Abigail Hunt

Prison nurse Kiera Burton has been barred from practising after receiving a 20-month prison sentence for helping a gang smuggle cannabis, ketamine, spice, mobile phones and SIM cards into HMP Preston and HMP Lancaster Farms. The Nursing and Midwifery Council issued an interim striking-off order that will become permanent unless successfully appealed within 28 days. A sentencing judge said Burton was infatuated with a co-defendant and appeared to enjoy the smuggling operation. Police found hollowed-out shoes, drugs, phones, SIM cards and cash during searches, while the gang also used drones to deliver parcels into prison yards. Fourteen people were jailed in total.

Three-year-old Briella Holmes died four days after becoming trapped in a wooden toy kitchen oven at a babysitter's home in Boynton Beach, Florida. Police said the babysitter had left to visit a shop, leaving the children with the babysitter's spouse, who was upstairs while they played downstairs. Briella was found unresponsive and was treated by the spouse, police and emergency responders before dying in hospital. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office concluded that positional asphyxia was the probable cause of death and ruled the incident accidental. Police said the playset was bought second-hand through Facebook Marketplace, had no identifying brand or model markings, and that the investigation remains ongoing.

Norwich Airport closed to air traffic from 8am to 1pm on 21 August because Prospect union members working in air traffic control took industrial action over pay and employment conditions. Loganair services to Aberdeen and KLM services to Amsterdam were cancelled, while some afternoon TUI and Ryanair flights remained scheduled. The union is seeking a 10% pay increase and improved maternity and paternity leave, while the airport says discussions are continuing. The report also references a separate Ryanair delay in which passengers allegedly became ill in extreme heat after the aircraft’s air conditioning failed.

A vehicle allegedly driven by joyriders travelled against traffic on Dublin's M50 and N3 at about 3:30 a.m. before crashing and being abandoned in Ashtown. Gardaí are investigating after the driver failed to stop, although no other vehicle was struck. The incident occurred days after a fatal M9 collision in County Kildare in which five teenagers died when their BMW, travelling on the wrong side of the motorway, collided head-on with a Hyundai carrying four members of the Kinsella family, who sustained serious injuries.

A 19-year-old man, Raid Alamansuly, was arrested and charged after video allegedly showed him running through Birmingham’s Broad Street entertainment district while carrying a machete and chasing another man. West Midlands Police said officers responded shortly after midnight on 9 August, finding a man waving a metal object. Alamansuly pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article and class B drugs and was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 2 September. The footage also captured bystanders filming and laughing rather than intervening.

Guests, including children, were evacuated from the Hampton by Hilton on Birmingham’s Broad Street after a fire alarm was triggered at about 8:00 a.m. on August 20. West Midlands Fire Control sent three fire engines to the hotel, while guests waited outside to learn when they could return. The report also covers a separate Broad Street incident in which 19-year-old Raid Alamansuly was arrested and charged with possessing a bladed article and Class B drugs after allegedly chasing a man while carrying a machete; he pleaded guilty and remained in custody pending sentencing on September 2.

A murder inquiry has been opened after Paul Lafferty, 50, and Gary Beaton, 54, were found seriously injured and later pronounced dead inside a flat on Chancellor Street in Partick, Glasgow. Police Scotland, which initially described the deaths as unexplained, confirmed on August 19 that they were being treated as murder. Officers have maintained a substantial cordon and police presence while detectives gather evidence, and investigators are appealing for information from the public.

Gardaí were reportedly instructed not to pursue a stolen BMW travelling the wrong way on the M9 because officers are not trained for motorway pursuits and could face disciplinary or criminal consequences. The vehicle later collided head-on with another car in County Kildare, killing five teenagers and seriously injuring four people, including a child. The Garda Representative Association said officers faced an impossible choice, while calling for a review of training, pursuit procedures and court sentences for dangerous driving. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly also warned that some motorists are driving the wrong way on motorways for social-media attention.

Abdifatah Adani, a 22-year-old Somali man who allegedly entered the UK by small boat, has been charged with attempted murder after prosecutors said he stabbed a welfare officer five times at the Stanwell Hotel, an asylum-seeker accommodation site near Heathrow. The victim suffered wounds to his upper body and leg, including a chest injury, but was reported to be in stable condition. Adani was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Guildford Crown Court on 17 September 2026.

Five teenagers were killed and four people, including a child, were seriously injured in a head-on collision on the M9 in County Kildare after a stolen BMW was reportedly driven the wrong way on the motorway. Garda Representative Association vice-president John Joe O'Connell said officers had been instructed not to engage with the vehicle, describing pursuit decisions as complex because officers face disciplinary and criminal consequences. He said Gardaí lack specialist pursuit training and called for stronger court sentences, while Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned wrong-way driving linked to social-media videos. The crash followed another wrong-way collision on Dublin's M50 the previous weekend.

Nathan Behrens, 21, admitted eight child sexual offences committed between 2022 and 2025, involving a child as young as four, after an investigation by specialist Essex Police officers. Chelmsford Crown Court sentenced him to 16 years in prison followed by eight years on extended licence. Detective Constable Kai Ishaq said Behrens poses a significant risk to children and praised the victims and their families for helping secure the conviction.

