Ryan Prosser

Five teenagers—Kamil Pustkowski, Joey Carthy, Alex McCarthy, Jack Kennedy and Jeremy O’Brien—died after a stolen BMW was driven the wrong way along the M9 in County Kildare and collided with a Hyundai carrying a family travelling to Dublin Airport. Several family members, including a seven-year-old child, were injured. Gardaí had reportedly attempted to stop the BMW, and the teenagers have been linked to the alleged “lucky dip” network of teenage joyriders. Garda officials criticized dangerous driving undertaken for social-media attention, while the Garda Representative Association raised concerns about officers’ lack of pursuit training and the risks posed by contraflow incidents.

Fisherman Erasto Crisanto Valdez, 31, was rescued after spending 15 days trapped in a pitch-black underwater cave more than 300 feet deep in Oaxaca, Mexico. He became trapped while trying to catch a common snook and survived by drinking water, sleeping and praying in darkness. International cave explorers, including American instructor Harry Gust, searched under difficult conditions and eventually located him in a dry cave connected to the cenote. Valdez was dehydrated and severely malnourished but described his survival and rescue as a miracle.

A preliminary NTSB report found that fragments from three fractured fan blades in the right engine of Malta Air Flight 1879 smashed a cabin window and caused depressurisation. Passenger Ljubiša Karović was partially pulled through the opening but was held inside by his wife, Svetlana Grković. Investigators linked the blade failures to deteriorated components and fasteners lacking enhancements recommended by an FAA directive, while bird remains were also found in the engine. The aircraft made an emergency descent and returned safely to Thessaloniki; Ryanair has declined to comment until the investigation concludes.

A lottery player in Bitonto, Puglia, mistakenly threw away a €1 million winning ticket after a shop said it was “non-payable,” misunderstanding that the prize was too large for the shop to process. After a relative identified the winning numbers, waste workers led by Nicola Roberto Toscano spent two days searching a rubbish heap and recovered the ticket before it reached landfill. The winner will reportedly have to pay the cost of recovering it, while the search team celebrated by buying a scratch card that won £50.

Dr Yasser Adly Abdel Rahman was removed from the UK medical register after a botched five-hour emergency operation at Royal Oldham Hospital connected the wrong section of a patient’s small bowel to his stomach, creating a closed loop that caused severe pain, vomiting and weeks without bowel movements. A subsequent surgeon corrected the error, which tribunal witnesses described as exceptionally serious and potentially fatal. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found Rahman’s conduct fundamentally incompatible with continued registration. He also breached restrictions by taking a locum role at an Irish clinic without the required permission. The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust apologized and said it had introduced additional supervision and mentoring for locum consultants.

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a convicted racist and former neo-Nazi, withdrew from the Conservative candidacy for Crewkerne South on Somerset Council after criticism of his past antisemitic actions, including distributing neo-Nazi flyers and harassing former MP Luciana Berger. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had defended his selection on the grounds of rehabilitation, while Jewish organisations and Berger condemned it. Bonehill-Paine said he would support Badenoch and work against antisemitism and extremism instead.

Railway worker Florence Mclean lost a £10 note while working at Mallaig station on the Jacobite steam train route, known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films. Two weeks later, a seagull unexpectedly flew over carrying the banknote in its beak, allowing Mclean to recover it. The incident amused Mclean, who described it as one of the most bizarre events of her 31 years working on the steam railway.

A Ukrainian drone crashed near the Black Sea resort of Arkhipo-Osipovka, close to Vladimir Putin's Gelendzhik palace, killing four people and injuring 13 others. Russian officials said the casualties resulted from debris after air defences brought the drone down, while the intended target remains unknown. Witnesses described fleeing beachgoers, a large explosion and a lack of effective warning sirens; a Ukrainian source suggested the drone may have been aimed at a resort used by engineers associated with Russia's Mashinostroyeniya aerospace organization.

Two British women, aged 27 and 28, were arrested after allegedly assaulting each other in a shared hotel room in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza. Both sustained injuries to their faces and arms, while blood was found in the hotel’s public areas. Each woman filed a complaint, and one was treated at a medical centre. Spain’s Guardia Civil said both were arrested on suspicion of causing bodily harm.

