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Deadly domestic violence cases stir calls for more care resources for Black communities

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Deadly domestic violence cases stir calls for more care resources for Black communities

Two headline-grabbing, deadly domestic violence cases, one in Louisiana and the other in Virginia targeting Black mothers, have sparked a national conversation about domestic violence prevention resources and mental health care available to Black communities.

Many advocates in the aftermath of the deadly shootings have said the tragedies pointedly highlight troubling underlying trends where Black women are more likely to experience domestic violence — and they see the killings as an opportunity to confront how disparities in access to care and resources make some women and children more vulnerable to violence in the home.

On Sunday morning, a man police identified as Shamar Elkins fatally shot seven of his children and another child in Shreveport, Louisiana. A relative has said Elkins was in the midst of separating from his wife who was wounded.

And last Thursday, police found the bodies of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his estranged wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, in their suburban Washington, D.C., home. Justin Fairfax shot his estranged wife and then himself, and their two children in the home at the time were unhurt, police said. Like Elkins, Fairfax was in the process of separating from his wife and had faced a judge’s upcoming deadline to move from the house.

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While it’s not clear what prompted the Shreveport killings or the apparent murder-suicide in Annandale, Virginia, experts say that the harrowing details of the killings echo familiar patterns that play out in homes across the country — and underscore the need for solutions that address the root causes of the disparate violence.

A ‘silent epidemic’

Sunday wasn’t the first time that Elkins’ family had suffered from gender-based gun violence: Shaneiqua Elkins and the other woman who was shot, Keosha Pugh, were sisters, and lost their mother to gun violence when they were under age 10, according to their uncle Lionel Pugh.

“It’s sad. It just breaks you down,” Pugh said.

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Shreveport Councilman Grayson Boucher said at a news conference Monday that the Louisiana killings were emblematic of “a true epidemic of domestic violence” across the small southern city of roughly 180,000 people.

Those trends go well beyond Shreveport as experts have pointed out how both race and gender make Black women in particular more vulnerable to domestic violence.

More than four in 10 Black women experience physical violence from an intimate partner during their lifetimes — a much higher rate than women who are white, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander — according to a 2014 study by the Centers for Disease Control.

Paméla Tate is the executive director of Black Women Revolt, which runs programs to prevent abuse and offers survivors’ resources. She said a logical skepticism about police and government child services agencies based on a history of institutionalized racism makes Black women reluctant to seek help — and especially vulnerable to domestic violence.

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Additionally, Black women are two times more likely to be murdered by men than their white counterparts, according to a 2025 study published by the Violence Policy Center, based on federal government data from 2023. Those men are more often than not familiar to their victims, according to the study, which found that more than nine in 10 Black female victims knew their killers, with the majority of those killings being carried out with guns.

Ultimately, Tate said, “domestic violence doesn’t see color,” and is primarily driven by the prevalent belief among men — across racial demographics — that women are subjects or property.

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“Domestic violence is about exerting power over someone that you profess to love and controlling their behavior,” Tate said.

Lack of resources for Black men

There has been intense speculation about the role that mental health crises might have played in both shootings.

A relative of Elkins’ wife told The Associated Press that Elkins had voluntarily checked into a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in January for about a week and a half for mental health help.

In Virginia, Justin Fairfax was a rising star in the Democratic Party until two women accused him of sexual assault, casting doubt on his trustworthiness as a political leader. The former lieutenant governor’s “mental and emotional health” suffered before he killed his wife and himself, according to court documents, which say he drank heavily and withdrew from his family after the allegations were made public in 2019.

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Adult and child psychiatrist Christine Crawford hasn’t examined the killings in Shreveport or Annandale, but said financial troubles, marital issues and problems at work — in addition to underlying mental health vulnerabilities — can lead someone to “crack.”

“It makes some think about the amount of pain, distress and hopelessness they found themselves in at that time,” said Crawford, who practices at the Webster Clinic in Boston and is interim chief medical officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

She noted many Black people find themselves priced out of programs and care for mental health for such reasons as private care costs and a lack of insurance.

