It appears the revolting ‘brown challenge’ is still going strong, as it’s forced two Spanish pools to close due to connected incidents.

For those fortunate enough to still be blissfully unaware of this disgusting trend, never fear, as we can fill you in.

In recent years, Instagram and TikTok users have taken it upon themselves to try and get public pools to close by either pooing in the water or releasing it from a bag inside their swimwear.

It’s caused a serious public health crisis, with the so-called ‘prank’ already leading to the closure of more than 300 pools in Spain, which had to be cleaned thoroughly and remain closed to the public for 24 to 48 hours by law.

And now, two more pools at a Caribbean-themed waterpark can be added to the list of victims.

The closures affected an area for adults and another for children at the Caribe Aquatic Park inside the PortAventura World resort on the Costa Dorada in the east coast province of Tarragona.

Popular with British and Irish holidaymakers, the waterpark attracts around 5.3 million visitors per year and was full of tourists who were ordered out after faeces were spotted.

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Footage soon made its way to social media, and it left little to the imagination as the evacuation procedures got underway.

A Spanish speaker who shared photos and videos said: ‘It’s 4.33pm in the afternoon, and some pig has just defecated in the pool, and they’ve kicked us all out.

‘This isn’t AI – this is reality. If you’re at Caribe Aquatic Park, you’ll have seen it. We’re all out of the pool.’

Another swimmer affected by the closures described ‘moments of tension’, adding: ‘Both pools, the adult one and the children’s one, had to be completely evacuated after someone apparently carried out the famous “summer challenge.”

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‘Luckily, the quick response of the lifeguards and all the park staff prevented the situation from getting worse.’

Criticising whoever was responsible, they asked: ‘Do you really have to go this far to pull a prank?

‘The kinds of challenges can have very serious consequences.’

Theme park officials also told local media in a statement: ‘The safety and well-being of our visitors is our top priority, and our team is trained and prepared to manage this type of situation with the utmost diligence and efficiency.

‘We rigorously applied all the health protocols established by current regulations and the Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT).

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‘Specifically, in the event of any detection and presence of faeces, vomit or other visible organic waste in the water, swimming is immediately prohibited until the situation is normalised after the corresponding protocol has been applied.’

Thankfully, the situation has returned to normal following the incident on Tuesday afternoon, though there were unconfirmed claims on social media today that the grim stunt had since been repeated there.

One user of the pools at the Caribe Aquatic Park said: ‘The incident that was reported on happened on Tuesday, but on Wednesday it occurred again. I was there that afternoon.’

An enraged local declared: ‘I’d make those responsible clean the toilets with their tongues.’

It was not immediately clear this afternoon if those behind the disgusting prank had been identified.

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However, authorities have not been messing around when it comes to consequences, as fines ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 have been brought in to punish offenders.

Those caught are, of course, banned from the pool as well, as you’d hope.

Pools have also been enforcing police surveillance, although catching the offenders can prove tricky, since pools cannot install cameras or demand ID on entry.

Currently, around 50 municipalities have issued public alerts in a bid to crack down on the behaviour.

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Over the past couple of years, the nasty prank has caused major issues for public pools in Spain, many of which are either small-town pools used by families or tourist hotspots.

As well as having to legally remain closed for sometimes two days while cleaning and filtering takes place, pools must test the water several times to ensure it is safe before reopening.

Sometimes, the pools must be drained and refilled completely, which can prove extremely costly.

This is because faeces can transmit viruses that pool chlorine does not kill, including norovirus; bacteria such as Salmonella; and parasites such as Cryptosporidium.

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If swimmers accidentally swallow or inhale the dirty water, it can cause problems like stomach pains, vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and more.

Children are most vulnerable as they swallow more water while swimming.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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A robber who escaped custody twice in one week before making it to France has finally been jailed.

Daniel Boakye, 21, fled from guards who were taking him to hospital by slipping out of his handcuffs while using the toilet.

Despite being caught the following day, Boakye escaped again just days later from a wheelchair at Lewisham Hospital while he was being taken for an X-ray.

Boakye, who raps under the name Dsavv, was eventually arrested in the French town of La Bouëxière in Brittany 16 days later.

However, police still have no idea how he managed to get to France from the UK.

While on the run, Boakye taunted the police in a rap video which included the lyrics ‘I just broke out of jail like Modie’, referring to a character from the TV series Top Boy.

He also bragged about champagne, cannabis and being ‘fresh home’.

The 21-year-old was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of escaping lawful custody

The court heard how he had been serving a six-year sentence at HMP Feltham for his role in a gang which stole £115,000 worth of cryptocurrency and held victims at knifepoint.

