UK warship HMS Dragon has left its naval base in Portsmouth for the eastern Mediterranean to protect Cyprus, the government has announced.

The vessel left Portsmouth Harbour after 4pm on Thursday, a week after its deployment was announced.

The Type 45 destroyer is capable of shooting down drones and ballistic missiles fired by Iran and its proxies as the Middle East crisis continues.

Crew were seen lining the deck as the ship moved out of Portsmouth Harbour.

Officials insisted the ship had been prepared as quickly as possible for deployment, with six weeks’ worth of work squeezed into six days.

The announcement of the deployment of the ship came in response to a drone attack which hit the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus on the night of 1st March.

The drone strike forced the UK to reconsider its hands-off approach to America’s war with Iran.

In a recorded TV address earlier that evening, Sir Keir Starmer said he had agreed to a US request to use British military bases for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites, adding “British lives” had been put at risk. By Tuesday, the government decided it would scramble a warship, HMS Dragon, to the eastern Mediterranean.

Under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, which handed independence to Cyprus, the UK has a legal obligation to ensure the island’s security. But the Cypriot government has said it was “disappointed” in Britain’s response to the strike and has been forced to draft in help from France.

The HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 Destroyers, which make up the fleet’s first line of defence against aerial threats such as aircraft, missiles and drones.

Normally based in Portsmouth, with a crew of around 200 sailors, it’s capable of protecting an area up to five times the size of Cyprus. It can also track hundreds of targets simultaneously, the MoD says.

Its Sea Viper missile system can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds, and can direct up to 16 missiles onto their targets simultaneously, firing at four times the speed of sound.Last year, HMS Dragon became the first British warship to destroy a missile travelling at supersonic speed during an international exercise off Scotland.

Now a second British ship could be sent to the eastern Mediterranean if the Middle East crisis continues.

Landing ship RFA Lyme Bay is being prepared for a potential deployment to the region, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The vessel has aviation and medical facilities allowing it to assist in any evacuation effort.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “As part of prudent planning, we have taken the decision to bring RFA Lyme Bay to heightened readiness as a precaution, should she be needed to assist in maritime tasks in the eastern Mediterranean.”

Markets calmed after US President Donald Trump suggested the military action would be a “short-term excursion” rather than a more prolonged war and threatened “death, fire and fury” against Iran unless vessels were allowed through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime oil and gas route.

However, there was still a concern that energy prices could increase and the UK’s budget watchdog warned inflation this year could be higher than it had previously estimated.

Professor David Miles, a member of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR’s) budget responsibility committee, told MPs: “Right now, if prices don’t change from where they are – both the spot prices and market expectations for futures prices, which is particularly important for the Ofgem price cap – we think the inflation rate would end the year not near 2 per cent, but nearer 3 per cent.”

More to follow…

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After a phone call with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump announced the US could ease oil sanctions on some countries to combat the rise in prices brought about by the Iran war.

It wasn’t clear whether Russia would be included, but such a move could signal a significant shift for the country, which has been isolated since the start of the war with Ukraine.

Could Russia be finding its way back to the world stage – after years as a global pariah?

Jayne Secker is joined by Sky’s Moscow correspondent, Ivor Bennett.

Have you got a question for us? Email the show – why@sky.uk

Over two months, I put nine different hot brushes through daily testing to see how each performed beyond the promise of glossy marketing claims. My hair type is wavy, of medium thickness and mid-length, so it can be a challenge to style.

The models varied in both price and purpose: some were designed specifically for use on dry hair, others performed best on damp strands, and a few included multiple attachment heads for added versatility.

Each brush was scored across several metrics, beginning with design. This included how well it felt in hand, the quality of build and how intuitively the buttons and settings could be used. Usability and convenience were judged by timing how long it took to heat up, how easily it glided through sections of hair, and how quickly it created a salon-worthy finish.

Safety on the hair was tested through repeated styling sessions, noting any signs of dryness or damage. I also assessed how straightforward they were to use straight from the box, without relying on manuals, and how much technique was required to achieve a smooth blow-dry or soft curl. For those hoping to maintain results overnight, check out our guide to the best silk pillow cases.

Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended

Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don’t accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles.

All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more.

Best hot brushes of 2026

The victim suffered a broken bone in his neck in 2024

A man is wanted in connection with a crash that left a pedestrian injured in 2024. Suffolk Police were called to a crash between 11.15pm and 11.30pm on August 12, 2025 in Ehringshausen Way, near the Esso filling station, in Haverhill.

The incident involved a red Nissan Micra and a pedestrian. The car failed to stop at the scene.

The pedestrian, a man in his 30s, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment. It was revealed he sustained a broken bone in his neck.

The man was discharged from hospital three days later. However, the incident has left the man with permanent pain, and has had a significant psychological impact on him.

Suffolk Police are trying to find Dzhemal Dzhemal, 29, who they would like to speak to in connection with the incident. A police spokesperson said: “Dzhemal Dzhemal, aged 29, had been residing in Haverhill but is understood to have moved elsewhere shortly after the collision.

