St John’s College, part of the University of Cambridge, said the rooms will be used by a number of colleges

Cambridge City Council has approved plans to replace a student accommodation block with one with around 300 more rooms. St John’s College applied to knock down the aging Wolfson Court building off Clarkson Road with a total of 147 rooms. The plans were recommended for approval by officers.

The University of Cambridge college said the new building will have 408 rooms which will also be used by students from nearby Newnham College, Lucy Cavendish College, and the Sir Isaac Newton Institute of Mathematics.

21 objections were submitted by Newnham residents concerned with the size of the scheme. Jackie Meeks told the council’s planning committee: “We do support getting Wolfson Court back into college use – it shouldn’t be left decaying as it has been – but this isn’t the right way to do it.

“A more modest scale of building would be appropriate to this residential area. Basic refitting of the existing buildings would be appropriate for the planet. Now the applicant seeks to open accommodation to all of Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin and any of their associate or affiliated entities.” She said that the application “has morphed into a monster” and managing the block “looks virtually unworkable”.

An agent for the applicant told the committee that many of the students would be postgraduates, with their rooms being occupied year-round. He said rooms for undergraduates would be used by conference delegates and those attending educational courses, and “will not be utilised by tourists or as an aparthotel”.

Councillor Hugh Clough, of Newnham, said St John’s had made their case on the basis that the rooms would only be used by three colleges – but “without explanation” are now seeking for it to be used by academic staff, visitors and students from Anglia Ruskin University.

The Green councillor said: “The extent of occupancy must be compatible with this sensitive location. The institutions requested should certainly not include ARU – that institution is too remote from the site.”

He said the application was initially “exclusively for postgraduate students” but “once again, the applicant has altered the target and now there are contradictory statements”.

Cllr Peter Rees, county councillor for Newnham, said it was discovered that there are student accommodation facilities “housing non-students for more than 50 per cent of the time”. The Green councillor said: “So, are they really student accommodation?

“If it was, as initially intended, to be restricted to postgraduate students on a 12-month lease, this would be far more welcome among residents. I’m afraid I have to conclude that this is greenwashing. There is an alternative approach which would not use this large-scale demolish and rebuild – which is to reuse and refurbish.”

Cllr Kathryn Fisher, of Petersfield, asked what materials the building was used. Officers replied that the frame would be reinforced concrete.

The Green councillor said: “I’m honestly very shocked that’s been passed – that is so bad.”

Cllr Dave Baigent, of Romsey, asked if they would be able to reject the application to “encourage” the applicant to use better materials – but officers said there was no policy reason to reject it.

The Your Party councillor said: “How can we encourage people to use better materials to protect against global warming without actually rejecting something and sending it back?” Officers said that the council’s local plan could only encourage the use of more sustainable materials – not enforce it.

Cllr Fisher said: “I don’t understand what’s the point of having this policy – like, why do we bother? Why are we here? We’ve got wildfires burning across Europe, we’re running out of water. We are in the midst of climate collapse and we’ve got a climate policy that we can’t even speak to to hold one of the largest developers to account. It’s crazy. It’s insane.”

The application was approved with three votes in favour and two against.

The announcement marks a “significant step” toward reforming the UK’s social care system, City of York Council has said.

Promises of better investment in staff, closer integration with health services, and putting the needs of service users at the centre of change, has been met with strong support from Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw.

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She said: “Today’s announcement is really welcome.

“For too long, we’ve expected our care workers to do extraordinary things without giving them the recognition they deserve.

“That’s why these plans matter.”

“For too long, we’ve expected our care workers to do extraordinary things without giving them the recognition they deserve” (Image: Supplied)

It comes after the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, announced that he had asked Baroness Louise Casey to focus on how the government could set up the National Care Service, and to bring forward her review of adult social care in England by a year, to 2027.

The PM announced cross-party talks with Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey on the issue, along with the unveiling of The Big Conversation on Care to ensure people across the country can feed in their views.

A statement from him read: “I just don’t accept that this problem is too big to solve.

“What we need is a new way of doing politics where we come together, face the challenge head on and build an integrated system that gives people security and dignity.

“That’s the commitment I am making to people across this country, and I will give it my all in trying.”

‘I hope every carer in York sees this as a sign that their work is valued’

Responding to the news, Cllr Walshaw paid tribute to the “skill, patience and compassion” of carers across York.

She said: “Whether you’re supporting someone at Glen Lodge or Marjorie Waite Court, helping people regain their independence through our reablement service, visiting people in their own homes or caring for a loved one yourself, what you do matters.”

