The Birmingham to Dublin flight was given priority landing clearance following a reported medical emergency onboard

An emergency was declared aboard a Ryanair service shortly after its departure from Birmingham Airport, forcing the crew to request priority landing clearance.

Flight FR661, bound for Dublin, had taken off at 8.37am on Sunday (July 26) when a medical incident is understood to have occurred onboard. The pilots subsequently transmitted the 7700 squawk code, the standard signal used to alert air traffic control to a general emergency, before diverting for an expedited arrival, reports Birmingham Live.

According to AirLive trackers, the aircraft was approximately 8,000 feet above the Irish Sea when the distress code was broadcast.

The plane touched down safely on Runway 28L at Dublin Airport roughly 40 minutes after leaving Birmingham, with emergency ground crews stationed on the tarmac ready to meet the aircraft upon landing.

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The Birmingham-Dublin flight was given priority landing clearance after a medical emergency on board

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A Ryanair flight travelling from Birmingham to Dublin declared an emergency shortly after take-off following a medical incident onboard.

Flight FR661 departed Birmingham Airport at 08:37am on Sunday (July 26) before the crew notified air traffic control of the situation.

The aircraft transmitted the 7700 emergency squawk code, which signals a general emergency, and was granted priority landing clearance. Trackers from AirLive indicate that the plane was approximately 8,000 feet above the Irish Sea when the emergency code was transmitted, reports Birmingham Live.

The aircraft subsequently landed safely on Runway 28L at Dublin Airport, roughly 40 minutes after leaving Birmingham. Emergency ground crews were positioned and ready to meet the plane upon its arrival.

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Cops have also launched an information portal so those with footage or photographs of disorder can pass it on.

Police chiefs have promised those involved in the disorder, witnessed between far-right protestors and anti-racist activists in Glasgow Green, to “expect a knock on their door” as they launch an information portal.

Ugly scenes broke out between opposing groups after a protest was organised by the Unite the Clans group at 11am on Saturday. A counter-demo was arranged outside the Green in front of the High Court by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and Women Against The Far Right.

Around 1700 people were in attendance at the park and 100 in Glasgow City Centre, with 15 people having been so far arrested with incidents of disorder. The force have said that in various locations disparate groups engaged in acts of violence, disorder, intimidation and hate motivated offences.

The arrests were regarding a range of offences including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest. Several weapons were also recovered.

This comes after a number of containments were put in place, including in Oswald Street, as officers responded to the situation to minimise disruption to the public.

Extensive enquiries are underway into the disorder and officers will be reviewing CCTV, mobile phone and dashcam footage, and capturing statements to identify those responsible.

Chief Superintendent Emma Croft has hit out at those attendees and promised those involved in the disorder to expect a police presence at their homes.

She said: “The level of disorder, violence and intimidation we saw in Glasgow on Saturday was nothing short of disgraceful.

“People have the right to express their views lawfully and to protest peacefully, however the behaviour we saw from those involved in the disorder was not legitimate protest but rather acts of aggression to cause fear in our communities.

“A significant investigation is already underway and my message is clear – if you were involved in these deplorable acts, you should expect our officers to be knocking on your door.

“We understand how concerning witnessing the disorder must have been and we would urge any members of the public with information, including mobile phone and dashcam footage, to please pass this on to us.

“We will continue to have a visible policing presence in the city centre and surrounding areas. Anyone with any concerns can approach our officers out on patrol who will be happy to assist.”

A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has now been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers. Those with footage or photos of criminality related to the disorder in Glasgow on Saturday are encouraged to upload it using the online form here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT26S14-PO1

Information can also be passed to Police Scotland via 101 quoting Operation Cornstarch. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana’s government on Sunday appointed a group of international experts to investigate the recent sinking of a state ferry that killed dozens of passengers in the country’s worst maritime disaster on record.

The 87-year-old MV Barima capsized in Atlantic waters on June 18 after it departed the capital, Georgetown, en route to Port Kaituma, an Indigenous community near Venezuela.

