Many travellers who are British citizens and nationals of another country have been thrown into confusion and anxiety over complex new rules for travel to the UK.
Passengers can no longer use their foreign passport with an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for visits to the UK.
The Home Office says British people who are citizens of a second country must travel to the UK using either a valid British or Irish passport, or a valid passport from any other country that has a “certificate of entitlement” – a digital verification that the holder has the right of abode in the UK.
But many people who are British citizens by birth or descent are concerned that imminent trips may be impossible. Obtaining either official document will take weeks. A passport will cost £94.50 and the certificate of entitlement £589.
Advertisement
At the 11th hour, the Home Office said that airlines could accept, at their discretion, an expired British passport issued at any time since 1989 along with a valid foreign passport.
Crucially, the biographic details – full name, date and place of birth – must match exactly. This will prove a problem for someone whose name has changed since the now-expired UK passport was issued.
Having the expired British-plus-valid foreign passport combination does not guarantee the holder will be allowed to travel
The Home Office stresses: “It is an operational decision whether carriers accept alternative proof, and if so, what alternative proof they will accept.”
Advertisement
In other words, airlines have the discretion to decide whether or not to allow the two-passport combination.
The Independent has been seeking urgent confirmation from leading carriers as to whether they will accept the combo if it meets the requirements: an expired document issued no earlier than 1989, and matching the biographical data on the valid passport.
These airlines have confirmed that they will allow travel:
Qantas is reported in the Australian media to be accepting expired UK passports. Air New Zealand is reportedly not accepting the current/expired passport combo. But since the carrier no longer flies to the UK, partner airlines may accommodate travellers.
Advertisement
Singapore Airlines has responded, enigmatically, by indicating the decision rests with the British authorities. A spokesperson said: “The UK Home Office may accept proof of citizenship if customers have an expired British passport issued 1989 or later and a valid non-visa-national third-country passport, with their personal particulars matching (eg full name, date of birth).”
Passengers flying with other carriers can check directly with the airline. In turn, ground staff can contact the Home Office Carrier Support Hub (CSH).
A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “As directed by the Home Office, we will consider each passenger on a case-by-case basis and if needed would contact Carrier Support Hub to establish the passengers’ circumstances and which combination of documents they are presenting.”
The Independent is waiting to hear from other airlines, but the evidence so far is that a large majority will accept the expired passport.
Advertisement
The government says the new rules constitute “a more streamlined, digital immigration system” that it claims “will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year”.
Town End Farm Shop, in Airton, near Malham, has built up a loyal following among locals and tourists alike, earning a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,000 Google reviews, and 4.3 stars on TripAdvisor.
Located close to open countryside, the business combines a farm shop, tearoom, post office and online store, offering everything from breakfast and lunch to Yorkshire hampers, farmhouse cheeses and award-winning charcuterie.
The Town End Farm Shop sign (Image: TRIPADVISOR)
It has also attracted wider recognition beyond the Dales.
Town End Farm Shop featured on the BBC programme Top of the Shop with Tom Kerridge, which was filmed there over eight weeks, and was named best in the region for Yorkshire and the North East at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.
Advertisement
Judges at those awards praised the business as a “small yet super dynamic farm shop”, highlighting its range of strengths and standout eco-credentials.
Visitors have been equally enthusiastic.
One reviewer said: “Amazing little Farm Shop and Tea Room, super friendly and helpful staff, dogs welcome in both the shop and tea room.
Advertisement
“Food in the Tea Room was of amazing quality and reasonably priced. Well worth a visit.”
Another described having a “wonderful experience”, praising the “warm and friendly” welcome and the owner’s passion for the business.
A third said the farm shop was “just fantastic”, while others have singled out the “excellent food and atmosphere”, “great location” and “plenty of parking”.
The tearoom appears to be a particular draw for customers, serving breakfast until 11.45am, lunch from 11.45am to 3pm, and tea and cake later in the afternoon.
Advertisement
Town End Farm Shop in North Yorkshire (Image: TRIPADVISOR)
It is also dog-friendly, adding to its appeal for walkers and day-trippers exploring nearby beauty spots such as Malham Cove and Malham Tarn.
Reviews frequently mention the quality of the food on offer.