That level of desperation can make some people feel “completely out of options on how to deal with the pain he was in at that moment,” Crawford said. T

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Some have said that there are social dimensions to these economic trends, too.

“Mental health disparities in the Black community is not accidental,” said University of Michigan Social Work Professor Daphne C. Watkins. “They are the predictable result of structural racism” in schools, employment and other aspects of society.

Watkins, founder of the YBMen Project which provides young Black men with a safe place to discuss their mental health, manhood and social support, said studies show that 10% of Black adults experience moderate to severe depression, while 18% experience anxiety disorders.

But Black men tend to forego mental health treatment due to cultural expectations, in addition to costs, said Watkins. Without an outlet, stressors from family, work and relationships can pile up.

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“For a long time, in the Black community, we didn’t talk about anxiety. Now, you have to talk about it hand in hand along with depression.”

Mental health not an excuse, some say

Others have emphatically said that mental health is not an excuse for domestic violence.

“To say they’re mentally ill, that doesn’t cut it,” Tate said. “There are people who are depressed or people who have schizophrenia and don’t harm the their partners, much less kill them.”

Shaneiqua Elkins and Cerina Fairfax could have been struggling with mental health challenges too, Tate added, and they both “had the same access or ability to go and purchase a gun” but chose not to.

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“The mental illness is not what we’re talking about here,” she said.

____

Associated Press writer Sophie Bates contributed in Shreveport, Louisiana.

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FSA recall as cakes and biscuits contaminated by rodents

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Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and more issue food recalls

Saffron Pastries is recalling a number of its products because of a potential rodent contamination.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned any shoppers who have purchased the affected products, listed below, not to eat them.

Full refunds will be offered to anyone who has bought the cakes and biscuits.

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A statement from the FSA said: “Saffron Pastries is recalling the above Saffron Pastries brand products.

“Point of sale notices will be displayed in retail stores that are selling these products.

“These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.

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“If you have bought the above products, do not eat them. Instead, return them to where you bought them from for a full refund.”


Recommended Reading:


These are the Saffron Pastries products affected by the latest recall:

  • Almond Biscuits (12 pack) – All best before dates from February 17, 2027, to April 5, 2027
  • Almond Madeira Slice (10 pack) – All best before dates from April 20, 2026, to May 12, 2026
  • Coconut Slice (5 pack) – All best before dates from April 23, 2026, to May 5, 2026
  • Cream Roll (5 pack) – All best before dates from August 10, 2026, to September 20, 2026
  • Family Almond Cake Rusk (26 pack) – All best before dates from January 20, 2027, to March 11, 2027
  • Family Cake Rusk (26 pack) – Best before date of March 11, 2027
  • Fruit Madeira Slice (10 pack) – All best before dates from April 20, 2026, to May 12, 2026
  • Fruit Slice (5 pack) – All best before dates from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026
  • Jam Biscuits (12 pack) – Best before date of February 18, 2027
  • Lemon Slice (5 pack) – All best before dates from April 16, 2026, to June 8, 2026
  • Original Cake Rusk (12 pack) – All best before dates from January 20, 2027, to March 10, 2027
  • Original Cake Rusk (18 pack) – All best before dates from January 16, 2027, up to March 10, 2027
  • Almond Slice (5 pack) – All best before dates from April 17, 2026, up to May 5, 2026
  • Pistachio Biscuits (12 pack) – All best before dates from February 17, 2027, up to April 5, 2027
  • Plain Madeira Slice (10 pack) – All best before dates from April 20, 2026, to June 18, 2026
  • Triple Pack Variety Madeira (3 pack) – All best before dates from June 30, 2026, to May 12, 2026
  • Twin Pack Madeira (2 pack) – All best before dates from April 23, 2026, to May 15, 2026
  • Vanilla Slice (5 pack) – All best before dates from April 17, 2026, to June 30, 2026
  • Angel Slice (5 pack) – All best before dates from April 17, 2027, to June 30, 2026
  • Cake Rusk Soonfi (12 pack) – Best before date of March 30, 2027
  • Cake Rusk Soonfi (18 pack) – Best before date of March 30, 2027
  • Cherry Madeira Slice (10 pack) – All best before dates from April 20, 2026, to May 12, 2026
  • Chocolate Slice (5 pack) – Best before date of April 20, 2026
  • Coconut Biscuits (12 pack) – All best before dates from February 18, 2027, to March 8, 2027
  • Coconut Madeira Slice (10 pack) – All best before dates from April 20, 2026, to May 12, 2026