A man has been arrested in Barrow on suspicion of attempted child abduction after a report that a child was approached on Rawlinson Street. Cumbria Police said he came forward following online reports and urged the public to avoid speculation while officers establish what happened. The story also reports that six people were arrested after two girls, aged 11 and 12, who had disappeared from Rugby, were found safe in Cornwall; police said all six suspects are known to the girls and that there is no wider threat to the community.

A major fire broke out at the temporarily closed Holiday Inn on Empire Way near Wembley Stadium, prompting 29 emergency calls and a response from six fire engines and about 40 firefighters. The London Fire Brigade said the blaze was under control, although crews remained at the scene to extinguish remaining pockets of fire; its cause was not yet known. The hotel had previously been used to house asylum seekers. The report also covers wildfire-related casualties across the West Midlands, where 54 people were treated, 19 were hospitalized, and six firefighters received hospital treatment for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.

A man in his 30s has died in custody at Wheatfield Prison in Dublin. Reports suggest he was stabbed, but authorities have not confirmed the cause of death. The Irish Prison Service, Inspector of Prisons, An Garda Síochána and the Coroner's Office are investigating, with a post-mortem examination expected to guide the inquiry. The man's next of kin have been informed.

Two brothers, aged 16 and 11, suffered cuts to their feet, legs and arms when a glass steam-room door shattered at the Green Nature Diamond Hotel in Marmaris during a 2022 package holiday. After the hotel delayed releasing CCTV footage and Jet2Holidays initially denied responsibility, Hudgell Solicitors pursued a claim that resulted in a combined £7,000 out-of-court settlement. The family said the incident caused lasting anxiety about package holidays and glass doors, while Jet2 apologized and said the settlement related to the 2022 incident.

Jeremy Tremaine Williams was executed in Alabama on August 13, 2026, for the 2021 rape and murder of five-year-old Kamarie Holland. Witnesses said he smiled and appeared to sing during the lethal injection, after thanking God for forgiving his sins. Williams had been convicted of multiple offenses, including sodomy, child sexual abuse, human trafficking, producing obscene material and abuse of a corpse, and had waived his appeals. Kamarie's mother, Kelly Siple, is serving 20 years for trafficking her daughter. Prosecutors and investigators described the case as exceptionally horrific and said the execution brought some measure of justice while highlighting the lasting trauma experienced by law enforcement.

Phillip Ormerod, aged 102, died after being critically injured in an alleged assault at the Crow's Nest pub in Cwmbran on August 1. Gwent Police arrested a 56-year-old man from Llanelli on suspicion of section 20 assault, and he remains under investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Shelley Comley urged the public to avoid inaccurate or speculative online comments and asked anyone who was at the pub between 10pm and 11pm to contact police.

Passengers on SpiceJet flight SG 105 from New Delhi to Pune reportedly endured extreme heat and poor ventilation after an alleged air-conditioning failure before departure. Witness Leshpal Javalge said passengers, including pregnant women, children and elderly people, struggled to breathe and pleaded to leave the aircraft, with some attempting to open the main door. Passengers were eventually allowed to disembark but were told to reboard shortly afterward; the aircraft then remained delayed for around two hours without refreshments. A technical team identified the problem and recommended changing aircraft, and the flight eventually departed at 5am, more than seven hours late. SpiceJet apologized and said an alternate aircraft was arranged after a last-minute technical issue.

Angler Sebastian Achim was injured when a blue shark he had caught aboard a small vessel off Ardmore, County Waterford, lunged at him and tore part of his calf. The Irish Coast Guard dispatched its Rescue 117 helicopter, while Ballycotton and Youghal RNLI lifeboats assisted; Achim was winched to safety and taken to Cork University Hospital. Rescue officials said the shark was likely brought aboard the vessel and emphasized that the incident does not indicate a risk to swimmers.

Simon Levy has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, raping another woman and committing 11 sexual assaults between 2018 and 2025. Laura, who reported being assaulted by Levy in 2018, said police initially dismissed her concerns and that she feels let down because he remained free to attack other women. The Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service have acknowledged shortcomings, while the Independent Office for Police Conduct has issued misconduct notices to two Met officers.

A man suffered a shark bite to his leg while aboard a small fishing vessel south of Ardmore, County Waterford. The Irish Coast Guard dispatched Rescue 117 along with Ballycotton and Youghal RNLI lifeboats, and the casualty was airlifted to Cork University Hospital for treatment. The other people aboard the vessel were unharmed, and the boat later returned safely to Dungarvan.

Six people known to two girls aged 11 and 12 were arrested on suspicion of abduction after the girls went missing from Rugby and were found safe in Cornwall. The suspects—four from Cornwall and two from Rugby—include four men and two women aged between 25 and 75. Warwickshire Police said there was no wider threat to the community and that the investigation, including house-to-house enquiries, would continue.

