McDonald's adds new fee to orders: 'Dude like $15 of your order is fees'

 McDonald's has been under fire for hiking prices lately, and for one group of customers, the chain's burgers and fries are getting particularly expensive.

The fast food giant boasts its own 'McDelivery' service - available no matter how many items are in the order.

But one customer's small order, and subsequent added delivery fee, has left Reddit users fuming. 

On Reddit, the McDonald's diner noticed a strange charge attached to their delivery order. Separate from the standard delivery and service fees, there was an added 'small order fee' tagged on for $3.50.

'Literally used my employee discount, and it's still cheaper through DoorDash because of this stupid... fee,' they wrote. 'I've never seen this before in my life.'

Some customers noted that at $3.50, the Reddit user could've added another menu item to essentially 'save' money on the fast food.

'Probably because the subtotal was less than $15,' one Reddit user said. 'A lot of places, if not most, do this sort of fee for delivery. I usually just find something small that'll cover it, so I at least won't be paying for NOTHING.'

'I always get BOGO double cheeseburgers and I found out yesterday they are charging 50 cents to add mayonnaise to a burger now,' another noted. 'Needless to say, that turned me away and I ate at home. So much for trying to expand value. Seems to just be at my closest location though, other ones it doesn't charge.'

Customers who purchase food on the McDonald's app have access to deals and discounts, even for delivery orders.

These 'small order' charges are nothing new for the McDonald's app. The company first introduced this fee in November 2022, with customers needing to reach a $12 threshold to ditch it. 

While DoorDash does not have a dedicated 'small order fee,' it does charge customers fees for their McDonald's delivery service. 

In New York, there's an additional $1.99 delivery fee, a $3 service fee and a $1.99 'NYC Regulatory Response Fee' on a $5.29 McChicken order on DoorDash. With taxes, as well as fees, that $5.29 McDonald's sandwich becomes $12.74.

'At DoorDash, our approach to fees is guided by foundational principles including fairness and transparency,' a spokesperson said. 'There are no hidden fees, junk fees or surprises at checkout. We're upfront on pricing. You will always see what you will pay, including fees, before you ever checkout.' 

Other food delivery services, like Postmates and Uber Eats boast a similar delivery fee policy.

The Daily Mail previously reported on an investigation found that UK customers buying everyday items on Uber Eats were typically paying at least 20 percent more.

Small delivery fee aside, McDonald's is trying to win back customers with new additions to their menu.

In 2026, McDonald's debuted its 'biggest ever burger' in the US, the Big Arch, complete with three slices of white processed cheese, crispy and fresh onions, pickles, lettuce and a brand-new tangy 'Big Arch' sauce in a sesame and poppy-seed bun.

The small delivery order fee wouldn't be the first time McDonald's was accused of sneakily raising prices. 

McDonald's came under fire in 2024 when a now-viral social media post showing Big Mac combos costing $18 or more became the poster child for post-pandemic price hikes for fast food.

The chain introduced a $5 meal deal that summer and worked with US franchisees to lower combo-meal prices. The 'value menu' remains a welcome addition to McDonald's menus nationwide. 

'McDonald's is not going to get beat on value and affordability,' Kempczinski said during an investor call at the time. 

McDonald's remains one of the world's largest franchises, but it is now longer the biggest after being dethroned by Chinese cafe chain Mixue Ice Cream & Tea.

Trump’s Gulf allies push to have their concerns addressed before Iran war ends

 Before the Iran war, US President Donald Trumps Gulf Arab allies lobbied hard against strikes, fearing the attacks Tehran is now unleashing on them. As the war drags on, they fear a quick exit could leave them worse off than before it began.

Over the past week, as momentum toward negotiations to end the war has grown, Gulf Arab officials have stated openly that Iran’s military capabilities, used to punish them for the US and Israel’s actions, cannot remain intact in any future regional order. While the perceived nuclear threat still looms, they see Iran’s missiles as a more urgent risk.

Saudi Arabia wants Tehran’s cruise and ballistic missile capabilities degraded “as much as possible,” before the war ends, a regional official familiar with the Saudi position told CNN, while the United Arab Emirates believes it would be “difficult” for the region to continue to live with an Iranian missile and drone program, according to same official..

The message from the Iran war “has become very clear,” Anwar Gargash, adviser to the UAE president, said last week.

“Our thinking does not stop at a ceasefire, but rather turns toward solutions that ensure lasting security” in the Gulf, he said, including addressing Iran’s “nuclear threat, missiles, drones, and the bullying of the straits.”

“It is inconceivable that this aggression should turn into a permanent state of threat,” he added in a post on X Sunday.

US officials say they are seeking similar objectives.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said this month the goal is to “destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure.”

Rewriting Regional Security

Iranian officials have said that the majority of their firepower has been used against neighboring Arab states, which has baffled regional leaders who insist they played no role in the war and actively lobbied against it. As the war progressed, Tehran accused several Gulf Arab states of allowing the US to use their territories to launch attacks onto the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s demands have also changed throughout the war, with Iranian officials saying they demand a new status quo in the region which includes formalizing Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations and a shift in the decades-old alliances between Gulf Arab states and the US. It has also threatened to expand its attacks against its Arab neighbors.