One customer praised the “high quality ingredients” in what they called “one of the best full English breakfasts around”, while another said the carrot cake was “by far the best” they had ever tasted.
Others have highlighted the deli counter, handmade pies, local produce and selection of gifts, as well as the surrounding views across the Dales.
Town End Farm Shop has carved out a niche for championing Yorkshire produce, with hampers, cheese and charcuterie boxes available to buy online as well as in store.
Advertisement
Its butchery and charcuterie courses have also become a popular offering, marketed as ideal gifts for food lovers.
Among the products promoted by the business are Longhorn bresaola, Yorkshire chorizo, Yorkshire gin coppa and a range of farmhouse cheeses, helping reinforce its reputation as a destination for regional food and drink.
The farm shop has also picked up recognition through other awards, including success at the Deliciouslyorkshire Taste Awards and the British Charcuterie Awards.
Located in Airton, Town End Farm Shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 5pm, with the post office also operating on selected days.
Advertisement
It is closed on Mondays, apart from bank holidays.
Ekitike suffered what appeared to be a dead leg following a late challenge from the Brighton veteran, and Liverpool great, James Milner, inside the opening few minutes of the Premier League clash on the south coast.
Ekitike was left banging the turf in pain but was able to hobble to the sidelines. After despite a brief attempt to play on, Ekitike went down again and was replaced by Curtis Jones before heading straight down the tunnel.
The France international has been called up for the friendlies against Brazil and Colombia next week, but could be a doubt depending on the severity of the injury. Salah and Alisson have withdrawn from Egypt and Brazil’s squads, respectively, after both missing the trip to Brighton.
The ITV variety competition has returned with a new series, as Stacey Solomon (temporarily stepping in for Simon Cowell), Amanda Holden, KSI and Alesha Dixon hunt for the nation’s next winner.
Advertisement
Every year, the judges and hosts Ant and Dec are able to award one auditionee a golden buzzer, which catapults the performer straight to the live semi-final shows.
And after watching a preview for an upcoming audition, fans have been making the same demand. 12-year-old James from Rye, East Sussex, was met with a roaring crowd after his rendition of Wicked’s Defying Gravity.
He admitted feeling a “bit nervous” before his performance, but clearly had no need to be, as he was met with a standing ovation, and the judges left gobsmacked, all on their feet as they applauded the young singer.
The emotional rendition had Ant and Dec screaming from the sidelines, as Alesha told him: “That was how you do it! Everybody loves that big moment at the end, I can’t tell you how many times my children have tried to attempt that last moment in the song, it is the magic moment, and you smashed it!”
KSI added: “James, I felt like I was watching a Disney kids show. You blew everyone away.”
“I cannot believe that a little sausage like you has the pipes for something so huge, congratulations,” Amanda praised.
Stacey shared: “You think your kids are talented and then you’re like, no maybe mine aren’t so talented, when you see people like you, James. Your parents must be buzzing.”
She added: “That was absolutely phenomenal,” before Alesha branded James “a star in the making”.
One fan wrote: “That’s out of this world for a 12 year-old boy. I felt I was watching one of those Disney movies. So beautiful. He is a star even without the Golden Buzzer.”
Another said: “Definitely deserved the golden buzzer,” while a third added: “Rarely does a kid have this level of vocal maturity. It moved me to tears. Should have gotten the golden!”
Someone else wrote: “Jeeeesuuuuus! Normally with kids, even trained kids, you can usually hear some bits that show underdeveloped voice and techniques, but my God, this boys control and technique was mind blowing!”
Advertisement
Yet another echoed: “How did he not get The Golden Buzzer?!! Unbelievable,” as someone else said: “When you have crowd reaction like that and all four judges standing, I felt that this was a golden buzzer performance. He nailed that song!!!”
Another viewer wrote: “Tears are flowing down my face listening to that young man. Hit every note.”
Someone else wrote: “THE PIPES ON THIS KID WHAT THE HECK, HOW DARE HE NOT GET GOLDEN.”
Advertisement
Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturday 6:45pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Ronnie O’Sullivan won a tense deciding frame against China’s Wu Yize at the World Open in Yushan to reach a first ranking final in more than two years.
The seven-time world champion was never behind against Wu but struggled to break clear of the world number 11 before finally completing a 6-5 victory.
