Police kept two groups apart as tensions flared at counter protests.

Police were forced to step in as masked demonstrators confronted a rival anti-racism march in Falkirk.

The rally on Saturday by Voices for Falkirk had been dubbed “The Right Unites” – explicitly inviting far right groups to assemble in the town, outside the Cladhan Hotel, which was housing asylum seekers but is reportedly no longer being used for that purpose.

Pictures from the scene show the group confronting a Unity March organised by the Stand Up to Racism group and Falkirk For All.

The anti-immirgration group, with several wearing masks and dark clothing, came face to face with police officers as tensions flared. Police moved in to separate the groups, with one masked man seen shouting through a megaphone while demonstrators on the opposing side chanted back.

Other images show members of the Unity March carrying a large banner reading: “Falkirk United Against Racism – Refugees Are Welcome Here.”

The counter-demonstration began at Callendar House before making its way towards Falkirk town centre.

The clashes come one year after a series of heated protests began outside the Cladhan Hotel, with rival anti-immigration and anti-racism campaigners repeatedly facing off.

The hotel has since become one of the main flashpoints for anti-immigration protests in Scotland.

Police Scotland figures show Falkirk has accounted for a significant proportion of anti-immigration protests across the country, with the vast majority taking place around the Cladhan Hotel.

A recent Scottish Police Authority report revealed that anti-immigration demonstrations had generated a major policing demand across Scotland.

The report said 83 counter-protests had taken place during the period examined, with around 80 per cent held in response to anti-immigration protests.

Falkirk accounted for 52 per cent of anti-immigration protests recorded by police across Scotland during the period, with almost all taking place at the Cladhan Hotel.

Today’s confrontation also comes just days after a Syrian asylum seeker who had stayed at the hotel was jailed for four years over the sexual assaults of two women in Falkirk.

Muhammad Sheikhi, 23, was sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two attacks on women who were making their way home from nights out.

His conviction has further inflamed tensions surrounding the hotel.

The assaults happened in the early hours of November 30 last year, the same day that major pro- and anti-immigration demonstrations were held around the Cladhan.

Sheikhi was convicted following a trial in May and was described by the sentencing sheriff as having carried out deliberate and predatory attacks.

But campaigners opposing anti-immigration demonstrations have warned against using individual criminal cases to target asylum seekers as a group.

Stand Up To Racism had urged supporters to attend today’s Unity March, claiming the Voices for Falkirk event was an attempt by organised far-right groups to mobilise in the town.

In the run-up to today’s protest, the group said: “Falkirk far-right are not ‘local people with local concerns’. They are part of organised networks of racists, fascists and white supremacist groups who spread hate, Islamophobia & racist violence.”

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More replacement journeys have been arranged between Sheffield and Derbyshire for passengers caught up in delays and cancellations following the Totley Tunnel blaze.

A coach will depart Sheffield calling at stations to New Mills Central except Edale at 18:30, National Rail has said.

There is also a 16-seater bus at 18:30 departing New Mills Central calling at stations to Sheffield.

Another 16-seater bus, also at 18:30, will depart Sheffield calling at stations to New Mills Central.

The applicant said the project is ‘exceptionally important from a drinking water resources perspective’

Plans to construct a new building at a “critical facility” aimed at meeting “ever increasing demands” for water supply has been lodged. Cambridge Water Company (CWC) has sought permission from South Cambridgeshire District Council to construct a new water treatment building at Kingston Pumping Station in Great Eversden.

If permission is sought, CWC will construct a new water treatment building alongside modifications to access onto Kingston Road – where the building is proposed to be built.

A planning document reads: “Kingston Pumping Station is a critical facility owned by CWC. This proposal is exceptionally important from a drinking water resources perspective.

“The proposed new treatment plant will enable a disused borehole to be brought back into use in order to add much needed water to the network to meet ever increasing demands on supply.”

A borehole is a narrow shaft drilled into the ground for many purposes, including the extraction of water. This project is one of four locations where CWC are re-introducing environmentally sustainable water sources that have been unused for a period to provide “additional reliable and consistent supply of water to their customers”, a planning document says.

The building will house the treatment plant required to treat the water extracted from the borehole to bring it to drinking water standards for customers. It has been designed with a total capacity of about 1283 cubic metres.