Aircraft technician Georgie Buxton, 23, died after suffering severe craniofacial injuries in an explosion inside the fuel tank of a Boeing 787-900 at Heathrow Airport on June 11. He had been investigating a fuel leak with another Virgin Atlantic technician, who was uninjured. Buxton spent 27 days in intensive care at St Mary's Hospital after undergoing multiple surgeries. The Metropolitan Police and Health and Safety Executive are investigating, while an inquest has been suspended pending possible criminal charges. His family has launched a fundraiser for London Air Ambulance and St Mary's Hospital ICU.

A 52-year-old Italian tourist was reportedly thrown to the ground by jet blast from a departing aircraft near Greece’s Skiathos Airport, where visitors gather to watch planes. She suffered severe head injuries, was initially treated at the Polyiatreio Medical Centre and then airlifted to Volos General Hospital. The report explains that Skiathos has a short runway, handles aircraft including Boeing 767-200s, and requires specially trained pilots, while warning that powerful engine airflow can seriously injure people standing too close to the runway.

The UK’s August 12, 2026 eclipse will be visible as a major partial eclipse because the path of totality will not cross Britain. The next UK-visible solar eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, beginning around 8:57am BST and reaching about 42% obscuration in London, although it will be total in parts of Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK is not expected until September 23, 2090; the last was on August 11, 1999, when totality crossed Cornwall.

Five 17-year-old boys from Grand Junction, Colorado—Braden Taylor, Tristan Tucker, Titus Gould, William Simms and Tyler Martinez—died after their car plunged down a steep cliff. Three occupants were wearing seatbelts, while two were ejected; authorities have not established who was driving or whether speed contributed. The Grand Junction Police Department is investigating, while relatives and community members have organized tributes and fundraising support for the bereaved families.

The UK is expected to experience its most substantial solar eclipse in 54 years on August 12, 2026, with more than 90% of the Sun obscured in many areas. Devon, Cornwall and western Pembrokeshire are forecast to have the highest coverage, reaching 94% to 96%, while cities including Plymouth, Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, London, Edinburgh and Newcastle will see varying levels of obscuration. The Royal Greenwich Observatory warns that ordinary sunglasses are unsafe and recommends certified eclipse glasses, solar telescopes or indirect projection methods. The next UK eclipse of comparable magnitude is expected in 2081, followed by a total UK eclipse in 2090.

Mohammad Hassan, a 23-year-old student officer with Greater Manchester Police, appeared at Stockport Magistrates' Court charged with oral rape, kidnap, strangulation, sexual assault, theft of a mobile phone and dangerous driving. The charges follow a 999 call reporting a distressed woman in a vehicle and a subsequent police pursuit on the M62 in West Yorkshire. Hassan, who has been suspended, entered no pleas and was remanded in custody for a hearing at Manchester Crown Court on 15 September. Police said the alleged victim is receiving specialist support.

A woman's body was found on the hard shoulder of the M55 near the Broughton interchange after Lancashire Police received welfare concerns and a driver's report of a suspected body. The motorway was closed for around five hours while officers investigated the circumstances of the death. The report also describes Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's continuing efforts to contain a fire that spread from a van into New Forest heathland, leaving the A31 closed because of damage to the road, barriers and fencing.

Amber heat health alerts cover most of England as the UK enters its fifth heatwave of summer 2026, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-30s and peak on Thursday. The North East is under a yellow alert. Prolonged dry weather has left half of England and all of Wales in drought, with 23 million people facing hosepipe bans, falling water levels and severe risks to agriculture. Wildfires have affected several regions, while more than 40 people are estimated to have died in open-water incidents during the hot summer and over 2,800 excess deaths followed earlier heatwaves. Some rain is forecast for the weekend, but the Met Office says it will be insufficient to significantly reduce the rainfall deficit.

A domestic violence survivor told the BBC that a man gained access to her London Travelodge room after reception staff gave him a key, assaulted her and later kicked the door off its hinges. She said staff failed to call police or check whether she needed medical assistance. The account emerged after Kyran Smith was sentenced to seven and a half years for a separate 2022 assault at a Travelodge in Maidenhead. Travelodge apologized, acknowledged that its room-access security policies had not been followed, and said it had strengthened key-issuing and incident-escalation procedures.

Keith Foster, 85, died after choking on meat while dining with his son at The Newbridge carvery in Wolverhampton. Staff and emergency responders attempted to clear his airway and resuscitate him, while an air ambulance crew removed a piece of meat with forceps. A post-mortem attributed his death to asphyxia caused by choking, with old age and ischemic heart disease as contributing factors. Black Country Coroner Joanne Lees recorded an accidental-death verdict, concluding that the death was an unintended consequence of an ordinary activity.

Three people were injured after a vehicle mounted the pavement on Stokes Croft in Bristol following an incident of disorder. One person was taken to hospital, while two others suffered minor injuries; the suspected driver was also treated for facial injuries. Police arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder and dangerous driving, and several nearby roads remained closed while officers investigated. A local business was damaged and a heightened police presence was maintained.

Jeremy Tremaine Williams is scheduled to be executed in Alabama on August 13, 2026, after being convicted of raping and murdering five-year-old Kamarie Holland in 2021. Prosecutors said he kidnapped the child from her Georgia home after agreeing to pay her mother, Kristy Siple, for access to her, and subjected her to torture before killing and concealing her body. Siple is serving a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to trafficking her daughter. Investigators Jane Edenfield and Braden Dobbins located Kamarie's body at an abandoned property in Phenix City, Alabama. Williams presented no defense at trial and declined to appeal his death sentence.

