Rachel Vickers-Price

Philadelphia police identified 22-year-old Zymire Hughes as the alleged man wearing a Chucky mask while chasing and terrorizing women across the city and issued a warrant for his arrest. Authorities say he could face felony and misdemeanor charges including assault, harassment, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats and intimidation. Police believe surveillance footage may link him to incidents involving as many as 15 or 16 people, and they suspect he may have left Philadelphia after evading transport police. Witnesses described encounters in which the masked man allegedly threatened women, attempted to enter a coffee shop and injured one jogger.

Two Mexican fishermen, Daniel Guerrero Martínez and José Luis Portelas Villegas, were rescued alive by naval personnel after spending five days adrift in the Pacific Ocean inside a giant cooler box. They had disappeared after sailing from Paredón, Chiapas, and losing radio contact about 75 miles from shore. Located roughly 130 nautical miles off the Chiapas coast, they were severely dehydrated but otherwise in stable condition, received medical treatment, and were reunited with their families. Authorities are investigating how their boat became separated from its route, with wind and severe weather among the possible causes.

Erin Patterson is appealing her convictions for murdering her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, after serving them a beef Wellington containing deathcap mushrooms in 2023. Her lawyers argue that inadmissible or prejudicial evidence, oppressive cross-examination and a hotel accommodation problem involving jurors, prosecutors, a police witness and journalists caused an unfair trial and require the convictions to be quashed. Patterson maintains the deaths were accidental. The Department of Public Prosecutions has filed a separate appeal, arguing that her life sentence with a 33-year non-parole period was too lenient and seeking a longer minimum term or life without parole. A three-judge panel of the Victorian Court of Appeal is hearing the two-day appeal.

Former Las Vegas police officer Garry Dale testified that Tupac Shakur declined to identify his shooter while being transported to hospital after the 1996 Las Vegas drive-by shooting, saying, “No, no, we’ll take care of it,” or words to that effect. In the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, prosecutors allege Davis organised the attack as revenge after Shakur’s entourage assaulted Davis’s nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson. The court heard medical evidence about Shakur’s fatal injuries and saw autopsy photographs. Davis’s defence argues that prosecutors’ account is fiction and that the passage of 30 years undermines the reliability of the evidence. Davis has pleaded not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted.

A construction crew renovating an old brewery in Dendermonde, Belgium, discovered approximately 40 gold bars and 4,000 gold sovereign coins valued at about €9 million (£7.6 million). Student and part-time construction worker Kobe Phillips made the initial discovery. The landowner alerted police, who secured the treasure in a guarded location. Some bars bear stamps from the 1960s, while the coins depict different monarchs and dates. Authorities are investigating the treasure’s origin, possible links to criminal activity, and competing claims from people who say they are descendants of the original owners.

Hayden Panettiere, known for Heroes and Nashville, has died at age 36, according to her representative and a statement from her father, Skip Panettiere. The circumstances of her death remain unknown. Tributes have been shared by SAG-AFTRA, Selma Blair, Melissa Barrera and fans. The article also reviews Panettiere’s history of mental-health and addiction struggles, her former relationship with Brian Hickerson, and the custody arrangement for her daughter Kaya with Wladimir Klitschko. Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, addressed Hollywood experiences, trauma, family loss and motherhood; her final film was Sleepwalker.

Meghan Markle described being a mother as her “superpower” and said her daughter Lilibet inspires her to feel brave when she doubts herself. She made the comments while answering children’s questions for InStyle ahead of the release of Cookie Queens, a documentary produced by Archewell Productions with Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films. The film follows four Girl Scouts competing to become top cookie sellers and examines childhood, ambition and leadership within an $800 million business. It premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where Meghan praised director Alysa Nahmias and the film’s modern take on an American tradition.

