The strangely-coloured substance appeared in the water at the weekend

The Environment Agency has investigated a coloured substance in a Cambridge river. A fluorescent yellow substance was spotted in the River Cam in Cambridge on Sunday (July 26).

The Environment Agency was made aware of the substance and has investigated. An EA spokesperson said: “An environment officer went to the river to investigate. We also talked to Cam Conservators, which manages the river.

“As is often the case, substances on the surface go as quickly as they appear, and there was nothing for us to see.” The EA added that the hot weather can change the colour of rivers and also produce algae.

The spokesperson added: “This looked like algae, but it is normally green, blue or brown. It looks like the river is now okay.

“Anyone with new concerns about the Cam or any river is urged to call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline: 0800 807060.”

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The Thursday letters page is frustrated at August’s release schedule for new games, as one reader calls for Assassin’s Creed to renew its present day storytelling.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Surprise score
I’m as confused as anyone about the Splatoon Raiders user reviews and becoming the seventh best game of all-time. I haven’t played it but I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s not actually better than The Last Of Us and every Zelda game ever made.

But then I’ve never put any stock in user reviews. Things like Metacritic are questionable enough given some of the no-name websites they include in the total, which seems to make everything a green score. But the user scores are all just fanboy wars, with people either marking games down for some imagined slight or boosting it just because they like the company (but not necessarily the game). Look at the scores and somehow half of them are always either 10 or zero.

It’s like this with user scores on other sites too. Less than 4 out of 5 seems incredibly rare on the PlayStation Store and the only one that actually seems to have sensible scores, that aren’t based on review bombs or trivial complaints, is Steam. And I think that’s because it has much more people voting in it.

So on this occasion I will say that I am not convinced Splatoon Raiders is the best Nintendo game ever and I’ll stick with the regular reviews for my advice.
Wotan

Co-operative arguments
Very happy to see Capcom already talking about Pragmata 2 but I am never going to get used to the time it takes to make a game now. Oh, they’re fast-tracking a sequel? Yep, so fast that it probably won’t be out until next decade and the PlayStation 6. Seems crazy that as recently as the Xbox 360 era we were getting sequels every year and waiting three years was seen as a pretty extreme gap.

I can’t really talk about what I’d like to see for the sequel without getting into spoilers, but the game did set itself up well for a follow-up, even if it’s hard to say what the specifics will be.

It’s pretty obvious that the only real problem to solve is variety, but I’m sure they’ll be on that. More enemy types, more weapons, and more complex hacking puzzles and I think you’re golden. I’d also be interesting in seeing if a co-op mode would work, although you’d probably end up getting very angry with your teammate.
Korbie

Slow month
I know August is not traditionally a busy time for buying games – who wants to be playing games when you can go outside in the burning sunshine, right? – but given what’s happening with the release dates this year, did no company think that maybe they should move one of their September games to August instead?

Although there’s some that might be all right, I can’t say I’m all that excited by any of the games in your list of the best for August. It’s barely any better than July and that’s really disappointing.

There’s going to be so many flops in September and October, because they’re too grouped together, but I’m not sure how much sympathy I’m going to have considering how they’re just blindly walking into the meat grinder.
Cubby

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Play less
Very interesting that Shigeru Miyamoto’s advice for making a game is to base it on a hobby you’re interested in. I feel that if you asked a Western developer for similar advice you’d get much more technical advice and probably a shopping list of games to use as inspiration.

I doubt Miyamoto has ever looked at any Western game for fun or work. In fact, the only one not by Nintendo I’ve ever heard him talk about positively was Pac-Man, which apparently he’s a big fan of. I’m not sure there’s any evidence he’s liked anything else since.

This to me is all a very clear explanation for the quality and imagination of his games, and Nintendo in general. He’s not chasing trend or trying to emulate something someone else has already made, he’s just coming up with ideas and making things he thinks will be cool.

I’m not saying he always gets it right – I never really liked Pikmin – but I suspect if more developers played less games they’d probably make something more interesting.
Londi

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£5 off
Was in town the other day and decided to take a look in CeX, because we all like a physical game, especially in the current climate/incoming situation annnnnnnd… Mario Kart World, 60 quid, used you know, second-hand, refurbished… £60.

Now a quick look on Google and I found it in Currys for £65, brand new, sealed, with that (I presume), new game smell! Is it any wonder second-hand games shops are dying out, that’s lack of competition, I guess.
big boy bent

Radio silence
I was wondering, what with all of this furore about Sony calling an end to disc based games, what’s your level of access to Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo? Do you put in interview requests? How often do you communicate with the high-ranking decision makers of these corporations? I found an interview that you did with Jim Ryan from 2015 and in that interview you didn’t hold back at all with regards to asking difficult questions.

