2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on I’ve held onto nearly 1,000 greeting cards that I can’t STAND to throw away – & they date back as far as the 1980s
*** FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE ***.Anushka Cross proudly shows off her card collection following research by Funky Pigeon which revealed 39 per cent of Brits keep every card they receive.
A WOMAN has held on to nearly 1,000 greeting cards as she can’t stand to throw them away – some date back as far as the 1980s.
Anushka Cross, 46, has filled dozens of shoe boxes with “sentimental” cards sent to her and her family for birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions.
Anushka Cross says the cards have taken over the family home she shares wit her husband and two childrenThe mum says the cards hold a special place in her heartShe says each card tells a story which studies also find to be true
She said the cards have “taken over” space at the family home in London – that she shares with her husband, aged, 45, and their two children, aged 13 and 12.
According to the mum, things like birthday cards will stay on display on the mantlepiece for months before they come down – serving as a reminder of a lovely event.
Anushka only rotates cards when there is another special occasion – saying there are always “some cards on display”.
It follows research by Funky Pigeon which revealed 39 per cent of Brits keep every card they receive – due to evoking memories of loved ones, emotional attachment and sentimental value.
With key birthdays, Christmas and wedding cards the most frequently retained – and 27 per cent have kept hold of one for more than 20 years.
Anushka, a lawyer, said: “I love greeting cards – they’ve always held a special place in my heart.
“If you look back on them, from over the years, it tells a story – who your friends were, the jokes you made, or family that might not be here.”
To save space, Anushka has spent hours crafting photo albums to store them – with one dedicated to cards from the couple’s wedding back in 2007.
She is very passionate about “reusing and recycling” and plans to repurpose some of the cards in creative ways.
Anushka has taken hole punches of every single card she’s received – collecting around 30 sandwich bags – and is designing a piece of art showcasing them.
Despite planning to do a “big clear out”, Anushka said there are many she has grown a “sentimental attachment” to.
Anushka’s love for greeting cards started in her teens – when she began holding onto birthday cards from friends and family.
Her passion grew from there and she now collects and stores every card that is sent to her or her family throughout the year.
She said: “There isn’t a time of year when a card is not being displayed, I’ve got cards from every occasion – the usual birthday and Christmas; but also, things like wedding cards, moving house, a new baby, and other celebrations.
“I have cards dating back to when I was aged 16 – probably even younger.
“I stored them in my parents’ attic for a long time, until I had to do a clear out for them.
“I couldn’t bear to get rid of them, so I just brought them to my house.”
When they’re not being displayed, Anushka tucks her cards away into about seven shoe boxes that are stored in dedicated cupboards around the house.
The research from Funky Pigeon also revealed, like Anushka, 84 per cent believe a physical card is more meaningful than any digital alternative, with 81 per cent loving to receive them on a special occasion.
With 22 per cent frequently re-reading ones they’ve received in the past.
And sending cards is still going strong, according to 86 per cent who regularly do so, according to the OnePoll data.
Christmas was seen as the most important occasion to send one for, followed by key birthdays and times requiring sympathy – but 48 per cent admit they could make more effort to remember key dates during the year.
A spokesperson from Funky Pigeon, added: “It’s great to see how sending a card can mean so much to someone.
“They can have a long-lasting impact on people’s lives – and that’s as much down to the design as the heartfelt messages they can deliver to those when they need it.”
Anushka says birthday cards will stay on display on the mantlepiece for months before they come downIf the cards are not being displayed, Anushka tucks them away into about shoe boxes that are stored in dedicated cupboards around the houseIt doesn’t look like she’ll be chucking the cards any time soon
InstagramColeen Rooney showed off the results of her jungle workouts in a bikini[/caption]
InstagramColeen wore a different red bikini in another post[/caption]
The TV personality placed a loving hand around her youngest child as she posed for the camera with a cocktail in-hand by the pool.
Taking to Instagram with the snap, she plugged Tess Daly‘s brand Naia Beach in her caption, whose £140 giraffe print co-ord she was wearing.
Coleen wrote: “Enjoying the hotel Pool post jungle!! ….Love my bikini @naia_beach @tessdaly.”
