The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, which spearheaded the Kerry dolphin rescue operation, have thanked members of the public for their help after 12 dolphins were saved from an Irish beach stranding
Danny De Vaal Senior Reporter and Matt Jackson Live News Network Reporter
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, which led the operation, has expressed gratitude to members of the public for their assistance.
A member of the public initially alerted Oceanworld Aquarium Dingle, who then contacted the IWDG to help return the dolphins to the sea, reports the Irish Mirror.
Gardai, tourists and locals from the surrounding area all played a part in the rescue effort.
In a statement, the IWDG said: “Through the incredible teamwork of both locals and visitors to the area, 12 dolphins… were successfully refloated.
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“This is no small achievement and it was all hands on deck including the local Garda who came down to help carry some of the individuals back to sea.
“We would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to all those that dropped everything to come and help us today.”
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MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MICH. (AP) — Five people were killed and a suspect is dead Friday in an incident that played out at two homes and a wooded area in Michigan, according to law enforcement.
Michigan State Police were responding to reports of a shooting at a home in Missaukee County, about 169 miles (272 kilometers) northwest of Detroit, when they found three people dead and another wounded, police said in a statement. The person injured was taken to the hospital.
Police said the suspect, Chad Hickman, 39, fled before law enforcement got to the home.
As police searched for him, they found a fourth person dead at another home, according to officials.
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Law enforcement found Hickman’s vehicle in a wooded area, which led them to his body and the body of another individual, according to police.
Police originally said they were investigating a shooting but have not released information on how each person died.
“This situation is heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved,” Lt. Ashley Miller said in a statement.
Police area investigating the shooting and have asked the public to avoid the area.
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The names and ages of the people killed are not being released until their family have been notified, according to police.
Here’s what the stars have in store for your day (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
A fruitful link between Mercury and Jupiter instills this weekend with peace, joy and warmth. Enjoy the positive energy this placeent bestows upon you.
Cancer, Libra and Scorpio, whatever your ambitions are. this placement helps you get there. Whether it’s strengthening bonds, or promoting a bold new idea, the cosmos has you covered.
Remain grateful for all you have, within and around you. The day sparkles with possibility.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Saturday August 15, 2026.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
A brilliant link between the communicator Mercury and the planet of fortune, Jupiter, brings real warmth and positivity to the weekend. For you, this combination ignites your enthusiasm and sense of playfulness and fun. Getting together with others can see you sparkle and enjoy a particularly sociable time. Meeting for a first date? Your timing is perfect, Aries.
If you have a home-based interest or business, today gives you a fabulous platform to work on your ideas, with imagination and flair. This can also be a fine time to enjoy a gathering with those you are closest to. Soon enough, enjoyable family stories can be re-told, and this reminiscing prove heart-warming. Interested in genealogy? A good day to investigate further.
There is definitely fun to be had, and your quick wits and lively mind can captivate others. Your guide Mercury, and planet of optimism Jupiter, forge a rare connection in Leo, a sign which encourages you to enjoy company, and bring a friendly sense of fun and perhaps mischief to bear. If you have a passion for writing, that can also come to the fore now.
Mercury is known for its communication skills, but it is also very much to do with marketing. Jupiter is well known for expansion and travel and is excellent for trade. These two combine perfectly today, so if there is something you want to sell, promote or tell people about, this is one of those rare times when everything can flow smoothly and bring great results.
You have been in fine form the last few weeks, as the Sun has powered its way through your sign, giving you added vitality and self-confidence. Jupiter, which joined you late in June, has also been adding to this time of positivity. Today, as Jupiter bonds with the quick-witted Mercury, you can showcase your ideas and personality power with extra pizzazz. Go wow Leo!
Your ruler Mercury joins expansive Jupiter in the most reflective area making this a good day to step back from the hubbub and listen to your inner voice. A thoughtful conversation or quiet moment could prove uplifting. Sometimes, when we stop pushing so hard and simply allow events to unfold, we create the space for deeper insights, as today can show.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
As the Moon glides into your sign later today, your natural charm comes to the fore. Combined with the sparkling alliance between Mercury and Jupiter, this can be a wonderful time to connect with friends, make new connections, or make long-term plans. At times you can procrastinate about big decisions. The chances are that any concerns will though melt away.