Instinctively I’m guessing that any high-level employee of a company would be significantly guarded even if a journalist did succeed in cutting through layers and layers of public relations minions to talk to them. It’s all about the share price isn’t it? One wrong answer and the value of stock can plummet.

It would be nice to read an interview with someone at Sony at this, apparently, emotionally charged time, but I suppose there’s no advantage to any representative from that company putting their head above the parapet.
Michael Veal

GC: Microsoft and Sony haven’t given proper interviews to gaming press since before Covid. It’s not just us; they hardly speak to anyone anymore. Sony’s plan at the moment is clearly complete silence. But who knows, if the dissent about physical media goes on maybe they’ll be forced to make a statement.

Trucking on
Will you be reviewing Truxton Extreme? I’d love to hear your opinion, I hope it’s good. I’ve been hoovering up horizontal and vertical shooters recently and such a respected game getting a new entry is exciting.

Thanks again for being the best source for reviews out there, you guys and gals are the best.
Beastiebat

GC: Thanks very much. We’ll try to, although we haven’t got a copy in yet.

Start from the beginning
I’m a huge Assassin’s Creed fan and have been since the very first game. I’m also one of the few people who actually enjoyed the modern day sections.

Personally, I feel the overall story disappeared when Desmond died. The modern day storyline was what tied everything together and gave the historical stories a bigger purpose.

What made Assassin’s Creed special was that the whole point of using the Animus was to go back through your ancestors’ memories to discover clues about Pieces of Eden and other First Civilization secrets. The modern day Assassins were reliving those memories to find where these artefacts had been hidden in the present day, before the Templars could get to them.

I’d love to see Assassin’s Creed return to its roots. Bring back the mystery surrounding the Pieces of Eden, the conflict between Assassins and Templars and a strong modern day narrative that actually matters. Most importantly, I’d like to see a young protagonist who learns the ways of the Assassins throughout the game. Watching characters grow and develop was a huge part of what made Altaïr and Ezio so memorable.

These days, many of the protagonists seem to begin their journeys already as elite warriors, master assassins or highly skilled fighters. This removes the sense of progression and discovery that made the earlier games so rewarding.

I still enjoy the games, but I miss the feeling that everything was building towards something bigger.
Adam_Lion_23 (PSN ID/gamertag)

Inbox also-rans
What EA Sports FC needs is a simple yearly update rather than releasing a brand new game every year. What do you think?
Henry

GC: We think EA would prefer you give them £70 every year. Or even better, £140.

So read this yesterday, it’s everything that’s wrong in the games industry, just disgusting: EA boss got £29 million bonus for Battlefield 6 while the devs were laid off.
TWO MACKS

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Is GTA 6 the only game you’re buying this autumn?

MORE: Games Inbox: Why isn’t there a Skyrim remake?

MORE: Games Inbox: Are people still excited for Tomb Raider games?

Waitress runs at the Grand Opera House in Belfast until Saturday, August 1

It’s not often I’ve wanted to jump to my feet for a standing ovation before the end of a performance, but when you witness a talent like Carrie Hope Fletcher that can’t be helped.

Taking on the role of Jenna Hunterson in Waitress, she perfectly portrayed the anguish of the downtrodden wife trapped in an unhappy, loveless marriage, who just wants a little joy.

Despite the heavy themes touched upon in the production as she navigates falling pregnant by cruel husband Earl, played by the excellent Mark Willshire, Fletcher brings a lightness and great comedic timing to what is a very funny and uplifting show.

We follow as expert pie-maker Jenna (Fletcher) finds herself falling for her affable gynaecologist Dr Pomatter, who comes to life thanks to the charming performance of Dan Partridge, and she finds a little happiness while coming to terms with having a child with a man she wants to leave.

They embark on an affair which helps Jenna find her spark again, alongside making the best pies around, that leads to a joyful ending for our leading lady.

Her performance of She Used To Be Mine was spell-bounding and received rapturous applause from the captivated audience, with many maybe feeling the urge to jump to their feet like me.

But as impressive as Fletcher was in her role as Jenna, the whole show is an utter joy because of the rest of the cast as well and the chemistry between them all. I loved every single character and how they were portrayed. Not an over exaggeration, they really were all excellent.

The trio – Jenna, Becky (Sandra Marvin), and Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins) – bounced off each other as the waitresses in Joe’s Pie Diner, bringing plenty of laughs and their own standout performances as each character gets their chance to shine.