The Strictly host gushed in the comments: “Smashed it honey! You look SO STUNNING IN @naia_beach XX.”
Coleen wore a different red bikini as she plugged wellness brand Applied Nutrition with a stunning mirror selfie.
She lined up their electrolyte and vitamin powder with her jungle water bottle, writing: “@appliednutrition hydration was needed the morning after the coming out party.”
Now, the wife of former Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney, is set to launch her very own range of products in partnership with the global brand in January and industry experts say it’s about to be a game-changer for her bank balance.
But it seems Coleen’s savvy business instincts have already paid off.
Sources revealed she took her brand-new partnership with Applied Nutrition to the next level by sneaking in the brand’s hair, skin & nails capsules into the jungle.
Rumours have been swirling about how incredible Coleen looked on screen with glowing skin, shiny hair, and zero signs of the usual jungle grime.
It is believed the secret was in the collagen capsules she takes daily.
A source said: “Coleen was definitely taking the hair, skin & nails collagen capsules every day in the jungle. She was always glowing, even after weeks of gruelling trials, and there was serious buzz on social media about how great she looked.
“People are saying it’s because of the Applied Nutrition products she was sneaking in and it’s caused a massive surge in interest for them.”
The £19.95 collagen-based capsules have flown off the shelves since speculation about Coleen’s secret jungle routine began, with many fans clamouring to get their hands on the same products that helped her achieve her glowing look.
It’s no surprise that Coleen’s wellness empire is set to thrive and is set to pocket a pretty penny with her own wellness range.
Applied Nutrition, which was recently valued at a staggering £350 million, is one of the world’s fastest-growing brands in the wellness sector.
Coleen, who already holds a stake in the company, is in line to make a fortune from her investment, with her own range of products hitting shelves in early 2025.
They added: “This has been the perfect moment for Coleen to showcase the benefits of the products she is going to be promoting next year.
“There is a huge PR campaign planned around her work with Applied Nutrition. In fact, a major TV advert was recorded before she went into the jungle and it is set to air on prime time TV early in the new year.
“Coleen’s collagen capsules are going to be what every woman wants.”
The WAG shares four kids with her footballer husband: Kai, 15; Klay, 11; Kit, eight; and Cass.
Her two youngest flew out to Australia with their grandparents to support their mum, with Kit and Cass even heading into the jungle to surprise Coleen during the final week.
Fans loved seeing the two young boys on their television screens when they surprised their mum in the jungle, with many saying how they looked like “mini Waynes”.
Coleen Rooney's surprising bad habit
COLEEN Rooney has revealed the embarrassing habit hubby Wayne reckons will annoy her I’m A celebrity campmates.
She’s usually preened and perfect – but the WAG has confessed she snores.
Coleen said: “I didn’t think I snored, but Wayne says I snore.
“Not continuously though – just every now and again.
“I have been in the public eye for over 20 years now and people take what they want from it.
“I do think people will get a better idea of what kind of person I am.”
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Luigi Mangione riddle as cops say ‘no sign’ assassin suspect was EVER a client of UnitedHealthcare – whose CEO was shot
LUIGI Mangione, the suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin, had never used the insurance company, police revealed.
This shocking disclosure has deepened questions into possible motivations behind the coldblooded murder.
AlamyLuigi Mangione has been accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson[/caption]
RexUnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson was shot outside of a New York City hotel[/caption]
The Mega AgencyPolice have revealed Mangione was never a client of the insurance company[/caption]
The Ivy League graduate, who became the subject of a mass manhunt overnight, has been accused of shooting health insurance boss Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4.
He was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a worker sounded the alarm to cops.
Theories into Mangione’s suspected actions include a myriad of health issues he was thought to have experienced.
Despite this, an NYPD chief revealed cops had “no indication” Mangione was ever a client of the country’s biggest health insurance provider.
NYPD Chief of Detectives, Joseph Kenny, shared his prediction as to why Thompson was targeted, according to NBC affiliate WNBC.
Kenny said: “We have no indication that he was ever a client of United Healthcare, but he does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America.
“So that’s possibly why he targeted that that company.”
The mystery into the suspect’s possible motivations has deepened following a series of online posts by Mangione about health issues.
