Not all heroes wear capes… our Unsung Heroes series celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary work.

Today, it’s Hafsa Omar, 37, from Moss Side, Manchester, who keeps her community clean and tidy.

What do you do?

I’m founder of the Moss Side Eco Squad (@moss_side_eco). A volunteer group that picks up litter where we live.

How did it start?

On maternity leave, walking around with my baby in the pram, I noticed all the litter I had to dodge around. So, I thought, why not clear it up myself?

What next?

People approached me wanting to help. They just needed someone to organise them. So, I put a time on Facebook and seven or eight people turned up.

How did you fund equipment?

For my birthday, I asked for litter pick sticks and gloves instead of presents.

Where do you litter pick?

All over Moss Side. It’s given me a familiarity with my community. I’ve discovered cafés, shops and parks that I’d never seen before.

Is the social side fun?

We were strangers, now we’re all really good friends. We check on each other when sick, drop off food if needed and celebrate birthdays.

What’s been the reaction?

People often say thanks. We get offered free food from the takeaway. Or people come out of their house with a cup of tea for us. Locals donate bin bags.

Any tricky moments?

Some people assume we are 
ex-offenders doing community service!

What litter do you see most?

Takeaway wrappers. People chuck it out of car windows. I’ve caught them at it.

What happens then?

I ask, ‘Do you do that at home?’ They usually say sorry.

Any weird finds?

A dried-up stingray fish. No idea where it came from. Oh, and decapitated dolls.

What about dangerous items?

We don’t touch any drug paraphernalia. We report it to the council for disposal.

Do you see fly tipping?

Yes. Lots of landlords rent to students here. So people moving in and out every year and dumping mattresses outside.

How many items do you pick up?

We average two bin bags of rubbish per person – so maybe 20 bags each time. Most of us have family to care for and jobs to go to, so we’re all time-poor.

So there’s no pressure to commit

I’ve dipped in and out since we started in 2020, but other people continued.

Are you really tidy at home?

Yes, but not obsessively. I do love the BBC TV show Sort Your Life Out about helping people declutter. My dream job would be reorganising charity shop floors.

Why do you volunteer?

It gives me asense of belonging in the place where I live. I’ve moved around my whole life. This is the first place that really feels like home.

Any hobbies?

Swimming. I help organise the Junior Parkrun in Moss Side every Sunday for kids. And I take part in the adult run.

Become a litter hero for your area with keepbritaintidy.org

MORE: Mystery garden deal offers chance to win Ninja pizza oven, hot tub and patio furniture

MORE: Readers discuss the threats of AI, FIFA’s ‘togetherness’ and inflation

MORE: My beloved vacuum cleaner died after seven years – this Gtech replacement is even better

No one was injured after the roof collapsed

A supermarket remains closed after its roof partially collapsed. Emergency services were called to Iceland in High Street, March, just before 3pm on Tuesday (July 28).

The supermarket’s roof had collapsed. No one was injured, but a cordon was put in place and the building next door was evacuated as a precaution.

The store closed on Tuesday and remains closed on Wednesday (July 29). An Iceland spokesperson said: “We are currently working with Cambridgeshire Police and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service following a roof collapse at our High Street store in March, Cambridgeshire. All colleagues and customers are safe, and the store remains closed as a precaution.”

Cambridgeshire Police assisted with the cordon on Tuesday. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue also assisted the police.

A fire spokesperson said: “A crew from Chatteris was called just before 3pm yesterday to assist police colleagues at an incident on High Street in March. Firefighters helped to make the area safe and returned to their station by 8.35pm.”

Fenland District Council has been contacted for more information.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

The summer window is getting very busy as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all continue to chase some major signings. Arsenal may have been offered new hope in their ambitious pursuit of Vinicius Jr, though Real Madrid do not want to sell. The Gunners appear to have finally made a breakthrough over Bruno Guimaraes and have reportedly opened talks over Ivan Fresneda as they close in on another wonderkid in Axel Donczew, with Julian Alvarez also still on their radar.

AC Milan’s head coach Ruben Amorim has spoken honestly about what went wrong during his Man Utd tenure.

“Football is a game of mistakes. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes wins,” Johan Cruyff famously once said.

Managers are responsible for telling players how to play, so mistakes can be made before the referee blows for kick-off on a matchday.

Ruben Amorim made mistakes during his time at Manchester United, but the error that led to his downfall was his stubbornness and unwavering belief that his 3-4-3 system was the only way.

Amorim may have seen the light after six months of reflection following his sacking in January. He was appointed by AC Milan last month, and a recent interview suggests he recognises his shortcomings.

“They [Milan] appointed me because they felt I was the right guy for the way I want to play,” Amorim told Sky Italia. “They want to play the same way, but I think they signed me not just for my success, but also for my experience with a top club like Manchester United and the reflections I shared in our meetings with Mr Cardinale [Milan’s owner].