A married doctor known as Doctor A, whom Lucy Letby described as her best friend and love, has died after reportedly being unwell. He worked with Letby at the Countess of Chester Hospital, exchanged more than 1,300 Facebook messages with her, and testified during her 2023 murder trial. Prosecutors alleged Letby was infatuated with him and harmed babies partly to create situations in which he would respond. A subsequent inquiry said the doctor may have been misled or manipulated. Letby is serving a whole-life sentence for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others, while continuing to maintain her innocence.

Four men—Jack Diggle, Benjamin Dooley, Andrew Roberts and Craig Shackleton-Brady—died after a Seat Cupra Formentor left East Prescot Road and struck a lamppost in Huyton during the early hours of July 24. James Diggle, 27, was charged with four counts of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving. He did not enter a plea at Liverpool Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on September 7. Merseyside Police urged the public not to speculate online while proceedings are active and asked that the victims' families' privacy be respected.

Emergency services launched a multi-agency search near a lake off Sandhurst Lane, outside Gloucester, after a male voice was reportedly heard calling for help at around 11:45 p.m. Gloucestershire Police and fire crews initially searched the area before pausing because of concerns for officer safety; searches resumed the following morning with additional enquiries into missing people. Separately, 44-year-old Gerard Trojanowski died after being struck by several vehicles, including a marked police car, on the A40 in Carmarthen. Dyfed-Powys Police referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and appealed for witnesses.

The Met Office forecasts the UK's fifth heatwave of 2026, with temperatures potentially reaching 36C in East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday. Yellow heat-health alerts are in effect across several English regions, while Scotland and Northern Ireland may see heavy rain. The prolonged hot, dry conditions have contributed to drought, wildfire risks and falling reservoir levels, with England's storage dropping to 69% and July recorded as the driest in England and Wales since records began. Heatwaves earlier in the year were linked to more than 2,800 excess deaths.

Gerard Trojanowski, 44, from the Merthyr Tydfil area, died after being struck by several vehicles, including a marked Dyfed-Powys Police car, on the A40 in Carmarthen on July 28. His family paid tribute to him as a loving husband, father and generous person. The police force referred the incident to the Independent Office of Police Conduct and appealed for witnesses, while the road was closed for nearly 24 hours.

Flights at Bristol Airport resumed on Saturday morning after a runway defect forced the suspension of all operations from shortly after 6pm on Friday. The defect was repaired overnight, but cancellations, diversions including flights to Cardiff Airport, and further disruption were expected. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines, while the airport apologised and said the shutdown was necessary to protect passenger and staff safety.

Nine-year-old Minnie Merriman died after being found seriously injured at Arbroath’s Elliot Industrial Estate on 3 August 2026. Christopher Rice, 35, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court charged with murder, did not enter a plea, and was remanded in custody. Police Scotland said its investigation remains ongoing, while Minnie’s family requested privacy and local residents and a councillor expressed shock. Officers continue to appeal for information about the circumstances of her death.

Two boys aged 15 and 17 were arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment after a teenage girl reportedly was forced into a vehicle near a Tesco car park in Church Langley, Harlow. Police said the vehicle travelled to Epping, where the girl exited, and the boys were later released on bail while enquiries continue. Officers said there is no ongoing threat to the wider public and appealed for CCTV, dashcam footage and other information.

A 35-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of a nine-year-old girl found seriously injured at the Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath on August 3, 2026. She was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where she later died. Police are treating the death as suspicious, say the man and girl were known to each other, and are not seeking anyone else in connection with the case. The man is due to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court, while West Yorkshire Police are assisting Police Scotland.

Guatemala’s Fuego volcano has entered a more explosive phase, sending lava down its slopes and ash plumes above 6,000 metres. Authorities issued a nationwide orange danger alert, evacuated two nearby villages, suspended school classes and closed a key road linking southern Guatemala with Antigua. Communities on the volcano’s western and southern flanks face the greatest risk from hot debris flows, while the eruption follows previous deadly and large-scale evacuations, including the 2018 disaster that killed 215 people.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on August 12, 2026, with up to 95% of the Sun obscured and the greatest UK coverage since 1999. The eclipse will begin between approximately 6:08pm and 6:18pm BST depending on location, peak around 7:05pm to 7:16pm, and end around 8pm to 8:10pm. Totality will occur in parts of Europe, including Iceland and northern Spain, while Britain will experience dimming and a modest temperature drop. Viewers are advised to use certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses and watch from a high point with a clear western horizon.

A fire at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World near Telford, Shropshire, gutted the zoo office and killed three personal pets belonging to the owners: stick insects, a hedgehog and a snake. Two owners were treated for smoke inhalation and discharged, while the cause of the blaze remains unknown. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service was credited with preventing the fire from spreading to nearby wooden buildings and animal enclosures. The zoo planned to reopen on Tuesday while repairs continued and offered to reschedule affected bookings.