Wu had the first chance in the decider, opening a decent lead with a break of 43, but 50-year-old O’Sullivan punished a poor safety shot by sinking a long red then held his nerve with a clearance of 89.
Advertisement
The Englishman is into his 66th final in a ranking event – but his first since beating Judd Trump to win the World Grand Prix in January 2024.
On Wednesday, March 19, Simon Lycett, a leading UK floral designer known for his work at royal events and for clients such as Elton John, spent the day with floristry students at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus in Durham.
The visit followed the announcement that the college will represent the North East at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.
Scott Bullock, principal and chief executive of East Durham College, said: “We were incredibly proud to have welcomed Simon Lycett to East Durham College.
“His visit has provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to learn from one of the very best in the industry.
Advertisement
“Experiences like this not only inspire creativity but also build confidence as our learners prepare to showcase their talents on a national stage at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
“We are grateful to our staff and sponsors for supporting these opportunities and helping our students achieve their full potential.”
Mr Lycett spent the day reviewing student designs, offering professional feedback, and sharing experience from his high-profile career.
His input comes as students prepare to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural events.
Advertisement
The day also brought together staff, sponsors, and supporters, including MKM Durham, Durham Parish Council, Jewson’s, the National Trust, and Bon Bloeman, who were given a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the collaborative efforts between students and the college’s floristry team.
Mr Lycett said: “After being made an RHS Ambassador for floristry and floral art back in 2022 and the team asked me if I wanted to become a judge and I said no I don’t want to become a judge, I want to become a mentor because I’m getting old and we need more florists – and how fabulous to be up here amongst so may florists of every age.
Read more:
“I’ve never seen such a brilliant gathering of creatives.
Advertisement
“The designs they are working on are so exciting as they exactly fit the brief, what they are creating is so unique and each of them has come to it with their own ideas and thoughts.
“It’s become a fascinating and very collaborative project between the students and the floristry team, and it’s using lots of different techniques – it’s going to be a phenomenal showcase of the fabulous world of being a florist.”
Want a sci-fi show? That also has thrills? You’ve come to the right place (Picture: Bettina Strauss/BBCA)
Looking to queue up another sci-fithriller rather than stepping outside this weekend to face the tundra? We’ve got you covered.
Or rather, the Metro readers have. We asked for your favourite little-known sci-fi gems, and you certainly came through.
The list includes time-travelling shenanigans, the far-off corners of outer space and even a misfit detective with some otherworldly cases to crack.
Some stick to the hard-and-fast conventions, while others play around within your expectations of the genre — and they’re all well worth your time.
Advertisement
Heck, you even mentioned Farscape! That’s a deep pull!
So here’s the list of sci-fi thrillers that might not have crossed your screens yet…
Farscape
Alas, Farscape was prematurely cancelled (Picture: Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock)
You’re in for a treat, because this one was the most recommended choice among readers.
Farscape debuted back in 1999 and soon became one of TV’s leading sci-fi cult classics. The show stars Ben Browder as astronaut John Crichton, who ends up caught in the swirl of a wormhole.
It chucks him out in a distant corner of the universe, where he bands together with a bunch of alien refugees on the ship Moya. But life is never peaceful far out in the cosmos, and they’re being chased by Peacekeepers – think the Hunger Games militaristic version, and you’re not far off who they are here.
Advertisement
The plan for Farscape was to make a five-season arc, but the show was abruptly cancelled before the final instalment, going out with 88 (!) episodes in the bank. The worst thing about the cancellation was it ended on a loose end. Until 2004, when the show returned with the three-hour miniseries Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars to tie everything up.
Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Muppets was how reader Lee Miles, who owned the box set back in the day, billed the show.
Ali Luck put it bluntly enough: ‘I don’t want to have to say Farscape because people should all know about it. But just in case… Farscape.’
Continuum
One for Black Mirror fans (Picture: Channel/Everett/Shutterstock)
Read the synopsis of Continuum, and it has a clear tinge of the mind-bending Black Mirror – this wouldn’t be a list of sci-fi thrillers if we didn’t bring up Charlie Brooker’s opus somewhere.
Having run from 2012 to 2015, this sci-fi thriller meets cop drama stars 2077 cybernetically enhanced cop Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols), who is trapped in present-day Vancouver.
