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Man suffered ‘fatal injuries’ after car crashed into verge, inquest hears

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Cambridgeshire Live

An inquest heard how the man’s car crashed ‘through trees and bushes’ before his death

A man whose car left the road and crashed into a verge was left with “fatal injuries”, an inquest has heard. Emergency services were called to a single-vehicle crash on the A10 near Littleport in the early hours of May 17.

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A blue Vauxhall Corsa had left the road and crashed into a verge. The driver, named as Jacob Hawden, 33, from Chatteris, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest into Jacob’s death was opened today (Thursday, August 6) at Vantage House in Huntingdon, and it was heard by Coroner Caroline Jones. The court heard how Jacob was travelling on the A10 from Littleport towards Ely on May 17.

During his journey, his vehicle “left the carriageway to the nearside and went down the verge”. His vehicle then “went through some trees and bushes” which “struck the front passenger door” and left Jacob with “fatal injuries”.

His post-mortem confirmed he died of “multiple traumatic injuries due to a road traffic collision”. His inquest will be held by Coroner Elizabeth Gray on December 1 at Vantage House. After his death, Jacob’s family paid tribute to him.

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He was described as a “very charismatic” person. His family added: “Jacob was a loving son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin. He was loved by many and will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

“Jacob was a very unique man and always loved to make people laugh, this was one of his special powers. He was a very charismatic, funny and also musically talented person. He will always be loved and in our thoughts every day.”

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Inside Swansea City’s fans’ forum: Matos’ dream, Vipotnik plan and transfer clues

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These occasions haven’t always been the most pleasant for Swansea City.

But in comparison to some years, Wednesday night’s fans’ forum was a serene, bordering on routine exercise for all involved.

Swansea City feel in a good place right now. Celebrity investment, a deal to buy their stadium in the pipeline, some moves in the transfer market that look dangerously close to some semblance of competence and a bid to improve the club’s academy.

There’s a lot to be positive about, as evidenced by one supporter using his chance to ask a question from the floor to offer Tom Gorringe, Ben Stevens and Vitor Matos a drink on him.

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But optimism wasn’t the only different about this evening.

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Musician Mal Pope, who counts the vocals to the Fireman Sam theme tune among his sterling catalogue of work, was handed the role of hosting in place of Kev Johns, who continues to recover from a stroke earlier this year.

The evening began with a rapturous round of applause for Johns, which largely set the tone for a night that gave fans a first glimpse into what feels, for several reasons, a new era for the club.

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Gorringe alluded to that very point at one stage, casting his mind back to the club he walked into back in March 2025.

“Before I joined I came here for a game against Sheffield Wednesday at home,” he said.

“Luke Williams was still the manager at the time, the stadium was half empty, we lost 1-0 from a mistake. It was two awful teams, it was an awful game of football.

“You could feel the apathy in the air. This club had drifted far too far away from where we want to be.”

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“I came in with my eyes wide open [about] what we wanted to do, to give everybody hope again, to make everybody believe that we can be a force, that we can be true to our past, do things the right way and ultimately that we can move up the leagues and compete at the level we want to compete at,” Gorringe added.

“In order to do that we have to make a lot of decisions, we had to make a lot of changes. We had to make sure we brought the right people in.

“I think I can sit here today, probably for the first time since I joined, and say now all of those foundations are in place.

“I think everything is here that we need to really kick on and improve. We have got the right people in the building.”

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Some have clearly left the building, including several of the club’s homegrown first-team stars, with Liam Cullen, Sam Parker, Ollie Cooper and Cameron Congreve all heading out the door.

It’s another blow to the strong Welsh core that the club had relied upon in previous years, and this point was brought up by one fan, who asked “Are we confident we’ve got enough players in the dressing room that will fight for the badge?”

The selling off of the club’s Welsh contingent has become something of a talking point on social media, with some fans concerned the identity of the club is being lost. Others are adamant it’s the right move to make for the club to progress.

In his own opinion Matos clearly believes in the strength of the senior players still in the building, which he suggested will form the spine of the squad’s ambitions. The seniority of some of the new arrivals too, he claims, will help maintain Swansea’s ability to compete in games where heart, as well as ability, prove important.

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“We have important players. From Vigs, even Paul Farman, from Ben Cabango, from Cam Burgess, from Jay Fulton, even from players now coming in.

“One of the things we tried in the market was to go for players whose character fits the club. That’s quite important because when we sign a player we are signing a human being and we need to understand how they will fit in the squad and the club.

“The other thing we tried is to sign talent and potential, and at the same time sign players that are emotionally stable.

“For example, Elijah Just. He seems a really young kid, but he’s 26, and he can perform already in different kinds of contexts.

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“Players like that bring seniority to the group. They bring experience.”

