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Should Amazon drivers put packages in the porch?

Amazon has launched a probe after a family complained about a delivery driver opening their unlocked front door to deposit a parcel in their porch (Metro, Thu). I’m shocked how petty people can be! There are irresponsible delivery drivers out there but this doesn’t look like one of them.

After ringing the doorbell and knocking four times, he made the right decision in ensuring the delivery wasn’t left outside to either get wet or stolen.

All this has done is make delivery drivers not want to make sure your delivery is safe and they’ll just leave it on the doorstep in future. Plus the poor guy may now face a disciplinary or even worse, lose his job! Shazza, via email

Who’s to blame for potholes?

Instead of knee-jerk assumptions that councils alone are to blame for pothole damage, I wonder if some complainants who put ‘fashion’ before practicality might consider whether they themselves could be part of the problem?

I’m thinking of how they might be causing potholes in the first place by driving three-ton ‘SUV’ behemoths (which they don’t need), driving on under-inflated low-profile tyres (which they also don’t need, they are not F1 drivers), driving too fast in problem areas, or not looking properly at the road while fiddling with phones.

The consequences are that insurance and breakdown premiums go up for all of us, because they can’t be bothered to drive intelligently. G Martin, Thornbury

‘Politicians don’t keep their promises’, says reader

Reform UK promise their deportation squads ‘won’t be like ICE’ – Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant squads that have attracted protests wherever they have operated and shot dead US civilians (Metro, Tue).

Yes, well, Labour promised to cut our energy bills and build 1.5 million houses. The Lib Dems promised to abolish tuition fees in 2010. Politicians don’t keep their promises.

We know Nigel Farage admires Trump – he’s called the president ‘the bravest man I know’. Trump is not one for keeping promises – remember that wall he never built? Do we honestly believe Farage is going to keep his new deportation force under control? Or will he be ‘inspired’ by Trump to turn it into a violent secret police? Ellie Jaeger, Leighton Buzzard

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The actress was looking completely different to her usual self as she transformed into a musical icon to celebrate her milestone

Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick has been seen looking completely different to her usual self as she transformed into a musical icon to celebrate her milestone birthday.

It was last week that the actress, who is best known for playing vet Vanessa Woddfield in the ITV soap having joined back in 2012, was celebrating her 50th birthday.

Amy Walsh, who plays Michelle’s on-screen sister Tracy Robinson, was among those paying tribute at the time. She shared a picture of the pair to her Instagram Story and said: “I can’t believe you’re 50?!!! Happy birthday to my sister from another… erm fake mother.” She added: “Have the best day! Can’t wait to celebrate you! @missmichellehardwick.”

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Meanwhile, Michelle’s real-life wife, Corrie producer Kate Brooks, paid a gushing tribute on Instagram. Alongside a picture of the birthday girl beaming on a fairground carousel, she shared: “Happy birthday to the woman who brings the magic to the mundane, the wonder to our world, and the disco to our days. How lucky are we to have someone as wonderful as you in our lives? Now, let’s dance.”

And dance, it appears, they did as over the weekend, Amy returned to social media with a glimpse inside what appeared to be Michelle’s birthday bash, and she looked incredible as she transformed into Cher for the special occasion.

First sharing a picture of a banner boasting photos of the birthday girl, Amy, who is currently pregnant with her second child, wrote on her Instagram Story: “Celebrating the amazing @missmichellehardwick.”

She then shared a photo of Michelle, in which she could be sporting a tight black leather outfit and leather jacket, along with a massive black curly wig. “Beautiful birthday girl! How are you 50?!!” Amy wrote alongside the snap before Michelle admitted: “I mean… Giving my best ‘Cher’.”

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It comes after Michelle admitted her family’s hearts were ‘truly broken’ at the start of the year as she and Kate suffered a heartbreaking loss. She took to social media in early January to confirm that she and Kate had been forced to say an upsetting goodbye to their beloved dog, Fred

Alongside a picture of their adorable companion, Michelle wrote: “Our hearts are truly broken tonight, our house is not the same [broken heart emoji]. Our Fred, our protector, he lost his fight this morning.

“We had 7 years of this incredible little guy, he was such a warrior. No more suffering now, run free our beautiful Fred, you’ll be missed more than you’ll ever know, but we’ll talk about you every single day. We love you so so much.”