Authorities have said they believe 179 passengers were aboard, but divers so far have found only 73 bodies, with another 76 people rescued. International teams are still trying to recover the vessel so experts can inspect it.

President Irfaan Ali said in a state address Sunday that the investigative team has been given widespread powers and is expected to operate independently.

Belize’s former attorney general, Phillip Godfrey Smith, was appointed chairman of the five-person team tasked with the investigation, including whether professional negligence is to blame. Other members include an attorney, a naval architect and maritime experts from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Local authorities have so far arrested three people, including the rescued captain, who was accused of testing positive for marijuana, along with another crew member.

Ali said the team will be asked to scrutinize the “passenger management including embarkation, manifest preparation, the possible overcrowding of the vessel, the storage of cargo, the availability and use of life saving equipment and adherence to passenger safety requirements.”

Dozens of people rescued after clinging to debris for hours have claimed that the ferry was overloaded with passengers and cargo including vehicles and large pallets. They also asserted that the MV Barima was taking in water but that crews had dismissed this as “normal.”

Ali said his administration wants the commission to determine whether there were “any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty and other failures by any individual, entity or institution contributed to or caused the disaster, including neglect of its condition, maintenance history, sea tides, functioning navigation and communication equipment and other operational factors.”

Ali said authorities hope the commission will recommend institutional and operational reforms as well as any other measures necessary to strengthen maritime safety, “improve emergency preparedness and response and reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies occurring in the future.”

A public consultation is running until August 2026 on proposals to introduce 20mph speed limits on several roads in Cambridge, sparking debate over road safety and enforcement

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Cambridgeshire Live readers remain divided over proposals for more 20mph speed limits in Cambridge, with firmly held opinions on road safety, enforcement, and the available evidence. Some are calling for a consistent city-wide policy, while others argue the restrictions will do little to change driver behaviour or reduce accident rates without more robust measures.

According to Cambridgeshire County Council, more than 100 people have been seriously injured across these routes since 2017. A public consultation is running from July 1 to August 5, 2026. The proposed 20mph speed limits include: Chesterton Lane, Chesterton Road (Mitcham’s Corner to Magdalene Bridge), Corona Road, Milton Road (Mitcham’s Corner junction only), and Northampton Street.

A number of additional roads are also included. The council said the routes put forward for reduced speed limits are those which attracted the greatest public support, as well as several known crash hotspots.

Regarding Cottenham, one reader was forthright. Tartan53 says: “Not all villages want 20 mph, in Cottenham a vote taken more people were against a 20mph limit over ruled by county council imposed and it has not made any difference, traffic still ignoring it, speed bumps are required… Total waste of money.”

Freddly adds: “This person hasn’t observed how traffic works in Cambridge. If 20% of drivers comply at busy times (and increasingly, since the food delivery ‘boom’, that means all day), then that holds up the 80% who would like to go faster. The ‘dangerous overtaking’ thing is a figment; there is too much opposing traffic. We need to follow other cities where the default is 20 on restricted roads (that is, streets with street-lights).”

Lovelycardriver writes: “Alex Beckett’s claim of ‘over 100 injuries since 2017’ doesn’t match any published council data. When asked to show where that figure comes from, he doesn’t engage. It feels less like evidence‑based policy and more like another push to restrict motorists and reshape Cambridge without transparent facts. People deserve clear data, not headline numbers that can’t be verified.”

Johnsm feels: “The door to door average speed through the city is generally below 20MPH. (Take any realistic journey in Google Maps to and from within Cambridge, even at night time, even on 30mph roads). That average speed is generally dominated by traffic lights. A 20mph speed limit isn’t going to affect the timeliness of the majority of journeys more than a minute or two. It’ll just stop drivers from needlessly accelerating to 30 only to brake 5 seconds later. It’ll save the driver on fuel/brake pads, and the general taxpayer in road wear and tear.”

Brexit498 comments: “Cherry Hinton Rd was made a 20 MPH limit 15 years ago, it made no difference to the accident rate. As others have said, where is the evidence/statistics for the injury claim broken down by time, day, season, speed, alcohol/drug use, etc? As with Adams Rd, the figures don’t support the policy decision.”