For more information email info@saffronpastries.com or call 01274 726101.


Food Recalls Explained


What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

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In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

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The ‘Venice-like’ village in Wales designed to look Mediterranean has just turned 100

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The ‘Venice-like' village in Wales designed to look Mediterranean has just turned 100
The picturesque UK village would fit better in the Mediterranean (Picture: Getty Images)

Venice may be one of the most romantic and picturesque destinations on the planet, but there’s no chance of the crowds disappearing anytime soon. 

With overtourism rife in the city – inspiring its tourist tax – many travellers are looking elsewhere for their next idyllic escape.

Those in the UK don’t have to look too far. A charming village in England has earned comparisons, meanwhile in Wales, there’s a little slice of Italy closer to home.

Portmeirion, located on the coast of North Wales in Gwynedd, is a unique folly tourist village that was actually designed to look like a Mediterranean village – and has just celebrated its 100th anniversary.

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With its cobbled streets, brightly coloured buildings and quaint narrow alleyways, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped right into a quieter Venice. 

Built between 1925 and 1975 by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion was created to capture the atmosphere of a Mediterranean village within the Welsh countryside.

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Portmeirion, a village in North Wales designed to look like the Mediterennean.
The folly village looks like an Italian town (Picture: Getty Images)

While some think the design was based on the Italian fishing village of Portofino, Williams-Ellis claimed he wanted to pay tribute to the Mediterranean atmosphere and did not have a specific location in mind.

In recent years, the small Welsh village has been gaining attention on social media, with TikTokers calling it a hidden gem and a must-visit. 

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Content creator Tabby (@thejohnsontravels) described the village as ‘Little Italy but in Wales.’ Her footage showcased virtually empty streets, a stark contrast to the crowded canals of its Italian lookalike, Venice.

Wide angle view of colourful buildings at Portmeirion, a tourist village in Gwynedd, North Wales.
The village features colourful buildings and cobbled streets (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Portmeirion is stunning and if you haven’t been, you need to – a little slice of Italy,’ she wrote in the caption.

The video sparked a flurry of comments from viewers in disbelief that such a place existed in the UK.

‘I feel like I’m living in the wrong Wales because where the hell is this,’ user @risqueebookn_ joked.

Another @sheshecollectif wrote: ‘Why have I never heard of this place before.’ User @izzy.bcrossland added: ‘I think Portmeirion is the prettiest place in the whole of the UK.’

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Another TikToker @saltinourhair recorded their visit to the peaceful town. They wrote: ‘This isn’t Italy or France… It’s Portmeirion in Wales, UK.’

They urged their followers to add the Welsh village to their bucket lists, adding in the comment section: ‘I had no idea there was a place like this in the UK.’ 

One commenter declared it ‘the sweetest town in Wales’. Another, @henrypledger0, said: ‘[It is] well worth the visit, we stayed in one of the cottages and we were treated like royalty, food was fantastic accompanied by a harp player.’

Other content creators have declared the village ‘breathtakingly unique’ and ‘magical’.

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Portmeirion is famously known as the setting of the 1960s TV show The Prisoner. It became the backdrop for the series’ storyline about a man imprisoned in a beautiful yet bizarre village.