And she was quickly flooded with messages of love and support. Emmerdale co-star Amy Walsh said: “Awwww babe I’m so sorry!!! Sending you so much love. Little Fred.” Ash Palmisciano also shared: “Ahhh little fred so sorry to read this mate! sending you all lots of love.”

Former Emmerdale star Natalie Ann Jamieson replied: “Ohh I’m so sorry guys, sending lots of love,” while Corrie’s Amy Robbins commented: “He was such a lovely boy . Im so , so sorry.” Tina O’Brien also responded: “I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending you all my love.” Ex-Hollyoaks star Gemma Merna penned: “I am so sorry. Sending so much love,” while Sophie Austin added: “I’m so sorry sending love.”

Police said the fire was being treated as arson

A caravan was deliberately set on fire in a Cambridgeshire town. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue were called to the fire in Twenty Foot Road in March on Friday (February 27) just before 7.30pm.

The fire is believed to have been caused deliberately. A fire spokesperson said: “At 7.26pm on Friday, a crew from March was called to a caravan fire in Twenty Foot Road in March.

“Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters used hose reels to extinguish the fire. The crew returned to their station by 8.50pm.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate. Anyone with information should contact police by visiting www.cambs.police.uk to submit an online report or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Cambridgeshire Police has raised an incident of arson. A police spokesperson said: “The fire service informed us of this incident. A crime was raised for arson but has since been filed pending any further evidence.”

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Fans are calling the binge-worthy thriller ‘a really intriguing premise with a perfect acting duo’

More than 100 episodes aired as the series was hailed ‘one of the top 5 shows of all time’.

Devotees of sci-fi and nail-biting thrillers are set for a real treat as Netflix has just welcomed a 2011 gem into its vast catalogue.

Over 100 episodes of the crime drama originally broadcast on CBS, with the narrative centring on an enigmatic, reclusive billionaire computer programmer.

Michael Emerson portrays Harold Finch, who created a sophisticated computer programme for the federal government dubbed the Machine. The system was able to forecast terrorist attacks and identify those plotting them.

Person of Interest proved enormously successful upon its debut and was hailed by numerous critics as the finest science fiction series on broadcast television.

Enthusiasts have flocked to Rotten Tomatoes to express their views and encourage others to watch, with Matt B declaring: “Person of Interest is the best show ever.”

He continued: “Great characters: Finch is top-notch great and Michael Emerson absolutely pulls off each scene with excellence. John Reese – Jim Caviezel is flawless and awesome. Fusco – Kevin Chapman balances the show and is also a great actor!”.

Zoran I remarked: “Absolutely thrilling show that showcases the incredible impact of AI on everyone!”.

Michelle H stated: “This is a superb show and binge-worthy. We had not seen it when it was originally released but only recently caught up with the series via Amazon Prime.”

One viewer remarked: “We find the idea very compelling and the plotting excellent, not to mention the actors who are perfectly cast. It keeps you wanting to know more- from the big-picture stories that move the series forward to each episode where the characters work to help save doomed souls. We need more of these types of series.”

Zack R simply declared: “Easily in the top 5 shows of ALL TIME!”

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J noted: “Give it an episode or two and you will be hooked. A really intriguing premise with a perfect acting duo for Reese and Finch.”

Elijah A praised: “Phenomenal: well-made, well-acted, powerfully scored, with profound and timely themes. Very thrilling and touching.”

The critically lauded programme claimed the 2012 People’s Choice Award for Favourite New TV Drama and the 2016 People’s Choice Award for Favourite TV Crime Drama.

Screen Rant revealed the show concluded because it wasn’t commercially viable enough for CBS, as the majority of advertising revenue was directed to Warner Bros, which held the rights to the programme.

The creators of the series, which attracted millions of viewers with each instalment, had been informed beforehand that the show would likely finish after five seasons, allowing them to craft a satisfying finale.

Person of Interest is on Netflix.

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The United States and Israel targeted Iran in coordinated attacks over the weekend that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior figures and kicked off a furious Iranian response that threatens a wider regional war.

Allies of the U.S. pledged to help stop Iran’s missile and drone strikes. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed strikes on Israel for the first time in more than a year, and Israel fired back.

