Jewish leaders are calling on the US tech company to apologise
22:48, 23 May 2026Updated 23:43, 23 May 2026
The Google description of Holocaust survivor Ike Alterman as a ‘fictional character’ has now been changed after being reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Jewish leaders in Greater Manchester reacted with anger at the ‘absolutely disgraceful’ online mischaracterisation of Itzik Alterman. They called on the US tech company to change it immediately – and apologise to his family and friends.
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He survived four Nazi concentration and death camps and was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2023 for his services to Holocaust education and remembrance.
Born in southern Poland, Mr Alterman lost most of his family during the Holocaust.
He was spared as a teenager, but suffered unimaginable cruelty after being sent to the Blyzin concentration camp, where he worked in the kitchen. In 1944, he was transported to Auschwitz and went on to be marched, in the dead of night, to Birkenau – around 3km away.
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Mr Alterman, with others, was liberated from a Nazi camp in the Czech Republic by the Russian Army and eventually flown to the UK, settling in the Lake District with dozens of other young children as a ‘Windermere Boy’. He went on to move to Bury and became a successful businessman.
Previously, if you searched his name on Google, he was described on the search engine as a ‘fictional character’, below images of him and news stories about his life by the Manchester Evening News and other news outlets.
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However, in an update on Saturday evening, Raphi Bloom, who was a close friend of Mr Alterman, confirmed that after sharing the MEN’s previous article on the story on LinkedIn, the description has been removed.
He added that the family of Mr Alterman were ‘really appreciative’. The Manchester Evening News has reached out to Google for comment.
Mr Bloom previously described the misrepresentation as ‘absolutely disgraceful’ – and said tech giants were not doing enough to combat ‘anti-Jewish racism’.
Mr Bloom said: “I knew Ike Alterman in two capacities. First, he was someone like a second father to me, with whom I travelled widely to share his story with thousands of people of all ages across the north west.
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“Second, I knew him as the director of The Fed’s My Voice Project, through which we published his whole life storybook, with a foreword written by Andy Burnham. It is deposited in many prestigious libraries across the world.
“The fact that Google can misrepresent Ike Alterman as a fictional person is absolutely disgraceful. Ike survived four Nazi concentration and death camps, as well as a death march. He bore a death camp number tattooed on his arm, and there is extensive Nazi documentation that proves unequivocally he was a Holocaust survivor.
“In an era where Holocaust inversion and distortion are increasingly used to deny Jewish suffering, this kind of mischaracterisation only reinforces what many Jewish people already feel – that tech giants are failing to do enough to combat anti-Jewish racism.”
Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk defended his crown against one of the best kickboxers in history in Rico Verhoeven in front of the pyramids
00:09, 24 May 2026Updated 00:23, 24 May 2026
Oleksandr Usyk clung on to his heavyweight world title by the skin of his teeth with a controversial late stoppage of Rico Verhoeven.
Boxing ruler Usyk took on kickboxing legend Verhoeven in front of the pyramids in what was sanctioned as a title defence. And Verhoeven, in just his second professional boxing fight, dominated large swathes of the bout and appeared to be ahead on the scorecards heading into the penultimate round.
But Usyk dropped Verhoeven with an uppercut in the dying embers of the session and although Verhoeven beat the count, the referee stopped the fight with a second remaining following another flurry. “Rico, you are an amazing fighter,” said Usyk. “It was a hard fight, it was a good fight.” Verhoeven added: “It was an early stoppage but it’s not up to me. I believe the referee knows we’re almost at the end of the round, or let me go out on my shield.”
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Verhoeven drew a cheer inside 30 seconds when his right hand landed the first shot of the night. Usyk was content to work his way into the fight but shipped a right hand to the body as the underdog snatched the opening session. Verhoeven attempted to make his size advantage count in the second round but Usyk began to land his uppercut.
Verhoeven landed another thudding right at the start of the third stanza before switching to the body. But Usyk finally woke up, landing a right of his own to remind Verhoeven of the task at hand. But it was the Dutchman who ended the round with another backhand.
Usyk suddenly came to life in the fourth round when an uppercut sparked a combination which rocked Verhoeven. The underdog recovered well and answered back with his trusty right. Verhoeven continued to bowl forward in the fifth but Usyk landed a clubbing left.
