While the US has concentrated much of its military effort on degrading Iran’s missile and drone capability, sinking its Navy and, in recent days, attacking targets along Iran’s long Gulf shoreline, Israel has gone to great lengths to assassinate Iran’s leaders and attack elements of state control, including paramilitary Basij units responsible for much of the violent crackdown on protests earlier this year.

“Prior to the strikes, warnings were published to ensure that civilians distance themselves from the crossings, in order to reduce civilian harm. In footage released in the past few hours, a journalist is seen at the ‘Qasmiya’ crossing. An explicit warning had been issued regarding this area”, the force said.

​Further restrictions could be introduced to address complaints from Scarborough residents who have highlighted the ‘displacement effects’ of the overnight ban on campervans at Royal Albert Drive.

​​An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) was introduced to restrict the vehicles at Sandsend, Royal Albert Drive, and Cayton Bay after the number of motorhomes had reached an “unacceptable level”.

​However, according to councillors, thousands of complaints have also been made by residents who are “waking up to campervans parked outside their windows”.

​Cllr Rich Maw, who represents Weaponness and Ramshill, said: “As I’ve previously warned, the introduction of this ETRO would displace campervans to surrounding streets.

​“Residents in South Cliff are now experiencing the consequences with camperavans parked outside their homes for long periods, increased police callouts, antisocial behaviour, the use of council assets without permission, and grey water being poured into surface drains at a time when we are actively trying ot improve the bathing water quality in the South Bay.”

​Speaking at a full meeting of North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday (March 18) he said: “If the Royal Albert Drive ETRO is to become permanent, residents in affected streets – and that includes Holbeck Road, Esplanade Crescent, and Belvedere Road – must be properly considered.

​“What immediate steps will the council take to protect residential amenity in these streets? Will additional ETROs be introduced in these streets to address the impact of displaced campervans?”

​“How will the council ensure that environmental and public health concerns, including water quality, are not compromised by unmanaged overnight camping in residential streets? Scarborough residents should not be expected to pay the price for a policy that was implemented without adequate mitigation.”

​North Yorkshire Council has plans to permanently prohibit the overnight stopping of campervans in Sandsend, near Whitby, and North Bay in Scarborough​.

​Cllr Malcolm Taylor, NYC’s executive member for highways and transportation, said the council could introduce additional traffic regulation orders “at some key residential hotspots in Scarborough”.

​He told the full meeting: “We do recognise that other areas in Scarborough, Whitby, and Sandsend have seen an increase in overnight caravan parking, and some objectors state that this is because of the restrictions of the ETROs.

​“A report is coming to the executive members’ meeting on Friday, March 27, for consideration, and it would be prudent to start looking at consultations on introducing some traffic regulation orders, similar to the ETROs, at some key residential hotspots in Scarborough, including the Esplanade and the South Cliff area that you represent.

“I think it’s also important to mention that I do get representations from other interested parties, such as the caravan owners in Scarborough, caravan park owners who invest in their sites and provide facilities and employment, and contribute to the economic development in Scarborough, and they are equally interested in this item.”

A study of 2,000 adults revealed hits such as Squid Game, The White Lotus and Crazy Rich Asians are all encouraging bookings to the Far East.

It emerged film and TV have motivated 20 per cent to travel to the region, thanks to showcasing beautiful scenery and destinations (45 per cent), historical landmarks (41 per cent) and highlighting cultural traditions (41 per cent).

It’s not just television either – Formula 1 (10 per cent), theme parks (15 per cent) and international sporting tournaments such as the Olympics (13 per cent) are also making people want to visit the continent.

Meanwhile, 29 per cent of Gen Zs have been influenced to visit thanks to social media creators – significantly more than any other generation.

The research was conducted by online travel agency, Trip.com.

Fred Fishlock, the UK country head for the business, said: “Film, music and modern digital influence are bringing distant Asian destinations into Brits’ homes and inspiring them to travel out there and see them.

“It’s great to see vibrant cities and cultural hotspots now firmly on people’s radars as a result of the stories, shows, and trends they connect with daily.”

The study also found 41 per cent would likely travel to Asia in the next five years.

Of those, Japan (35 per cent) is the country most would consider travelling to, followed by Thailand (24 per cent), Maldives (20 per cent), Singapore (19 per cent) and China (15 per cent).

And 35 per cent said they want to visit the continent more than they did five years ago, citing technological advancements such as high-speed internet global activity as reasons for this (43 per cent).

While the improvements of online booking platforms (37 per cent), digital maps and navigation tools (37 per cent), mobile payment systems (35 per cent) have contributed to the interest.

AI-powered translation apps were also named by 35 per cent as a factor for an increase in appeal, with 23 per cent of all respondents admitting language barriers had put them off visiting in the past.