A 40-year-old woman was found dead at the White Star Line Hotel in Liverpool after paramedics received a report that she had fallen ill. Her death is being treated as unexplained while toxicology results are awaited. A 47-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 31-year-old man was arrested for allegedly assisting an offender; all three were released on conditional bail. The report also notes the separate suspicious death of a nine-year-old girl in Arbroath, Scotland, for which a 35-year-old man has been arrested.

A French boy who survived being thrown from the Tate Modern balcony in 2019 has been released from hospital nearly seven years after the attack. He briefly returned to school and is continuing intensive rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, speech therapy and neuropsychology. His family plans a holiday and other activities while raising funds for ongoing medical costs through a GoFundMe campaign that has exceeded £500,000. Jonty Bravery, who was 17 when he committed the attack, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years and has received additional sentences for assaulting staff at Broadmoor Hospital.

Pamela Gwinnett, 63, was sentenced to an additional two months in prison after admitting she breached bail by fleeing to Tenerife in April 2025 while awaiting trial for exploiting vulnerable woman Joan Green. Gwinnett had already been convicted in her absence and sentenced to six years for theft and fraud by abuse of position. She was arrested in Tenerife in July and extradited to the UK, where Judge Michael Maher condemned her attempted evasion of justice and dismissed her apology. The court heard that she isolated Green, obtained control of her finances and spent her savings on a lavish lifestyle; Gwinnett was also ordered to repay the stolen funds.

Christopher Phillips, 60, was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court to two years and four months in prison after admitting that he kept his mother Silvia Phillips’s body in a chest freezer for nearly three years. He failed to report her death to the Department for Work and Pensions and Bridgend County Borough Council, receiving £78,190.92 in benefits. The body was found in the freezer at their Porthcawl home, wrapped in a leopard-print throw and accompanied by roses and a birthday card. The cause of death remains undetermined.

A baby was reportedly left alone in a hot car at a car boot sale off Otley Old Road in Bramhope, Leeds, while the parents searched for bargains. Witnesses said the child was left without food, milk or water, and that it took about an hour to locate the parents. West Yorkshire Police confirmed they attended at 9:44am on 2 August, identified and spoke to the parents, and made no arrests while enquiries continue. Temperatures of around 22–23C meant the car interior may have exceeded 38C within 10 minutes and 50C in direct sunlight.

Gatwick Airport said a temporary technical problem affecting its external jet-fuel supply had been resolved, with fuel flowing normally and airlines operating as usual. Pilots had earlier been advised to refuel at other airports where possible. The report also revisits a recent loss of running water at Gatwick, which followed complications from a power outage at SES Water’s Bough Beech treatment works; the facility has since resumed operation while water services are restored.

Gatwick Airport experienced a loss of running water in both terminals after a power outage caused complications at SES Water’s Bough Beech treatment works. Passengers reportedly could not use flushing toilets, wash their hands, access water fountains, or buy drinks, while many airport restaurants closed. Gatwick provided bottled water and passenger assistance as SES Water restored the treatment works and worked to return supplies to normal across affected parts of Surrey, West Sussex, and Kent.

Five-day-old Arabella Mayer died after her exhausted mother, Lydia Pass, fell asleep while holding her following a difficult labor. Emergency responders restored Arabella's pulse, but doctors determined that the brain damage caused by prolonged oxygen deprivation was not survivable, and life support was withdrawn three days later. An inquest concluded that she experienced a delayed sudden death in the context of unsafe sleeping. Police, medical staff and the coroner found no evidence of intentional harm or neglect and reassured the grieving family that Lydia had done nothing wrong.

Lorenna Moraes, a 35-year-old mother and gym owner, died in hospital after a balcony collapsed during a birthday celebration in Uruçuca, Brazil. She fell about four metres, suffered serious injuries and went into cardiac arrest twice before dying later that evening in nearby Ilhéus. Officials are expected to investigate the cause of the collapse, while local reports suggested she may have struck her head on a kerb.

Thirteen-year-old Dafne Zapata Quintos Martínez died four days after arriving at the Marina Doenitz Military Academy in Ciudad Madero for a military-style summer camp. Her mother says academy staff reported a series of illnesses before announcing that Dafne had died, while her death certificate lists asphyxia caused by submersion. Family members and other campers allege that children were subjected to beatings, forced submersion, drugs and other harsh punishments; the academy director denies mistreatment and says Dafne had an undetected pre-existing condition. The Tamaulipas Prosecutor's Office has sealed the academy, collected statements from students and is investigating, while Dafne's family plans an independent second autopsy.

Jamie Chappell, 25, remains critically ill after allegedly being stabbed in the head with a screwdriver at a construction site in Purton, Wiltshire, on 23 July 2026. He underwent five hours of surgery at Southmead Hospital, during which part of his skull was removed. James Denys, 36, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and remanded in custody after police initially investigated attempted murder. A second 36-year-old person arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender was released on bail. Wiltshire Police continue to seek witnesses and information.

A British-Bangladeshi woman, Shelina Rahman, and her daughter Sameeha died after getting into difficulty in the water at West Mersea in Essex, with a seven-year-old relative critically injured. Emergency services responded with air and road ambulances, but the two victims could not be resuscitated. Police confirmed multiple casualties, noting all involved were known to one another, and appealed for witnesses. Local residents described the rapid tide and chaotic scene as tributes were placed at the site.