The first U.S. military deaths have been reported. Other deaths have been confirmed in Israel and Gulf nations, while Iran has said hundreds of people have been killed there.

With Khamenei’s death, the Islamic Republic must now choose a supreme leader for the first time since 1989. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iranians to seize the moment and overthrow the theocracy that cracked down on nationwide protests early this year. There was no sign that was happening.

Around the world, some protested. Others cheered.

The attacks came two days after the latest U.S.-Iran talks aimed at putting controls on Tehran’s nuclear program. They echoed the events of last year, when talks were cut short by an Israeli attack that led to a 12-day war and U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Washington has claimed that Iran was rebuilding its nuclear program in recent months.

Iran has said it hasn’t enriched since June, but it has blocked IAEA inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed.

Here’s where things stand.

Iran

The 86-year-old Khamenei was killed when his compound was bombed Saturday morning. Iran’s ballistic missile sites, navy headquarters and warships were attacked as well. Iran said strikes also targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site. Israel and the U.S. have not acknowledged strikes at the site, though Israel has said it is targeting the “leadership and nuclear infrastructure.”

Khamenei had no designated successor. Iran has set up a three-member leadership council, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said a new supreme leader would be chosen in “one or two days.” On the streets, there have been scattered celebrations over Khamenei’s death. Internet restrictions in Iran have complicated efforts to monitor what’s happening.

In retaliation, Iran’s military has struck Israel, where several people have been killed. Iran has also targeted U.S. bases in the region. The U.S. military said three service members were killed, the first known U.S. casualties. Other Iranian strikes have killed a handful of people in Gulf nations including the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, and hundreds of flights have been affected at some of the world’s busiest airports.

What to watch for: further military strikes, the selection of a new supreme leader, and reactions from the Iranian people.

United States

The strikes came after the U.S. built up its biggest military presence in the region in decades. Israeli and U.S. authorities spent weeks tracking the movements of senior Iranian leaders. Trump has said the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” in Iran would continue through the week or longer.

U.S. military bases throughout the region remain a potential target of Iranian attacks.

The U.S. has signaled it is willing to talk to Iran’s new leaders, eventually. Meanwhile, some leaders in Congress have protested at the launch of the strikes without congressional authorization.

What to watch for: further military strikes, effects on U.S. bases and forces, and any diplomacy with Iran’s new leadership.

Israel

Israel sees Iran as an existential threat and has long sought to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, while also targeting armed allied groups like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli attacks have weakened those groups since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that started the war in Gaza.

Israel launched strikes in Lebanon early Monday in retaliation for missiles that Hezbollah launched across the border.

Now Israel has pledged “nonstop” strikes and at one point said 100 fighter jets were simultaneously striking targets in Tehran. During last year’s war, Israel pitched Trump a plan to kill Khamenei. Now they have.

Israelis dashed to shelters for safety all weekend, but most of Iran’s attacks have been intercepted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under international criticism for the war in Gaza, is claiming a win for Israel’s security.

But risk remains from Iranian-backed groups like the Houthi rebels in Yemen who have vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel.

What to watch for: further military strikes, as well as attacks by and against Iranian proxies.

The Middle East and beyond

The current conflict is already far more intense than last year’s Israel-Iran war, where the U.S. inserted itself near the end by bombing Iranian nuclear sites and Iran responded with a calculated attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar.

Now, hundreds of Iranian missile and drone strikes have sent people scrambling across Gulf nations that had previously been relatively insulated from the volatility in the region.

The United Arab Emirates said Dubai’s main airport had been affected, and tourists and others flinched at the booms of interceptors. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted attacks, and summoned Iran’s ambassador. Top diplomats of six Gulf states said they had the “right to self-defense.”

Oil prices rose sharply when market trading began Sunday as traders bet that supply from the critical region would slow or stop. Attacks on and near the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, are also raising concerns about supply.

In response, eight countries that are part of the OPEC+ oil cartel said they would boost production of crude.

And on Monday, the world might learn the first details about any effects on Iran’s nuclear program as the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors holds a meeting on the conflict.

What to watch for: oil prices, details on Iran’s nuclear program, and diplomatic efforts.

