Five people who were trapped for more than a week inside a flooded cave in Laos have been found alive, rescuers said on Wednesday.

The search efforts to locate the two others are still ongoing.

Seven local villagers became trapped on 20 May after entering an abandoned gold mine in central Laos’s Xaysomboun province – about 125 kilometres northeast of the capital Vientiane – reportedly in search of gold. Heavy rain caused flash flooding, blocking their exit. Eight people had gone inside the cave, but one had escaped.

Earlier, rescuers had said that they were “racing against time” to save seven people trapped inside the flooded cave for over a week.

“We’ve found 5 people alive and all safe. There are still 2 people we are searching for,” Rescue Volunteer for People said on social media.

“I’m still shaking. Our team made it happen,” Bounkham Luanglath, who works with the Lao rescue group, told the Associated Press.

According to The Laotian Times, the five were hungry and exhausted but in stable condition.

The international search team were considering a last-ditch effort to explore the cave’s last chamber as the mission entered its eighth day, they said on social media.

On Facebook, Thai rescuer Kengkach Bangkawong wrote: “At 4.30pm, we found our target. We found five people. We are looking for the other two.

A Finnish specialist, Mikko Paasi, who was also involved in the 2018 rescue of the footballers from Thailand’s Tham Luang cave, arrived to help with the Laos operation earlier this week after videos showed parts of the Xaysomboun cave completely flooded with muddy waters.

On Wednesday, after the five were found alive, Mr Paasi said that “this is only a brief relief as the 5 survivors are still in the terminal chamber, all healthy and in good spirits, but the extraction is still ahead and it ain’t going to be easy”.

Earlier, he wrote on social media that “we are racing against time” and that “the way in is full of challenges”.

He said that the team was considering a final search dive into the cave’s last chamber if safety conditions allowed. He warned that the rescue effort was becoming increasingly urgent as the seventh day passed and access to the cave remained extremely difficult.

On his Instagram, Mr Paasi said: “The environment is extremely remote and hostile, that starts with a 4km jungle track to the site and when inside the mine, you have to navigate hundreds of metres of constant restrictions, flood waters, collapse hazards and high risk of contaminated air quality.”

He added: “Yesterday was spent elevating safety standards by building road access, installing air flow and water pumps and even Wi-Fi cable to the terminal chamber where the diving starts.”

Authorities and local residents have been pumping water out of the cave, but rescue teams have so far been unable to reach the group. State-run Lao Economic Daily reported that water levels had dropped considerably by Wednesday morning as pumping operations continued.

On Tuesday, rescue crews had inched closer to the trapped men after breaking through 15 metres of obstacles in a ‌day.

The cave is deep and difficult to access, with narrow passages and steep rocky sections. Despite official warnings, locals continued entering the cave in search of gold, according to Mr Luanglath of the Laos Rescue Volunteer for People. He told the Associated Press on Monday that the site had long attracted frequent visitors hoping to find precious metals.

One person from the group escaped earlier after noticing floodwaters rising quickly due to heavy rain, but the other seven became trapped inside. Their predicament was only reported publicly nearly three days later.

Earlier, Mr Paasi said the missing seven “should be trapped in the terminal chamber” around 300 metres from the exit.

“We are still in high spirits that we will find the miners alive as they entered the mine with resources to stay sub-terrain for several days,” he added.

In an interview with CBS News, he had admitted that even if the trapped miners were still alive, rescuers may not be able to bring them out if they are too weak or unconscious. He said that attempting to drag them through the cave would be extremely dangerous.

Caves across the landlocked Southeast Asian country are a major draw for adventure tourists, but local activists also say that many rural residents venture into them searching for gold and other valuable minerals.

According to local reports, villagers from the region gathered near the entrance of the cave on Wednesday morning before the rescue operation resumed to hold a traditional spiritual ceremony. They reportedly offered chickens and rice alcohol to spirits believed to protect the mountain and those involved in the rescue effort.

A body has been found in the search for a 17-year-old boy last seen in a Cheshire lake, police have said.