Advertisement
Except it might be better there, because 2077 is run by huge corporations. (Are we far off that though…?)
Like 1984 before it, the world has become hi-tech and hugely reliant on surveillance to keep everyone in check. Not that everyone does, because Kiera is tasked with chasing the dissenting terrorist organisation Liber-8 through time.
Continuum was a show that got smarter the further it went along. Plus, Adam Whatford said it had a ‘valid political commentary’ when it first aired in the 2010s, adding: ‘Unfortunately, the commentary is still very much valid today.’
12 Monkeys
It’s James vs the monkeys in question (Picture: Channel/Everett/Shutterstock)
You might be thinking, ‘Isn’t that a Brad Pitt film?’ Well, yes, it is, but it was also a TV show with a few of the same characters. Plus, it feels like a good sign if there are multiple versions of something, right? Why else would they both?
Here, the time-travelling plot focuses on James (X-Men’s Aaron Stanford), a scavenger in 2043 – okay, this was a bit further away when the show aired in 2015 than it is now.
Advertisement
That is indeed the year he returns to in order to prevent the contagion of a gruesome plague, called the Kalavirus, which led to a small little thing called the decimation of humanity. James’ mission is to eliminate those 12 monkeys that first caused the virus.
We jump back and forth between the present day 2010s and the future of the 2040s as we go, so it’s a lot of fun for anyone who enjoys Loop-style cause-and-effect hokey cokey.
Ben Dieter Holt had particularly high praise for the show, writing: ‘One of the best things I’ve ever watched and probably surpasses the original film.’
Word on the street is the first season is a bit lacklustre, but persevere because it’s upwards from there on out.
Advertisement
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
Yes, that’s Elijah Wood as a bellhop! (Picture: AMC/Katie Yu)
With an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, you can’t go wrong with this, and it’s easily available to watch over on Netflix.
Based on Douglas Adams’ detective novel series, this sci-fi entry first aired back in 2016 and follows bellhop Todd Brotzman, played by one of the legends of another hugely popular genre, Elijah Wood.
It’s just another day at work for Todd, until he comes under suspicion for having murdered a millionaire in the hotel penthouse – not good! Rescue comes in the form of titular smooth-talking detective Dirk Gently (extra points for the fun name) Dirk Gently (Samuel Barnett).
Instead of suspecting Todd, he convinces the bellhop to work with him on cracking the case. But this is when the sci-fi elements comes into play, because it turns out that his work tends to involve the paranormal.
Advertisement
You might not have heard of the show before, but Justin Bodle has and described it as the ‘best program on Netflix’ before its unfortunate cancellation with two seasons in the bank.
Space – Above and Beyond
The rag-tag group cobbled together from Earth’s military (Picture: Hard Eight/Kobal/Shutterstock)
Nathan Hobbs recommended Space – Above and Beyond, calling it ‘one of the best and most overlooked sci-fi series ever made’, adding that it was 30 years ahead of its time.
Set in 2063, the show follows members of the US Marine Corps 58th Squadron of the Space Aviator Cavalry known as the Wildcards.
This rag-tag group has been cobbled together from Earth’s military following an attack on our solar system by a mysterious alien race known as The Chigs and represents humanity’s last hope of defeating the extraterrestrial menace.
While the series only ran for one season, it’s fondly remembered by sci-fi fans and regularly appears on lists of underappreciated TV series.
Advertisement
Indeed, Starburst Magazine said in a 2018 review that ‘it’s stunning how well the series has aged since its original run’ while Jesse Alexander of i09 claimed you could see the influence the series had on beloved shows like Lost, 24, and Alias.
Sliders
This weird show followed a group of interdimensional explorers (Picture: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock)
Chris Jrj, meanwhile, proved he’s a man of exquisite taste when he recommended the woefully underrated Sliders.
They wrote: ‘Real heroes will mention Sliders. Legendary heroes remember watching Sliders long enough for it to get a bit rubbish.’
This weird show followed a group of interdimensional explorers who invented a miraculous piece of technology that allowed them to ‘slide’ from dimension to dimension.
Unfortunately, on their first adventure, they lost the coordinates to their home reality, forcing them to leap from one alternate universe to another, hoping each time that their next leap would be the leap home (wait, that sounds familiar…).