Today’s celestial blend shines a positive light on your ambitions. Whether you’re presenting an idea, speaking with someone influential, or considering your next professional move, you can choose just the right words to impress. So, if you feel unsure how things might go, don’t underestimate the value of your past experiences or shrewd insights.
Your guide Jupiter teams up with Mercury in fellow Fire sign Leo, making this one of those days when life is full of possibility. Travel plans, higher education, publishing or embracing a fresh challenge can all do well. Conversations have an uplifting quality, and shared enthusiasm could see you and a friend spur one another on with confidence and optimism.
If you’ve been weighing up an important financial decision, information today can prove reassuring. If you are seeking advice, someone with a gift for spotting what others overlook could also prove to be a real help. This is one of those situations when a completely different perspective can be so valuable. All this can help you make an informed, savvy decision.
Relationships are uplifted as the bubbly Mercury and jovial Jupiter combine in Leo. Whether in business or your personal life, speaking openly can bring fresh possibilities. Someone you get chatting to randomly can prove great fun and also see you bouncing ideas off one another. As the day unfolds, you can find yourself feeling lively and spontaneous.
Everyday tasks and obligations can sometimes run on the dull side. Today, you can have a can-do mindset and be happy to speed through them. Domestic chores can be cleared away with aplomb, and little seems to be a burden. Any outstanding paperwork or emails can also be rapidly cleared, so with all this upbeat efficiency, do give yourself a treat!
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Golden girl Keely Hodgkinson has to settle for silver as British star loses her 800m European Championship crown with second-place finish – with Olympic champion jokingly removing her medal in disappointed post-race interview
Audrey Werro is fast becoming an unsolvable riddle for the leading lady of British sport. For the second time in 10 weeks, this Swiss phenomenon left Keely Hodgkinson staring at her heels in a race that lived up to its billing as the best of the European Championships.
To the most talented Audrey since Hepburn went the 800m gold medal. To Hodgkinson, there was presumably no silver lining to be found in finishing a close second on home soil.
If there is to be any consolation, it is that Werro, aged 22, clocked a championship record of 1:54.81 on a chilly, breezy evening in Birmingham to beat her. But warmer thoughts will be harder to find for Hodgkinson.
Instead, the Olympic champion must process the dawning of a serious rivalry and one that is not currently swinging in her favour. This one was settled by the margin of 0.2sec.
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In the long run, Hodgkinson might view such moments as the competitive nectar needed for the breaching of new frontiers, of course, but the sting in the present will be real. Not many athletes have the finishing speed to match Hodgkinson, but in their past two races Werro has kicked away from her with the force of a donkey.
The decisive move here came after 500 metres, when Werro put the hammer down.
Hodgkinson, who had been near enough level at the bell after a 56sec opening lap, went with her, and they both separated from Femke Broeders-Bol in third, but the Brit had no answer. She never got her nose in front, and those moments of futility can leave lasting doubts in an athlete.
The 24-year-old, who was chasing a third straight European title, was evidently in little mood to indulge the celebrations of on-track interviewer Iwan Thomas. He assumed she would be thrilled with silver, but Hodgkinson responded: ‘I think I would be happier with a gold.’
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Kely Hodgkinson was forced to settle for second in the women’s 800m final on Friday
Hodgkinson jokingly took off her silver medal at the European Championships in Birmingham
She later added: ‘I think with that level of competition, any medal is a really good achievement and another one to add to my collection so I can never be disappointed with that. But I’m defending champion so I wanted to do that.
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‘I knew it was going to come down to the wire but I really thought I was going to win today. But it wasn’t meant to be. I didn’t do anything wrong, it was just one of those things.
‘Congrats to Audrey. I am sure we will have more battles.’
That much seems certain. And for two women striving to break the oldest world record in track athletics, that will be a good thing.
But Werro has the edge. Having been beaten twice by Hodgkinson during the indoor portion of the season, she gained spectacular revenge in Stockholm in June when the Brit set a personal best of 1:54.33. Not only was that a win against a full-form Hodgkinson, Werro’s time of 1:53.98 was the third quickest in history. A month later, Werro ran quicker again with a 1:53.80 – if anyone is to better the dubious mark of 1:53.28 set by the Czech Jarmila Kratochvilova in the Eighties, Werro might have the edge.