“They understood that I was prepared for this job, not just because of my past success, but also because of my failures. I think it helped a lot in those meetings.”

When asked what went wrong at United, Amorim said: “The first thing is that it doesn’t matter anymore. That is the feeling. There’s a history, then something happens, the context changes, and you focus on the next challenge.

“I learned a lot. It would be hard to point to one thing, but the important thing that I clearly know is that I made a lot of mistakes. When you do this kind of reflection, and you understand that it was not just their fault, but also my fault, I think you can be a better coach and a better man.”

Amorim’s answer was an honest admission that he was partly responsible for his tenure at United being a failure, although the response is open to interpretation about which particular mistakes he concedes.

Stubbornness was the biggest error. Amorim faced internal pressure to tweak his system in December, and he played with a back four in the win against Newcastle before reverting to 3-4-3 against Wolves at the end of that month.

Amorim felt undermined, suggesting the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte, and Jose Mourinho would not put up with being told how to coach, but it was obvious that he needed to tweak the formation.

Those changes of events led to his outburst at the end of his post-Leeds press conference at Elland Road. The tension with the board had reached a point of no return, and Amorim was dismissed, which club figures believed he wanted. A few days later, Amorim was pictured smiling with his wife outside their Cheshire home.

Whether or not Amorim has learned from the formation debacle at United will only be revealed when he encounters a rough patch at Milan. His United stint should have taught him that adaptability is not a weakness.

Amorim made other mistakes in Manchester that he should have reflected on during his time out of the game. He formed an opinion on Kobbie Mainoo from an early stage and didn’t back down from it.

He was brilliant in press conferences for journalists, but his honesty wasn’t beneficial for players who needed protecting. His handling of academy players, who he hung out to dry to the media, was also perplexing.

Milan released a video on social media of Amorim giving a speech to his new set of players following his appointment, and someone joked that the young players in the shot should pack their bags and leave before it’s too late.

However, there are still some positives to take from Amorim’s time at Old Trafford, and he deserves praise for improving the culture at Carrington by not being afraid to get rid of some big names (and big egos).

Amorim is guaranteed to be a better coach due to the experience he gained at United, but that is the reason he failed. United is not a club where you can learn on the job.

The sheet is absorbent, but it may have other qualities

That’s also why raspberries are packed into smaller containers

FIFA are attempting to pressure their 211 member associations into backing plans to sell stakes in the World Cup – just hours after the FA voiced deep concerns over Gianni Infantino’s divisive proposals.

News broke on Tuesday that FIFA boss Infantino was considering selling parts of the tournament to private investors and forming a new company in a deal that could be worth around £15billion, which the governing body later confirmed in a hastily-issued statement.

In a letter to the associations, Infantino says member nations must decide on the proposal by September 19 and explains the financial benefits of approving the project.

He says that a funding package around £35.5million per nation will become available if associations sign up, but if they reject it their earnings will be almost 75 per cent less.

The letter from Infantino says: ‘The decision on whether or not to proceed with this proposal belongs entirely to you. Should you wish to proceed this $10billion package will become available as of January 1, 2027, ushering in the next phase of our journey together.

‘Should you wish to retain the status quo and reject this proposal we still have our planned expansion of the Forward programme [development money] of $2.7billion as previously presented.

‘In total for the upcoming cycle starting as of January 1, 2027 each member association will have the possibility of access up to $40million per member association under this proposal.’

The report added that Infantino could become the commissioner of that company once his role at FIFA ends in 2031, although FIFA claim that has not been discussed.

Investment bank J.P. Morgan is FIFA’s financial advisor on the project while Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital is expected to lead the proposed investor group. Kushner is the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared. The Trump administration is understood to have been consulted.

FIFA hope to raise more than £3 billion for the venture from a diversified, global investor group. The group is thought to include sovereign wealth funds.

Should their plans be successful, FIFA intend to give each of their 211 member associations a stake in the company – which they can choose to keep or sell – worth £15million each.

The FA, meanwhile, have deep concerns over FIFA’s leaked plans to sell stakes in the World Cup.

In a statement, an FA spokesperson confirmed they had been left in the dark over the controversial proposals which have sparked outrage amongst the football community.

The statement said: ‘We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

‘Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

‘When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.’

European Football Clubs, who represent over 800 European clubs, have also voiced their opposition. Crucially, the body is chaired by PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Qatar Sports Investments, who are owned by the Qatari state. Al-Khelaifi has been touted as a potential leadership challenger to Infantino. 

‘European Football Clubs (EFC) notes with serious concern the sudden, unilateral media briefings and announcement by FIFA about a potential new corporate structure for the commercialisation of certain football competitions,’ the statement read.