The New York Times on Tuesday cited American officials saying Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been pushing Trump to continue the war against Iran, arguing that it presents a “historic opportunity” to remake the Middle East.

The public messaging from Saudi Arabia however remains focused on de-escalation.

A senior Saudi official told CNN that Riyadh “remains supportive” of a peaceful resolution to this conflict, as it has before the war began.

“Our primary concern today is to defend ourselves from the daily attacks on our people and our civilian infrastructure,” the official said. “We remain in close contact with the Trump administration, and our commitment remains unchanged.”

Qatar, whose LNG production has come to a complete halt because of Iran’s attacks, has also insisted that any solution to the war must take into consideration the interests of the Arab neighbors that Iran has struck.

“There has to be a role from our countries in rewriting the regional security system in line with our strategic interests,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari told a briefing Tuesday.

Public Enemy Number One

US-Israeli attacks on Iran have killed more than 1,750 people and injured more than 20,000 since they started four weeks ago, according to an Iranian official.

Iran has responded by launching thousands of projectiles at cities across neighboring Arab states, shattering the stability the region had long. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has effectively blocked shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz, depriving Iran’s neighbors of billions of dollars in revenue from energy exports.

Iranian attacks have led to the deaths of more than 25 people and injured more than 200 across the Gulf, according to figures released by the respective governments. The UAE has suffered the heaviest casualties in the Gulf region.

Trump has been adamant that the US and Israel have already won the war. This week, he indicated that Washington could soon begin negotiations with Tehran, possibly in Pakistan, even as the US prepares to deploy additional troops to the Middle East in the coming days, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Over the past few years, Gulf Arab states had moved to significantly improve relations with Iran, but experts say the ferocity of Tehran’s attacks against them has given new life to the notion that the Islamic Republic remains their most formidable threat. An Iranian regime left intact after this war, with control of the Strait of Hormuz and an emboldened IRGC capable of striking at will energy facilities, is their worst nightmare.

“Saudi and the rest of the Gulf countries have a very specific interest in whatever agreement might be reached between the US and Iran,” Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center, told CNN. “There has to be a structured guarantee that this will not happen again.”

Gulf Arab countries are now facing the “ugly” side Iran that is run by the IRGC, said Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a political scientist from the UAE.

Today, Iran is “public enemy number one” to Gulf Arab states, Abdulla said. “It’s not a terrorist state, but it is run by a terrorist organization.”

“This is an ugly Iran that we are confronted with, and it is the duty of everybody, not just America to… not surrender and do not let this (Iran) go away without being punished.”

Car SOS host admits major issue with 'all modern cars'

 Car SOS star Fuzz Townshend has revealed owners are likely to encounter one serious issue with modern vehicles that separates them from older classics. The host of the popular car restoration show explained that more modern cars are harder for mechanics to work on due to the increase in electronics.

He stressed that bringing older vehicles back up to scratch relied solely on manpower, such as welding and panel beating. However, he explained that more modern vehicles have a lot of complicated electronics which could make it difficult for non-specialists to get their hands dirty.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Fuzz said: "You need to be or have an electronic expert to hand if you're working on more modern cars.

"You've got to understand electronics. There's no point going in there saying 'I can do all the mechanical things. I can weld, I can panel beta, I can thread a wire from one side of the car to the other'. You've got to understand more than that. That's where I'm learning but I'll never know enough."

Modern cars are now complex electronic systems packed with numerous Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to control almost every element of the car. Modern vehicles can feature over 100 ECUs, with just one single fault having the potential to impact multiple systems in a major blow.

Electronic components now run everything from the car's powertrain to infotainment, system and road safety tech. It means mechanics must now have a background in advanced software tools to operate things such as VIN-locked module replacements and pair new components.

However, more high-tech cars often bring higher bills as motorists cannot easily fix issues at home like they could with older cars. This is because certain jobs will require the skills of specialized technicians or be locked behind specific dealer software.

The duo is used to fixing classics but has tried their hands at two more modern vehicles in the latest series of Car SOS airing this Spring. The pair get to work on a 2001 Mercedes SLK 230 2001 that until now had been locked away, plagued by mechanical problems.

Later in the series, Fuzz and co-host Tim Shaw also get to work on restoring a 2000 Land Rover Defender struggling with severe rot, a full gearbox and a drivetrain rebuild.

Britain doesn’t need a new nuclear deterrent: It needs a better one

 Last week, before party members gathered at the Liberal Democrats’ spring conference in York, Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, called for the UK to rethink its nuclear deterrent.

His argument was clear: while Britain should continue to rely on Trident in the near term, it ought to begin building a fully sovereign nuclear capability to replace it by the 2040s, ending our dependence on the United States.

Considering the mercurial nature of Donald Trump’s administration, many will agree that he was right to draw attention to this matter.

Davey was also right to point out that the UK’s deterrent relies heavily on US support. Although the UK manufactures its own nuclear warheads and submarines, it leases the Trident missiles to ensure its warheads can reach their targets. These are held in a common pool in the US and loaded on to Royal Navy submarines.

It’s important to stress that reliance is not control. The decision to fire Trident missiles rests with the Prime Minister – nobody can intervene once the UK makes the decision to launch.