The Perseid meteor shower will peak overnight from August 12 to 13, 2026, just hours after a major solar eclipse visible across the UK. The eclipse will cover up to 95% of the Sun in Cornwall and 94% in Pembrokeshire, while the Perseids may produce 50 to 100 meteors per hour under favorable conditions. The best meteor viewing is expected between midnight and 5:30am, with dark, cloud-free locations and the new Moon providing ideal conditions. Special eclipse glasses or a safe pinhole viewer are required for observing the Sun.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in East St. Louis, Illinois, after 76-year-old John Wesley Allen Sr. was found dead with multiple stab wounds. Neighbours said they saw a person in a clown costume carrying a large knife and approaching homes while whispering threatening messages into doorbell cameras shortly before police were called. Illinois State Police are investigating the suspected murder and seeking additional surveillance footage and information.

Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, has appeared in an Athens court charged with homicide with intent over the death of Scottish charity worker Elisabeth-Jane Ross, whose body was found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Kypseli on July 18. Greek officials say he admitted moving the body but denies killing Ross; he also allegedly stole more than €10,000 from her bank accounts. CCTV reportedly shows a man transporting the suitcase, while authorities await tissue-analysis results to establish whether Ross died by suffocation.

Baiden Foley, 18, pleaded guilty in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court to six charges arising from two violent attacks on his partner in April, including repeated beatings with a metal broom and stabbing her in the face with its broken, sharpened end. He also threatened his mother with a knife. Magistrate Donna Webb called the offending extraordinarily serious and deeply disturbing, but suspended a six-month jail term in full, placing Foley on a 12-month community-based order and imposing a fine after he promised to comply with the order.

Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran will resume and that agreements covering the Strait of Hormuz and the country’s nuclear capabilities could be reached imminently. He claims Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran asked him to cancel a planned large-scale attack, and says Israel supports the proposed arrangement. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly warned Trump that attacks on Iranian energy or other infrastructure could trigger retaliation against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The White House confirmed their conversation but provided no details.

A shallow earthquake initially reported at magnitude 5.9 struck near Suez shortly after 3 a.m., strongly shaking Cairo and producing tremors felt in Gaza, Israel and the Dead Sea area. The German Research Centre for Geosciences and the USGS later revised the magnitude to 5.3, with the depth estimated at roughly six miles. No injuries or structural damage had been reported at the time, while the Egyptian Red Crescent activated emergency procedures and urged residents to avoid damaged buildings and follow official updates. The event was considered unusual for Egypt, whose 1992 Cairo-area earthquake killed more than 500 people.

Dominick Anthony Occhicone, 80, was executed by lethal injection in Florida for the 1986 murders of Raymond and Martha Artzner, becoming the oldest person executed in the state’s modern history. His execution followed the Florida Supreme Court’s unanimous rejection of his final appeals and occurred six hours after James Aren Duckett was executed for the rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee. The two executions marked Florida’s first double-execution day since 1964, amid Governor Ron DeSantis’s acceleration of executions and a broader national increase in the use of the death penalty.

A two-year-old boy in Wildwood, New Jersey, was hospitalized after testing positive for cocaine and struggling to breathe. Paramedics administered two doses of naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, and the child responded. Police arrested 39-year-old Alexander T. Moles after searching his Airbnb and finding suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, tapentadol-labelled packets and a pill. He faces charges including child endangerment, cocaine possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of prescription drugs, and was released on bail three days after his arrest.

A house fire in Hebersham, western Sydney, destroyed a family home after an e‑bike exploded while charging. All nine family members escaped unharmed as the blaze rapidly engulfed the property. Fire and Rescue NSW confirmed the fire’s intensity, while neighbours reported multiple explosions. Local community groups and a GoFundMe campaign have begun collecting donations to help the displaced family.

A 13‑year‑old boy from the Scottish Highlands was diagnosed with a non‑cancerous brain tumour after developing persistent pins and needles and leg pain. He became one of the first patients in Scotland to undergo surgery using a new B Braun robotic‑assisted 3D exoscope at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Despite initial paralysis after surgery, he made rapid progress and returned to school weeks later. His family praised medical staff, while clinicians highlighted the technology’s improved visualisation and potential for safer outcomes.

