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Andy Burnhams Summer Honeymoon May Lead To Autumn Troubles

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Andy Burnhams Summer Honeymoon May Lead To Autumn Troubles

For Andy Burnham, it has been the summer of his dreams.

He has finally been able to enjoy the fulfilment of his life’s work, having become Labour leader at the third time of asking – and prime minister – on July 20.

Without the inconvenience of having to answer to parliament, which went into recess the week before, Burnham has largely spent his time making a string of announcements and seemingly endless TikTok videos with well known content creators.

In his first week in No.10 alone, the new PM announced a business rate cut for the hospitality sector, a £2 cap on bus fares and scrapping VAT on electricity bills.

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There have also been announcements on reviving “hollowed out High Streets” and a crackdown on “rip off discounts and subscription traps”.

Burnham has also been travelling the length and breadth of the country, meeting voters and hammering home the message, if indeed there was any doubt, that his government will do things differently than Keir Starmer’s.

He even managed to squeeze in a visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to watch his beloved Everton record a rare Premier League victory.

If you throw in his comprehensive triumph in the Makerfield by-election on June 18, it is little wonder that Burnham has rarely been seen without a smile on his face over the past three months.

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He will be well aware, however, that as sure as summer will shortly make way for autumn, his political honeymoon is also coming to an end.

Alex Newton, deputy director of the More in Common think-tank, said Burnham still faces a huge challenge in winning back the voters Labour have lost since the 2024 general election, especially those who have switched to Reform.

Brits are also evenly split on whether the prime minister attempts so far to tackle the cost of living are simply a publicity stunt or a genuine effort to help them, he said.

“Some 54% weren’t confident he will address the cost of living,” Newton told HuffPost UK. “That kind of pessimism means that if he doesn’t deliver on this, it will hit Labour and his approval ratings.”

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The prime minister is faced with a lengthy list of other issues, each with the potential to throw his new government off track.

Here, HuffPost UK looks at the various challenges facing the PM as MPs return to Westminster on Tuesday.

Early Release Row

On day one, justice secretary Alex Norris will set out how he plans to exempt two of the killers of PC Andrew Harper from the government’s highly controversial early release scheme.

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Norris was given that particular hospital pass by Burnham following a huge public backlash to the prospect of Jessie Cole and Albert Blowers walking free after just six years behind bars.

But even if, as expected, Norris does manage to tweak the policy to keep the two men in prison, the sight of other dangerous criminals getting out early will undoubtedly damage the PM’s standing with the public.

Stopping The Boats

The sight of 230 migrants crossing the English Channel on a single boat became one of the defining images of the summer.

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Although Home Office statistics showed that the overall number of asylum seekers arriving in the UK is down by 23% compared to a year ago, a YouGov poll showed the public believes the total has actually gone up.

Burnham’s acknowledged the importance of solving the problem by visiting Dover at the start of August, when he vowed to be “relentless” in his attempts to stop the boats.

But it is a problem which has confounded several prime ministers. If Burnham fails as well, Nigel Farage is waiting in the wings to replace him in No.10.

Defending The Realm

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If the first priority of government is to keep its citizens safe, then providing the necessary funds for the military should be its number one priority.

Keir Starmer left behind a £5 billion black hole in the government’s Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which John Healey needs to fill when he delivers his first Budget as chancellor in October.

That is the same John Healey who resigned as Starmer’s defence secretary over the then PM’s failure to commit to spending 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on the military by 2030.

Despite that, Healey has so far refused to commit to coming up with the cash himself, despite now being in charge of the nation’s purse strings, an apparent U-turn dismissed as “unforgivable” by the Tories.

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With the geopolitical situation now more uncertain than at any time since the end of the Cold War, Burnham and Healey simply have no other option than to find the money needed to defend the realm.

Foreign Affairs

The fact that Burnham became Labour leader and PM unchallenged, he remains untested in a number of areas – none more so than on foreign affairs.

Although he has said he wants to be more domestically-focused than his predecessor, he can hardly ignore the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Iran and Gaza, this is a situation which can best be described as sub-optimal.

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It was significant that he chose Kyiv for his first foreign trip, a clear sign that Burnham will follow the example of Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Starmer in offering Volodymyr Zelenskyy his steadfast support.

The PM even gave the Ukrainians a British blueprint for developing their own long-range missiles – a move which enraged the Kremlin.

On Gaza, Burnham has criticised Starmer for his response to Israel’s bombing campaign in the wake of the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023.

The PM’s future approach to that conflict will be another defining issue of his premiership, with the potential to blow apart the tentative left-of-centre coalition he has been building.

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Dealing With The Donald

As if wars around the world were not enough to contend with, Burnham must also try to maintain a positive relationship with Donald Trump, something Starmer ultimately failed to do.

The early signs have been positive, with the US president describing the prime minister as “terrific” on the basis of one telephone call on Burnham’s first day in the job.

