The Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan 2001-2021 documents the experiences, achievements, and sacrifices of the regiment and all units that served with 16 Air Assault Brigade during the 20-year conflict.

Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, former head of the Parachute Regiment, said: “The war in Afghanistan is seared into the individual and collective memory of a generation of Paratroopers.

“Time and time again our soldiers faced down a tenacious and determined enemy.

“It was a war fought in some of the most dangerous and difficult circumstances imaginable.

“Risk manifested itself under the feet of patrolling troops; the insidious threat from Improvised Explosive Devices was only ever one footstep away.”

The regiment first deployed to Kabul in late 2001 and played a key role in the evacuation of the Afghan capital in 2021.

During their early operations, the paratroopers helped deliver security and stability in Kabul before being redeployed to Helmand province, where they faced intense combat in some of the most hostile conditions of the conflict.

Their entry into Helmand marked a ‘baptism of fire,’ with soldiers engaged in direct combat with Taliban forces.

In addition to the paratroopers, airborne medics, gunners, and engineers played a crucial role in supporting the regiment throughout its deployments.

They served alongside the paras at strategic locations including Sangin, Musa Qaleh, Kajaki, Now Zad, and Lashkar Gah.

The regiment later led a major operation in Kabul and managed the airlift of thousands of British nationals during the 2021 evacuation.

Paratroopers from the North East, a major recruiting area for the regiment, are prominently featured in the book.

Over the course of 20 years of operational duty in Afghanistan, two soldiers serving with the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour.

One of these was Corporal Bryan James Budd, who lived in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The full-colour, A4-format book serves as a lasting tribute to all who served and includes a detailed tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan 2001-2021 also pays tribute to the families and communities who supported the serving soldiers throughout the conflict.

It is designed as a ‘coffee table’ edition.

All proceeds from sales will be donated to charity.

Copies can be purchased from high street bookshops or through DRA Publishing’s social media channels.

The book’s ISBN is 978-0-9557813-4-6.

Europe is in the grip of a severe heatwave, with temperatures in Spain approaching the country’s all-time record and devastating wildfires spreading.

Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET has warned of “extraordinary danger” as it forecasts temperatures of up to 44C on Thursday, not far off the 47.6C record heat that hit the country five years ago.

Popular Spanish tourist spots, including the areas around Malaga, Valencia and Alicante, could see temperatures reach as high as 42C.

Italy and France have also been affected by the extreme weather, with wildfires in southwestern France forcing the evacuation of more than 10,000 people near Bordeaux.

Dramatic footage shared on social media shows huge blazes in popular destinations like Sicily and Sardinia, during the height of the summer holidays.

The latest surge in temperatures come after heatwaves in June led to a spike in deaths across Europe, with 14,000 more people dying than would normally have been expected at this time of year, according to the EuroMOMO mortality monitoring hub.

Spain plagued by dramatic wildfires amid intense heat

Spain has been plagued by wildfires during a period of dry weather and intense heat, with thousands evacuated.

In central Spain firefighters battled a wildfire on Wednesday that has burned over 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres) in one of the country’s largest blazes on record.

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The fire in rural Guadalajara comes less than two weeks after a deadly blaze devastated a small expat community in southern Spain.

That small but extremely virulent fire killed 13 people, including several foreigners, in one of the southern European country’s deadliest wildfires.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday visited the fire-ravaged area in Guadalajara, and called for a pact between political parties to fight climate change.

“Year after year we clearly see how climate change kills and destroys wealth in our communities,” Sánchez said in the village of Tamajón, located less than two hours by car northeast of Madrid.

“This isn’t politics. It is science, it’s about facts.”

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Some 34 villages have been evacuated in the area but there are no reported serious injuries or deaths.

Alex Croft23 July 2026 09:51

Mapped: Spain braces for heatwave as tourist hotspots warned over record-breaking weather

Spain is set to face its third brutal heatwave of an already record-breaking summer, with temperatures expected to hit highs of up to 44C.