Bringing young players through the academy, however, is still a big part of how Swansea claim they want to operate, and there are some promising signs that a couple of players are now on their way through.

Matos confirmed Filip Lissah is to stay with the first team next season, and also praised young Carter Heywood for his progress.

“We always dream to have a team built from the ground in the academy,” Matos admitted.

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One of the plans to help keep Swansea’s talent factory ticking over appears to be he move to Category One status.

The academy was downgraded ahead of the 2020-21 season, but Gorringe confirmed on the night that moves are in place to change things.

“We’ve made the formal application now to move back to Cat 1. What that means in practical terms is we will be assessed over the course of next season.

“There’s criteria you have to meet and I think we’re comfortable and confident we can meet that criteria.”

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Gorringe also admits that player trading is likely to remain a key part of the operational model, which he says has helped free up the funds for this summer’s transfer efforts.

“We are operating a player trading model,” he added. “Ultimately that means we will, and always have actually, regularly sell players.

“I think we’ve averaged over £11m profit over a 10-year period and that pre-dates where we are now. If you look at the squad we’ve got, we’ve got more assets in it.

“When I look back to that first game against Sheffield Wednesday, I remember saying to a friend of mine, ‘I’m not sure where the assets are or where the value is’.

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“Now I think you can look through the squad and see value and assets. Ultimately that provides us with opportunities.”

Whether that says anything about any potential appetite to sell star striker Zan Vipotnik, arguably the club’s biggest asset right now, remains to be seen.

Sporting director Stevens insists there is a blueprint in place should they decide to cash in.

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“Yes we have a plan behind the scenes,” he said. “We’re making sure we have all options available if as a board and a club we decided to take an offer for Zan.”

Some might say the imminent capture of Ross Stewart could well be what Stevens is referring to.

Time will tell if that now widely-held presumption is accurate.

*Follow all of our social channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Swans news. Sign up to our daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here. Our Swansea City correspondent Tom Coleman is also on social media. He can be found on his X account here, on Instagram, on TikTok and on Facebook.

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London bus drivers ‘break down’ from tiredness after working 13 days in a row

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London bus drivers ‘break down’ from tiredness after working 13 days in a row

It is legal for bus drivers on local routes – those less than 50km – to work ten-hour days, with no weekly or fortnightly limit apart from one day off every two weeks. It is also legal for these staff to work 130 hours over two weeks, with only a 30-minute break after five and a half hours driving.

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Trump ‘clashes with Pete Hegseth over munitions shortages that could limit his options in Iran’

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US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listen to questions from the press during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David

US President Donald Trump ‘clashed’ with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over extreme munition shortages that could limit Washington’s military operations in Iran, sources have claimed.

Two insiders told the Washington Post that Trump lashed out at Mr Hegseth saying that he thought the munitions issue ‘had been fixed’, during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday.

Shortages of long-range guided missiles and air defence interceptors are among the reasons Trump has held back from launching further large-scale strikes against Iran in recent days, one source said. 

When confronted by Trump over dwindling weapons stockpiles, sources said Mr Hegseth blamed his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, for the shortages and for failing to keep the president fully informed.

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The White House has denied the clash ever took place, however, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying: ‘This is 100% fake news. Literally never happened. And President Trump has the utmost confidence in Secretary Hegseth.’

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell also added: ‘Secretary Hegseth did not mislead anyone about our munitions posture, and he did not blame Deputy Secretary Feinberg. These claims about depleted stockpiles, internal disagreements, the Secretary’s position on Iran … are equally fictional.

‘Secretary Hegseth isn’t going anywhere, and he’s going to continue to work side by side with Deputy Secretary Feinberg to execute President Trump’s agenda.’ 

At a Senate hearing in July, Mr Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers over whether he had given Trump an accurate assessment of the Iran conflict, including the strain a prolonged campaign could place on US weapons stockpiles.

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US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listen to questions from the press during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David

Trump denied these claims on Thursday, taking to his Truth Social

Trump denied these claims on Thursday, taking to his Truth Social

The US Army's Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs), a smaller version of the ATACMS with a longer range, is also in critically low supply

The US Army has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month war with Iran, according to sources 

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He declined to discuss the advice he gave the president, instead blaming any shortages on the Biden administration’s management of the military rather than operations carried out under Trump.

Mr Hegseth, Mr Feinberg and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine have asked Congress to approve an additional $67billion in military funding to help cover the cost of the Iran war. 

Testifying before lawmakers last month, Mr Hegseth said the request was needed to replenish the US military’s depleted weapons stockpiles.

It comes as the US Army reportedly burned through nearly its entire arsenal of offensive precision missiles during its five-month war with Iran, according to those familiar with the matter.

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Three officials, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive US military matters, told Reuters that the stocks of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) have dwindled to new staggering lows.

