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American tourist dies after being struck by lightning hiking Sicily’s Mount Etna

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American tourist dies after being struck by lightning hiking Sicily’s Mount Etna

An American tourist died after being struck by lightning on Sicily‘s Mount Etna while hiking in an area closed to visitors due to recent volcanic activity, Italian firefighters said on Monday.

The 29-year-old man from Kansas was rescued by helicopter after being hit Sunday evening in an exposed section above the tree line, officials said.

Medical personnel later declared him dead.

His identity has not yet been released while next of kin is still being reached.

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Authorities have closed large sections of the volcano’s slope to hikers due to prolonged volcanic activity, which also forced the airport in nearby Catania to close for most of last week.

Lava is ejected from a crater during an eruption of Mount Etn
Lava is ejected from a crater during an eruption of Mount Etn (Reuters)

Etna’s activity often interrupts flights at the airport, situated 30 kilometres (20 miles) south; the current closure was the longest emergency since 2002.

“Volcanic ash can be a great risk for aircraft,” said Boris Behncke, a researcher at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology’s Etna Observatory.

A drone view of people observing a volcanic eruption at Mount Etna
A drone view of people observing a volcanic eruption at Mount Etna (Reuters)

“It can be sucked into the motors, and force them to stall. This is why everyone is so very cautious with aircraft when there is a volcanic ash emission.”

As Europe’s largest active volcano, Etna’s recent unrest is unusual for its persistent ash emissions.

Northerly winds have carried light amounts of volcanic ash across to Malta and northern Africa.

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“There have been many shorter interruptions — and stronger eruptions — over the past few decades, but this event is different because the ash emission from Etna’s summit has been much more persistent,” Behncke said.

Catania airport resumed flights on Saturday following the volcanic alert downgrade.

Officials noted that lightning strikes have killed more people on Etna in recent decades than volcanic activity.

The airport is Italy’s fifth-busiest hub by passenger traffic, with nearly 2,000 flights canceled or rerouted.

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The last fatalities linked to an eruption on Europe’s most active volcano occurred nearly 40 years ago in 1987.

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Hayden Panettiere’s heart-wrenching hopes for the future revealed just three months before her death at age 36

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An optimistic Hayden Panettiere declared 'I have a lot more life to live' in a soul-baring interview just three months before her shock death at age 36

Hayden Panettiere appeared to be optimistic about her future as she promoted her memoir earlier this year.

‘I have a lot more life to live,’ the actress shared in a soul-baring interview just three months before her death at the age of 36

On Monday, it was reported that Narcan was found in the apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, where she passed away on Sunday afternoon. The nasal spray, which is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was found on a mattress in a loft apartment she was staying in, TMZ reported.

But in May, Panettiere was anticipating all the ‘exciting possibilities’ that awaited her during an interview with Jay Shetty. 

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Panettiere, who was promoting her tell-all This Is Me: A Reckoning, was asked what she would call her latest chapter, prompting her to describe her optimistic next era. 

‘I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity,’ she said on Shetty’s On Purpose podcast. 

‘That means that I’ve closed one door and another door is opened and I can feel it opened and I can feel all the… possibilities, all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live.’

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An optimistic Hayden Panettiere declared ‘I have a lot more life to live’ in a soul-baring interview just three months before her shock death at age 36

The former child star, who was known for her roles on the hit NBC series Heroes and musical drama Nashville, leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter.

Representatives for Panettiere announced on Sunday: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.

‘She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen.’

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Detectives confirmed to the Daily Mail that they responded to the apartment block in Greenville yesterday afternoon after they received a 911 call from an ‘acquaintance’ of Panettiere, describing her as ‘unresponsive’.

In the dispatch audio of the call made at 1.51pm, a female dispatcher described Panettiere as suffering a ‘cardiac arrest.’ A few moments later, a male dispatcher could be heard saying that Panettiere had suffered a suspected overdose at the home in Greenville.

Officers and paramedics carried out chest compressions while trying to save Panettiere’s life.