‘As an institution that represents over 850 football clubs – whose member clubs, their players and communities are fundamental participants in football worldwide, not least in FIFA’s competitions including all the international club competitions – it would be wholly appropriate for EFC to be fully consulted on a proposal of such magnitude. EFC learned about this proposal in the same way as most global football stakeholders – without warning and through the media.

‘EFC always seeks to work collaboratively and supportively with all stakeholders – FIFA, UEFA and all confederations, national associations, leagues, player and fan associations. In that vein, we urge for calm and thorough consultation on all topics affecting the football ecosystem, together with more rigorous and transparent governance processes put in place to protect the game for the long term. Only in this way can we build the right institutional frameworks and relationships required to promote the true success, stability and sustainability of football.’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also voiced opposition to the proposition.

‘Let me say this very directly,’ Burnham posted on X. ‘Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.

‘The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell.

‘Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.’

The plans would see FIFA set up by FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new company responsible for the ‘operational delivery of FIFA tournaments’ – including both the men’s and women’s World Cup.

FIFA claim their plans would help advance the FIFA Forward development programme, which distributes capital to member associations. The governing body hopes to increase funding from £6m to £15m for the 2027-30 international cycle.

FIFA would need approval from the FIFA Council and majority support from the FIFA Congress (the 211 member associations) to launch the new enterprise.

UEFA have already opposed the plans, while Concacaf and now the FA have raised concerns about the lack of consultation.

There are major concerns over what the proposals could mean for the game, including whether FIFA could increase the frequency of tournaments to create more opportunities for financial backers to see a return on their investment.

The Club World Cup and men’s World Cup are currently held every four years. FIFA have previously explored the possibility of staging both tournaments every two years.

FIFA maintain that they have a duty to control the development of this project, with external investors holding only a minority stake in FFE and having no operational role.

‘Concacaf was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release,’ their statement read on Wednesday morning.

‘We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process.

‘We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.

‘As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game. Collectively, FIFA, the Confederations and every Member Association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship.

‘This is the framework within which Concacaf operates. We trust that all within the FIFA family will act in the same manner.’

The chair of the National Drought Group said water is being used faster than it can be replenished

Cambridgeshire is officially in drought, according to the Environment Agency. Seven regions across the country, including East Anglia, have been declared as being in drought.

They are East Anglia; Hertfordshire and London; Thames Valley; Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; Devon and Cornwall; the West Midlands; and Wessex. It follows record low rain and high temperatures.

The fourth heatwave of the year is set to peak on Wednesday (July 29) with temperatures of up to 35C, as experts warn wildfires could be “exceptionally severe”. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, the East, South East and London.

Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, said: “The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.”

A Met Office assessment showed fires could be exceptionally severe by Wednesday if they start in parts of London, the South East, and eastern England, as a result of the hot, dry conditions.

Fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 706 wildfires so far in 2026, with 208 incidents recorded between July 16 and 28 alone, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said.

It added that the latest figures, which do not account for wildfires across the rest of the UK such as a major wildfire in the Cairngorms in Scotland, show “how quickly wildfire activity can increase during prolonged periods of hot and dry weather”.

Fire chiefs warned that wildfire risk “remains elevated across the UK”, with the NFCC adding there were “currently eight live wildfire incidents being monitored through national reporting systems”.

Wildfire numbers in England and Wales remain below the 788 recorded by the same point last year. However, fire chiefs warned “continued dry conditions, combined with warmer temperatures and harvesting activity in many rural areas”, were creating conditions in which fires can start and spread rapidly.

The NFCC said UK wildfires are typically smaller and different in nature to those seen in southern Europe, adding, however, that the “long-term effects of climate change are increasing the likelihood of larger, more complex and more resource-intensive wildfire incidents occurring”.

Phil Garrigan, chairman of the NFCC, said: “More than 200 wildfires in just 12 days shows how quickly the risk can escalate when hot, dry conditions take hold. The scenes we’re seeing across parts of Europe are a stark reminder of what a changing climate means for fire and rescue services.

“We are not seeing fires of that scale in the UK today, but the science tells us we should expect larger, more frequent and more complex wildfires in the future. That’s why we need continued investment in specialist wildfire capabilities, including aerial firefighting support, so we’re prepared for the risks ahead.

“But prevention remains our strongest defence. Most wildfires are avoidable, and we’re asking everyone to take extra care during the hot weather to help keep their communities safe.”

This will technically be the third friendly Spurs have played this summer, having also beaten Milton Keynes in a behind-closed-doors affair before they flew across the world. Tottenham face Chelsea on Saturday but first take on the team who finished fourth in the Australian A-League last term, and they will play in front of a sell-out Allianz Stadium crowd in New South Wales.