Two of the officials said the US has used ‘virtually all’ of these missiles in its stockpile.

All three sources expressed concern that the low stockpiles could hamper Washington’s ability to fend off Russia, China and other adversaries.

But Trump denied these claims on Thursday, taking to his Truth Social to say: ‘The US has massive amounts of “munitions”, especially of certain types. 

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‘Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history. 

‘The “leakers” of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought! President DJT.’

General Caine previously warned Trump that dwindling supplies in the region could increase the risks faced by US forces there.

Lawmakers have also expressed concern over General Caine and Mr Hegseth acting as ‘yes men’ for the President.

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A fourth source said that Central Command, which organizes US military forces in the Middle East, has expended nearly all the land-based missiles it had before the war began in February, though it has since restocked from other US stockpiles located across the globe.

Both the ATACMS and the PrSM systems allow for long-range strikes with deadly precision while not putting US pilots at risk. 

ATACMS can travel approximately 185 miles, while the newer PrSM system has a range around 300 miles.

They each cost over £1million per missile, with prices ranging far higher depending on the munition’s exact specs. 

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The sources refused to reveal exactly how many of each munition remains in US inventories. 

The President has met with executives from Lockheed and other major US military contractors as the war with Iran drags on and the military’s thirst for additional munitions appears unquenchable.

‘Our defense companies are, at this moment, making more munitions than they have ever made before, ​in addition to expanding their plants and equipment at record levels,’ Trump has said.

The surface-to-surface missile systems are crucial for attacking targets at ranges that could only otherwise be targeted by US pilots.

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Given their long ranges, the ATACMS and PrSM systems are favoured for strikes against Iran because it keeps pilots far from the front lines where the regime’s anti-air systems are waiting.

File image: An explosion erupts following strikes near Azadi Tower close to Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran on March 7, 2026

File image: An explosion erupts following strikes near Azadi Tower close to Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran on March 7, 2026

The munitions would also be crucial in any potential conflict with China, experts have warned, noting how any US military strategy near the mainland would need to employ long-range options.

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ATACMS have also been provided to Ukrainian forces so that they could strike deep within Russian territory, further straining the supply of the critical munition.

There are also major concerns among US officials about defensive weapons in the US arsenal.

Patriot interceptor missiles and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, two US-made defensive systems used to shoot down incoming missiles, drones and aircraft, have also seen their supply dwindling.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report last week estimating that 65 per cent of Patriot interceptors had been used since the beginning of the war.

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The study also found that THAAD interceptor stockpiles were at least 38 per cent lower than the levels before the conflict.

The President has repeatedly threatened and then walked back claims he would strike Iran with overwhelming force.

On various occasions, Trump has said that he’s called off the strikes because officials in Iran have signalled they want to make a deal.

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Funeral of Brenda Fricker held as first Irish woman to win Oscar remembered in Dublin

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Locals applauded as her coffin arrived at St Catherine’s Church, adorned with a green cloth bearing a gold harp and a coat of arms of Dublin

Emotional tributes have been paid to Brenda Fricker as the first Irish woman to win an Oscar is laid to rest in Dublin.

Fricker was returned to the Dublin area of The Liberties where she grew up for her final journey. Locals applauded as her coffin arrived at St Catherine’s Church on Meath Street, adorned with a green cloth bearing a gold harp and a coat of arms of Dublin.

Fricker, 81, died in Our Lady’s Hospice in Dublin’s Harold’s Cross on July 16 after a period of ill-health. Mourners heard that she wanted her funeral to be “no fuss” and full of laughter.

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Her friend Liz Duffy, described as “her rock”, thanked the local shops in the Liberties that Fricker would go to regularly with her dog, Juno. Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst and costume designer Joan Bergin were among those who attended the funeral service in the Liberties neighbourhood.

Monsignor Eoin Thynne told mourners there wasn’t “an ounce of airs or graces about her” and that she “marched to the beat of her own drum”.

He thanked her neighbours and friends from the Liberties “where she could be herself and was happiest when she was among her own”.

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“Brenda lived a life full to the brim, full of love, laughter, stories, kindness, and mischief, and she was very clear about what she wanted today: no tears, no sadness, no fuss. This is not a day for sorrow.

“This is a day of celebration, the celebration of a true legend who touched the lives of so many and left us with many, many wonderful memories.”

He added: “The curtain has fallen on this life, but what a performance it was.”

Fricker won a best supporting actress Oscar for her performance as Bridget Fagan Brown in 1989’s My Left Foot, which tells the story of Irishman Christy Brown, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, who was born with cerebral palsy and could control only his left foot.

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Fricker was also known for her role in the 1992 follow-up to Home Alone, where she played Pigeon Lady, a homeless woman in New York’s Central Park.