TikTok influencer Michael Selwood, known as Mikey, was found dead in Tameside after being reported missing. Greater Manchester Police confirmed his death but withheld further details. His family has been informed and tributes have flooded his social media accounts, highlighting his kindness and devotion to his children and pets. A balloon release is being planned in his memory.

Mohammed Bashir admitted assisting Jihad Al‑Shamie in planning a terror attack after driving him to conduct surveillance at the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham during a 10‑hour trip. Evidence recovered from Al‑Shamie’s confiscated phones showed the pair shared extremist views and discussed violent jihad. Al‑Shamie was later killed by police after fatally attacking worshippers at a Manchester synagogue. Bashir was arrested weeks later and now faces sentencing for preparing terrorist acts.

An inquest found that Christopher and Kayleigh Coll died from carbon monoxide poisoning after using an unsuitable gas heater inside their camper van while attending a New Forest cider festival. The heater was improperly fitted to a gas cylinder, causing a leak, and was not designed for enclosed spaces. Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp ruled the deaths as misadventure and raised concerns about the absence of clear safety warnings on such devices. Family members described the couple as kind and devoted, noting they slept in the van only as a one‑off while building their business.

Researchers at the University of Oxford analyzing NASA InSight seismic data identified signs that extensive magma systems once existed beneath Mars, indicating the planet may have supported conditions suitable for life. The findings show interconnected molten rock reservoirs formed a complex crust without plate tectonics, suggesting other planets lacking tectonic activity could still be habitable. Scientists noted this system may have influenced Mars’ atmosphere, potential oceans, and mineral resources, with implications for future exploration and settlement.

A man fell from a 12th‑floor building in Nagoya, fatally striking a woman walking below, while he remains in critical condition. Police have not determined whether the fall was deliberate. The incident occurred near Yabamachi Station in a densely populated district and follows several similar fatal falls in Japan and a recent triple fatality at a viewing platform in Germany. Investigations continue at both sites.

An easyJet flight from Tenerife to Liverpool was forced to return shortly after takeoff after around ten passengers reportedly began fighting onboard. Spanish air traffic controllers said the crew requested police intervention due to safety concerns, prompting an expedited return to Tenerife. easyJet confirmed disruptive passenger behaviour but did not specify a fight, while a social media user claimed only a family was escorted off without violence. Police met the aircraft on landing before the flight continued to Liverpool.

Passengers on a Ryanair flight from Barcelona to Manchester were kept on board for more than two hours in extreme heat exceeding 40C, leading to crying children and at least one passenger fainting. Travellers reported paying for water, receiving limited information and being warned they could not reboard if they chose to leave. After eventually disembarking and later reboarding, the flight departed shortly after midnight and landed in Manchester around 2am. Ryanair attributed the delay to thunderstorms and said passengers received notifications and refreshment vouchers.

B&M Retail Ltd was fined £2 million after Birmingham City Council inspections uncovered mouse infestations, droppings and contaminated food items at three stores in the city, prompting emergency closure notices. Additional costs and a victim surcharge were imposed after the company admitted the offences in court. Council representatives said the conditions posed serious public health risks and emphasised continued enforcement to ensure businesses meet required safety standards.

Two children aged nine and seven died after being thrown from a Tidewater Custom 280 boat that struck a channel marker in the Intercoastal Waterway off Berkeley Township, New Jersey. Their grandparents, Stephen and Laurie Schneider, found them unresponsive, and both were later pronounced dead at a local hospital. New Jersey State Police confirmed the details and said the crash remains under investigation. In a separate incident, two firefighters were killed in a large fire near Bordeaux Airport, causing temporary flight suspensions before operations began to resume.

A man from Islington pleaded guilty to 26 voyeurism offences after repeatedly filming women through their home windows at night. Police tracked him down after reports from residents and doorbell camera footage, later uncovering a hidden collection of hundreds of images and videos on his devices. Investigators believe additional victims may exist and issued an appeal for women in north London to report suspicious activity dating back to 2020. The defendant was granted conditional bail and will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

A three-year-old boy died after falling into a pond at a property on Brownmoor Lane in Crosby, with police and ambulance crews responding and confirming the death is not suspicious. Authorities are supporting the family while investigating the circumstances. A separate incident involved a marmoset found abandoned on a London bus, prompting the driver to return to the depot and alert the RSPCA.

Kevin Keegan has died at 75 following a short battle with cancer, prompting widespread tributes from former clubs, players and national teams. Alan Shearer shared a childhood photo and emotional message honouring Keegan, while Newcastle United, Manchester City, Liverpool and England issued statements celebrating his impact as both player and manager. Supporters and football figures praised his achievements, including two Ballon d'Or wins, and expressed condolences to his family.

Police are investigating a reported rape at Sandwell Valley Country Park after a woman was found injured and taken to hospital, with officers reviewing CCTV, forensic evidence and appealing for witnesses. A separate appeal was issued in Dorset after a woman reported being sexually assaulted inside a Wetherspoons pub, with police releasing a CCTV image of a man they hope to identify.

