Andy Burnham stepped onto the international stage this week for the first time as UK prime minister.
He has rarely weighed in on foreign affairs over his decades in politics, so his trip to Ukraine attracted more attention than usual – including from Russia.
Burnham also went beyond the platitudes European politicians are often accused of using with Ukraine and instead gave Kyiv the blueprints to build its own long-range missiles.
This meant releasing classified information so Ukraine can up the intensity of its its attacks on Russia.
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His announcement came a week after it was confirmed British drones had been used by Ukraine to strike targets deep within Russia, too.
The Russian embassy in the UK warned Britain that the “deeper its involvement in the conflict, the higher the price it will pay” – a sentiment then echoed by Vladimir Putin’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.
The Kremlin even accused Britain of “participating in this war” after handing over the blueprints on Monday, claiming that Britain has added “fuel to the fire”.
But Burnham shrugged off the threats by asking: “Who started the fire?”
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He insisted Britain will not just be a “fair-weather friend” to Ukraine and showed no sign of being intimidated.
He’s right: the UK has already committed to £25 billion in funding for Ukraine since Putin invaded in 2022, £16 billion of which was in military assistance.
And there’s no love lost between Britain and Russia. Animosity has been rising between the two countries ever since Putin annexed Crimea in 2014 and relations took a nosedive after the 2018 Salisbury poisonings.
A month later, Russia is yet to offer any appropriate candidates to the Foreign Office.
However, there are fears Burnham’s actions this week may have triggered fresh ire in Moscow, especially at a time when Putin is reportedly already feeling rather desperate.
The number of Russian casualties has reportedly reached 30,000 a month while fuel shortages and long-range Ukrainian attacks have brought the distant war home for many citizens.
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With so many signs that the Ukraine conflict – which has now lasted longer than World War 1 – is going wrong for Putin, could the authoritarian look to broaden his aggression and make Britain public enemy number one?
On this week’s Commons People, we unpick the significance of Burnham’s trip to Kyiv and just how concerned Brits should be about Russia right now.
Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.
A person has been seriously injured after a crash on the A10. Cambridgeshire Police were called at about 10am on Thursday, August 27 with reports of a crash involving a van and a car at Waterbeach.
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Emergency services rushed to the scene and the road was temporarily closed. The force has confirmed one person suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
The vehicles were recovered by 11am. The road has since reopened.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We were called at about 10am today with reports of a collision involving a van and a car on the A10 at Waterbeach.
“Officers and ambulance attended. One person received serious injuries and was taken to hospital. Vehicle recovery completed by about 11am.”
The broadcast has begun with three women in Vuelta red dresses singing Tony Britten’s anthem, flanked by an orchestra.
Alan Smith27 August 2026 17:02
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How to watch
A reminder that the draw will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max in the United Kingdom, the joint host broadcasters in the UK of the Champions League alongside Prime Video.
Alan Smith27 August 2026 16:56
Almost time!
The anticipation is palpable. Uefa’s live broadcast gets underway at 17:00 BST but it’s anyone’s guess what time the first name is drawn from Pot 1.
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The draw is taking place in Monaco. (Reuters)
Alan Smith27 August 2026 16:48
Uefa consider opening criminal proceedings against Gianni Infantino
Uefa are considering bringing a criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino following the Fifa president’s plan to sell off commercial stakes in the World Cup.
A 56-page document, filed by Uefa’s lawyers in a federal court in the United States and seen by The Independent, declares that Uefa are “preparing to bring criminal claims in Switzerland against Infantino” for “criminal mismanagement” following Fifa’s failed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
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Miguel Delaney27 August 2026 16:46
Four newcomers
Thirty-two of the clubs have been here before but this is new ground for Como, Lask, Sabah and Viking.
The Serie A side, coached by Cesc Fabregas, could be among the most interesting sides considering their rapid ascent. And it will be a rather nice away trip should any Premier League club be drawn against them too.
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Alan Smith27 August 2026 16:40
Seven returning sides
AEK, Fenerbahce, Lens, Porto, Betis, Roma and Manchester United are all back in the competition proper following absences of various lengths.
Alan Smith27 August 2026 16:30
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When will full fixture list be confirmed?