She was also part of the original cast of BBC medical drama Casualty and featured alongside Cate Blanchett in Veronica Guerin (2003), as well as appearing in ITV drama Upstairs, Downstairs and soap opera Coronation Street.

Her other film appearances included So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993), Angels In The Outfield (1994) and A Time To Kill (1996).

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Her later roles included the TV adaptation of Graham Norton’s first novel Holding, directed by Kathy Burke, and the Channel 5 drama series The Catch.

Fricker also made numerous stage appearances in plays such as Lavender Blue and A Pagan’s Place at theatres including the National Theatre and Royal Court Theatre. Her agent Phil Belfield described the Irish actress as a “legend” whom he was “honoured to know”.

“Dublin-born and bred, Brenda Fricker undoubtedly deserves the noun ‘legend’,” he said.

“We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her. I was honoured to know, love and work with her, and she will always have a place in my heart and in the heart of so many film and TV fans the world over.”

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Historic market town plunged into night of violence as angry mobs storm three properties ‘housing asylum seekers’

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Chaotic scenes unfolded in Thetford, Norfolk, as a baying mob gathered after rumours spread on social media about asylum seekers being placed in houses

A market town was engulfed by violence and disorder after baying mobs stormed three houses rumoured to be used by asylum seekers.

Frustration exploded into fury in Thetford, Norfolk, following weeks of protests at a nearby former military barracks which has already been earmarked to take 1,250 male migrants.

Five men had to be escorted by police from a property on St Johns Way in front of a baying crowd, prompting protesters to brand the officers ‘traitors’.

The occupant of a house in nearby Elm Road is then understood to have been forced out of his home before his phone was stolen.

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The chaos next spilled over to a residence in Bracken Road, which had its windows and front door smashed in.

Up to 100 people became involved in the violence, with video capturing one man shouting: ‘They don’t want the white man anymore. They want us all gone, they wanna swap us.

‘It’s predicted by 2050 that the f****** white man’s going to be a minority.’

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Chaotic scenes unfolded in Thetford, Norfolk, as a baying mob gathered after rumours spread on social media about asylum seekers being placed in houses

Others could be heard shouting ‘get out’ as police escorted the terrified occupants of St Johns Way out of the area, two of whom were wearing tops with the hoods pulled tightly over their faces.

In another scene, an individual who was off camera, leaving it uncertain whether they were a police officer or member of the public, shouted over the mayhem: ‘The police have got a job to do.

‘They’re going to remove the guys from the building. There will be no harm or loss or injury.’

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Norfolk Police said they arrested a man in his 30s yesterday on suspicion of a public order offence and their investigation into the ‘linked’ incidents were continuing.

The turmoil on Tuesday began at around midday when a group of men were seen moving into the St Johns Way house.

One local claimed the landlord had told them to expect new tenants but didn’t mention they would be asylum seekers.

News of the arrival spread swiftly on social media and by 7pm, people began arriving at the estate, with numbers quickly swelling to around 60.

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Police guard a property in the market town as protesters stand outside

Police guard a property in the market town as protesters stand outside

Police flooded the area and drones were launched as around 100 protesters swamped the market town

Police flooded the area and drones were launched as around 100 protesters swamped the market town

Police had to escort the occupants of a property in St Johns Way after a tense stand-off

Police had to escort the occupants of a property in St Johns Way after a tense stand-off 

Police arrived just after 8pm and drones were launched when the mob, none of whom are understood to live in the road, tried to force their way in by smashing in a window and fence panel and ripping out the letter box. A tradesman in the building was also prevented from leaving.

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Dramatic footage shows an officer standing in front of the property and telling the protesters: ‘You have the absolute right to stay here and gather and [exercise] your right to freedom of expression.

‘That is your choice, okay. But I need you to stay here and do that peacefully.

‘If we start getting people and they’re making threats, or getting knocks on the door [that’s] when we then come back and that ruins it for everyone.

‘So do the things right for you and don’t cross the line.’

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A woman could be heard loudly accusing the police of ‘treason’ and others shouted ‘shame on you’ as they tried to restore calm.

By 10pm, the decision was taken to remove the five men in the property and ten officers surrounded them as they hurried outside and into a waiting police van, amid booing and shouts of ‘get out’.

A police officer addressed the mob at one address, warning them they had the right to 'freedom of expression' but they had to do it 'peacefully'

A police officer addressed the mob at one address, warning them they had the right to ‘freedom of expression’ but they had to do it ‘peacefully’

Doors and windows were smashed at properties as the mob called for the asylum seekers to 'get out'

Doors and windows were smashed at properties as the mob called for the asylum seekers to ‘get out’

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The incident came after months of protests at RAF Barnham in Suffolk three miles away, where the government is planning to house 1,250 asylum seekers

The incident came after months of protests at RAF Barnham in Suffolk three miles away, where the government is planning to house 1,250 asylum seekers

The protesters then walked around a mile to the second location, where the house is understood to have been undergoing preparations for asylum seekers to take possession.

