‘Satire is clearly not one of our strong points’

A food venue in the city centre has been forced to apologise for a now-deleted social post relating to Donald Trump, which was met with backlash online as people accused them of ‘giving MAGA’..

At the weekend, a post was shared on Mackie Mayor’s Instagram page, which has around 84,000 followers, tying the institution with the American president. The space, in the former Smithfield Market building on Eagle Street in the Northern Quarter, features nine independent kitchens and bars.

The venue, which has been going for nearly ten years now and is run by the same team behind Altrincham Market and the Picturedrome Macclesfield, posted an ‘satirical’ AI-doctored image of an unimpressed Trump on Saturday (February 7) wearing a gold dollar sign chain alongside an orange T-shirt referring to the food hall. The T-shirt featured the words: “The original, the modern and the best, just don’t call us a food hall”.

The post was accompanied by the caption: “Those monkeys, I wear one of their goddam [sic] new T’s and they don’t even serve burger, fries and Coca Cola.” The post was later deleted, although screenshots remain of the image and its caption. Many people online believed Mackie Mayor’s post referred to a recent video posted by Trump last week, which was criticised for featuring the faces of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama positioned over images of apes. The venue has today told the M.E.N the post had been a reference to the Northern slang ‘Cheeky Monkeys’ instead.

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The video clip shared by Trump, which was set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, featured claims regarding vote fraud in the 2020 election. Trump later deleted the clip, saying he believed he ‘didn’t make a mistake’ in sharing it and said he had only ever watched the start of the clip before the scene depicting the Obama’s was featured.

The Manchester food venue’s post has also reached the Manchester subreddit on the Reddit platform, where it has been criticised for being ‘offensive’. The initial shared post on Reddit was captioned: “Think they’ve taken it down now after everyone piled on about how dumb it was.”

Commenting on the post, one person said: “Absolutely bizarre post (by them)”. Another wrote: “Oh that Social Media manager was trying to be funny and edgy huh?” One other commented: “I’m not even sure I get what the intended point was.” Another wrote: “Call me a snowflake but this just isn’t funny to me at all. Seems like a business trying to make a joke about current affairs as part of their marketing but missing the part of their brain that says “Actually, maybe we just make jokes about something a bit less risky”.”

Speaking to the M.E.N, one person from Manchester said they had been ‘horrified’ after discovering the post whilst scrolling on Instagram on Saturday. Whilst they couldn’t be sure, they said they believe the post was deleted within ‘about 30 minutes’. There’s been nothing to suggest that the vendors at Mackie Mayor, who operate independently to the owners, had any awareness or involvement of the social post.

“I remember commenting on the post, being like ‘what the ****’, and I got loads of notifications from people before they all just stopped,” the person, who asked not to be named, said. “It looked to me like someone had asked ChatGPT to generate both the image and the caption, but it’s so random. They have just tried to sweep it under the rug and I just don’t think that’s okay.

“They should be called out for it because it’s not acceptable. People should be aware of what they’ve said and be held accountable for that. I don’t think Trump should be used in any way when it comes to marketing regardless, let alone from a big brand. It’s giving MAGA, to be honest.”

On Instagram earlier today (February 12), a number of people were continuing to leave comments on the venue’s posts. On an unrelated post, one person wrote: “There’s still time to apologise rather than pretend the ai trump post didn’t happen.” Another said: “At this point I have no faith that they’ll ever mention it or apologise. They don’t care.”

The owners of Mackie Mayor said its post had been intended to reference the Northern phrase ‘cheeky monkeys’, rather than anything relating to videos shared by Donald Trump. Whilst saying the post had been intended to be ‘deliberately unflattering, satirical and self-deprecating’, they acknowledged they had missed the mark and ‘apologised unreservedly’.

In a statement shared with the M.E.N, a spokesperson for Mackie Mayor said: “On Instagram on Saturday 7 February we briefly posted a photoshopped Donald Trump. Its intent was to be deliberately unflattering, satirical, self-deprecating and poke fun at Trump, criticising us as “losers” for not serving burgers, Coca Cola and fries.

“The reference was intended as a link to the Northern phrase “cheeky monkeys” – something our grans used to call us. On review, we understand this was not how it was interpreted and apologise unreservedly for any offence that this caused. Satire is clearly not one of our strong points. We’ll stick to delivering great food and drinks in a wonderful and inclusive environment that we have been trying to do for the last ten years.”