The actress – who was due to turn 37 this Friday – was pronounced dead at the scene just over 40 minutes later at 2.32pm.

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'I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity,' she admitted to Shetty

‘I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity,’ she admitted to Shetty

Hayden said she can feel 'all the exciting possibilities' that await her

Hayden said she can feel ‘all the exciting possibilities’ that await her 

Police and the local coroner’s office are probing the death, but said the ‘preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.’ 

Panettiere had daughter Kaya following a life-threatening birth, but later gave full custody to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

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The star first appeared in soap operas, then gained wider recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember The Titans with Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life.

Panettiere later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes before starring as country singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons on Nashville.

She earned two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress on the show, while her singing produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Panettiere’s film credits include 2006’s Bring It On: All Or Nothing, the comedy-drama film Raising Helen, and appearances in Scream 4 and Scream VI as Kirby Reed.

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The former child star was found dead in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon

The former child star was found dead in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon

Hayden was known for her roles on the hit NBC series Heroes and musical drama Nashville

Hayden was known for her roles on the hit NBC series Heroes and musical drama Nashville

On Monday, a spokesman for the City of Greenville Police told the Daily Mail: ‘On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1.51pm, officers from the Greenville Police Department, accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female at Judson Mill Lofts, located at 701 Easley Bridge Road.

‘Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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‘The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.

‘The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms Panettiere placed the 911 call. At this time, no further details are available for release.’

Judson Mill Lofts is a former textile mill dating back to 1912, which was recently converted into apartments. These include studios and three-bedroom homes that can be rented from $1,295 to $3,485 a month.

No cause of death has been announced.

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Stag shot dead in Richmond Park after visitor injured in the chest during picnic | News UK

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Stag shot dead in Richmond Park after visitor injured in the chest during picnic | News UK
The deer was looking for food (Picture: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

A stag has been shot dead in London’s Richmond Park after it injured a man who was having a picnic.

The victim, in his 60s, was taken to hospital with chest injuries after the animal approached a group looking for food on Saturday afternoon.

Emergency services were called at around 6pm to take the man to hospital, where his injuries were assessed as ‘not life-threatening ‘.

 A Royal Parks spokesperson said: ‘We understand from the police that thankfully the injuries were not life-threatening.

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‘Sadly, the stag’s behaviour meant that it had to be put down as it was deemed to be a danger to visitors.

‘We suspect that this particular stag may have learnt to associate visitors with food.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: A deer drinks from Pen Ponds in Richmond Park during parched conditions on August 14, 2026 in London, England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat-health alerts from Tuesday to Friday for nine regions in England, as parts of the country are forecast to see temperatures in excess of 36C during the fifth heatwave of the season. The National Drought Group has declared that two-thirds of England are now officially in drought, with water use restrictions impacting 27 million people. Last month was the driest July ever recorded in the country since records began in 1836. (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)
The deer was deemed a danger to visitors (Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

‘If visitors follow our advice and do not feed or interfere with the deer, it is highly unlikely that they will exhibit this type of behaviour.’

The stag was shot by a Royal Parks wildlife officer, the charity said.

It is thougbt the stag went close to the picnic after it learnt to ‘associate visitors with food’. 

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It is understood the picnic was held metres away from the popular Roehampton Gate Cafe, a hotspot for visitors.  

Royal Parks has also said they were ‘shocked and alarmed’ to see videos online of people approaching visitors in nearby Bushy Park.

The spokesperson said: ‘This is highly dangerous behaviour.

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‘Deer in Bushy and Richmond Parks are wild animals and should never be fed, approached or touched.

‘Repeated feeding can cause deer to lose their natural wariness of people and seek out food from visitors, creating risks for both people and wildlife.

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‘Getting this close, and offering food, puts people at real risk of serious injury.’

Deer eating rubbish at Bushey Park
Deer have been pictured eating rubbish at Bushey Park (Picture: Twitter/patlinberg)

They added: ‘Our advice is simple. Keep at least 50 metres away, never feed or touch the deer, and if one comes towards you, put all food and packaging out of sight and move away slowly and calmly.

