Flames have been burning on Llanwonno mountain above the Rhondda for days now

People are deliberately setting fires on a Rhondda mountain which has been burning for days. Fire crews have been trying to tackle a serious wildfire at Llanwonno since Saturday afternoon which led to a major incident being declared on Monday due to the scale of the fire and the amount of resources being used.

On Tuesday South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) confirmed the major incident status remains active “due to the ongoing scale of the wildfire and challenging conditions on the mountain, including poor visibility caused by today’s low cloud, mist and rain”.

In a joint-agency message with South Wales Police, SWFRS said that while work is ongoing to prevent further spread and protect nearby properties, there were reports of deliberate fire-setting on the mountain overnight.

Anyone with information about these deliberate fires is asked to contact South Wales Police or neighbourhood policing and fire crime teams.

As part of the ongoing response to the blaze, which has left an area of land as large as 200 football pitches scorched, Natural Resources Wales has secured the deployment of a specialist firefighting helicopter.

However, poor weather conditions, including low visibility, mist, rain and forecasted thunderstorms, have delayed deployment. Conditions are being assessed throughout Tuesday.

Despite the damp weather seen in the Rhondda overnight the fire service said the mountain is continuing to smoulder. It is continuing to advise nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed where possible.

Anyone experiencing health concerns as a result of smoke exposure should seek appropriate medical advice, the fire service said.

The fire service said communities in Ferndale are well protected, with ongoing work looking to protect the Cwmaman side of the mountain while continuing efforts to contain the fire within forestry and upland areas.

A number of road closures remain in place in the small village of Blaenllechau to allow the fire service to get equipment to the mountain, with members of the public asked to avoid the area.

People are also being reminded that a temporary no-fly zone, including for drones, is in place in the area.

The latest update from the fire service reads: “South Wales Fire and Rescue Service continues to work with partner agencies to contain and extinguish the wildfire on Llanwonno mountain in Ferndale and prevent further spread, helping to protect nearby properties and communities.

“There were reports of deliberate fire-setting on the mountain last night. We ask anyone with information to call South Wales Police on 101, report anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or speak to the Neighbourhood Policing Team or Fire Crime Team, who will be patrolling the area.

“Firefighters worked throughout the night in challenging conditions to tackle the fire and protect properties. Incident commanders at the scene have confirmed that communities in Ferndale remain well protected, with today’s operational priority focused on protecting the Cwmaman side of the mountain while continuing efforts to contain the fire within forestry and upland areas.

“The incident remains a major incident due to the ongoing scale of the wildfire and challenging conditions on the mountain, including poor visibility caused by today’s low cloud, mist and rain.”

Anyone with information about fire-setting on the mountain can contact South Wales Police on 101, report anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or speak to the Neighbourhood Policing Team or Fire Crime Team, who will be patrolling the area.

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The man suspected of killing Scottish aid worker Elisabeth Jane Ross in Greece is 26-year-old Sharif Ahmadzai, the BBC understands.

He was arrested after the body of the 38-year-old was found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens on 18 July, several days after she was reported missing.

Ahmadzai, who was born in Afghanistan and is a champion boxer, travelled to Greece as a refugee.

He is expected to appear in court in Athens on Wednesday.

The BBC understands Ahmadzai, who left Afghanistan after being orphaned aged 15, lives in Greece with his American wife and child.

His father, a commander in the Afghan army, was shot dead and his mother and siblings were killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul.

He travelled to Greece via Iran and Turkey, according to the charity, external The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), before settling in a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos.

It is understood this is where he met his wife and converted to Christianity. The pair then set up the charity Love Every Nation Athens to help other refugees.

It is thought that he met Ross through the charity.

Warren Barnes, 38, orchestrated the large-scale supply of cocaine and cannabis across Greater Manchester while on the run abroad.

He was arrested in Bolton on August 19, 2025, after failing to return to police bail following a conspiracy to produce cannabis dating back to 2015.

Warren Barnes (Image: GMP)

Police Constable Brown, of our Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: “This investigation exposed an organised crime group that relied heavily on trusted associates to facilitate the large-scale supply of illegal drugs and the laundering of criminal profits.

“Despite spending years outside the UK, Barnes continued to direct offending from abroad, believing distance and encrypted communications would protect him from law enforcement.

“He was wrong.

“The evidence gathered by investigators clearly demonstrated the scale of this operation and the roles played by those involved.

“Drug trafficking fuels violence, exploitation and misery within our communities.

“Through the dedication of officers and partner agencies, this group has now been dismantled and those responsible have been brought to justice.”

The investigation uncovered that Barnes had been living in Dubai, Spain and Canada while directing criminal operations across Greater Manchester using encrypted communication platforms.

He used the handle ‘Pablo Picasso’ and referred to himself as a ‘cocaine artist.’

On Friday, May 12, 2023, officers executed a warrant at the Salford home of associate Paul Taylor, of Swinton.

Paul Taylor (Image: GMP)

A search of the property led to the discovery of 182g of cocaine, more than 3kg of cannabis, £5,000 in cash, and other drug-related paraphernalia.

The drugs had an estimated street value of more than £45,000.

Seized cash (Image: GMP)

Examination of Taylor’s phones revealed he used the username ‘Del Boy’ to communicate with Barnes on encrypted platforms.

Messages showed Barnes instructing Taylor to supply drugs, manage finances, and operate cannabis farms while Barnes remained abroad.

The investigation also found that Taylor had enlisted his son, Adam Taylor, in these activities.