Drawing on her experience in the charity sector, Cllr Walshaw described care work as “one of the most rewarding jobs there is.”

She said: “We won’t transform social care overnight, but today feels like a real step forward.

“More than anything, I hope every carer in York sees this as a sign that their work is valued, because it absolutely is.

“What you do matters.”

Council officers are working feverishly towards the Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann, as business for elected reps in the chamber pauses

July traditionally sees a winding down of business from elected representatives at City Hall, and it was no different this year. But behind the scenes, if anything, activity has ratcheted up for council officials, who are feverishly preparing the city’s first Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann.

The month saw the final touches regarding licensing for Fleadh events, an appeal for the council to intervene against alley trashers, and a decision made away from the public eye to give £100,000 to an Irish language group.

Here is your latest round up of Belfast Council matters in July:

Appeal made after treasured “Foxglove Alley” trashed six times in 10 days

An appeal was made to Belfast Council after a man was caught in the act trashing a much treasured restored alleyway in South Belfast.

Volunteers who set up the charming “Foxglove Alley” in Stranmillis called upon the council to adopt a policy of emergency clean ups for those alleys that have been restored by the local community. In ten days the alley was rubbished six times.

CCTV footage was taken of a man in his 60’s lifting several full binbags taken from a nearby bin, and scattering the contents all over the alley, then scavenging for keepsakes among the rubbish.

Read more here

Belfast Council awards £100,000 to Irish language group in secret meeting

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Belfast City Council agreed to give a one-off £100,000 “stabilisation” grant to an Irish language and cultural organisation based in South Belfast.

Minutes from a City Hall committee, published for the full July council meeting, showed that in a secret meeting behind closed doors and away from the public and press, elected representatives agreed to give £100,000 to An Droichead, which has its headquarters at Cooke Street, off Ormeau Road.

The brevity of the minutes give no indication as to whether the money amounts to a full rescue package for the organisation. By agreeing the committee minutes at the full July council meeting, the chamber sealed the £100,000. There was no discussion at the full council on the matter.

Read more here

Easier and quicker to flytip bulky items in Belfast than to book council, City Hall hears

A DUP Councillor lambasted bulky waste collections provided by Belfast City Council for large items, suggesting that it has become easier and quicker to get rid of items by flytipping them, rather than using the council service.

At the latest meeting of the council’s People and Communities Committee DUP Councillor Ruth Brooks said: “The bulky waste collections appear to be taking too long. We are facing an uphill battle trying to get bulky waste items that have been flytipped and left in alleyways, right across the east of the city, and no doubt in other people’s areas.

“If people are booking in for a bulky waste collection, and they are being told it will be two or two and half weeks, and they find out they can fire the sofa out in the alleyway and it is collected in a day or two, I think it really defeats the purpose.”

Read more here

Belfast Fleadh entertainment approved for Bank Square, Castle Street and cathedral car parks

The last of the Belfast Fleadh outdoor entertainments was formally approved at a special meeting at City Hall.

A special summer meeting of the Belfast City Council Licensing Committee approved entertainment for Bank Square, the car parks at St Anne’s Cathedral, and the Fountain area including Castle Street.

Belfast for the first time will host the Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, from Sunday August 2 to Sunday August 9. Qualifying competitors from all over the world will showcase the best of traditional music, song, dance and language in All-Ireland competitions.

Read more here

Plans lodged to turn old pub in North Belfast into one-bed apartments

An application was lodged to demolish a former public house in North Belfast to make way for a four storey apartment building.

Laurence McDaid of Shorts Visits Ltd wants to knock down the former McKenna’s Public House, 903 Crumlin Road, in the Ballysillan area.

In its place he hopes to build an apartment building, consisting of 14 living units in all, 11 one-bed studios, three one-bed apartments, one common room, two kitchens and a roof terrace amenity area.

Read more here

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President Donald Trump has predicted that Greenland will be under U.S. control by the time he leaves office in January 2029.

Trump has fiercely pushed to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic since before he returned to the Oval Office. The globally unpopular move has helped strain America’s relationship with its European allies, who see it as a threat to Greenlanders’ sovereignty.

Real America’s Voice host Steve Gruber told Trump during an audio interview Friday, “I made a prediction on this program that before you left office, that Greenland would be under our operational control.”

“You’ll be right. They want to do something,” Trump said. “Greenland is important from our standpoint, not from their standpoint…You should make that bet.”

Trump has argued that the US needs to acquire Greenland for national security purposes, arguing that if he doesn’t take it, American adversaries, namely Russia and China, will.