However, this view seems to be based on the assumption that Burnham will satisfy Trump’s desire to see the North Sea opened up to more drilling for oil and gas.

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Although he has vowed to be more “pragmatic” on the issue than Starmer, the PM has also insisted he will stand by Labour’s manifesto commitment not to award new drilling licences.

The pair are due to meet at the UN General Assembly in New York next month.

As unpalatable as it may be for a man who once said Trump was not welcome in Manchester, making nice with the president would give Burnham one less headache to contend with.

Labour Pains

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September will also see Burnham’s first Labour Party conference as leader, an event which promises to be far more upbeat than a year ago, when it was already apparent that Starmer was not up to the job.

With Labour now topping the polls and imbued with a renewed sense of optimism, the prime minister can expect a hero’s welcome.

It will not all be sweetness and light, however, with left-wing campaign groups determined to pile pressure on Burnham to declare Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide, and to impose a complete arms embargo on the country.

Doing so would provoke an angry backlash from groups such as Labour Friends of Israel, however, and trigger the kind of party split which the PM is determined to avoid.

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Burnham plays the guitar in the mobile recording studio of the military and artistic unit in Kyiv.

Political consultant Laura Emily Dunn told HuffPost UK: “The return to parliament will be a test of the PM and the government’s prioritisation – which of the hot topic issues will they want to deal with first? Early prisoner release? The The economy? Small boats? The devil will be in the detail.”

Senior Labour figures said Burnham should enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend, as it will only get more difficult from now on.

One told HuffPost UK: “Andy came to office making a lot of big promises, and his summer has gone well.

“But that means the party’s expectations are sky high. How will he manage that through Labour conference, the Budget, a spending review process and weekly PMQs sessions?

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“Andy promised all sorts and now they are hinting the Budget will be steady. Basically – the runway on promising all things to all men is getting shorter and shorter.”

The source added: “Apart from ‘vibes’, what’s the difference with what Starmer was doing? That’s not to dismiss vibes – they really matter – but politics always comes back to policy in the end.”

A Labour MP added: “I think his main challenge is all the promises Andy made as mayor of Manchester to the membership will need to be kept.

“Any hint he’s reneging on them will pour rocket fuel on the Greens when they’re on the ropes. He’s also got to navigate a restive Parliamentary Labour Party, with some pissed off Starmer loyalists, and he’s got to start delivering for an impatient electorate.

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“Basically, Andy’s September 2026 biggest problem is Andy Burnham from March 2026.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Recycling rules explained as binman shares reason black bin bags are refused

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Manchester Evening News

A binman has revealed why black bin bags are often rejected during recycling collections

A waste collection worker has explained why black bin bags are often refused during recycling rounds. The binman has advised UK households to stop putting the plastic rubbish bags in their recycling bins as he explains the rules.

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While plastic bags can be recycled at specific collection points, filled bags are unlikely to be collected. This can be especially frustrating, considering that bin collections can be several weeks apart.

Waste accumulates quickly, so it’s always wise to avoid anything that could lead to your bin being overlooked. Each local authority has its own regulations, so it’s sensible to look at the guidelines in your local area.

However, Ashley, who provides guidance on social media as No.1 Binman, clarified why black bin bags are rejected from recycling collections, reports Wales Online.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

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“Black bags is not the problem, some places just do not want to take them because they clog up the machines. But the main reason we do not accept black bags in your recycling bin is that we don’t know what’s in them,” Ashley said.

“We have no idea if you put your rubbish in it, put it in the wrong bin by mistake, or someone else has put rubbish in your bin. Black bin bags, we can’t see through them, and we’re not going to open them and rummage through them.

“We can’t see it, so it is contaminated. We have no idea what’s in your bin. That’s why it is easier to save the money and don’t buy black bags for your recycling bin.”

Instead, the refuse collector recommended: “Put it all in loose. Do not put anything in a bag in your recycling bin because it has got a chance of being contaminated and they won’t take it. Then you have got to deal with it.”

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If you do have recycling contained within a black bin bag, Ashley suggested taking it to larger recycling facilities instead.

Recycle Now has also offered guidance on recycling plastic bags. The key point is that the bags must be empty, rather than filled, when recycled.

It explained: “Plastic bags and wrapping can be recycled at some out of home recycling points.”

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According to Recycle Now, all plastic bags can be recycled, with the exception of biodegradable or compostable types.

Items commonly accepted for home recycling include bread bags, breakfast cereal liners, delivery bags, dry cleaning bags, frozen food bags, toilet roll wrapping and multi-pack wrapping.

Major supermarkets will also accept baby and pet food, detergent and cleaning pouches, along with cling film, crisp packets, sweet bags, bubble wrap, plastic film lids and biscuit wrapping.