Planning documents say the projects form a core element of CWC’s Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) which sets out how it will deliver “high-quality, secure and reliable water supply over the next 25 years”.

The document adds: “This is particularly important within the Cambridge Water area, where supporting flows in sensitive chalk streams is a key priority. It is essential to upgrade Kingston Pumping Station to ensure a secure and reliable water supply for customers, whilst supporting long-term growth aspirations within the region. There is a clear need to reopen and modernise Kingston water pumping station. The site is long established and the existing borehole is required to come back into service.”

Looking to enjoy the last of the summer with some fish and chips on the beach? This East Anglian location was named one of the UK’s best harbour towns, and you can pick up the catch of the day right on its shores

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A list of the UK’s best harbour towns has seen a surprising winner for East Anglia, and it has even beat destinations such as Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea for its freshly caught seafood.

The top ten harbour towns were named by the Telegraph, and coming in at number three is a Suffolk location that historically had a harbour, although it doesn’t anymore. However, it’s still considered a harbour town thanks to the fishermen who sell their catch of the day right on the shingle beach.

Aldeburgh has a long maritime history, two of Sir Francis Drake’s most-famous ships were thought to have been built here, and along the Crag Path you’ll find wooden shacks with signs advertising fresh fish and shellfish. You can pick up some seafood to take home, or enjoy pots of smoked, ready to eat fish for your beach picnic.

And when you’re spending the day on the coast, fish and chips are the best way to round off the day, and the nearly 50-year old Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop is just steps from the beach so you can get a takeaway to eat by the sea. The iconic chippy has been reviewed across many media outlets and is often named one of the best in the area.

Walk along the shingle beach along the rows of colourful beach huts that give the town a traditional seaside vibe. At one end, you’ll find the sculpture of a giant scallop, a tribute to composer Benjamin Britten who once enjoyed daily strolls along this stretch of beach.

You can learn more about this charming small town at Moot Hall, a centuries old building now turned into a local museum, and there are exhibits from Anglo-Saxon burial rites to traditional fishing methods.

The hall also served as a jail for women undergoing witch trials in the 17th-century before they were hanged.

Inland, you can explore The Red House, the former home of Benjamin Britten, which is open seasonally for tours. This farmhouse dates back centuries, and is full of objects from the composer’s life, showing where he was inspired to create many of his works.

Aldeburgh also has a charming high street, full of independent shops, art galleries, cafés, and ice cream parlours, adding to the traditional vibe of the town.

Another East Anglian destination also made the top ten. Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk came in at number eight on the Telegraph’s list and was named best for crabbing. It said: “The maritime history of Wells-next-the-Sea dates back to the ninth century, and much of its seafaring heritage remains – from the Old Lifeboat House to various maltings, ropewalks, jetties and slipways. Now, it’s a happy-go-lucky seaside town, appealing but not overly polished, with access to epic beaches.”

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Hosted at Hallgarth Hotel in Coatham Mundeville, the events promise to bring a mix of witchcraft, mediumship, and haunted objects to the region.

They are scheduled for October 30 and October 31.

The first event, Dine with the Devil, will take place on October 30 and offers an evening of mediumship, witchcraft, and haunted objects.

w (Image: Supplied)

Guests will be able to get up close to objects believed to be haunted while enjoying spiritual stories and connections.

The following night will host a Halloween special focused on the darker side of the paranormal.

Attendees can expect talks on witchcraft and mediumship, real-life paranormal experiences, and more cursed objects.

A paranormal investigation will also be offered as an optional extra.

A spokesman for the organisers said: “We are bringing two of the biggest weekends in spirituality witchcraft and paranormal to hit the north east! “If you love the darker side of the paranormal, this is the one for you.”

Looking ahead, a much larger event is planned for 2027.

The Paranormal and Spiritual Festival will take place from September 10 to 12 and is described as one of the biggest of its kind.

Across three days, guests will experience mediumship, witchcraft, spiritual readers and healers, and paranormal investigations, as well as talks from guest speakers.

The festival will also feature a hypnotist, sound therapy, animal psychics, a haunted museum, and UFO specialists.

Workshops, past life regression, and real animal healing are also planned.

VIP tickets are available and include an evening meal each night.

A payment plan is also being offered to make the event more accessible.