‘Do not try to move the deer away yourself.’

Richmond Park is a popular spot for joggers and cyclists and is home to 600-strong herds of red and fallow deer.

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

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Norway’s King Harald is rushed to hospital ‘with shortness of breath’: Monarch, 89, ‘put on sick leave’, palace says

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King Harald of Norway, pictured in February, has been admitted to hospital after suffering from shortness of breath

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Norway’s King Harald has been rushed to hospital after experiencing fatigue, paleness and shortness of breath, the country’s Royal Palace said. 

Europe’s longest-serving monarch, 89, has been suffering from haemolytic anaemia, a disorder which causes red blood cells to be destroyed at an abnormally fast rate. 

He was admitted to hospital in Oslo on Monday and will be on sick leave for the next two weeks. 

The Royal Family said in a statement: ‘The King has been treated with cortisone for the blood disease haemolytic anaemia in recent weeks.

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‘This has led to fluid accumulation in the body that requires treatment in hospital.

‘The King is on sick leave for two weeks. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is Regent during this period. We will return to the consequences this will have for the Royal House’s official programme.’ 

Harald – the oldest of the continent’s sovereigns – visited the hospital only 10 days ago for a ‘planned check-up and follow-up with a doctor’. 

And in February the 89-year-old was rushed to hospital while spending time with his wife, Norwegian Queen Sonja, 88, in Tenerife.  

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King Harald of Norway, pictured in February, has been admitted to hospital after suffering from shortness of breath

The monarch’s condition at the time was said to have been ‘satisfactory’ after he received treatment for an infection and dehydration at Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur.

It came just two years after the Norwegian suffered a similar problem while on holiday in Malaysia. That ordeal resulted in him having a pacemaker fitted. 

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The monarch has, however, insisted that he will never abdicate from his position due to poor health, arguing that he took a lifelong oath before ascending to the throne in 1991. 

‘I stick by what I’ve always said, that I swore an oath to the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) and it is for life,’ he said previously. 

Harald has presided over a difficult few months for the Norwegian royal family amid a scandal involving his daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. 

Mette-Marit faced intense scrutiny when the Epstein Files revealed she stayed at the paedophile financier’s Palm Beach mansion in 2013 – after his conviction for soliciting sex from girls as young as 14. One email suggested she was still in contact with Epstein just months before his death. 

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Mette-Marit, 52, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, later issued a grovelling apology in which she claimed the emails ‘do not represent the person who I want to be’. 

Harald defended his daughter-in-law during a public appearance that month in which he insisted: ‘We must remember that the Crown Princess has not done anything illegal. 

‘Unlike some others in Norway, she broke the connection very early. So I think we should give her credit for that.’ 

It came in the same week that Queen Sonja  was rushed to Oslo’s National Hospital after experiencing ‘heart problems’. 

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At the time, a statement from the Norwegian Royal House read: ‘Her Majesty the Queen was admitted to the National Hospital today due to heart problems.

‘The Queen has heart fibrillation and heart failure, and has been hospitalised for a few days for examinations and observation.’

Sonja was later discharged and said to have been in ‘much better form’. The 88-year-old had a pacemaker fitted last year after experiencing cardiac fibrillation – a rapid and irregular heartbeat.    

Harald became Norway’s Crown Prince in 1957 after the death of his grandfather. He married Sonja in 1968 before becoming the monarch 23 years later when his father, King Olav, passed away. 

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New TPO ban comes into force in all UK nail salons

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New TPO ban comes into force in all UK nail salons

The change follows new government regulations that prohibit the use of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) in new cosmetic products due to health concerns.

TPO is a chemical compound used in many gel nail polishes to help them cure and harden under UV or LED light.

New TPO ban comes into force in all UK nail salons

The ban came into effect on Saturday (August 15) and means salons can no longer purchase or sell TPO-containing products.