A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said officers were called to reports of a missing boy last seen in the water at Pickmere Lake, near Northwich, at 4.50pm on Tuesday.

Extensive searches were carried out and a body, believed to be the missing teenager, was later recovered from the lake, the spokesman said.

Chief Inspector Jamie Lewis said: “This was a young boy who had his entire life ahead of him. At what is an incredibly difficult time, our thoughts remain with the boy’s family, friends and everyone who knew him.”

He added: “Over the bank holiday weekend, we have sadly seen the very real dangers of swimming in open water.

“We understand that with the warm weather many people could be tempted to take a dip in open water to cool off, but residents must be aware of the potential deadly consequences.”

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…

Prison officer Michaela Crawford sent flirty texts to prisoner Carl Catleugh about first dates, heels, perfume and plans for life after his release from HMP Deerbolt

A prison officer has been spared jail after exchanging flirtatious messages with an inmate.

Michaela Crawford sent texts to prisoner Carl Catleugh about first dates, heels, perfume and plans for life after his release. The relationship came to light after an iPhone and charger, wrapped in a sock, were found during a search of his cell.

Durham Crown Court heard a string of illicit Snapchat and text messages between the pair were discovered on the device. In one, Catleugh wrote: “I obviously really like you..I do think we could make it work.” Crawford replied saying she wanted “to wear those heels and wear that perfume on the first date.”

Catleugh also sent pictures from his cell at HMP Deerbolt, County Durham, where he was serving a 42-month sentence for possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

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Catleugh, now 32, admitted possessing a prohibited item in a prison and was handed an eight-month sentence suspended for 18 months, plus 120 hours of unpaid work. Crawford, 34, admitted a charge of misconduct in public office, between August 20 and 22, 2024.

At the hearing on Tuesday, Chris Baker, defending, conceded the case “clearly crosses the custody threshold by some distance”. But he said Crawford is of previous good character, made an early guilty plea, and described it as a breach of trust over “a relatively short period”.

He added: “She has left the Prison Service and is assessed in the probation report as posing a low risk of re-offending. It’s clear from the references uploaded that she’s a person who commands a great deal of respect in the community. She’s industrious and hard-working.” Baker said she had suffered with depression and anxiety, but they have alleviated since the left the prison service.

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Judge Mark McKone told Crawford that as a prison officer, “a great deal of trust was placed in you,” adding: “Yet, you allowed a prisoner to keep and use a phone on which you discussed a first date, and in some messages you referred to you risking losing your job and going to jail. You knew how dangerous it was to allow a prisoner to have a phone.”

McKone added there was no evidence of the defendant smuggling the phone in for the inmate, otherwise she would definitely be going straight to prison. He continued: “It’s very sad you put your own romantic interest in a criminal above doing your job. You won’t work as a prison officer again. But, I accept you are hard-working and a good mother.”

Passing a 12-month suspended sentence, Mckone said Crawford was capable of rehabilitation and unlikely to re-offend. He said she has her own business and lives alone with a young son, who has “his own issues”. Crawford must perform 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 by September 1.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will meet with his Cabinet on Wednesday at a precarious moment for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran, just days after insisting that his administration and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a settlement but with the negotiations still in a state of flux.

As he prepares to huddle with his top aides, Trump is projecting confidence that he’s closing in on a deal that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him a credible argument that Iran’s nuclear capability has been diminished enough to declare victory, winding down a conflict that’s been politically unpopular for Republicans.

But as things stand, Trump also risks finding closure to his war of choice comes with an unsatisfactory ending.

The emerging deal puts off many critical issues to be resolved later and has already exposed the Republican president to fierce criticism — even from some of his own supporters — that Iran’s hard-line leaders will emerge from the conflict battered but emboldened. It all comes to a head just as the midterm elections to determine control of Congress come into focus and as Republicans worry that rising costs and fuel prices are darkening the American electorate’s mood.

Talks were further complicated after U.S. forces carried out what the Pentagon called “defensive” strikes on missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran on Monday. The U.S. said it acted with “restraint” in light of the weekslong ceasefire, while Iran decried the action as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that talks with Iran on reopening the strait and extending the ceasefire — a period that the administration says could be used to hash out the finer details of a nuclear agreement — will take several more days. “He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” Rubio told reporters.