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The country’s meteorological agency AEMET warned the heatwave is expected to last all week, with temperatures approaching Spain’s all-time record of 47.6C five years ago.

Areas most severely affected will include much of the southeastern interior of the country, pushing wildfire dangers to extreme levels.

Alex Croft23 July 2026 09:49

A new DNA study has completely upturned a long-held assumption that people buried together in Scandinavia’s Viking-age graves must be related to each other.

Across the region there are many examples of graves from the late Viking and Middle Age in which an adult and a child are laid side by side. For generations, archaeologists reasoned such burials were evidence of a parent and child laid to rest together.

But a new analysis of human DNA from the ruins of an ancient Scandinavian church shows that this familiar picture may often be wrong.

The analysis of genetic material from 142 people revealed that close relatives rarely shared the same grave. The analysis included DNA of some 60 children and adolescents whose remains were found in shared graves at Västerhus in Jämtland, Sigtuna near Stockholm, and Fjälkinge in Skåne.

Researchers concluded that joint burial was likely driven by factors other than familial relationships, such as religious customs, social connections, community membership or circumstances surrounding death.

“We often assumed that adults and children sharing a grave were parents and children or other close family members. In most cases, that was not what we found,” Maja Krzewińska, an author of the study published in the journal Science Advances, said.

“Archaeologists have debated the relationships between people buried together in this type of grave for a long time,” Anna Kjellström, another author of the study, said. “Ancient DNA has finally given us the tool we have been waiting for to test these interpretations directly.”

The study also revealed that boys and girls were commonly treated according to the same cemetery practices as men and women.

Men and women were generally placed on separate sides of the churchyard. Boys were buried on the male side and girls according to the pattern established for women.

This suggests that these communities in Västerhus recognised gender distinctions early in childhood rather than placing all young people into a separate social category.

“The children weren’t treated as a separate category,” Anders Götherström, a study co-author from Stockholm University, said. “In death, they appear to have been treated according to the same social and religious principles as adult men and women.”

One woman buried at Västerhus stood out for her genetic connection to several other people in the churchyard, allowing researchers to reconstruct part of her family that lived centuries ago.

Archaeologists found a scallop shell in her grave, an unusual object in a medieval Scandinavian burial. The shell was a symbol of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.

This woman, identified as Lady 56, likely performed one of medieval Europe’s most important religious pilgrimages that required her to travel thousands of miles before returning to Scandinavia, researchers said.

The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister was found dead at her home earlier this month

A public memorial for Ann Widdecombe will be held later this year, her family has said. The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9 with serious head injuries.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with her murder.

In a statement, Miss Widdecombe’s family said: “We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe. A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed.

“A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course. While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.”

Prosecutors say that on July 8, Miss Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside the front of her bungalow in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Kerry then allegedly used a hammer to hit Miss Widdecombe on the top of her head 21 times, the Old Bailey heard on Tuesday.

A provisional cause of death was given as a blunt force injury to the head, the court heard. Detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.

Miss Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, was a prisons minister in the 1990s and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party. At the time of her death she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK.

She also found fame outside politics on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

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Kate Ferdinand captured the moment Rio returned home having spent six weeks in America for the 2026 Fifa World Cup

Kate Ferdinand has melted the hearts of her followers as she took to social media with a video that captured the moment her husband, Rio, was reunited with their children after weeks apart.

The couple married in 2019 and share two children together, Cree and Shea. Rio also has children, Lorenz, Tate and Tia, from his previous marriage to Rebecca Ellison, who tragically died in 2015 from breast cancer.

Kate and Rio relocated with their family to Dubai last year, but in recent weeks, former Manchester United legend Rio has been busy working out in America during the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

During his time away, former TOWIE star Kate took to social media with a series of family snaps, alongside which she admitted: “Daddy’s been gone for 4 weeks, mummy’s trying to hold it together (sic)” She then added at the time: “Nearly 4 weeks down, just over 2 to go! (sic)”

But following the end of the football tournament last weekend, Kate has shared the moment pundit and presenter Rio returned home. It showed their two young children running and leaping into Rio’s arms, before teenager Tia also arrived to welcome her dad home, with the family sharing a group hug.