The service frees up bed spaces in hospital

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Peterborough City Council’s ruling cabinet has agreed to renew a service which entitles local hospital patients to receive vital support following their discharge from hospital care.

At a meeting on Tuesday, February 10, the cabinet approved plans that will enable the Discharge Support Service – which has been in place since 2017 – to continue operating out of Peterborough City Hospital.

Councillor Neil Boyce (Peterborough First), Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, presented the proposal to Cabinet. “The paper seeks approval from Cabinet to award the contract for delivery of Peterborough City Council’s Discharge Support Service to The British Red Cross Society,” he said.

The proposal to recommission was taken following assessments which concluded the Discharge Support Service was “valuable and impactful.”

Cllr Boyce said: “This service enables those discharged from Peterborough City Hospital to re-settle appropriately in their own home via a variety of tasks for a period of up to six weeks.”

These tasks include:

• Transport home/or to a care setting from hospital;
• Post-discharge support for up to six weeks if needed;
• Telephone support/welfare check-ins;
• Collecting prescriptions;
• Shopping and food parcels;
• Delivering small equipment from hospital to home;
• Mobility aids;
• Triage service into the local voluntary sector and local information for the Peterborough area.

The councillor insisted these provisions helped “increase the independence and well-being of those who use the service”.

The Peterborough First councillor for Glinton and Castor went on to explain the expected length of the new contract, saying it will be “commencing on 1st May 2026 for an initial period of three years with the option to extend for a further two years”.

The current contract for this service, which was awarded in May 2023, ends on 30 April 2026.

The report stated the Discharge Support Service will cost a combined maximum value of £740,209 (£148,041 per year) over the course of five years.

Figures provided by the Department of Health and Social Care estimate likely savings of somewhere between £189,750 and £356,250 each year. Vital bed space needed for newly admitted patients would also be increased as a result.

The Discharge Support Service is available for all adults aged 18 discharged from Peterborough City Hospital.

Footage from the cameras outside the man’s home matched footage found on the stalker’s phone

A Cambridgeshire woman stalked a man with remotely accessible cameras hidden in a hedge outside his home. Nadia Kiernan, 33, has been handed a 12-month restraining order and a 12-month community order for stalking a man in Newmarket.

Kiernan was arrested and charged with stalking after remotely accessible cameras were discovered in a hedge outside the victim’s home. After she was arrested, the cameras, associated material, and her mobile phone were seized by police.

Detectives identified footage on her mobile phone that appeared as from the camera outside the property.

Kiernan, of Clay Street in Ely, Cambridgeshire, appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Wednesday, February 4. She had originally denied the charge of stalking at an earlier hearing before changing her plea.

Kiernan must also comply with a rehabilitation and community programme. She was ordered to pay costs and charges totalling £414.

PC Georgia Goreham, the investigating officer said: “The impact on the victim upon discovering the cameras should not be understated. The devices had been placed outside his home to spy on him, monitor his activity and track his movements. Seven months of recorded surveillance was identified from Kiernan’s phone and cameras.

“Stalking is a serious and distressing crime which can escalate into dangerous and destructive behaviour. Protecting victims and addressing this type of abuse remains a priority for Suffolk Constabulary and we urge anyone experiencing similar behaviour to come forward and report it.”

Resident Evil Requiem becomes the first mainline entry to launch day one on Nintendo Switch 2 on February 27, with exclusive Amiibo figures of Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kenney coming Summer 2026

Resident Evil Requiem marks a historic moment as the first title from the legendary horror franchise to debut on Nintendo Switch 2.

But it’s not the only first for the series. Requiem, the ninth major instalment in the Resident Evil games, arrives on consoles and PC on February 27.

As developers Capcom abandon older generation systems, it will exclusively be available on PC, Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. And in 2026, it’ll be making waves in both Nintendo and franchise history.

Requiem represents the first mainline entry in the series to launch day one on a Nintendo Switch console, with Resident Evil 5, 6 and 7 all appearing on Switch considerably later. In fact, Resident Evil 7 and Village – the eighth and most recent main instalment – were only accessible on the original Switch console through cloud streaming.