Aljan says: “The anti-motorist faction strikes again. Perhaps the councillor could publish his statistics with a breakdown of how it happened, who was at fault, etc. Someone slipping on an icy pavement and breaks a limb, serious injury but no vehicle involved for example. His lack of statistics would indicate he is on shaky ground with his claims.”

Carbonneutralfeminist writes: “What is desperately needed is many more speed cameras on 20mph zones. Drivers regularly drive between 30 and 50mph in them, breaking the highway code like they haven’t read it. You can’t complain about imaginary cyclists going through reds when you do that!”

Over on our Facebook page, Clive P asks: “Why only 20mph? Wouldn’t 15 mph be better, or maybe even 4 mph? You could then have a man with a flag walk in front of each vehicle.”

Gareth S P comments: “Just further pushing the onus onto motorists to think for and compensate for the lack of common sense and awareness of other road users.”

Colin D thinks: “Make it simple. Once you’re off the A14, the motorway or any other route into Cambridge, it’s 20mph. Such zones are cleaner, safer, quieter and reduce congestion. None of this rubbish with variable limits, just make the whole zone 20mph once you’re off the main roads and into Cambridge.”

Do you think that 20 is indeed plenty? Comment below or HERE to have your say.

Brooklyn Beckham has taken a well-earned break from his hot-sauce business to fly into southern France.

Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz, were seen walking through Nice Airport by other holidaymakers.

It’s thought that the pair may be visiting Brooklyn’s godfather, Elton John, who owns a villa in Nice.

According to The Sun, Brooklyn, 27, was trying to keep a low profile while Nicola, 31, looked a little more confident.

“He looked a bit nervous’ an onlooker told The Sun. ‘He kept looking around, but she appeared more laid-back and chilled.

‘Lots of people recognised them and were nudging each other as they came through the arrivals terminal with their luggage.’

Reportedly, the pair didn’t have to wait long in the security queue, though.

They were apparently taken right to the front and quickly went on their way.

French firefighters and officials are currently battling dangerous wildfires that are burning across the south west of the country.

The BBC reports that 42,000 hectares have been burnt in that part of the country, forcing more than 220,000 people to evacuate.

A further 56,000 hectares have been burned across France since the start of the year.

One particular area of concern is the city of Bordeaux, where tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the surrounding region.

It’s believed that strong winds are pushing the flames towards the city, and an official has claimed that firefighters are ‘far from having the fire under control’.

Captain Nicolas Braz, one of the leaders of the firefighters, has said that the flames are ‘erratic and unmanageable’.

Meanwhile, France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the situation in the region remained ‘very unfavourable’.

The UK government is currently warning of wildfires ‘affecting parts of Gironde and Landes in the south-west of France.’

They note that authorities have evacuated campsites, tourist accommodation, and warm access to affected areas may be restricted.

They warn that those planning to travel to the affected areas should follow the advice of local authorities, monitor local media, and check with their accommodation or travel provider before travelling.

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Verstappen was unhappy with his car for much of the race, with regular complaints on team radio, but Red Bull pulled a masterstroke when they fitted soft tyres to his car at his second pit stop.

The aim was to challenge Hamilton in the later laps after the seven-time champion made an early second stop with 40 laps still to go.

It was heading towards a tense climax when Piastri’s retirement brought out the VSC.

That prompted a late round of pit stops, Ferrari bringing in both their drivers and putting them behind Verstappen.

Hamilton came out of the pits and passed Antonelli into the first corner, after the Italian stayed out under the VSC, but had to give the place back after the restart because the Mercedes driver had just passed the key line on the track in front.

Antonelli and Hamilton started chasing back towards Verstappen, but they were delayed while lapping Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto.

That looked as if it might be decisive, but in the end Verstappen was comfortably able to keep Antonelli at bay, crossing the line 3.6 seconds ahead.

Another key point in Verstappen’s race had been his re-passing of Hamilton after the Ferrari had got briefly ahead following the first pit stops.

That gave him clear air and enabled the Dutchman to consolidate his race position in third place behind the McLarens, laying the foundations for Red Bull’s late strategy call.