We face a wait for the full lowdown on dates and kick-off times. According to Uefa the complete fixture list might not be published until Saturday.
That is to ensure all the boxes on the aforementioned checklist are ticked off.
Alan Smith27 August 2026 16:15
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No domestic rivalries
Another point of order: teams from the same country are unable to face each other at this stage. So Manchester United won’t be taking on City despite being in different pots, Real Madrid, Barca and Atletico will not take on Real Betis. You get the idea.
Alan Smith27 August 2026 16:00
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How dates and times are decided
There are, however, further layers of complexity to contend with – teams can’t play more than two consecutive home or away fixtures; there are security factors to consider around cities with more than one club.
Or as Uefa wordily put it: “In accordance with Paragraph 23.01 (b) of the competition regulations, the UEFA administration decides which matches are played on Tuesday, which on Wednesday and which on Thursday (MD1 only), as well as the kick-off times.
“Furthermore, as per Paragraph 17.02 of the above-mentioned regulations a club, in principle, does not play more than two home or two away matches in a row, and each club plays one home match and one away match in the first two matchdays and the last two matchdays.
“If need be, however, the UEFA administration may derogate from these rules.”
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Alan Smith27 August 2026 15:45
How the draw will work
There will be montages, there will be small talk but once the actual draw gets underway, the Pot 1 teams will be extracted from their proverbial hat first.
Then, gradually, the big guns will be paired with two opponents in each of the four pots (unsurprisingly, Pot 2 will follow next) before they all magically end up with four home games and four away.
Giardiasis is spread primarily through contact with infected people or animals, but you can also contract it if you eat or drink contaminated items, including water.
Hanna Yusuf, prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, has also warned that giardiasis can be passed on through touching contaminated surfaces and by having sex with someone who is infected with the parasite.
The pharmacist said: “The latest figures from the UKHSA showing an 11.4% increase in the number of infections across England show that you need to also be aware of the risks at home.”
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Parasite with ‘unpleasant’ symptoms sees cases rise
Symptoms of the parasite “can be very unpleasant” and can last several weeks, Yusuf adds.
Most people experience diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloating and unexplained weight loss while infected.
You can expect symptoms to last for weeks, which can result in the infected person becoming dehydrated.
Yusuf advises “drinking plenty of fluids” to keep yourself hydrated while ill and you could also add oral rehydration sachets or solutions to replace electrolytes you might have lost while experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea.
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How to reduce your risk of contracting giardiasis
Doing some simple things can help you avoid getting giardiasis.
To reduce your risk, you should:
Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before preparing food
Avoid swallowing water when swimming
Be careful about food and water hygiene when travelling
The pharmacist added: “So, whether you are travelling abroad or in the UK, it is important to be aware of the risks of giardiasis.
“If you suspect you may have giardiasis, seek medical advice.
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“Treatment may include medication prescribed by a doctor, particularly if symptoms are persistent or severe, alongside measures to maintain hydration.”
Recommended reading:
When to contact 111 with giardiasis
The NHS has shared when you should get an urgent doctor appointment or contact 111 with giardiasis.
You can contact 111 by phone or online and should do so if:
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diarrhoea has lasted for more than 7 days
you have bloody diarrhoea or are bleeding from your bottom
The NHS urges you to make it clear to the people you speak to if you have recently travelled abroad.
How do you treat tough symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea? Let us know your best remedies in the comments below.
Karucha Sripramote, who has lived in Hebburn for more than six years, says he was punched and kicked by masked children while walking through Hebburn Riverside Park on Tuesday, August 18.
He said he had been repeatedly harassed by a boy on an electric bike before the assault, blocking his path and flicking dirt on him with the bike wheel.
It was reported that he suffered a cut to his mouth and damage to his glasses, but now says his injuries have almost fully healed.
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Mr Sripramote, who is known as Monk Kom, said the attack would not change his view of the community.
Writing on social media, Sripramote says he holds “no anger” towards the children involved.
He said: “I know first-hand how kind, welcoming, and peaceful this town is.
“This single incident does not change how much I value and appreciate living here.
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“As a Buddhist monk, I contemplate life through understanding, patience, and the principle of cause and effect.
“I hold no anger, resentment, or bitterness towards the young lads.
