Greek fishermen joined a dramatic mission to rescue dozens of tourists trapped on Crete’s coastline as wildfires continue to rage across multiple holiday islands.

Footage captured the moment rescue boats battled huge waves from winds of up to 100mph and thick smoke to reach 29 people stranded on a beach in the Agios Pavlos area and haul them to safety.

The group, including children and elderly people, had fled to the shoreline after their hotel caught fire.

According to the Greek Coast Guard, 17 people were rescued in an initial operation before a further 12 were brought to safety in a second mission, taking the total to 29.

The rescue came as firefighters battled major blazes across Greece, with thousands forced to flee homes and hotels on Crete, while wildfires also continued to burn across parts of Spain, Portugal and France after weeks of extreme heat. 

Fishing boats also joined the complex rescue effort in Agios Pavlos, with terrifying footage showing the vessels crashing through huge waves to save those stranded.

Captain Nikos Matthaiakis, one of the fishermen involved, described the chaotic rescue to MEGA.

He said fire had surrounded the area, engulfing a tavern and tourist accommodation, while reed beds burned and sparks reached the rescue boats.

Exploding gas cylinders added to the chaos as stormy seas battered the vessels and around 30 people were stranded on the beach with no escape route.

‘It was stifling in terms of fire and smoke, but the winds were hurricane-force. Imagine that they recorded wind gusts of up to 160 kilometres per hour,’ he said.

• A wildfire broke out on Thursday morning in Germany’s Chiemgau Alps mountain range. 200 firefighters and emergency personnel are on the scene. 
•  In Spain, 207,000 hectares (511,000 acres) of land have burned nationwide as firefighters are tackling a huge wildfire in Avila outside Madrid. A construction worker has been accused of starting the blaze by using an illegal excavator.
• In France, some 92,000 hectares have burned after a devastating fire swept through Bordeaux. New fires have now erupted between the cities of Marseille and Nice and in the Burgundy region.
• Turkish firefighters on Wednesday battled wildfires near the country’s southern tourist beaches that have forced the evacuation of hundreds of people.
•  Firefighters in France have warned embers could fuel ‘zombie fires’ for several months, mobilizing rescue efforts until winter.

Fishing boats also joined the complex rescue effort in Agios Pavlos, with terrifying footage showing the vessels crashing through huge waves to reach those stranded on the beach

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Smoke filled the sky as rescue boats battled stormy seas to rescue the people trapped

According to the Greek Coast Guard, 17 people were rescued in an initial operation before a further 12 were brought to safety in a second mission, taking the total to 29

Flames and embers rise as a wildfire burns next to the village of Krya Vrysi, Crete

Matthaiakis said the overnight operation was carried out in treacherous conditions, with strong winds and heavy smoke making it almost impossible to reach the beach.

‘The conditions were very difficult. The Port Authority called me at 4am and told me to be on standby. We headed towards Agios Pavlos with the Coast Guard boats and rescued 25 people trapped by the fire,’ he said.

‘We couldn’t even get close to Agios Pavlos because the winds were over Force 10 and the coastline is rocky. The situation was shocking. I picked up the last of them while the hotel was burning and gas bottles were exploding.’

Those rescued were transferred to Coast Guard vessels before being taken safely to the port of Kokkinos Pyrgos after the nearby Agia Galini area was also evacuated.

Gale-force winds are fueling deadly wildfires across the Greek islands of Crete and Lesbos, forcing the urgent evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists.

‘We evacuated (some) 8,000 people’ from the resort village of Agia Galini, Maria Lioni, deputy governor of the Rethymno area, told state TV ERT.

The evacuations were decided as the fire, which broke out Wednesday and had earlier killed two firefighters, got to within a kilometre of the village before changing direction in the evening.

The fire is believed to have burned down homes, agricultural facilities and farm animals, but the toll is unclear as the fire is ongoing, Lioni said, calling it a ‘dark day.’

Two firefighters were trapped on a mountain road near the village of Krya Vrysi and died as the winds kept changing direction.

A third firefighter collapsed and died during efforts to put out a separate fire near Gytheio in the Peloponnese peninsula.

It comes as Europe is battling some of the worst wildfires in living memory across multiple popular holiday destinations including France, Spain and Turkey.

The Crete fire department had dedicated a force of over 200 firefighters and 53 fire engines in the Rethymno area in southwestern Crete, but winds of up to 102 kilometres (63 miles) an hour was preventing most aircraft from taking on seawater. 