The president’s threats to acquire Greenland reached a boiling point in January, when he threatened to slap a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from several European allies, including Denmark, until a deal was reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland.”

Tensions seemed to subside days later when Trump announced he would not impose the tariffs after a “very productive” meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte, in which they “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland.”

But Trump has never let go of his fixation with controlling Greenland. Earlier this month, the president posted an edited photo on Truth Social of him showing European leaders in the Oval Office a map of the countries, including Greenland, with an American flag superimposed over them.

While conservative media personality Gruber believes Trump will get his hands on Greenland, traders on prediction markets don’t think so, at least not for some time.

There’s just a four percent chance on Polymarket that Trump will acquire Greenland before 2027.

On Kalshi, there’s just a 6.8 percent chance the US will acquire any new territory before 2027, though the odds are slightly better on a longer timeline. There’s a 22 percent chance the US will acquire a new territory before Trump’s term ends on January 20, 2029.

The Zetland paddling pool on Redcar’s seafront is back open to the public following essential maintenance and improvements to the surrounding park by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, took to social media to welcome the news and highlighted its importance to the community.

Ms Turley said: “I’m so pleased to say that the repairs to Zetland paddling pool and the improvements to the play park are now complete.

“This has been a much-loved spot for generations of local families, and it’s fantastic to see it looking its best again, ready for even more children to enjoy.”

MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, showing her support for the attraction. (Image: MP for Redcar Anna Turley)

She also thanked council cabinet members Adam Brook and Neil Bendelow, as well as ward councillor Jade Lavan, for their work on the project.

The paddling pool reopened on Friday, July 24, to a warm welcome from families, residents, and community groups.

Zetland Park and paddling pool in Redcar reopened last week following essential maintenance work. (Image: MP for Redcar Anna Turley)

The East Redcar Residents Association said in a statement on Facebook: “It was a great atmosphere throughout the day with lots of families and children splashing about, having picnics and lots of free fun.”

“One little girl said it was the best day ever.”

The pool is now open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until mid-September.

It will be emptied each Monday, then cleaned, checked and refilled ahead of reopening later in the week.

Zetland paddling pool in Redcar reopened last week following essential maintenance work. (Image: East Redcar Resident’s Association)

Visitors are also being encouraged to enjoy the nearby play areas and The Stray Café.

The pool is within walking distance of Redcar East train station and is accessible via Coast Road bus routes.

Zetland Park and paddling pool in Redcar reopened last week following essential maintenance work. (Image: East Redcar Resident’s Association)

The community has been thanked for helping to keep the area tidy, with families and volunteers regularly cleaning up after busy days.

Redcar has seen an increase in vandalism recently, so residents are asked to report any anti-social behaviour or damage to Cleveland Police, to keep spaces safe and usable for all members of the community.

With the school holidays now underway, local leaders are encouraging families to make the most of the free seaside attraction throughout the summer.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Paula Widdowson said appointing Cllr Dave Merrett, who previously had to leave an executive role over wrongly-issued traffic fines, showed Labour were in disarray.

Labour Deputy Leader Cllr Bob Webb said the opposition group were stuck living in the past and had reduced itself to producing political tittle tattle.

The row follows the appointment of Cllr Merrett to the council’s housing and planning executive role previously held by Cllr Michael Pavlovic who is standing down.

Cllr Merrett, of Guildhall ward, has taken over Cllr Pavlovic’s housing and planning brief, with the latter’s communities role going to Heworth’s Cllr Anna Perrett.

The Guildhall ward councillor, first elected in 2003, has held a number of roles on the council including chairing a council planning committee.

But he was also forced to resign from the executive when the council had to repay £1.3 million in wrongly-issued fines after traffic restrictions placed on Lendal Bridge were found to be unlawful.

Cllr Paula Widdowson said Cllr Merrett had also presided over the last Labour administration’s failed attempt to get a local plan adopted for York.

The opposition deputy leader added it also followed Labour economy and culture spokesperson Cllr Pete Kilbane stepping down as the council’s deputy leader.

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Cllr Widdowson said: “Labour’s answer is to bring back someone whose previous spell on the executive ended in the biggest scandal in the council’s recent history.

“This latest reshuffle is nothing more than rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, swapping one failing Executive Member for another won’t undo three years of broken promises and failure to deliver.”

Labour Deputy Leader Cllr Webb said the opposition’s comments showed there was a gaping hole in what the Liberal Democrats had to offer York.