The spokesman said: “Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator, interested in spirituality, or simply fascinated by the unexplained, there’s something here for everyone. “Follow the links our my website to book your tickets and find out more.”

More information and ticket booking is available at espweekends.co.uk.

Retro is booming. Nintendo keeps bringing back old games. Hollywood can’t stop making sequels and remakes. Netflix fills our screens with shows inspired by the 1980s. Spotify recommends songs we loved as teenagers. Even Facebook reminds us what we were doing “On This Day” ten years ago.

For businesses, the past has become big. The market for retro entertainment has never been stronger. Companies know that looking backwards can help sell products today. A familiar logo, an old game or a favourite song can create an instant emotional connection with customers.

For years, researchers have explained this success through nostalgia. Looking back on happy memories can make us feel connected to who we are, remind us of people we care about and even help us cope with difficult times. Marketers have learned to tap into these feelings by bringing back old brands, old designs and old experiences.

But what if businesses become too good at selling nostalgia? Research I carried out with colleagues suggests that digital technology is changing nostalgia itself. Ironically, by making the past permanently available, companies may be weakening the very notion they are trying to sell.

Video games show this better than almost any other industry. Not long ago, if you missed an old game, that was it. Consoles became obsolete, cartridges stopped working and arcade machines disappeared. Part of what made those games special was that they belonged to another time.

Today, the opposite is true. Nintendo lets players revisit classic games through online subscriptions. PlayStation regularly releases remastered versions of older titles. Publishers such as Nightdive Studios restore forgotten games for modern computers. Fans can play hundreds of classics through online archives. Old games rarely stay old for long.

Three connected practices

In our research, we argue that companies increasingly rely on three connected practices.

The first is preservation. Digital archives, cloud storage and online libraries keep games, films, music and photographs available for decades instead of allowing them to disappear.

The second is restoration. Old products are cleaned up for modern audiences. Games receive better graphics and sound. AI improves old photographs and recordings. The past returns looking newer than ever.

The third is “foreverisation”. This goes beyond preserving or restoring the past. Companies continually remake, reboot and recycle successful ideas so they never really leave the market. Instead of revisiting the past once in a while, consumers encounter endless new versions of it.

Gaming makes these changes especially easy to see. But the same pattern now shapes television, music, film, fashion and even our personal memories stored on digital platforms.

Nostalgia is bittersweet

This is where philosopher Grafton Tanner offers an interesting twist. He argues that today’s culture is less nostalgic than we think. That sounds strange at first. After all, we seem surrounded by nostalgia. But nostalgia has traditionally depended on something being gone. You missed the TV show because it was no longer broadcast. Your favourite toy broke. The record went out of print. The band split up. The past mattered because you couldn’t go back to it, but now you can – easily.

Psychologists have long argued that nostalgia is bittersweet. It combines warm memories with the knowledge that those moments can’t be relived exactly as they were. That feeling of loss gives nostalgia much of its emotional power.

Digital technology changes this relationship with the past. Almost nothing truly disappears anymore. Old films stream on demand. Games are endlessly remastered. Social media reminds us of what happened years ago without us even asking. Instead of remembering the past, we increasingly live alongside it. The more the past stays present, the less distant it feels. And without distance, nostalgia may become something different.

Selling familiarity

This creates an interesting challenge for businesses. Retro products clearly remain successful. But perhaps companies are no longer selling nostalgia itself. Instead, they may be selling something close to it: familiarity, comfort and recognition.

Those feelings are valuable. Consumers often enjoy revisiting favourite characters, songs and brands. Familiar products also feel safer in uncertain times, which helps explain why companies continue investing in them. Yet our research suggests there is a potential limit to this strategy.

If nostalgia depends on time, distance and the feeling that something has been lost, then endlessly reproducing the past may slowly erode the conditions that make nostalgia powerful in the first place. Consumers may stop longing for the past because the past never actually goes away.

That doesn’t mean retro marketing will suddenly stop working. Familiarity will always have commercial value. But familiarity and nostalgia are not quite the same thing. The irony is hard to miss. The companies that have become most successful at preserving, restoring and “foreverising” the past may eventually exhaust the emotional resource they depend on.

Gaming shows this most clearly today. But as streaming platforms, AI, social media and heritage brands increasingly keep the past permanently within reach, every industry may face the same question: the future of nostalgia may depend on whether we’re still allowed to let go of the past.