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Nepal’s flood could just be the beginning: Maps reveal the glaciers around the world at risk of a similar disaster – with 15 million people in the danger zone

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As rescue efforts continue in the flood-hit regions of Nepal and Tibet, scientists have mapped which glaciers around the world could be at risk of a similar disaster. Pictured: Red regions show areas of high Glacial Lake Overflow Flood risk

Hundreds of people have been killed, and more than 1,500 are still missing after devastating flash floods swept through the Nepal–Tibet border.

Scientists believe the disaster was triggered by the collapse of a glacier on the Langtang–Lirung mountain, which registered as a magnitude 5.2 earthquake.

Although it may take months of research to uncover the exact story, experts are already warning that this is ‘not a one–off event’.

Dr Jonathan Carrivick, an expert on glacial flooding from the University of Leeds, told the Daily Mail: ‘Climate change is warming the mountains, causing permafrost and glaciers to melt.’

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According to the expert, this makes ‘the likelihood of these sorts of events – possibly bigger – more frequent.’

Overall, researchers estimate that a whopping 15 million people worldwide are living in danger zones. 

While the Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindu Kush and neighbouring ranges in Asia are most at risk, people living in the US and Canada are also in danger.

‘North America could experience something similar to what we see in Nepal today,’ Dr Carrivick warned. 

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As rescue efforts continue in the flood–hit regions of Nepal and Tibet, scientists have mapped which glaciers around the world could be at risk of a similar disaster. Pictured: Red regions show areas of high Glacial Lake Overflow Flood risk

High Mountain Asia is the most threatened region because it is rapidly warming, and hosts rapidly melting glaciers, growing meltwater lakes and some of the world's steepest mountains

High Mountain Asia is the most threatened region because it is rapidly warming, and hosts rapidly melting glaciers, growing meltwater lakes and some of the world’s steepest mountains 

Hundreds of people have been killed, and more than 1,500 are still missing after devastating flash floods swept through the Nepal-Tibet border

Hundreds of people have been killed, and more than 1,500 are still missing after devastating flash floods swept through the Nepal–Tibet border

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Although scientists are still scrambling to understand the disaster, the current evidence suggests that Nepal’s deadly floods are the consequence of glacial collapse.

Dr Carrivick says: ‘This Nepal event appears to have been a massive rock failure that took a large part of the glacier with it.’

According to the research group Antarctic Glaciers, which combines the efforts of about 50 leading experts, initial analysis shows that there was a landslide and glacier collapse shortly before the flood.

This sent ice and rock cascading down the mountain, mixing with sediment left by previous floods, and temporarily blocking the Lhende Khola River.

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That caused a large lake to temporarily form before it broke through in a devastating flood.

Deadly events exactly like this have happened in the past and are likely to keep happening with increasing regularity as climate change continues.

For example, in 2021, a massive rock and ice triggered a deadly debris flow that killed over 200 people and damaged two hydroelectric power plants.

Meanwhile, in Canada, a rockslide in 2020 saw 18 million cubic metres of stone cascade into a glacial lake, sending 100–metre–tall waves that scoured a 6–mile (10km) channel.

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Outside of Asia, glaciers in the Alps are also putting many areas at high risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

Outside of Asia, glaciers in the Alps are also putting many areas at high risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods 

The researchers note that the Andes is an area of risk that might have been greatly underappreciated in previous research

The researchers note that the Andes is an area of risk that might have been greatly underappreciated in previous research

Scientists say that Nepal's flooding was not caused by a Glacial Lake Overflow Flood, but warn that this related risk is increasing all over the world. Pictured: Distribution of people at risk of glacial flooding

Scientists say that Nepal’s flooding was not caused by a Glacial Lake Overflow Flood, but warn that this related risk is increasing all over the world. Pictured: Distribution of people at risk of glacial flooding 

What caused the flooding in Nepal and Tibet?

Scientists say that initial analysis the day after the flooding indicates a landslide and glacier collapse from the Langtang–Lirung mountain.

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Ice and rock then cascaded down the mountain, mixing with further sediment and water as it travelled down–valley.

The landslide temporarily blocked the Lhende Khola River, causing a large lake to build before it broke through the dam and unleashed a massive flood.

Early reports suggested an earthquake was the trigger, but data now shows that a major rockfault leading to glacial collapse was the cause. 

Source: Antarctic Glaciers 

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Scientists have also raised the alarm that mountainous regions are becoming increasingly at risk of a similar threat, known as a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).

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This occurs when meltwater from a glacier forms a large lake at its base that is held back by a thin, unstable natural dam.

If the glacier collapses or the meltwater gets too high, that barrier can break, releasing a devastating cascade of water downhill.

Scientists do not currently believe that the deadly floods in Nepal and Tibet were caused by a GLOF, since satellite images do not show any major lakes forming in the area prior to the landslide.

However, glaciers around the world are now putting more people in danger of this form of flooding, which could prove just as, if not more, deadly than what has been seen in Nepal.

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In their paper, published in Nature Communications, researchers used the latest modelling to map where this risk was highest.

They found that more than half of the 15 million people threatened by GLOFs live in just four countries: India, Pakistan, Peru, and China.