Wide angle view of colourful buildings at Portmeirion village. Portmeirion is a village in Gwynedd, North Wales.
The village has been called ‘breathtakingly unique’ (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto))
A colourful archway in the picturesque village of Portmeirion in North Wales, UK.
Many have called Portmeirion a hidden gem (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

But unlike most picturesque villages in the UK, you have to pay to enter Portmeirion.

Entry costs £20 for adults during its main season (March to November), while an annual pass is available for £40 per adult and £25 for children.

Those who want to soak up the charm of Portmeirion for longer can stay overnight in the village’s various cottages, hotels, and accommodations.

The Portmeirion Hotel, the village’s flagship hotel, is rated four stars and overlooks the sandy beaches of the Dwyryd Estuary in Snowdonia, North Wales. 

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It originally opened in April 1926 and has retained many of its Victorian features, including an intricate Italian fireplace and a grand mirror room, according to the website.

With 14 bedrooms to choose from, guests can enjoy fine dining at the hotel’s restaurants, a bar, a terrace, and even an open-air swimming pool.

We’ve found rooms for August 2026 from £255 per night – though prices may vary depending on when you want to stay.

You can also visit Castell Deudraeth Brasserie, a gothic-style castle often referred to as ‘the largest and most imposing single building on the Portmeirion estate’.

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More UK and Europe Venice alternatives to explore

This article was originally published in March 2025, and has been updated.

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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Arsonist who torched storage yard in Port Clarence jailed

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Arsonist who torched storage yard in Port Clarence jailed

Dwayne Davis was part of a gang who set fire to a yard on Hope Street, in Port Clarence, at 12.30am on June 2, last year. 

After the blaze, the 29-year-old, of Laurel Road, drove the group to Raleigh Road where he stood and watched a caravan be set alight.

He was identified from CCTV footage through his clothing and trainers.

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On Monday (April 20), Davis appeared at Teesside Crown Court where he was sentenced to 10 years and five months for two counts of arson. 

He pleaded not guilty to both offences at an earlier hearing and was convicted during a trial. 

Police were first alerted to the flames at the scrap yard when an on-duty officer spotted the flames and alerted Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade. 

The force said it was quickly established that the fires had been ignited deliberately inside the vehicles as well as around various locations in the yard.

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An investigation was launched, with officers reviewing CCTV capturing a grey car travelling along Norton Avenue and onto Raleigh Road. The driver of the vehicle was Davis.

Davis could be identified from a small white patch on the pocket of his trousers and white lines on the sides of his trainers.

The court heard how footage captured an individual putting their hand through the back windscreen of a car that had the glass removed and pulling out a green container.

Approximately 20 seconds later it is on fire. Davis, who had been standing watching, then gets back into the vehicle and drives away.

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In the early hours of June 2, Davis was arrested at a petrol station on Durham Road. After being taken to custody for interview, he replied no comment to the questions asked by detectives.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Sarah Beadle said: “Our investigation quickly identified Davis as the driver of the vehicle that travelled to the scrap yard and Raleigh Road to assist others in setting the caravan and the scrap yard alight.

“This was through the CCTV footage that we obtained and reviewed. Davis was identifiable through the clothing he was wearing at the time of the arson, and he could also be seen entering his property in the same clothes. 

“Despite the evidence against Davis, he refused to admit to what he had done however a jury saw through his lies and he will now face the consequences by spending time behind bars.” 

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Unchosen cast as Irish heartthrob leads eerie Netflix cult thriller

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Belfast Live

Netflix’s new psychological thriller Unchosen tells the story of Rosie, who begins to question her life inside a Christian sect.

Unchosen has just landed on Netflix and the unsettling thriller, which is one of many thrillers on the platform, delves into wife and mother Rosie’s disturbingly sinister existence within a fictional Christian sect.

The Netflix limited series follows Rosie as she starts to doubt her existence within the controlling cult following an encounter with an escaped prisoner named Sam.

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As she starts to question whom she can genuinely rely upon, viewers learn more about Rosie’s domestic situation when sinister revelations surface about those she previously believed she understood.

Packed with unexpected plot developments, the thriller looks set to become a massive success for the streaming platform.