Advertisement
While the concept might have been a bit derivative of other shows, it was a fun idea that allowed the writers to tell a variety of stories. There were episodes where Nazis controlled America, tales where dinosaurs still walked the Earth, and, of course, there’s a zombie episode.
It was daft and delightful, but as Chris Jrj said, as time went on, it did fall off a bit. If you slide on over to Reddit, you’ll find several people saying seasons one and two are brilliant, but the rest is a bit disappointing.
This article was originally published on November 22, 2025.
Got a story?
Advertisement
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Reports suggest that Roy’s Rolls cafe, owned by character Roy Cropper, will be burned down in an arson attack in the coming weeks.
The blaze is expected to spread and destroy the cafe, all while Roy is inside the property.
Further claims suggest that Roy will be left fighting for his life, with the cafe owner being rushed to the hospital.
Advertisement
Coronation Street to destroy Roy’s Roll cafe
The scenes of the cafes burning down are expected to air in April.
According to The Sun, questions will arise over who would want to target Roy and burn the cafe down.
A source said, “Roy’s Rolls is targeted by a mystery fire starter who breaks in and douses the cafe with petrol whilst Roy sleeps upstairs in his flat.
“When residents spot smoke coming out of the windows, emergency services are called. As the fire rages and people realise Roy is trapped inside, the race is on to get him out alive.
Advertisement
“Will Roy be rescued in time, and what about his precious collection of railway memorabilia and memories of Hayley? Is this the end of Roy’s Rolls as we know it, and who wanted to burn down the iconic cafe?”
Coronation Street stars sign new contracts on cobbles
Tony Maudsley and Jodie Prenger, who play George and Glenda Shuttleworth, have signed new contracts to continue acting on the iconic ITV soap.
Both stars will remain for at least another year.
Advertisement
Maudsley, who joined the soap in 2020 as the local undertaker, confirmed that his time on the show had been extended in a post on social media.
It could be seen alongside a picture of the former Benidorm star with a glass of fizz.
He wrote in a caption on Sunday (1 March): “New contract? Cheers Corrie, don’t mind if I do.
“(I bit their hand off!) Can’t wait to see what’s around the corner for George (aside from more corpses).”
How much of the new release do you play? How many of the fan favourites do you keep in the set?
Gorillaz at Co-op Live, Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)
In launching the Mountain tour at Co-op Live, Gorillaz delivered a masterclass in how to bring a new album to the stage and still delight the doting crowd with hit after hit.
This was so much more than a gig. In typical Gorillaz fashion it was also a live art installation with the Co-op Live’s massive screens being put to full use as Jamie Hewlett’s cartoon creations and delicate illustrations provided the backdrop for an astonishing array of musicians to spellbind us.
At the centre of it all, Damon Albarn was part ringmaster, part high priest – an almost delicate figure in British Rail jacket – the stage was his pulpit as he spread his message of compassion and unity.
Advertisement
Damon Albarn and Joe Talbot of Idles during Gorillaz show at Co-op Live Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)
The Mountain is a spiritual album, reflecting on love, loss and the hereafter, not the subjects you would think would translate into a 20,000+ arena setting. But the world rhythms and driving beats created a hypnotic effect which was mesmerising.
On the screens there were cameos from Sparks, on a wonderful The Happy Dictator, and Bobby Womack on Stylo.
More guests came on stage in person with Joe Talbot of Idles sharing the microphone for The God of Lying, Omar Souleyman on Damascus and Bootie Brown on Dirty Harry.
Damon Albarn and Kara Jackson during Gorillaz show at Co-op Live Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)
The encores illustrated perfectly how balanced and nuanced this special show was. Two songs from the new album – The Hardest Things and Orange County, featuring Kara Jackson. And then the explosive finale as De La Soul’s Pos whipped the crowd into a frenzy for Feel Good Inc with the show ending with Clint Eastwood leaving the crowd delighted and exhausted in equal measure.
Advertisement
Several times Damon Albarn climbed down from the stage to stand at the barrier with the fans who hung on his every word. He looked genuinely moved by the welcome he’d received in Manchester and it was richly deserved.