Continuous at-sea deployment of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines remains the most credible, survivable and effective deterrent. It underpins Britain’s global standing and provides the ultimate guarantee of national security.

There is a strong case for ensuring that the system is entirely domestically produced.

However, doing so risks diluting the “certainty” of the UK’s deterrent at a time of profound global instability. Walking away from a system built over decades would undermine Britain’s security, not enhance it. Focusing on replacing Trident, therefore, risks answering the wrong question.

The UK’s deterrence problem is immediate, not hypothetical. The challenge is not what might happen in the 2040s but whether the UK deterrent remains credible in the years ahead – when adversaries like Russia and China are becoming more aggressive.

Spending decades chasing a replacement would only distract from the urgent need to shore up our current capabilities.

The real issue is not sovereignty, but flexibility of response. Since the late 1990s, the UK has lacked sub-strategic nuclear options: the capabilities that allow states to signal intent, escalate proportionately and strike military targets without resorting to full-scale, strategic nuclear use. Without them, deterrence becomes blunt and difficult to apply outside an existential threat.

The problem is not Trident itself, it is that Trident is all that Britain has.

The strategic landscape is now shifting. Across Europe, nuclear questions have returned to the centre of defence policy. The Kremlin is seen to be deliberately undermining regional stability through explicit nuclear coercion, while some European governments are discussing gaining their own weapons.

The recent offer of “forward deterrence” from French president Emmanuel Macron – although more dressing than substance – reflected a renewed focus on escalation and nuclear signalling.

The UK sits awkwardly within this environment. It is one of only two nuclear Nato powers in Europe, yet, unlike France, its deterrent is highly rigid – a problem that is becoming more and more acute.

Besides its strategic nuclear force, France still possesses sub-strategic nuclear forces that it can fire from aircraft. These smaller nuclear weapons allow France to fire a warning shot in the event of escalation, ostensibly to prevent a full exchange. This provides greater flexibility and security.

Britain’s conventional forces are also under pressure, with naval capacity and personnel both in decline. Rebuilding will take time and sustained investment. During that period, nuclear forces will carry a greater share of the burden, yet the UK still lacks credible options between conventional force and full-scale nuclear escalation.

Rebuilding the missing rungs on the escalation ladder is the central challenge for the UK’s defence policy, not whether Britain’s strategic deterrent should be fully independent by the 2040s.

Every pound diverted into making Trident fully sovereign is a pound not spent on rebuilding conventional strengths or developing a sub-strategic nuclear capability. In a future crisis, the choice may therefore be stark: absorb an attack or escalate to strategic nuclear use. This is not a credible deterrent posture.

Initially, a British sub-strategic nuclear force could involve more F-35As armed with a British nuclear bomb or missile, but later, it could employ the Tempest airframe being developed under the Global Combat Air Programme, which is expected to deliver a sixth-generation combat aircraft (or a combination of both aircraft).

A sub-strategic nuclear capability would not be cheap, but it is a far more timely and relevant response. It addresses the gap that the UK faces now rather than a hypothetical one in the future, while also enhancing sovereign control and options.

Davey is right that the UK must think seriously about its nuclear future, but full independence is not the priority. Credible deterrence is. This requires a sub-strategic nuclear deterrent, delivered at speed and at the lowest possible cost.

GBA at 10: unity, growth and boundless possibilities

 News report from South: The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) was included in the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, as well as in China's Government Work Report.

The development of the GBA has been featured in China's Five-Year Plan for three consecutive periods and written into the Government Work Report for ten consecutive years.

In 2016, China's 13th Five-Year Plan initiated the goal of "promoting the construction of the GBA and major cross-provincial cooperation platforms."

Statistics show that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's economy has expanded by 60% between 2016 and 2025.

In just one decade, the GBA—occupying less than 0.6% of China's land—has grown into an economic powerhouse, contributing one-ninth of the nation's GDP.

From landmark infrastructure and policy breakthroughs to cross-border collaboration and people-to-people bonds, this is the story of a vision realized and a future unfolding. Click on this video to recap these memorable 10 years.

Molicel Achieves RBA Silver Status, Setting a New Benchmark for Ethical Battery Manufacturing

 Molicel is proud to announce that our plant has officially been awarded Silver Status by the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). This prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone in Molicel's journey toward global sustainability and ethical supply chain leadership.

The RBA is the world's largest industry coalition dedicated to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in global supply chains. Achieving Silver Status means Molicel's plant underwent a rigorous Validated Assessment Program (VAP)—a high-standard third-party onsite audit.

The RBA Silver Status certification reflects Molicel's comprehensive compliance across five essential pillars of the RBA Code of Conduct. By integrating high standards for Labor and Health and Safety, we ensure the fair treatment and physical well-being of every team member through world-class safety protocols. Furthermore, our commitment to Environmental Stewardship and Ethics drives us to minimize our ecological footprint and uphold the highest business integrity, including responsible mineral sourcing. All these efforts are anchored by robust Management Systems that guarantee long-term compliance and a culture of continuous improvement.

In an era where the "Green Transition" is paramount, the RBA Silver Status serves as a powerful symbol of trust for Molicel's global partners in the EV, eVTOL, aerospace, and AI data center sectors.