It was empty but the window and door were broken before police arrived and dispersed the group.

The last incident, half a mile away in Elm Road, involved a smaller group who are said to have ejected the occupant and taken his phone.

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One local, a man in his 50s who didn’t want to give his name, told the Mail today: ‘We all know what’s been going on locally and people are not liking it.

‘People in Thetford are a bit fed up that we’re getting dumped with everybody that supposedly needs help.

‘The problem is we’ve got very poor infrastructure – it’s just about holding together.

‘Now they’re going to put another 2,000-3,000 asylum seekers on our doorstep. It’s not what people want.’

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Police have maintained a heightened presence in the area following the violence and disorder

Police have maintained a heightened presence in the area following the violence and disorder

Thetford is just three miles from RAF Barnham, over the border in Suffolk – one of three sites being considered to house a total of 3,750 asylum seekers, alongside former MoD bases in Bicester in Oxfordshire and RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire.

The government is also looking to extend the use of existing military sites in Crowborough, East Sussex, until 2030 and Wethersfield, Essex until at least 2027.

Locals in Barnham, Suffolk, have warned they will be overwhelmed if the plans in their area are approved.

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The village is home to 580 people and has a church but no shop or pub.

Hundreds of people from as far away as Essex have flocked to protests over the plans in recent months.

An encampment has been set up outside the gates with rotating protesters wielding placards reading ‘Thetford says no!’ and ‘Don’t trust Home Office – it’s all lies.’

Speaking to the Mail last month, Barnham resident Kerri Williams, 51, who is from an RAF family, said she had grave concerns about the scheme for lone, male migrants.

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She said: ‘These are grown men with their iPhones and new trainers. If it was women with kids, it wouldn’t be so bad.

‘I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt but we just can’t. We’ve seen the amount of crime they bring.’

RAF Barnham in Suffolk, which is just three miles from Thetford, has been earmarked by the government to take 1,250 asylum seekers

RAF Barnham in Suffolk, which is just three miles from Thetford, has been earmarked by the government to take 1,250 asylum seekers

Protesters have been gathering outside the ex-military base for months

Protesters have been gathering outside the ex-military base for months

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One of the protesters in Thetford on Tuesday is understood to have been activist Zak Marketis, who has been staying at RAF Barnham for weeks. His brightly coloured caravan was seen parked in the area. There is no suggestion he was involved in any illegal activity.

A Norfolk Police spokeswoman said: ‘Police were called to St John’s Way, Thetford, at 8.12pm [on Tuesday] following reports that a group of people, who didn’t live at the address, were attempting to get inside and smashed a window, and damaged a fence panel and letter box. 

‘The group were shouting and preventing a workman from leaving. A resident of the same property reported a group of between 30 and 50 people trying to get into the house.

‘Officers attended a second address on Bracken Road where some of the group believed to be present at the previous incidents, smashed the windows of the property.

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‘A third incident happened on Elm Road where a smaller group entered a property and forced out the resident and stole their mobile phone.

‘A man aged in his 30s was arrested [yesterday] on suspicion of a public order offence. He has been taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where he remains.

‘The investigation into the incidents, which are being linked, remains ongoing.’

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‘Focus on job creation and climate’ says North Yorks Green leader

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'Focus on job creation and climate' says North Yorks Green leader

​The Government has announced plans to prioritise job creation over green targets when companies bid for public contracts, a move welcomed by Labour MPs and trade unions but met with concern from green groups.

​As part of the overhaul, companies bidding for public contracts will be told to prioritise job creation over green and social targets.

​Cllr Kevin Foster, Leader of the Green and Independent Group at North Yorkshire Council, said: “It is absolutely right that public contracts should help create good local jobs and provide opportunities for young people. However, this should not come at the expense of our environmental ambitions. We should be doing both.

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​“The transition to a greener economy is one of the biggest opportunities for job creation that this country has. Rather than importing so much of the technology we need, why aren’t we investing in manufacturing products such as solar panels here in the UK?

​“That would create skilled, well-paid jobs, strengthen our economy, improve our energy security and reduce emissions at the same time.”

​​From next year, businesses will be assessed on their commitment to creating high-quality employment, tackling local skills shortages and supporting young people into apprenticeships, work placements and training opportunities.

​Alison Hume, the Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said: “This is a hugely positive step that puts local communities, British jobs and young people’s futures at the heart of public spending.

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​“I’ve always maintained that public procurement should help develop skills, support apprenticeships and create good-quality jobs in the communities that need them most.

​​“This is the kind of ambitious step that will help drive growth in every postcode and ensure local people feel the benefits of economic growth.”