A French boy who was thrown from Tate Modern’s 10th-storey viewing platform in 2019 has been discharged from hospital and returned to school. Now 13, he has taken his first steps but continues to experience weakness in his left leg and requires adapted activities and tutoring while recovering from severe injuries. His family thanked supporters for helping fund his rehabilitation and described plans for a more normal family routine. Jonty Bravery, who was 17 at the time of the attack, is serving a 15-year sentence for attempted murder and was later jailed for assaulting two nurses at Broadmoor Hospital.

Kyle Campbell, a 32-year-old British man, died in his sleep in Thailand on July 30, shortly after being discharged from hospital following a motorbike crash that caused a head injury. He had travelled to Thailand to marry his fiancée, Kannika Masasai, and leaves behind her and his 12-year-old son. His family believes he did not receive adequate post-accident care and has launched a fundraiser to cover repatriation, funeral expenses and other costs.

Clifton Hall in Birkenhead, a Victorian property converted into a Masonic hall, has developed a reputation for paranormal activity. Caretaker Jeff Forshaw described hearing loud running water that stopped when he called out, a fire-exit door that appeared blocked from the other side, and music-box sounds in a corridor. Other workers and members of the Haunted Scouse investigation group have reported being pushed, struck by objects, losing keys that later flew across a room, and seeing an unexplained male silhouette. The incidents remain unverified but have reportedly persuaded some previously sceptical staff that the building may be haunted.

Alex Grant and his partner were verbally abused, chased, spat at and struck with fruit by Mariuzs Smietana and Dariusz Wawrzenczyk while walking home through Camden after swimming at Hampstead Heath. The couple said the homophobic attack left them fearful about walking together in public and worried about their safety. Both defendants denied assault by beating but were each fined £439 and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and rehabilitation activities. District Judge Vanessa Lloyd said they had shown no remorse, although their risk of reoffending was considered low.

Betfred will close 132 UK betting shops—more than a tenth of its high-street estate—and cut 600 jobs from September. Chief executive Jo Whittaker attributed the decision to higher employer national insurance contributions, wage inflation, increased gambling taxes, regulation and wider economic uncertainty. The closures follow tax measures including a rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% and a planned 25% online sports-betting tax from 2027. Betfred says it will support affected employees and continue operating its remaining shops, while rivals Paddy Power and William Hill owner Evoke have also reduced their retail networks.

A 46-year-old pilot is suing Marriott after allegedly being bitten on the feet by bats while staying at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel during training. He says bats entered through a hole in the room’s air-conditioning system and that hotel staff did not move him after he reported the incident, instead advising him to receive rabies vaccinations. The treatment reportedly cost £100,000, and Marriott’s settlement offer was allegedly insufficient to cover the medical expenses. Lawyer Edward Lomena said the incident left the pilot fearing he had contracted the potentially fatal disease.

A couple allegedly left El Puerto restaurant in Penarth without paying a £115 seafood meal bill, which included Dover sole, calamari and eight Coca-Colas. The family-run restaurant appealed to the customers to return and settle the bill, publishing CCTV details and the registration number of their grey car. Owner Tanny Martinez said the incident was particularly damaging amid rising costs in the hospitality sector. South Wales Police confirmed that it received a theft report from the business on June 30.

Matford Brook Academy’s newly built facility in Exeter is set to be demolished and replaced after safety concerns made it unusable. The building was left partially constructed when its contractor went bust, and later reviews identified problems including defective foundations and missing structural bolts. The Department for Education has committed to appointing a new contractor and funding a compliant replacement, while pupils continue learning in temporary accommodation. The decision has prompted criticism from councillor Alan Connett over the original contract’s management and oversight.

Tina Farnsworth, 57, was convicted of fraud after receiving £37,089 in enhanced Personal Independence Payments between 2019 and 2024 while claiming she could not perform tasks such as bathing, preparing food, walking unaided or driving. Department for Work and Pensions evidence showed her serving drinks and taking payments at two Barnsley bars, loading boxes into a Range Rover and travelling independently. She received a suspended prison sentence, will face a benefit-loss penalty for at least 13 weeks if she claims benefits, and the DWP will seek to recover the overpayment under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Her defence said she has lived with multiple sclerosis since age 36 and that her application reflected her worst days.

