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Israelis have confidence in the country's defence systems – but some missiles are getting through
A woman scrambles down the steep embankment cradling a baby in her arms.

A man extends a hand to someone else whose step quickens. The sirens start blaring, a warning that incoming missiles are just minutes away.

We've all just pulled over at the side of a busy motorway on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

The usual rules to head down to a bunker are out of the window - all we can do is find a ditch.

That's the pattern of life in Israel right now, with alerts still ringing out through the day and night, right across the country.

After the all-clear, we realise missiles have hit neighbourhoods a couple of kilometres away from us.

We head to a built-up area where firefighters are dousing down the flames of cars that have caught fire. The local population has escaped injury.

It's quite a chaotic scene when we arrive as soldiers seal off the area, warning people to get back.

A 21-year-old woman called Keshet tells us part of an Iranian cluster bomb landed right by her home.

"There was a boom," she says. "We ran outside and saw the fire. It was like an earthquake - it was very frightening."

There's not much complacency. The war is into its third week and people have confidence in Israel's defence systems to intercept missiles.

Some are getting through and there's the other very real danger of falling debris from the skies after an interception.

Israel's defence missiles collide with the incoming missiles from Iran or Hezbollah - and the debris can land absolutely anywhere.

Kobi Hassonah is angry. He lives next door to a storage container which was destroyed in a blaze when debris fell from an intercepted missile.

When we speak to him, the acrid smell of smoke is still in the air.

"Do they [the Iranians] even know what they're aiming at?" he says. "They just fire. It landed right next to my house. Of all the places."

But that notion - that nobody wants to be the unlucky one - is largely still driving people to shelters. Safe spaces underneath their homes or beneath the ground. Not everyone has a safe room in their home.

In an underground car park, we meet 46-year-old Alex Proskurov from the city of Rishon LeZion, just south of Tel Aviv.

"We don't really care about sitting in a bomb shelter for months," he says defiantly. "As long as we finish the job once and for all."

His advice: "Don't be a hero and it's going to be fine."

Iran isn't causing large-scale casualties in Israel - unlike Israel's bombs launched on Iran and Lebanon.

But it is successfully engaging in psychological warfare.


Two people die in 'invasive' meningitis outbreak
Two people have died during an outbreak of meningitis in the Canterbury area of Kent.

In a statement, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 11 other people had fallen ill with signs of symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.

All cases were discovered in the past two days and one of those who died was a student at the University of Kent.

Antibiotics are being arranged for some students in the area, the agency said.

The statement went on: "UKHSA and the University of Kent are issuing advice to staff and students.

"Specialists at the UKHSA are interviewing affected individuals and their families to help identify all close contacts and arrange antibiotics to limit spread.

"Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, should seek medical help urgently at the closest Accident and Emergency Department or by dialling 999.

"Early treatment can be lifesaving."

The specific strain has not been identified at present.

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The University of Kent confirmed that one of their students had died in a post on social media.

A statement from the university said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that one student from the University of Kent has died following a case of invasive meningitis.

"Our thoughts are with the student's family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time.

"The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority.

"We are working closely with public health teams and are in touch with staff and students to ensure they get the advice and support they need.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and keep our community informed."

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield posted to social media: "Rumours have been flying around for a few days, but you always hope for better news to come.

"Thinking very much of those who loved these students."


Mother charged with murder after her newborn baby died in fall from residential building in London
A mother has been charged with murder after the death of her baby daughter in central London on Saturday morning.

Officers attended Horseferry Road in Westminster, after reports an infant had fallen from a height at around 7.30am.

An 18-day-old baby girl was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Zahira Byjaouane, 43, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody, the Metropolitan Police said on Sunday.

She will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

A police cordon was put in place on Saturday, covering most of Great Peter Street, just off Horseferry Road. This had been removed by Sunday morning.

Flowers and a toy animal had been left near the Peabody Estate

Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation.