​However, Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, Ami McCarthy, argued that “protecting the environment and helping young people into good work are mutually beneficial and one shouldn’t come at a cost to the other.”

​“Companies should be held to account with environmental targets to help achieve a better future without leaving young workers behind.”

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​Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Foster added: “This should never be a choice between jobs and the environment. The best public procurement policies should support both, ensuring taxpayers’ money creates local employment while also investing in the industries of the future.”

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Italy issues highest heat advisory as Europe faces record temperatures

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Italy issues highest heat advisory as Europe faces record temperatures

ROME (AP) — Italy placed all of its major cities under the highest heat alert Thursday as a blistering heat wave gripped Europe, setting a national temperature record in Austria, fueling wildfires in France and disrupting energy and transport systems across the continent.

The extreme weather has pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in several countries, prompting health warnings for millions of people.

Across Europe, authorities are grappling with the consequences of extreme heat: health alerts for millions in Italy, record temperatures in Austria, drought-related disruptions to energy and shipping in Central Europe, and wildfires stretching from France to the Balkans.

Scientists and officials warn that such events are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate warms.

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Climate change drives more extreme summers

From the Mediterranean to Central Europe, prolonged heat, drought and wildfire conditions are increasingly becoming defining features of summer. The current heat wave has exposed vulnerabilities in public health systems, power generation, transportation networks and tourism infrastructure, forcing governments and businesses to adapt to more frequent periods of extreme weather.

Italy’s Health Ministry placed all 27 cities monitored under its national heat surveillance system on red alert Thursday — the first time this year the entire network has been under the highest warning level simultaneously.

The alerts stretch from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily and signal a health risk for the entire population, not only vulnerable groups such as older adults and people with chronic illnesses.

Authorities urged residents and tourists to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, remain indoors where possible and drink plenty of water as temperatures in some areas approached 40 C (104 F).

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The heat has also forced adjustments at major tourist attractions. The ministries of tourism and culture extended evening opening hours at landmarks including Rome’s Colosseum and Pantheon.

Cooling mist fans have been installed at the Colosseum’s entrances and additional medical stations have been made available.

Austria breaks national temperature record

The most intense temperatures were recorded in Austria, where the mercury reached 41.2 C (106.2 F) on Wednesday in the village of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border, according to GeoSphere Austria. It was the highest temperature ever recorded in the country.

Austria is also facing severe drought. Rainfall from Jan. 1 through June 30 was 27% below the long-term average nationwide, while some eastern regions received only half their normal precipitation.

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Climatologist Alexander Orlik said some parts of the country had not experienced such dry conditions since 1885.

Hungary cuts power use as drought hits nuclear plant

In Hungary, prolonged drought and record-low water levels on the Danube River have severely affected the country’s only nuclear power plant, which relies on river water to cool its reactors.

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Plant operators have reduced output to about 10% of normal production, prompting the government to introduce emergency conservation measures as a record-breaking heat wave grips the country.

Authorities have asked major industrial users and households to cut electricity consumption, particularly during peak demand hours between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Freight trains have been barred from operating during those hours, while decorative lighting on landmarks in Budapest has been switched off.

Several major companies, including energy company Mol, pharmaceutical maker Gedeon Richter and automakers Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW have announced plans to curb electricity use.

The government also canceled parliamentary sessions this week in an effort to conserve power.

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The heat wave has shattered temperature records across the country. On Wednesday night, Budapest recorded its warmest overnight low temperature on record, with temperatures falling only to 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), underscoring the persistence of the extreme heat.

Germany worries about shrinking rivers

Germany faced growing concerns over the impact of drought on transportation and industry as water levels on the Rhine and other rivers continued to fall.

Transport Minister Steffen Bilger met affected organizations Thursday and warned that low water levels posed major challenges for inland waterway shipping, industry and the broader logistics chain.

Environmental group BUND urged authorities to focus not only on the economic impacts but also on making rivers more resilient to climate change by retaining more water in landscapes and reducing withdrawals during periods of drought.

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France remains on high wildfire alert

In southeastern France, firefighters maintained a large presence in the Var region after authorities said a major wildfire there was no longer spreading but remained capable of reigniting.

The blaze, which began July 20, has burned more than 60 square kilometers (23 square miles), making it the largest recorded in the region in recent decades.

Authorities warned that strong winds and extremely dry conditions left southeastern France at very high risk for additional wildfires.

Balkans battle fires and drought

The heat wave reached its peak across the Balkans on Thursday as temperatures neared 40 C (104 F) and authorities battled drought and wildfires.

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In Serbia, firefighters struggled to contain several blazes after days of dry weather. One major fire burned through pine forests west of Belgrade, while another spread near the central town of Kraljevo, where difficult terrain complicated firefighting efforts.