"Attaining RBA Silver Status is a testament to our commitment to 'Power with Responsibility,'" said Casey Shiue, President of Molicel. "As we scale our production to meet the demands of the world's most advanced technologies—from humanoid robotics to high-end energy storage—we ensure that every cell we produce is backed by ethical practices and social integrity."

For Tier-1 global clients, this certification provides the transparency and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) assurance required to build long-term, sustainable partnerships in today's highly regulated global market.

Who is eligible for Starmer’s £53m heating oil support package?

 The government has announced a £50 million financial aid package to assist households struggling with soaring heating oil costs.

Heating oil prices have at least doubled in the past week due to volatility in the Middle East, exacerbated by Iran's warnings regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Approximately 1.5 million mainly rural UK households rely on heating oil, with 62.5% of homes in Northern Ireland using it, making them particularly vulnerable to price spikes.

Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil is not covered by Ofgem's price cap, leaving customers exposed to immediate cost increases.

The funding will be distributed to devolved governments, with £17 million allocated to Northern Ireland, £27 million to England, £4.6 million to Scotland, and £3.8 million to Wales, alongside plans for new consumer protections.

People 'high up' in the White House oppose Trump's war with Iran: MTG

 Former MAGA Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said on Monday that she’d spoken to senior White House officials whom she claimed, in some cases, privately opposed Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

The revelation comes as Greene, formerly one of Trump’s biggest backers in Congress, has issued withering criticism of the president over his decision to launch military strikes in Iran. A member of the GOP’s isolationist wing, Greene has consistently opposed U.S. commitments in foreign conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.

Greene told The Situation Room co-anchors Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown that a generational divide increasingly exists within the president’s MAGA base, with younger voters and Gen X Republicans like herself viewing the conflict as being waged on Israel’s behalf.

“Many of the older Americans from the baby boomer generation that watch Fox News all day long very much believe the talking points on Fox News, and they, you know, they’ve spent decades of their lives convinced that fighting these wars is the right thing to do. But the younger generations – I’m Gen X – millennials and Gen Z are very much against this war, and so when you talk to people on the ground, that’s how it comes across,” said Greene. “It’s very generational.”

“Younger generations want to be able to afford their American lives, and they don’t want their taxpayer dollars shipped off [overseas],” Greene continued.

She was quick to blame the president for abandoning his “America First” agenda, pointing out that the president had first broken with her last summer over the vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files held by the Department of Justice. Trump, Greene said, had “perverted” the MAGA brand into something that “nobody wants.”

“This is absolutely absurd, and it’s 100% a betrayal to what MAGA was supposed to be when we voted in 2024, and it’s turned into some perverted, deranged version of MAGA now that nobody wants,” said Greene.

The former MAGA congresswoman was asked in the interview about the reported opposition of Vice President JD Vance to Trump’s military operation in Iran. Greene responded that she wouldn’t go into her own private conversations, while revealing that there was disagreement over the war among senior White House officials she’d spoken to.

“I won’t speak for anyone, but there are people in the administration, high up in the administration, I know that don’t support this, but the longer they stay silent, it hurts them. It definitely hurts them in the future,” she told CNN on Monday.

The U.S. and Israeli war with Iran is now estimated to have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,300 people across Iran, as well as the deaths of 13 U.S. service members. Donald Trump, on Saturday, spoke with NBC News and claimed that Iran was seeking an agreement to end the war, which he was not ready to sign. Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday then denied that his country was ready to stop fighting, during an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation.

Meanwhile, the Iranian armed forces, including its Revolutionary Guard corps, have sought to restrict commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which as much as 20% of the world’s oil supply typically travels. Oil prices have shot up past $100 per barrel, and in the U.S. average gasoline prices have jumped by more than 70 cents per gallon, according to AAA.

Members of the isolationist wing of the president’s MAGA base were cheered by Trump’s denunciations of “endless war” and recurring military engagements in the Middle East during his 2024 run for president. Now, the administration is haunted by those same proclamations as the president shows little sign of seeking the “off-ramp” that many Republicans in Congress and, according to Greene, in the White House, too, want him to take.

Polling suggests that more than half of Americans oppose the war with Iran, while about four in ten support it. On Capitol Hill, the war’s terms have been denounced by Democrats, while some members of the opposition party have called the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, a positive development for the region.

Greene’s critiques of Trump’s warmaking emerged last year as the president escalated a campaign of strikes targeting small boats in the Caribbean that U.S. forces claimed were trafficking drugs. That campaign ramped up and culminated in the abduction of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s president, in a U.S. raid to seek Maduro’s prosecution in the U.S. for drug trafficking charges.

She and other figures in the broader MAGA community off Capitol Hill have become increasingly vocal opponents of Trump’s actions against Venezuela and support for Israel in now two military campaigns against Iran under his second presidency, and have accused the president of doing the opposite of what he promised on the campaign: to use America’s wealth at home, not abroad.

Expats said Dubai was safer than London. Then the missiles rained down

 Life in Dubai under the onslaught of Iranian missiles is subdued, but the streets are not deserted. People are milling around the city’s shopping centres, eating in restaurants and lazing on the beaches.

But beneath this semblance of normal life, cracks in the city’s economic dream are beginning to spread.

