: “Darragh has Global Development Delay (GDD). We started attending the group just before Halloween. When Darragh started in October he could only mutter a few sounds. He struggled to walk, to climb and he had no real social skills at all.
“When we came for the session today, as soon as we came in through the doors it was, ‘See you later Daddy’ and he just went straight to the staff. This is a group of people who truly care”
Thomas shared his pride at the sight of his little boy taking part in a session of the classic children’s rhyme, ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ as he looked on.
“Darragh knew all the actions. That is the effort that the staff put in. Every child that comes has a specific need. What might work for Darragh might not work for somebody’s else child. It is a journey and they are very much part of it.”
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South Eastern Trust, Family Support Co-ordinator for Surestart Ards, Julia Duffin explained that each session is carefully designed to support children across all areas of development.
Julia said, “We provide a range of activities to support children across all areas of their development. We provide a range of activities to support physical, creative and social development, alongside table top activities that help build their concentration skills.
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“It is wonderful to see the children’s progression. All of the parents are on a similar journey and they celebrate milestones together. Whether that is a child using a spoon for the first time, kicking a ball or sitting at the table for snack time along with their peers, all the parents celebrate those achievements.”
South Eastern Trust, Early Intervention Team Co-Ordinator, Nicola Doran highlighted the benefits of the Little Blossoms sessions: “Our aim is empower parents with the knowledge and skills they need to be able to support their child through these developmental stages.
“As part of the sessions, our Learning Disability Nurses will deliver workshops on areas such as toileting, sleep and behaviour. These have been developed in partnership with the Children’s Disability Team and Surestart Newtownards. We have had fantastic feedback from parents about the support they have received.”
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Airlines serving the Middle East cancelled or diverted a large number of flights on Saturday in the wake of US and Israeli airstrikes against on Iran – Emirates have issued an update
Thousands of holidaymakers have been left stranded after aviation giant Emirates axed all flights in and out of Dubai on Saturday.
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The ongoing situation in Iran and the Middle East has lead to multiple regional airspace closures over Dubai.
Emirates issued a “red alert” suspension lasting until at least 3pm local time Sunday. The carrier is “actively monitoring” the high-stakes situation as authorities scramble to manage the unfolding crisis. While safety remains the “highest priority,” the move has sparked travel mayhem for those caught in the crossfire.
Airlines serving the Middle East cancelled or diverted a large number of flights on Saturday in the wake of US and Israeli airstrikes against on Iran. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air were among carriers to scale back their schedules to destinations in the Middle East, citing safety concerns.
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Taking to X an Emirates spokesperson said: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Sunday, 1 March. If you are booked to travel in the next 72 hours, your options are:
“Rebook on an alternate flight. You can rebook on another flight to your intended destination up to 10 days from your original date of travel. If you booked your flight with a travel agent, please contact them. If you booked with us directly, contact us.
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“Request for refund. You can request for a refund of your ticket by completing the refund form if you booked with us directly. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them. We urge all customers to check flight status before proceeding to the airport. Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their travel agency for rebooking.
“If booked directly with Emirates, please contact us. Customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting http://emirat.es/managebooking to receive updates We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities. We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”
The update comes in the wake of confirmation from Iran’s state broadcaster that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the early hours Sunday local time in US and Israeli aristrikes.
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City cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League down to two points on Saturday night as Antoine Semenyo’s goal sealed a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Arsenal have the chance to restore their five-point advantage when they host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
‘I think the one thing City have in their favour… they’ve got Pep,’ Hargreaves told Premier League Productions.
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‘They’ve got Donnarumma, who proved it at PSG last season, they’ve got Haaland, they’ve got Rodri, they’ve got guys who have been there and done it.
Antoine Semenyo’s goal sealed Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Leeds United on Saturday (Getty)
‘The only thing Arsenal don’t have is that – they don’t have the experience.
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‘But they have an advantage with the points at the moment, it’s small, you obviously look at that game [Man City vs Arsenal] at the Etihad.
‘For me it still feels like Arsenal’s to win.’
Shay Given believes Pep Guardiola will leave this summer if Manchester City win the Premier League title (AMA/Getty)
Meanwhile, Shay Given believes Pep Guardiola will leave City in the summer if he guides the club to the Premier League title this season.
‘They [Arsenal] probably have the stronger squad because they have two or three players for every position, it seems,’ Given said.
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‘But Pep was interesting at his press conference [on Friday], what does Arteta need to do to get his hands on the trophy, he said, ‘I’m not going to tell him what to do’, because he’s got his eyes on the exact same trophy.