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To think, Werro was only cleared to race in this final on appeal after being tripped in her semi-final. It was a marginal call but also the correct one, so there should be no controversy around what it led to.
For Hodgkinson, the bigger picture will make for strange viewing. After the injury troubles of 2025, her times in 2026 have moved sharply on an upward trajectory, including the indoor world record in February, so she rightly resents any suggestion of ‘failure’ at losing a race or two. She was borderline tetchy in using that label prior to these Championships.
But in athletics, the clock is a secondary adversary to the field and Werro’s emergence is a huge fly in the ointment. For the rest of us watching, we can presumably take great pleasure in where it leads, because athletics needs rivalries. In these two gifted runners, it has one that has the potential to go on for years.
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Golden girl Keely Hodgkinson has to settle for silver as British star loses her 800m European Championship crown with second-place finish – with Olympic champion jokingly removing her medal in disappointed post-race interview
Christopher Stevenson, 39, of Dene Terrace, Shotton Colliery, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 11.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop, and pleaded guilty to one count of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, all committed in Wheatley Hill.
Stevenson stole groceries and laundry products valued at £52.89, £23.75, and £59.35 from Co-op Food on three occasions: October 26, 2025, December 12, 2025, and February 4.
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Stevenson was ordered to pay £135.99 in compensation to the Co-op.
No court costs or victim surcharge were imposed, with priority given to compensation.
His guilty pleas were taken into account by the court.
The Government issued the alert at 7pm on Friday evening (August 14), across England and Wales, advising people to avoid any activity that could start a blaze.
Mobile users were told not to use barbecues, campfires, or fireworks, and to call 999 immediately if they spot a fire.
The alert follows several major incidents, including a wildfire in Stourbridge that destroyed 19 homes.
The message read: “There is a serious risk of fire across the nation.
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“Residents, landowners, and visitors should not undertake any activity that could cause a fire, including using disposable barbecues, fire pits, garden incinerators, or fireworks.”
It also warned that even a small flame could quickly escalate into a large wildfire, putting lives, property, and emergency services at risk.
Did you receive an emergency alert? (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
The government has taken the step in response to a growing wildfire risk during the ongoing heatwave, citing the grills as a significant fire hazard during hot, dry weather.
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A government statement said: “The single-use grills have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months.
“Disposable barbecues cannot be considered a safe product in the context of the ongoing weather and environmental conditions and must not be made available for sale either in store or online at the current time.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated earlier in the week that such a ban could be introduced.
Disposable BBQs removed from UK supermarket shelves
Major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op had already begun removing disposable barbecues from shelves , following warnings from fire services about the increased wildfire risk.
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Other retailers such as Wilko and The Range have also started removing them from stores and online.
Heatwave to continue across the UK
The ban comes as much of England remains under an amber heat health alert, with temperatures reaching 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London on Thursday (August 13).
This marks the second time this year that temperatures have hit 38C.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended the amber alert until 10am on Saturday (August 15) for:
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East Midlands
West Midlands
South East
South West
London
East of England
All other regions in England remain under alert until 9pm on Friday (August 14).
The UKHSA has warned that the extreme heat could pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable individuals.
Officials are urging the public to take basic precautions, including:
Staying out of the sun during peak hours
Staying hydrated
Checking in on vulnerable friends and family
Acting consultant in public health at the UKHSA, Polly Ashmore, said: “Drinking plenty of water, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping indoor spaces cool are all things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
“For vulnerable groups including older adults and those with existing health conditions, warmer weather can result in serious health outcomes.
“We urge health and social care services to ensure they are prepared and encourage people to check on vulnerable friends and family to make sure everyone is aware of the forecast, follows the necessary advice, and stays safe in this period of hot weather.”
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The recent heatwave has made 2026 the first year on record with three separate days that reached the 37C threshold, and the first with four days at 36C or higher.
It is the fifth heatwave of a summer already marked by extreme heat, prolonged dry spells, and drought conditions across much of England and Wales.
Wildfire risk remains high, with England and Wales already recording as many wildfires this year as in the whole of 2025.
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Drought conditions have persisted across nearly three-quarters of England and the whole of Wales, following a record dry July and a similarly dry start to August.