In a city on the UAE’s border with Oman, which has been the main evacuation route by air, an animal shelter has been overwhelmed by requests to look after pets as their expat owners fled the country.

The woman who runs the shelter says she received 27 requests in one day. Some people intend to return, some want their pets sent after them, and others are simply abandoning their animals.

“The problem is people are panicking,” she says.

Since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28, the UAE has come under attack from more than 1,700 drones and missiles, a tally making it Iran’s biggest target in the Middle East by an order of magnitude.

More than 90pc have been intercepted and destroyed by the country’s air defences. But as the sky booms and residents receive wailing phone alerts each day, the emirate’s pitch as a low-tax, high-growth oasis of safety is being severely rattled.

Suddenly, the attractive economic policies that attracted expats and global businesses have made it a trophy target for Iran.

Barbara Leaf, the former US ambassador to the UAE, says: “Dubai is this great emblem of the alternative economic present and future for the region, the alternative certainly to Iran.

“It’s the shiny symbol of everything that is bright and modern and dynamic in the region. So it’s exactly the place they want to hit and damage the most.”

After the outbreak of war, the UAE’s economy has been hit on multiple fronts.

Holiday bookings have evaporated, Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has curbed oil exports and growth forecasts are being cut.

All of which explains how the brand of Dubai – the UAE’s most prosperous and populous city – faces an almighty reckoning.

‘People are nervous’

An Iranian drone attack on Thursday damaged the Address Creek Harbour hotel in Dubai.

One of the pillars of the UAE’s economic success is tourism, which accounts for 13pc of its GDP. The war has thrown the industry into chaos.

More than 40,000 flights have been cancelled across the Middle East since the conflict began, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers scrambling to find alternative routes.

Dubai, the world’s busiest airport for international flights, has been at the epicentre.

The UAE has been covering hotel bills for affected passengers, and its flagship carrier, Emirates, is operating a reduced flight schedule.

But many fear there will be no holidaymakers for some time.

Ibrahim Khaled, head of marketing at the Middle East Travel Alliance, which oversees logistics for around 20,000 tourists a year, primarily from the US and UK, says: “Since the beginning of the conflict, we have seen 100pc cancellation of all future bookings to the region.”

Muslim Kanji, the chairman of Cruxton Travel, a UK-based holiday agent, adds: “People are nervous. I even have someone who wants to go to Singapore, and he’s asking, ‘Am I going to be safe?’”

The cancellations may be damaging, but Khaled says the situation is not lost entirely.

If the conflict ends soon, he hopes bookings will return to normal within six months.

Ryan Bohl, an analyst at risk intelligence agency RANE Network, also predicts that if damage is limited and the conflict is short, tourists will respond in a similar way to a terrorist attack in a major city.

“People will stay away, and then they will make an assumption that that was a one-off,” he says.

But everything hinges on the continued effectiveness of the UAE’s air defences.

“If an airliner goes down, if a desalination plant is destroyed and there’s a water crisis, if these sorts of things become part of an extended narrative of the Emirates, it will be harder and more expensive for them to rebuild the tourist sector,” says Bohl.

End of the expat gravy train?

The possibility of these scenarios matters even more for the expats who make up 90pc of Dubai’s four million residents, who have driven a breathtaking period of growth.

In the decade to 2025, Dubai’s population nearly doubled, driving a boom in development and soaring property prices.

Between 2022 and 2025, real estate values jumped by 60pc and the population was forecast to surpass five million by 2030. Now, the war in Iran threatens this gravy train.

Kanji is working with 15 families, based primarily in Dubai, who are preparing to leave the Middle East because of the conflict.

He highlights how one family saw a tower struck by a missile from their own apartment on the second day of the conflict.

The family subsequently packed their bags and drove immediately to Muscat, Oman. Now, they are on their way back to Europe.

“This is a guy who has been so prominent on LinkedIn, loudly telling people that the UK is not a place to live because there is so much crime,” says Kanji.

Many young professionals are staying put, but families with children are nervous.

“There is a lot of self-evaluation going on. People are asking themselves ‘What am I here for?’” says Kanji.

Many Dubai residents find it easy to answer that question.

Justin Harper, a British expat who has lived in Dubai for four years and is editor of CEO Middle East, a business magazine, says: “Dubai has seen massive growth in recent years thanks to its lifestyle, zero taxes, weather and beaches and business-friendly environment.

“That hasn’t changed. This current Iran conflict is seen as a temporary disruption in an otherwise positive success story.”

Few analysts are expecting a exodus. But the flow of new arrivals could easily slow.

Iain Tait, head of the private investment office at W1M wealth management, notes a client in his 50s who was planning to leave the UK and move with his two children to Dubai this summer.

“The gentleman runs a successful business that he was hoping to sell while being a non-UK resident,” says Tait. “It’s tax-driven, it’s lifestyle-driven, and it’s a bit about escaping the quagmire of UK low growth and low zest for entrepreneurial ambition.”

The family have completed their visa applications and even bought a £3m home off-plan.

But now the move is on ice.

“The vase is cracked a bit, right? The illusion of this being a very, very safe place will suffer a hangover for some time for people who were thinking of heading out,” says Tait.

The future of Dubai is about much more than what British people feel.