‘It’s amazing, whatever team wins their remaining games wins the Premier League, it’s as simple as that.
‘City are very much in the race and I would edge towards City. I just feel they’ve been there before and Guardiola feels he wants to get his hands on it, a bit like when Fergie left [Manchester United], I’ve got a feeling he might leave if he does win the Premier League this season because he’s rebuilt his team now and it’s an opportunity for someone else to come in after him, but he wants to go out on a high no doubt.’
He remembered the late Amy Winehouse as he received the gong for outstanding contribution to music at the Brit Awards 2026
Record producer and DJ Mark Ronson was praised for his ‘beautiful’ tribute as he remembered the late Amy Winehouse as he received the gong for outstanding contribution to music at the Brit Awards 2026.
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Award-winning singer Winehouse died in July 2011 at the age of 27 and inspired a biopic starring Marisa Abela, which was released last year. Mark 50, started his professional relationship with the singer almost 20 years ago when he produced her hit 2006 album Back To Black, and she featured on his cover of Valerie in 2007.
As he accepted his award at the ceremony, which was held in Manchester for the very first time on Saturday (February 28) night, Mark thanked the crowd and said: “It means so many things to get this award.£
The London-born musician, who was raised in the US, reminisced on meeting Winehouse and said: “I realised on the way here that on Thursday, March 6, it will be 20 years to the day that Amy Winehouse came up to my studio in New York City.
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“She came up to the steps and she said, ‘I’m here to meet Mark Ronson’. And I said, ‘That’s me’, and she goes, ‘I thought you were an old guy with a beard’. Anyway, we went upstairs and we talked for four hours and that night we wrote Back To Black, and that day changed my life forever.”
Mark is best known for his collaborations on hit songs such as Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk and Miley Cyrus’s Nothing Breaks Like A Heart. Ronson, who has worked with artists including Dua Lipa, Queens of the Stone Age, Raye and Lily Allen, went on to say he “can’t believe” the list of artists he has worked with over his two-decade career.
He continued: “I know the music I made with Amy is the reason that any of them know who I am anyway. That’s why I always treasure her voice, her talent and our bond, all of it. I just wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for some amazing people.”
He went on to thank his collaborators, colleagues and his family and the crowd, adding: “You put these songs into your lives. You’re the reason any of us are up here. So make some noise for yourselves.” He added: “Every time in a wedding and I hear the song Telephone or I see someone busking Shallow or Valerie in the subway – I can’t believe that I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of songs that mean something to people. So I’m so grateful, and thank you so much.”
Following his speech, he performed a rendition of his 2003 hit Ooh Wee alongside Ghostface Killah before paying tribute to Winehouse with her hit single Back To Black. The performance also included a clip of Winehouse talking about Mark and a rendition of Uptown Funk.
Singer-songwriter Du Lipa also made a guest appearance while Mark was on stage, to sing Dance The Night from the Barbie (2023) soundtrack, as well as her single Electricity.
But it was his tribute to Amy that got BRIT viewers feeling emotional as they took to social media to comment. @NinaaCald said: “Mark Ronson has given such a beautiful tribute to Amy Winehouse. Am I right in saying the band was Amy Winehouse band. If so, what a lovely addition to the tribute. #BRITsAwards #Brits2026.” @TomSykesUK replied: “My eyes started leaking.”
@Milly1978 commented: “Yes Mark! Loved everything about that Amy tribute #BRITs #BritAwards #Brits2026.” @LWM3_AWFC wrote: “This is such a lovely performance. Amy Winehouse, you are so loved and so missed #Brits2026.” @Katie14563165 posted: “Best bit of the show the honouring Amy #Brits2026.”
@LaurandOrdre penned: “The ONLY way I want to hear an Amy Winehouse tribute #BRITs2026.” @Ace109610 shared: “Mark Ronson paying tribute to Amy Winehouse What a lovely moment #Brits2026.” @itismeagainx added: “Love Mark Ronson talking about Amy! She was iconic and he’s such a legend to never forget her #Brits2026.”
Hunger is often discussed as a matter of willpower. In appetite research, it looks very different. Physiologists who study eating behaviour and metabolism see hunger as a fluctuating biological signal shaped by hormones, digestion, activity and environment. The recent surge of interest in GLP-1 drugs has brought one part of this system into public view.
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone produced naturally in the gut and plays a key role in controlling blood sugar, appetite and digestion. After eating, it helps signal fullness and slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach, shaping how quickly nutrients enter the bloodstream and how much energy the body takes in.