A Mexican reality TV personality is unable to reach his 13-year-old daughter, who is in intensive care in Phoenix after doctors found bleeding in her brain. Although the girl was transported to the United States for treatment, he remains barred from entry while awaiting a spousal visa. A humanitarian parole request was reportedly denied, prompting him and his lawyer to pursue an emergency alternative. Family members are at the child's bedside, and a fundraiser has been launched to help cover medical expenses.

Donald Trump withdrew defamation claims against two commercial BBC entities while continuing his lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation over edited footage in a 2024 Panorama documentary about the Capitol riots. The BBC apologised for creating a mistaken impression but rejected compensation demands, arguing the programme was not shown in the US. The US government may join the case, potentially limiting access to presidential records. Disputes continue over financial disclosures related to Trump’s business trust, and a trial is scheduled for February 2027 in Florida.

A US F-33 fighter jet declared an in‑flight emergency and landed at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE after reportedly being hit while participating in US strikes on southern Iran. The incident occurred amid a sixth consecutive night of American attacks targeting Iranian airports and infrastructure, with Iranian state media reporting impacts in Bandar Abbas. US Central Command confirmed continued strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities, while President Trump increased pressure on Iran to meet conditions linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

A man who attempted to sexually assault two women in Melbourne fled after their dogs chased him down, with footage showing eight dogs pursuing him along Gardiners Creek. Victoria Police stated the man first grabbed one woman before targeting her friend, prompting the dogs to intervene and pursue him into a tunnel beneath the Monash Freeway. Police are searching for a suspect dressed in a black tracksuit and carrying a bright blue backpack and have appealed for public information through Crime Stoppers.

Australian police released previously unseen photographs and footage from the investigation into the 2001 disappearance and murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, hoping to generate new leads as the 25th anniversary approaches. The images include scenes from the crime site, evidence markers, and photos of survivor Joanne Lees after her escape. Bradley John Murdoch, convicted of the murder, died in 2025 without revealing the location of Falconio’s body, leaving the case officially unresolved. Northern Territory Police renewed their appeal for information and highlighted a standing AUD$500,000 reward. A new Channel 4 documentary reexamines the case using modern forensic techniques.

Wildfires in Spain’s Almeria region killed at least 13 people, including residents of the village of Bédar where former A Place in the Sun participant Malcolm Timbrell fears his wife, Annette Kilgore, is among the victims. Timbrell described being separated from his wife and neighbours as the fire advanced, with authorities now using DNA to identify those who died. Among the confirmed victims are Pete and Fran Gillam, whose daughter reported their deaths after days of uncertainty. Extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds accelerated the spread of the blaze, leaving several people missing as officials continue identification efforts.

A 17‑year‑old Thai girl, Thanchanok “Cake” Donhomla, was found dead in a suitcase in Pattaya after traveling to the city for the first time. Australian man Simon Peter Carman was arrested as he attempted to flee Thailand and is being held on suspicion of murder, concealment of a body, and taking a minor for sexual purposes. Her family, who described her as responsible and caring, had traveled from Kalasin to look for her after she went missing. Police cite evidence of a struggle and dismiss Carman’s claim that she disappeared while he slept, while he maintains he acted in self‑defense. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Extended heatwave conditions are forecast to continue across the UK with temperatures exceeding 30C and provisional highs reaching 33C in Devon. Emergency services warn of extreme wildfire risk, increased emergency calls, and water-related dangers following multiple recent deaths. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts across several regions. Water companies have introduced hosepipe bans as strain on supplies intensifies after successive heatwaves and a record warm spring.

Justin Baldoni and his wife Emily publicly addressed their two-year legal dispute with Blake Lively, describing the experience as traumatic and explaining their silence during the proceedings. The case concluded with a federal judge ordering Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to pay over $8 million in Lively’s legal fees, while most of her claims were dismissed except allegations related to breach of contract and retaliation. The couple said the ordeal strengthened their family and faith and indicated they may speak further in the future while focusing for now on healing.