Here’s everything you need to know about the impressive cast.

READ MORE: Channel 4 series ‘Close to Home’ led by Anthony Boyle wraps filming in BelfastREAD MORE: Derry Girls fans ‘so excited’ as Nicola Coughlan lands major presenting role

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Adam – Asa Butterfield

Adam serves as Rosie’s spouse in the programme and is portrayed by Asa Butterfield, a 29 year old English actor who rose to prominence in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

He subsequently headlined Netflix’s popular series Sex Education, and has appeared in the science-fiction picture Ender’s Game. He also harbours a keen interest in creating and producing music.

Rosie – Molly Windsor

Rosie is a dedicated wife and mother caught between two contrasting realities, and is brought to life by Molly Windsor, a 28 year old performer from Nottingham.

Her breakout performance came in the Channel 4 film The Unloved, though she’s most recognised for her part in the BBC limited series Three Girls, which earned her the 2018 BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress.

Sam – Fra Fee

Sam is a fugitive who tempts Rosie with promises of a brighter future, portrayed by Fra Fee, the 38 year old Northern Irish actor and singer.

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He’s perhaps most recognised for his portrayal of Courfeyrac in the 2012 film version of Les Misérables, as well as his turn as Kazi in the Disney+ Marvel Cinematic Universe series Hawkeye.

Mr Phillips – Christopher Eccleston

Mr Phillips leads the cult while concealing numerous sinister secrets, brought to life by Christopher Eccleston.

The 62 year old English performer is widely celebrated for embodying the ninth Doctor in Doctor Who.

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The Salford native has since featured in Let Him Have It, Our Friends in the North and Dodger.

Mrs Phillips – Siobhan Finneran

Mrs Phillips serves as the cult leader’s spouse, portrayed by Siobhan Finneran, a 59 year old actress hailing from Oldham.

She’s particularly recognised for her work in Coronation Street, Benidorm and her portrayal of Clare, a recovering heroin addict, in Happy Valley.

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Hannah – Alexa Davies

Hannah is amongst Rosie’s companions in the series, wed to Adam’s brother Isaac, and is brought to life by Alexa Davies, a Welsh actress widely known for her role as Aretha in Raised by Wolves.

Viewers might also recall her as the younger Rosie in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Grace – Olivia Pickering

Grace is the hard-of-hearing daughter of Rosie and Adam, played by young actress Olivia Pickering.

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The emerging talent previously appeared in the short film Firefly.

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Anthony – Rory Wilmot

Anthony is Isaac’s son in the series and is portrayed by Rory Wilmot, a young performer who has appeared in FBI: International.

He has also secured the role of Neville Longbottom in the forthcoming Harry Potter series.

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Mason – Ethan Davidson

Mason is Sam’s sibling in the series and is portrayed by Ethan Davidson, a Belfast-based performer.

Unchosen represents his first major production, though he has previously appeared in several short films.

Isaac – Aston McAuley

Isaac is Adam’s sibling and the two share a troubled relationship.

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He is portrayed by Aston McAuley, whose screen credits include BBC’s Rebus, Netflix’s Behind Her Eyes, Rocketman, Endeavour and Restless.

Unchosen is on Netflix

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Lorry strikes railway bridge near Cambridgeshire city causing road to be closed

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Cambridgeshire Live

The road had to be closed while the lorry was removed.

A lorry struck a railway bridge near a Cambridgeshire city causing a road closure to be put in place. Cambridgeshire Police were called to the railway bridge at Queen Adelaide Way near Ely at 12.07pm on Saturday, April 18, following reports of a lorry crashing into the bridge.

The British Transport Police and Network Rail were contacted about the incident. A road closure was put in place for a short time while the vehicle was removed. Structural engineers also attended.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “A foreign registered lorry collided with the railway bridge at Queen Adelaide Way. We were called at 12.07pm on Saturday, April 18.

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“The British Transport Police and Network Rail were contacted who looked at the bridge. The vehicle was recovered.”