Appetite regulation begins in the gut rather than the brain alone. Signals from digestion, microbes and nutrient absorption activate hormonal pathways that travel to the brain through the bloodstream and nervous system.
Hunger is shaped by several of these signals. Ghrelin, released from the stomach, stimulates appetite. After food is eaten, levels of GLP-1 typically rise, helping signal satiety. Research shows appetite is closely linked to this increase in GLP-1 and how it communicates with brain regions involved in regulating eating.
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Drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They were originally developed for diabetes treatment and have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes since 2005. More recently, they have been prescribed for obesity management.
These medications activate the same biological pathways as natural GLP-1, but for much longer. Under normal conditions, GLP-1 rises for a relatively short period after eating, typically around two hours. This post-meal phase is when appetite is naturally suppressed and digestion slows. GLP-1 medications extend that state. Rather than simply blocking hunger, they maintain a physiological signal associated with having recently eaten.
This helps explain their impact. By reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying, they can support sustained weight loss. But they also highlight how dynamic appetite is.
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Research in exercise and nutrition shows that hunger does not increase in a simple, linear way with energy expenditure. Intense physical activity can temporarily suppress appetite through shifts in gut hormones, including GLP-1, even as energy needs rise.
Appetite often returns later as the body re-balances. In some cases, particularly after sessions such as high intensity intermittent training (HIIT), cravings for food can increase substantially.
Typically, weight loss of up to 5 to 8% can be achieved with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, although outcomes vary and tend to occur gradually over months. Medical advice should always be sought before starting treatment, and nutritional strategies should be discussed with a dietician or qualified nutritionist.
The rise of these medications has also reshaped how obesity is understood. For decades, weight was often framed primarily in terms of personal responsibility. GLP-1 therapies instead highlight the biological regulation of appetite and metabolism. They shift attention toward physiology and the gut-brain axis, rather than willpower alone, and have influenced public conversations about stigma, treatment access and the medicalisation of weight management.
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Yet appetite reduction does not remove the body’s need for nutrients and fluids. When food intake falls, the challenge becomes maintaining nutritional balance. Hydration remains essential, as the body can lose around 2 to 3 litres of fluid each day through urine, sweat, breathing and bowel movements. Replacing this fluid supports circulation, temperature regulation and organ function. Hydration therefore remains fundamental even when appetite is reduced.
Electrolytes also play a central role in nerve activity, muscle contraction and fluid balance. These charged minerals, including sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium, are present in everyday foods and drinks, but reduced intake can lower overall levels.
Maintaining muscle mass is another consideration. When calorie intake drops substantially, the body may begin to break down muscle tissue for energy. Preserving muscle supports metabolic health and physical function. Protein intake of around 1.2 g per kg of body weight per day is often recommended, with sources including eggs, dairy, legumes, tofu and lean meats.
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Changes in eating patterns can also affect digestion. Reduced food intake increases the likelihood of constipation, particularly if fibre consumption falls. Foods that are high in fibre help maintain bowel health by supporting regular movement and gut function.
Like most medications, GLP-1 drugs can have side effects. These may include nausea, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea. In some cases, there may be muscle loss and gallbladder problems. Ongoing monitoring is therefore important.
Another key question is what happens when treatment stops. Research suggests weight regain is common once medication is discontinued. When the prolonged satiety signal is removed, appetite-regulating hormones return to previous patterns. The biological drive to regain lost weight can re-emerge, highlighting that these drugs modify appetite while they are taken but do not permanently reset the systems that regulate it.
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The wider implications extend beyond individual treatment. Appetite is influenced by multiple factors, including gut hormones, microbiome activity, physical activity, circadian rhythms and metabolic health. GLP-1 therapies interact with this wider system rather than replacing it. They also raise questions about long-term use, access and how food environments might respond to widespread appetite suppression.
From a physiological perspective, the significance of GLP-1 medications lies not only in their clinical effects but in what they reveal. Hunger is not a fixed trait. It is a fluctuating signal shaped by gut-derived hormones, digestion, activity and environment. These drugs amplify one part of that system by extending the post-meal state, but they do not replace the broader mechanisms that govern appetite, nutrition and metabolism.
Weight management therefore remains embedded in a wider biological and social context. Hormones matter, but so do daily routines, physical activity, food availability and long-term health patterns. GLP-1 therapies highlight how strongly biology shapes hunger, while also underscoring how complex and interconnected appetite regulation really is.