However, they are allowed to use existing stock until February 14, 2027.

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Caroline Rainsford, director of science at The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said: “The reason why TPO has been banned in cosmetic products in the EU is based on its hazardous properties, meaning how a substance might behave under a ‘worst case’ situation when our bodies are exposed to a very large amount.

“The amount of this ingredient used in nail products is over a thousand times less than the amount which could have any negative effect on fertility and these products are applied to the nail, so the potential for the ingredient to be absorbed into our bodies is even smaller.”

The UK government introduced the ban after determining there was ‘sufficient scientific evidence’ of a ‘potential risk to human health’.

TPO has raised particular concerns around reproductive health, with some studies suggesting it may affect fertility.

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In the EU, the chemical will be banned from use in cosmetic products from September 1, 2025, under ‘extreme caution.’

Many manufacturers have already reformulated their gel nail products to exclude TPO while maintaining a high-gloss finish.

Richard Knight, Trading Standards Lead Officer for Cosmetics and Beauty, said: “Anyone who wishes to report any suspected illegal cosmetic product, including nail gels, can alert Trading Standards via the government-funded Citizens’ Advice Consumer Helpline.”

What do you think of the new ban? Let us know in the comments.

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Inside Michael Sheen’s relationship with actress 25 years younger who starred in Staged

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Inside Michael Sheen's relationship with actress 25 years younger who starred in Staged
Michael Sheen is hosting an investigative documentary on the BBC this week (Picture: BBC/Wall to Wall Media/Stephen Perry)

Welsh actor Michael Sheen, 55, is a performer well known for disappearing into a number of his roles across genres in film and TV. 

He’s gone from playing real-life figures – such as Tony Blair in The Queen and David Frost in Frost/Nixon – to bigger-than-life fantasy figures in Good Omens and Twilight, to even playing himself in the mockumentary Staged. 

Sheen is also a very impassioned activist across, and his latest project sees him investigating an issue close to home in Buriedon on the BBC, as he uncovers claims of a conspiracy concerning toxic ‘forever chemical’ contamination in the waters of South Wales. 

It is a chance for fans of Sheen to see a different side to the actor on screen, as he talks to many of his fellow Welsh citizens about the effect that the contamination has had on their lives. He will also soon be seen in series 2 of Celebrity Traitors.

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It has also led to more fans asking about Sheen’s family life away from the screen, with the future House of Games host starring with his partner in Staged, which also featured his showbiz bestie, David Tennant.

Who is Michael Sheen’s partner? 

Sheen, 57, is in a relationship with Swedish actress Anna Lundberg, 31, and the couple have been together since 2019. 

They have two daughters together, Lyra, 6, and Mabli, 4 and live in Port Talbot, Wales.

Lundberg is known for her stage work, appearing in productions of the likes of Othello and Spring Awakening with the NY Academy Company, as well as voicing Marion in the Netflix series The Sandman, and has appeared with  Sheen in the aforementioned Staged and Celebrity Gogglebox.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Anna Lundberg (L) and Michael Sheen attend the press night performance of
The couple have been together since 2019 (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images Europe)
Programme Name: Staged - TX: n/a - Episode: Ep 2 (No. 2) - Picture Shows: Anna Lundberg, Michael Sheen - (C) GCB Films/Infinity Hill - Photographer: N/A
The couple played a version of themselves in the TV show Staged (Picture: BBC/GCB Films/Infinity Hill)

With 25 years between them, Sheen has faced questions about their age gap before, perhaps none more memorably than in an episode of The Assembly, the show where a panel of autistic, neurodivergent or learning-disabled interviewers can ask their guest any question they want. 

The Damned United star was posed a question about his relationship very early on, being asked: ‘How does it feel to be dating someone who is only five years older than your daughter?’

Sheen has a 27-year-old daughter, Lily, from a previous relationship.

The BAFTA-nominated actor then proceeded to open up on the realities of his and Anna’s partnership, stating: ‘Because of the age difference, I think both of us were quite surprised when we got together.