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Verhoeven was still more than holding his own by the midway point and landed a looping right to start the seventh session. Usyk answered back with a left hook but he was soon on the back foot again as Verhoeven refused to wilt, landing a right hand on the bell. The same shot thudded home in the eighth round but even that wasn’t enough to shake the champion from his slumber.
Verhoeven switched his attention to Usyk’s body in the ninth, landing hooks with both hands. And still the challenger marched forward, smothering Usyk and outworking the unbeaten man. But a flurry from Usyk at the end of the session served as a reminder of his threat.
Usyk took that danger into the penultimate session as he rattled off another combination. And finally the challenger hit the canvas before a controversial stoppage from referee Mark Lycett who appeared to call off the fight after the bell had rung.
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On the undercard, Hamzah Sheeraz was crowned WBO super-middleweight world champion after a devastating second -round stoppage of Alem Begic. Sheeraz dominated from the opening bell and dropped his German opponent with a left hook from which he failed to recover.
Jack Catterall won a portion of the WBA welterweight world title when he comfortably outpointed Shakhram Giyasov. The Brit had his opponent down in the opening round from a sharp left hand and dominated the next two sessions. Giyasov had his moments in the fourth and fifth but Catterall reasserted his authority and controlled the rest of the bout with all three judges giving him the nod. He could now clash with ‘super’ champion Rolly Romero
Rising American heavyweight star Richard Torrez Jr was knocked out by Frank Sanchez as the Cuban punched his ticket to a world title shot with a stunning second-round stoppage.
ABC News correspondent Selina Wang took to social media to share footage of her first-person experience of the shooting that happened near the White House on Saturday.
In the video, Selina, 33, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, she was filming a selfie news report for ABC’s social channels, and as she was recording, shots rang out. A man in the background can be heard yelling “no,” as she ducked for cover, with her cellphone falling amid her trying to get to safety.
While some offer open space, clear paths and varied scenery, others can be overcrowded, difficult to navigate, or simply not suited to four-legged walkers.
Now, one scenic route on the edge of Greater Manchester has been named among the UK’s very best dog-friendly hikes, and it’s less than an hour away for Lancashire residents.
The Dovestone Reservoir Circular, near Oldham in the Saddleworth Moors, ranked sixth in a new nationwide study analysing Britain’s top-rated walking routes for dogs.
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Outdoor retailer Millets examined more than 114,000 walker reviews, scoring trails based on popularity, user ratings, accessibility and terrain difficulty.
The results showed that the UK’s best dog-friendly walks aren’t necessarily the longest or most challenging; instead, walkers favour routes that combine beautiful scenery with manageable paths and enough open space for dogs to properly enjoy themselves.
The Dovestone route scored highly thanks to its accessible circular paths, waterside scenery and easy terrain, earning an average user rating of 4.7 stars from more than 1,600 reviews.
Stretching around the reservoirs and moorland above Saddleworth, the walk has become increasingly popular with families, casual hikers and dog owners looking for an easy countryside escape close to the city.
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Walkers can expect sweeping water views, dramatic hills, stone paths and woodland sections, with plenty of stopping points along the route.
One of the biggest appeals is how accessible the trail feels compared to more demanding Peak District hikes.
While the scenery still delivers rugged northern landscapes, the route itself remains manageable for beginners and dogs alike.
According to Emma Johnson from Dog Owner’s Guide, the best hiking experiences for dogs often come from building up gradually rather than attempting difficult all-day treks immediately.
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“You wouldn’t go from a short stroll to a full day hike overnight,” she explained.
“And it’s the same for dogs.”
That balance appears to be exactly why Dovestone Reservoir continues to attract walkers year after year.
The wider study found that Britain’s highest-rated dog-friendly walks typically feature well-maintained paths, varied scenery and moderate difficulty levels, whether through woodland, waterfalls, lakesides or coastal trails.
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For walkers in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, however, Dovestone offers something particularly appealing: a scenic countryside route that feels far removed from urban life without requiring a long-distance journey.
And with summer approaching, it may soon become even busier.
Spain, Palma, May 02, 2024 – Low angle view of starting Easyjet Airbus (Credits: Getty Images)
A London-bound EasyJet was forced to divert to Rome after a passenger left their charging bank inside their suitcase.