Missile strikes in the region were sparked by a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran
Anti-war activists in Belfast are planning an emergency rally calling for an end to the bombing of Iran.
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The ‘Stop Bombing Iran’ rally will take place on Monday, March 2, at 6pm at Belfast City Hall. Speakers will include human rights activists, trade unionists, and academics.
It comes as missile strikes continue to rock the region, sparked by a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran. Iran has retaliated with missile attacks on US bases in the Middle East.
Speaking in support of the rally, Gerry Carroll MLA said: “This bloodthirsty, unprovoked attack on Iran is an alarming escalation of US imperial aggression, and a further step towards fulfilling Israel’s decades-long dream of imperial domination in the region.
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“The death and destruction set to follow will be catastrophic. People across the world are sick of endless imperial wars and violence, and the false pretences used to justify bloodshed.
“I encourage everyone who is rightly appalled by the behaviour of these two rogue states to attend this emergency rally, and send a clear message to the US and Israel – stop bombing Iran!”
After the strikes, the Foreign Office warned against all travel to Israel while embassies in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE have advised British nationals to shelter in place.
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly expressed concern for the safety of locals living in the region.
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She posted on X: “I will be receiving a security briefing on the situation in Iran and impacts in the Middle East as dep First Minister this afternoon from the UK Government and their team.
“I will also be raising the safety and the advice for those from Northern Ireland living, working or visiting the region – and also for those who may be due to travel to the region in the next few weeks.”
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP also expressed concern about developments and called for calm.
She said: “I am deeply alarmed by the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Iran, including devastating reports that an airstrike has hit a school in southern Iran, killing dozens of children.
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“I am also concerned by reports that UK military aircraft are in the skies over or near Iran.
“The UK must urgently push for de-escalation, press for an immediate ceasefire, and work with international partners to prevent a wider war. Diplomacy, not further military action, must be the focus.”
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Michael Carrick says the chance to inflict damage on one of the men thought to be a contender to be Manchester United‘s next head coach will not be a motivating factor in Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner is second favourite for the permanent role with most bookmakers, despite a troubled campaign in which he has openly criticised his club’s board, lost in the FA Cup to Macclesfield and fallen out with supporters amid a struggling Premier League campaign.
Interim Manchester United boss Carrick is now the favourite, thanks to five wins and a draw from his six games in charge.
It is a record which, after Aston Villa’s shock defeat at Wolves on Friday, means United will go third in the table for the first time since the end of the 2022-23 campaign if they beat Palace at Old Trafford.
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That is enough of a motivation for Carrick, who says there is no personal element to his preparations at all.
“It is not something that would cross my mind until you mentioned it,” he said.
“It doesn’t make any difference whatsoever.
“I have total respect for Crystal Palace and Oliver, in terms of the team that they are and the role they are doing. But it’s the next game for us.”
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Palace were ahead of United in the table when the two sides met on 30 November.
One influential figure in United’s 2-1 success that day, Matthijs de Ligt, has not played since because of a back injury. Fellow centre-half Lisandro Martinez missed Monday’s win at Everton with a calf problem which Carrick regards as “a small issue” that will not keep the Argentine out “for very long”.
With fifth-placed Chelsea due to play Arsenal and Aston Villa in their next two games, this is looking like a chance for United to cement their position in the Champions League places.
It is an aim few thought likely when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.
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“We are in a decent spot,” Carrick said. “We feel like we are moving forwards, but it’s just about what’s in front of us, and trying to get to where we want to be, which is a little bit higher in the league.
“That’s literally all I’m worried about in the moment.”
The Brit Awards 2026 was hosted at Manchester’s Co-op Live, marking the first time the ceremony has taken place outside London since 1977, with Tim Burgess leading tribute to Stone Roses’ Mani
The Brit Awards 2026 has sparked criticism over what some have described as a ‘rushed’ tribute segment. Manchester’s Co-op Live played host to tonight’s BRITs, marking the first occasion the prestigious ceremony has ventured beyond the capital since its inception in 1977.
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The evening delivered standout moments, including Olivia Dean dominating the accolades and a handful of censored incidents. Among the night’s highlights was the In Memoriam tribute, which featured The Charlatans icon Tim Burgess paying homage to The Stone Roses’ legendary bassist Mani.
Mancunian music great Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield received a heartfelt remembrance from his mate Tim after his passing last November, when he died peacefully during his sleep at 63, following complications from ‘respiratory issues’ related to a chronic lung condition.