Trump took to social media on Tuesday to grumble that even if Tehran were to offer a complete surrender, the media would paint the end of the conflict as Iran scoring “a Masterful and Brilliant Victory.”

Some Trump backers are skeptical

While Trump insists a deal is within reach, there appears to be daylight between the U.S. and Iran on several key issues. The president is also facing scrutiny from Republican allies, including Sens. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas, who have said the terms seem too favorable to Tehran.

They’re balking at aspects of the deal that have emerged publicly that they say too closely resemble the nuclear agreement reached with Iran by Democratic President Barack Obama, which Trump scrapped during his first term.

Under the potential deal, Tehran would agree to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — a key Trump demand — in return for sanctions relief. That’s according to two regional officials and one senior Trump administration official, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.

One regional official, with direct knowledge of the negotiations, said how Iran would give up the uranium would be subject to further talks during a 60-day period. Some would likely be diluted, while the rest would be transferred to a third country, the official said.

Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran has not publicly committed to giving up its uranium.

Trump on Monday said in a Truth Social post that the uranium, which is believed to be buried under nuclear sites battered by U.S. airstrikes last year, would either be turned over to the U.S. or “destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event.” The comment signals a softening of Trump’s previous insistence that the U.S. take control of Iran’s uranium stockpile.

How Trump’s plan affects Israel’s war in Lebanon

Another key issue unresolved is whether the ceasefire will also cover Israel’s operations against Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon. Iran has insisted that Lebanon must be covered by any ceasefire agreement negotiated with the United States.

The administration appears to leave some wiggle room on the Lebanon question. The emerging memorandum of understanding calls for a ceasefire between the U.S. and its allies against Iran and its proxies, such as Hezbollah, but also underscores Israel’s right to act against imminent threats and in self-defense.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced that the Israeli military is “deepening its operation” in Lebanon.

Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said Israel expects that Iran would quickly move to direct any sanctions relief to restore its military capability and boost proxy groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza.

“We’re not done fighting, because the Iranian regime isn’t done,” said Conricus, who is a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank.

‘Stunned silence’ as Trump ties Abraham Accords to Iran deal

Trump on Monday said any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements from Trump’s first term aimed at normalizing diplomatic and economic relations with Israel.

Trump’s optimism that the other Middle Eastern and majority Muslim countries could soon sign on to the accords might be overly ambitious.

For example, Saudi Arabia, the most significant power in the Arab world and long seen as the biggest prize for the normalization effort, has insisted that establishing a guaranteed path to a Palestinian state remains a precondition. It’s something that Israel vehemently opposes.

Trump made the Abraham Accords push during a call with leaders of Mideast allies over the weekend.

Barbara Leaf, a retired U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and senior State Department official during President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration, said officials from Gulf countries who were on the call told her that Trump’s pitch was greeted by “stunned silence.” A person familiar with the call disputed that characterization. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity about the private conversation.

Leaf, a distinguished diplomatic fellow at the Middle East Institute, said that Middle Eastern allies of the United States recognize that Iran will likely use any money from sanctions relief to bolster its military capabilities. Still, they have been supportive of Trump pursuing an end to the conflict.

“They see no other way out,” Leaf said of American allies in the region. “And they see no other way out because of many of these early mistakes that the president and the administration made in conducting the war.”

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AP writers Matthew Lee and Darlene Superville in Washington, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

The inquest into Soham killer’s Ian Huntley’s death has been suspended by a coroner

An inquest into the prison death of Soham killer Ian Huntley will follow criminal proceedings after a fellow inmate was charged with murder, a coroner has said.

The 52-year-old died in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on March 7 after he was attacked with a metal bar in a workshop at HMP Frankland in Durham on February 26.

The County Durham and Darlington Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield held a brief hearing in Crook to find out about progress in the case. Listed under the name Ian Kevin Huntley, the hearing lasted less than five minutes.