The 26-year-old ranted on Reddit, under the user name Mister_Cactus, about changing his diet due to IBS, battling chronic back pain, and restless sleep.
Mangione said: “When my spondy went bad on me last year (23M) it was completely devastating as a young athletic person.
“Seemingly all I could read on the internet was that I was destined to chronic pain and a desk job for the rest of my life.
“That representation was terrifying, inaccurate, and completely destroyed me until I realized the silent majority of fusions are highly successful.”
In February this year, Mangione posted saying he had surgery six months earlier to fix his back, and included an X-ray image of four screws implanted into his spine on his X page.
His former classmates revealed Mangione had surgery after his back was injured in a surfing accident.
Kenny added that this injury could have sent Mangione over the edge.
The NYPD officer said: “So the injury that he suffered was, was a life-changing, life-altering injury, and that’s what may have put him on this path.”
Mangione’s friends and family revealed that the private school educated valedictorian had become secluded and changed recently.
Mangione’s booking photo after he was arrested by policeThe Mega AgencyTwitterThe 26-year-old had posted an image of an X-ray that showed he had four screws in his spine[/caption]
Police revealed his family filed a missing persons report with San Francisco authorities last month.
Mangione’s Former high school classmate Aaron Cranston told The New York Times the suspect’s family had reached out to some of his friends to ask if they knew where he was.
Some friends also posted to his X account in an attempt to contact him.
One person wrote in October: “Nobody has heard from you in months.”
Who is Luigi Mangione?
MANGIONE, 26, was regarded as a beloved, clever and wealthy man by his family, friends and all who knew him.
He was born and raised in Maryland where he was valedictorian of his high school graduating class at Gilman School in Baltimore.
He had no prior criminal history and was said to have been a model student, footballer and all-round athlete at high school.
One former student from the Gilman School told The U.S. Sun Mangione was “popular” and had a “big circle of friends.”
The former student, who asked not to be identified, said: “We went to the same school but didn’t really have the same friends. I’m really shocked by this whole thing.
“I think he played soccer, it was an all-boys school, so being a good athlete got you social currency for sure.”
After, Mangione graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Computer and Information Science, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He also got his masters from the Ivy League school.
Mangione was reportedly a data engineer at a car company in California before moving to Hawaii.
His cousin is also Republican Maryland House of Delegates member Nino Mangione.
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on A £10 cosy Lidl buy will help you keep the heating off and is a dupe for £65 Oodie
LIDL is launching a range of cosy Middle Aisle buys this week – including an Oodie blanket dupe that costs under a tenner.
The Silentnight Snugsie Wearable Blanket usually sells for £20, but Lidl shoppers can snap it up for just £9.99 starting next Thursday.
LidlThe bargain winter warmer is on sale from next week[/caption]
The super soft teddy fleece sleeved blanket is a great dupe for the Oodie and should keep you toasty over the winter months.
It has a handy foot pocket to keep your toes warm too and is super sized for extra comfort.
Plus, it transforms into a teddy fleece cushion for easy storage and is machine washable.
This appears to be the cheapest price for the blanket, which is currently discounted at £17, down from £20, on the Silentnight website.
If you would prefer to shop online for it, Amazon has it on sale in four different colours for £11.04.
Elsewhere, you can get the sage green version for £12.99 at Boots, or the silver one for £12.99 at Wilko.
Reviewers on Argos say the blanket is “really snug and warm” and does “just the job to snuggle up at night and watch TV”.
One shopper said: “I bought this to keep warm in the evenings while watching TV and it really works. i have not, yet, had to turn on the central heating although the temperature is only 14.5 i am as warm as toast.”
Another said they would recommend it to friends and family.
However, some reviewers said other wearable blankets on the market were better quality.
One said the product was “lovely and soft” but “sheds terribly on the furniture”.
Still, at £9.99 in Lidl, the Silentnight blanket is a steal compared with other wearable blankets.
The popular Oodie blanket usually goes for £65, although you can currently get it in the sale for £32.50.
Other dupes for the Oodie include Dunelm‘s Teddy Oversized Blanket Hoodie for £16 – which has an impressive average of 4.8 stars out of 5 across 1,270 reviews.
Mountain Warehouse sells a Snug Borg Lined Hooded Blanket which is currently on sale for a huge discount – £19.99 down from £59.99.