Council and police inspections of Beilul Lounge in Manchester uncovered severe hygiene issues, including a rat infestation, a filthy kitchen, blocked fire exits and missing employment records. Further checks revealed fire safety failures and the absence of a designated premises supervisor. Greater Manchester Police has requested the restaurant’s licence be revoked due to public safety and crime prevention concerns.

Rain and drizzle are expected across northern and western parts of the UK on Tuesday, while central, southern and eastern regions are forecast to reach 25C to 26C under mostly sunny conditions. Scotland’s far north and northwest will remain cooler with thicker cloud and intermittent rain. Northern Ireland may see occasional light showers, though many areas will stay dry. Forecasters note that wetter spells will be sporadic, with drier intervals throughout the day, particularly where sheltered from northerly winds.

A common marmoset was discovered abandoned inside a concealed cage wrapped in a laundry bag on a London bus, prompting the driver to return to the depot and alert the RSPCA. The animal, found stressed and dehydrated, has since been named Oyster and moved to a primate sanctuary where she is adapting well and will soon be paired with a companion. The RSPCA is investigating, reviewing CCTV and passenger logs, and appealing for witnesses as campaigners suggest the abandonment may be linked to new licensing rules for keeping primates in England.

An Australian mother of four delivered naturally conceived identical quadruplets at 28 weeks in a high‑risk pregnancy monitored by the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. The babies, all girls, are healthy and continue to receive intensive care as they grow toward full term. The parents, now with eight children, launched a fundraiser to help manage the increased family needs.

A mother, Courtney Gartshore, was convicted of culpable homicide for causing fatal burns to her three-month-old daughter, Dahlia-Rose, using heat from a hairdryer in Peterhead, Scotland. Her sister, Stacey Gartshore, shared emotional public messages expressing lasting grief and relief at the verdict. Court proceedings revealed the infant suffered burns over 18% of her body, and investigators found the child’s DNA on the hairdryer. Police stated the case was deeply distressing and commended the community and partner agencies for supporting the inquiry. Sentencing is scheduled for August 14 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Police in Bristol arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of raping a mid‑teen girl in the Portland Square area following CCTV inquiries and a public appeal. The victim has been offered support services as the investigation continues. A separate incident in Bournemouth involved the alleged sexual assault of a woman in the sea, leading to the arrest and conditional bail of a 35‑year‑old man. Officers are appealing for witnesses in both cases.

A Jet2 flight from Glasgow to Lanzarote diverted to Faro after a passenger required urgent medical attention, with the individual disembarking before the aircraft continued its journey. The report also recounts a separate Ryanair incident in which a man was partially pulled through a damaged window after an engine part reportedly detached mid‑flight, with his wife preventing him from being dragged out of the aircraft.

An inquest concluded that Gemma Freeman died by suicide after a relationship described by relatives as abusive and psychologically harmful. Letters she left attributed her decision to her estranged husband, Alan Cooper, who family members said regularly mistreated her and had previously told her to kill herself. Police investigated potential manslaughter but determined the evidence did not meet the criminal threshold, a decision currently under review. The coroner ruled suicide and urged the family to seek peace, noting Freeman believed the breakdown of the relationship led to her death.

A school bus crash in Chekwatit Village, Uganda, killed 20 children and a teacher and injured about 60 others after the driver reportedly lost control and hit a large rock on a dangerous road. The bus from King David Junior School overturned, ejecting several passengers and trapping others inside. Authorities confirmed the death of the school’s founder, Tadeo Ssekade, and investigations are underway. Local officials praised the community for its rapid rescue response, as the incident adds to a series of recent fatal road accidents in the region.

A father, Josh Rooney, violently assaulted his son in public following an alcohol‑fuelled argument over the time of day, leaving the victim unconscious and severely injured. Witnesses believed the son had been killed as Rooney continued the attack, which included stamping on his head. The son later described lasting physical and emotional effects and financial loss. Rooney, with numerous prior convictions, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and received a two‑year suspended sentence, unpaid work, alcohol monitoring, and a five‑year restraining order. Defence cited mental health issues and substance misuse, while the judge warned that any breach would result in custody.

A major fire broke out at a recycling centre on Kings Weston Lane in Avonmouth, prompting Avon Fire and Rescue to declare a major incident and deploy crews around 3:30am. Thick smoke is affecting the area, and residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed. All site personnel have been safely evacuated and no injuries have been reported. Emergency services remain on scene, and road closures and disruption continue as crews work to bring the fire under control.

A teenage boy appealing a 17-year sentence for the murder of his former girlfriend, 13-year-old Aurora Tila, admitted during a video-linked hearing from a youth detention centre that he pushed her from a seventh-floor balcony in Piacenza, Italy. His confession contradicts earlier claims that she died by suicide. Investigators previously cited evidence of controlling behaviour, stalking and witness accounts of him striking her hands as she clung to a railing. Aurora’s family and prosecutors maintain the sentence should stand, while the court postponed the appeal to September pending a behavioural report.