Hamilton will leave Hungary ruing another penalty – the one for speeding in the pit lane was his second in two days after behind penalised for blocking Piastri in qualifying, and follows two others at the previous two races in Belgium and Britain.

Behind him, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was sixth, ahead of Russell, who dropped to 21st place on the first lap after his anti-stall kicked in at the start, and fought back strongly.

At Aston Martin, Lance Stroll finished in 13th, ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso, their positions dictated to a degree by luck under the VSC and their divergent strategies.

But the key point was that Alonso, in particular, was able to fight with other cars for the first time, and he ran a long first stint on the soft tyres, before switching to the mediums, which was a bold strategy.

The long-awaited upgrade to their car, which was new apart from the front suspension, engine and gearbox, has reduced their lap times by about two seconds.

A Honda engine upgrade is due for the Dutch Grand Prix, the next race in four weeks’ time after the summer break, which the team hope will elevate them further and potentially bring the possibility of the occasional points finish into the picture.

The village is also full of thatched cottages and timber-framed homes

Cambridgeshire is a county widely associated with science not only in the UK, but the world. It’s home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, which has produced some of the smartest scientific brains such as Professor Stephen Hawking.

While Cambridge is considered the science centre of the county, there is one small village that is also highly-regarded in the science world. This is Hinxton, a small village home to just over 300 people in south Cambridgeshire.

Hinxton is home to the world-famous Wellcome Genome Campus, a leading hub for genomics and biodata research. The centre is famous for its major contributions to the sequencing and analysis of the human genome – the complete set of DNA instructions required to build and maintain the human body.

As well as its scientific significance, Hinxton has more beauty to discover. The “picture-perfect” village features many aspects expected from a village.

This includes timber-framed and thatched cottages, historic brick and flint houses, quiet lanes lined with flourishing trees and also a village green. The famous River Cam also flows through the village, making it a scenic and pretty place to walk through.

A prominent spot in the village is Hinxton Watermill on the River Cam. It’s so old that it’s mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1085 and is noted as being “worth eight shillings”. The current building was constructed in the 17th century, while the adjoining cottage was built in the 18th century.

People can visit the watermill on its open days, giving them an insight into the watermill. They can also experience the beautiful sites that surround it.

The village is home to one pub, known as The Red Lion Inn, which also comes with bed and breakfast accommodation. The award-winning pub has resided in the village since the 16th century.

It provides the “perfect backdrop for enjoying fabulous food and drink, in the company of friends, family and colleagues”, according to the pub website. In the summer months, the pub’s walled gardens are also a pretty place to sit and enjoy a drink.

To enjoy a day out to experience beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside in a place that is well-renowned for science, then Hinxton is the place to visit.

On Friday morning, Louise Haigh arrived at Heron House in Manchester city centre, carrying a bright red folder that stood out against an otherwise understated navy outfit.

Just weeks after Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election, and subsequent coronation as Labour Party leader and new Prime Minister, Miss Haigh now has a big job running the Cabinet Office and the title of First Secretary of State.

She has found herself running one of the defining features of this new Government – shifting power out of Whitehall and into England’s various regions.

Heron House, off Albert Square, is the temporary headquarters of the No 10 North, but is apparently fully operational while work continues on a more permanent base.

Critics have dismissed this as a costly gimmick but Miss Haigh insisted it represented something much bigger – a rewriting of how Britain is governed.

Officers were spotted stationed outside the building, which is also home to GCHQ staff from Wednesday and by Friday morning the entrance had been cordoned off. GMP has confirmed it is using ‘existing resources’ to provide security outside.

“It’s phenomenal, it only took them four days to set it up and it’s fully kitted,” she told the Manchester Evening News. “They’ve done an absolutely brilliant job. It’s an extremely secure site.”

It’s a remarkable return. Miss Haigh was Labour’s youngest MP when she was elected in Sheffield Heeley 2015, and she is still the youngest woman ever to have been appointed to a Cabinet position, at 36.