Populations in High Mountain Asia (HMA), which includes the Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindu Kush and neighbouring ranges, are most at risk.

Scientists currently believe that the floods were triggered by a rock slide that led to glacial collapse on the Langtang-Lirung mountain

Scientists currently believe that the floods were triggered by a rock slide that led to glacial collapse on the Langtang–Lirung mountain

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Geological factors in the Himalayas lead to 'hazard cascades', chain reactions that release huge volumes of ice and water into populated areas - just like the recent disaster in Nepal

Geological factors in the Himalayas lead to ‘hazard cascades’, chain reactions that release huge volumes of ice and water into populated areas – just like the recent disaster in Nepal

The countries most at risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Flooding

  1. China
  2. Pakistan
  3. Peru
  4. Canada
  5. India
  6. USA
  7. Chile
  8. Italy
  9. Nepal
  10. Columbia

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Here, people are the most exposed on average and live closest to glacial lakes, with more than a million people living less than six miles (10km) from one.

This region is home to 62 per cent of all people exposed to GLOFs, with three million in India and two million in Pakistan.

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Co–author Dr Matt Westoby, Associate Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Plymouth, told the Daily Mail: ‘High Mountain Asia is one of the fastest warming regions globally.

‘It hosts rapidly melting glaciers, growing meltwater lakes and some of the world’s steepest mountains.

‘As the climate warms, shrinking glaciers and thawing frozen ground can destabilise mountain slopes, increasing the risk of rockfalls, landslides and avalanches.’

Dr Westoby adds that these can cause ‘hazard cascades’, chain reactions that release huge volumes of ice and water into populated areas – just like the recent disaster in Nepal.

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However, the researchers note that the Andes is an area of risk that might have been greatly underappreciated in previous research.

The number of glacial lakes in this region has increased by 93 per cent since 1990, compared with just 37 per cent in HMA.

Peru ranks as the third most dangerous country globally, and two of the world’s three most hazardous river basins are in the Andes: the Santa basin in Peru and the Beni basin in Bolivia.’

Co–author Professor Rachel Carr, a glaciologist from Newcastle University, told the Daily Mail: ‘It is important to note that it’s not just rural populations at risk: major cities draw their water from Andean glaciers,’ says Professor Carr.

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But it isn’t just these highly exposed regions that are at risk, as the researchers show that North America, particularly the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and the Alps are threatened by GLOFs.

Even though there is debate over whether GLOFs are becoming more frequent, it is certain that they are becoming more dangerous.

This is because the downstream populations are growing, putting more people and critical infrastructure at risk.

Part of what makes this so dangerous is that experts cannot say exactly where or when the next devastating flood will strike.

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Professor Carr says: ‘Usually, larger events are rarer and smaller events happen more frequently, but there is a random nature to them, especially when they are triggered by events such as landslides.

‘Thus it’s likely one of a similar scale [to Nepal] will occur in the future, but when and where is much harder to say.’

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Bank Holiday weekend weather outlook for Northern Ireland

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Belfast Live

It’s the last Bank Holiday weekend before Christmas and September is just around the corner

It’s the last Bank Holiday weekend before Christmas and September is just around the corner – and the weather forecast is shaping up to be a bit unsettled.

Saturday looks wet and forecasters think only the very far north east of Scotland will entirely dodge the rainfall. The worst of the wet weather will hit the North West, Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland on Sunday.

“There is a chance we could see some quite windy weather through the bank holiday Monday, predominantly for more northern areas,” said Annie Shuttleworth, Met Office meteorologist.

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“But I think it will likely be a relatively breezy day for the UK as a whole so that may affect plans if you are outside this weekend at a festival or in a tent. That is something to keep in mind.”

The change in conditions has come as a relief to many after an exceptionally dry, hot summer.

There’s plenty happening across Northern Ireland this weekend including five major ‘Last Saturday’ demonstrations, Belfast Mela at Botanic Gardens and Ireland’s biggest Electronic Music Festival at Boucher Road Playing Fields.

Whatever you have planned here’s the Met Office forecast for the next couple of days:

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Saturday:

A mainly cloudy day with patchy rain spreading across the southeast, chance of one or two showers breaking out elsewhere. Maximum temperature 18°C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Rain or showers at times, perhaps heavy and thundery, but also occasional drier and brighter spells. Light or moderate winds, likely freshening on Monday and Tuesday.

UK long range weather forecast: Wednesday 2 September – Friday 11 September

Likely remaining unsettled with most areas seeing some showers or longer spells of rain at times, with the main focus for these across northern and western areas.

Potential for some strong and gusty winds at times. Some drier and more settled interludes could develop, perhaps becoming longer in duration across southern areas later in this period.

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Temperatures are likely to be near average, although some short-lived warm or very warm spells are possible, especially in the south.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Dutch institute warns of Trump-shaped ecstasy pills

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Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama player

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch drug addiction and mental health institute warned users on Friday about potentially lethal ecstasy pills shaped to look like the head of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The respected Trimbos Institute said that several of the pills have been handed in recently at a network of centers that test drugs for users before they take them.