You’d need to wind back to 2005 to discover another Nintendo day one release. That’s when Resident Evil 4 initially launched on the GameCube as an exclusive – before appearing on PlayStation 2 several months afterwards.

But now, with Requiem, there’s another Nintendo exclusive element that will delight Switch 2 enthusiasts, reports All Out Gaming. The very first Resident Evil Amiibos have been unveiled and fans will be able to buy not one, but two figures later this year.

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During a recent Nintendo Direct, it was confirmed that Amiibos for both of Requiem’s main characters will launch in summer 2026. As Eurogamer reports, Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kenney will both be preserved in Amiibo form.

Grace’s figurine depicts her sporting a black rucksack and brown jacket, as glimpsed in some of the game’s preview clips, whilst Leon wields a reliable zombie-slaying hatchet. As is customary, tapping them on the sensor located on the Switch 2‘s right Joy-Con will unlock exclusive bonuses.

According to Eurogamer, these have been confirmed as special in-game weapon skins for Requiem. Whilst the Amiibos aren’t crucial for enjoying Requiem, Capcom has pledged they’ll be available this summer.

Enthusiasts have greeted the announcement with delight, with one taking to Reddit to declare “Just when I thought my wallet was safe.” Another commented: “What a time to be alive.”

A third Redditor remarked: “They both honestly look great. I’m definitely getting them both.”

Another noted: “I knew it felt weird that they teased amiibo in the last RE direct after the first mention specifically called out Grace.”

Some supporters have even suggested this could hint at a Resident Evil character joining the next Super Smash Bros game’s line-up – though that’s probably wishful thinking rather than realistic expectation.

Last week, Homan announced he was removing 700 immigration agents from the state, leaving around 2,000 federal officers there, after receiving greater cooperation from local leaders, and that he was working to cut their presence to where it was before the operation started in December.

A simple cleaning hack ensures the shower tiles and grout look sparkly clean – and no scrubbing is needed.

Bathroom tiles have a tendency to accumulate dirt and grime, and ultimately mould, without regular weekly cleaning. And let’s face it, a demanding weekly deep clean of the bathroom might not be everyone’s priority.

Grout can become discoloured quite easily, developing a dark brown coating that makes the bathroom tiles appear unhygienic. Over time, it can become a breeding ground for mould spores and bacteria.

Fortunately, John Klee – an expert from the Big Bathroom Shop – has revealed to Express.co.uk a straightforward and efficient cleaning method.

Whilst you could purchase a chemical cleaning product for your tiles, all you really need for a thorough clean is something acidic.

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John recommended: “The best way to keep grout looking in top condition is to spray down the shower with a 1:1 vinegar and water mix before stepping out of the shower.”

White vinegar, which contains antibacterial acetic acid, can break down soap and remove any oily residue left on the bathroom tiles.

Regular use of white vinegar will also eliminate mould and prevent its return, as the spores cannot thrive in an acidic environment.

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Keeping white vinegar in your bathroom might seem unusual, but it makes tackling tile stains and mildew simple, ensuring your tiles remain as spotless as possible.

Here’s an easy approach to prevent mould and to eliminate soap scum while maintaining sparkly clean bathroom tiles – without the need for intensive scrubbing or harsh chemical solutions.

How to deep clean tile grout in a flash

All you need to do is spritz white vinegar on the tiles grout twice a week, just before you step out of the shower.

If you spot any black or brown stains, you can also use a soft-bristled brush, or even an old toothbrush, to gently scrub the grout lines using a circular motion. Any build-up should easily come off.

Wipe the surface dry with a cloth and your tiles should remain impeccably white with minimal effort.

The survey captured the perspectives of 1,500 privately owned businesses across the UK, including 122 in Yorkshire, spanning sectors such as professional services, finance, technology, industrial manufacturing and retail.

Plans to introduce new technology were identified as the primary driver of confidence, cited by 52% of Yorkshire businesses – significantly above the UK average of 42%.

Digital transformation was also cited as a leading investment priority for 39% of Yorkshire businesses – mirroring the UK average and reflecting the region’s growing technology ecosystem.

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Diversification remains high on the agenda, with more than half of private businesses across Yorkshire (56%) planning to introduce new service lines and broaden their client offerings as they seek to unlock new revenue streams.