The fire front in Rethymno is over 15 kilometres long according to local civil protection official Giorgos Tsapakos.

But inhabited areas are ‘not under immediate threat’ as the fire is mainly burning forest and agricultural land, Tsapakos told Skai TV.

The rescue came as firefighters battled major blazes across Greece, with thousands forced to flee homes and hotels on Crete, while wildfires also continued to burn across parts of Spain, Portugal and France after weeks of extreme heat

Pictured: Smoke restricted visibility and made the rescue mission more difficult 

Moment dozens are rescued by boat after fleeing to beaches on wildfire-hit Crete

Pictured: People sit in a boat after being rescued from the wildfires in Crete

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Smoke rises during a wildfire, south of Rethymno in the Greek island of Crete on July 30, 2026

A firefighter operates on a wildfire burning near the beach of Triopetra on the island of Crete, Greece, July 30, 2026

People walk on a beach as smoke rises from a wildfire burning next to the village of Plomari, Lesvos

Firefighters work to contain a major wildfire near Saumos, Gironde department, France, 29 July 2026

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A volunteer works to extinguish a fire in low-lying vegetation in Krya Vrysi, Rethymno, Crete

A volunteer uses a shovel as they battle a wildfire at Seydikemer district in Mugla, Turkey

A firefighter creates a controlled burn area to contain a fire near Lege-Cap-Ferret, during wildfires in southwestern France, Thursday, July 30

Firefighters and volunteers work to extinguish the flames engulfing bee hives during a wildfire at Seydikemer district in Mugla, Turkey on July 29, 2026

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A coastguard spokesman said there were four patrol boats at Agia Galini ready to help with additional evacuations, including one from EU border agency Frontex.

‘But conditions are extremely difficult, there are (violent) wind shears,’ he said.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to the fallen firefighters on Wednesday.

‘Our thoughts are with them, as well as with all the firefighters, volunteers and members of the security forces who are battling the fire fronts, in the midst of a new harsh reality that they are called upon to face every year,’ the prime minister said.

Nearly 100 firefighters were separately tackling a fire near the village of Plomari on the island of Lesbos.

The civil protection ministry placed several areas on near-maximum fire alert for Thursday, including Crete, the greater Athens area, the eastern Peloponnese and most of the Aegean islands.

The National Observatory’s weather website meteo.gr said wind shears in the Rethymno area had been recorded at up to 125 kilometres per hour, and wind intensity was expected to remain high on Thursday.

Greece faces destructive wildfires almost every summer as prolonged drought, high temperatures and strong winds create ideal conditions for blazes to spread rapidly.

A wildfire broke out on Thursday morning in Germany’s Chiemgau Alps mountain range, near the village of Unterwossen.

200 members of the fire departments, mountain rescue, emergency medical services, and the police are on the scene tackling the blaze.

‘People are being asked to keep their windows and doors closed, turn off their ventilation and air conditioning systems, and avoid the area around the incident site,’ said a spokesperson for the district fire department association. 

This aerial picture taken with a drone shows a herd of goats on the scorched ground of a farm damaged by a wildfire near Pelayos de la Presa, 65 kilometres west of Madrid, on July 30

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This picture shows burnt-out cars and properties ravaged by a wildfire in the Encinar del Alberche residential area in Villa del Prado, south-west of Madrid

A firefighter works to contain a major wildfire near Saumos, Gironde

An aerial view shows firefighting teams continue aerial and ground operations to contain a forest fire that spread due to strong winds in the Alanya district of Antalya

Tourists prepare to be transferred on a bus from the town of Moires as a wildfire burns on the island of Crete

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Meanwhile in Spain,  207,000 hectares (511,000 acres) of land have burned nationwide, among the largest areas in any January to July period on record according to the European Forest Fire Information System. 

Emergency services have been working since last Thursday to put out a blaze in the Madrid region, and another in the nearby province of Avila, which officials said is the worst in Spain’s recent history.

The blazes forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, many of whom have now been allowed to return home.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that efforts to extinguish a major wildfire near Madrid were progressing ‘favourably’ and the coming hours would be ‘decisive’.

‘Today I believe we are closer to that final objective’ of ‘defeating the fire’, Sanchez told reporters in televised comments at a command centre in the town of Navalcarnero near the fire zone.