In M&S you can find the Teddy Fleece Hooded Lounge Cardigan for £22.40, also on sale and down from £28.
Another budget option is The Range’s Sienna Sherpa Hoodie Blanket, which is on sale for £11.98.
With the nights getting colder and energy bills expected to rise again in January, now could be a good time to invest in some winter warmer gadgets so you can leave the heating off.
Many of Lidl’s Middle Aisle buys hitting shelves next week are aimed at keeping you toasty, and they include the Silvercrest Personal Care Heated Electric Cushion at £17.99 and hand warmers for £1.49 (or two for £2).
You can also snap up a Sensiplast Hot Water Bottle for £3.99, or the Silvercrest Personal Care Electric Hot Water Bottle for £9.99.
Which winter-warming gadgets you should try – as tested by our editor
The Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket is one of the cheaper ones on the market, but Lana gave it 4/5 stars and said she was “amazed at how toasty” she felt.
The blanket has three heat settings and should cost you just 1p an hour in energy on a low setting.
Dreams is currently selling the blanket in its clearance sale online for £15.
Another of Lana’s favourites was the £40 Teddy Electric Throw from Dunelm, which she also gave four stars.
She said the device was a “revelation” and “took the edge off the winter’s chill”.
For a budget option, she recommends Aldi’s foot warmers – which cost just £4.99 and earned a huge five stars from Lana.
She said the device is “effectively a hot water bottle with pockets to put your feet in” and works especially well if you’re also wearing a blanket.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
With the cold weather and dark evenings firmly set in, nothings beats warming up with a nice hot drink!
It’s even been proven that a hot chocolate drink with dark chocolate genuinely has a warming effect on the body.
With hot chocolate a popular options for many, Sun Bingo has put together this round up of articles that contain all the information you need to make yourself the best hot chocolate of the season.
Prefer to buy your hot drinks? There’s also a review of the best high street hot chocolates as well.
Hot chocolate powder reviews
To get things going, you’ll need to have a hot chocolate powder… but which to pick?
It takes 2 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook. With a recipe that includes pinches of salt and cinnamon, you might just feel like you’re in the middle of a Hallmark Christmas movie when drinking this hot chocolate.
High street hot chocolate reviews
Making your own hot chocolate can be great. However, when it comes to convenience, you can’t beat quickly picking up a high street hot drink.
One hot chocolate super-fan has volunteered as tribute to taste test six different chains’ takes on the classic winter drink.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
About the author
Katrina Vasey - Bingo Editor, The Sun
After graduating from Southampton University with a degree in English Literature, Katrina Vasey worked as a Content Editor for Law Business Research’s publication the International Law Office. Katrina joined The Sun in 2022 as the Bingo Editor, covering the four gaming platforms: Sun Bingo, Fabulous Bingo, Sun Vegas and Fabulous Vegas.
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on The 9 early signs of diabetes to watch out for over Christmas – from bad breath to feeling extra impatient
AS CHRISTMAS gives us licence to indulge in abundant food and drink, it’s not unusual to conk out on the sofa after a large meal or wake up from a boozy night feeling dizzy.
It’s likely your symptoms are caused by scoffing mince pies or guzzling mulled wine – but they might also be early warning signs of type 2 diabetes.
Conking out during the day might be a sign of Christmas excesses – but it could be more serious if you’re experiencing extreme fatigue
Millions of people in the UK are currently living with the condition, but many have no idea they have it.
But a strange oral smell is also common in diabetes sufferers.
Depending on its exact cause, it can smell like anything from rotten eggs or apples to sweet pear drops.
Others compare the odour to acetone or nail varnish remover.
3. Being unusually thirsty
Feeling excessively thirsty is common after a heavy Christmas night out, but it is also a key indicator of diabetes.
It’s a result of the blood sugar imbalance caused by the condition.
4. Tiredness
With all the parties and family gatherings, it’s easy to feel exhausted around Christmas.
But extreme fatigue could suggest something more serious is going on.
While your tiredness could have many causes, it might be worth speaking to your GP about whether diabetes could be behind it.
5. Cuts taking longer to heal
If cut yourself while chopping vegetables or wrapping presents and the wound takes longer than normal to heal, that could be another sign you may have diabetes.
