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Total of 27 people left homeless after thugs go door-to-door in ‘pogrom’ of foreign nationals

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Belfast Live

‘I don’t think any of us will ever be able to forget the image of a nine-year-old child and their family being put in the back of a Land Rover to be rescued from violent, racist thugs’

Twenty-seven people have been made homeless “because people went door-to-door to try and target foreign nationals”, a UK minister has said.

Cabinet Office minister Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent told the Lords: “I think we need to remember what has actually happened and contextualise what’s happened in the last 24 hours, and what it’s actually led to.

“Twenty-seven people were made homeless last night because people went door-to-door to try and target foreign nationals to burn them out of their homes.

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“I can only imagine the terror.

“A two-month-old is the youngest victim who had to be moved from her home and I don’t think any of us will ever be able to forget the image of a nine-year-old child and their family being put in the back of a Land Rover to be rescued from violent, racist thugs who were seeking to undermine them and to undermine their very sense of belonging in a country that many of them have lived in for decades.

“This is simply unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Lady Anderson was responding to Labour peer Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, the former SDLP MP for South Down.

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Lady Ritchie said disorder in Belfast on Tuesday “seemed to concentrate on a pogrom of people of colour”.

Meanwhile, a school principal has hit out after pupils were forced to miss classes after being left homeless following a night of disorder in Belfast.

Terry Rodgers, principal at St Theresa’s Primary School on the Glen Road in West Belfast, detailed how a number of his pupils were forced to miss lessons today after they were burnt out of their homes last night or their families are too frightened to send them to school.

In a letter to parents, Mr Rodgers shared his sympathies with the victim of Monday’s stabbing incident and said that some of his pupils have been “left with horrific memories.”

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Mr Rodgers said that “there can be no equivication nor justification for these actions.”

“As school leaders in West Belfast, we feel compelled to raise our voice. The terrible stabbing incident that occurred in North Belfast earlier this week was shocking and the thoughts and prayers of everyone in our school communities are with the victim and his family and friends at this time. No one deserves to suffer such an appalling attack, and like all right minded people we expect justice to take its course through the appropriate legal processes,” he said.

“Today, many of our classrooms have children missing. Some of the children were forcibly evicted from their homes last night by angry mobs and are spending today trying to find alternative accommodation, left with horrific memories that will last a very long time.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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British Touring Shakespeare Bring His Greatest Love Story to Hampshire's Historic “Jane Austen” House

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British Touring Shakespeare Bring His Greatest Love Story to Hampshire's Historic “Jane Austen” House

Internationally acclaimed theatre company British Touring Shakespeare will bring William Shakespeare’s timeless romance Romeo and Juliet to the beautiful gardens of historic Chawton House in Hampshire known for its association with Jane Austen, on Friday 7th August at 6:00 PM, as part of their 2026 summer UK tour.

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Tottenham vs Sydney FC LIVE: Pre-season friendly result, latest updates and fan reaction

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Tottenham vs Sydney FC LIVE: Pre-season friendly result, latest updates and fan reaction

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.

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Why Do People Keep Pooping Themselves At Concerts?

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Why Do People Keep Pooping Themselves At Concerts?

Look, I understand that an hours-long show can be tough on the bladder. We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about the many tricks artists use if they have to “go” mid-performance.

But the fecal fiascos that have taken place in recent concerts are a different beast entirely.

First, Olivia Rodrigo told KISS Radio that she could smell her fans’ nappies from the stage.

“Everyone is wearing diapers… they sit there all day,” she shared. “I think about it kind of often… It’s a real thing.

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Noah Kahan, meanwhile, took to X after a woman reportedly defecated near the singer’s stage. “If you have to poop at a show please dear god just go to the bathroom lmao,” he wrote.

At later gigs, he made fans “solemnly swear I will not shit my pants. And if I do, I won’t take it from my pants and put it on the floor”, and beseeched his soiling-inclined fans to “fucking put some diapers on next time”.

On Monday 27 July, meanwhile, a Devilskin metal concert was derailed by an attendee’s baffling and “vomit”-inducing decision to crap in a moshpit.

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What, I beg my fellow grown adults, is going on?

I mean, in the case of Rodrigo, there’s at least a vile logic to the odorous decision. “I have been to certain concerts and certain festivals where people wear diapers so that they can be front row of the show,” she explained.

“And that’s been an experience as a performer that I have… smelled.”

It’s not something I think someone who has probably filed their own taxes and may even share an office loo should ever voluntarily do, to be clear.