He was due to face a parole hearing in February, but was also facing deportation to Ghana, a country where he has no family.

Boakye appealed against the deportation order but could not secure legal representation, which left him ‘at a loss and desperate’, the court heard.

His first escape happened shortly before 3am on February 10 after he had been taken to West Middlesex University Hospital following concerns he had swallowed pills.

After asking to use the toilet he was given longer-chain escort handcuffs to provide him with ‘dignity and privacy’.

But, while in the toilet, he managed to slip free and covered his wrist with a blanket before running away from the hospital.

Two guards chased him into the car park and down the road but lost sight of him.

Police eventually tracked him down to a house in Thamesmead on February 11, where he was seen trying to climb over a garden fence. However, just four days later he was on the run again.

While at Lewisham Hospital, he told officers he could see ‘three versions of them’ after swallowing three wraps of drugs. Subsequently, he was taken for an X-ray in a wheelchair without handcuffs because officers believed it was safer.

But, as he was being taken back to his bed, Boakye suddenly ran out of the chair and downstairs before escaping into the car park.

Despite the police launching CCTV enquiries and searches, he had disappeared.

This came before an Interpol Red Notice was eventually issued and Boakye was arrested in La Bouëxière, France, on March 3.

Eric Jeffrey, prosecuting, told the court: ‘Police have very limited information on how he came to be arrested in France. There’s no record of how he left the country or how he came to be in France.’

Boakye has 19 previous offences on his record, including carrying a knife and numerous robberies.

His barrister, Paula Bignall, told the court he had lived in the UK since he was six and had spent time in the care system.

She said he was ‘remorseful’ and deeply regretted his actions, adding that he had been under pressure because he feared being sent to Ghana, where he had no family.

Boakye also told the court in a letter that he had gone to France because he had family there.

Judge Charlotte Welsh said gangs had taken advantage of Boakye’s circumstances when he was younger, but his escapes created a risk to the public.

She added that she understood the ‘enormous amount of pressure’ he had been under, but said this did not excuse his actions. His 10-month sentence will be served consecutively to his existing robbery sentence.

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Among those recalls and warnings are Years dog food and a medical item that claims to help babies relieve trapped wind and colic.

Here are the recalls and warnings you should be aware of this week.

Years recalls all dog food after reports of eye problems

Dog food brand Years issued an urgent recall following reports of sudden eye problems in pets.

The subscription-based pet food company has paused all subscriptions and recalled its fresh meals after more than 50 dogs developed symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, commonly known as dry eye, which left some pets barely able to see.

Many of the reported cases emerged after August 12 and were linked to a potential ingredient in the food, which began including buckwheat earlier this year.

Years has launched a formal investigation in collaboration with customers, veterinary professionals and independent experts.

Parents urged not to use rectal catheters on their babies

Medical bosses have issued a ‘do not use’ warning on a medical item claimed to relieve babies’ gas and digestion issues.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a Device Safety Information (DSI) warning on Tuesday, August 18, to parents about the use of rectal catheters on their babies.

The devices, sold online and in shops without a prescription, are used by some parents and caregivers to ease colic, constipation and trapped wind in infants.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said: “We understand that digestive discomfort and colic can be distressing for babies and their families.

“We’re advising against the use of rectal catheters in babies because there is not enough clinical evidence to support their safety and effectiveness.

“Parents and caregivers should seek advice from a healthcare professional and follow the NHS guidance if they’re concerned about their baby.”

Supermarket recalls all UK shoppers should know about

Last week we shared a list of the most recent food and drink recalls, and they’re still worth knowing about in case you’ve bought any of the products recently.

Shoppers are being urged to check their cupboards and fridges after a series of food safety alerts triggered multiple product recalls at major UK supermarkets such as Waitrose and Tesco.

Customers who have bought any of the affected products are being told not to eat them, even if they appear to look and smell normal.

Seeds recall

A.Vogel Ltd is recalling Rapunzel bioSnacky Das Original Red Clover Seeds for Sprouts and Seedlings because of the presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

Symptoms can include severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain and occasionally haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.

Monday 8 August – A.Vogel Ltd recalls Rapunzel bioSnacky Das Original Red Clover – Seeds for Sprouts and Seedlings due to contamination with E. coli (STEC) #foodalert https://t.co/vR2Mt6161P pic.twitter.com/zritLd5U5v

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) August 10, 2026

The affected products come in 30g packs, have a batch code of 11293 and a best before date of December 2028.