When the condition is uncontrolled, it can cause blood to move more slowly, making it tricky for the body to deliver nutrients to wounds.
As a result, injuries can heal more slowly than usual, or not at all.
6. Dizziness
Dizziness is a classic Christmas hangover symptom.
But it is also reported by many people with diabetes because of low or high blood sugar and dehydration.
7. Aggression, irritability and impatience
Research suggests blood sugar changes can significantly impact your mood.
Therefore, some people with diabetes, whether diagnosed or not, experience irritability, aggression or impatience.
Spending time with your in-laws can definitely bring this on over the dinner table, but if it is particularly out of character for you or happens regularly, consider speaking to a healthcare professional.
Whether diabetes or not, there could be a simple explanation – and solution.
8. Nervousness or anxiety
Anxiety symptoms may be mistaken for symptoms of low blood sugar, and vice versa.
For example, a pounding heart, confusion, shaking, sweating, dizziness, headache, and nausea are symptoms of both hypoglycaemia and panic attacks.
Research suggests that anxiety affects about 40 per cent of people with diabetes.
9. Weight loss without trying
Most people stuff their faces over Christmas, and their clothes feel a little tighter come January.
So if you find your jeans actually seem looser in the New Year, it could be worth getting checked out.
Diabetes can cause rapid weight loss because when you lose sugar through frequent urination, you also lose calories.
This, along with dehydration, can trigger weight loss.
Other common diabetes symptoms, less specific to the festive period, are:
Thrush or itchy genitals
Confusion
Hunger
Difficulties with coordination, concentration and decision making
Personality and behavioural changes
Blurry vision
Dark spots on your skin
Some people are more at risk than others.
Dr Patel said: “Generally, people who are overweight or obese are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“Specifically, people with an unhealthy waistline measurement and those who store too much fat around their pancreas and liver can be at high risk.
“Certain ethnicities also have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“People from Black African, African Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds are generally at a higher risk.”
How to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes
According to Diabetes UK, there are a few diet tweaks you can make to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes:
Choose drinks without added sugar – skip out the sugar in your tea and coffee and stay away from fizzy and energy drinks
Eat whole grains such as brown rice, wholewheat pasta, wholemeal flour, wholegrain bread and oats instead of refined carbs
Cut down on red and processed meat like bacon, ham, sausages, pork, beef and lamb
Eat plenty of fruit and veg – apples, grapes, berries, and green leafy veg such as spinach, kale, watercress, and rocket have been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
Have unsweetened yoghurt and cheese
Cut down on booze – and have a few days a week with none at all
Have healthy snacks like unsweetened yoghurt, unsalted nuts, seeds and fruit and veg
Eat healthy fats included in nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil
Cut down on salt
Get your vitamins and minerals from food instead of tablets
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to get them checked by a doctor.
“Diabetes can be very dangerous if it goes untreated,” Dr Patel said.
“Most complications build up over time but others can present at any point.”
Diabetes complications include:
Sight loss
Foot problems, like chronic ulcers
Heart attack
Stroke
Kidney problems
Nerve damage
Gum disease
Sexual difficulties
But if your diabetes is properly managed, you should be able to live a healthy and normal life, Dr Patel added.
You can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by choosing a healthy lifestyle.
“One of the biggest factors that can help is losing weight,” Dr Patel said.
“This can be done through increasing your physical activity and eating healthier balanced meals.
“If your waist size is over 31.5in for a woman or 37in for a man, you may want to consider losing weight to reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
“Two other key lifestyle improvements that can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes are quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol.
“Both smoking and excessive drinking have been linked to increased risk of developing the disease and smoking has been shown to increase the risk of complications if you do develop type 2 diabetes.”
Type 1 vs type 2 diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, which causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce the hormone insulin.
It affects around 344,000 people in the UK.
Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is far more common, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the 4.4million adults with diabetes.
It occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to it properly.
There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.
But you may be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese, eat unhealthily, have a family history of the condition, take certain medications for a long time, have high blood pressure, and have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
People of Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin are also at increased risk.