“Absolutely do not use these pills,” the institute warned.

It released a photo of the pills that have a depiction of Trump’s head on one side and on the other side “NL” and “Trump” stamped into the surface either side of a vertical line. One of the pills has a green face and another is yellow.

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The institute warned in a “ Red Alert ” published on its website and social media that they contain a high concentration of a chemical called PMMA, or para-methoxymethamfetamine, that is similar to MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy pills.

However, PMMA is slower working than MDMA and that could lead users to take more because they think that the first pill didn’t work, leading to a risk of overdosing, the institute said, adding that use of the pills “can lead to overheating with possibly deadly consequences.”

Spokesperson Anniek Groothuis said that the institute has no reported cases of serious illness or fatalities among people who may have used the drug.

“We do not know of any victims where PMMA was found in their blood,” she told The Associated Press.

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Producing, selling and using ecstasy is illegal in the Netherlands, but it’s widely used, particularly at clubs and music festivals. A government report in 2024 said that some 550,000 people took the drug in a year.

It’s not the first time ecstasy pills in the form of Trump’s head have appeared. In 2017, German police seized thousands of orange Trump-shaped tablets.

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Ye Olde Cross Ryton named best North East pub of year 2026

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Ye Olde Cross Ryton named best North East pub of year 2026

Ye Olde Cross in Ryton, near Gateshead, has been shortlisted in the top 16 for CAMRA’s 2026 Pub of the Year competition, with the winner set to be named in January.

The now 117-year-old pub is known for its community spirit and regular events, including open mic nights and weekend food pop-ups.

And this is not the first time the pub has earned praise from CAMRA, winning its Pub Saving Award in 2019 and securing a place in the 2026 Good Beer Guide.

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Locals also have plenty to say for the establishment.

Reviewers describe the “great choice of beers, excellent service, friendly customers – plus a whisky club and a load of other regular nights.”

Others say the “service is always decent and the beer is never less than excellent.”

It will now compete against 15 other pubs from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the national title.

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The top 16 pubs are:

East Anglia: Railway Arms, Saffron Walden

East Central: Malt Shovel Tavern, Northampton

East Midlands: Railway Inn, Ketton

Greater London: Cockpit, Chislehurst

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Merseyside and Cheshire: Turks Head, St. Helens

North East: Ye Olde Cross, Old Ryton Village

North West: Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge

Northern Ireland: Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw

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Scotland: Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn

South Central: Bell, Waltham St Lawrence

South East: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge

South West: Fallen Tree, Clevedon

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Wales: Mold Alehouse, Mold

West Central: Alma Inn, Linton

West Midlands: Tamworth Tap, Tamworth

Yorkshire: Countryman’s Inn, Hunton

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As CAMRA’s North East regional winner, Ye Olde Cross is now in contention for the national title.

A final four will be announced in October, with the national winner revealed in January.

The community-owned Tyne Valley pub closed in 2019 but reopened around 18 months later following a community-led campaign.

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Man who wore abhorrent Manchester United shirt is jailed for 24 years for rape

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Manchester Evening News

Rapist James White had worn a Manchester United top with the number 97 to mock Hillsborough Disaster

A thug who wore a Manchester United shirt mocking the victims of the Hillsborough Disaster has now been jailed for 24 years for rape.

James White, 36, was banned from every football ground in the country in 2023 after he pleaded guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard that White had worn a United top with the number 97 on the back of it along with the words ‘Not Enough’ at the club’s FA Cup Final with Manchester City.

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He was branded ‘abhorrent’ by a Judge and slammed by survivors of the tragedy, which saw 97 supporters of Liverpool crushed to death at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

White was arrested in November last year after Warwickshire Police received a call from a relative of a woman who said she had been attacked by him with a knife.

The victim had called her relative to let him know she was in danger, after which White fled the address. She had bruising over her face and other injuries to her back and torso. She also said that White had threatened her with a knife previously and had also used it to cut her stomach.

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He was arrested half an hour later at a pub nearby. Further enquiries found that, over the course of five weeks between October 17 and November 30 2025, White had been involved in a pattern of violent and abusive behaviour against her, including rape and sexual assault.

White denied a number of charges but in June this year was found guilty after a trial of two counts of rape of a woman over 16, assault of a female 13 and over by penetration, engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of threatening a person with a knife in a private place, threats to kill and two counts of intentional strangulation.

White, of St Michael’s Crescent in Stockton, was jailed for 24 years.

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Investigating officer DC Baylie Cairns, of the Domestic Abuse and RASSO team, said: “The victim escaped the cycle of abuse by having the courage to tell a family member it was taking place – at which point we were called and were able to take action against her abuser.

“Over the course of five weeks, James White subjected the victim to a campaign of horrific abuse, violence and sexual assaults. She showed remarkable bravery and courage in speaking to me about the offences committed against her.