‘Things are progressing favourably, with the greatest of caution,’ he added.

‘I believe the next 12 hours will be very important – they will be decisive for consolidating the work that has been done’ by firefighters.

A new wildfire broke out on Wednesday near Spain’s border with Portugal, forcing the evacuation of more than 600 people, emergency services said.

A total of 11 areas were evacuated, and residents of two others were ordered to shelter in place, the services said.

Authorities did not say the area burned in the fire in Fermosselle region, but several roads have been closed.

Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) was deployed to the Level 2 fire – a classification that triggers extra support from the central government.

Two other Level 2 fires – at Val de la Loba and San Cipriano del Condado – are active in the same Zamora province, in the Castile and Leon region which has already been hit by the largest fire in Spanish history since record-keeping began.

In France, some 92,000 hectares have burned between January and July – the largest area ever documented in records that date back two decades. 

A helicopter drops water to extinguish a fire in the mountain forest in the Chiemgau Alps, near the village of Unterwossen, Germany

A house and belongings destroyed by a wildfire are photographed as the fire continues to spread in Pelayos de la Presa, Madrid province

Firefighters battle the flames of a wildfire near Pinzio, Portugal, 28 July 2026

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Firefighters kneel on the ground as they discuss how to tackle a wildfire near Saumos, Gironde department, France

The Gironde region reported a second calm night and said the massive fire west of France’s wine-making capital of Bordeaux remained stable despite a spike in temperatures on Wednesday as the fourth heatwave of the summer roasted the area.

‘If the night goes well, we can reasonably be more optimistic for tomorrow and the days to come,’ Sophie Brocas, a senior regional official, said.

In the southeastern region of Var, however, more than 600 people were forced to flee after a fresh fire erupted in the region nestled along France’s Mediterranean coast between the cities of Marseille and Nice.

The new fire erupted less than a day after another blaze in the Var was brought under control.

Another forest fire erupted in the eastern region of Burgundy near the city of Dijon, sweeping across 125 hectares but without causing any casualties or damage to homes, local officials said.

And Turkish firefighters on Wednesday battled wildfires near the country’s southern tourist beaches that have forced the evacuation of hundreds of people, authorities said.

Hundreds of firefighters went up against the biggest fire in Mugla province, with more than 20 planes and helicopters bombing water on the flames, the agriculture ministry said.

Media reports said the main highway from the tourist city of Antalya to the beach resort of Fethiye had been closed because of the smoke.

NTV television said that access to the ancient ruins at Olympos in Antalya province had been closed.

In Mugla province, the wildfire started on agricultural land and spread to a forest, the provincial governor’s office said. It added that 202 residents and some patients from a hospital had been evacuated.

Another major fire burned in the Balikesir region on the Aegean coast along the road connecting Izmir, the country’s third-largest city, to the Dardanelles region.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late Wednesday that some 90 fires had broken out on Wednesday in the country, with 81 brought under control.

More than 3,000 firefighters are working to contain the remaining fires, he said.

Turkey has sent two firefighting planes to Spain to help with its wildfires and two others to France, which has also been battling forest fires.

A firefighter walks next to flames during controlled burning operations in Le Porge, Gironde department, amid drought conditions following a heatwave and water shortages across much of France, July 30

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Damage at a burnt house at Pelayos de la Presa in Madrid, Spain, 30 July 2026

Firefighters attempt to extinguish flames in Saumos, Gironde department, France

A firefighter uses a metal drip torch to ignite controlled fires in a forest in Le Porge, north of the Arcachon Basin, on July 30

On Wednesday, nine villages were evacuated on the Greek holiday island of Paros.

Footage shared on social media shows bright orange flames rising above the mountains as dark clouds of smoke engulf the island.

 Local media has reported that residents are fleeing to the beaches on the instructions of emergency services.

According to Greek news outlet ProtoThema, emergency crews have been battling the blaze non-stop since Tuesday afternoon. 

The response team in Paros includes 66 firefighters, specialised forest firefighting units from Athens, five helicopters, and two water-bombing planes. 

One resident who fled to the neighbouring island of Antiparos told Swiss outlet Blick: ‘This is turning into a real catastrophe! The fire spread further south with the wind in just three hours.’

Early on Wednesday, residents in Trypiti, Glyfa, Pyrgaki and Aspro Chorio were ordered to evacuate towards Dryos, after an earlier alert told people in Agkairia to flee to Aliki beach. 