The deputy leader said: “Instead of spending time working out how to improve the lives of York residents, the Liberal Democrats live in the past, occupied only with wild speculation and conspiracy theories.

“This highlights the straightforward decision facing residents in next May’s local elections.”

There’s another dramatic week ahead on the cobbles of Coronation Street, as one resident says goodbye and another faces a terrifying attack.

We’ve known that it was coming for a while, but that doesn’t make it any easier to say goodbye to Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) as she heads off for a new job on a cruise ship next week.

Her exit comes after the arrival of Ross Wilkes (Ian Burfield), who has successfully manipulated son Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) into taking his side over Cassie’s.

Elsewhere, Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) continues to lead the Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) defence squad, as she goes out of her way to make Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) face the full weight of his actions.

Meanwhile, Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) is on a mission to save Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) from her fate, after she confessed to killing Theo Silverton. However, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) isn’t convinced by his motives…

If that has left you thoroughly intrigued, then take a look at the spoiler videos below.

Monday, August 3

Cassie says an emotional goodbye to her grandchildren ahead of her exit from the cobbles, but Hope Dobbs (Isabella Flanagan) is suspicious that there’s more to her departure than meets the eye.

Once the kids are out of earshot, Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine) gifts Cassie some money and a family photo to take with her.

Cassie uses the time alone with Fiz to warn her that Ross is dangerous and can’t be trusted, but when Tyrone interrupts, he is disgusted and tells her to go, insisting that she is no longer his mum.

Tuesday, August 4

Dylan is accosted in the precinct by a furious Lauren, who makes her feelings for Dylan clear, ordering him to stay away from Betsy.

Viewers will know that Betsy suffered a stroke after engaging in consensual strangulation during sex with Dylan, and Lauren wants to see him face the consequences.

Dylan continues to defend himself, but when he insults Lauren directly, she slaps him.

Dylan argues that he didn’t mean to hurt Betsy, but as Lauren continues to blame him, he finds himself cornered, until Lauren shoves him and he falls back, hitting his head.

When Dylan doesn’t respond to her prodding, Lauren flees.

Fortunately, Nina Lucas (Mollie Gallagher) finds Dylan – but has she got there in time to help him?

Wednesday, August 5

Bethany and Kit are determined to help Sarah, but Bethany is sceptical of Kit’s plan to expose Gary Windass’ (Mikey North) involvement in the cover-up of Theo’s murder.

She expresses her concerns that Kit merely wants to frame Gary because he’s jealous, but Kit is quick to shut her down by pointing out that if Gary really wanted to help Sarah, he would have advised her to tell the police straight away.

Kit points out that Sarah’s best chance is to prove that Gary stopped her from going straight to the police, which could be the only way for her to get a lighter sentence.

At the mention of Harry getting his mum back, Bethany gives the go-ahead for Kit to check Gary’s phone.

MORE: Cassie loses everything in Coronation Street as vile Ross’ revenge works

MORE: More scheduling chaos as Coronation Street and Emmerdale to be taken off air again

MORE: Hospital emergency for Tracy in Coronation Street as evil rapist Ross spikes her – and shock exit follows

By ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER

Published: 01:27 BST, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 02:02 BST, 1 August 2026

Google pulled its new AI tool that allowed people to edit satellite imagery within 24 hours of launch after some users demonstrated how the software could be misused. 

The tech giant announced on Thursday it had integrated its Nano Banana 2 image-generation model into Google Earth, which allowed users to ‘type whatever you want to see’ and ‘virtually reimagine anywhere in the world’. 

The AI tool allowed users to use text prompts to create downloadable false situations on top of a base layer of satellite imagery, aerial or 3D imagery. 

However, users were able to quickly test the limits of the feature, described as allowing people to create ‘concepts grounded in the real world’ and let ‘imagination run wild’.

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They shared images of fake nuclear plants in Iran, lines of refugees near the Mexican border, a fabricated bomb crater in Gaza and a car crash on a street in Amsterdam. 

This prompted Google to quickly take the feature down on Friday, as it ‘worked on implementing stronger guardrails’.

In a statement on Friday, the company said it had seen ‘people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies’. 

Google Street view holds more than 280 billion images across 110 countries, with Google Earth turning 21 this year.

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Google pulled its new AI tool that allowed people to edit satellite imagery, including a fabricated bomb crater in Gaza

Hank van Ess, an OSINT expert and author of the Digital Digging newsletter, said he ‘planted a nuclear plant in Iran’ and ‘put refugees near Mexico border’ on Google Earth. 