Keir Starmer to unveil emergency support for households worst hit by energy price rises
Emergency help for poorer households hit by energy bills driven up by the Iran war is to be unveiled by Sir Keir Starmer.

The government says it will provide "targeted" support for families that rely on heating oil, the cost of which has risen by 80% in a week.

The prime minister is also threatening legal action, which could include fines or other financial penalties, against suppliers who rip off customers.

"It's moments like this that tell you what a government is about," the prime minister will claim at a news conference in Downing Street.

"My answer is clear. Whatever challenges lie ahead, this government will always support working people.

"That is my first instinct - my first priority - to help you with the cost of living through this crisis."

The PM will also hit out at claims that some suppliers are cancelling orders for heating oil and then "jacking up prices".

He will say: "I will not tolerate companies trying to exploit this crisis to make money from working people. If the companies have broken the law, there will be legal action."

The crackdown follows the PM's visit to Northern Ireland last week, where around 60% of households use heating oil and have seen a sharp rise in prices since the start of the war.

In a Times interview on Saturday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised "targeted" support for poorer households and said a universal bailout for every household would be unaffordable.

"I've found the money and we've worked through with MPs and others a response for people who are not protected by the energy price cap," she said.

"We are giving greater support to those who really need it."

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On Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips on Sky News, energy secretary Ed Miliband said: "We're going to fight people's corner in this conflict.

"That's why we've been saying to the petrol retailers, the heating oil companies, we're not going to tolerate price gouging. We're not going to tolerate unfair practices."

Downing Street sources claim the PM has acted in the national interest "at every turn" and is working with international allies towards a swift resolution to the war - the quickest way to stop it impacting working people.

"We will continue to work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East," the PM will say. "Because there's no question that ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living."


Bob Vylan rapper repeats 'death to the IDF' chant at Al Quds Day demonstration
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into chants of "death, death to the IDF" led by rapper Bobby Vylan at a demonstration in London.

The artist, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, was appearing as a speaker at Al Quds Day - an annual event held to show solidarity with Palestinian people - when he repeated his controversial Glastonbury chant.

The crowd at the static rally in central London on Sunday appeared to join in.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "We are aware of chanting made by a speaker at the Al Quds protest and will be investigating.

"We recognise the concern footage and chanting like this causes, particularly with London's Jewish communities.

"When this language had been used previously we sought advice from the CPS who determined that there would be insufficient evidence to take a case forward."

The force confirmed the investigation was in relation to the "death, death to the IDF" chant.

A crisis last year unfolded at the BBC after a live broadcast of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set featured the punk duo's vocalist leading a "death to the IDF" chant.

Avon and Somerset Police said a criminal investigation was underway shortly afterwards but decided in December last year that Vylan would not face further action.

"We have concluded, after reviewing all the evidence, that it does not meet the criminal threshold outlined by the CPS for any person to be prosecuted," it said.

The Met Police took no further action after investigating a video from May 2025 which appeared to show the rapper saying: "Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel."

The force said 12 arrests were made on Sunday, as the Al Quds Day demonstration and a counter-protest took place.

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Scotland Yard had braced for a "difficult public order" environment, with at least 1,000 officers drafted in.

Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: "We saw significantly fewer people attend than we had anticipated. The restrictions and conditions meant many people chose to stay away and not to attend the protest or counter-protest.

"This shows our decision to apply for the ban was the right one. A static protest meant it was easier for officers to keep the two groups apart and prevent serious public disorder."

He continued: "We made 12 arrests including for showing support for a proscribed organisation, affray and for threatening or abusive behaviour. We are also investigating chants made by a speaker at the Al Quds protest.

"As I said from the outset, the decision to ban the protest march does not set a precedent and we will continue to consider each protest on a case-by-case basis."

The Al Quds Day march is held in London annually but has drawn criticism over its organisers' apparent backing for Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Met Police obtained a ban against this year's march and organisers instead planned a static demonstration.


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