The orders followed Tuesday’s evacuations from Agios Charalambos, Kambi, Bougados, Aneratza and Kamari as the blaze continued to spread.

Deputy Mayor Haris Giourtzidis said authorities did not yet have ‘a clear picture of the extent of the damage’, adding: ‘So far, we know that two barns have burned down.’

He said strong, persistent winds were hampering firefighting efforts and revealed emergency crews had been forced to remove some residents from their homes after they refused to leave their animals behind.

The Mayor leads Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which was formed in 2011 by the ten councils that make up Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

Each council has one seat on the GMCA, usually held by the council leader. The mayor is the eleventh member and the chair of the GMCA.

The role of Greater Manchester mayor has one of the broadest regional remits across the UK, with the person in power also holding the post of police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the area.

This means that the mayor is “the public’s voice on policing matters” and has a statutory duty to hold the Chief Constable and GMP to account for their performance, according to GMCA. Other duties as the PCC include setting the policing budget and agreeing priorities through the Police and Crime Plan.

Other powers held by the mayor include responsibility for the fire and rescue service. The mayor sets the budget and strategic priorities for the service, while the Chief Fire Officer is responsible for operational matters.

They also oversee a wide range of policy areas that affect people’s everyday lives, which includes transport, such as how money is spent on infrastructure like new tram lines or roads, as well as planning and housing.

The Mayor also works with businesses to promote economic growth and oversees budgets devolved from central Government, including a £630 million integrated settlement.

Grandiose, gripping and glorious flick full of wonderful performances.

To call The Odyssey Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece would really be saying something given this is the man behind Inception , Oppenheimer , Interstellar and The Dark Knight .

But I think this epic, old-school filmmaking take on Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his dangerous voyage back to Ithaca just might be the crowning glory in his colossal CV.

This a blockbuster in the truest sense of the word – and should be seen on as big a screen as possible – which encompasses many different genres that all fit given the ancient world of magic, monsters and gods Nolan welcomes us into.

As a horror fan, it was particularly pleasing to see the director hint at how special his move into that genre could be with a standout sequence that sees Cyclops chomp down on soldiers, and the unforgettable image of a dead army chasing our heroes in Hades .

There’s also a scene involving Sirens which does more with what it doesn’t show, amid the pulsating, immersive sound design found throughout the movie, than any amount of special effects could’ve achieved.

The cast is as wonderful as it is fittingly gigantic, with no weak links to be found.

Damon is in career-best form as a fierce soldier whose loyalty is tested and mind and body are taken to several extremes as he longs for a return home.

There are far too many amazing turns to mention but Tom Holland ( Telemachus ) visibly grows into a leader before our eyes, Robert Pattinson’s Antinous is an odious, conniving coward, Anne Hathaway ( Penelope ) commands respect and a desperate will to be reunited with Odysseus , and John Leguizamo’s loyal Eumaeus is enchantingly endearing.

And Samantha Morton chills like never before as Circe , using wacky and weird witchcraft-like torture on unsuspecting soldiers.

Everything about The Odyssey , from the writing and action to the personal relationships, is grandiose, gripping and glorious, right up until the crowd-pleasing climax.

This is god-tier filmmaking.

● What are your favourite Christopher Nolan films?

Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.

●The Odyssey is showing in cinemas now.

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Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs has had his release date moved a month earlier, in spite of a prison brawl that landed him in solitary confinement.

After a hotly publicized trial, Diddy, 56, was acquitted last July of the most serious charges against him, sex trafficking and racketeering, but was found guilty on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Although his sentence was initially scheduled to end on May 8, 2028, his release was pushed back to June 4, 2028 over allegations denied by his attorney that Diddy drank moonshine and made an unauthorized three-way phone call.

He was granted a reprieve last October when the date was moved to April 25, 2028 owing to the FIRST STEP Act, a prison reform law from Donald Trump’s first presidency that was famously championed by Kim Kardashian and has resulted in the early release of tens of thousands of criminals.

The date was later adjusted to April 15, 2028, and last month it emerged his sentence had been slashed again to conclude February 23, 2028.

Now, yet another change has been made, and Diddy is slated to emerge from jail on January 24, 2028, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records.

In response to an inquiry from the Daily Mail, the Federal Bureau of Prisons stated: ‘For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not comment on the conditions of confinement for any incarcerated individual, including release plans or specifics regarding why a release date changes.’ 