Lindt has looked into what different regions of the UK prefer from its LINDOR Pick & Mix selection, with results varying.

To mark the findings, Lindt is offering complimentary tastings in stores during August, featuring a different regional favourite each week, while stocks last.

Miquetta de Castro, master chocolatier at Lindt & Sprüngli UK, said: “Every region has its own favourites, which is exactly what makes our Pick & Mix so special.

Lindt’s analysis of its Pick and Mix selection saw different regional favourites (Image: Lindt)

“With more than 30 Pick & Mix chocolates crafted by our Master Chocolatiers, it’s an opportunity to discover everything from our iconic LINDOR recipes to exclusive creations and curate a selection that’s uniquely yours.

“Whether you’re rediscovering a favourite or trying something completely new, there’s always another recipe waiting to be enjoyed.”

What is the favourite LINDOR chocolate of different UK regions?

The analysis confirmed that LINDOR Classic Milk remains the UK’s favourite chocolate overall, but preferences differ widely elsewhere.

LINDOR Strawberries & Cream is the top pick in Scotland, Wales and the south west, while pistachio is preferred in both the north and south east.

The Midlands stands out as the only region to favour LINDOR Milk & White.

Nationally, the most popular flavours after Classic Milk are LINDOR Pistachio, Strawberries & Cream, White, Salted Caramel, and Lindt Giandujotto Classic, an Italian-inspired hazelnut praline.

Lindt’s research also shows growing excitement for new varieties.

A quarter of shoppers are most looking forward to trying LINDOR Golden Caramel Hazelnut, rising to 35% in Liverpool.

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Other top choices include LINDOR Pistachio (18%), LINDOR Cherry Blossom (16%) and Lindt Pistachio Praline (14%).

When it comes to future flavours, coffee, espresso and cappuccino top the wish list, followed by fruity options like cherry, mango and pineapple.

Some fans have even suggested more inventive ideas such as English Cream Tea.

What’s your favourite flavour of LINDOR chocolate? Let us know in the comments.

PCC Joy Allen, who is also the national joint lead for road safety for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said urgent action is needed to tackle dangerous driving behaviours that continue to claim lives on UK roads.

Government figures show that 21 per cent of all road fatalities involve drink or drug driving.

A quarter of those killed or seriously injured were driving for work or commuting.

Ms Allen said: “These statistics are a stark reminder that dangerous driving behaviours continue to devastate families and communities across the country.

“Saving lives must be our absolute priority.

“That means taking a comprehensive approach which combines stronger legislation, better education and robust enforcement.

“Drug and drink driving remains one of the most significant threats on our roads with those who continue to flaunt the law putting the lives of innocent road users at risk.”

She has called for the wider use of random workplace drug and alcohol testing.

This is already in place at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and within Durham Constabulary.

Ms Allen said: “We need to look seriously at expanding random workplace drug and alcohol testing, particularly in roles where driving is essential, to help identify problems early, support intervention and ultimately prevent tragedies before they happen.”

She has also called for a lower drink-drive limit, an even lower limit for novice drivers, mandatory regular eyesight testing for those who wear glasses or lenses, and tougher action against dangerous behaviours such as not wearing seatbelts, mobile phone use, and illegal number plates.

However, she believes the Government’s current approach does not go far enough, especially for young and inexperienced drivers.

She said: “For too long we have delayed introducing measures that we know work.

“While proposals for a minimum learning period are welcome, they stop short of fully embracing graduated driver licensing (GDL), a proven, evidence-based approach that saves lives.”

GDL introduces restrictions for newly qualified drivers during the highest-risk period after they pass their test.

Countries that have implemented GDL have seen significant reductions in collisions involving young drivers, and Northern Ireland has already taken the decision to move forward with the approach.

Ms Allen said: “The evidence is overwhelming and the cost of delay is measured not in reports, but in funerals, life-changing injuries and devastated families.”

She has been lobbying nationally for the introduction of GDL in England and Wales.

International data shows the approach can reduce young driver collisions by between 20 and 40 per cent.

Ms Allen said: “Too many young people are being killed on our roads and I am determined to do everything I can to save precious lives.”

Road safety remains a top concern for residents in County Durham and Darlington.