Sixteen children were removed from a squalid Ohio home where authorities found severe neglect and possible intrafamily abuse, with four adult family members now facing multiple felony counts. Newly released records revealed that Elizabeth Siders previously gave birth to conjoined twins who died the same day. Officials described the living conditions as worse than those of livestock, with several children unable to speak or write. One child remains in critical condition as investigators examine the family’s long-term movements and potential prior contact with social services.

Two Russian Bear F patrol aircraft repeatedly approached the UK carrier strike group in the Norwegian Sea, prompting British F-35 jets to intercept and escort them away. The Ministry of Defence described the Russian maneuvers as unsafe and unprofessional, noting the deployment of sonobuoys near HMS Prince of Wales. The incident occurred as the UK assumed command of NATO’s rapid‑deployment special forces and while Vladimir Putin traveled through the Arctic region on his yacht. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the UK was aware of the yacht’s location, calling its movement another indicator of pressure on Putin.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised after comments made during an irreverent podcast segment implied he would romantically pursue Kylie Minogue, prompting criticism from political opponents who labelled the remarks inappropriate and disrespectful. Liberal MPs condemned the comments as unbecoming of his office, while Albanese issued a six‑word apology in response to the backlash. Labor figures, including Tanya Plibersek and acting prime minister Richard Marles, defended his record on gender equality, emphasising the government's progress on representation and the gender pay gap as Albanese travelled to Fiji for diplomatic meetings.

An Australian woman living in London sparked backlash after calling Brits 'soft' for their reaction to a severe heatwave that disrupted transport and closed schools. Her TikTok video comparing UK responses to Australian conditions drew mass criticism from both Britons and Australians, who highlighted differences in climate, infrastructure and acclimatisation. The heatwave, linked to a Sahara-driven heat dome, has caused over a thousand deaths across Europe. Despite the controversy, she maintained that the UK needs to adapt its infrastructure and expectations as high summer temperatures become more common.

Coughlans Bakery, a nearly century-old family-run chain co-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, has gone into liquidation and closed all 31 locations across southern England. Rising operational costs, including fuel, wages and national insurance changes, created weekly additional expenses of about £20,000, making the business unsustainable despite recent growth. Owner Sean Coughlan called the closure devastating and thanked staff and customers for their support, while Ranganathan expressed his disappointment publicly.

A late-night house fire on Hope Island in the Gold Coast left one man dead and two others in critical condition with severe burns, while another woman was hospitalised with non‑life‑threatening injuries. Emergency crews brought the blaze under control within an hour, though the home was extensively damaged and partially collapsed. Authorities suspect the fire was deliberately lit, with the deceased man believed to be responsible. A crime scene has been established as Queensland Police seek information and footage from the public.

A six‑lorry collision on the Hume Highway near Breadalbane, New South Wales, caused a major explosion after vehicles carrying butane cans, resin, memory foam and alcohol ignited. Six people sustained minor injuries, and all drivers were eventually accounted for. Emergency services deployed dozens of firefighters and multiple fire trucks to contain the blaze, while police established a crime scene and continued investigations. The highway remains closed between Gunning and Cullerin Road, with significant traffic diversions routed through Canberra.

Police found Jessica Folds strangled in a wooded area near her Alabama home, with her boyfriend Daniel Robbins dead beside her. Investigators believe Robbins killed Folds during a domestic violence incident and suffered a fatal heart attack while dragging her body to dispose of it. Drag marks from an abandoned truck led officers to the bodies. The case remains under investigation, and no motive has been released.

A 17-year-old girl, Tunchanok Donhomla, was found dead in a suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya after disappearing on June 25. Her parents, who travelled from Kalasin to search for her, expressed devastation and described her as kind and resourceful. British-Australian man Simon Peter Carman, 45, has been charged with murder and related offences. Police reported signs of a struggle, defensive wounds on Carman, and CCTV footage showing him leaving with a suitcase. Carman denied killing her, offering varying explanations, but authorities believe the evidence contradicts his account. He faces the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.