Eleanor Storey

Bonnie Tyler's funeral is being held in Swansea on August 17, following a procession that brought her coffin back to her hometown and drew crowds of singing fans. The private church service is being livestreamed and shown on a large screen for the public, followed by a procession through Skewen and a private family committal. Tyler, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, died in Portugal at 75 after illness linked to emergency intestinal surgery. Fellow performers including Susan Boyle, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cliff Richard, Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams have paid tribute to her.

An inquest at Cornwall Coroner's Court found that nine-year-old Hudson Paterson was asphyxiated by his mother, Tasmin Paterson, at their home near Bodmin in September 2024. The coroner ruled Hudson's death an unlawful killing and Tasmin's death a suicide. Evidence described relationship difficulties, health problems, and financial and housing pressures, while family members portrayed Tasmin as a devoted mother and said there had been no warning she might harm her son. Police quickly concluded that Tasmin's partner, Marcus Hughes, was not responsible for either death.

Police investigating the death of former MP and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe report no indication of political or terrorism-related motives. A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and authorities say no additional suspects are sought. Senior officers urge the public to avoid speculation as the investigation continues. Widdecombe’s colleagues and associates, including her longtime driver and Nigel Farage, visited her home to pay tribute. Reform UK has implemented round-the-clock security for its MPs, and new details suggest Widdecombe stopped responding to messages shortly after the suspected time of the attack.

A 19-year-old man, Kian Bateman, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 17 years for murdering Shelley Davies by deliberately driving into her and seriously injuring her partner outside a Cardiff social club. Bateman had been inhaling nitrous oxide before the incident and drove at the group during a dispute involving his brother. The judge ruled that although he did not intend to harm Davies specifically, she was killed as a result of his intent to seriously injure her partner. Bateman, who showed remorse and had no prior convictions, was also banned from driving for over 21 years. Police and prosecutors emphasised the deliberate nature of his actions, while the victim’s family described the profound impact of her death.

An 18-year-old college student on a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition drowned in the River Wye near Glasbury, Powys. Emergency services launched a multi-agency search after he entered the water and went missing, later locating his body. The DofE organization expressed condolences and is cooperating with the student’s college and authorities to understand the circumstances. Police and rescue teams remain on-site as inquiries continue.