It looks to me as if the GBP sign is the main culprit. All but one of the truncated posts I have found in my blogs break off at a price.

The other one broke off partway through the word "fa[c]ade" - the cedilla clearly being the culprit

Whether local restoration from backups is possible I don't know

I certainly hope so! Otherwise I might consider Wordpress as used by several friends.

These characters have been around for years, now they have become rogues!

I agree. Several of my threads and blogs act as diaries and records of my modelling experiences. One thread also helps to promote my own exhibition. I was very upset to see the latest entry in the latter category suffering from this problem.

I have been assured, after venting elsewhere on here, that the boffins are on the case. I sincerely hope that they can fix the problem.