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Tim, 58, took to the stage saying: “I’m here tonight to pay tribute to a good friend of mine. I know he was loved by so many of you here tonight and many more watching on TV. Mani was a kid from a few miles up the road. He changed music and inspired generations ahead of him. These songs he recorded will be his legacy, along with his unforgettable smile and uncontainable enthusiasm.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“He was truly one of the phenomenal ones, and they are far and few between. So, I just want you to think about Mani for a moment,” he concluded as the audience erupted in applause. “We can cherish the thought that we got to experience our time and his time together. Let’s take a few moments to remember Mani and some of the people who we lost in the music industry, who we’ve lost in the last year.”
A tribute montage followed, honouring music legends who have recently died, with numerous names flashing across the screen. However, the segment sparked backlash from viewers, who flocked to X to brand it ‘rushed’.
@SufcLee posted: “That in memoriam was bit awful. seemed a bit rushed and I assumed it was building to something that never happened #BRITs #Brits2026.@karendiamond1 concurred: “That was the most rushed and insincere award show “in memorium” segment I’ve seen,” whilst Gloria Gardner added: “Worst memorial ever to musical artists deceased #Brits2026 may have not bothered. Seemed like a fleeting tribute.
Not even a photo of Ozzy, the names flashed by so fast I could not even spot them all. #disrepectful”@bookmadmum shared similar sentiments: “That was the worst memorial part of the Brits I’ve ever seen – if you are going to honour those we have lost do it properly and with dignity and don’t get anyone to introduce it if they can’t string a sentence together #Brits2026.
“@FIOatHeart also commented: “What on gods green earth was that memorial … a couple of clips with a tonn of names popping in and out quick is not a memorial. All them names on there, deserved a million times more of a memorial montage, like they usually have.
Do better. ” @ZODl4C commented: “that was terrible, who thought it was a good idea to do the memorial section like that #Brits2026 #brits #BRITsAwards,” whilst @xmaaisieex remarked: “Pretty weak memorial moment from the #BRITs #BRITsAwards.”
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Dr Asiya Maula says people can make their home environment lower-risk
A GP has revealed how Brits can slash their cancer risk at home by making various changes. Dr Asiya Maula explained that, while no household can ever be entirely risk-free, minimising daily exposure to harmful toxins may help reduce cumulative danger over time.
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She emphasised it wasn’t about creating fear or alarm, but rather raising awareness – particularly as Brits now spend more time indoors than ever before. Dr Asiya Maula, a GP at The Health Suite in Leicester, said much of the risk stems from items people typically consider harmless.
“Cancer risk isn’t about one single thing,” she said. “It’s about what the body is dealing with every day, for years or even decades.”
How Brits can cut their long-term cancer risk at home
Reconsider plastic in the kitchen
Plastic food containers, bottles and cling film can leak chemicals, particularly when heated or deteriorated.
“Some plastics contain chemicals that can interfere with hormone signalling,” Dr Maula said, explaining that hormones play a crucial role in how cells grow and divide, so repeated disruption over time may heighten cancer risk. She recommends swapping to glass or stainless steel and never microwaving food in plastic.
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Boost indoor air quality
Indoor air can frequently be more contaminated than outdoor air due to cooking fumes, candles, sprays and inadequate ventilation. “Long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants may contribute to inflammation in the body,” Dr Maula said, emphasising that simply opening windows each day and running extractor fans can genuinely help.
Watch what you clean with
Numerous household cleaning products are packed with aggressive chemicals formulated to eliminate bacteria and cut through grease.
“These products exist to destroy biological material,” she said. “Repeated exposure in enclosed spaces may irritate the body over time,” suggesting gentler, unscented alternatives wherever feasible.
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Think twice about pesticides indoors
Pesticides aren’t confined to agricultural settings – they’re commonplace in domestic environments too, typically in sprays and various treatments.
“They’re designed to kill living organisms,” Dr Maula said. “The concern is what low-level exposure might be doing to human cells, particularly for children,” recommending thorough washing of fruit and veg whilst minimising chemical pest control inside the home.
Dial down the ultra-processed foods
What families keep in their cupboards and prepare in their kitchens matters significantly, with ultra-processed foods associated with obesity, insulin resistance and persistent inflammation – all recognised cancer risk factors. Dr Maula emphasised the goal isn’t absolute perfection.
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“It’s about reducing the overall toxic load,” she said. “Small changes, done consistently, can add up over time – and making your home a lower-exposure environment is one practical way to protect long-term health.”
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