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A new COVID-19 tracker has suddenly appeared on your smartphone

The app is switched off by default, but when turned on it can use Bluetooth to measure the distance between two separate handsets.

The Manc The Manc - 22nd June 2020
Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels

A COVID-19 tool has suddenly materialised on Androids and iPhones – self-installing onto smartphones as part of the most recent software updates.

The app is switched off by default, but when turned on it can use Bluetooth to measure the distance between two separate handsets.

The tool does not trace individuals itself, but will help developers build apps that warn users about their proximity to infected individuals.

Anna Shvets / Pexels

iPhone users can find the COVID-19 Exposure Logging tool by going into ‘Privacy’ under the settings menu. On Android phones, software details appear under the Google (services and preferences) section in settings.

The new COVID-19 tool is part of a collaboration between Apple and Google.

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Britain is now moving towards a model supported by these tech giants, after its NHS-developed app experienced issues during a rollout on the Isle of Wight.

Whilst the government’s u-turn was criticised by many, privacy experts have expressed relief at the decision – considering the move to a decentralised model as being much safer.

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Former supply teacher charged with child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant School exam hall / classroom

A former supply teacher has been charged with a number of child sex offences, including upskirting in schools across Greater Manchester.

Abusali Rahman, a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford, is remanded in custody after being charged with offences including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Thirteen girls have been identified – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).

All affected schools and the parents of the 13 identified girls have been informed, GMP has confirmed, and all necessary safeguarding personnel have been made aware of the ongoing investigation – with specialist support on offer to them throughout this case.

GMP police car
A former supply teacher has been charged with child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP

Rahman has not worked in schools since he was arrested in June 2025, after a concern was raised by a parent about an image of their child in school uniform being circulated by a social media account.

The discovery of further images prompted an upskirting investigation by GMP’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT), and a ‘significant’ amount of specialist and sensitive work has since gone into trying to identify girls.

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Rahman was charged and appeared at Wigan Magistrates’ Court last month (April 2026), before being remanded into custody and set to appear again at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday 28 May.

By law, alleged victims of sexual offences have a lifelong right to anonymity, and GMP therefore asks that people respect their privacy and protect the integrity of the case by not speculating or commenting on it, either in person or online.

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“I understand the concern and upset that will come with this news,” commented Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, head of GMP’s Public Protection Division.

“It is so important that everyone refrains from speculation as this is an active case where the girls affected have a right to lifelong anonymity and the defendant has a right to a fair trial. The last thing that needed now is speculation around this case – if you know something, please report it directly to us.”

Featured Image – MChe Lee (via Unsplash)

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Manchester City ‘strongly condemn’ racist abuse towards first-team players at Everton

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City statement on racist abuse Everton game

Manchester City Football Club have released a statement following yet more troubling racist abuse in the Premier League this May bank holiday.

Pep Guardiola’s side faced Everton in a fixture that ended in a 3-3 draw, which could prove pivotal in their pursuit of leaders Arsenal.

Sadly, however, one of the main stories to be taken from the game once again revolves around abuse and discrimination.

Match officials were quickly made aware of racial remarks directed at winger Antoine Semenyo on the day, and, unfortunately, defender Marc Guehi has also been the subject of hateful messaging online in the aftermath of the result.

Sharing a short, but simple and emphatic statement, the club wrote: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse directed towards Antoine Semenyo at yesterday’s match.

“We welcome the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible.

“We are also incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guéhi was subject to a series of vile racist social media posts last night.”

They go on to add that they will “continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game.”

Everton themselves have since confirmed that local authorities swiftly identified at least one individual alleged to be responsible for the unacceptable behaviour.

As mentioned in their own post, the culprit is said to have been a 71-year-old man who was quickly flagged by fans and stewards inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

While this may be the first incident reported at the Toffees’ new home ground, regrettably, it’s just the latest in a long line of similar cases raised not just in English football but the top flight, specifically.

Although the Prem has recently reflected on its No Room For Racism campaign five years on from its most recent ‘action plan’, it’s clear that there is still a lot of work to be done.

It goes without saying that we’re sorry to hear that stuff like this is still happening, and we send our strength to all those who continue to be affected by this despicable treatment.

As ever, ‘the beautiful game’ is for everyone and racism has no place in society, let alone football – kick it out once and for all. In other news surrounding Man City, there’s also been some controversy surrounding their upcoming FA Youth Cup final.

Manchester City turn down Old Trafford offer for FA Youth Cup final in favour of Joie Stadium

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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