Overall, 59 per cent have never visited Asia – as 39 per cent claimed the cost of flights was a reason why they haven’t ticked it off their holiday bucket list.

Whereas 36 per cent are put off by the long distance and flight times, and 22 per cent because of health concerns, as per OnePoll.com data.

Cultural differences also play a big role in hesitancy, with food and dining customs (19 per cent), and social norms and behaviours (22 per cent) among the things people would find hardest to navigate.

Visa requirements have deterred 18 per cent from visiting Asia too – although such concerns no longer apply to China as UK nationals can now travel visa-free to the country for up to 30 days.

Talking about the rule change, Fred Fishlock, added: “Visa-free travel has consistently proven to be one of the strongest catalysts for demand – particularly for long-haul routes and first-time travellers.

“We saw this clearly after China’s visa-free policy announcement in 2023, with research showing an increase in interest and flight bookings to the region over the next year for many countries in Europe.

“This, combined with the growing influence of popular culture and digital tools, shows a strong foundation for continued growth in travel to Asia in the coming years.

TOP 15 TV SHOWS OR FILMS THAT INSPIRE BRITS TO VISIT ASIA

1.        Race Across the World

2.        Squid Game

3.        The White Lotus

4.        Crazy Rich Asians

5.        Street Food Series – Asia

6.        KPop Demon Hunters

7.        Spirited Away

8.        Shōgun

9.        Lost in Translation

10.     Alice in Borderland

11.     Slumdog Millionaire

12.     Parasite

13.     Culinary Class Wars

14.     Pachinko

15.     Your Name

Heavy social media use has led to a stark drop in happiness among young people, according to a major academic study.

Fifteen-year-old girls who use social media for more than five hours a day are the most likely to see a drop in life-satisfaction, the 2026 edition of the World Happiness Report reveals.

The annual study, published by the University of Oxford, asked around 1,000 people to rate their lives from 0 to 10 each year.

Under-25s in English-speaking and Western European countries are also likely to have become unhappy, with scores dropping by almost one point over the past decade.

Young people who use social media for less than an hour a day report the highest levels of well-being, the researchers find.

“It is clear that we should look as much as possible to put the ‘social’ back into social media,” said Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, an Oxford economics professor who directs the Wellbeing Research Centre.

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Researchers noted that in some parts of the world, such as the Middle East and South America, the links between social media use and well-being are more positive – and youth well-being has not fallen despite heavy social media use.

Finland was crowned the happiest country in the world for the ninth year in a row – whilst other Nordic countries Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway all ranked among the top 10.

The United Kingdom came in 29th – unchanged from last year when it reached its lowest since the World Happiness Report began collecting data.

The UK’s best ranking came nine years ago when it was 13th, in 2019.

A new entry to the top five on the list is Costa Rica, which climbed to fourth place this year after rising through the ranks from 23rd place in 2023.

“We think it’s because of the quality of their social lives and the stability that they currently enjoy,” De Neve added.

“Latin America more generally has strong family ties, strong social ties, a great level of social capital, as a sociologist would call it, more so than in other places.”

Meanwhile the dominance of Nordic nations is put down to a combination of wealth distribution, welfare, and a healthy life expectancy.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said: “I do not think there is a magic potion, but it helps to have a society which strives towards freedom, equality and justice.”

Mr Cox, who was awarded an MBE in 1996 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the community in Airdrie, passed away on March 9.

Tributes have been paid to the former Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Gibby Cox following his death earlier this month.

Mr Cox, who was awarded an MBE in 1996 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the community in Airdrie, passed away at the age of 90 on March 9.

He was later appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2010 for his service as the Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire.

Current Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Susan Haughey CBE, said: “Gibby was resolutely dedicated to people, local communities, and businesses across Lanarkshire, and he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.

“I’m sure you will join me in extending our condolences to his family and friends, as he will truly be remembered for the many years he served the people of Lanarkshire.”

A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “Gibby is fondly remembered for his dedication to the role of Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, which he held for 10 years, retiring in August 2010 at the age of 75. Gibby served as a Deputy Lieutenant from 1989 until he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant in 2000.

“In 1996, Gibby received an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to the community in Airdrie, and in 2010, he received a rare personal honour from the Queen, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO), to mark a decade of royal service.

“The CVO is of such importance that it is not part of the main civil honours list of knighthoods and MBEs but has always been personally bestowed by the monarch since its inception in 1896 to recognise “services to the royal household”.

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“Gibby played a major role in promoting Lanarkshire throughout his term as Lord-Lieutenant. He spearheaded the fundraising campaign for Summerlee Heritage Park’s landmark refurbishment and helped bring the 2011 International Children’s Games to Lanarkshire.

“After retiring as Lord-Lieutenant, Gibby became Chairman of the St Andrew’s Hospice Capital Appeal, helping to raise substantial funds for the Hospice’s major refurbishment in 2018.