“While their actions crossed a line, panic and poor judgement often lead young people to react recklessly.”
Sripramote, who teaches Buddhism and meditation at the Dhammakaya Meditation Centre in the former Church of St Andrew, now says he was “deeply touched by the outpouring of support” from the community.
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He said: “My only hope is that these young lads take a moment to reflect on the kind of community they wish to grow up in.”
Northumbria Police said they had logged the report on their records to assist with future patrols, though there was no direct CCTV coverage at that specific spot.
The Northern Echo has contacted Northumbria Police for comment.
The actress is involved in a dark abuse story unfolding in Albert Square. (Picture: BBC)
EastEnders’ new grooming story is an extremely uncomfortable watch.
That is in no small part due to the stand-out performance of Ellie Dadd, whose character Amy Mitchell is unknowingly entering a very dangerous relationship with sleazy police officer Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey).
Despite grilling a great deal of Walford’s teens while making enquiries, who were in the all park prior to the incident, he has displayed a particular interest in the wayward daughter of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), a fellow copper.
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Joel’s attacker was a mystery on the Square for weeks (Picture: BBC/Metro)
Perhaps for good reason, seeing as Craig’s investigation of Amy yielded positive results when she privately confessed to him that she was the one who assaulted Joel. She hit the incel bully over the head with a hammer when he wouldn’t stop taunting her.
However, in the process of befriending Amy, Craig arranged private meetings with her, gave her his private number, and even joked about ‘running away’ together.That’s questionable conduct that would raise eyebrows with his superiors in the force.
Worse still, Craig is still up to his old tricks. He promised Amy that he wouldn’t tell anyone that she attacked Joel, exerting a worrying power over the teenage girl whilst committing the crime of withholding evidence.
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Craig has been circling Amy in the name of his ‘investigation’. (Picture: BBC)
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This only led poor Amy to the conclusion that Craig was the only one she could trust, enabling a toxic power dynamic leading to the creepy cop kissing her this week.
Ellie, who joined EastEnders in 2022 after having previously starred in Silent Witness and a West End production of Matilda, plays 17 year old Amy Mitchell.
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She is 21 in real life, born on March 15, 2005.
Unfortunately Ellie has been the victim of a real life obsession, in 2023,when a disturbed fan was sentenced for repeatedly harassing the actress online.
Ellie was the real life victim of an online stalker. (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)
The age of Craig has not been revealed, but Matthew James Bailey, who plays the character is 31.
The most disturbing part of Amy and Craig’s interactions is how they seems like part of a perfectly ordinary burgeoning relationship thanks to the police officer’s manipulations, masking the signs of grooming.
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When he first asked Amy out, Craig was careful to disguise his motive.
‘Amy, if you want someone to talk to, we could go for a drink?” he said., quickly back-tracking when she frowned. ‘Unless… No, sorry, bad idea.’
Craig then threw in some flattery to make her feel grown up, along with a compliment about her physical appearance: ‘Don’t get me wrong, you’re an old soul deep down. I know that, obviously, but I’m just not sure you look… mature enough to get served.’
Amy took the bait, insisting ‘I can get served. Trust me.’
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‘Ok, all right, then,” Craig replied, adding: “Well, tomorrow?’.
To our horror, Amy agreed.
It makes sense that Craig would target someone as vulnerable as Amy Mitchell, who was previously involved in EastEnders’ ground-breaking self-harm story. Ellie praised the soap for raising the issue, hoping that it would well help those watching the soap who are going through a similar situation with a loved one.
‘It does happen a lot nowadays and it’s less spoken about, and a lot of people in the older generation don’t know about this stuff. So if they found out they had a family member doing it they wouldn’t know how to deal with it.
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‘So it’s a good way to spread the information that people can get help. I think it’s really important.’
The ‘patchwork’ repairs on a Cambridge road have seen 51 individual potholes filled, with locals and residents questioning the approach to road maintenance
David Prince and Cambridgeshire Live readers
14:00, 27 Aug 2026
Cambridgeshire Live readers have been debating patchwork road repairs, with many divided over who bears responsibility and how best to resolve the issue.