“Officers have made numerous enquiries to locate Mr Dzhemal, both within the UK and abroad. It is now thought that he may be living in London.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or report it online and quote reference 37/45772/24.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Peterborough, Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

The police said they are aware of social media posts appearing to pit Cambridgeshire schools against each other

Police are stepping up patrols in Cambridgeshire after concerns about social media posts that appear to pit schools against each other. Cambridgeshire Police said that they are working closely with local schools after the social media posts, which discuss gatherings of young people.

CambridgeshireLive has been made aware of social media posts circulating that divide schools into ‘red’ and ‘blue’ categories. They appear to pit schools in different categories against each other.

Cambridgeshire Police are aware of the posts. A spokesperson said that there is nothing to suggest gatherings in Cambridgeshire will take place.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We are aware of social media posts circulating online concerning gatherings of young people from local schools.

“There is nothing at this stage to suggest these gatherings are going to take place, but our officers are working closely with schools concerning content and reassurance patrols will be put in place.”

Joint pain is often dismissed as ageing, overuse or a minor injury. But for some people it is the first sign of inflammatory arthritis, a group of immune-driven conditions that can damage joints and other organs if not treated promptly.

Inflammatory arthritis can take years to diagnose and receive treatment, with some forms taking an average of nine years. During that time, persistent inflammation can lead to irreversible joint damage, fatigue and reduced mobility.

Although there is no cure, advances in medication over the past 15 years mean many people can live full and active lives. Outcomes are best when treatment begins quickly, ideally within the first three months, often described as a critical “window of opportunity”.

Inflammatory arthritis is less common than osteoarthritis and is managed in different ways. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, particularly the lining of joints. The exact cause is often unclear.

It can begin at any age, including in childhood, and often starts in the hands and feet. Some forms affect just the spine and pelvis. Other parts of the body such as the skin, eyes, heart and lungs may also be involved. Joints can become swollen, warm and tender, and many people experience morning stiffness that lasts for hours and improves with movement rather than rest.

Early symptoms can be subtle and easy to overlook. Stiffness may be blamed on sleep, swelling on overuse and fatigue on stress or ageing. This can contribute to delays in referral and specialist assessment.

How inflammatory arthritis differs from osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is different. It is strongly associated with age and most often affects people from midlife onwards, particularly in the knees, hands and hips. It usually develops gradually and becomes more common with advancing age.

Inflammatory arthritis, by contrast, is driven by the immune system and often causes prolonged morning stiffness, visible swelling and fatigue that do not improve with rest or simple activity. Although osteoarthritis is far more common globally, affecting more than 600 million people, over 18 million people live with rheumatoid arthritis, the most widely recognised form of inflammatory disease.

Despite these differences, early-stage arthritis can be difficult for healthcare professionals to distinguish. Symptoms often overlap, and no single test confirms the diagnosis. Blood tests and imaging can support assessment, but results are not always definitive. Because treatment varies depending on the type of arthritis, accurate and timely diagnosis is essential.

Medications for inflammatory arthritis aim to control the immune response and reduce inflammation. These include steroids, which are generally not suitable for long-term use, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). When introduced promptly under specialist care, these treatments can reduce symptoms and slow disease progression. Some people reach remission: inflammation is well controlled and symptoms are minimal or absent. A small proportion are even able to stop medication under specialist supervision.

Treatment for osteoarthritis focuses on managing pain and improving function. There are currently no medications that reverse the condition or target its underlying cause. Paracetamol, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, and steroid injections may help relieve symptoms. Non-drug approaches are important for both inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. These include exercise, walking aids where needed, heat and cold therapies and some complementary approaches. Lifestyle also plays a key role. Maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking and staying physically active can all improve outcomes.

Why early assessment matters – and who to see first

Reaching specialist care quickly can make a significant difference. In the UK, new roles in primary care are helping people be assessed sooner. First contact physiotherapists (FCPs) working in GP surgeries can recognise early symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and refer patients to rheumatology specialists to begin appropriate treatment. They assess people with joint and muscle problems, request tests where appropriate and provide advice on treatment and long-term outlook. If specialist care is needed, they arrange referral directly.

First contact physiotherapists have been part of UK primary care for more than a decade. Evidence suggests the role is safe, cost effective and beneficial to patients, with patients reporting high satisfaction and doctors expressing confidence in physiotherapists’ expertise.

Arthritis is a leading cause of pain, stiffness and disability worldwide. For people with inflammatory forms of the disease, delayed recognition remains one of the biggest barriers to effective treatment. Symptoms can resemble more common joint problems, slowing referral to specialist care at the point when treatment would be most effective.

If you notice persistent joint swelling, warmth or morning stiffness that lasts more than an hour or improves with movement, assessment is important. There are UK-based websites that include symptom checkers to help people understand when to seek advice. Many GP surgeries in the UK offer appointments with first contact physiotherapists, which can usually be requested directly.

Joint pain is common and often harmless. But when symptoms persist, involve visible swelling, or do not behave like typical “wear and tear”, they should not be ignored. Prompt assessment and appropriate referral give people the best chance of protecting their joints, preserving mobility and maintaining quality of life.

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%.