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a vehicle stuck under a rail over road bridge in Ely at around 12.15pm on Saturday 18 April. The road was closed for a short time while the vehicle was removed and structural engineers attended the scene.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We received reports of a lorry striking the railway bridge on Queen Adelaide Way in Ely, Cambridgeshire at 12:32pm on Saturday 18 April, which led to delays and disruption to train services. Our teams attended the site promptly and, following inspections, confirmed there was no damage to the structure. Train services were able to resume safely by 3:33pm.”

To get more news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.

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Police detain fans in chaotic scenes outside Etihad after Manchester City vs Arsenal

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Manchester Evening News

Video footage appeared to capture a number of males being handcuffed as scuffles broke out following the match

Footage appears to show Manchester City fans clashing with police at match vs Arsenal

Video footage appeared to show a number of football fans being detained by police as scuffles broke out following the Manchester City v Arsenal game.

The clips were filmed after the match at the Etihad on Sunday (April 19). The first clip captured frantic scenes as officers shouted ‘get back’ as a man wearing a Manchester City shirt was detained against a fence.

A number of police officers then held the man as he was put in handcuffs. A scuffle between another male and an officer appeared to break out nearby as police horses separated those involved in the chaotic scenes from the walking crowd.

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A further clip then appeared to show an officer detaining another male to the ground. This male was placed in handcuffs surrounded by three officers.

Clips then captured another male being detained in an incident which looked to be outside a pub. Chants of ‘City, City’ can be heard in the background throughout the videos.

It has not been confirmed whether any of the males were arrested. Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for further details.

Man City secured a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday with goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland. The win puts the Blues back in control of the title race if they beat Burnley on Wednesday, placing them at the top of the league with five games remaining.

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UK unemployment rate sees surprise fall to 4.9%

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UK unemployment rate sees surprise fall to 4.9%

Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, said: “Alongside falling unemployment, the number of people not actively seeking work increased, with data suggesting fewer students seeking work alongside their studies.”

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Netflix’s harrowing new cult thriller Unchosen is your next must-watch binge

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Netflix’s harrowing new cult thriller Unchosen is your next must-watch binge

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‘Over two thousand cults exist in the United Kingdom.’

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Seconds after pressing play on the first episode of Netflix’s new drama Unchosen, I could already feel chills creeping up my spine when these words appeared on the screen.

I know very little about cults. When I hear the word, I instantly think of horrific historical cult leaders like Charles Manson, or Klaus growing a hippie cult in The Umbrella Academy. But in my ignorance, the idea of thousands of cults existing in 2026 shocked me to my core.

So watching this harrowing psychological thriller – led by Molly Windsor, Fra Fee, Asa Butterfield, Siobhan Finneran and Christopher Eccleston – I was in for a rude awakening.

Inspired by real cults that exist in the UK, Unchosen tells the story of the fictional Fellowship of the Divine, a secluded Christian sect in England.

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The women’s roles are to be demure homemakers, looking after their children and caring for their husbands. The men’s roles are to provide and be the leaders for their families. And they’re all expected to lead devout lives dedicated to the tenets of their religion.

Rosie’s entire world is turned upside down when she starts to question the community she’s known here whole life (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)
Unchosen
She’s married to Adam, a pious man with a dark streak he’s kept concealed from his wife (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)

Key details about Unchosen

When is it out? The whole series is released on Tuesday April 21 on Netflix.

How many episodes are there? There are six episodes in total.

Who’s in the cast? The lead stars are Molly Windsor, Fra Fee, Asa Buttefield, Christopher Eccleston and Siobhan Finneran.

Who created Unchosen? The series was written by Julie Gearey, who previously created the TV series Intergalactic and has written on shows including Prisoners Wives, Coronation Street and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

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At the beginning of the series, the Fellowship is painted as a picture of peace and serenity, with smiles all around and laughing children playing together. But everything changes when a mysterious outsider called Sam (Fra Fee) enters their community and upends their lives.