EasyJet flight EZY2618 from Hurghada in Egypt took off on Tuesday evening but diverted to Italy after the crew were informed that a power bank was charging in a passenger’s luggage.
The airline told Sky News it made the landing as a ‘precaution’.
Passenger Paul Casterton, 57, told The Sun: “No one knew what to think. Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent. It was hard not to fear the worst.
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‘It was stressful until we landed. Thank goodness it wasn’t a bomb in the hold. Word spread as to the true reason we had been diverted. It was quite an ordeal, but mostly relief that everyone was OK.’
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They said: ‘The captain then took the decision to divert as a precaution in line with safety regulations.
‘The aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked routinely and we provided hotel accommodation and meals where available.
‘As some customers remained in the airport, they were provided with refreshments.
‘The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines.
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‘We would like to apologise to all passengers for any inconvenience caused by the diversion and subsequent delay.’
In February a Jet2 flight diverted after a passenger made ‘racist remarks’ before getting into a fight 30,000 ft in the air.
The flight, which was travelling from Antalya, Turkey, to Manchester, England was diverted to Belgium over the ‘appalling behaviour’ of two passengers.
One passenger described it as one of the most ‘distressing experiences’ they had ever had, with some claiming they could see blood and teeth on the floor.
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The argument reportedly started after one of the men tried to grab the others’ phone, which was playing music loudly.
The attending officer was able to control the dog without it causing injury
An ‘aggressive’ dog trapped an elderly lady and her dog before trying to bite a police officer.
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On Wednesday this week, May 20, at around 9pm, officers responded to reports of an out of control dog at a Shell petrol station on Broadway, Oldham.
The dog, described as a Belgian Malinois, was behaving ‘aggressively’, the force said, and had caused an elderly woman and her dog to become trapped. It also attempted to bite an officer’s leg.
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The attending officer was able to take control of the dog without causing injury. The dog has since been secured and returned to it’s owner.
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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 9pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026, officers responded to an out-of-control dog in Broadway in Oldham.
“The dog – a Belgian Malinois – was behaving aggressively and had caused an elderly female member of the public and her dog to become trapped.
“During this incident, the Belgian Malinois displayed aggressive behaviour towards members of the public and attempted to bite a police officer’s leg.
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“The responding officer brought the immediate threat posed by the dog, to the officers and members of the public, under control and causing no injury to the dog.
“Following the incident, the dog was secured and transported to our kennels. It has since been returned to its owner.”
Donald Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen as part of a peace agreement is “far from reality”, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reports.
“Based on the latest exchanged text, if a possible agreement is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will still be under Iran’s management,” it said. “Although Iran has agreed to allow the number of passing ships to return to the level before the war, this does not at all mean ‘free passage’ to the pre-war situation.”
The new agency added: “The management of the strait, determining the route, time, manner of passage, and issuing permits will remain exclusively under the control and discretion of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore, Trump’s claim in this regard is incomplete and does not correspond to reality.”
Here’s what the stars have in store for your day (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The Moon’s angle to Mercury in Gemini gives a tense feeling to the day before you. Ideas and concepts could clash with reality.
Gemini, Leo and Capricorn, be realistic today. Whether it’s stretching yourself too thin or overcomitting, avoid putting too much on your plate.
Take on whatever the cosmos throws at you with grace. Know you can get through difficult placements.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Sunday May 24, 2026.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Have an urge to keep checking details that don’t really matter? You could also ignore those that are vitally important. Whatever you’re dealing with, it helps to keep a sense of perspective. Not every fact needs checking, but not every piece of information should be overlooked. If you keep in mind what you want to achieve, you’ll make the right decisions.
The Moon in Virgo angles towards Mercury in Gemini, so finances and resources could be involved in the conversations you have. Ideas and info may come at you from all sides so you’ll need to understand what is essential and what can be ignored. Thinking of investing in a hobby or other fun activity? This aspect encourages you to seek out the best possible deal.
Have a sense of urgency? Decisions don’t need to be instant. With facts, feelings, and perspectives flying around, it might be hard to get your bearings. Mercury in your sign can inspire you to search everywhere except in front of you for the answers. The Virgo Moon is a call to look at the facts and not to get too distracted. Do that, and you really can’t go astray.