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However, I guess that’s what commitment looks like to some superfans – Noah himself joked(?), “I shit myself onstage in Charlottesville, but that’s because I am dedicated to my craft.”

What “craft” is refined or gig-going fantasy realised by a mid-show floor poop, though?

Please, for the love of music: can we keep that extra fetid “o” out of “pop concerts” going forwards?

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Searches continue for missing Cambridgeshire man not seen for nearly a month

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Cambridgeshire Live

Police are continuing to appeal for information on the man’s whereabouts

Searches continue for a man who hasn’t been seen in nearly a month. Lewis Winter, 25, was first reported missing from Eye, near Peterborough, on July 16.

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However, he had not been seen for some time prior to this date. Here is a timeline of Lewis’ last whereabouts:

  • CCTV released by Cambridgeshire Police shows Lewis leaving the Tasman Caravan Park in Eye at around 7pm on July 5
  • Lewis is reported missing on July 16, but it is believed he went missing before this date
  • Cambridgeshire Police has said today (Wednesday, July 29) that Lewis is still missing and searches continue for the 25-year-old

Anyone with information of Lewis’ whereabouts or has seen him should call 101 and quote incident 254 of July 16.

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.

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Real reason why Prince William never wears a wedding ring

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Cambridgeshire Live

Princess Kate has been seen wearing her wedding band for years, but her husband, Prince William, is never seen with a ring on his finger – but there’s a reason for it

Among the most celebrated and instantly recognisable pieces of jewellery in history is the Princess of Wales’s engagement ring. Originally presented to the late Princess Diana upon her engagement to then-Prince Charles, the 12-carat sapphire and diamond ring enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in popularity when Prince William proposed to Kate in October 2010, sparking a widespread trend for sapphire jewellery.

Following their wedding, Kate added a gold wedding band to her ring collection, in keeping with royal matrimonial tradition. The band is crafted from Welsh gold — one of the rarest varieties of gold in the world.

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She has since added three more rings to her collection. William is thought to have gifted Kate her first eternity band, featuring diamonds set on a white-gold band, following the birth of Prince George in 2013.

She later showed off her sapphire-and-diamond band, believed to be Cartier’s Étincelle de Cartier wedding band, in a 2024 video in which she announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment. She also wears a delicate pavé diamond band.

Despite the Princess of Wales’s enviable collection of rings, many royal watchers have observed over the years that her husband has never been spotted wearing a wedding band — not even on their wedding day itself.

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This stood in notable contrast to Harry and Meghan’s Windsor wedding, during which she placed a ring on his finger as part of the ceremony. St James’s Palace confirmed ahead of Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton on 29 April 2011 that he would not receive a ring during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Why doesn’t Prince William wear a wedding ring?

While some may consider it unusual that the royal prince forgoes a wedding ring, there’s a straightforward explanation – Prince William simply dislikes wearing jewellery of any kind.

A palace source disclosed at the time of the wedding, to The Mirror, that William’s decision was purely a matter of personal taste. “He’s not one for jewellery,” they explained.

“He’s never worn any. He decided he didn’t want to wear one now. It’s all down to personal preference.”

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William isn’t alone amongst male family members in declining to wear a wedding band, as his grandfather, Prince Philip, also chose not to wear one – a practice which is a relatively recent tradition.

According to the BBC, “World War II is considered to have heralded a seismic shift, as many Western men fighting overseas chose to wear wedding rings as a comforting reminder of their wives and families back home.”

By contrast, William’s father King Charles does wear one – a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand. While the King sports a classic gold band, Harry is believed to have preferred a more contemporary aesthetic for his special piece of jewellery, selecting a sleek platinum design for his band.

In a long-standing royal tradition, every bride who has married into the royal family has had a bespoke wedding band crafted for their special day, with gold sourced from the Clogau St David’s mine in North Wales having been used for several royal wedding rings, among them those belonging to the late Queen, Diana, Princess of Wales, Princess Kate, and Meghan Markle.

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What really happens to your data when you click ‘delete’?

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What really happens to your data when you click ‘delete’?

Deletion is a common part of modern life. We send files and folders to the recycle bin all the time, and often get rid of unwanted personal accounts. But do you know what really happens when you hit the “delete” button?

The process of deletion is often poorly explained by tech providers. Lack of transparency around how requests are processed, and the absence of clear confirmation that data has been removed, are frequently highlighted in research.