The Daily Mail has contacted Diddy’s representative for comment.

News of the modification circulated a week after Diddy got into a fight with another inmate at New Jersey‘s Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Fort Dix.

Multiple sources claimed the disgraced rap mogul lashed out at the other inmate after he insulted the rap mogul, according to TMZ. 

A spokesman for FCI Fort Dix declined to share information about the alleged incident.

‘For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not release information regarding the conditions of confinement for any inmate, including housing assignments, nor do we discuss whether a particular inmate is the subject of allegations, investigations, or sanctions,’ the representative told the Daily Mail.

Sources claimed that Diddy and the other inmate began pushing each other at first, before punches started flying between the two.

Diddy was said to have ‘held his own’ in the fight, though guards quickly separated the men and Diddy was reportedly sent to solitary confinement in response to the brawl.

Sources claimed that Diddy, real name Sean Combs, lashed out at the other inmate at New Jersey’s Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Fort Dix, after he insulted the rap mogul

Sources alleged that Diddy and the other inmate began pushing each other at first, before punches started flying between the two. Diddy was said to have ‘held his own’ in the fight, though prison guards quickly separated the two men. Above, in 2000

The latest conflict for Diddy comes after a disturbing clip resurfaced that showed him inviting the late child star Daveigh Chase, then 12, to an ‘afterparty.’

The clip went viral in the wake of the Donny Darko actress’s death from AIDS last month.

Chase, who previously appeared in the 2003 horror film The Ring, died in hospital from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of HIV infection, on June 16.

Following her death, a one-minute clip from the 2003 MTV Movie Awards began circulating again on social media and showed Daveigh being presented with the award for Best Villain by Diddy, who was 33 at the time.

The Daily Mail has also revealed this week the devastating family turmoil that may have contributed to Daveigh’s fatal spiral. You can read the full story here.

Diddy was previously found guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution in violation of the federal Mann Act. 

In October 2025, he was sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison, along with five years of supervised release and a $500,000 fine.

In the clip, which was filmed backstage after the awards, Diddy is seen speaking with Chase and asking whether she is ‘coming to the after-party tonight.’

Chase nods in response, after which Combs reacts with laughter and an audible ‘Yeah!’

The clip has sparked huge backlash online, with many users sharing their reactions in the comments to a version posted on Reddit.

Guards reportedly sent Diddy to solitary confinement in response to the brawl, though it’s unclear if he is still being held there

As of Friday, he’s scheduled to be released on February 8, 2028, but the brawl could potentially push back his release date

They wrote: ‘God, please keep your kids away from the entertainment industry. Vultures in human form. She’s a child. 

‘Why have these 2 men with her on the podium at all? It could be given by someone her own age or an older teen.’

‘This is so incredibly disturbing.

‘I’d also like to point out that Daveigh was so talented – she scared the absolute s**t out of me as a child. 

‘The Ring will forever be one of the greatest horror flicks ever, and that is largely because of her performance. I’m very sorry that her life ended the way it did, and that she was evidently surrounded by creeps from a young age.

‘Hindsight is 20/20. Shewww.’

Other users said on X: ‘No one that young is prepared to handle what she experienced. It’s heartbreaking

‘Poor girl. Diddy was creepy back then as he is now;’

The latest conflict for Diddy comes after a disturbing clip resurfaced that showed him inviting the late child star Daveigh Chase, then 12, to an ‘afterparty’

The clip went viral in the wake of the Donny Darko actress’s death from AIDS on June 16

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‘When I look at the clip as an adult, it’s more disturbing and sick.’

A representative for Combs previously addressed the resurfaced footage in a statement to Page Six in 2024, denying wrongdoing and describing the exchange as misinterpreted.

‘It’s disappointing to see the media and social media commentators twist moments into something they were not,’ the statement said.

The team maintained that the interaction was part of a scripted onstage segment and not inappropriate in nature.

Chase never publicly commented on the clip.

Following her death, a one-minute clip from the 2003 MTV Movie Awards began circulating again on social media

It showed Daveigh being presented with the award for Best Villain by Diddy, who was 33 at the time, and Ashton Kutcher

It has not been confirmed whether Chase attended the after-party in 2003 or any other events hosted by Diddy. 