“White has now been sentenced to 24 years in prison, preventing him from posing a risk to the victim and others. While nothing can undo the harm caused, we hope this sentence offers her some comfort and reassurance that justice has been served.”

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White previously in court for sickening shirt

At his previous case, District Judge Mark Jabbitt said it was ‘hard to imagine a more… offensive reference to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster’. A decade ago a series of inquests found the fans had been unlawfully killed.

White claimed to police that the t-shirt related to his grandad, who died at the age of 97 ‘and didn’t have enough kids’.

He was fined £1,000, ordered to pay £485 in costs and was banned from all UK games for four years.

After the hearing in 2023, Diane Lynn, vice chair of Hillsborough Survivor Supporters Alliance, said it was “very personal” for people who were at Hillsborough that day and that survivors suffered with “guilt”.

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“How dare he make us feel like this,” she said.

He was also banned from all regulated football games in the UK for four years, while Manchester United said it had issued an indefinite club ban to White.

A Manchester United spokesman said: “The club’s ban goes further with the immediately imposed three-year suspension being extended to an indefinite ban from all club activities including all matches at Old Trafford. Mockery of Hillsborough and other football tragedies is completely unacceptable and the club will continue to support firm action to eradicate it from the game.”

The FA said in a statement it “welcomed” the sentence, adding White’s actions were “reprehensible”, and “abuse that references Hillsborough or any football tragedy will not be tolerated at Wembley Stadium”.

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“We hope that today’s ruling sends a strong message that action will be taken against any perpetrators who behave in this way.”

Douglas Mackay from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said at the time: “The CPS continues to work closely with the football authorities including the Premier League and the Football Association, police, clubs, and charities to look to stamp out all of the appalling and horrendous incidents of tragedy chanting and gesturing.

“We are sending a clear message that we call on so-called fans to stop this vile behaviour of a minority which has a terrible impact on the bereaved and communities.”

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fake tears, secret weddings and double lives

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fake tears, secret weddings and double lives

The historical source material on bigamy depicts an awful lot of weeping. Sometimes the tears are behind the scenes – the reaction of a deserted first wife or deceived second wife to the revelation of her husband’s crime.

On occasion they are tears of contrition, as the bigamist begs for forgiveness or at least not to be prosecuted. Although one unmoved 18th-century wife suspected her bigamist husband, William Bury, had just “spit on his fingers” to counterfeit tears and prosecuted him anyway.

And sometimes the tears are shed publicly, at the trial – reflecting fear of the potential punishment, or, for some, relief at an acquittal. Both reactions are understandable given that bigamy was potentially punishable by death when it was first made a crime in 1604.

While few were sentenced to execution, my research, published in my books Double Trouble and Double Lives, shows that bigamy was still harshly punished. Until the end of the 18th century, convicted bigamists were usually branded on their hands.

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The early 19th century saw around a quarter of bigamists (254 people) being transported to Australia and even after that practice declined, sentences of imprisonment were rarely nominal. Thomas Hall, for example, cited by historian Lawrence Stone as having been sentenced to a single day, in fact got four months. Only in the 20th century do we see shorter sentences becoming the norm.

Yet tears are not usually the first thing that comes to mind when we think of bigamy. Stone described one case of a man abandoning his first wife to marry a second as effectively “divorce by mutual consent”, simply because the first wife agreed not to prosecute him in return for financial support. Such language frames bigamy as a victimless crime – a more-or-less socially acceptable solution to marital breakdown at a time when divorce was unavailable and cohabiting with a new partner unacceptable.

And culturally, the idea of bigamy has often had a comic dimension, exemplified in Ray Cooney’s 1983 farce Run For Your Wife. The central character, John Smith, is a London cabby with wives in different parts of the city.

The mayor of Bath hearing a bigamy case in his chambers, engraving by Thomas Rowlandson (1820).
Florilegius

Yet even Run For Your Wife has a darker edge to it. Smith may be depicted as an essentially lovable character (helped by being played by Richard Briers in the original West End production and Danny Dyer in a 2012 film adaptation) – but he is living a double life and deceiving both of his wives.

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À lire aussi :
The sex lives of Presbyterians in 18th- and 19th-century Ulster were surprisingly colourful


A juggling act

Of course, few bigamists were able to juggle two households simultaneously: it was generally too complicated, too tiring and too expensive to do so. One 20th-century bigamist, who bicycled across London between his two families, lasted only a few months, finding it difficult to maintain both homes on his weekly wage of £2 and seven shillings.

Even so, deception plays a much bigger role in the history of bigamy than most accounts have credited. Time and again, bigamists – usually, it has to be said, men – either lied about their marital status or simply let it be understood that they were free to marry.