Sam is an ex-convict with a violent past, whom Rosie (Molly) feels an instant gravitational pull towards when they inadvertently cross paths. Their connection is undeniable from the start, and as time goes on, the deep-rooted cracks in her marriage to Adam (Asa) deepen.

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The Fellowship is led by Mr Phillips (Christopher), a charismatic man with the power to wield unrestrained influence over his followers, convincing them that they are the ‘Chosen’, and that anyone who isn’t in their community is ‘Unchosen’.

That same philosophy goes for anyone who chooses to renounce their cult. They are seen as unworthy, ungodly, are treated as though they’re the scum of the earth, and are forced to cut off all contact with their friends and family as they’re cruelly discarded.

Sam’s arrival might help Rosie realise that her sheltered life was not the idyllic utopia she thought it was, but the horrors within the Fellowship were there all along. This society is run on a culture of coercive control, where brutality and abuse take place behind closed doors.

Unchosen
Sam changes everything when he comes into their lives (Picture: Rekha Garton/Netflix)
Unchosen
Mr Phillips wields unrestrained power over the Fellowship (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)

When Netflix released the trailer for Unchosen, TV fans were hooked right away, drawing instant parallels with films and TV shows like Midsommar and The Handmaid’s Tale. Nonetheless, it’s so rare to imagine a story like this set in modern-day England, which makes the reality around which this fictional tale is based feel that much more haunting.

Through Rosie’s eyes, I could see how someone who has only ever known this life would accept all she’s ever been told, and fear the unknown. Molly’s earnest performance tugged on my heartstrings, even when she frustratingly kept being drawn back into her toxic society.

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That frustration made me feel even more proud of her when she stood up for herself and called out behaviour that was not ok, knowing that doing so could at the least cause shame for her family, and at the most result in her being ostracised and separated from her daughter, Grace (Olivia Pickering).

The most impactful dramas on TV aren’t just a one-off thrill. They stay with you when the final episode has ended, making you question what you knew about certain parts of life, or even yourself. Unchosen demonstrates how important it is to look beyond the surface, delving deep until you discover what’s really bubbling underneath.

Unchosen
There’s more to Mrs Phillips than meets the eye (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)
Unchosen
Can Sam be trusted, or is he just a master manipulator? (Picture: Justin Downing/Netflix)

Rosie, a reserved and dutiful wife, is willing to rebel to do what’s morally right. Sam, a former prisoner, has kindness in his heart, but has also spent years refining his own skills of manipulation to ensure his survival. Adam, one of the most pious followers of their religion, is secretly harbouring a ruthless streak that his wife has never seen.

It’s plain to see that Mr Phillips is a dark and menacing figure. At first, his wife, Mrs Phillips (Siobhan Finneran), appears as though she is too – but the women in this series are not to be underestimated.

Verdict on Unchosen

Unchosen is, at times, a chilling watch, but you’ll be hooked from start to finish. And left with a desperate need to jump into some dark and fascinating internet rabbit holes.

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The horrifying violence inflicted by men in the drama is, at times, sadly no surprise, given the devastating world that we live in, but it is haunting nonetheless. I felt particularly unsettled watching Asa play such a sinister character, when I’ve come to know him so well as the kind-hearted Otis from Sex Education.

Fra’s masterfully cunning performance had me second-guessing Sam at every turn, changing my mind over whether I believed he had sincere intentions or was using Rosie for his own gain.

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The creative brains behind Unchosen couldn’t have chosen a better person to play a cult leader than Doctor Who star Christopher, with the nefarious air that Mr Phillips brings into every room he enters. And Siobhan stole every scene as Mrs Phillips, reminding me why I loved watching her so much as the sharp-tongued Miss O’Brien in Downton Abbey.

The thriller is coming out during what’s become an important release window for Netflix in the UK. In April 2024, the streaming platform launched the critically-acclaimed Baby Reindeer. In March 2025, Adolescence came out and became a global phenomenon.

Now, in April 2026, it’s Unchosen’s turn. Your next must-watch series has arrived – and you’re going to struggle not to binge it in one go.