These issues are not limited to operating systems. On social media platforms and a wide range of subscription services, deletion mechanisms are often just as unclear. Such misconceptions can have serious implications for the wellbeing of users, exposing them to security and privacy vulnerabilities.

A further complication is that many users fear losing data, files, photos and videos through accidental deletion – a condition dubbed “diagraphephobia”. Though this is not a recognised pathology, studies of digital hoarding behaviour show that some people get very anxious at the thought of losing or accidentally deleting personal information such as photos and music.

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Such concerns extend the amount of personal data that sits untended but undeleted, ready for potential misappropriation.

Deletion vs erasure

A common misconception is thinking deletion means erasure – the idea that once a deleted item is no longer visible, it has been completely erased with no means of retrieving it. This is largely wrong.

When users delete files – moving them to the trash bin, then deleting permanently – the data isn’t actually erased. Rather, the system marks storage space as reusable and updates metadata to unlink the file. But the underlying content often remains recoverable with the right tools, especially when data is duplicated across multiple systems or devices.

More robust forms of deletion include physical destruction of the storage medium, overwriting the memory blocks with new data to bury the original, or encrypting the data and then destroying the key.

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However, such methods can be expensive and may render the storage device unusable (for example, when overwriting data on magnetic media). The characteristics of cloud infrastructure also pose challenges to secure data deletion.

Similarly, content on public social networks may not really be erased after deletion due to replies, comments and internet archives which can all store the posts in some fashion. The meaning of a deleted tweet can, for example, be recreated based on replies and mentions.

Zombie accounts

Another misconception is that deleting an app from a device automatically deletes the associated account. Users often leave mobile app accounts undeleted because they are unaware of their existence, having deleted the related app.

These are called zombie accounts – abandoned profiles for a wide array of services, from shopping and storage to dating, finance and streaming. Millions of users possess zombie accounts, with personal data that is vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches.

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The exponential growth of AI raises a further question: can data really be deleted once it has been used to train AI models? Machine learning modules easily memorise the data they have been trained on, but “unlearning” is difficult.

In theory, people in Europe and many other countries around the world have a leagal “right to be forgotten”. This means they can request the full erasure of any personal data a platform or a company may hold. AI developers are considered data controllers under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws, for example, and are subject to this obligation.

However, there are no clear guidelines on how erasure should be enforced within AI systems. Regulators may request deletion, but AI companies can argue that compliance is infeasible on account of technical constraints.

Explainable deletion

To counter the risks posed by incomplete deletion, I believe there is a pressing need for provision of concise, accessible and clear information about how deletion really works.

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One potential approach is “explainable deletion” – a protocol developed by Marvin Ramokapane at the UK’s National Research Centre on Privacy, Harm Reduction and Adversarial Influence Online (Rephrain), based at the University of Bristol.

The intention is to make deletion processes more transparent and understandable without overwhelming the user with too much information in one go.

Explainable deletion breaks down information into six categories: what, how, when, who, where and why (see diagram). Each offers a user bite-size information about that part of the process.

Explainable deletion’s six categories:

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Marvin Ramokapane and Dana Lungu, CC BY-SA

Explainable deletion is designed to give users control over their actions, the autonomy to choose the deletion type that is right for them, and the assurance that their desired actions have been fulfilled. It may also tackle the anxiety of accidentally losing data by giving options for data recovery.

While explainable deletion has not yet been adopted in practice, service providers – both platforms and developers – could heighten user trust by adopting such protocols. This framework can also be proof of compliance with GDPR regulations and the right to be forgotten.

Most of us use systems that collect and store our data on a daily basis. If these systems clearly explained what they store and what deletion really means, it could help us to spot the accounts and data that pose a real risk – and to take back control of our digital footprints.

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Missing child at Queens Park, Bolton, causes police turnout

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Missing child at Queens Park, Bolton, causes police turnout

Officers were alerted just before 5pm that a child could be located at Queens Park.

Fortunately the youngster was found within half-an-hour after it is thought being spotted by a woman who lived nearby who made sure the child was okay and took them to police.

One van and three police cars were parked at the Mayor St/Park Rd entrance of Queens Park.

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The investigation was underway yesterday, on Tuesday, July 29.

The Bolton News understands the child was found by members of the community who noticed she was alone.

They stayed with her until she was passed into the care of police.

After The Bolton News contacted police for a comment to find out more on the incident, they confirmed the incident and said the girl was returned to her family.

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BBC axes three major TV shows as part of cost-cutting plans

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BBC axes three major TV shows as part of cost-cutting plans

Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo are among the programmes to be cut as part of efforts to deliver £500 million in savings over the next three years.