‘I don’t think either of us were looking for that. It’s not like I’ve dated lots of people who are much younger than me, but you meet who you meet. We were very aware of what differences that would make and also how people might respond to that.’

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He continued: ‘It’s not like it was the easiest thing to do. We were both aware it would be difficult and challenging. Ultimately, we felt it was worth it because of how we felt about each other. 

‘Now we have two beautiful children together.’

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Anna Lundberg and Michael Sheen attend the the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2019 in association with HUGO BOSS at the Tate Modern on September 3, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for HUGO BOSS)
The couple have two daughters together (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for HUGO BOSS)

He also opened up about the difficulties of being an older father

‘Because of the age difference, I’m aware that I’m a much older father. It does worry me, it makes me concerned. It makes me sad thinking about the time I won’t have with them,’ he revealed.

‘But ultimately, I think if you find someone who brings you happiness and you make them happy, you’ve got to go for that.

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‘So that’s what we decided to do and I’m so happy we did as we have this wonderful family now.’

Who else has Michael Sheen dated?

Sheen’s shares his eldest daughter, Lily, with English actress and Underworld star Katte Bekcinsale, 53, whom he was with from 1995 until 2003. 

The couple split not long after moving to Los Angeles together to pursue more opportunities for their career, with Sheen describing the experience as ‘messy and always complicated.’ 

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 07: Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen attend the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at the Sunset Tower Hotel on March 7, 2010 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chris Polk/VF1/Getty Images)
Sheen and Beckinsale met in 1995 when performing in a production of The Ssagull together (Picture: Chris Polk/VF1/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Kate Beckinsale (R) and Lily Mo Sheen attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Intuit Dome on December 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
They shae a daughter together, Lily Mo Sheen, 27 (Picture: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

‘Going through that experience of a relationship breaking down and having a young child, and then because of my daughter and her mum living in another country, having to make a life in a new place whilst going through that whole experience, which is difficult enough, that was really tough’ he said on Abi MacManus’ podcast back in 2020.  

However, Beckinsale and Sheen have remained close over the years, co-parenting Lily and often appearing together on social media. 

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‘It’s so normal for us. We split up ages ago. We have not been together for far longer than we were ever together,’ Beckinsale told E Magazine back in 2016.

‘But I really love him and like him and we make each other roar with laughter.’

Shene has had other high-profile relationships across the years, including English ballet dancer Lorrain Stewart from 2004 to 2010, The Notebook star Rachel McAdam’s, 47, from 2010 to 2013 and the American comedian and actress Sarah Silverman, 55, from 2014 to 2018.

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Three teenagers arrested for arson as fire crews and 200 soldiers battle on – live updates

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Photos taken by Mid and West Wales Fire Service crew at Station 16, Hay-on-Wye, of wildfires they have attended

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has issued the below update on Monday afternoon:

“Our crews, partners and the military continue to work together at wildfire incidents across South Wales.

“We are grateful for the continued support and co-operation of our colleagues, partners and communities, who are all pulling together as part of a co-ordinated effort to bring this major incident to a close.

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“Our ongoing response continues to be supported by several fire and rescue services from across the UK.

“Following our request for military assistance, using the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities process, teams from the British Army are deployed on the ground, creating fire breaks and clearing vegetation. They are also assisting with logistics, including the transportation of large quantities of firefighting water to the incident ground.

“Army support is currently focussed at the ongoing incidents in Treherbert, Cwm in Ebbw Vale and Dowlais in Merthyr Tydfil.

“Today, we continue to deal with the incidents at Blaenavon, Cwm, Dowlais, Wattsville, and Treherbert. We are also in attendance at Rudry Common in Caerphilly County, where we are dealing with a re-ignition which occurred yesterday evening.

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“To support ongoing firefighting operations and ensure the safety of helicopters and emergency responders, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has established a Temporary Restricted Area for unmanned aircraft or drones. This means it is currently not permitted to fly any personal drones within the restricted SWFRS area.