Earlier this year, a public survey found it was one of the top three issues for communities, with around 80 per cent of respondents saying they were worried about drink and drug driving.

Road safety is a key focus in the commissioner’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan, which supports the long-term Vision Zero aim of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the roads.

The plan calls for a lower drink-drive limit, mandatory driver retraining for dangerous driving convictions, licence suspension for those charged with drink or drug driving until court proceedings conclude, improved roadside testing technology, and expanded workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Ms Allen said: “Targets without funding will not deliver change, and we must address that.

“Stronger enforcement against drink and drug driving, uninsured vehicles, ghost plates and persistent speeding requires sustained investment in roads policing, forensic testing capability, technology and prevention work.

“If we are serious about reducing deaths and serious injuries, then we must match ambition with resources.

“Every road death is one too many.

“Through stronger laws, better education and properly funded enforcement, we can save lives and prevent more families experiencing the kind of heartbreak that follows a knock at the door.”

Officials say injuries at Virginia State University are not life threatening

Several people have been shot at, forcing an American university into lockdown. The horrific incident is unfolding at Virginia State University, where there are understood to be several suspects following the shooting in the area of Boisseau Avenue and Third Street in Etrrick.

Virginia State University Police say that victims have been rushed to hospital and an investigation is underway. The Mirror reports it does not appear at this stage that any of the injuries are life threatening.

The university campus remains in lockdown and people are being urged to avoid the area, while anyone with information on what happened should contact the police.

A statement from the police read: “A shooting occurred in the area of the Quad Annexes involving multiple victims, who were transported to area hospitals.

“Police are on scene and request that you avoid the area. Campus remains on lockdown, Updates to follow, VSU Police.”

A post on the Virginia State University Facebook page reads: “Virginia State University remains on lockdown following a shooting involving multiple suspects near the Quad Annexes in the area of Boisseau Street and Third Avenue.

“Multiple people were shot. At this time, none of the injuries appear to be life threatening. VSU Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department are actively investigating.

“The campus community should continue to avoid the area and follow all law enforcement instructions. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSU Police on 8045245411.”

One person wrote on Facebook: “I called my youngest and he answered his phone and said that he and his brother are in their rooms, they are roommates, and they are safe. Hallelujah! God keep our children safe and please stop all this violence.”

Others offered prayers with a comment reading: “God protect our children! Continue to clean up the community for all who live, work and go to school there.”

The United States has seen multiple university shootings in recent months. In April five people were wounded at a shooting just off campus at the University of Iowa.

And in March a gunman opened fire inside a university building in Norfolk, Virginia, targeting a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) group. One ROTC instructor was killed, and two cadets were injured before the shooter was subdued and killed.

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Those who drive on a sloped road will notice something very mysterious

I tested a hyper-local secret about an eerie road on the Cambridgeshire border that appears to defy gravity. Nestled between Royston and Great Chishill is Bogmoor Road – a road that has remained mysterious among locals for a long time.

We all know that to drive our cars towards a specific location, we need a power source. However, passed around by word of mouth, is a long-lived theory that Mother Nature plays its part in flouting physical limits by dragging vehicles up the hill.

I decided to test the theory on the bizarre road that has left motorists puzzled and has been glitching out of reality by breaking the rules for years.

Setting myself in a position on the road, I put the car into neutral. Not believing the locals’ tales, I didn’t expect my car to move an inch. Yet, within seconds my car was picking up speed and rolling ‘uphill’, as if it was directing me straight towards Great Chishill.

The eerie questions of spirits and real-world magic rushed through my brain as I convinced myself that me and my car had done the impossible. It completely tricked my human brain.

I remained sceptical as I said to myself ‘once is an anomaly but twice is suspicious’. However, the stubborn road quietly laughed at me as it dragged me upwards the second time. My brain was tricked once again.

I left the experiment feeling as though I had certified the local-legend that having no power does not necessarily mean your car will remain stationary in a neutral position.

Bringing myself back to reality, I know that spirits and magic may not be the scientific answer – although it’s interesting to ponder about. Bogmoor Road is possibly what is known as a gravity hill, which can also be known as a magnetic or mystery hill.

This is a place where the layout of the surrounding land produces an illusion, making a slight downhill slope appear to be an uphill slope. Therefore, a car left out of gear will appear to be rolling uphill against gravity in a somewhat magical experience.