Daveigh’s mother has also shared her ‘guttural’ reaction to her daughter’s tragic passing with the Daily Mail. You can read the full story here.

The actress died in hospital from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), per an autopsy report by the LA County Medical Examiner.

Chronic polysubstance use – the repeated use of more than one drug over a short period of time – was also listed as a significant condition contributing to her death.

Her manner of death is listed as natural. 

Chase found fame as a child star in 2002 with her haunting portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring.

She later appeared in a number of film and television projects, including Lilo & Stitch, Donnie Darko, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, and Big Love.

She gradually stepped back from the public eye after 2013, with her final social media activity in 2017 and her last red carpet appearance at a Vogue dinner in April 2013.

In the clip, which was filmed backstage after the awards, Diddy is seen speaking with Chase and asking whether she is ‘coming to the after-party tonight’

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Over the following years, she had several reported run-ins with the law, including an arrest in 2017 in Los Angeles in connection with joyriding in a stolen vehicle.

In a tragic premonition of her own death, she was questioned in 2017 after dropping an unconscious man off outside a hospital and driving away. He later died of a drug overdose. 

Roy Hernandez, Chase’s partner, said the pair were homeless in the years before her death.

In one of his fundraisers, Hernandez pleaded: ‘Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life… But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship.’

‘After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. 

‘Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.’

He continued: ‘Recently, everything changed. Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. 

‘Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left. All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy. 

‘Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days.

‘I understand we all go through things, but if you can help, I will be really grateful for anything.’

Hernandez confirmed her death earlier this month, revealing a painful health battle that involved meningitis, a blood infection and sepsis.

Chase was first admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles in early June.

Prior to her death, Chase had reportedly been out of contact for an extended period, prompting concern from her manager John Ryan and her stepsister Gaia Brown, who had been attempting to locate her for several years.

Heartbreaking footage, circulated online but later deleted, appeared to show the actress emaciated and barely conscious inside a makeshift shelter on Skid Row – her ribs visible, her body shockingly gaunt, according to reports. 

Sources claimed she may have weighed as little as 75 pounds.

Speaking to the California Post, Ryan said their search eventually led them to Skid Row, where he believed Chase may have been staying.

He added that he had previously managed to speak with her by phone and arranged to meet her in person.

Ryan said the initial plan had been to support Chase in regaining her health, with arrangements being explored for possible rehabilitation support in Costa Rica once she was well enough to travel.

However, he said the situation had changed by the time they arrived, claiming she could not be located.

‘We were so close to finding her,’ he said. ‘Daveigh was the sweetest and brightest light in Hollywood. I can’t believe this is real. Her legacy and work will live on forever.’

A petition containing about 1,800 signatures calling for the service provided by the Cauwood Day Service, in Malton, to be protected was today presented to North Yorkshire Council’s Thirsk and Malton area committee.

Senior councillors will decide next week whether to close the centre.

Ahead of the decision, the area committee met to discuss concerns regarding the closure.

They heard from families and supporters of the centre who called for the service to remain open.

Stuart Moss, whose son Matty attends the centre, told the meeting: “For many disabled people, Cauwood is not simply a building. It is a place where they feel safe, where they are understood, where they have friends, purpose, routine, and dignity. It is where they laugh, learn, grow, and belong.

“If Cauwood closes, it is not just a service that disappears. It is a community. It is a vital lifeline.”

Lisa Keenan, from the Ryedale Special Families charity, raised concerns that Malton’s only Changing Places toilet would be lost if the centre was closed.

She added: “The toilet may be used once or twice a week, but it is essential for those disabled people who need that specialist facility.

“Just because it relates to the care of a few disabled people does not mean it is less important.”

In response, Abi Barron, the council’s corporate director for health and adult services, said the council was “passionate” not to lose the identity of Cauwood which she said was created by the staff, service users and their families.

She added: “Whilst the proposal to the executive is to close the existing building, it is not about closing the whole service, and our intention is to retain a refreshed Cauwood service and staff, who currently work within that service.

“This service will provide the flexibility required to meet the wide-ranging needs of the people who currently attend and hopefully others in the future.”

The officer said the council was aiming to secure “local building provision” in the Malton area to operate a new Cauwood service, adding: “There is no intention of us closing the building until those alternative service offers are in place and that people have completed their transition.”

The petition was presented to the committee by Malton councillor Keane Duncan.