In neighboring Croatia, tourists in Dubrovnik sought refuge in shade and avoided beaches during the hottest hours of the day as temperatures soared along the Adriatic coast.

———

Associated Press journalists Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report.

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Fury as Westminster Council suggests restrictions on standing in Soho and West End pubs

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Don’t let the killjoys squeeze out the last drops of Soho’s glorious debauchery

“The Cumulative Impact Zone is recognised as an area that has a high concentration of activity and particular policies exist for that in Westminster and the Mayor’s London-wider planning. There is a legal obligation to look at every application on its merits and we do just that, meaning we see new venues opening all the time. Again, there is little change here from the policy of previous administrations and we have seen new pubs and fast-food outlets open recently including a license extension for the McDonald’s on Leicester Square, which will now be open 24 hours despite objections from the Mayor’s police representatives.

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Jak Jones’ first title puts nightmare experience behind him in quick fashion

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Jak Jones' first title puts nightmare experience behind him in quick fashion
Jak Jones has his first professional title under his belt (Picture: Getty Images)

Jak Jones landed the first ranking title of his career at the Championship League and it came at the perfect time after a ‘disaster’ at the Crucible in April.

The Welshman beat Dave Gilbert in the final of the Championship League last month to lift the trophy and secure his first professional title.

The 33-year-old memorably reached the World Championship final in 2024, losing out to Kyren Wilson, but now has entered the winners’ enclosure for the first time since initially turning pro in 2010.

It is ideal timing for Jones, who ended last season with a morale-sapping 10-2 thrashing at the hands of Mark Selby in the first round at the Crucible.

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Selby made just three half-centuries in a match which Jones admits went about as badly as it could have done, but he is thrilled to put that out of his mind quickly by winning the first ranking event of the new season.

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‘It couldn’t have gone any worse really. How I played, how I felt at the Crucible,’ Jones told Metro. ‘It was a bit of a disaster really.
It’s good to put that to the back of my mind.

‘I’ve experienced the good side of the Crucible and I’ve definitely experienced the worst now.

Halo World Snooker Championship - Day Five
Jones had a match to forget against Mark Selby in Sheffield (Picture: Getty Images)

‘There’s so many different factors, I suppose. You’re playing a Crucible specialist, one of the best players ever. I didn’t feel too good in myself and then you miss a couple of balls and I think it all just got on top of me in the end. Which can happen to anyone, but it certainly got to me.

‘Then obviously it can knock your confidence quite a bit, when you have such a bad experience, a bad performance on the biggest stage. So to then win the first tournament of the new season I think was really big for me.’

It’s been a long journey to his first title for Jones, but it has only been since his amazing run to the Crucible final two years ago that he has been really itching to get his hands on some silverware.

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‘When I was in the World final, I didn’t really think that much about winning a tournament. I wouldn’t say I was desperate to win a tournament,’ he said.

‘But after the last couple of years, you feel like you need to go to the next step in your career. You have to win one, otherwise you just feel like you’re stuck.

‘Since the World Championship last season I’ve thought of it a lot, that I need to win a tournament soon. If I’m going to progress in my career, I do feel like I need to win a tournament soon.

‘So to win the first tournament of the season and get it out of the way was good.’

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Jones has won tournaments before in his junior and amateur days, but thinks the 10-year gap since a European Championship success in 2016 saw him forget what to do after lifting a trophy.

‘I didn’t celebrate,’ he says. ‘Dylan Emery was also in my group and we just drove straight back home.

‘That was it really. No celebration. I think I’ve forgotten how to celebrate!’

Cazoo World Snooker Championship 2024 - Day Sixteen
Kyren Wilson beat Jak Jones 18-14 to win the 2024 World Championship final (Picture: Getty Images)

Jones does have plenty to celebrate off the table, having moved into a new house in December and now expecting his second child with his wife later this year.

Back in his hometown of Cwmbran after a spell in Cardiff, Jones is pleased to be settled again, although his Russian wife Inna, from the huge city of Samara, is still getting used to it.

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‘Cardiff was a big change for me, but my wife loved it there, we were in the city centre, virtually,’ he said. ‘It was a bit too much for me. She likes Cwmbran, it’s just a lot quieter than what her home city would have been. I think she’s getting used to it, very slowly.’

Next up for Jones, he says: ‘I’m just trying to win another tournament. Now I’ve got one out of the way.

‘It’s so hard now but maybe when I get to the business end of tournaments in future I can be a bit more relaxed than I have been in the past.

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‘I think that psychologically, it’s massive. No matter what tournament it is I’ve won, it’s massive to get it out of the way.

‘I’ve been in the final of the biggest tournament and arguably the smallest one. But the thing that I had in my head before was feeling better in longer formats. I guess that’s out of the window now because it doesn’t get much more shorter format than the Championship League.

