Builders horrified after digging up human body in garden of home

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Police have confirmed that human remains have been uncovered in the garden of a London home, with the house sealed off for seven days as authorities try to piece together how the bones came to be there.

Builders made the shocking find at a newly bought bungalow in south-east London’s Biggin Hill – a quiet, leafy town usually known for its mega-celeb resident Tom Cruise, who owns a home there.

Officers from London’s Metropolitan Police were called to a property on Aperfield Road last Friday, at about 3.30pm, the force said.

The Met Police has now confirmed the bones found were human after they were sent for a specialist examination.

A spokesperson for the force said: “The bones were sent for specialist examination and were confirmed to be human.

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“However, further testing is underway to establish the age of the bones and ascertain identity.”

The force says that an investigation remains ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

The home has been cordoned off ever since. First with police tape and now with temporary fencing and forensic tents, with police coming and going at all hours of the night as the site seems to be a 24/7 active scene.

Neighbours have so far been left in the dark about who the body belonged to or what had happened on their seemingly quiet little street.

One neighbor told The Sun that the new homeowner had recently purchased the two-bedroom home and had not yet moved in.

They said: “Nobody lives there at the moment.

“An old lady lived there for years, but she moved away, and another woman bought it to completely refurbish it. She couldn’t move in until they’d finished.

“The builders discovered something on Friday, and of course, they completely had to stop work.”

Another neighbour added: “The woman who’s bought the property is having renovations done. She must be absolutely horrified.

“She’s had builders in doing all sorts of things. Last week they were digging up the back patio and there were piles of rubbish on the drive.

“A grab lorry came and took some of it away, and then suddenly Friday a police vehicle arrived outside and police tape went across, and they were there 24/7.

The neighbour added: “The cordon has come down now because they’ve secured the building.”

One insider also told the Sun that power, gas, and water have all been shut off at the home while police investigate.

He also revealed that forensics have been searching the property from top to bottom, and have been preserving evidence on green trays.

Local planning documents show an application for a single-storey rear extension at the premise.

Holidaymakers will need to know all the entry requirements ahead of their trip to avoid disappointment and potentially being refused entry into the country.

Children aged 17 or younger travelling to Portugal alone or with someone who is not their parent or legal guardian will need a letter of authorisation in order to travel there.

The letter must contain key details in order to be accepted.

What does the letter to enter Portugal need to include?

Authorities in Portugal have asked that a few things be included in the letter, such as a signature from the child’s parent or legal guardian and the date it was signed.

The signature must be certified by a notary or solicitor, and the notary or solicitor’s signature must be legalised by the Legislation Office.

The letter must be issued alongside a copy of the child’s parent’s or guardian’s passport.

It must include:

• full name, date of birth, and passport number of the child
• the dates the child plans to arrive and depart the country
• why they are visiting
• the address where the child will be staying
• the name and passport number of the adult in Portugal who is responsible for them while there
• the full name, date of birth, passport number, and contact details of the parent or guardian

6 tips for cheaper family holidays

What happens if you don’t have a letter of authorisation?

The UK government website has made it clear that if a child who needs a letter of authorisation is taken to Portugal without one, their entry will be delayed and could be refused.

It adds: “Teenagers aged 17 and under who travel alone, or with friends of the same age, and who are not being met on arrival by a parent or guardian, may be refused entry if they do not have a letter of authorisation.”

If a child is a resident of Portugal and aged 17 or under, they “must carry a properly certified letter of authorisation if travelling without their parent or legal guardian.”

Where does Manchester Airport fly to in Portugal?

You can fly to the following locations in Portugal from Manchester Airport:

• Faro
• Lisbon
• Madeira
• Porto

Did you know these rules were in place for travelling to Portugal? Tell us in the comments below.

The best sunglasses to shop now

Best lightweight glasses

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There’s nothing more classic than tortoiseshell. This pair of brown glasses comes in at just 23g, so it barely feels like you’re wearing anything at all.

SunGod also lets you choose between standard and polarised glasses, which reduce glare (and therefore eye strain) or you can pay extra for 8KO polarisation for 70% clearer vision.