Coroner’s officer Bradley King said Durham Police had informed him that a defendant will appear in court on June 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Mr King said more would be known about a potential trial date following that hearing.

The coroner adjourned the inquest until September 15, when another mention hearing will be held. Mr Chipperfield said the law required him to suspend his investigation once a coroner became aware that someone has been charged with murder.

Huntley died from a blunt head injury, a post-mortem examination revealed. Anthony Russell, 43, has been charged with murdering Huntley at the maximum security jail. Huntley was serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

The ex-school caretaker killed the best friends after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002.He dumped their bodies in a ditch 10 miles away.

They were not found for 13 days, despite a search involving hundreds of police. At the time, Huntley lived with Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica’s primary school.

He denied murdering the girls but was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003. He was jailed for life with a recommended minimum term of 40 years.

Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice. She is now living under a new identity.

The aquapark is part of a wider investment into leisure activities at Hinchingbrooke Country Park

A new inflatable aquapark is set to be opened at a popular Cambridgeshire country park just in time for the summer holidays. Described as an “exciting new outdoor attraction”, the aquapark will be added to Hinchingbrooke Country Park.

The attraction is set to open on Saturday, July 18, and will feature a large inflatable course including slides, climbing walls, balance beams, and splash zones. The aquapark is for children aged six and above as well as the wider family and groups of friends.

There will be lifeguarded sessions led by trained staff to make sure the experience is safe for everyone involved. The aquapark has been added as part of an ongoing investment into Hinchingbrooke Country Park to help improve “leisure and outdoor activity opportunities”.

Huntingdonshire District Council expects demand for the aquapark “to be high throughout the summer season”. A competition is currently being held where residents can suggest a name for the aquapark with the chance of winning a free family session if their name is picked.

Cllr Julie Kerr, Executive Member for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing this exciting new attraction to Hinchingbrooke Country Park. It’s a fantastic addition for residents and visitors alike, and part of our ongoing commitment to improving, and evolving the park to enhance leisure and outdoor opportunities for users now and in the future.”

Sessions for the aquapark will start at 10am with the last session starting at 4pm and the park closing at 5pm each day. The sessions will last one hour and include a five minute safety briefing.

Tickets for the aquapark cost £19 per person, which includes a buoyancy aid, helmet, and wetsuit hire. Tickets can already be booked from the Hinchingbrooke Country Park website.

Hinchingbrooke Country Park can be found on Brampton Road in Huntingdon. The car park at the park costs £1 for up to two hours and £2 for up to six hours.

As the hot weather continues, people should think twice before driving with the common fashion accessory

Motorists are being advised to remove a specific item before driving, as it could cause distractions or lead to serious injury in the event of an accident. Some drivers have narrowly escaped death because of wearing them, which has led to warnings for others to be careful.

Some accessories come with extra risks that could lead to serious injuries. With more hot weather forecast this week, many drivers with long hair will tie it back to stay cool and keep their focus on the road.

However, one common hair accessory could endanger your life if you wear it when driving. While hair claw clips are convenient, they could cause significant injuries if you happen to be in a car accident.

The danger of claw clips mainly comes from the distractions they cause, their sharp edges, and the material they are made of. When a driver adjusts or moves their claw clip while driving, they unknowingly divert their focus from the road.

In the event of an accident, hair clips can be dangerous, as they may fly through the air or dig into the back of the driver’s head. The Mirror has previously reported on incidents involving these hair accessories.

On January 24, 2023, Jeena Panesar put her hair up in a claw clip before getting into her car. However, she ended up terrified for her life when it cut through her scalp and got stuck in her head during a crash.

While driving home from work in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, her car collided with a tree in thick fog, skidded for 50 meters, and then flipped over. The impact threw Jeena against the roof, forcing the clip to be lodged in her head.

The doctors took out the clip at the hospital, showing a deep cut that was 30cm long and went from her left eyebrow all the way to the back of her head. This injury caused permanent muscle damage and led to her losing movement in her eyebrow.

