The fantasy of an easy victory in the war on Iran
The US and Israel declared regime change as their ultimate goal. That, however, would be difficult to achieve.
Inside Iran, panic as strikes hit but for some it’s a moment of relief
Iranians talk about what is happening inside the country, despite an almost total internet blackout.
It’s been decreed: something must be done about student loans in England
The education secretary wants a fairer system and the Tories have leapt in with their own plan – but why now?
For anyone who attended university in England in the last 15 or so years, the idea of student loans feeling like some sort of debt trap is hardly news. But three weeks ago, when the journalist Oli Dugmore discussed this on the BBC’s Question Time, it felt like a moment.
It was less the size of the initial debt, he explained, than the way above-inflation interest rates meant the interest charged alone was now almost as much as the original sum. “So was it mis-sold to me?” he asked, rhetorically. “Yes, I’d say so.”
Continue reading...Scenes of destruction in Iran after US-Israeli strikes
Footage from Tehran shows burned vehicles, wrecked buildings, towering plumes of smoke, and a massive crater.
Inside Israel’s ‘normal’: Triumphalism and calm mix after attack on Iran
Israel has been on high alert since it launched a wave of joint attacks with the US against Iran.
Starmer chairs Cobra meeting after strikes by US and Israel on Iran
Prime minister calls together emergency committee to decide UK’s response to latest fighting in Middle East
Keir Starmer is chairing a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra emergency committee as Britain decides how to respond to the US-Israeli bombing of Iran, and Tehran’s retaliation against bases in the Gulf.
The UK did not participate in the first wave of strikes early on Saturday but had deployed RAF Typhoons to Qatar to protect the al-Udeid airbase in the country and other allied military facilities in the region.
Continue reading...Over 50 killed in strike on girls’ elementary school in Iran
Footage from Minab, Iran, shows the aftermath of an Israeli-US strike on a girls' elementary school.
World reacts to US, Israel attack on Iran, Tehran retaliation
EU urges 'maximum restraint'; mediator Oman warns US 'not to get sucked in' further into conflict.
Man charged with criminal damage after Churchill statue sprayed with graffiti
Caspar San Giorgio to appear in court after defacing London statue with slogans including ‘Zionist war criminal’
A 38-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage after Winston Churchill’s statue outside the Houses of Parliament was sprayed with graffiti labelling the former prime minister a “Zionist war criminal”.
The Metropolitan police arrested Caspar San Giorgio, of no fixed address, shortly after 4am on Friday. He was charged in the early hours of Saturday morning and is due to appear at Highbury Corner magistrates court in London.
Continue reading...Arsenal vs Chelsea: Premier League – preview, team news, start, lineups
League leaders Arsenal desperate for a win over Chelsea to keep resurgent Manchester City at bay.
Iranian deputy minister of foreign Affairs condemns US-Israeli attacks
Iran’s deputy minister of foreign affairs condemned the US-Israeli strikes.
Debris from intercepted Iranian missile lands in Hebron
Video shows debris from an intercepted Iranian missile that landed in Hebron in the occupied West Bank.
Israel strikes two schools in Iran, killing more than 80 people
State media says Israeli attack on girls' school in the city of Minab in the south of the country kills dozens.
At least 20 killed after military plane carrying banknotes crashes in Bolivia
Police fire tear gas to disperse crowds allegedly trying to take banknotes from the crash site.
Decision to allow UK exports to Armenian firm under review over Russian links
Cygnet Texkimp was approved to export machines to Rydena, but ministers examining deal after Guardian highlighted founders’ links to Kremlin military supply chain
Ministers are reviewing a decision to allow a British company to export hi-tech equipment to Armenia after the Guardian uncovered links to the Russian military supply chain.
Cygnet Texkimp, based in Cheshire, was weeks away from exporting two machines that produce carbon fibre “prepreg”, a lightweight material that can be used in a range of civil and military applications.
Continue reading...‘Viruses don’t know borders’: US anti-vaccine rhetoric could impact global measles crisis
Experts say global measles vaccination rates are falling as Trump officials signal a deprioritization of the virus
The US government has amplified anti-vaccine rhetoric and signaled that it does not consider measles to be a priority, which could have global ramifications as countries around the world have lost or are on the brink of losing measles elimination status.
The World Health Organization announced in late January that six European countries: the United Kingdom, Spain, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan had all officially lost their measles elimination status, which means the virus has been circulating continuously in those countries for more than 12 months. In order to contain measles, at least 95% of children should be fully vaccinated against it, according to health recommendations, but vaccination rates have been falling across Europe.
Continue reading...India vs West Indies: T20 World Cup Super Eights – teams, start, lineups
Defending champions India will face fellow record winners West Indies for a place in the semifinals of the 2026 edition.
Trump’s unprovoked attack on Iran has no mandate – or legal basis
US president violates UN charter just days into his Board of Peace era, and chooses to take the biggest gamble of his administration
The first war of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace era has begun – an unprovoked attempt at regime change in collaboration with Israel, with no legal foundation, launched in the midst of diplomatic efforts to avert conflict, and with minimal consultation with Congress or the American public.
Trump’s recorded eight-minute address after the first bombs had fallen, made clear that this would be no limited strike aimed at cajoling Tehran into concessions at the negotiating table. He warned that if Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) did not surrender they would be killed, and the country’s armed forces, its missile and navy would be smashed.
Continue reading...Barcelona vs Villarreal 4-1: La Liga – as it happened
All the updates as Barcelona thrash Villarreal to move four points clear at the top of La Liga.
Israeli defence system intercepts Iranian missiles over Haifa
Israeli air defence systems intercepted Iranian missiles over Haifa, as they retaliated for US-Israeli attacks on Iran.