While the number of UK nationals living in Dubai has roughly doubled since the pandemic, hitting 240,000, they are still only a fraction of the population. Across the UAE, there are 4.5 million Indians and 2.5 million Pakistanis.

These demographics are illustrated in the casualty figures. Iranian strikes have so far killed six people, including Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals, leaving 122 wounded. The official wounded lists mention no Europeans, but have included Emiratis, Egyptians, Ethiopians and Filipinos.

Many of these workers believe Dubai still offers a level of safety and money they could only hope for back home.

Bilal Khan has Indian and Omani parents and lived in the UK and Australia before moving to Dubai. He says he had no intention of leaving his job as a driver.

“I talked about it with my wife the other night and we decided the worst day in Dubai is still better than the best day in Europe.”

Iran reportedly getting under Trump's skin by derailing his war plans

 Trump is seething over Iran's exploitation of one of his biggest political vulnerabilities as soaring oil prices threaten to undermine his ability to declare victory in the war and devastate his economic messaging ahead of midterms.

While the president attempts to put on a happy face over the military successes in Operation Epic Fury, Iran's deliberate disruption of energy markets has become an acute political headache. The regime is weaponizing oil prices—Trump's most visible economic liability—as a strategic response to the military campaign.

According to Axios, Trump administration officials warn that the conflict could extend indefinitely if Iran successfully throttles the Strait of Hormuz and drives prices beyond Trump's tolerance threshold. "The Iranians f------ around with the Strait makes him more dug in," a senior administration official told Axios, describing a vicious cycle where energy market manipulation only hardens Trump's commitment to prolonging the conflict.

Oil has already become Trump's obsession, consuming as much of his attention as battlefield intelligence. A Trump adviser acknowledged the internal tension: "The president sees the briefings. He sees the numbers. And he feels good about his decision, militarily. Oil is another matter. No one is panicking, but it's a concern. He's pulling out the stops. There's plenty of oil. It's just getting it on the market that's the thing."

Trump's preferred price point is $50 per barrel. The oil industry targets around $60. Despite Trump's intervention, crude topped $100 Wednesday night after spiking as high as $120 earlier in the week.

Iran has threatened to push prices to $200 per barrel—a move that would translate to approximately $5 per gallon at U.S. pumps, according to analysts.

Domestically, the war is deeply unpopular. Trump's personal approval ratings are at historic lows, and gas prices—once his signature economic achievement—have become his most visible political liability heading into critical midterm elections.

Iran war turbocharges Labour’s London demise with 19 councils at risk

 A surge in living costs linked to the Iran war could “turbocharge” Labour’s decline in London at the upcoming local elections, party insiders fear.

Polls already predict a bleak night for Sir Keir Starmer’s party on May 7—especially in the capital, where 1,817 council seats are up for grabs.

Labour currently runs 21 of London’s 32 boroughs. But the party is facing a significant threat from the Greens on the left and Reform UK on the right.

The most recent bombshell poll predicts the reshaping of London’s political map, suggesting Labour could be almost wiped out in the city, losing all but two of its councils.

Modelling, from data firm Bombe, forecasts that Zack Polanski’s Green Party could seize control of nine local authorities - Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Greenwich, Brent, Hounslow and Waltham Forest.

Meanwhile, Merton, Southwark, Westminster, Camden, Islington, Enfield and Ealing are predicted to fall from Labour-run to no overall control.

The poll, which used machine learning, national polling and London data to forecast the outcome of the elections, suggests Reform UK would win one council from Labour - Barking and Dagenham.

Nigel Farage’s party would also gain the most seats in Havering but not win an outright majority in the borough.

The Conservatives would retain Hillingdon, Harrow, Kensington and Chelsea, Bromley and Bexley and win Barnet back from Labour, the survey suggests.

Just Redbridge and Newham would remain Labour controlled town halls, according to the data.

The findings, some of which would be extremely surprising if they came to fruition, go way beyond what other more established polling experts are predicting.

But Labour activists and candidates told the Standard that the cost of living crisis was a major factor worrying voters and could be exacerbated by the Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran and Tehran's reprisals against countries across the Middle East.

One Labour councillor in east London said: “At a national level not enough has been done to combat cost of living.

“It is all good and well telling people about renters rights, but when they can’t afford to rent somewhere in the area they grew up in or work in it doesn’t matter.

“You can tell people that inflation is down, but they’re not seeing that in their pockets.

“Now with the Middle East we just don’t know how long that’s going to go on. If it’s still an issue in May and it’s causing energy bills to go up and inflation to rise, then that will certainly add to our problems if not turbocharge them.”

Another Labour candidate added: “I’d be very surprised if we lost all of those boroughs that poll is predicting.

“But it is true that I’m seeing a lot of frustration and some voters who have voted Labour for a very long time now looking at the Greens.

“The central government shift to the right on some policies certainly hasn’t helped us in London and neither has the fact that cost of living is far from under control.

“It’s hard to say how Iran will impact us yet. But if the war is still going on in May, it would likely hurt Labour more than other parties.”

In local by-elections across the country since May 2025, Labour has lost 51 of the 68 council seats it was defending and gained just one.

The party has also seen dozens of councillor defections, predominantly to the Greens.