Music needs genuine artists, people who are prepared to think outside the box, stick to their convictions and produce work you can tell is special to them.
Gorillaz at Co-op Live, Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)
You may not like everything they do but you have to admire and appreciate the fact they do it and do it so well.
On this showing, Gorillaz are still the trail-blazers they were when the first drawings of 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs first appeared some 28 years ago.
Advertisement
The Mountain tour is back at Co-op Live tonight before heading around the UK
TOKYO (AP) — Senior U.S. and Japanese officials tend to shy away from anything but very careful public comments about Japan’s 1941 sneak attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor. So there was embarrassment, confusion and unease on Saturday in Japan after President Donald Trump casually used the World War II attack to justify his secrecy before launching the war against Iran.
The Japanese discomfort was compounded by the fact that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was sitting awkwardly at Trump’s side as he spoke.
Partly, the reaction is linked to the crucial security and economic role that the U.S. plays for Japan, its top ally in the region. Put simply, Japan needs to make sure the U.S. relationship thrives. That’s why Takaichi was in Washington.
But it’s also a reflection of just how fresh the political debate about Japan’s role in World War II remains here, even 80 years after its end.
Advertisement
Senior leaders, including Takaichi, have argued that Japan has apologized enough for what happened in the war. Takaichi herself has recently hinted at visiting Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where Japanese war criminals are honored among the 2.5 million war dead.
It is, however, somewhat startling for Japan to see these history questions spill over into a White House summit.
On Friday, when asked by a Japanese reporter why he didn’t tell allies in Europe and Asia ahead of the U.S. attack on Iran, Trump cited Pearl Harbor to defend his decision, saying, ‘Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?”
The liberal leaning Asahi newspaper said in an editorial Saturday that Trump’s comments “should not be overlooked.”
Advertisement
“Making such a remark to justify a sneak attack and boast about its outcome is a piece of nonsense that ignores lessons from history,” Asahi said.
Claims of rudeness
Social media reaction has ranged from accusations of ignorance and rudeness by the U.S. president to claims that he didn’t see Japan as an equal partner. There were calls for Japan to protest what Trump said.
Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, said in an online opinion piece published in the Nikkei newspaper Saturday that the comment signaled that Trump was “not bound by existing American common sense.”
“I get the impression that the comment was intended to bring the Japanese reporter (who asked the question) or Ms. Takaichi into complicity in order to justify his ‘sneak attack’ on Iran during diplomatic negotiations and without telling allied countries,” Watanabe said.
Advertisement
There’s also a feeling that an unspoken understanding exists between U.S. and Japanese leaders to tread carefully on the subject. Both sides need each other, with Washington relying on Japan to host 50,000 troops and an array of powerful hi-tech weapons, and Japan relying on the U.S. nuclear umbrella to deter hostile, nuclear-armed neighbors.
Japan’s post-World War II constitution bans the use of force except for its self-defense, but Takaichi and other officials are now seeking to expand the military’s role.
When it comes to U.S.-Japan reconciliation, many here look to the example of former leaders Barack Obama and Shinzo Abe, who in 2016 paid tribute together at the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and at the Hiroshima Peace Park.
Mixed reaction for Japan’s leader
Takaichi, a hard-line conservative, was praised for not reacting to the comments by Trump, letting them pass with a roll of her eyes and a glance at her ministers seated nearby.
Advertisement
After all, the goal of her summit was to deepen ties with her most important ally, not debate World War II. She arrived shortly after Trump suggested that Japan was among the nations that did not quickly join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz.
Some, however, criticized Takaichi for not speaking up.
Hitoshi Tanaka, a former diplomat and a special adviser at the Japan Research Institute think tank, wrote on X that he felt embarrassed to see Takaichi flattering Trump.
“As national leaders, they are equals. … To make an equal relationship is not to flatter,” he said. “Just doing what pleases Trump and calling it a success if you are not hurt is too sad.”
Advertisement
Reporter criticized
There was initial blame on social media of the Japanese reporter who asked the question that prompted Trump’s Pearl Harbor comment.
The reporter, Morio Chijiiwa with TV Asahi, later said on a talk show that he asked the question to represent the feelings of Japanese who are not happy about Trump’s one-sided attack on Iran, and because other countries, including Japan, are being asked to help out.