Home Bargains recall

Crisps sold at Home Bargains have been recalled, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warning shoppers of a potential health risk.

ASR Solutions Ltd has recalled the Lays Sour Cream & Dill Crisps sold in Home Bargains stores in the UK because of a labelling error.

The crisps contain milk and wheat (gluten), which are not mentioned on the label, meaning they are a “possible health risk” to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to these ingredients.

The affected products come in 125g packets and have best before dates up to and including October 31.

Chocolate recall

A range of chocolate products sold across the UK have been removed from shelves due to health concerns.

Bon Bons Wholesale Ltd has recalled various chocolate products due to these concerns, telling shops stocking the items to “remove them from sale”, while the FSA has told shoppers “do not eat” them.

25th July – Bon Bons Wholesale Ltd recalls various chocolate products because of undeclared milk and soya #FoodAllergy https://t.co/WrIP1T09q5 pic.twitter.com/ps2AV2kcLh

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) July 25, 2026

The items have been recalled because they may contain milk and soya, which are not mentioned on the label, making them a potential health risk for anyone with allergies.

These are the Bon Bons Wholesale Ltd items affected by the recall:

• Medium Coloured Ladybird with best before dates of March 1, 2027, and January 16, 2028
• Small Red Ladybird with best before dates of January 21, 2027, and January 25, 2027
• Large Red Heart with best before dates of November 22, 2027, December 23, 2027, and December 26, 2027
• Mini Butterflies with best before dates of March 21, 2027, and September 9, 2027
• Sports Car with best before date of August 15, 2027

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Gü recall

Shoppers at Tesco and Waitrose have been issued a “do not eat” warning after a Gü dessert was recalled.

The Gü Double Sea Salted Caramel Frozen Dessert, sold at Tesco and Waitrose, has been removed from supermarket shelves because it may contain hazelnuts and soya not mentioned on the label.

As a result, the dessert is a health risk to anyone with an allergy to nuts or soya.

The affected product has a lot number of 126135 and a best before date of June 30, 2027.

Have you had to return any recalled products this week? Let us know in the comments below.

One of the teenagers killed in a car which was travelling the wrong way down the M9 has been laid to rest in a gold coffin.

Joe Carthy was one of five teenagers who died when the car they were travelling involved in a head-on collision with a family travelling in another vehicle on the M9.

He died alongside Jack Kennedy, Alex McCarthy, Jeremy O’Brien and Kamil Pustkowski. A child and three women from the same family, who were in the other car, are being treated for serious injuries in hospital.

Police maintained a presence around Joe’s funeral in Athy, Co Kildare, this morning, with the gold coffin arriving at the church on a white horse-drawn carriage.

Mourners followed the coffin into the church, wearing white T-shirts depicting an image of the boy while others raised framed photographs.

The priest extended ‘sincere sympathy to Joe’s family’, adding: ‘We gather with sorrow in our hearts.’

Outside the service, a screen displayed pictures and videos while music played. Blue carpet led the way to the church steps, with white flowers placed around the entrance.

A funeral mass for Alex is scheduled to take place in Holy Family Church, Askea, Carlow, on Friday afternoon.

Elsewhere in Carlow on Friday evening, a vigil will be held for three sisters – Ella Hendricken and Niamh and Alma Kinsella – as well as a young boy who were the occupants of the other vehicle.

A fundraiser for the affected family had raised more than 640,000 euro by Friday morning.

Earlier in the week, Ireland’s child and family agency Tusla confirmed one of the deceased teenagers was in its care, while two other boys were ‘known’ to them.

Tusla has committed to sharing information with the independent National Review Panel into deaths or serious incidents involving children known to Tusla or in State care.

Following the crash, Government and opposition politicians have criticised social media companies for failing to restrict or quickly remove content depicting dangerous driving.

Meanwhile, TikTok declined to publicly appear before a parliamentary committee probing online videos of dangerous driving, with the social media giant instead offering a private briefing to lawmakers.

It had been invited to appear before the Oireachtas Media Committee on September 23 to address issues on how it deals with content that ‘glorifies illegal activity’, but has declined the opportunity.

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan committed to providing An Garda Síochána with ‘whatever resources they require’ to deal with dangerous driving in the wake of the crash – including introducing pursuit-specific training for the first time.

He said Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly will begin implementing the training this year. A decision was taken to instruct gardaí not to pursue the BMW occupied by the teenagers the wrong way down the motorway.

Local gardaí said it had earlier failed to stop for police.

Mr O’Callaghan is also exploring the introduction of a specific offence for deliberately driving against the flow of traffic on a motorway.