Senior party figures have warned Labour must urgently address the threat from Greens and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has warned last his party faces an “existential threat” in parts of the country in May.

Bombe said that its gradient-boosted regression modelling (GBRM) uses actual election results in the capital along with polling data from Deltapoll.

The AI platform then predicts future voting behaviour over five years to a high level of accuracy and correctly forecast the Gorton and Denton by-election result.

But the company admits that some of its forecasts for individual wards are likely to be flawed.

Polling London is also notoriously difficult, particularly given its transient population and large numbers of young people and ethnic minority communities who can be harder to reach.

Elections expert Lord Hayward said he was “absolutely confident” Labour would not face a complete “wipeout” in London.

He added: “My guess is that there's a fairly reasonable string of London boroughs where Labour will win.

“It's easy to say we'll write them all off, but I find it very hard to believe that places like Brent and Lewisham will be anything other than Labour controlled.

“There are cases where there'll be multi-member opposition, like, Camden, for example.

“But it's going it to believe that Labour will lose control of effectively all the London boroughs that they've got. I just don't see it credible.”

Asked about whether the war in Iran could have an impact, Lord Hayward added: “It's the sort of thing that could well have an influence, but I don't know what the position is going to be [in April/May]…So I genuinely don't know, because we'll have to judge what the position is in relation to the Iran war at that point, and what people's messaging is at that point.”

Ukraine regains more territory than Russia captured in one month, commander-in-chief says

 This is the first time since the Kursk offensive operation

Ukrainian forces regained control over a larger area of territory in one month than the Russian army captured during the same period. This is the first time since the Kursk operation in 2024, according to a statement by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

According to the commander-in-chief, the Defense Forces of Ukraine are trying to seize operational initiative and force the Russians to play by their rules.

"For the first time since 2024, when we conducted the Kursk offensive operation, our troops in one month restored control over a larger area of Ukrainian land than the enemy captured during the same time," Syrskyi said.

He clarified that such results were discussed during a working meeting following the results of the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February.

In particular, Ukrainian troops continue counteroffensive operations in the Oleksandrivske direction. There, units of Air Assault Forces returned 285.6 square kilometers of territory under control in one month.

In total, since the beginning of operation Defense Forces have restored control over more than 400 square kilometers of Ukrainian land.

Syrskyi added that Ukrainian defenders are holding back the enemy in many other directions, "and in some places have forward movement."

Despite a numerical advantage almost three times larger, the enemy is forced to postpone dates of planned operations, patch holes in defense, and redeploy troops from other directions, the commander-in-chief reported.

Recently, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War obtained evidence confirming Ukraine's success on the battlefield in February.

In addition, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper that since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has liberated about 460 square kilometers of territory.

Earlier similar assessment was voiced by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, noting that in February Defense Forces restored control over a larger area of territory than Russian troops captured during the same period.

Govt plans evacuation of 15 citizens from Iran

  The government is preparing to evacuate 15 citizens from Tehran via Baku, Azerbaijan, as airspace closures and escalating tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel complicate departures, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono said Tuesday night.

The evacuation is being coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, with the timing still under discussion as Iranian airspace remains closed.

The evacuees would travel overland from Tehran to Baku — a journey of about 10 hours — before flying onward to Jakarta, he said.

Officials are assessing logistical arrangements and the health condition of each evacuee due to the lengthy land trip and subsequent international flight.

Sugiono said the 15 Indonesians had formally requested evacuation, stressing that the government would assist only those who voluntarily seek relocation.

"Those who request evacuation will be evacuated. We cannot move people who do not want to be moved," he said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

He added that Indonesians in Gulf Cooperation Council countries — including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman — have not requested evacuation.

About 27,000 Indonesians live in Qatar alone, he said, noting that none in Qatar, the UAE or Bahrain had sought repatriation.

Earlier Tuesday, Sugiono instructed Indonesian Ambassador to Iran Rolliansyah Soemirat to take necessary steps should additional citizens request evacuation.

The government will continue monitoring developments as the regional situation evolves, he said.

President Prabowo Subianto has directed officials to prepare for all possible contingencies stemming from the conflict, Sugiono added.

Prabowo calls for Indonesia readiness amid Middle East conflict

 President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that Indonesia must be prepared for any eventuality following the escalating conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States (US), and Israel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono noted that the President highlighted this directive during a discussion with several former presidents, vice presidents, former foreign affairs ministers, and political party leaders at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday evening.

"The President also conveyed that whatever happens, we must be prepared for any eventuality," he told the press after the meeting.

Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Sugiono affirmed that he has instructed the Indonesian Ambassador in Tehran to take immediate evacuation steps for any Indonesian citizens who wish to be repatriated.

He noted that not all Indonesians in the affected areas have requested evacuation. However, since some in Iran have expressed their willingness to leave, the repatriation process is being carried out in stages.

The minister mentioned that as the situation continues to evolve, the government will closely monitor the ongoing dynamics.

Regarding diplomatic efforts, Sugiono stated that he has communicated with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

During their conversation, he expressed Indonesia’s regret over the failure of negotiations, which led to the escalation of the conflict.

He said Indonesia also reaffirmed the principle of respecting a country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of returning to the negotiating table to defuse tensions.