It can feel like you’re talking at cross-purposes as your words may be lost in translation. You know you have something important to share, but it might come out muddled. Today’s Moon-Mercury angle encourages you to start with what you know, rather than trying to explain concepts that need a chance to percolate. Take your time, and your message will be clear.
Keen to put energy into a group project or collaboration? Before you promise anything, check that you really do have the time, money, and other resources to make this work. It’s crucial to have this information at the outset otherwise you could end up regretting your decision. The same is true if considering a membership. Be honest with yourself before you commit, Leo.
The Moon in your sign suggests you’re acutely aware of your talents and abilities in key situations. Yet, a lunar tie to Mercury in an ambitious zone means your personal ideas may come up against public expectations. You know what you’re good at, yet others might have comments of their own to make that clash with yours. Be flexible but trust your instincts.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
A desire to know yourself better might collide with the urge to see the bigger picture. Today, both may be helpful in your search for understanding and deeper knowledge. You’ll have a chance to assess how much you’ve grown and whether your beliefs still support your growth. You’ll also be good at spotting ideas and philosophies that can bring out the very best in you.
The Moon illuminates your networks, while its angle to Mercury in an intense sector suggests conversations with others might reveal deeper layers. Your social world may become a place of thoughtful observation rather than general chit-chat. As you discuss things, insights may emerge that benefit you and others. Something profound could be revealed, Scorpio.
Your professional outlook can clash with that of close ones, friends, or colleagues, so you’ll need to decide what you pay attention to. Others may have ideas that could sharpen your plans – if you’re open to them. You could rush ahead solo, but it may be wise to talk it through, discuss, or even collaborate, as doing so can enrich your ideas, Sagittarius.
The Moon’s angle to Mercury in Gemini suggests that some of your more adventurous ideas could clash with reality. You may be very inspired by an opportunity or challenge but might need to work on the practical side of things. Still, this could be difficult if your priorities keep changing. Commit to one plan at a time, make sound preparations, and enjoy the experience.
Intense feelings may clash with a need for fun and lightness. Reflecting on an issue that needs healing or resolution? The cosmos suggests that tackling it in a playful or creative way could bring the biggest rewards of all. Channelling any feelings into an art project, gardening, or any activity that inspires you can bring revelations that might shift things best of all.
Discussions may reveal issues in family affairs that need to be resolved. A close one could pinpoint areas that have been causing issues in the background, and this might be a chance to weave them into the conversation. It’s also a good time for entertaining. Whether you’re connecting with old friends or making new ones, an informal get-together could be uplifting.
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Forecasters believe this weekend will break the hottest May temperature record
It felt like summer had truly arrived across Wales today as temperatures climbed to their highest levels of the year so far, with forecasters warning that even hotter weather could be on the way in the coming days.
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The Met Office confirmed that Cardiff was the hottest place in Wales on Saturday (May 23), recording a temperature of 23.2C. Elsewhere, Usk reached 22.9C. But it wasn’t as hot everywhere with the west coast seeing cloudy weather and lower highs of just 14.8C at Aberporth and 15.4C in Porthmadog.
Across the UK, the hottest temperature of the day was recorded at Frittenden in Kent, where the mercury hit 30.5C. That surpassed Friday’s previous high of 28.4C, which had been jointly recorded at Heathrow in London, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge.
However the current spell of warm weather is expected to intensify further into the weekend, raising the possibility of some of the highest May temperatures seen in the UK for more than a decade.
According to a study conducted by the Met Office last summer, scientists warned that climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are making extreme May temperatures increasingly likely. Researchers concluded that the long-standing UK May temperature record of 32.8C, set in 1944, could soon be broken.
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On top of this, a it appears as though a heatwave will be officially declared tomorrow. This is defined as three consecutive days where temperatures meet or exceed a specific threshold. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Greg Wolverson said it is likely that parts of the UK will meet those criteria from Sunday onwards, with areas including London, the south-east of England and Cardiff expected to record their third consecutive day above heatwave thresholds.
Weather maps suggest Sunday could bring exceptionally warm conditions across much of Wales. Newport, Monmouth, Brecon and Llandovery are all forecast to reach highs of around 26C.
Cardiff, Maesteg, Newtown and Welshpool are also expected to enjoy temperatures close to 25C, making for another notably warm day across the country. It appears that temperatures will be reaching their peak at around 4pm.