“So that’s why I asked the question. I was meaning to say, Why didn’t you tell us, why are you troubling us?” he said. “Then President Trump hit back with the Pearl Harbor attack. … I found it extremely awkward for him to change the subject.”
Junji Miyako, 53, said Takaichi flattering Trump felt more condescending to him than the President’s Pearl Harbor remark.
Advertisement
“I was so frustrated to see Takaichi didn’t even say anything to Trump to stop the war,” he said. “I think Trump’s Pearl Harbor comment was stupid, but to me the war he started is a much bigger problem.”
A woman has admitted she is being ‘driven insane’ every evening after getting home from her ‘highly stressful’ job owing to the behaviour of her neighbour’s son
Alan Johnson Social News Reporter
12:42, 21 Mar 2026
A woman who is desperate to deter her neighbour’s child’s annoying habit has admitted that doing so poses one problem preventing her from taking action. Taking to Reddit to talk about her neighbour issue, she detailed an issue that is her driving her “insane” after a basketball hoop was installed on the border that divides their two properties.
“I moved into this house about three years ago and everything was fine until my neighbour decided his teenage son needed to become the next NBA star,” the woman elaborated in the Neighbours From Hell community. “About two weeks ago he installed one of those heavy duty portable basketball hoops but instead of putting it near his garage or in the middle of his driveway he tucked it right against the edge of my property.”
Advertisement
The woman went on to reveal that the hoops’ backboard is just inches from her own exterior wall, where her master bedroom is located.
“Every single time that kid misses a shot the ball slams into the side of my house with a massive thud that shakes the pictures on my walls,” she slammed. It starts at around 4pm when he gets home from school and goes on until 9pm or even later some nights.”
Owing to her “highly stressful” job, the woman said she longs to be able relax when she gets home from work, rather than being subjected to the “rhythmic thumping sound” every five seconds throughout the evening.
“I tried talking to the dad nicely and asked if they could move it just 10 feet to the left so it wasn’t leaning against my house,” she continued. “But he just shrugged and told me that his driveway is levelled better on that side and that it’s a free country.”
Advertisement
The “worst part” of the situation, however, is the fact the ball keeps landing in the woman’s flowerbeds, meanwhile. “I spent a lot of money and time on my landscaping this spring and now half of my hydrangeas are snapped because the kid just tramples through them to get his ball back,” she said.
The woman added that she had even caught the youngster on her Ring doorbell trampling on the flowers without a care in the world and after heading outside to confront him, she was met with a “blank stare” and a lack of understanding as to why she was so upset.
“I feel like a prisoner in my own home,” she confessed. “I cant even have the windows open because the shouting and the constant metallic clanging of the rim is so loud. I checked the local ordinances but apparently as long as they aren’t playing past 10pm there isn’t much the city can do about noise.”
The irate woman closed by advising that she was considering erecting a high fence, but this would set her back “thousands” for the privilege. “It’s not even about the kid playing sports it is the fact that they chose the one spot that impacts me the most,” she said.
Advertisement
Writing in response, one Reddit user joked: “I think you need to install a motion-activated sprinkler for those poor hydrangeas. Every time that kid misses a shot, he gets soaked.”
To which the woman conceded: “Part of me loves this idea way more than I should. Realistically I’d probably end up starting a whole new war, but the image of him getting blasted while trampling my flowers is very satisfying.”
Whilst a second person declared: “He can’t be damaging your house and property like that. There are rules about things like that out there. Ask them to move it and to stop hitting your house. They should be some kind of city code about this in your area. Also contact the cops and ask them to come trespass the kid for coming it your property and destroying your flower and siding.”
The woman replied: “You’re probably right. I kept second guessing myself because I didn’t want to be the uptight neighbour, but once it’s hitting my siding and they’re walking through my flower beds, it’s clearly past being a minor annoyance.”
Advertisement
According to the government, you can ask your local council for help if the neighbour dispute involves an activity that is damaging to health or a nuisance. This is known as a ‘statutory nuisance’.
This could include:
noise (including loud music and barking dogs)
artificial light (except street lamps)
dust, steam, smell or insects from business premises
smoke, fumes or gases
a build-up of rubbish that could harm health
Your council has a duty to investigate any statutory nuisance.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login