‘So to win that one, that’s another psychological obstacle out of the way.’

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Life lessons: Joe Newman on what life so far has taught him

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Life lessons: Joe Newman on what life so far has taught him

The British singer-songwriter, frontman of alt-J and new solo project JJerome87, on capturing creative sparks, the potential benefits of drugs, and the rise of the far-right

My morning ritual is …

Toilet, tap water, breakfast and coffee. My daughter normally wakes me up. A couple of days ago she woke me up by shouting “Daddy, let’s make a pregnancy movie”, because my partner is currently pregnant.

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I feel optimistic about …

The daughter we’re raising. It’s so lovely to watch her develop: her humour, how kind she is with people she interacts with, and how much time she takes to listen.

What makes me angry …

The corrosively cruel, hypocritical and short-sighted rhetoric of the far-right. It’s really concerning how much of a platform they now have, and the way they convince people that those who are seeking asylum or coming from war-torn countries are the enemy or taking things away from Britishness. We are a country that evolved from countless different kinds of immigration through our history. This is a country built off the back of immigrants. That’s one thing I dislike. Also, my partner asking me to retrieve small things from her bag.

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If I wasn’t a singer-songwriter, I’d have liked to have become …

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Someone that would require a shed at the back of his garden, where I would be handy, using tools and building things for people at a bespoke level. I’d be like a master builder, a carpenter or a joiner.

The habit that has served me best in life …

Documenting and archiving ideas for songs. Sometimes creative sparks are just that – they happen in a moment. If you don’t capture it in that timeframe, a second or a minute, you can lose something really special. Writing everything down and recording everything that you come up with is the best way to sew things together.

The habit I’ve successfully kicked …

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I was a big thumb-sucker until I was 13, but the orthodontist put a stop to that. I’ve recently given up pasta, and I haven’t looked back. And I stopped drinking three and a half years ago.

‘We are a country that evolved from countless different kinds of immigration through our history. This is a country built off the back of immigrants’ says Newman

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My sources of joy are …

I really get a kick out of putting suntan lotion on and then being out in the sun, knowing I’m protected but can enjoy the sun. I also love making people laugh, particularly my daughter. I love watching her giggle uncontrollably.

When things get tough I …

Watch movies. All through my GCSEs and A-levels and my degree, I turned to film when I didn’t want to work or the work was too much for me. I watched films all the time. It’s a really useful way. for me to write and a chronic way for me to turn my back on my responsibilities.

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The book I wish everyone would read…

The book I’ve re-read the most is called How I Live Now by Meg Rosof. It’s about a civil war within the UK and a nuclear detonation that occurs at some point in the story. It’s chilling to read.

Sometimes creative sparks are just that – they happen in a moment. If you don’t capture it in that timeframe, a second or a minute, you can lose something really special

The big thing I’ve changed my mind about in life…

Drugs. I grew up thinking they were scary and ruinous. I think now that there is a much more nuanced conversation to have about the benefits of drugs and opening that world that could be controlled and safe and accessible as a way of coping with trauma. I’m talking about cannabis, ketamine, hallucinogenics… I think there’s a future where peer-reviewed research will highlight these are good ways of treating certain things.

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What keeps me awake at night …

Ideas for songs. If I go beyond two in the morning, it’s usually because I’m thinking about the overall sonics of an album or thinking about lyrics and pulling them together. Then I pull my phone out and the screen wakes me up.

The thing that motivates me most of all …

Bettering my last release. I’m always thinking about the next idea for writing songs and albums. I exert all my efforts into writing and creating albums.

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‘I think now that there is a much more nuanced conversation to have about the benefits of drugs and opening that world that could be controlled and safe and accessible as a way of coping with trauma’

My parents taught me …

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To follow my dreams. When I graduated from university, as a band, we still had to get on the dole and go to the Job Centre and explain why we hadn’t yet found work. My parents were, like, “This is the time to pursue the thing you’re most passionate about. The bureaucracy of government won’t understand that, so just tell them what they want to hear, get your money, and pursue what you’re doing. For the rest of your life you’ll be paying it back anyway, so you might as well make the most of this.”

I have this theory that …

The next generation of tech billionaires could become comic book-level super-villains. With the kind of unchecked reach into government that we saw with Elon Musk, the desire for governmental power, and the access to resources and extreme wealth, and having a grip on the level of the rapid development of technology, AI and robotics, I think there will be a time when they could be terrorising countries.

I’d like to tell my younger self…

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I don’t think I’d have anything to say. I don’t recognise him anymore. I feel that we’re different people as we develop and grow. I don’t think I’d want to bother him.

JJerome87’s album The Canyon is out now on Mushroom Music / VirginMusic Group. See jjerome87.com for tour dates 

Photography by Zachary Gray

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