“We continue to ask the public for help and to play their part in helping prevent further wildfires by asking residents, landowners, and visitors to report any suspicious behaviour or deliberate fire setting to police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

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Liverpool agree transfer deal for PSG forward | Football

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Liverpool agree transfer deal for PSG forward | Football


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Deer put down after leaving elderly man with chest injuries in London park

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Deer put down after leaving elderly man with chest injuries in London park

A stag has been put down after a man in his 60s sustained injuries from a deer while having a picnic in a London park.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers received a call from the London Ambulance Service at 6.23pm on Saturday regarding a person hurt by a deer inside Richmond Park, in south-west London.

Police and paramedic teams located the man in his 60s, who had suffered chest injuries.

He was taken to hospital where his wounds were assessed as neither life-changing nor life-threatening, the force added.

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On Monday, a Royal Parks spokesperson said a man had been injured by a stag at the weekend after the animal approached his picnic group looking for food.

The spokesperson said: “We understand from the police that thankfully the injuries were not life-threatening.

“Sadly, the stag’s behaviour meant that it had to be put down as it was deemed to be a danger to visitors.

“We suspect that this particular stag may have learnt to associate visitors with food.

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“If visitors follow our advice and do not feed or interfere with the deer, it is highly unlikely that they will exhibit this type of behaviour.”

He was taken to hospital where his wounds were assessed as neither life-changing nor life-threatening
He was taken to hospital where his wounds were assessed as neither life-changing nor life-threatening (Reuters)

Royal Parks said they were “shocked and alarmed” to see videos and photographs circulating online of park visitors approaching deer in nearby Bushy Park, after issuing a warning of the danger of feeding and approaching the animals.

The spokesperson said: “This is highly dangerous behaviour.

“Deer in Bushy and Richmond Parks are wild animals and should never be fed, approached or touched.

“Repeated feeding can cause deer to lose their natural wariness of people and seek out food from visitors, creating risks for both people and wildlife.

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“Getting this close, and offering food, puts people at real risk of serious injury.”

They added: “Our advice is simple. Keep at least 50 metres away, never feed or touch the deer, and if one comes towards you, put all food and packaging out of sight and move away slowly and calmly.

“Do not try to move the deer away yourself.”

Royal Parks said that anyone who witnesses someone putting themselves, others or the deer at risk should not intervene but report it to police immediately.

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Richmond Park traces its origins to 1625, when Charles I took his court to nearby Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London and turned it into a hunting park, according to the Royal Parks website.

It is popular with joggers and cyclists and is home to 600-strong herds of red and fallow deer.

The deer have roamed the park, which spans some 2,500 acres, since 1637.

Nearby Bushy Park, which is more than 1,000 acres in size, is also home to deer.

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Young men turn heartbreak into hope after losing friend to suicide

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Belfast Live

The Devlin Cup is an annual event held in memory of Jamie Devlin, who died in 2022

Two men have described how football helped them cope following the suicide of their best friend Jamie Devlin.

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Callum Craig and Sean Loughran lost their best friend Jamie Devlin in 2022 and found themselves in a difficult place as they struggled to come to terms with his loss. However there was one thing that was able to bring them together and help them through their grief, playing football.

The pair have even gone on to set up their own charity football tournament to raise funds for local suicide charities in Jamie’s memory, The Devlin Cup, and football club, GOAT FC, which stands for Get Out And Talk, with the name also being inspired by Jamie’s old Xbox gamertag, “The Goat Bandit”.

Callum Craig said: “The Devlin Cup exists because we lost Jamie. Sean and I were trying to deal with losing our best friend and football gave us a reason to get together again. It brought us back into the same space as other friends who loved Jamie and were going through the same thing.

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“What we realised quite quickly was that the important part wasn’t really the football. It was getting people together, talking, laughing, remembering Jamie and being there for each other.

“Grief is something every one of us will experience in different ways, but people can find it incredibly difficult to talk about. We want Get Out And Talk to show that you don’t always need to have some huge, serious conversation. Sometimes it is checking in with a mate, meeting for a coffee, playing football or simply asking somebody how they are.

