‌The military announced today that it was preparing to send one of its flagship aircraft carriers, the HMS Prince of Wales, to the Middle East today, a week into the US-Israeli campaign. That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember. ‌The Iran war is hugely unpopular in the UK, with recent polls showing rock-bottom support for the offensive since it began earlier this month. A ministry spokesperson said the ship being sent to the Middle East was part of the country's efforts to protect British citizens, not assist in the war effort. The war remains highly unpopular in the US as well, where Trump and his Vice President, JD Vance, recently saw the bodies of six soldiers who died fighting in Iran returned from the Middle East.

Rory McIlroy is confident of defending his Players Championship title from Thursday despite withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 35 minutes before his third round. McIlroy suffered back spasms and was unwilling to potentially put appearances at the Players and next month’s Masters at risk by taking to the course at Bay Hill. “While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back,” McIlroy said. “As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year.”

Empires have been built and demolished in Rome and English rugby suffered a seismic defeat that leaves big questions about Steve Borthwick’s future. England’s broken players gathered in a huddle on the pitch after the final whistle and Maro Itoje delivered some brow-beaten words. There were holes in their defensive line and Tommasso Menoncello ran between Joe Heyes and Sam Underhill to score. But, in the final play of the half, Smith delivered England’s standout moment. Lose in Paris next week and England could finish bottom, which does not reflect the talent Borthwick has at his disposal.

What happens to Ian Huntley's estate following his death after HMP Frankland attackIan Huntley has been confirmed dead after a brutal prison attack left him in a vegetative state. View 3 Images Ian Huntley (Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)Ian Huntley has died following a vicious prison attack that left him in a vegetative state. ‌Huntley's mother Lynda Richards is understood to have made a discreet visit to see her son in hospital following the attack, travelling 175 miles from her home in Lincolnshire. View 3 Images Ian Huntley before his arrest (Image: PA)What becomes of hi s assets now? Following his detention, Sadie was understood to have been collected, placed with new owners and assigned a different name.

Jamie and his daughter, Izzy, 27, had decided to go to Abu Dhabi to relax after she returned from two and a half years working in Thailand. But they were caught in the terrifying spread of the war in the Middle East within minutes of arrival. One security alert on his phone told him 1184 drones were fired at Abu Dhabi in one day along with eight cruise missiles. “It took six hours by road across the desert to get from Abu Dhabi, but we had to get out. The Government is trying to organise mercy flights out of the gulf states of Oman and Abu Dhabi.

The US President reacted furiously to an apology from Iran to its neighbouring countries for its air strikes. ‌Trump said the “promise was only made because of the US Israeli military attacks” and said they were being beaten “to HELL”. The 146ft B-1 Lancer at Fairford - nicknamed “Bones” by US military - are supersonic Strategic bombers which carry a huge payload. Three more B-1 Lancer aircraft have arrived at Fairford to take the total to four as the number of Brits evacuated from the Middle East rose to more than 9,000. Article continues belowMore flights to the UK from the Middle East are expected to be announced over the coming days.

Iran's stark warning to UK over RAF bases move as ambassador says facilities become 'legitimate targets'Iran's ambassador in London has warned that RAF bases used against Iran would become "legitimate targets" and urged the UK to be "careful" about its involvement in the conflictView 2 Images Smoke and flames rise after an airstrike in Tehran, Iran (Image: Getty Images)Iran has issued a stark warning to the UK, calling on officials to exercise caution regarding the nation's growing involvement in the conflict. ‌Seyed Ali Mousavi, Iran's ambassador in London, said his country would have a "right to self-defence" if Britain directly participated in US and Israeli strikes on Iran. However, despite Iran's president offering apologies to Gulf neighbours following recent missile strikes, Mousavi made it perfectly clear that Iran would continue targeting US bases should strikes on Iran continue, reports the Mirror. In an interview with the BBC, he proceeded to warn that "if facilities or properties or bases are used against the Iranian nation", they would become "legitimate targets". Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated the UK would not get involved but ultimately allowed the US to use British military bases for "defensive strikes" against Iran.