However, opposition politicians say the problems in policing dangerous driving stem from issues around recruitment and retention.

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy said a ‘failure to address’ Garda numbers is ‘fuelling a community safety crisis’ across the State.

He said: ‘There is a clear shortage of community gardaí and interventions needed to prevent crime before it occurs.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Another big twist has come over the future of Julian Alvarez.

The forward wants to leave Atletico Madrid this summer and has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, but Atletico have held strong on their stance.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico’s stance on a sale may have softened, with the club open to negotiating a transfer – but not with Barca, instead with Arsenal, who are also showing interest in the player.

There is, though, a problem in Alvarez himself refusing to be open to a move back to England, with him only wanting to move to Barcelona.

It has made the situation ‘untenable’, with a solution looking to be found before the end of the window.

Staff at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, on the High Street, told customers on Friday, August 21, that its pool has been closed following a “faecal contamination incident”.

In a statement shared online, the leisure centre said: “Regrettably, the pool at Spennymoor Leisure Centre is closed due to faecal contamination.”

No reopening date or time has yet been announced.

Customers planning to use the pool are being urged to check the leisure centre’s social media pages for further updates.

Three-quarters of students (75.2 per cent) achieved grade 4 or above in both English and mathematics, while 52.4 per cent secured strong passes at grade 5 or above. The school’s Attainment 8 score also rose to a record 47.8.

The scale of improvement has been hailed as “particularly striking” in the proportion achieving strong passes in English and mathematics. This has risen from 30.7 per cent in 2024 to 39.6 per cent in 2025 and 52.4 per cent in 2026, an increase of almost 22 percentage points in two years.

Mathematics outcomes improved substantially, with 82.9 per cent of students achieving grade 4 or above and 61.9 per cent achieving grade 5 or above. In English, 81 per cent secured at least a grade 4 and 67.6 per cent achieved grade 5 or above.

Bedale High School headteacher Chris Stokes said: “The day belongs to our students. Behind every one of these results is a young person who has worked incredibly hard, shown resilience and earned the right to feel immensely proud.

“This is our second consecutive year of record-breaking GCSE outcomes. More than half of our students have now secured strong passes in both English and mathematics, while three-quarters achieved grade 4 or above in both subjects. The improvement since 2024 has been remarkable.

“However, these outcomes matter because of what they mean for our young people, not simply because they look impressive in a performance table. Every qualification gives a student greater choice over what they do next. That is what we mean by securing every child the gift of choice.”

The results continue a sustained upward trend at Bedale High School:

• Attainment 8 has risen from 42.00 in 2024 to 47.76 in 2026.
• The proportion of students achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics has increased from 30.7 per cent to 52.4 per cent.
• The proportion of students achieving grade 4 or above in English and mathematics has increased from 59.4 per cent to 75.2 per cent.
• Mathematics outcomes at grade 5 or above rose by 17.3 percentage points in the past year alone.
• More than one in five students achieved grade 7 or above in mathematics.

The school’s outcomes are now above the latest published national figures across each of the headline measures.

Mr Stokes added: “Bedale High School has changed enormously, and that transformation is now secure. Families can choose Bedale knowing their children will attend a successful and ambitious school where they will be known, supported and challenged to achieve their very best.

“I would like to thank our outstanding staff for their expertise and commitment, our parents and carers for their support, and, most importantly, the Class of 2026. We are incredibly proud of them and excited to see what they achieve next.”

The academic improvements have been accompanied by more than £750,000 of investment in the school’s facilities, curriculum and learning environment, alongside strengthened expectations for teaching, behaviour and attendance.

Students will now progress to sixth-form study, college courses, apprenticeships and employment, equipped with the qualifications and confidence needed to take their next steps.

Three people have admitted being involved in an arson attack at the offices of a Persian media organisation in north-west London.

On 15 April, police were called to the offices of Volant Media in Park Royal, the parent company of Persian news channel Iran International, after an “ignited container” was thrown towards the site.

Appearing at the Old Bailey, Nathan Dunn, 19, pleaded guilty to arson being “reckless as to whether life is endangered”, while a 17-year-old boy denied that same charge but admitted the lesser alternative offence of arson. This was not accepted by the prosecution, and he will stand trial on 1 February 2027.

Oisin McGuinness, 21, previously pleaded guilty to arson.

He also admitted dangerous driving and possession of the Class A drug cocaine, with those pleas being accepted by the court.

No-one was injured in the attack, with the fire immediately going out after the container landed in a car park.

McGuinness and Dunn, both from Watford, Hertfordshire, were remanded in custody.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was remanded into local authority care.

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