No matter what you go for, they’re super durable, and would be just as at home on a run as they would be strolling the Sunday market. They even come in a handy blue dust bag for when you want to chuck them in your bag.

Best oversized aviator sunglasses

Oversized sunglasses had their moment at Copenhagen fashion week, and this pair is a staple you won’t want to live without. They come in a classic aviator shape, but those polarized lenses are shatterproof and come with UV 2 protection, so they’re a great incognito pair for an evening look or slamming on to head to the supermarket.

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Best affordable men’s sunglasses

Sometimes all you want is a pair of shades you can count on to get the job done. This minimalist metal pair won’t take the attention away from the rest of your outfit.

It has polarised lenses, to reduce glare, and comes with sleek and simple metal frames.

Best 90s women’s sunglasses

The 90s are clearly here to stay, and up there with the most popular trends are skinnyyyy sunglass frames. We’re a big fan of these ones from Jimmy Fairly, which are a perfect mix of square and round, and offer 100% protection against UVB and UVA. Stylish and functional, what could be better?

Best women’s colourful frame

We’ve been seeing pops of primary colours dominate fashion and interiors the whole year, so it’s no surprise that the trend has now reached our sunglasses, with colourful frames all over fashion weeks.

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These oversized frames from Jimmy Fairly come in clear, yellow, brown, and blue, but we’re partial to this deep maroon colour. We’ll just call you big red.

Best Y2K sunglasses

Run, don’t walk: ASOS is selling vintage now. Who knew?! I don’t know about you, but my social media has been absolutely awash with a Prada Sport comeback this year, and I love this pair of vintage Y2K glasses.

They’re a little on the spenny side, but totally worth it if you’re committed to looking like you just walked out of an episode of The Simple Life.

Best round glasses

If you’re taking the bohemian revival seriously, these round sunnies will tick off two trends at once: 70s inspired and colourful frames.

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They’re unisex, so you can share them with your lover, and come with 100% UV protection for protection you can rely on.

Best women’s sunglasses with a gold detail

What is life if not about that bling? If you wanna prove that you’re too blang for that thang this summer, these frames from Versace are the only accessory you’ll need, as they come with a gold logo detail on teh side.

We also appreciate that the lenses are grey, rather than black, for a touch of tonal difference to your ‘fit.

Best statement glasses

If you want your sunnies to make your outfit, Paloceras is a one-stop shop. With a selection of chunky statement sunnies, it has plenty of options for your next favourite accessory.

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These red ones are calling our name, because don’t they just look like they’ve come straight out of a cartoon? They’re 100% UV protective, and unisex. But if that’s not your jam, this clear pair is also enticing as hell.

Best budget women’s sunglasses

Apparently the butter yellow trend is out and lemon curd is in – let me know if you figure out the difference. Either way, this pair of pale yellow sunnies looks like they could be far more expensive than they are: they’re delightfully chunky, and also come in black if you’re more of a classic gal.

Best classic sunglasses

Groundbreaking, I know. But just in case you forgot these classic frames existed, here’s your reminder. I struggle with finding sunglasses as I have a pretty narrow face, and I love that Ray Ban allows you to choose your width.

You can also customise them, make them polarised, or add your prescription to them, which is pretty neat if you ask me.

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Best new designer collab

You might not want to look at the sun, but there’s no harm in looking like you’re wearing it on your face.

I mean, how fab is this collab between Ray Ban and D&G? The combo of the yellow lenses and gold frames is just *chef’s kiss* but if you don’t like yellow, you can choose from five other frame colours.

Best sporty men’s sunglasses

If you’re after a frame that is equal parts sporty and wearable, these frames from Cos fit the bill.

The angular frames will add a hint of interest to even the most basic of outfits, while the brown is a neutral you can fall back on come spring or autumn.

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Sunglasses trends to shop in 2026

The National Trust has told families to ‘avoid’ a section of beach it manages in England as it will ‘stay hot for days’ after a wildfire ripped through the coastline

An urgent ‘avoid the area’ warning has been issued to beach-goers by the National Trust after a fire ravaged sections of a hugely popular UK beach.