He said the aim of the petition was to protect the services which were provided by Cauwood and he felt the report due to be presented to the executive next week showed the authority had changed its position on the centre.

He said: “The (original) report sought approval to close Cauwood from the autumn and to reprovide support through alternative community-based provision.

“At that time, there was, as far as we were aware, no commitment to another Cauwood, no commitment to another dedicated local building, and the report acknowledged that staff could be moved elsewhere and redundant to the seat if possible.”

He added: “I think we should welcome that the new executive report is substantially different from the position we faced in April.”

Other councillors raised concerns about the lack of information surrounding the council’s plans for the replacement service.

Councillor Steve Mason said: “It’s a bit like putting the cart before the horse. I just can’t understand why we have not arranged which building we go to first before we come to the proposal.”

The meeting voted unanimously for a motion calling on the executive to make it expressly clear that the Cauwood building remains open until the alternative site has the support of service users and their families.

Council chiefs have said that the current Cauwood service, in Old Malton Road, which supports adults with learning disabilities, autism and physical and sensory needs, is no longer sustainable.

They have highlighted a sharp fall in demand in recent years, rising costs and the poor condition of the building as reasons for the closure.

AIG Women’s Open

-7 A Thitikul (Tha); -5 S Kuwaki (Jpn), H Ryu (Kor); -4 Y Noh (US), C Boutier (Fra); -3 C Iwai (Jpn), C Wannasaen (Tha); -2 P Martin (Esp), L Coughlin (US), C Hull (Eng), R Takeda (Jpn), M Saigo (Jpn), L Woad (Eng), S Tan (Sin).

Selected others: -1 A Hewson (Eng), E Rhodes (Eng), A Fuller (Eng), L Ko (NZ), +1 M Yamashita (Jpn), +2 N Korda.

Full leaderboard

World number two Jeeno Thitikul leads the first round of the AIG Women’s Open by two shots after a spectacular seven-under 64 at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s.

The 23-year-old has 11 top-10 finishes in majors but has never won one, and went bogey-free in a fine start to her latest attempt.

South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, aiming to become only the fifth woman in history to claim three majors in a calendar year, is second alongside Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki on five under.

England’s Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are both on two under.

The world’s best golfers performed well in the opening round, with world number one Nelly Korda one of the few stars to fall behind.

Korda remains off the pace after shooting a two-over-par 73 in a round that included four bogeys.

The men remain in custody

Two men have been arrested as part of an investigation into arson attacks on two homes and a business in Newtownards.

A bus and car were set on fire in the Victoria Avenue are of the Co Down town on Sunday, July 26, while extensive damage was also caused to a business. A number of properties were also attacked in the Bristol Park and Weavers Grange areas.

Police have now arrested two men aged 43 and 24 as part of their investigation into the attacks with both remaining in police custody at this time.

Detective Sergeant Gray said: “Properties were attacked in the Bristol Park and Weavers Grange areas, while two vehicles – a bus and car – were set alight in the Victoria Avenue area, as well as extensive damage caused to business premises.

“Two men, aged 43 and 24, were arrested today, Thursday 30th July, on suspicion of a number of offences in connection with the reports. They remain in custody at this time as our enquiries continue. We would reiterate our appeal for information, asking anyone who was in these areas, and saw anything suspicious, to call us on 101, quoting reference number 1588 26/07/26.

“Alternatively, you can contact police online using our witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.”

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Hopp on Belfast is offering a new way to get around Belfast

As Belfast prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for the Fleadh, Hopp Belfast, a new undocked electric bike service, has officially launched.

The service is available across key areas of Belfast city centre, providing a convenient alternative for short journeys between venues, attractions, hotels and restaurants during one of the city’s busiest weeks of the year.

With increased footfall, temporary traffic restrictions and limited city-centre parking availability expected during the Fleadh, Hopp offers a simple way to move around Belfast with ease.

Brendan Boyd, owner of Hopp Belfast, who has almost 15 years’ experience in the sustainable energy sector, said: “Belfast is a vibrant city with so much to offer, and we wanted to create a transport option that helps people experience more of it in a convenient and enjoyable way.

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“The Fleadh provides the perfect opportunity to introduce Hopp to residents and visitors alike, whether they’re travelling between sessions in the Cathedral Quarter, exploring Titanic Quarter, heading to Queen’s Quarter or discovering other parts of the city.”