Whether you’re currently stranded in the UAE or another affected country, or have a holiday booked in the near future, you may be wondering what your travel insurance will really cover amid the current chaos

Most holidaymakers know that travel insurance is vital no matter where you are going in the world. The advice has always been to book your travel insurance policy as soon as you book your holiday, as this can protect against cancellations and last-minute hitches.

But amid the current travel chaos across the Middle East, many travellers will be wondering what their insurance actually covers. Do you simply get the money back for a cancelled break, or can it help with other expenses? A lot depends on the type of policy you have, terms and conditions, and levels of cover chosen, so here are some key things travellers need to know.

Does travel insurance cover war?

Most standard travel insurance policies won’t cover ‘acts of war’, so there’s no guarantee that people caught up in the current situation will be able to make a claim. Some policies offer enhancements such as travel disruption coverage, which includes unexpected disruptions such as natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorism, and airspace disruption.

READ MORE: UK holiday spot warning as Foreign Office confirms Brit deaths and issues adviceREAD MORE: Emirates, British Airways and Wizz Air’s latest updates on UAE flight cancellations

In the event that Brits are evacuated from a country en masse, it is the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that would organise transport, rather than insurers. Therefore, the FCDO is asking Brits to register their presence in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Some policies include ‘travel curtailment’, which means they may cover a claim if a holiday is cut short. However, if the policy doesn’t cover acts of war, you’re unlikely to be able to claim if your trip is shorter than planned or for costs associated with this.

Tim Riley, managing director of travel insurer True Traveller and chairperson of the UK Travel Industry Association, said: “Standard travel insurance policies do not cover war, hostile acts, civil war, military action, invasions or similar large-scale conflict events. This exclusion is standard across the global insurance market because war presents systemic, unpredictable risks that cannot be priced into conventional travel insurance products.

“However, travellers are still covered for claims unrelated to the conflict itself. For example, illness, accidents not connected to hostilities or lost or stolen baggage would typically be handled in line with the normal terms and conditions of the policy. “It is important to note that airlines have a legal obligation to re-route passengers once services resume, and it looks like there will be UK Government-funded repatriation of British passport holders imminently.”

Will my insurer cover flight delays or cancellations?

The UK has a list of legal requirements for what airlines need to provide passengers when their flights are delayed or cancelled. Tim continued: “If your airline cancels your flight, you are legally entitled to choose between a full refund or re-routing to your final destination at no additional cost. Airlines must offer one of these options.”

Passengers with trips to affected areas in the next 72 hours should hear from their airline soon, and many airlines are releasing statements with further information about what steps passengers need to take. A spokesperson for British Airways said: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East. Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.

“If you are due to fly between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv you can change your flight free of charge up to and including 6 March. Customers travelling up to and including 4 March may also request a full refund.”

Tim advised travellers not to automatically accept a refund if they’re offered one. “It is important that travellers do not accept a refund automatically if they still wish to travel. Accepting a refund effectively ends the airline’s duty of care and its obligation to re-route you. You would then need to book new flights yourself, which may be significantly more expensive. Travel insurance will not cover the price difference between a refunded ticket and a new booking,” he said.

What should I do if I have a holiday booked in a few weeks?

If you have a holiday booked somewhere on the FCDO’s do not travel list and are departing in the next few weeks, you probably won’t hear from your holiday provider or airline for a while. Most travel companies will be swamped with enquiries at the moment, so unless you are due to travel within 72 hours, you may need to be patient and keep an eye on the situation.

Tim added: “If the Foreign Office advises against all travel to your destination before you depart and you’ve booked a package holiday through a UK tour operator, you are entitled to cancel without paying cancellation fees under the Package Travel Regulations 2018 and should receive a full refund, typically within 14 days, provided the warning significantly affects your trip.”

READ MORE: Full list of 21 countries where Foreign Office currently advises against travelREAD MORE: UAE travel update for Brits as BA, Wizz Air and Emirates suspend flights

He added: “If the advice is against all but essential travel, the position is more nuanced and many reputable operators will still cancel and refund, but legally it depends on whether the situation constitutes unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.

“For travellers who have booked flights and accommodation separately rather than as a package, refund rights are less automatic, as airlines and hotels will apply their own cancellation policies. In those cases, travellers should check their travel insurance wording carefully, as some policies may provide cover depending on the circumstances.”