“I’ve had my own struggles with anxiety, depression and loss and counselling helped me understand how important it is to actually practise what we are preaching. Talking does help.

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“To have now raised more than £10,000 through the Devlin Cup is something we’re incredibly proud of, but we want to raise as much as we possibly can for organisations doing vital work. If anyone enjoyed the event, has followed what we’re doing or simply believes in the message, we’d really appreciate them donating whatever they can.”

Callum’s own experience of counselling with PIPS became a catalyst for sharing more openly about mental health, anxiety, depression, loss and starting again as a single father. Since its first year in 2023, the Devlin cup has raised over £10,000 for charity with the most recent, which took place at Seaview Stadium on Saturday, August 15, raising more than £3,000 for PIPS and Lighthouse.

Alongside Sean, he also began speaking to people who had experienced bereavement and loss, initially focusing on friends who knew Jamie. Their online videos have reached thousands of people and reinforced the simple message behind the project: it is OK to talk, remember, be vulnerable and ask for support.

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People can continue to support the campaign and donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/get-out-and-talk

Supporters can also purchase Get Out And Talk FC merchandise from Bourke Sports at: https://bourkesports.com/collections/get-out-and-talk-fc

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Phil Ellis: ‘I got a hair transplant after seeing myself on Taskmaster’

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Phil Ellis: ‘I got a hair transplant after seeing myself on Taskmaster’
The comedian has a new show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Picture: Avalon Productions)

‘No, thank you for talking to me,’ says a beaming Phil Ellis

It’s impossible not to match Phil’s bounce in our interview, with his contagious grins and chortles. This energy – not to mention his natural funny bones – is what’s sailed him through 20 years of being the ultimate comedian’s comedian. 

He’s won the awards, critical acclaim, and a stellar reputation as one of the nicest guys in comedy. It was only last year, backstage at a particularly laborious gig, that he got a call which changed his career forever. 

Phil, 44, was gigging at a festival, where the audience was just a 10th of a 2000-person space. Ouch. Backstage, a fellow comedian asked him why he’s never been on Taskmaster

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‘I said, “Well there’s so many comedians, it’s a big queue isn’t it? They’re not going to get me on, no one knows who I am,”’ he remembers. 

‘I went out to the tent, and there were 12 audience members. I was hosting it, so I was trying to get an atmosphere going. I asked the audience if they wanted to move forward, because they were all at the back. They went, “No, we’re alright,”’ Phil laughs. ‘There was a gap of like a mile.’ 

Phil Ellis (Picture: Avalon Productions)
Phil Ellis couldn’t tell anyone when he was first invited to compete on Taskmaster (Picture: Avalon Productions)

In his break from hosting, Phil pondered that after 20 years, he thought he might have moved past these experiences by now. Then his agent rang.

‘It was an invitation for Taskmaster,’ he says. ‘I couldn’t believe it, and you couldn’t tell anyone, so I just had to go back out and carry on. I couldn’t even tell the person who asked earlier why I wasn’t on it.’ 

Phil’s work and life changed in a few salient ways after his appearance in series 20 in September last year alongside SNL’s Ania Magliano, Maisie Adam, Reece Shearsmith, and Sanjeev Bhaskar

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‘Firstly, the gigs I get now, I’m not worried about what I’m turning up to. They are so well run and wonderful. It opened the door to those. But the main thing is I’ve always loved my shows, and been really proud of them, and I’ve just always wanted to show them to more people.’ 

Pre-Taskmaster, Phil would take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe, and successfully so: he’d always have bums on seats unless it was a bad show. (I’m told not to look into 2017). 

PHIL ELLIS'S Season 20 Interview | Taskmaster picture: Taskmaster METROGRAB
Phil tied in first place with Maisie Adam and Ania Magliano – but in the end Maisie clinched the top spot in the competition (Picture: Taskmaster/Channel 4)

But his shows’ lives would begin and end in Edinburgh. ‘I couldn’t tour it because I didn’t have an audience to tour it to,’ Phil says. 