Sandra Marvin brought great humour to her role of Becky, perfect timing and a powerful voice who commanded attention on stage. The show would not have been the same without her.

Evelyn Hoskins’ portrayal of Dawn was again very funny and endearing and her chemistry with love interest Ogie (the hilarious Mark Anderson) brought a great lightness and quirkiness to Waitress.

Aside from the performances, special mention must go to the impressive set that changed between a diner with booths, Jenna’s home, a doctor’s surgery and kitchen seemlessly.

I also loved that the band were on stage the whole time as well, blending well in the corner of the diner and being treated as customers at points as well.

I had no idea what to expect before seeing Waitress, I had heard of the show and its rave reviews but had never listened to the soundtrack but I just fell in love with the show.

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SEATTLE (AP) — The bullets that killed two bystanders during a shootout at a crowded Seattle food festival last weekend do not appear to have come from the gun that a 15-year-old arrested at the scene was firing, police said in court documents filed Wednesday.

The King County prosecutor’s office filed charges of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement as well as unlawful possession of a handgun by someone under 18. In a statement supporting the charges, police said the teen was seen firing an untraceable ghost gun into a crowd, but preliminary testing of bullets recovered from the two bystanders killed showed they did not match that weapon.

Shell casings found at the scene of Sunday’s shooting indicate four weapons were fired during the shootout, the document said.

Police say a 19-year-old suspect died in the gunbattle, and that as police escorted the 15-year-old past that suspect’s body, the 15-year-old said, “Love you bro.”

Police have been trying to identify at least one other person involved in the shooting. The statement did not indicate who might have fired the bullets that killed the bystanders.

The shooting in the waning hours of the three-day Bite of Seattle festival left three people dead, including a 19-year-old gunman, and at least four people injured, including a toddler. Authorities say they believe the violence was gang-related, and they are reviewing any available surveillance video and interviewing victims and witnesses in an effort to identify others who may have been involved.

An eighth person with a possible gunshot wound checked themself into a Seattle hospital after the shooting, but checked out before investigators could conduct an interview, Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday. Legal obstacles have prevented detectives from obtaining the patient’s identity, he added. It’s unclear if the injury was related to the festival shooting or whether the person might have been involved in it, but Barnes asked for the person to come forward and speak with investigators.

Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a judge to move the case to adult court, a decision that can take months after the judge considers arguments from both sides.

If the teen is convicted as an adult, the charges would carry a sentencing range of about eight to 10 years in prison, plus possibly another five years for the firearm enhancement. However, judges in Washington may also choose to sentence juveniles as juveniles even if they are convicted in adult court.

A short time ago, Suffolk County Council released a new update on the emergency response which said preparations are being made to evacuate 200 caravans if required.

It said: “Firefighters remain at the scene, with relief crews now in attendance to maintain firefighting operations. The incident ground has been reorganised into a number of sectors to support the ongoing response.

“As a precaution, crews have been focused on protecting properties including Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm and Cliff House Holiday Park. Preparations were also made for the potential evacuation of around 200 caravans at the holiday park should conditions require it.

“Specialist drone support is being used to help assess fire behaviour and support operational decision-making through the night. Members of the public are still advised to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.”

St Mark’s in Friday Bridge has invited comparisons to the iconic Italian tower because of its lean

Permission has been granted to remove the spire of a church with a lean which has invited comparisons to the leaning tower of Pisa. The application for St Mark’s in Friday Bridge was made to Fenland District Council following fears that the spire was structurally unsound.

The planning officer’s report said the grade II listed church is a “notable landmark” which is “distinguished by its prominent spire”. The conservation officer said they had “considerable concerns and sadness” for the loss of the spire but concluded it is “ultimately structurally unsound and the issues are live”.

They said the scale of repairs “is simply not affordable” but that “it is hoped that this removal is temporary, subject to funds becoming available”.

Historic Buildings and Places were also consulted and called the application a “very difficult case”. They said the church is among “several historic buildings in Fenland which have been or are threatened by unstable ground conditions.”

They said: “The analogy of the leaning spire with Pisa is sufficiently long-established for it to be assumed that the lean has been manifest for decades – settlement of this sort tends to take place in the first decade of a building’s existence after which it begins to stabilise.” They said they would opt to support the application if it meant repairing the rest of the church.

The planning officer’s report said they gave “substantial weight” to evidence “that the spire is structurally unsound and presents an ongoing risk to public safety”.

They said the plans would remove “this structural liability” and “help secure the continued use, maintenance and long-term preservation of the church as an important place of worship and community facility”.

The council approved the planning application on July 16.