A staggering 51 individual pothole repairs have been carried out along a single road in a ‘patchwork’ fashion. Aberdeen Avenue in Cambridge has drawn attention for the repairs, which have seen separate potholes filled at the junction with Brooklands Avenue.
Several of the 51 patchwork repairs overlap one another. Critics say that more substantial, longer-lasting solutions are required.
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Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) stated the potholes “have developed over a period of time and have been repaired as they have appeared”.
One of our readers suggests: “Whoever laid the original surface should pay for repairs, as it clearly isn’t fit for purpose. The council needs to hold them accountable.”
Highwayshero believes: “The council spends £££ sending them back time and time again to the same place rather than fixing the whole issue at once. If you hire someone to chop down a tree in your garden, you can’t blame them if they haven’t got rid of a big bush and done all your weeding at the same time – that’s not what you asked them to do.”
Tartan53 says: “Shelford Road has been transformed from a lunar landing site to a nice smooth road, just waiting for utilities to now, come and dig it up.”
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Freddly quotes: “‘Resurfacing schemes must be prioritised across the county based on need.’ My advice to the council is that all resurfacing should be a low priority; at most, they should resurface 2 metre strips at the sides and the drain recesses.”
Over on our Facebook page, Clare D comments: “It makes me laugh when the roads need resurfacing, which most of them do now, they cause accidents, and instead of repairing the road or resurfacing it, they just lower the speed limit. We don’t want that, we want the roads resurfaced like they used to be.”
Are you surprised by the shocking state of the potholes on Cambridgeshire roads? Comment below or HERE to have your say.
A man has been left with ‘life threatening injuries’ after being hit by a car in Stalybridge.
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Emergency services were called to Huddersfield Road, in Stalybridge, on Thursday afternoon, August 27, following reports of a collision between a car and a pedestrian.
Pictures from the scene show a large police presence, with an air ambulance also in attendance. A man has since been taken to hospital with life threatening injuries, Greater Manchester Police have said.
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The road remains closed outside St Paul’s Church, on Demesne Drive to the other side of Demesne Drive whilst a cordon remains at the scene.
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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “This is an RTC between a car and a pedestrian. Male pedestrian taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.”
No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing, the force added.
Passengers are advised their journeys will take longer than usual
No trains will run between London and Peterborough on the bank holiday weekend. While some people may be travelling over the weekend for the bank holiday Monday (August 31), they will need to check their train journeys.
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There will be no LNER trains between London Kings Cross and Peterborough on Sunday (August 30) due to “major upgrades” taking place. A LNER spokesperson said: “Further upgrade work as part of the East Coast Digital Programme means there will be no direct LNER trains to or from London King’s Cross on Sunday.
“Most LNER trains will start and terminate at Peterborough, where rail replacement coaches will operate to and from Bedford for onward connections with Thameslink to London St Pancras. Journey times will be extended and routes to other London stations, especially trains from Sheffield and Chesterfield, will be busier than usual.”
A reduced train service will run between Scotland and Peterborough, and Leeds and Peterborough. Passengers are advised that their journeys will take longer than usual.
Champions League draw LIVE: Hardest and easiest draws revealed as Arsenal, Man United and three other Premier League sides prepare to learn their group phase opponents
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest news and updates of the 2026/27 Champions League group phase draw, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa all in the fold.
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Champions League draw LIVE: Hardest and easiest draws revealed as Arsenal, Man United and three other Premier League sides prepare to learn their group phase opponents
The clarification came after a social media post from the brand, Forged Irish Stout claimed it would be available at the festival this weekend.
The post said the beer would be “pouring all weekend” from the main bar at the Acoustic Stage.
Forged Irish Stout was founded by mixed martial arts fighter McGregor and was initially launched at his Dublin pub, The Black Forge Inn.
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Bolton Council has said no agreement to stock the product was ever made and that the brewery’s social media post was an error.
A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “We would like to clarify that there were never any plans to sell a specific beer brand across any concessions at Bolton Food and Drink Festival this weekend.
“A social media post by the brewery was made in error, and no deal to stock their product at the festival was ever agreed.
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“We fully understand the depth of feeling on this topic and can reassure everyone that Bolton Food and Drink Festival is an open, inclusive and family-friendly event, and we look forward to welcoming visitors this weekend.”
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