Appetite for international expansion is also high, with more than half of respondents (58%) confirming that appetite for international expansion has increased over the last 12 months

The appetite for alternative funding options is also strong, with over half of Yorkshire businesses (51%) now open to private equity investment, exceeding the UK average of 47%.

More broadly, over 60% of businesses are engaged with acquisitions in some capacity: 32% are actively pursuing acquisitions, while a further 32% are open to acquisition opportunities even if they are not currently seeking deals. The remaining 39% are focused solely on internal growth.

Phil Murden, Leeds Office Senior Partner at KPMG UK, said: “Businesses across the region are prioritising new technology and digital skills as a way to boost productivity and sharpen their competitive edge.

“This confidence is being reinforced by the strength of Yorkshire’s growing tech ecosystem, particularly in Leeds, alongside momentum behind initiatives such as the AI Growth Zone bids in York, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Barnsley, which have the potential to accelerate innovation, support skilled job creation and strengthen collaboration between business and academia.

“Businesses are diversifying, exploring new markets and showing greater openness to alternative funding, all of which points to a region that refuses to stand still. Despite headwinds Yorkshire’s private businesses are confident. They are positioning themselves to grow and compete internationally.”

Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of War, is “missing a good party” by choosing to skip a meeting of his fellow NATO defence ministers in Brussels, one ally has said.

Other allies were more diplomatic, playing down the no-show, though Germany’s defence minister underlined the need for the alliance to become “more European” to remain transatlantic.

The comments were made as defence ministers from the 32-nation bloc gathered at NATO headquarters on Thursday to discuss steps to increase European security one year after Mr Hegseth warned them that the United States was shifting its focus to other priorities and Europe needed to take the lead in defending itself.

Sky News asked a number of ministers, as they arrived, what they thought about the secretary of war deciding not to return to NATO headquarters for this year’s ministerial, instead sending Elbridge Colby, his deputy – and whether this was a signal that the United States was less interested in the security of Europe.

Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, the foreign minister of Iceland, who is also responsible for defence, said: “Sadly for him he is missing a good party. Of course, it is always better that the ministers attend here but I will not describe it as a bad signal.”

She said allies had already been tested earlier in the year when Donald Trump threatened to seize Greenland – even though it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a fellow member of NATO.

Mark Rutte, the head of the alliance, defused that crisis when he spoke with the US president on the sidelines of a major economic forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, making clear that defending the Arctic is a core priority for all allies.

On Wednesday, NATO announced an enhanced mission to protect the high north, called Arctic Sentry. The move appears designed to demonstrate to Mr Trump that the territory is well protected from threats from Russia and China.

“I think now the alliance is stronger than in the beginning of the year,” the Icelandic foreign minister said.

Boris Pistorius, the defence minister of Germany, which is hugely ramping up its defence spending in response to Mr Trump’s demands, said he was “not disappointed” that his American counterpart had stayed away from the NATO meeting.

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“I know everybody, each of us had a full, full agenda,” he told Sky News.

Mr Pistorius said it was right that Europe played a much greater role in defending itself.

“The time has come that the Europeans take over more and more step by step in the years to come,” he said.

“This is absolutely normal and natural. I understand, and I support this direction.”

Mr Pistorius said the main point for him was that the United States is a member of NATO and remains a member of NATO.

But “a key to keep NATO transatlantic, it is necessary to make it more European”.

“We also agree that loneliness, the lack of emotional maturity, the pressure of mounting debts, the lack of consistent mental health care and support and recurring heartache are all contributing factors of Robin Jamie Windsor’s mental health deterioration which in turn led him to take his own life.”

Nottingham Forest are close to appointing former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira as their new head coach.

The Premier League club sacked Sean Dyche shortly after being held to a goalless draw by bottom club Wolves on Wednesday, leaving them three points above the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.

BBC Sport earlier reported Forest had opened talks with Pereira and those discussions are understood to have progressed with an agreement now described as close.

The 57-year-old quickly emerged as the preferred option to replace Dyche, having worked previously under Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Greek club Olympiacos.

Pereira was credited for keeping Wolves in the Premier League last season having joined midway through the campaign, but he was sacked in November with the club on two points from 10 matches.

The Portuguese is in line to become Forest’s fourth manager of the season following Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Dyche.