“‘I’ve got my dad here’ [face holding back tears emoji]. A very long 6 weeks without our @rioferdy5, we’ve all missed him so much. Couldn’t be happier to have him home,” Kate captioned the post before the comments came flooding in.

@jacqueline_mae_edwards_ said: “So lovely.” @jennifer_r_perry commented: “This is so lovely.” @nikkiikkkane68 wrote: “Awwwww, that’s sooo lovely. Happy reunion.” @hannahsmith1405 replied: “You’re incredible! Enjoy family time.” @ali.boo added: “So heartfelt. Such a beautiful family.”

Kate has been open about her journey as a step-mum, and she and Rio also released an intimate and powerful documentary with the BBC in 2020, Rio and Kate: Becoming A Stepfamily. It was in 2022 that Kate launched her podcast, Blended, which she said at the time was “all about the highs and lows of blended life”.

Earlier this month, Kate, 35, was seen asking stepson Tate, who recently turned 18, questions about how he felt as a child when she was brought into the family, with him admitting that he felt she was “a problem” in their lives and at first would only tell people she was his auntie.

Good Morning Britain reporter Jay Akbar was caught yawning on camera, unaware he was live on-air

A Good Morning Britain star was caught yawning live on air after suffering a tech issue.

The news reporter suffered the awkward blunder during Thursday’s (July 23) episode of the ITV hit breakfast show.

Jay Akbar was tasked with reporting on a “tragic incident” live from West Mersea beach near Colchester, Essex.

Residents are concerned there may have been fatalities, with reports of people being retrieved from the water and receiving CPR.

The West Mersea Coastguard Rescue Team released a statement saying their ‘thoughts are with the family involved’, though no additional information has been disclosed.

However before the report even started Richard Madeley, who was presenting the show alongside Kate Garraway, was forced to intervene and issue an apology.

As the camera switched to the journalist, the programme encountered an audio problem, leaving Jay unaware he was broadcasting live.

Richard sought the most recent information, enquiring: “Jay Akbar, can you give us the latest?”

It became apparent Jay was unable to hear the broadcaster as he gazed expressionless at the camera before being caught yawning. Richard wasted no time in apologising to the audience at home.

He stated: “Oh I’m sorry, he’s obviously got comms issues there. We will try again later.”

Reports indicate that emergency services, including a minimum of six ambulances, reached the location at approximately 5.30pm on Wednesday evening, with the RNLI being first to arrive.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, the force said: “While we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area.

“We appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but would ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet.”

Meanwhile an Essex Police spokesperson added: “Emergency services are currently on scene of an ongoing incident in West Mersea, Colchester. While we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area.

“We appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but would ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet. Thank you.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX

Things have been happening behind the scenes though

Work on the largest council housebuilding project in decades in Swansea is yet to start more than a year and a half after it was given planning permission. It will consist of 156 houses, bungalows, and flats off Brokesby Road, Bonymaen, and be built in phases.

The council’s planning committee unanimously approved the development at a meeting on December 3, 2024. Bonymaen councillor Mandy Evans, addressing the committee, said: “This is massive for us.”

She particularly welcomed the 26 four-bedroom homes which are to be included. “We’ve got big families who are struggling – struggling to live a decent life,” she said.

Speaking after the meeting deputy council leader Andrea Harrington said: “This is major step forward in our aims of creating more affordable housing in the city, adding to our existing housing stock.”

The council, when asked this month by the Local Democracy Reporting Service when construction would start and what progress had taken place behind the scenes, said a start date hadn’t been confirmed yet. It added that site investigations, statutory approval work, engagement, and procurement have been progressing and the first phase would be ready to start following the appointment of a design and build contractor.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Brokesby Road is a great example of the kind of development we want to see. It’s a major project that will provide homes for our tenants and important work is continuing behind the scenes to help bring it forward.”