The tech expert also demonstrated how he was able to generate images of a bomb crater at a hospital in Gaza.

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‘One clause in there is checkable tonight, so I checked it. Google prevents image creation on harmful topics,’ he wrote.

‘Refugees at a border. A nuclear plant in Iran. A fatal crash on an Amsterdam street. A hospital with a bomb crater in Gaza. Nothing was refused. No warning, no softened output, no suggestion to try a different prompt’.

The company noted that every image created with the Nano Banana tool included a watermark that can be traced back to its Gemini AI model.

This comes as concerns grow over the spread of AI-generated images on social media, with a greater ease for users to spread false information across the internet – which can be near impossible to contain. 

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While wars proliferated in the Middle East in March, AI-generated satellite images were shared on the social media platform X seemingly showing a successful Iranian drone strike on a US radar system in Qatar.

Meanwhile, a fake video purporting to show Dubai’s Burj Khalifa up in flames, while crowds of people fled from the building. It was viewed tens of millions of times. 

Users were able to use the Nano Banana 2 image-generation model into Google Earth to create images, including a car crash on a street in Amsterdam

The proliferation of fake content prompted X to warn creators of a temporary suspension from its monetisation scheme should they post AI-generated videos of armed conflict without a label. 

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The programme rewards eligible users whose posts collect large numbers of views, likes, shares and comments with money. 

In a blog post, Google shared five ways the new software could be used: Helping students visualise history; learn relevant information about particular areas or landmarks; create professional real estate plans; visualise projects; and letting ‘imagination run wild’ on favourite places. 

A spokesperson for Google said: ‘We know that people uniquely trust Google Earth for a reliable view of the world. 

‘We’ve seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes, however we’ve also seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies. 

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‘So we’re rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails. 

‘It’s important to note that generated images didn’t appear in the main Google Earth experience for others to see and were watermarked as AI generated.’. 

The shop opened its Cambridge branch in 2021

A popular clothing store has closed its Cambridge branch. Urban Outfitters opened in Sidney Street, Cambridge, in 2021.

The chain now appears to have closed its Cambridge premises. CambridgeshireLive has seen photos on social media that show ‘closing’ signs in the shop windows.

Videos circulating on social media also show that the Cambridge store has closed. Google says the branch is ‘temporarily closed’, while there are no opening hours on the brand’s website.

It is not yet known why the shop has closed. Urban Outfitters has been approached for more information.

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The royal couple will join spectators will join spectators on the penultimate day of the Glasgow games.

William and Kate will visit the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the sports event draws to a close. The Prince and Princess of Wales will join spectators on Saturday, which is the penultimate day of the games.

The royal couple – who are known by their Scottish titles, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, when visiting the country – will also meet Team Wales athletes and their families.

The sporting event affectionately known as the “friendly games” has been attended in recent days by the Duke of Edinburgh, vice patron of Commonwealth Sport, which delivers the games, and his wife.

On Saturday games-goers can watch a range of sports from athletics and boxing to netball and judo. It comes after the King and Queen emerged from a Tardis at the Hydro arena in Glasgow during the opening ceremony.

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The scenes were reminiscent of London 2012 when Queen Elizabeth II appeared to skydive into the Olympic Stadium alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig.

The opening ceremony in Glasgow was the first to be held indoors as part of a radical restructuring of the games’ finances after Australian state Victoria withdrew as host of the event in 2023, citing spiralling costs.

The future of the event, which originated as the British Empire Games in 1930, was in doubt until Glasgow was convinced to step in and reprise its hosting role from 2014, albeit with significant alterations.

William and Kate will also spend time with athletes competing at the games whose careers have been empowered by the charity SportsAid, which Kate has supported as patron since 2013, and meet emerging talent taking part in the Team England Futures project.

Sporting stars whose early promise was boosted by SportsAid include Sir Chris Hoy, Ellie Simmonds, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Tom Daley.

The international sporting event returned to Scotland for the first time in 2014 last week but there has been one major change when it comes to the coverage of the games – they are no longer free to watch.

TNT Sports was announced as the Games’ live UK broadcast partner earlier this year with all coverage being shown behind a paywall.

It’s the first time in 72 years that the BBC lost their rights to the games with the broadcaster previously confirming: “Our bid was unable to match the financial offer from the market. We wish them every success for next year.”

While some live coverage has been broadcast on BBC Alba and iPlayer between 5:30pm and 10pm each evening, the majority has been shown on TNT Sports.

The Commonwealth Games runs until August 2 when the closing ceremony will take place at the OVO Hydro.