Although the fire is under control, the National Trust, which runs Formby beach and the nature reserve in the dunes, has warned the ground will ‘stay hot for days’ and must be avoided. The beach is hugely popular in the north west – not only with Liverpudlians locally, but also Mancunians and Lancastrians as it’s one of the closest beaches to major cities like Manchester and Preston.

Six fire crews raced to a ‘significant’ blaze on the sand dunes on Formby beach, in Merseyside, on Wednesday evening (August 12). They tackled a fire on sand dunes and gorse around 500 metres by 200 metres in size during the heatwave, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Fire crews used beaters and hoses to combat the blaze, with extended hose lines stretched across substantial distances to secure water supplies. Challenging conditions arose as strong winds drove the fire through dense gorse.

An MFRS drone was also deployed to give crews an aerial perspective of the fire. A fire engine from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and an MFRS off-road vehicle were also mobilised.

The scorched land now poses an ongoing safety risk, the National Trust announced. In an official statement, the charity confirmed that its ranger team had been working alongside MFRS to evaluate the damage caused by the fire.

It said: “It’s still too early to understand the full extent of the fire’s impact, but we’ll be closely monitoring this ecologically significant habitat and its affected species over the coming months.

“While the fire is now out, the scorched ground will remain hot for several days, so we ask visitors to avoid the area for their own safety.”

The National Trust also urged those visiting the Sefton Coast to exercise additional caution during the current hot, dry spell.

Visitors were reminded to ensure cigarettes are completely stubbed out, and that barbecues and open fires should never be lit along the coastline.

The organisation added: “We’d like to thank Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service for their quick response and hard work in containing and extinguishing the fire.”

Two people have been seriously injured following the derailment near Brighton

A major update has been released after a train derailed near Brighton today.

Two people have been seriously injured after the train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes in East Sussex. It’s understood they have been taken to major trauma centres with “severe” injuries, the South East Coast Ambulance Service said.

Emergency services have flooded the scene of the incident, which happened near the town’s railway station on Thursday afternoon and involved a Southern Rail train. South East Coast Ambulance Service said a further nine patients sustained less serious injuries in the derailment.

A major incident has been declared following the train derailment, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

Three carriages derailed onto their side, leaving a number of people trapped on board the Southern train, which was travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne. They have now been safely evacuated, the force said.

“Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals for further treatment and care,” an ambulance spokesperson said.

“A number of passengers who did not require hospital treatment have been taken to a local community centre, where they are being supported by partner agencies. This remains a complex and ongoing multi-agency response.”

Photographs circulated online show at least two carriages of a train lying on their side, with two passengers standing on top.

A BTP spokesperson said: “At this time we believe that two patients have sustained serious injuries and a further nine patients have sustained less serious injuries

“Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals. Officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Sussex Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith said: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing at the scene, but all passengers on the train have now been safely evacuated from the service.

“Our thoughts are of course with everyone affected, and I’d like to reassure the public that we’re supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish exactly what’s happened. We’ll provide further information as soon as we are able”.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she is “deeply concerned” by the incident and is “working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers”.

Meanwhile, a passenger has told of her “terror” during the derailment where “everything went topsy turvy”.

The remaining train casualties have been ferried home in taxis or taken to hospital by ambulance. A triage area at the Landport Community Centre sorted the remaining injured. People shared cabs home or were loaded into ambulances.

Passenger Yana Ludwig, 56, from Washington State, USA said she heard a loud bang before being thrown from her seat.

“It was completely terrifying,” she said. “I was coming back from London and Lewes is my stop. There was a banging noise and everything went topsy turvy.

“There was lots of shaking, it felt like a really long time, but it was probably only about 10 seconds. I landed on top of somebody. I’m just glad nobody was killed.

“It felt like it was maybe 20mins before the emergency services started showing up. It could’ve been faster, time is kind of warped.”

Yana was waiting for a shared taxi back to Lewes, she added: “This is one of those moments when people pull together, which is good.”