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AKROTIRI, Cyprus (AP) — Britain is not at war, the government said Monday, despite saying it would allow the U.S. to use British bases during its war with Iran and after a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus was struck by an Iranian-made drone.

Sirens sounded again at RAF Akrotiri on Monday and British warplanes were scrambled, apparently in response to a new threat.

More than two decades after Britain followed the United States into a devastating war in Iraq, it is trying to avoid being drawn into a new Middle East conflict with unpredictable consequences.

Akrotiri attacked

U.K. officials say an attack drone hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri, a British air force base in Cyprus, late Sunday. There were no injuries and “minimal” damage, but the strike brought the conflict onto European soil.

It was not immediately clear whether the drone was launched from Iran or by a Tehran-backed militant group such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Some 12 hours later, sirens sounded again as two Typhoon fighter jets and a pair of F-35 warplanes roared into the air. A resident showed to The Associated Press a text message sent from base authorities warning of an “ongoing security threat” and urging people to stay indoors and away from windows.

The Cypriot government said two drones headed for Cyprus were intercepted on Monday.

Akrotiri is the U.K.’s main air base for operations in the Middle East and in recent years has been used by British warplanes on missions against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and to strike Houthi targets in Yemen.

Britain retained the base, and another on Cyprus, after the eastern Mediterranean island gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960.

It was previously attacked in 1986, when Libyan militants struck the base with mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms, injuring three people.

As tensions between the U.S. and Iran mounted, Britain last month deployed extra F-35 fighter jets to Akrotiri, along with radar, counter-drone systems and air defenses, as part of “defensive measures.”

Britain’s defense ministry said Monday that families of U.K. personnel who live on the base were being moved to nearby accommodation as a precaution.

U.K. ambivalence

British officials have refused to say whether the U.K. supports the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. They have said that Iran should not be able to have a nuclear weapon and called for an end to Iranian strikes and a diplomatic solution.

Britain did not take part in the strikes on Iran that began Saturday, and did not allow the U.S. to use U.K. bases in England or on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

But on Sunday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he had agreed to let the U.S. use the bases for attacks on Iran’s missiles and their launch sites. He said the change came in response to Iranian attacks on U.K. interests and Britain’s allies in the Gulf, and is legal under international law.

Britain says its bases can’t be used for attacks on political and economic targets in Iran.

“We are not joining these strikes,” Starmer stressed, “but we will continue with our defensive actions in the region.”

U.S. President Donald Trump told the Daily Telegraph on Monday he was “very disappointed in Keir,” saying the prime minister “took far too long” to change his mind about the use of British bases.

Unpredictable consequences

“The U.K. is not at war,” Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said Monday. He told the BBC Iran has ballistic missiles “pointed at the Gulf and it is vital that those missile launchers are taken out in the face of these completely reckless attacks.”

The memory of Iraq remains raw for many in Britain. The decision by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair to join the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 remains one of the most contentious in modern British history.

The subsequent yearslong conflict killed 179 British troops, some 4,500 American personnel and many thousands of Iraqis.

The current government is keen to prevent that happening again, but critics say that attempts to set firm limits on Britain’s involvement could be swept away by a fast-moving conflict.

“We are being drawn in, just as we were in Iraq, following the U.S. into an incredibly dangerous situation,” said John McDonnell, a lawmaker from the governing Labour Party.

___

Lawless reported from London.

Neither low-carb nor low-fat diets in and of themselves seemed to protect from heart disease

What does that mean?

Dubai Tennis Championships winner Daniil Medvedev is among the tennis players facing a disruption to their schedule.

The Russian’s representative said they were trying to establish how Medvedev could travel to California for next week’s Indian Wells tournament after the UAE “partially and temporarily” closed its airspace.

Finland’s Harri Heliovaara, winner of the men’s doubles event alongside Britain’s Henry Patten, said his travel plans are “still uncertain”.

“All of us players, the finalists and a few other doubles players, are stuck in Dubai. [Plus] all of the ATP staff, the umpires, physiotherapists, coaches and other team and family members – a total of about 30 people,” Heliovaara wrote in his blog, external.

He added that the option of leaving by road had been explored, but that would involve either a five-hour drive to Muscat – although bad traffic jams have been reported at the Oman border – or a journey exceeding 10 hours to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.