Unchosen is available to stream from today on Netflix.

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One-way streets plan slammed as residents ‘forced to take longer routes’

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Cambridgeshire Live

One reader said of the proposed changes: “It’s a money making scam”

Cambridgeshire Live readers are divided over proposals to convert five Peterborough roads into one-way streets. Reactions vary from concerns about road safety and motorist conduct to how it will affect traffic in the future.

Proposals that would see five roads altered to become one-way streets are under consideration by Peterborough City Council. The council’s Highways & Transport department published a draft order this week outlining six proposed modifications for the Millfield area near Lincoln Road.

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They will see five roads converted to permit one-way only traffic. The five roads are:

  • Cambridge Avenue;
  • Gladstone Street;
  • Windmill Street;
  • Silverwood Road;
  • Springfield Road.

This will prevent vehicles from entering Windmill Street from Gladstone Street, entering Gladstone Street from Serjeant Street, or entering Springfield Road from Gladstone Street.

One reader, Windypants comments: “Conflicts are usually started by motorists not understanding the highway code, they scream at each other or at other road users.”

Freddly writes: “60% of new registrations were for SUV ‘ambulance blockers’ in 2023. These are the conflict creators. Conversion to one-way would be the time to remove all the heavily subsidised parking on these streets and actually create something useful for buses or active travel.”

Rhodabike adds: “Five roads converted to accommodate one-way only traffic. So, traffic going the other way will be forced to take longer alternative routes. Great way to increase pollution and journey times.”

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Over on our Facebook page, Matthew S comments: “I suppose producing RING Roads within the City is an okay idea with modifications, clockwise and anticlockwise AM/PM, maybe? Or maybe a two-way cycle path.”

Simon T writes: “The only conflict is local councils shutting/turning roads one way without public consultation. In reality, it’s so the council can put up cameras to fine motorists & force them down rat runs, creating pollution & traffic, so they in turn can claim a congestion charge & ULEZ charge to fleece its constituents, following London’s & Oxford’s leads. It’s a money making scam.”

Simon W says: “If we were talking actual Cambridge City, they wouldn’t go wrong by making Brooklands Avenue one way out, with Lensfield Road one way inbound. The same for Tension Road, one way in, with St Barnabas one way out. And I’m talking one way to all, except pedestrians.”

Do you feel that these five new one-way roads are needed? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.

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Man City confirm Hong Kong friendly with European giants to start 2026 pre season tour

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Manchester Evening News

Manchester City will head to Asia for their 2026 summer tour with the first fixture confirmed for Hong Kong at the beginning of August

Manchester City are heading to Hong Kong this summer as part of their pre-season tour for the 2026/27 season. The Blues have agreed to play Inter Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 1 in what will be their first fixture of an Asian trip.

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The Blues are expected to announce more games in at least one other country in the coming weeks with the first game set for just under two weeks after the World Cup final takes place in New Jersey. The majority of City’s squad will be involved in the international tournament, although the timing of City’s tour means that most players could join up for some part of it if required.

Pep Guardiola is still scheduled to lead what will initially be a young group out to start preparations for the 2026/27 campaign, although doubts remain over his future despite his contract running until 2027. Bernardo Silva is one of a number of players who will have left the club by then.

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After last summer at the Club World Cup and the 2024 trip to the United States, this will be City’s first tour of Asia in three years. Their match with Inter also marks the first time they have been in Hong Kong since 2019, when their trip was overshadowed by civil unrest in the country and Chinese political influence.

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Peter Laundy, senior vice president of partnerships at City Football Group, said: “We are thrilled to announce Manchester City’s return to Hong Kong, as we confirm the club’s first preseason fixture of the summer in Asia. Our fans in Hong Kong and the wider region have always shown incredible loyalty and support for the club.

“The energy and passion we’ve experienced on previous visits has always been special and we’re looking forward to sharing those moments once again with them later in the year, and an exciting fixture against Inter Milan.”

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