‘I did what I hope anyone would do’

A Rochdale mental health worker has been hailed as a hero for his brave actions after he saved a person from a canal.

Marcus Urey has been granted ‘heroic recognition’ by Rochdale Borough Council for his ‘incredible bravery and compassion’, saving the person and later ‘making sure they received support’.

The Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust shared on Facebook that Mr Urey works at Stansfield Place, a rehabilitation centre for men with serious mental illnesses.

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The trust said he ‘acted quickly to save someone from the canal’ while not on shift’, showing ‘incredible bravery’ to assist the person.

He was handed the certificate by mayor Faisal Rana and mayoress Iram Faisal at a ceremony at the town hall.

The trust wrote: “Care and compassion don’t stop at the end of a shift.

“We’re incredibly proud of Marcus Urey, technical instructor at Stansfield Place, whose bravery has been recognised by The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale.“Marcus acted quickly to save someone from the canal, making sure they also received the support they needed.“He showed incredible bravery and compassion in a difficult situation, acting without hesitation to help someone in need.“It’s fantastic to see Marcus recognised for his actions. He is a real credit to Stansfield Place and Pennine Care.“Marcus said: “Thankfully I was in the right place at the right time and did what I hope anyone would do to help someone in need.“I’m grateful the person was able to get help, and I’m humbled by the kind words from my colleagues.”

She was wearing a cream top and pink shorts and was carrying a blue Lilo and Stitch bag

A seven-year-old girl has gone missing from a town in Rhondda Cynon Taf on Wednesday evening.

Ivy was last seen at around 9pm on Wednesday on Enid Street, Trealaw in Tonypandy. Her hair is brown and is styled in two braids.

She was wearing a cream top and pink shorts and was carrying a blue Lilo and Stitch bag.

A South Wales Police spokesperson said: “Help us find Ivy, 7, missing from Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

“Ivy was last seen at around 9pm this evening (Wednesday, July 29) on Enid Street, Trealaw.

“She has brown hair in two braids and was wearing a cream top and pink shorts. She was carrying a blue Lilo and Stitch bag.

“If you have seen Ivy, or have any information which will help us to find her, please contact us quoting ref: 2600245630. Or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.”

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It was a famous night for Team NI who won gold, silver and bronze in Glasgow

Kate O’Connor delivered a history-making performance on Wednesday evening, winning Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold to secure Northern Ireland’s first gold medal of the Games and its first athletics title in 40 years.

The 24-year-old sealed victory in emphatic fashion, dominating the closing stages of the competition. After winning both the long jump and javelin during the morning session, O’Connor produced one final statement by powering to victory in the concluding 800m in 2:10.45.

She had built such a commanding lead that she could have finished 18 seconds behind nearest challenger Jade O’Dowda and still claimed gold. Instead, O’Connor refused to settle, storming home to win the race and underline her superiority across the two-day competition.

The triumph also ends a remarkable wait for Northern Ireland in the combined events, with O’Connor becoming the nation’s first Commonwealth multi-event champion since Lady Mary Peters captured pentathlon gold in 1974.

Fellow Northern Ireland athlete Anna McCauley also impressed, finishing eighth overall after producing the second-fastest 800m of the field behind her victorious teammate.

O’Connor will receive her gold medal on Thursday evening at 6:30pm, capping a breakthrough achievement. Competing at her third Commonwealth Games, she had finished eighth in 2018 before claiming silver in Birmingham in 2022. This latest success marks her first senior outdoor international gold medal.

After taking world championship silver last year, O’Connor arrived in Glasgow as the favourite following the withdrawal of defending champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson. She lived up to that billing with a composed, dominant display that culminated in one of the most significant athletics victories in Northern Ireland’s recent history.

Elsewhere, Daniel Wiffen added to Northern Ireland’s medal haul by claiming silver in the men’s 1500m freestyle.

Having boldly declared himself a “medal guarantee” before the Games, the Olympic champion bounced back from disappointing fourth-place finishes in both the 400m and 800m freestyle to earn a place on the podium.

Australia’s Sam Short completed a distance freestyle clean sweep, winning in 14:42.11, with Wiffen finishing 2.69 seconds adrift but comfortably ahead of Australia’s Benjamin Goedemans in third.

There was further success in the pool as McCartney claimed a surprise bronze medal in the women’s 200m breaststroke. The 21-year-old, who had qualified with only the sixth-fastest semifinal time, produced an outstanding swim to finish third in 2:24.73.

She finished behind home favourite Angharad Evans and South Africa’s Kaylene Corbett, edging Australia’s Ella Ramsay by just 0.16 seconds to secure a memorable podium finish.

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