The decision comes amid ongoing financial pressures and forms part of the first phase of wider cost-cutting proposals.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of all three of these much-loved shows and would like to thank everyone involved, both in front of and behind the camera, for bringing them to screen and making them such a success over many years.

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“Unfortunately, we have to make some really tough choices in light of our funding challenges, and these savings have been identified from the entertainment genre.”

Regular Mastermind, hosted by Clive Myrie, will continue, and both Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo still have one final series left to air.

The BBC said it will remain committed to commissioning ambitious entertainment programming and supporting comedy talent, including through new digital plans focused on stand-up and emerging performers.

The cuts are part of BBC Content’s target to deliver at least £100 million in recurring annual savings, which will lead to a reduction of 100 to 150 hours of original television programming across all genres by the end of 2027-28.

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Further announcements regarding savings in the Content division are expected in the coming months.

Naga Munchetty to leave BBC Breakfast

BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has announced she is leaving the morning programme after 17 years.

The TV star first joined the show back in 2009, but in December, she will leave to take up a new role as co-presenter of 5 Live Breakfast in 2027.

Ms Munchetty said: “I’m thrilled to be joining 5 Live Breakfast in January.

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“Live news, great conversations, and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5 Live does all of that brilliantly.

“Presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live is an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up.

“It will take a huge amount of work and require 100% of my focus and energy, and I’m really looking forward to throwing myself into the role.”

Her appointment follows the announcement that current 5 Live Breakfast hosts, Rick Edwards and Rachel Burden, will step down in December.

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Guilty plea after six-hour Radcliffe massage parlour stand-off

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Guilty plea after six-hour Radcliffe massage parlour stand-off

Ben Mason, 26, was arrested after police officers, including a firearms officer, a counter-terrorism officer, a dogs unit and tactical aid officers, were called to Stand Lane in Radcliffe on March 30.

Officers were on the scene around the Sunflower Massage Parlour for around six hours before Mason was arrested.

Speaking at the time, Chief Inspector Andy Wright of Greater Manchester Police’s Bury district said: “We understand how alarming these incidents may be to local communities and the wider public, but I would like to reassure you that this was an isolated incident and our armed officers were on scene to manage any potential risk.

Officers were on the scene (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

“I would like to thank you all for your patience whilst our officers have been responding to this incident, and I urge anyone who may have concerns or questions to please speak with officers on scene and local patrols.

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“They will always be happy to support.”

Emergency services were first called to the scene at around 2.15pm on the afternoon of March 30 this year, following reports of a disturbance.

Stand Lane was closed in both directions between Radcliffe New Road and Thornley Street as police dealt with the incident, with drivers advised to “find alternative routes”.

Ben Mason was arrested at the scene (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

Just before 9pm, eyewitnesses reported seeing police officers gathered around the front of the parlour with a man taken out and put in a police van shortly afterwards.

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Greater Manchester Police confirmed at the time that the incident was not counter-terrorism related despite the presence of counter terrorism officers.

This week, Mason, of Astbury Street, Radcliffe, appeared before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court, where a guilty plea was entered.

The road was closed in both directions (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

He confessed to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence in breach of the Public Order Act.

According to court documents, this was directed towards a woman on Stand Lane on the date of the police stand-off.

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Mason was granted conditional bail ahead of a pre-sentence report being prepared and is expected to appear again before the same court for sentencing on October 1 this year.

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Scarborough – missing Derby teenager may be in town

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Scarborough - missing Derby teenager may be in town

Ligert, 16, from Derby, is understood to have travelled to Scarborough by train, North Yorkshire Police said.

The teenager was reported missing last Friday (July 24) after being last seen in Derby city centre at 1.10pm that day.

Missing Ligert (Image: Derbyshire Constabulary)

Derbyshire Constabulary has shared a new image of Ligert wearing a black Lacoste t-shirt and black and blue shorts which is what the force said he was wearing when he went missing. He was also carrying a blackback when last seen, police said.

A Derbyshire Constabulary spokesperson said the force is “growing concerned for the welfare of missing Derby teenager Ligert”.

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They said it is believed Ligert boarded a train shortly after 2pm on July 24 and “may have gotten off at Doncaster or York”.

Ligert is described as being 5ft 10ins tall, with a slim build and dark short hair.

Anyone who has seen Ligert or may have information about is whereabouts is urged to phone 101 or 999 with an immediate sighting.

Information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or using its website.

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