“I also want to acknowledge the local community, for their patience, understanding and support throughout this investigation, particularly those who came forward with information, whose cooperation has been invaluable in helping us establish the truth and secure this conviction.”

The closure orders were granted against Ramis Off Licence and Ted’s Convenience Store, two separate premises both based on Derby Street in Deane.

Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court heard both had been involved in the large-scale supply of illicit cigarettes, illegal vapes, narcotics, and nitrous oxide.

The court heard that these activities had links to organised crime groups in Bolton.

Bolton Council cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Robert Morrisey said: “These closure orders send a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated in our communities.

“The sale of illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, drugs and nitrous oxide harms local neighbourhoods, fuels organised crime and puts vulnerable people at risk.

Ramis was also given a closure order (Image: Bolton Council)

“This successful action demonstrates the strength of partnership working in Bolton and our determination to tackle those who profit from criminality.”

The closure orders against the two shops were granted by magistrates to council trading standards officers on Thursday, August 6.

According to court documents, both were made subject to applications for closure orders because of noise and disorder.

Magistrates heard how the shop’s activity was also associated with antisocial behaviour in the nearby area and concerns about vulnerable young people being drawn into substance misuse.

This came after multi-agency investigation involving Bolton Council trading standards, community safety, Greater Manchester Police and other partner organisations.

Both businesses will now have to stay closed for three months.

Speaking after the police operation, Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, said: “The recent GMP operation on Derby Street has led to two shops being closed for three months after officers found large quantities of nitrous oxide, laughing gas, and other illegal substances.

“This action didn’t happen by chance, it happened because residents spoke up, and because our neighbourhood officers acted quickly.”

He added: “Rumworth has strong, family centred communities.

“When dangerous substances like nitrous oxide start appearing in local shops, it puts our children, teenagers, and vulnerable young adults at risk.

“This isn’t just a policing issue. It’s a community safeguarding issue.

“Young people are being targeted because it’s cheap, easy to access, and wrongly seen as safe. As a community, we must challenge that myth.”

Iran has suggested it could deliberately prolong the war with the US until Donald Trump leaves office, in order to send a message that attacking the country has lasting consequences.

Mohammad Reza Naghdi, senior adviser to the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said dragging out the war would show any future US administration that “there is a cost” to hostile endeavours against Iran.

“We have to attain deterrence so that the enemy never dares to attack us, so we can live with security,” he told PBS NewsHour.

His comments came as Iran again rejected Donald Trump’s claims that the US has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority said “the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked” and it will not be opened until Iran’s conditions are accepted.

Trump earlier said that “praise be to Allah”, Washington has “total control over the Strait of Hormuz”, adding: “I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!”

Amid their conflicting claims, data from trade intelligence firm Kpler showed shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was near a three-month low.

Just 13 vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday, around 90 per cent below the pre-war daily average.

US official says it would be ‘wise’ for Iran to agree to peace deal

A US official has said it would be “wise” for Iran to agree to a peace deal as the war in the Middle East drags on.

While Donald Trump “has been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, he continues to retain all options if Iran continues to engage in terrorism and refuses to make a deal”, the official told NewsNations.

“The successful sanctions and blockade have crippled Iran’s economy and left Iran in an extremely degraded state. It would be wise for Iran to agree to a deal – otherwise, they know what will happen”.

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Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 02:01

US military denies reports of sailor deaths and suicidal ideation on the USS Abraham Lincoln

US Central Command had denied reports that seven sailors died in a brawl aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East and that there had been a spike in suicidal ideation on the aircraft carrier.

“USS Abraham Lincoln has maintained among the highest crew reenlistment rates (84.4%) of all aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy”, CENTCOM wrote on X.

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“No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln’s historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones”.

Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 01:36

Top US Democrat calls reports of deteriorating conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln a ‘disgrace’

A top US Democrat has called reports of deteriorating conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East a “disgrace”.

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“Food shortages. Rationing. Mental Health Challenges. Lack of fresh fruits and vegetables”, Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader for the House of Representatives, wrote on X. “Republicans need to end their reckless war of choice in Iran immediately”.

Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 01:02

US military shares video of fighter jets over Middle East

Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 00:02

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Vance lays out two major goals in Iran war

US Vice President JD Vance has laid out two major goals his administration has in the Iran war.

“That’s goal number one. Keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country”, Vance told Fox News. “And then obviously, goal number two is ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. I feel confident we’re accomplishing both of those goals”.

Peace talks between the US and Iran, that could potentially include a nuclear deal, have stalled as gas prices in America remain higher than pre-war levels.

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Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 23:16

Strait of Hormuz traffic remains diminished as war drags on

Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained diminished as the Iran war drags on for its sixth month.

Just three ships transited the vital oil waterway in the past 24 hours, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor.

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Donald Trump has claimed the US has “total control” over the strait, which Iran denies.

Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 22:33

Iran hints at another war with the US in the future

Iran’s joint military command, ​Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters, has claimed no vessel could transit the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran’s permission.

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“The baseless claims made by the United States regarding the normal passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz … are nothing more than lies and falsehoods,” the command said in a statement published by state media Thursday.

Separately, senior military political official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad said Iran would not reopen the strait unless the other side fulfilled its commitments under the interim deal, adding that the reopening of the waterway was not something the U.S. can achieve unilaterally, according to Fars news.

Sanaei-Rad also warned that Iran would respond more forcefully in any future conflict, saying: “In a possible future war, we will stand more firmly and more offensively.”

Sam Rkaina13 August 2026 21:45

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Iran and US continue to make competing claims over Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is “under Iran’s control and management”, the recently appointed head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary unit said today, a day after Trump said the United States had “total control” of the strategic waterway.

Hossein Taeb said the U.S. had sought to disrupt what he described as the Islamic Republic’s popularity in the region by launching another war in the Strait of Hormuz, but had once more been defeated despite claiming Iran had neither an air force nor a navy.

”Today you see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic,” Taeb said, according to the semi-official Fars news. He added that Iran was continuing on its course in complete security.

After the start of the war, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran effectively shut the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas was previously shipped.

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The U.S. subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, while saying it would protect freedom of navigation for vessels travelling to and from non-Iranian ports.

Sam Rkaina13 August 2026 21:00

US military announces ‘multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force’

US Central Command has announced what it called a new “multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force.”

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Task Force Falcon Strike “will employ one-way attack drones consisting of unmanned systems from above, on, and below the sea operated by military support staff from the United States and regional partners”, CENTCOM wrote on X.

This unit will be the first of its kind, expanding on Task Force Scorpion Strike, the US military’s one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.

“The United States military has a lot of strong partnerships and friends in the region”, Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said. “We are collectively stronger when we integrate and deploy new capabilities together”.

Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 20:34

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Replacement aircraft carrier heading to Middle East after complaints about conditions on USS Lincoln

The USS George Washington will take the Lincoln’s place, US officials told The Wall Street Journal. The switch is reportedly part of a previously planned rotation.

The Navy has said it is not publicly discussing plans for the carriers because of operational security concerns.

The swap comes after sailors and their families have alleged issues on the Lincoln, including food shortages, months at sea without interruption and deteriorating mental health.

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Josh Marcus13 August 2026 20:24

Kew Gardens in London reached 38.1C on Thursday, making it the UK’s hottest day of 2026 so far, and the fifth hottest UK day on record.

It is also the second time this year that the temperature has reached 38C, after Lingwood, Norfolk recorded 38.0C on 26 June.

This is only the second time that 38C has been reached twice in the same year – the previous occasion being 2022.

Though the Met Office amber warning for extreme heat that covered large swathes of England on Thursday expired at midnight, high temperatures will linger in central and eastern parts of England on Friday.

Long spells of sunshine will lift temperatures to 29-34C (84-93F) across large parts of the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and the south-east.

For many places it will mark a third consecutive day above official heatwave thresholds.

The heat will ease elsewhere.

Somewhat cooler conditions will begin to move into northern and western parts of the UK, although temperatures will generally remain above the norm for the time of year – widely reaching the low to mid-20s Celsius.

Many places will be dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells although a few showers are possible, and these could be heavy and thundery in some places.