A British pub landlady, 65‑year‑old Elaine McGowan, was fatally shot in a suspected targeted attack while visiting Trinidad and Tobago. A gunman approached in a silver Nissan Tiida, opened fire in front of her husband, and fled. Authorities continue to search for the suspect as her family appeals for information. Her death has deeply affected the Saltwood community, where she was widely regarded as warm and supportive. Family members said she had travelled to Trinidad for work related to her late father’s farm and stressed the importance of family as they mourn her loss.

Police are investigating social media posts by University of Aberdeen employee Heather Herbert, who wrote that she hoped Ann Widdecombe died in agony after news of the former politician’s suspected murder. Herbert has refused to delete the posts despite receiving death threats. Police Scotland confirmed they are assessing the incident, while the university distanced itself and began its own review. Herbert defended her comments by referencing Widdecombe’s past statements on free speech and a disputed incident involving prisoner treatment. Authorities have detained a 28-year-old man in connection with Widdecombe’s death, and anti‑terror officers have taken over the inquiry following new information.

Argentine football fans in Escobar burned a Union Jack while celebrating their team’s World Cup semi-final qualification, prompting widespread online mockery for confusing it with England’s St George’s Cross. The incident followed Argentina’s win over Switzerland and England’s victory over Norway, setting up a semi-final match between the two nations in Atlanta.

Ben Wazabanga received a life sentence with a minimum term of 24 years for murdering business partner Ayowale Aladejana in New Cross after a dispute over a failed car rental venture. He travelled from Bedford with partner Ronique Belfon and two children before confronting and stabbing Aladejana, an attack partly captured on a doorbell camera. Belfon was acquitted after stating she was unaware of any plan for violence. Court testimony detailed Wazabanga’s history of routinely carrying knives, previous convictions and efforts by the pair to recover lost investment. Statements from the victim’s family described the emotional impact of the killing, while the judge condemned the case as another example of knife crime affecting UK communities.

Former Liverpool footballer Jordon Ibe pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-partner Amie Mayson during a confrontation in Lambeth, where he pulled a braid from her head, leaving a bald spot. The court heard that the dispute began after Mayson demanded repayment of money, leading to a physical altercation. Mayson’s victim statement detailed the emotional toll of the injury. Judge Polly Gledhill requested a pre-sentence report and said all sentencing options remain open. Ibe was granted bail with conditions not to contact Mayson ahead of his sentencing on September 4.

A fire in Brussels’ OXY Tower spread into a lift shaft, leading to multiple deaths and leaving six people unaccounted for as rescue teams struggle to reach a second lift. Two people suffered burn injuries and a firefighter was treated for heatstroke. Construction workers were evacuated and provided psychological support by the Red Cross. Authorities continue investigating the cause of the fire while emergency crews work to access the inaccessible lift and locate the missing individuals.

A man in his 40s pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court to 32 sexual offences against his girlfriend committed over more than ten years, including rapes, assaults by penetration and sexual assaults, some involving an unidentified accomplice and some recorded on his devices. Prosecutors contend the victim was drugged during all incidents, a point the defence disputes, though the defendant has chosen not to contest the charges. The judge indicated a substantial prison term is inevitable and will consider imposing a life sentence at the scheduled sentencing in September.

Authorities in Ohio continue to investigate severe child endangerment allegations after 16 children were found living in poor conditions at the home of Elizabeth Siders and her husband, Gary Siders Jr. Records confirm the couple previously had conjoined twin daughters who died shortly after premature birth. Siders’ attorney disputes claims that the surviving children were non-verbal or restrained, stating they could communicate and had social media accounts. Elizabeth, her husband, and her mother-in-law remain in custody while prosecutors cite evidence of neglect, and the case draws national attention.

An England supporter was chased and attacked by a group of Argentina fans outside a bar in Cala D'or, Mallorca, two days before the nations meet in the World Cup semi-final. Footage showed the man being surrounded and punched before a wider brawl broke out involving multiple supporters. The incident followed England’s win over Norway and Argentina’s victory against Switzerland to secure their semi-final places, leaving viewers shocked by the escalating fan violence.

A girl was rescued and taken to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital after falling from rocks in Gardenstown, Aberdeenshire, with HM Coastguard and ambulance teams responding. Her condition has not been disclosed. Separately, a four-year-old girl died after being struck by a car in Gotham, Nottinghamshire, leading to the arrest and release on bail of a 59-year-old man. Nottinghamshire Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

A four-year-old girl died after being struck by a car on Nottingham Road in Gotham, prompting police to arrest a 59-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Nottinghamshire Police appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage while urging the public not to speculate and to respect the family’s privacy. The article also briefly reports a separate police arrest of a 28-year-old man suspected in the murder of Ann Widdecombe, with neighbours describing the suspect’s apprehension and overnight forensic activity.

A relative of the four Ohio family members charged with endangering 16 children found living in extreme neglect reports receiving death threats despite having no knowledge of the conditions. Authorities discovered the children confined in a filthy room for years, many unable to speak and suffering severe developmental issues. The suspects, all from the Siders family, face multiple felony charges. Officials describe the scene as unusually horrific, with some children requiring trauma care and one placed in intensive care. Investigators stress the case is an intra-family matter, rejecting speculation about trafficking, and pledge that justice will be pursued.