Less than two years ago, however, Miss Haigh resigned as transport secretary just four months into the role, after it emerged she had pleaded guilty to a fraud offence during her 20s.

Her allies believed she was treated unfairly, as then-Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, had long-known about her conviction.

Instead of retreating, Miss Haigh became one of the architects of Andy Burnham’s leadership campaign. She was seen by his side throughout Makerfield.

Earlier this month, Haigh admitted to the BBC’s Nick Robinson that Mr Burnham had been ‘planning for this moment’ with her and other colleagues ‘for at least the last year’.

Now, as one of his closest allies, the 38-year-old is back at the centre of Government and charged with making one of Burnham’s radical devolution ambitions a reality.

Miss Haigh spoke to the the MEN exclusively and rejected the criticism that No 10 North risks becoming a gimmick, rather than a genuine transfer of power.

“We had a meeting today to discuss how we can rewrite the entire British state to serve the country better,” she said. “No 10 North will be at the heart of that, we’ll be pulling together civil servants across different departments.”

Friday’s gathering brought together senior ministers and cross-party regional mayors – including Steve Rotheram, Ben Houchen, Andrea Jenkins and Tracy Brabin – to put devolution at the heart of Mr Burnham’s government’s mission.

Drawing on Mr Burnham’s experience as Greater Manchester mayor, Miss Haigh argued that Whitehall has spent years ‘hoarding’ power that should have been exercised locally.

“[Mr Burnham] has seen the benefit here. It’s the largest, fastest growing region, it’s seen the biggest drop in deprivation, that’s thanks to the fruits of Andy Burnham’s labour,” she said.

For Haigh, the principle is that ‘every part of the country deserves that now’. However, the challenge will be applying that theory into practice.

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Miss Haigh said the new No 10 North would mirror many functions of 10 Downing Street itself, bringing together civil servants from multiple departments under one roof while coordinating devolution across Whitehall.

“There will be two ministers – one for devolution and another for fiscal devolution and growth,” she explained.

Success, she claimed, won’t be measured by the building itself but whether more decisions and investments flow away from London.

She said: “The whole point of devolution is taking decisions to the ground as close as possible. We believe it’s important because decisions will be better. Outcomes for people will be better. We want more investments going in places around the country.”

For now, No 10 North is a work in progress. The permanent headquarters is still some way off – central retail park 2032 – leaving ministers operating from Heron House.

At least seven Greater Manchester Combined Authority employees, including Mr Burnham’s longstanding aide, Kevin Lee, and deputy chief of staff, Caroline Simpson, have moved into Heron House.

The office will be led by Sam Lister, a senior civil servant.

It’s an unassuming building from the outside, and a place where people can register births and weddings. It’s hard to imagine that happening at 10 Downing Street.

But Miss Haigh is relaxed about the temporary arrangement.

“I don’t know yet how long we’ll be based at Heron House. But [it’s] fully operational and this is an excellent state of the art facility. A lot of civil servants will be flocking here.”

Perhaps the biggest test of Burnham’s devolution agenda will be its relationship with the Treasury, which may be reluctant to give away more power willingly. Haigh insists the old rivalries are being dismantled.

“We’re joining up No10 and No 11 closer, we’re sharing expertise in a way that has not been done before,” she said.

She points to the unusual arrangement under which Daniel Tomlinson serves both the Cabinet Office and the Treasury as growth minister, arguing that it reflects the PM’s determination to implement his devolution agenda while using existing budgets.

The Prime Minister also chaired the first meeting of the National Economic Council – a body originally set up by Gordon Brown to deal with the fallout of the 2008 financial crash – where he told regional mayors the committee is ‘here for you, to empower you’.

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“We generated a whole host of decisions which will reverberate around the civil service,” said Miss Haigh.

“We’ll be speeding up changes to infrastructure…. Changing how leaders will deal with Whitehall.

“It’s hard to understate the meeting today, and how much the Cabinet is desperate to action their projects.”

Less than two years after leaving Cabinet, Louise Haigh has returned to Government, tasked with helping reshape the British state itself. The First Secretary of State is now determined to prove that power can, at last, move out of Whitehall.