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Israel preparing blitz on ‘isolated & weak’ Iran’s nuke bases after wiping out Assad’s military in wave of 480 strikes
ISRAEL is preparing to blitz Iran’s nuclear bases in a joint mission with the US while Iran is “isolated and weak”.
Israel has been considering strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme for years, and senses now could be the right timeAFPEPANetanyahu’s military has wiped out 85% of Assad’s old military, clearing the way for strikes on Iran[/caption]
AFPIsrael decimated the remains of President Assad’s military this week, including at Qamishli, pictured here[/caption]
Netanyahu’s government has now confirmed it will capitalise on the rare opportunity to strike Iran after the Islamic nation’s allies have been dropping like flies.
Israel has taken out 85 per cent of the anti-aircraft systems in Syria with a wave of 480 strikes, according to sources from the country, giving it total superiority in the skies.
Syria under the dictator Assad was Iran’s closest ally, so Iran is much more isolated and vulnerable now his evil regime has been cleaned out.
Iran’s puppet group in Lebanon, Hezbollah, is also incredibly weak after a damaging conflict with Israel, which further clears the way for decisive action.
Israel has been considering strikes on Iran’s dangerous nuclear programme for years but has held off, partly because the US has always warned against it.
An international security expert told The Sun in October that the time was “now” for Israel to disable Iran’s threat, and developments since then have only improved the opportunity.
David Albright, the Founder of the Institute for Science and International Security, told The Sun that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “legitimate targets” for Israel, because there were genuine fears of Iran ramping up its nuclear production.
Those fears are growing even stronger now that Iran is weakened, because it may be more desperate than ever to develop nuclear weapons because it feels so threatened.
Iran has always denied it is trying to develop nuclear weapons and says its space program and nuclear activities are for civilian purposes.
However, US intelligence discovered that Iran had an organized military nuke programme until, and Israel believes the mission was never truly abandoned.
AFPAli Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, is thought to be overseeing a military nuclear programme[/caption]
Israel’s plan is also forming amid concerns that ISIS could stage a comeback by exploiting the current lack of government and structure in Syria.
The US has not confirmed it will join Israel’s anti-nuclear mission, but incoming President Trump is said to be “weighing options” to buckle Iran’s nuclear project – and airstrikes are on the table.
This would mark a step-up from the US, which has long held a policy of avoiding direct military action against Iran.
Trump and Israeli prime minister Netanyahu have spoken since the American’s sweeping election victory, and Trump has made clear he wants to avoid an Iranian “breakout” during his presidency.
He is also keen to avoid triggering a war that involves the United States, however.
The government-in-waiting is currently working on a “maximum pressure 2.0” plan, which will involve the kind of firm sanctions against Iran Trump oversaw in his first term.
Gabriel Noronha, who worked on Iran policy in Trump’s first government, said: “There is strong support [for Trump’s team] for Israel to take military action as they deem in their interests.”
“Iran does not have much room to go before they hit [Israel’s] red lines, and they still seem intent on escalating further.”
Israel is sensing this opportunity after it launched a barrage of strikes on the dregs of Assad’s military in Syria.
The strikes from the skies began at the weekend and continued this week in order to stop the weapons “falling into terrorist hands”.
The preventative attacks were concentrated in western and southern Syria, near Damascus, and targeted both air and naval bases.
Most of Assad’s naval fleet at the port of Latakia was obliterated, and dozens of sea-to-sea missiles destroyed here.
Israel’s airforce also took out an ammunition convoy near the Qamishli airbase thought to house Iranian missiles.
A research centre with links to chemical weapons – which Assad is known to have used against his own people in 2012 – was also targeted.
ReutersMilitary ships at the Syrian port Latakia destroyed by Israel’s airstrikes earlier this week[/caption]
GettyIncoming US president Donald Trump is said to be weighing up the option of strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites[/caption]
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Archie Goodwin stars as Adelaide thump Mariners 4-0
Adelaide have continued their unbeaten start to the season and posted their first win in Gosford since 2019 with a crushing 4-0 win over Central Coast.
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Big Bash League: Five burning Perth Scorchers questions answered ahead of first match of the season
We’re just two days out from Perth Scorchers’ first match of the season - but there’s plenty still up in the air. Here are the BBL powerhouse’s burning questions for the new campaign.