Furthermore, Sugiono conveyed President Prabowo’s desire to act as a mediator in efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region.

President Prabowo Subianto invited several figures to the Tuesday meeting to exchange views on various issues, including geopolitics.

Former presidents and vice presidents in attendance included the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the 7th President Joko Widodo, the 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla, the 11th Vice President Boediono, and the 13th Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

The meeting lasted approximately three and a half hours, starting at 7:30 p.m. and concluding around 11:00 p.m.

UK holiday spot warning as Foreign Office confirms Brit deaths and issues advice

 The Foreign Office has issued guidance to UK holidaymakers heading to a favourite destination, revealing that several Brits have tragically lost their lives. Officials have updated their advice regarding a range of popular activities - emphasising the need for individuals to ensure 'adequate precautions' are in place.

The concern centres around 'extreme sports', encompassing paragliding, quad biking and mopeds, jeep safaris, water sports and even beach visits. The Foreign Office stated: "If you do an extreme sport, check that adequate safety precautions are in place. British nationals have been injured and killed doing extreme sports. Only use reputable operators. Make sure you are given full instructions and training before your activity. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for all activities you do. Always read the details of your insurance cover, especially the small print and exclusions on your policy."

Officials revealed that people have lost their lives in the past year simply by going to the beach. They warned: "Every year, people drown in the sea and in swimming pools in Turkey. Always supervise children, even if they can swim or there is a lifeguard present.

"Take care when swimming in the sea. Some beaches may have strong undercurrents. Hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. Do not dive into unknown water."

They advised holidaymakers to look out for a flag system on beaches indicating when it's unsafe to enter the water.

Paragliding.

The Foreign Office warned that paragliding 'carries the risk of serious injury or death'. It stated: "British nationals have died or been seriously injured whilst paragliding in Turkey. Make sure you are given full instructions and training before your activity.

"If you are near where paragliding activities take place, be aware that the landing area may be in a public area. Keep a reasonable distance from potential landing zones for your personal safety."

Quad biking and mopeds.

The Foreign Office advises: "Quad biking is an extreme sport and carries the risk of serious injury or death. You need specific travel insurance to cover quad biking. Always read the details of your insurance cover, especially the small print and exclusions on your policy. Make sure you are given full instructions and training before your activity."

Holidaymakers may be caught out by inadequate insurance from rental firms - and if they suffer an accident might not be protected: "Insurance sold by the hire company usually only provides third party insurance. It's likely you will be charged for any damage to the rental vehicle and you may face arrest if you do not pay.

"If you hire a moped you need a valid driving licence with at least category A1 - 'light motorcycle'. Make sure the vehicle is in good condition. Drivers and passengers must wear helmets. Failure to do so may invalidate your insurance. If police stop you, they will fine you and take your licence."

Jeep safaris

The Foreign Office warned: "Jeep safaris can be dangerous - there have been a number of reported accidents in recent years. If you join a jeep safari, use a reputable company who have adequate health and safety procedures and equipment. Always check that activities are covered by your insurance."

Alcohol.

Turkey continues to be a popular choice among British holidaymakers, with current advice suggesting that alcoholic drinks should only be bought from licensed shops, bars and hotels, homemade spirits should be avoided, bottle seals should be checked for tampering, and labels should be scrutinised for poor quality or spelling mistakes.

If travellers or their companions fall ill after drinking alcohol, they should seek immediate medical help. The FCDO guidance states: "There has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.

"In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.

"Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking."

Putin’s propagandist threatens war with China – moments later he is pulled off air

 The remarks, aired on a flagship pro-Kremlin programme, quickly triggered backlash.

Not outnumbered

Kirill Fedorov appeared on the show hosted by Vladimir Solovyov, one of the most prominent figures in Russian state media.

According to dialog.ua, the discussion departed from the usual official narrative praising Russia’s military capabilities.

During the exchange, one participant stated:

“My personal opinion is that they (no, Ukraine ) are outnumbering us. We have problems with communications, historically our army has had problems with communications.”

Admitting weaknesses

The conversation moved into technical detail, with acknowledgements that Ukraine has strengthened its drone operations and battlefield communications.

“And there, unfortunately, they are very good,” Fedorov said, referring to Ukrainian capabilities.

He also commented on the performance of Ukrainian equipment:

“Look how the image is maintained on them. The image on their radio drones is practically maintained until close to the ground… They have better developed repeaters, they have much better resistance to electronic warfare. They have a base station on which fiber optics and FPV drones operate simultaneously.”

Satellite systems were also discussed. One participant noted: “Starlink has been widely used… The advantage of these communication systems is their long range and very low weight – they can be hidden anywhere.”

China remark sparks fallout

The discussion later shifted to potential technological partnerships. Fedorov then said:

“We need to associate with those countries with whom we will not end up in conflict regarding the use of the same satellites, for example. Obviously, not with close neighbors. I do not rule out a war with China.”

The comment appeared to contradict the Kremlin’s portrayal of China as a stable and strategic partner.

According to dialog.ua, Fedorov was subsequently removed from the programme. Ukrainian blogger Denis Kazansky shared clips of the exchange online, highlighting what he described as an unusual moment of candor on Russian state television.

There has been no official comment from Russian authorities regarding the incident.