This has put increasing strain on water supplies for households, agriculture, and the environment.
Reservoir levels in England have dropped to 66% capacity, down from 69% the previous week and nearly 14 percentage points below the long-term average for this time of year, according to the Environment Agency.
Did you receive an emergency alert? Let us know in the comments below.
Six people are dead, including a suspected gunman, while another was left critically injured in what appears to be a massive shooting spree in Michigan.
State troopers said they were called to a home on LaChance Road in Missaukee County at around 11.40am on Friday about someone being shot.
When troopers then arrived at the scene, they found three people dead and another critically injured. That victim was then rushed to a local hospital.
At that point, police launched a large scale manhunt for the suspected gunman Chad Hickman, 39, who was considered armed and dangerous and was said to be driving a white pickup truck.
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When investigators then searched a location during the manhunt, they found the body of a fourth victim inside a separate home.
A short time later, troopers located Hickman’s vehicle abandoned near a wooded area, which investigators then searched with a K9 team, WWJ reports.
There, they discovered Hickman’s body – along with another deceased victim.
Police are now working to piece together exactly what happened.
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Suspected gunman Chad Hickman, 39, was among those found dead in Michigan on Friday
Michigan State Police were seen investigating a massive shooting that left six people dead
Authorities said there is no threat to the larger public at this time
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‘Not only is this difficult for our investigators and our troopers, but it’s very hard for this community. You know, this type of loss is tragic,’ Michigan State Police Public Information Officer Ashley Miller told Up North Live.
She then vowed that troopers are ‘going to conduct a thorough investigation, and we want to make sure to keep our community members up to date on our current situation and what we’re discovering throughout this process.’
In the meantime, authorities said there is no treat to the public.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Michigan State Police for comment.
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This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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Six dead, including suspect, in Michigan shooting spree after frantic manhunt
The incident happened near junction 22 for Saddleworth, causing long delays in both directions as police and traffic officers worked to clear the animals from the carriageway.
National Highways confirmed shortly before 8pm that the sheep had been “secured” and all lanes reopened, but drivers faced lengthy delays.
The incident began earlier in the evening when a flock of sheep escaped from a nearby field and wandered onto the motorway.
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Traffic was brought to a halt in both directions as emergency services responded to the scene.
At the height of the disruption, drivers faced delays of 100 minutes with lengthy congestion in both directions.
The Olympic and reigning European Champion clocked an impressive time of 1:55:01 but was pipped to the post by Swiss runner Audrey Werro in a closely contested race.
Werro bounced back from a dramatic tumble in her semi-final to clock 1:54.81 and establish a new Championship record, possessing just too much for her Team GB opponent.
Femke Broeders-Bol completed the podium and broke the Netherlands’ national record, having only recently made the switch from 400m to 800m.
Hodgkinson couldn’t conceal her frustration in a post-race interview, momentarily removing her silver medal after failing to secure the one she wanted
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Speaking after the race, Hodgkinson took off her medal and told the BBC: “I’m kidding, that was a joke. Yeah, a bit of mixed emotions. I think with that level of competition, any medal is a really good achievement.
“So another one to add to my collection. I can never be disappointed with that. But yeah, I’m defending champion, so I wanted to do that.
“I knew it was going to come down to the wire. I really thought I was going to win today, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just one of those things.”
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Werro controlled the race from the start and when questioned whether that was the intended strategy, Hodgkinson said: “I think there were so many different ways it could play out.
“It was all down to figuring out the first 100 metres. Audrey wanted to take it on. With that wind, I was happy to let her.
“But yeah, we’re all really great athletes and I knew it was going to be close. I look forward to the next match-up.”
Countdown to Kickoff: The Essential 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle
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Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season, with more than 1,500 games from the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.
This introductory offer saves £384 compared to the standard price, with every package also providing 100 regular channels alongside free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.
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Despite claiming second place, the 24-year-old said racing against such elite-level athletes brings out her finest performances.
She said: “I’ve said all year it’s really motivating to be in such a competitive event. I love it. I think it brings out the best in me.
“Championship racing is what it’s all about. You don’t know how it’s going to go. Some people can have a good day. Some people can have a bad day.
“I had a pretty good day today, I think. It just didn’t go the way that I wanted it to.”
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