World News VideoIranian activist speaks about support for the war against the Iranian regime and hopes for its downfall

Carla Ward said Ireland’s late defeat to Netherlands was ‘sickening’, promising the benefits will be seen in the remainder of the campaign. Zero points from this opening double-header of the World Cup campaign doesn’t tell the full story as Ireland had their moments to eke out a draw in each. “It’s tough to take - sickening really,” said Ward after Lineth Beerensteyn’s winning goal eight minutes from full-time in Utrecht. “The players executed the gameplan and I thought about us winning the game after we equalised. “We should take massive pride from these two displays and push on to the next level,” added Newcastle United forward Murphy.

National Hurling League Division 1A: Limerick 3-19 Cork 0-20In the space of a fortnight, Limerick have whipped the two All-Ireland finalists by an aggregate total of 24 points. The 15-point skewering of the champions followed here by serving Ben O’Connor his first defeat as Cork manager. Whatever about where Cork and Tipp minds and bodies are at, Limerick are dialled in at present. Scorers for Cork: T O’Mahony (0-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 ‘65); T O’Connell, B Hayes (0-3 each); B Walsh, S Barrett (0-2 each); E Downey, S Kingston, A Walsh (0-1 each). LIMERICK: N Quaid; S Finn, M Casey, B Nash; D Byrnes, W O’Donoghue, K Hayes; A English, C Lynch; G Hegarty, A O’Connor, C O’Neill; A Gillane, S O’Brien, D Reidy.

Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a strike on a residential building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, on Saturday. Photograph: Sergey Kozlov/EPARussia launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight on Saturday, damaging infrastructure and killing at least 10 people, including ​two children, in the northeast city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia launched 480 drones and 29 missiles targeting the energy sector and railway infrastructure across the country. The city ⁠of Kharkiv was targeted by both Russian ​drones and missiles, and 10 people, including two children, ​were killed after a Russian ballistic missile slammed into a five-storey residential building, Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said. In Kharkiv, 15 people were also wounded, and 19 residential buildings were damaged by the Russian attacks, Syniehubov said.

Rory McIlroy has been forced to withdraw ahead of the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to muscle spasms in his back. Photograph: Orlando Ramirez/Getty ImagesRory McIlroy is confident of defending his Players Championship title from Thursday despite withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 35 minutes before his third round on Saturday. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year.”After a fine 68 on Friday, McIlroy had been four under par and in the mix at this PGA Tour stop in Florida. Rather than pursue a second Arnold Palmer Invitational win, McIlroy headed across the state to his home in West Palm Beach, where he will rest and take further medical advice before his planned arrival at Sawgrass, in the north of Florida, at the start of the week. McIlroy is due to undertake a Players press conference on Wednesday morning, when a fitness update will now be the key theme.

Lily Allen put on a very racy display in a pink silk bra as she shared behind-the-scenes Instagram snaps from her West End Girl tour on Saturday. The 40-year-old singer shared multiple shots of herself wearing lingerie as she prepared for her concert in Sheffield. Lily also shared photos of multiple outfit options for the tour, including a strapless leather bodycon dress and a pale pink jacket with a dramatic ruffled neckline. The West End Girl album is famously an ode to her ex-husband David Harbour, 50, and their acrimonious breakup. Lily unravelled the receipt dress during the song, revealing a custom Self-Portrait ruffled sheer lace bodysuit and burgundy patent hot pants underneath.

Six Nations: Italy 23 England 18Even by the Six Nations’ usual standards this has been a remarkable tournament. Entering the final half-hour it had seemed as though England might just leave Rome with their dignity intact. Italy were also growing in confidence with ball in hand, Ioane making a couple of surging runs down the left. Photograph: InphoIt was no more than Italy deserved but England, to their credit, again had an immediate answer. – GuardianSCORING SEQUENCE – 20 mins: P Garbisi pen, 3-0; 26: Freeman try 3-5; 33: Menoncello try, P Garbisi con, 10-5; 40+1: Roebuck try, F Smith con, 10-12; Half-time: 10-12; 44: F Smith pen, 10-15; 53: F Smith pen, 10-18; 56: P Garbisi pen, 13-18; 60: P Garbisi pen, 16-18; 71: Marin try, P Garbisi con, 23-18.

Smoke and flames rise from Tehran's oil refinery after air strikes in Iran on Saturday night. Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump said he has ruled out having Kurds join the Iran war. The comments were aired on Abu Dhabi TV on ​Saturday and were his first public comments since the Iranian strikes against the Gulf. Iranian attacks have killed 10 people in Israel, and at least six US service members have been killed. Hardline clerics have called for the swift selection of a new supreme leader, Iranian media reported on Saturday.