Some, no doubt, were genuinely hoping to make a new life with their second spouse and hoped the truth would never come to light. You have to have some sympathy for George Harrower, prosecuted in 1816, whose first wife was confined in a lunatic asylum. Or for Benjamin Griffiths, whose wife cheated on him with his nephew and who in 1847 bigamously married the woman who was caring for his children.

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Others were just in it for the sex, and went back to their first spouse after a brief dalliance. John Mase Smith probably holds the record for the briefest second marriage, heading back to his first wife at 5am the morning after his bigamous wedding in 1849.

And some particularly nasty men made a career out of inveigling women into marriage, fleecing them of their money and abandoning them for their next victim. One of the most prolific of these was John Woodgate Kinsella, prosecuted in 1900, 1908 and 1918, who used lonely hearts adverts to dupe more than a dozen young, working-class women into marrying him and giving him their hard-earned savings. If he was around today he would almost certainly be involved in online romance fraud.

The sheer extent of deception revealed in the reports of trials disproves the claims that have been made about the acceptability of bigamy as a solution to marital breakdown: if it was acceptable, why was any deception necessary?

My analysis of where bigamous weddings took place also shows that bigamists were generally trying to avoid detection, rather than assuming that their actions would be accepted. Very few took place in the same church unless the person in question either believed that they were entitled to remarry or thought they would escape notice.

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Most bigamists put a significant distance between their two ceremonies, particularly in rural areas. And from the mid-19th century, many chose the greater privacy of a register office. No wonder, then, that so many second spouses were genuinely shocked and distressed on discovering another existing marriage.

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I found Norfolk beach just 80 minutes from Cambridge that seems to go under the radar

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Cambridgeshire Live

Just 80 minutes from Cambridge is a beautiful stretch of Norfolk coastline that is a lesser-known gem that goes wonderfully uncrowded every day of the year

There’s one beach along the Norfolk coastline that seems to go under the radar, but it’s well worth exploring, as I found out.

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When it comes to a beach day out, Norfolk is our best option, with stretches of golden coastline and charming seaside towns all within easy reach of Cambridgeshire. Holkham beach, backed by rolling sand dunes and pine forests, is among the most popular and is frequently visited by the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

Wells-next-the-Sea has consistently proved to be a beloved seaside spot, with its sweeping sand beach lined with colourful beach huts and a town packed with independent shops, cosy cafés and traditional pubs. Meanwhile, there’s the classic Victorian seaside resort of Cromer, the stretches of coast at Great Yarmouth Beach, and Horsey Beach, known as a prime location for seal spotting, with hundreds descending on the shore.

I’ve visited various stretches of the Norfolk coastline on day trips from Cambridgeshire, packing the car with my walking boots and a picnic, come summer or winter – there’s nothing like that fresh sea air! And while I love Holkham beach, I took the time to visit the lesser-known beach of Snettisham, and found that it’s equally worth a visit.

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Nestled near the west coast of Norfolk, just 80 minutes drive from Cambridge, Snettisham offers stretches of an unspoilt sand and pebble beach. It’s backed by salt marshes and wetlands, remaining untouched by loud and tacky seaside attractions, for a blissfully quiet retreat by the sea.

In fact, there really isn’t much at Snettisham, aside from a few holiday and caravan parks that I passed on my way to the beach car park, but that’s what makes it all the more appealing. It’s a haven for beach walks and uninterrupted sea views, offering the chance to simply take a moment and step back from the everyday bustle, against the soothing sound of gentle waves and the sea breeze.

During my visit, it remained beautifully serene, aside from a few niceties from fellow walkers, and it’s a part of the coast that goes wonderfully untouched by crowds. There’s ample space for dog walkers, who are welcome all year round, or for kids to kick a ball around, and plenty of spots against the salt marshes to pitch up for a picnic on those warmer days.

While I wandered along miles of the flat sand and shingle shore, I also found a promenade lined with cabins and shacks. It also provided the perfect opportunity for wildlife spotting as birds swooped over the open stretches of shore, with the tide stretched out.

There are also walking routes from the beach that will take you to the RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve, affectionately known as the ‘Snettisham Spectacular’, thanks to its flocks of wading birds and pink-footed geese that fly overhead during high tide. It also offers picturesque views across The Wash, with parts of the Norfolk Coast Path connected to Snettisham beach if you’re keen to wander further afield.

It’s such a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife that, during my visit, I saw a film production arrive in the car park, planning what they would capture in this rare, untouched part of the Norfolk coast. And after time spent exploring the beach and nature reserve, there’s the Snettisham Beach Chip Shop to pick up that quintessential seaside treat, or to grab a coffee at The Old Store in the town, or a classic pub meal at the 14th-century, The Rose & Crown, before heading home, feeling fully recharged.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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Stop eating Marmite raw – foodie’s ‘grilling’ method is ‘life-changing’

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Daily Mirror

A food content creator named Amy Sheppard claims most people are not eating Marmite the right way, saying it’s much tastier if you don’t have it ‘raw’ and instead cook it up

Love it or hate it, Marmite is arguably one of Britain’s most divisive foods. It was first invented by the Marmite Food Company in 1902 by using the by-products from beer brewing. And despite its salty and yeasty flavour, it’s a great addition to most diets, as it contains a vegan source of B vitamins, including supplementary B12.