“Gibby was resolutely dedicated to people, local communities, and businesses across Lanarkshire, and he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Following his retirement, Gibby served as chairman of St Andrew’s Hospice Capital Appeal for a number of years and was instrumental in raising the substantial funds that enabled the hospice to undertake its £9 million refurbishment in 2017–2018.

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St Andrew’s Hospice CEO Joy Farquharson added: “Gibby was a true gentleman who championed St Andrew’s Hospice across Lanarkshire, particularly within the business community, to ensure we could raise the millions required to refurbish the Hospice.

“We are indebted to him for his support, his tenacity, and his unwavering belief in our work. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this difficult time.”

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

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Donald Trump made a Pearl Harbour gag so awkward that it triggered painful groans from Oval Office reporters.

The US President was sat down next to the Japanese Prime Minster, no less, when he decided to joke about the Second World War.

‘Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbour?’ he asked a Japanese reporter, despite having been born five years after the attack on the Hawaiian naval base.

It all started with an innocent question to Trump about why the US did not warn its allies before they launched their first wave of strikes against Iran last month.

The President began as you would expect: ‘Well, one thing, you don’t want to signal too much. You know, when we go in, we went in very hard, and we didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted…surprise.’

That last word appeared to spark an idea for a joke in Trump’s head as his counterpart Sanae Takaichi squirmed in her seat.

He asked ‘Who knows better about surprise than Japan?’, which got some awkward chuckles from behind the camera.

Unfortunately Trump continued: ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?’

Cue shocked noises from the press pack. Ms Takaichi’s face was a picture.

The President added: ‘You believe in surprise I think much more so than us.

‘And we had a surprise.. and because of that surprise we probably knocked out 50% of what we did and much more than we anticipated doing.’

The surprise Japanese attack on US warships in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941 killed 2,390 Americans.

The US declared war on Japan the next day, with the then President Franklin D. Roosevelt calling it ‘a date which will live in infamy.’

It led to a brutal four-year war across Asia, which ended in Japanese surrender in August 1945, after the US unleashed two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Ms Takaichi, who has just won a resounding election victory at home, has enjoyed a close relationship with Trump since entering office.

The US President’s visit to Japan last October was widely seen as heralding in a new ‘golden age’ in bilateral ties.

The relationship has appeared more tense since the start of the US and Israeli war against Iran.

Trump demanded Japan and other countries help secure the vital Strait of Hormuz to protect oil shipments being fired upon by Iran.

That request received a lukewarm response, leading the President to post that the US did ‘NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!’

In a joint statement along with the UK, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands published today, Japan expressed its shared ‘readiness to contribute appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage’ through the strait.

Pouring more praise on Trump in the Oval Office, Ms Takaichi said: ‘I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.

‘I am ready to reach out to many of the partners in the international community to achieve our objective together.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Endometriosis is a painful, debilitating condition affecting 10% of women worldwide. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (known as lesions) grows elsewhere in the body – usually within the pelvis.

Treating endometriosis can be difficult. Usually, treatment involves either preventing the growth of these lesions in the first place or removing lesions surgically. But even when lesions have been surgically removed, symptoms often don’t go away.

Traditionally, endometriosis has been thought of as a gynaecological condition. But mounting evidence suggests this characterisation downplays the disease’s complexity. Endometriosis appears to affect far more than just the reproductive system. According to a growing body of research, it influences immune function throughout the whole body.

Recognising it as a whole-body, immune-driven disease could help explain why symptoms range far beyond pelvic pain. It would also explain why treatment is so challenging and often does little to reduce symptoms.

A disease of the whole immune system

Inflammation – the body’s natural response to injury or illness – is a normal part of immune response. It also plays a key role in the menstrual cycle.

But if inflammation becomes chronic or uncontrolled, it can cause problems. This is seen in autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system overreacts even when there is no threat.

Chronic inflammation is also known to play a central role in endometriosis. But the effects of this uncontrolled immune response may be far more widespread than previously thought. According to recent research, the immune response appears to extend into the bloodstream and other body systems. This may explain why endometriosis causes such far-reaching, whole-body symptoms.

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Endometriosis: how the condition may be linked to the immune system

In people with endometriosis, immune cells appear to be less able to clear lesions. Yet, at the same time, people with endometriosis have higher levels of immune proteins such as IL-6 and IL-1β in their blood. These immune proteins, known as cytokines, are a type of messenger released by cells to promote inflammation.

Together, these dysfunctional cells make it possible for lesions to grow and persist. This immune dysregulation also has ripple effects across the body, contributing to the wide range of symptoms sufferers experience.

For instance, many people with endometriosis experience debilitating fatigue, cognitive difficulties (such as “brain fog”) and widespread pain. These symptoms are rarely emphasised in clinical guidelines, yet they’re often as disruptive as pelvic pain itself.

