Fionnuala Boyle

A man is believed to have fallen overboard from Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition cruise ship in the North Sea, about 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath, on August 21, 2026. The vessel later berthed in Dundee while HM Coastguard coordinated a large search involving aircraft, helicopters, RNLI lifeboats, nearby vessels and Coastguard Rescue Teams. Passengers and crew were initially kept aboard but were later allowed to disembark. The man remains missing, his next of kin has been informed, and Police Scotland is investigating.

Erin Lavery, a cancer survivor from Cambuslang, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 21 and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy that significantly affected her fertility. Because treatment had to begin before egg preservation could be arranged, specialists now say she needs two egg-retrieval cycles, costing about £8,000, but the NHS will not fund the procedure under her circumstances. Lavery is campaigning for wider access to publicly funded fertility preservation for cancer survivors. Scotland’s Public Health Minister Maree Todd expressed sympathy and said a forthcoming review of IVF services would examine patients’ experiences.

The body of an 11-year-old girl was recovered from the Gore Water near Shanks Bridge in the Gore Glen area near Gorebridge, Midlothian, on 6 August 2026. Police Scotland said officers had responded to concerns for her welfare and that she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death is being treated as unexplained while enquiries continue, and her family has been informed.

Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, has been identified and charged with intentional homicide, robbery and weapons offences after Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, from Edinburgh, was found dead inside a suitcase in an abandoned Athens building. Investigators reportedly linked Ahmadzai to the case through CCTV, location-sharing data and alleged admissions concerning the disposal of Ross's body, use of her phone and withdrawals from her bank cards. A replica pistol and military-style knife were also found at his residence. Ross's official cause of death remains pending toxicology results, while Ahmadzai is due to appear before magistrates in Athens.

Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish woman from Edinburgh, was found dead inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens on July 18. Greek police are seeking a homeless man known as Markos for questioning after reports identified him as a possible lead, but no formal suspect has been named. Investigators are tracing Ross's movements, examining messages sent from her missing phone after her death, and trying to identify people she reportedly planned to stay with in Athens. Interpol confirmed her identity through DNA, while Police Scotland and UK consular officials are supporting the Greek investigation and her family.

The remains of 38-year-old Scottish woman Elisabeth Jane Ross were found inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens on July 18. DNA analysis confirmed her identity after she was initially unidentified, and Greek authorities are investigating her death with assistance from Interpol, US investigators and Police Scotland. A post-mortem examination is planned, investigators are tracing her movements after she arrived in Greece via Cyprus, and no suspect has been identified.