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But those who are fans of the spread tend to be very particular about how they enjoy it, from adding a thick layer onto toast, while others prefer a smaller amount. It can even be used in cooking and baking, from pasta dishes to chocolate cookies – yes, really! There are also various snacks and foods available in supermarkets that have a ‘Marmite flavour’ added.

However, one woman now has come out to claim most people are not using the spread to its full potential, claiming people are eating it ‘raw’.

Taking to TikTok, food content creator and cookbook author Amy Sheppard, who has millions of followers across social media platforms, has shared her recipe for a Marmite toastie, adding: “You have got to stop eating raw Marmite.”

In the caption of the video, she added: “This is going to change your Sunday morning Marmite toast… Forever.” She also suggested it would likely ‘blow your mind’.

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Marmite toastie recipe

Amy went on to reveal her method for what she calls ‘grilled Marmite’ or ‘baked Marmite’. She starts with two slices of bread, toasting one side under the grill. On the untoasted side, she spreads a generous layer of butter, followed by a “nice, thick layer of Marmite”.

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According to the food enthusiast, it needs to be “thicker than you would normally do”. She then places the slices, Marmite side up, back under the grill until they turn “golden brown, and crisp and bubbly”.

She continued: “When you grill it, it doesn’t look much different, does it? But the Marmite goes really sticky and gooey, and has this kind-of chewy, caramelised flavour to it. It’s so good.”

Amy went as far as suggesting that even those who aren’t fans of Marmite would likely enjoy this combination. Eager Marmite devotees were keen to give it a go themselves, with one commenting: “I eat Marmite every day for brekky. Going to try this.”

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Another enthused: “[Be right back], heading to the kitchen to try this immediately.”

Others were quick to share their own beloved Marmite pairings, including Marmite with peanut butter and crispy bacon, as well as Marmite and cheese sandwiches.

One user suggested: “Try poached eggs on Marmite on toast…” while another recommended: “Try Marmite on your steak. Cook one side, turn it over then spread it on the cooked side and then leave it to rest as normal mmmm.”

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Residents call for safety review of ‘dangerous’ junction where ‘accidents waiting to happen’

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Cambridgeshire Live

A review could be launched just three years after the junction was redesigned

Cambridge residents have called for a safety review of a “dangerous” junction they say has seen a number of “near misses”. The junction of Barton Road and Grantchester Street has been a longstanding concern for Newnham residents and, despite a 2023 redesign, they fear it is still unsafe.

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Peter Singleton, chair of Old Newnham Residents Association, said there are a number of “design flaws” with the current junction creating confusion for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. These include having cyclists and pedestrians go at the same time and removing the beeping noise which indicates it is safe to cross.

The 73-year-old said this poses a particular danger to cyclists and pedestrians and has led to accidents and a number of near misses.

He said: “You’re never going to come up with something that’s going to satisfy everyone, but if we can make it safer then that’s better. Accidents certainly happen there and, if you like, you could call it a case of more accidents waiting to happen. Particularly in Newnham Croft, there are quite a lot of elderly people who are not so agile.”

He launched a petition at the start of July which has been signed by more than 200 residents, enough to be debated by Cambridgeshire County Council.

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Mr Singleton said: “It was done a little bit in haste – but the sooner we get something on this, the sooner it can be in the next budget. Any delay could lead to an extra year or two. I think for what we’ve done, we’ve done pretty well.”

A safety audit was completed before the redesign three years ago, but he said this focused mainly on the safety of drivers rather than pedestrians.

He said: “The county council redesigned it as part of the Barton Road Greenway without discussing with the local residents whether this would improve things or make it worse.”

He said residents have “always had safety concerns” and their input must be taken aboard to prevent a serious accident on the crossing.

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He said: “There’s four phases to the traffic lights and in only one are pedestrians and cyclists permitted to go, and they all go at the same time. I think the lack of auditory feedback is a big one – there’s no beeping at all, so a lot of cyclists approaching see cars stopped and think it’s safe to go and dash across.”

Cllr Dr Peter Rees, county councillor for Newnham, said the existing safety audit is “insufficient” and “does not reflect the lived experience of people using the junction daily”.

The Green councillor said: “We support residents in calling for a new, comprehensive safety audit that fully considers collision risk, visibility issues and the needs of vulnerable road users. We have been working with residents to bring the issue forward, helping gather evidence, raise concerns with council officers, and ensure the petition is heard.

“The junction has been a persistent source of complaints, and residents have repeatedly felt ignored. I really hope that the members of the highways committee will recognise the serious concerns that have been raised and ask for a further safety audit to consider how they can be addressed”.

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The petition will be debated by the county council’s highways and transport committee on Tuesday, September 1.

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