Fast forward 12 years from when Phil’s Fun and Gamez won the Edinburgh Comedy Awards’ Panel Prize in 2014, his current show Bath Mat is the subject of his first full national stand-up tour. Many dates in his run are already sold out. 

‘I can actually go out and perform to like 500 people a night in some venues, which I’d never have dreamed of before, and they’re all for you, which I find insane,’ Phil says, having become used to rocking up in random towns to perform poorly paid gigs.  

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He continues: ‘It’s nice to be the comedians’ comedian. But you do also need to live.’ 

Being recognised is a lovely adjustment, too, which Phil keeps on forgetting is his reality. He’s had a few memorable moments with fans over the last few months. 

Phil Ellis (Picture: Avalon Productions)
The comic recounted the ‘moving’ experiences he’s had with fans (Picture: Avalon Productions)

One time, Phil was going to the toilet on a train when a young girl asked, “Are you Phil Ellis?” He said, “Yes, I am”. 

‘Then the lady came out of the toilet after me and just went, “He won’t flush that one,”’ the comedian says, laughing at the memory. 

But it’s not all just funny. Phil finds the newfound fan interactions touching, too. 

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‘Once you pay for your tickets and your travel, maybe babysitters and a meal, I just want to make sure [my audiences] have the best night possible,’ Phil says. ‘Then they want to spend an hour afterwards doing autographs and things. It’s just amazing. I never thought it’d be like this. It’s moving.’  

Another Taskmaster plus was that Phil was gifted a hair transplant in January after talking in a podcast about seeing a bird’s-eye-view of his not-so-luscious locks on the Channel 4 show.  

‘I’d never been that insecure about my hair, to be honest,’ Phil laughs. ‘It’s been thinning for so long, it was so gradual. I was quite lucky really, it suited me, a receding hairline. But it took 20 years, and then I went, “Right, I’m definitely going now mate.”’ 

Phil had to choose where he wanted his hairline to start. Naturally, he brought in a photo of Jude Law, and said he liked his hairline receding, akin to the Hollywood heartthrob. It became apparent that such a hairline might not have the same effect on Phil, so he compromised with the kindly doctor. 

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Phil Ellis (Picture: Avalon Productions)
Phil’s Edinburgh show is called Bath Mat… if the photo didn’t make that clear (Picture: Avalon Productions)

‘This is a very different man,’ Phil laughs. He gestures to his head. ‘It’s so weird because if I showed you a picture of my hair six months ago, this is insane, like so much thicker.’ 

While there’s still ‘a lot of work’ to do on Phil’s mop, the change has given him ‘a bit more confidence’. 

‘I’d made peace with it, but even now I look at it and go, “This is so much nicer,”’ he says. ‘I never want to encourage anyone to feel the need to do it, because I like people to feel comfortable how they are anyway. But equally, you should never be discouraged to do something that might make you feel better.’ 

He’s done Taskmaster. He’s had a hair transplant. What’s next for Phil Ellis? Will he strive for further TV appearances, or take a step back, as Phil puts it, like Homer Simpson into a bush? 

‘I only got into stand-up because I wanted to write a sitcom, so I’d like to do that,’ Phil says. 

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Fans will be glad to hear he shall not be backing into the bush any time soon. 

‘It’s nice to say you’re the guy on the edge of a comedy,’ he says. ‘But it’s also quite nice to be in the tent with everyone else, and not looking in going, “Hey, what’s it like in here, guys? You got free drinks?”’ 

Phil Ellis: Bath Mat is showing throughout August at the Edinburgh Fringe at the Monkey Barrel venue at 1.55pm, and in Pleasance Courtyard on selected dates at 9.30pm. Get tickets here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/phil-ellis-bath-mat 

He is touring the show throughout the rest of 2026 into 2027. Get tickets here: https://www.philelliscomedy.com/ 

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