The development will include green spaces, play areas, and walking and cycling paths. One of the planning conditions was around drinking water as Welsh Water said there was insufficient capacity at the time of the application to supply the 156 homes.

The Labour-run council has a target of providing 1,000 extra affordable homes between 2021 and 2031 and it reached 431 as of the end of March this year.

These include 101 new-build homes, converted council offices, and community centres, and the purchase of former council houses sold under the right to buy scheme brought in by Margaret Thatcher when she was Prime Minister.

“Behind every one of these homes is a person, a couple, or a family who now has a place to call home and that’s what this programme is all about,” said Cllr Stewart.

There are thousands of people waiting for housing in Swansea, although this includes council house tenants waiting for a transfer, and putting people up in bed and breakfast accommodation cost £7.2m in 2025-26.

The council recouped around £3.4m of this sum via Welsh Government funding, housing benefit, and Home Office funding for released prisoners and it has acquired two sizeable buildings to provide temporary accommodation, one of which is open.

Police Scotland officer Alan Greer took his own life after being suspended from duty pending a probe into crimes including rape and attempted murder against women over at least 14 years

A police officer has been unmasked as a rapist who carried out a string of sexual attacks and attempted murders of women over a period of at least 14 years.

PC Alan Greer – dubbed “Police Scotland’s Wayne Couzens” – took his own life in May after being suspended from duty pending an investigation into his offences.

Detectives have so far uncovered a further eight victims, five of whom were sex workers, who were attacked while Greer was off duty, a BBC Disclosure investigation has revealed.

“It feels a bit like this could be Police Scotland’s Wayne Couzens moment,” a source close to the investigation told the BBC.

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Couzens murdered 33-year-old Sarah Everard in south London in March 2021 while he was a serving Metropolitan Police officer. He is serving a whole-life sentence for kidnap, rape and murder.

Greer’s first known victim was a woman he raped in her home in Glasgow in 2012 after she had contacted police to report being the victim of a crime.

In 2018, a sex worker in Glasgow told police a man had been violent and gave them a phone number belonging to Greer, which police at the time were not able to trace back to him.

Greer’s crimes came to light in late 2025 when the first woman reported the 2012 rape to police, sparking an investigation by Police Scotland’s anti-corruption unit.

Detectives traced the officers who attended the woman’s home and found that Greer had been tracking the crime file for updates for no legitimate reason.

In February this year, detectives discovered that Greer had searched the police system for information about the incident involving the sex worker.

Greer was arrested in April on suspicion of the 2012 rape. Police raided his home and seized seven mobile phones and a laptop, which revealed the scale of his offending.

In the days after Greer took his own life, Police Scotland announced on its internal communications platform that he had died while suspended from duty and under criminal investigation.

The source close to the investigation told the BBC: “Some of his colleagues thought this was a callous move on behalf of the police, saying he was under criminal investigation when he’d only just died.

“But it’s clear they were all totally in the dark about this guy’s offending. Folk will be in a state of shock when they learn the full truth. I don’t think anyone really knows how bad it is yet.”

Greer’s family and colleagues were said to have been “oblivious” to his violent double life.

Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff, gold commander for the investigation, told the broadcaster that the findings of the investigation into Greer were “truly shocking”. “This officer has clearly abused his power and has revisited someone that he’s encountered in the course of his duties,” she said.

“But this victim was brave enough to come and speak to us, and that really was the trigger point for us starting our investigation. That’s allowed us to proactively identify eight further victims.”

However, ACC Ratcliff said the comparison to Couzens was unhelpful and that at this stage there was no evidence to suggest that “red flags” were missed. She added that the force’s vetting process is “markedly different” to when Greer joined Strathclyde Police in 2009, meaning that he would not pass checks today.

With more victims of Greer expected to be identified, the assistant chief constable urged anyone who believes they may have been one of his victims to come forward.