After being discharged from the hospital after three days, Panesar took to TikTok to share her story and warn others about the risks of using claw clips while in a car. Medical professionals and road safety advocates have backed her up, pointing out that the hard design of claw clips can create serious pressure points in a crash or when the airbag deploys.

In March 2023, Paisley Riley also endured a serious accident in which the hard plastic claw clip she had on got stuck deep in the back of her head. She needed five staples to seal the injury.

Paisley’s TikTok warning video gained more than 59 million views. It ignited a huge online campaign where doctors and other accident survivors encouraged women to avoid using stiff clips while driving or being in cars.

Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that “drivers must not wear clothing that restricts their movement or interferes with their ability to operate the controls properly.” It is important that your outfit not interfere with your ability to drive safely.

Wearing tight clothes or the wrong shoes can make you lose control of your car or even cause an accident. If that happens, you might be charged with careless or inconsiderate driving. The worst-case scenario could lead to a fine of up to £5,000, and you could also get nine penalty points on your driving licence.

Remove stiff hair clips and keep them in the glove box or cup holder. Opt for soft, stretchy accessories such as elastic hair ties or scrunchies when you’re driving.

A woman has admitted being in charge of a dangerously out of control XL bully dog when it killed a teenager.

Kelcie Reed, 24, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.

The XL bully named Prince fatally injured Morgan Dorsett, 19, inside a flat at Cobhorn Drive, Withywood, Bristol, on February 26 last year.

Ms Dorsett, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, suffered fatal bites to her neck during the incident.

The dog was put down afterwards.

Reed, of Barrowmead Road, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, spoke only to enter her guilty plea.

She was released on conditional bail until sentencing on July 9.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…

Belgian tennis player Alexander Blockx voiced his frustration at the French Open shortly after being forced to withdraw from the tournament having suffered a sprained ankle during a practice session.

Blockx, the in-form world no 37 who achieved a career-best run to the Madrid Open semi-finals last month, said he twisted his right ankle and heard a “snap” after tripping over the rolled-up covers positioned at the back of the court.

The 21-year-old was due to face eighth seed Alex de Minaur but the Australian has now been handed a walkover into the third round after Blockx suffered the injury during a hit with fellow rising star Joao Fonseca.

He was seen hopping on one leg and with his right ankle wrapped in ice as he made his way through the grounds before his withdrawal was confirmed.

In a post on Instagram, Blockx took a swipe at the “really necessary covers” at the back of the court, tagging Roland Garros, before he edited the caption and removed that line.

“Unfortunately during today’s practice I heard a snap in my ankle while I sprained it, which is why I had to withdraw from tomorrow’s match that I was really looking forward to,” he said in the updated post.

“A lot of frustration but we move on.”

Blockx’s injury has striking similarities to a 2017 incident involving fellow Belgian David Goffin, the former world No 7, who was forced to retire from a third-round match against Horacio Zeballos at the French Open after suffering an ankle injury when his foot got stuck in the rolled-up covers stationed at the back of the court.

Goffin, who was the 10th seed and considered to be a dark horse for the grand slam, had to be helped off the court by tournament officials and retired from the match in the locker room. The covers are stationed at the back of the court to protect the surface in the event of rain.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has signed a four-year contract extension to keep him at the helm until 2032.

O’Neill had been appointed interim Blackburn Rovers boss in February and had been balancing this role with his position at Northern Ireland.

However, it was announced earlier in the month that he would not be taking on the Blackburn job on a permanent basis.

The 56-year-old has managed Northern Ireland for 104 games across two spells, including at the 2016 Euros, which was their first major tournament appearance in 30 years.

“This is a role that means a great deal to me,” O’Neill said.

“I continue to believe strongly in the potential of this group of players and the direction we are moving in.

“There is a lot of work ahead, but I am excited by the future.”

O’Neill will be aiming to bounce back with his young squad after their play-off defeat by Italy ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Northern Ireland play Guinea in an international friendly on 4 June before travelling to face France four days later as preparation for their upcoming Nations League campaign which starts in September.

O’Neill’s side have been drawn against Hungary, Georgia and Ukraine in Group B2.