A 62-year-old man has been arrested in Manchester on suspicion of murdering Donna Keogh, who disappeared from Middlesbrough aged 17 in 1998 and whose body has never been found. The arrest follows that of a 64-year-old man in Leeds; both suspects remain in custody for questioning. Cleveland Police reopened the case through Operation Resolute in 2016 after earlier investigative failings, taking 1,788 statements and conducting searches that did not locate relevant remains. Keogh’s parents say they have lived with decades of anguish, while police and Crimestoppers are offering a £20,000 reward for information that could establish what happened.

King Charles III sent Donald Trump and the American people congratulations on the 250th anniversary of US independence, emphasizing the enduring US-UK alliance, shared democratic values and cooperation across defense, trade, science, education and culture. His letter also highlighted joint responsibility for protecting the natural world. The message followed the King and Queen’s state visit to the United States in April, during which Charles addressed Congress and met Trump and Melania Trump. Trump launched the US celebrations with a Mount Rushmore speech that attacked political opponents, while a poll found many Americans thought the festivities had become overly political. Critics also said the Freedom 250 program placed disproportionate emphasis on Christian heritage while downplaying slavery and civil rights.

Police are investigating the alleged sexual assault of a woman inside a B&M store at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre in Hartlepool on June 13. Cleveland Police released CCTV images of a man they believe may have information and asked anyone who recognises him to contact them. The investigation remains ongoing, and Metro has sought comments from B&M and the shopping centre.

Transport for London is offering free Santander Cycles hire every Sunday in July, including pedal bikes and e-bikes, through unlimited rides of up to 60 minutes. Registered users can redeem weekly codes—CYCLEJULY5, CYCLEJULY12, CYCLEJULY19 and CYCLEJULY26—in the app or at docking stations. Membership is free, while rides longer than an hour incur additional charges. TfL says the initiative aims to encourage cycling, improve access to the capital’s Cycleways and support greener travel, alongside a £94.8 million investment in cycleways through March 2027.

Vickrum Digwa, who received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years for stabbing 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton, is seeking to appeal both his conviction and sentence. The sentence had already been referred to the Court of Appeal by solicitor general Ellie Reeves as potentially unduly lenient. The case prompted protests after police arrested and handcuffed Nowak while he was critically injured, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating two officers over possible gross misconduct, failures to provide medical assistance, and whether race or religion influenced their decisions. Digwa has also reportedly requested segregation at HMP Frankland over fears for his safety.

Joy Ballard, former headteacher of Ryde Academy on the Isle of Wight, has been banned from teaching indefinitely after a misconduct panel found that she misused school funds and altered term dates to accommodate personal holidays. She bought a Peugeot 5008 without authorization, used it for a trip to France, spent money on little-used camping equipment, karaoke machines and televisions, and delayed banking fundraising cash. The Teaching Regulation Agency described her conduct as dishonest and lacking integrity; she may seek a review after two years.

A red single-decker London bus crashed into the bay window of a terrace house on St Quintin Avenue in Notting Hill, damaging two cars and crushing the house steps. Emergency crews attended, but no injuries, arrests or criminal offences were reported. First Bus and other authorities are investigating the cause, while nearby buses were diverted and the street was cordoned off.

A British businessman was found dead in the shower at the couple’s luxury home in Pattaya, Thailand, after a friend alerted authorities. Police discovered blood stains, a cleaned 20-inch knife and cuts on his wife’s fingers; she denied killing him but was arrested and remains in custody as a murder investigation continues. Police said stab wounds to the victim’s back and apparent attempts to clean the scene made her account difficult to accept. Neighbours said the couple had moved into the property two weeks earlier and used cannabis.

A 17-year-old British tourist has been declared brain dead after falling head-first from the first-floor balcony of a hotel in Halandri, north of Athens, at around 5am. He was taken to Erythros Stavros Hospital, where doctors determined that his injuries were unrecoverable. Hellenic Police are investigating and have arrested a 37-year-old kiosk worker accused of selling the teenager alcohol after he presented a fake driving licence.