The black and bright green e-bikes can be unlocked through the Hopp mobile app, which is available on the Apple Store and Google Play. Unlike traditional bike hire schemes where users may need to pay upfront for a set rental period, Hopp operates on a simple pay-per-minute pricing model, making it a flexible and affordable option for short journeys around the city.

Hopp is an established electric micro-mobility operator headquartered in Iceland, with services operating in more than 70 locations internationally.

The Belfast service has launched with an initial fleet of more than 100 electric bikes. Following the initial launch period, Hopp Belfast plans to expand its fleet and service area in line with customer demand and operational performance.

Brendan Boyd added: “We’re excited to bring Hopp to Belfast and give people another option for how they move around the city. This is about making journeys easier, while supporting a more connected and sustainable Belfast. We’ll continue to listen to users, build on the service and expand as demand grows.”

Safety and responsible use are central to the service. Before taking their first ride, users complete a short in-app safety tutorial covering responsible riding, parking guidance and local road regulations.

The bikes operate within a controlled geo-fenced service area that includes slow-speed zones and preferred parking areas across Belfast city centre. Hopp Belfast does not use traditional docking stations, but users are encouraged to end their journey in one of the preferred parking locations shown in the app.

Riders are asked to park responsibly, ensuring bikes do not obstruct pedestrians, wheelchair users, prams, mobility aids, entrances, crossings or other road users. Using the preferred parking areas helps keep public spaces accessible and ensures bikes are available and easy for the next person to find and use.

A local operations team will monitor bike usage, parking compliance and fleet maintenance to help ensure the service operates safely, responsibly and with minimal disruption to the public.

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

The father who gave his son and school shooter, Colt Gray, guns that were used to kill four people has received 15 years in prison. 

Colin Gray was sentenced on Thursday, making him one of the few American parents who have also suffered criminal sentences for the actions of their children. 

Colin was found guilty of second-degree murder for the deaths of Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. He received involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of the two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. 

His son, Colt, now 16, was sentenced to life in prison for the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, which saw eight students and one teacher also wounded. 

Colt received a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition from his father as a Christmas present. 

The then-14-year-old carried the weapon onto a school bus with the poster board-wrapped barrel sticking out of his bag. 

During a second-period bathroom break, the teenager pulled the gun out of his bag in the bathroom and began shooting students and teachers in the hallway, investigators said. 

Prosecutors said Colin had missed several signs of deteriorating mental health in his son, including that his son was in a true crime community, where they openly discussed their obsessions with mass shooters, WHSV reported. 

Colt received a sentence of life in prison without parole for killing four at Apalachee High School in September 2024

Colin’s ex-wife, and Colt’s mother, had asked the father to secure all weapons in the house leading up to the shooting, investigators said. 

However, Colin’s attorneys argued that the teenager ‘actively hid the depth of his involvement’ in online communities, and that Colt seemed happy and like a normal teen who liked his video games and going into the woods with his dad prior to the tragedy. 

His lawyers also argued a 15-year sentence would be a death sentence for the 55-year-old, and would be equivalent to giving him the same sentence as Colt. 

Prosecutors, however, said the father received a just punishment for ignoring a ‘substantial and unjustifiable risk.’ 

‘This was the risk that he was ignoring, that there would be a mass shooting of children at a school, and he gave his son the exact tool he would need to accomplish this,’ Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jason Smith said. 

‘He is the reason four people are dead, seven were injured and countless others were traumatized, and he is the reason a 16-year-old boy was sentenced two days ago to the rest of his life in prison.’ 

Colin joins the ranks of James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021. 

Both Crumbleys were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for their son’s monstrosity. Ethan, like Colt, received a life in prison without parole sentence. 

Colin appeared emotional during the court proceedings on Thursday 

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Last week, during Colt’s sentencing, prosecutors played eerie phone calls between the teen and his mother that occurred while he was at a youth detention center in the months after the shooting. 

During one call on October 14, 2024, he directed his mother to search what people were saying about him online, a month after the killings.

‘Heck yes, because then I can show you all the pictures,’ his mother, Marcee Gray, said. ‘Oh my God, I’ve got so many new pictures that I’ve got to show you.’

He was excited when she described ‘fan art’ drawings depicting him or comments people made about him and the attention he was getting online.

Colt then rejected his mother’s offer to bring him some physical copies of the photos and drawings when she visited him, but Marcee said she was making her own.