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The coolest conditions are likely to remain along the coast, with Cardigan, Aberystwyth and areas towards Caernarfon forecast to stay in the high teens, around 18C to 19C.
Forecasters say the sunny and dry conditions are expected to continue into next week, with many people set to enjoy an early taste of summer and Monday forecast to be hotter again than Sunday.
Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were recovered from the water off Brighton beach earlier this month.
Three sisters who died in a seaside tragedy had reportedly never recovered from the devastating loss of their mother, who died in similar circumstances years earlier.
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The bodies of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were recovered from the water off Brighton beach earlier this month, reports the Mirror.
The sisters, from Uxbridge in North West London, are believed to have travelled to Brighton in the early hours of the morning. Relatives have said they were not aware of their plans that day, but have since reflected on whether the trip may have been linked to the memory of their mother, who also died by drowning in Birmingham aged 43.
The tragedy has left a fourth sister, 25-year-old Lilly, understood to be devastated and struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Family members are expected to be involved in planning the sisters’ funerals, with suggestions that Lilly, who lives in the United States, may take a leading role in arrangements alongside other relatives. Step-mum Genevieve Barnaby-Adetoro said she believed it was important for Lilly to be included.
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She said Lilly had spoken about wanting to honour her sisters in a meaningful way, including plans for white caskets, white roses, and a carriage procession to reflect their memory.
However, questions remain over what led the three women into the water. While one family member suggested they may not have been strong swimmers, another relative said they were confident the sisters could swim, recalling childhood memories of them in the water.
Police have confirmed there is currently no evidence of criminality or third-party involvement. Specialist officers continue to investigate the circumstances, reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV and carrying out enquiries in the area around Madeira Drive.
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Emergency services were called at around 5.45am on May 13 following concerns for a person’s welfare. The bodies were later recovered from the sea.
All three women were from the Uxbridge area.
Their father, Joseph, paid tribute to his daughters, describing them as the “joy, strength and light” of his life. He said there were days when grief felt “unbearable,” but that he held onto their memories and the bond they shared.
He added: “Each of you was unique and precious in your own special way. Your smiles brightened dark days, your laughter brought comfort, and your presence made life more meaningful. Though your time on earth was short, the impact you made will remain in our hearts forever.”
Family members described the moment they learned of the tragedy, saying they had been watching news reports without realising the victims were their own loved ones until police confirmed it in person.
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One relative said they were asked to go and formally identify the sisters one by one.
The case has also reopened painful memories of the family’s earlier loss, after their mother, Janice Adetoro, died following a disappearance linked to mental health struggles years earlier. Reports suggest she went missing from Erdington, Birmingham, in the early hours of the morning, with differing accounts of whether the incident took place in 2010 or 2012.
At the time, she was reported to have been living with two daughters aged 15 and 20, while another daughter lived with her father in Bedfordshire.
Police have urged anyone with information about the Brighton incident to come forward, particularly anyone who may have seen the sisters in the Madeira Drive area between the evening of May 12 and the early hours of May 13.
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Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said officers were committed to “leaving no stone unturned” as they work to understand the events leading up to the tragedy.
An inquest into the sisters’ deaths is due to open at Brighton Coroner’s Court on May 29.
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Bordeaux Begles’ demolition job over Leinster completed the European clean sweep for French men’s rugby teams.
Leinster, a side full to the brim of Irish internationals, did not have an answer as Bordeaux romped to a 41-19 victory in Bilbao to become only the sixth side to retain their European crown.
Earlier in the year, after a dramatic conclusion to a thrilling tournament, France also retained their Six Nations title at the expense of Ireland.
For Bordeaux, according to their Irish attack coach Noel McNamara, their inspiration came from Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters for the second time in April as he backed up his historic wait for the Green Jacket.
The irony of a player from Northern Ireland being used as motivation will not be lost.
“We spoke about Rory McIlroy in the lead-up to the quarter-final against Toulouse,” McNamara told the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
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“There’s a beautiful ad that said good players want one Green Jacket and really good players want two, and we’ve got fantastic players.
“That’s what makes the game of rugby wonderful. They made a decision that one isn’t enough. The challenge for us now is we’re a young club, we’re a new club and it’s continuing to set that standard.”
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