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Podcast: Head of Kent Afghan charity fears for family stuck in Taliban-controlled country

Boris Johnson is preparing to announce a bespoke resettlement scheme for the most vulnerable Afghans, as the Taliban tighten their control over the country. 
We speak to Mohammad Tawasooli from charity Kent Afghan Community – he fears for the safety of his family who are currently still in the country. 
Also in today’s podcast, new research has been carried out to identify violent crime hot spots in Kent.
Helicopter paramedic Jo Griggs has been telling our friends at KMTV what they found.
And, an electric car expert from Strood is confident about hitting PM’s target for banning new vehicle sales by 2030.

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Podcast: Kent MP says UK departure partly responsible for Afghanistan’s Taliban takeover

Afghanistan has been taken over by the Taliban, as the terrorist group takes control of all major cities in the region. 
We hear from Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat, who served as an intelligence officer in the country before turning to politics. 
Also in today’s podcast, there are calls for safety to be improved on a 13 mile stretch of road in Kent that’s claimed the lives of 5 people in the past 10 years.
And, Gillingham leave Home Park with a 1-0 defeat against Plymouth Argyle – their first loss of the League 1 season. 

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Podcast: Criminal investigation launched following asylum seeker Channel death

The French authorities have launched a criminal investigation following the death of an asylum seeker in the English Channel…
A man in his late 20s from Africa died in hospital after the boat he was on capsized yesterday.
We hear from Bridget Chapman, from the Kent Refugee Action Network, who is calling for safe and legal routes into the UK.
Also in the podcast, a Kent MP who served in Afghanistan says it’s ‘heartbreaking’ to see the areas he worked in fall to the Taliban.
And, we visit a children’s summer camp in Medway to find out how it’s benefitting them after the pandemic.

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Podcast: Tributes paid to Rainham woman killed in bus crash outside Victoria station in London

Tributes have been paid to a woman from Rainham who died when two buses collided outside Victoria railway station in London.
Investigations are still taking place to try and work out what caused the collision that killed Melissa Barr on Tuesday.
Also in today’s podcast, GCSE results are out.
Like A-levels, they’ve been decided by teacher assessments rather than exams which were cancelled because of the pandemic.
The percentage of students getting the top grades has gone up – hear from students and teachers at schools in Maidstone.
A homeless charity is concerned there could be a surge in the number of people in Kent who end up homeless when the furlough scheme ends.
The payments to help firms cover workers’ wages will be phased out completely by next month.
If the cloud stays away we should be able to see a meteor shower in Kent tonight – a University of Kent expert has details on exactly what to look out for.
And, the Gillingham boss says he’s hoping to add to his squad after pulling in a favour from a premier league side.

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Podcast: Inside the work to save train line from climate change

KentOnline gets an exclusive look at the work being done to protect a Kent train line from climate change.
We hear from bosses at Network Rail to find out why the work is so vital. 
Also in today’s podcast, it has been reported that dogs have been running loose in one area of Thanet and have mauled pet cats and rabbits.
And, we look ahead to bright futures for student who received their A-level results yesterday – and why university isn’t the only option. 

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Podcast: The Kent town set to become a 20mph zone

There are plans to to cut speed limits in a Kent town to combat crashes and boy racers – here from a local councillor who says the move is vital to keep people safe.
 
Also in the podcast, the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of young man in Medway are revealed.
 
And, Kent students across the county receive their A-level results following exams being cancelled for a second year. 

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Podcast: Football season kick-off marred with racist and homophobic abuse

The opening weekend of the new football season has been soured by instances of racist and homophobic abuse…
 
Also in today’s podcast, we hear about the hopes a new medical school in Kent will help tackle the shortage of doctors in the county.
 
And, An exclusive over-25’s party organised in a Kent village has been given the go ahead – despite complaints from residents about last year’s event.

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Podcast: Double-amputee Tony Hudgell from Kings Hill needs more surgery after being abused by his birth parents

A little boy who had to have both of his legs amputated after being abused by his birth parents is going to require even further surgery.Specialists have found Tony Hudgell’s jaw isn’t growing properly after being damaged when he was a baby.We’ve been speaking to his adoptive mum Paula.Also in today’s podcast, a Syrian refugee now living in England says he’s not surprised an increasing number of people are risking their lives and crossing the Channel to Kent in small boats.Energy prices are set to go up for millions of households. We have details on the all important figures along with an explanation from Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark.Kent’s Kate French has won gold in the modern pentathlon at the Tokyo Olympics.We also have the heart-breaking message to supporters from race walker Tom Bosworth.Plus, the football season gets under way for Gillingham this weekend – hear from midfielder Olly Lee.

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Podcast: Inquiry launched into violence against women and girls in Kent

Five-months after the death of Sarah Everard, an inquiry is being launched in Kent looking into violence against women and girls.
Figures show a 9% rise in reports of domestic abuse in the county over the past year.
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott thinks many more cases are going unreported.
Also in today’s podcast, a record number of asylum seekers have crossed the Channel to Kent on small boats in a single day.
Hear from Bridget Chapman from the Kent Refugee Action Network.
A man’s been arrested in Folkestone as part of an investigation into racist messages about England footballers posted online.
A Thanet man who helped to set up Skateboard GB has been speaking about a surge in the sports popularity thanks to its debut at the Olympics.
Nic Powley has been chatting to Oliver Kemp after Sky Brown won a bronze medal for Team GB at the age of just 13.
And, we have an update on how Dina Asher-Smith got on as she returned from injury to feature in the 4x100m relay heats.

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Podcast: Tributes are paid to Rory Baldwin who died after a night out in Rochester

Tributes have been paid to a young man who died after a night out in Rochester.Rory Baldwin went missing in the early hours of Saturday in The Vines area of the town – his body was found in nearby St Margaret’s Street the following day.Teachers from Rainham Mark Grammar School have paid their respects while friends have laid flowers.Also in today’s podcast, just over two weeks after all Covid restrictions in England were lifted, we’ve been finding out how many of you are still wearing face masks in shops.We’ve been speaking to shoppers in Maidstone, you can also hear from a virologist from the University of Kent.More than £115k has been raised for a mum from Gravesend who has been told her breast cancer has spread and is now terminal.Nicola Biddiscombe has been told a drug available in America is potentially life-extending.At the Olympics, the 19-year-old who won silver in the 800m has spoken about beating the record set by Kent’s Dame Kelly Holmes 26 years ago.Race walker Tom Bosworth from Tonbridge speaks ahead of his 20km race at the Games tomorrow.And, hear from the Gillingham boss following their final warm-up game before the new season gets under way this weekend.