Systemic inflammation offers a compelling explanation for these symptoms. Circulating cytokines, such as those mentioned earlier, are known to influence brain function and energy regulation. Higher levels of cytokines (including IL-6) have also been linked to poorer concentration, disrupted sleep and fatigue in some autoimmune and chronic pain disorders.

These same processes may be occurring in endometriosis. This suggests that invisible symptoms could be biological consequences of ongoing inflammation – not secondary effects of pain.

A dysfunctional immune system may also help to explain why emerging research hints at an overlap between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases.

In 2025, a large scale study looked at 330,000 patients with endometriosis and 1.2 million controls (people who didn’t have the condition). The study found that compared to the controls, people with endometriosis had roughly twice the odds of being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition – such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis or Hashimoto’s disease – within two years of their endometriosis diagnosis.

This doesn’t mean endometriosis is itself an autoimmune disease. But it does suggest shared mechanisms – including chronic inflammation, dysregulated immune cell activity, and problems with the immune system recognising the body’s own tissue properly.

These overlapping features strengthen the case for understanding endometriosis as a systemic immune disorder.

Reframing endometriosis

Viewing endometriosis in this way could transform how it’s diagnosed, treated and understood. It could also help us get closer to finding a solution for the condition.

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Current treatments primarily target the reproductive system. But if endometriosis involves widespread immune dysfunction, then therapies that modulate immune pathways may offer more effective long-term relief.

Seeing endometriosis as a systemic condition can empower patients, as well. This reframing may help them understand that symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, cognitive difficulties and immune sensitivity are not imagined or unrelated. Rather, they’re part of the condition’s broader biology.

Seeing it this way may support patients in advocating for themselves in healthcare settings, where systemic symptoms are often dismissed or deprioritised.

A systemic framing also opens space for patients to explore complementary management strategies aimed at reducing inflammation or improving overall wellbeing. While not curative, some people find gentle movement, stress regulation techniques and heat–cold contrast therapy helpful for managing pain or inflammatory flares.

A growing body of research shows that endometriosis is not solely a reproductive condition or a “bad period”. It’s a multi-system, inflammatory disorder with far-reaching health effects throughout the body.

Understanding endometriosis as a systemic immune disease is a crucial step toward better treatments, better support and, ultimately, better health outcomes.

The teacher sent sexually explicit texts and photos to an adult while children were in the building

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A primary school teacher who transmitted sexually explicit messages, voice recordings and images whilst in the toilets during school hours has been barred from the profession.

Ben Walker had begun his employment at Edisford Primary School in Clitheroe in September 2016. He stepped down in November 2023 following his admission of sending sexually explicit material to a woman whilst on school grounds on July 13, 2022.

A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel has prohibited Mr Walker from teaching. He is unable to seek removal of the prohibition for two years, reports Lancs Live.

In his determination, Stuart Blomfield from the TRA stated: “Mr Walker admitted to having sent sexualised voice notes and images of him shirtless and having exposed himself to Person A, who was an adult not connected with the School. The panel has been provided with copies of the messages which indicate that the conversation was mutual between Mr Walker and Person A.

“The photographs of Mr Walker with his shirt off, and one with him appearing to expose himself (although this is redacted in the panel’s bundle of documents), are taken in the same room – which appears to be the toilets.”

“The panel is therefore satisfied that those photographs were taken at School. Mr Walker has admitted that those photographs were taken in the male toilets at School, although for clarity, the panel notes that Mr Walker asserted these were the male staff toilets.

“For the avoidance of doubt the panel is satisfied that no children saw Mr Walker take the photos in question, nor is there any suggestion that any child heard Mr Walker making or receiving the sexualised voice notes. Notwithstanding this, the panel is of the view that children were still on School premises and were therefore in the vicinity of Mr Walker when he was engaging in the alleged activity.

“The panel accepts that the risk of children witnessing his activities was probably low, but it cannot rule out there was at least some risk of exposing a child to harm by carrying out the activities on School premises. The panel considered whether the messages were sexually motivated.

“The nature of some of the messages that the panel has had sight of are particularly graphic and are unquestionably of a sexual nature. They indicate the participants’ desire to engage in a sexual relationship and the panel is therefore satisfied that Mr Walker was sexually motivated in sending the messages.

Although the images appear to have been taken by Mr. Walker in the main part of the bathroom, rather than in a locked cubicle. The images show a door and two sinks, behind and next to where Mr Walker is standing(respectively). The [REDACTED] confirmed that the image appeared to have been taken by Mr Walker in the main part of the bathroom, and that there was no lock on the door into the bathroom.

“The panel’s concern is that if a child had inadvertently entered the staff toilet at the time, the harm to that child could have potentially been significant.”

The prohibition order bars Mr Walker from teaching indefinitely, meaning he is unable to work in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. An application to have the prohibition order lifted cannot be made until March 2028.