Adam Taylor (Image: GMP)

Adam Taylor was stopped by officers in Salford on November 18, 2023.

A search led to the discovery of a cannabis farm and evidence that he was also supplying cocaine, cannabis and ketamine.

When Barnes was arrested in Bolton, officers seized three mobile phones, including two encrypted devices.

Evidence from these devices revealed he had orchestrated the supply of approximately 11kg of cocaine and 159kg of cannabis.

Investigators also found debtor lists, cryptocurrency transactions, and images of Barnes’ affluent lifestyle during his time abroad.

(Image: GMP)

Barnes was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison at Manchester Crown Court for offences including being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, possession of a Class A drug, conspiracy to produce a Class B drug, being concerned in the movement of money, and possessing criminal property.

Paul Taylor was jailed for five years and three months for related offences, including possession with intent to supply both drugs.

Adam Taylor received a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to supplying cocaine, cannabis, and ketamine, as well as producing cannabis.

Programme Challenger is Greater Manchester’s partnership response to serious and organised crime.

Officers and partner agencies work within communities to disrupt and dismantle criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, exploitation, firearms offences and money laundering.

Anyone with concerns about organised crime is urged to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Firefighters west of Athens raced to exploit a break in high winds on Tuesday, working to strengthen containment lines as forecasters warned that stronger gusts and rising temperatures would return in the coming days.

Several fires that burned through mountain communities and coastal areas west of the Greek capital were brought under control overnight. Planes and helicopters dumped water inside the contained perimeters through the morning, dousing hotspots while the winds stayed calm.

The army deployed tracked earth movers to carve fire breaks across the scorched hillsides, while specialist units pushed into forest areas on foot to extinguish smoldering embers before they could reignite.

Crews were working against the clock: Winds typically pick up in the afternoon, a coastal phenomenon common across the Mediterranean in summer as land heats faster than the sea and draws in stronger breezes.

The blaze jumped containment lines a day earlier.

More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from around the seaside resort of Porto Germeno and other areas west of the capital, including more than 250 rescued by boats from beaches in the area.

There has been plenty of speculation about the prospect of an eleventh series, but no plans have materialised as of yet.

Crissy explained she would jump at the chance of returning to the show and hailed the brilliant script writing behind her character Janey Yorke.

Crissy Rock attending the ITV Summer Party 2019 (Image: Alamy Stock Photo)

Speaking on behalf of BestBettingSites.co.uk, home of the best casino sites, she said: “I’d love Benidorm to come back. And if it did come back, I’d love to be a part of that, but you never know. Never say never.

“I think what happened was everybody saw someone they knew or they associated with in that programme — or someone you’ve encountered on holiday at places like that.

“And the writer was so clever; he observed every character like he knew them.

“And I think the bunch of people he picked helped to make it as well, like the Garveys and everyone else. So it was lovely and I was pleased that I was a part of it.”

Rock spoke specifically about the inspiration behind her portrayal of Janey, and whether the possibility of a new series could come to fruition.

“I took my kids on a holiday once where there was a rep, and this woman just didn’t want to be there, didn’t want to be a rep — hated children, hated people. I took that inspiration from her.

“We rumble all the time [about a new series], but until it’s actually there with a script in your hands, you can’t say yes or no.

“If it did happen, I would love to be a part of it — I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t. But you don’t know. It’s ten years have gone by now.”

Should a new series of Benidorm not materialise, Crissy would love to appear on one of the UK’s longest-running TV soaps after a similar experience starring in Celebs on the Farm.

“I think I’d like to do Emmerdale,” she added.

“I’ve done a thing called Celebs on the Farm, and absolutely loved it. And I thought, if that’s Emmerdale Farm, I want to go! I’ve still got my rosettes and everything.

“I like Emmerdale. I’d also love to do The Traitors — I’m addicted to that. I’d probably give myself away. But I also love the show — I watch that all the time. When they’re picking the Traitor, you go, ‘No, he’s not the traitor.’.”

More recently, Crissy’s career has taken her on the road, having recently finished a tour with her aptly titled show From Bedlam to Benidorm, which brought her written life story to life.

When revealing her inspiration behind the show, she explained: “What happened was a lot of people were asking me where they can get the book. And I’m going to get in touch and see if I can get it reprinted.

“I talked about my life and being abused — me and my brother being abused. But it gets people laughing and crying at the same time. Like when I got married the first time, it was a £1.10 silver wedding ring, half a pound of boiled ham, and a Victoria sponge.

“The best man was his probation officer.

“And then when I was married to my second husband, I didn’t realise he was a functioning alcoholic.

“I’d never seen him drunk because I’d never seen him sober.

“But it’s all about not letting things that have happened pull you back. You cannot change the past ever. You can only change the future.

“So I could spend my life going, ‘Poor me, poor me, poor me’, but you have to just say that was the cards that were dealt, and I have to try and make a hand out of it.”

The council received a number of noise complaints about the unlicensed music event in Monmouthshire

An illegal rave held in the woods saw nearby villagers enduring loud music throughout the night. Police officers were sent to the unlicensed music event which was held in Chepstow Park Wood during the early hours of Sunday, July 26.

Residents across Monmouthshire reported that “really loud music” could be heard coming from the woodland, in areas including Mathern, St Arvans, Devauden, and as far away as the Severn Bridge and the coastal path at Black Rock.

The council has since confirmed it is investigating after six noise complaints were received in relation to the illegal rave. A spokesperson for Monmouthshire council added that it had “no prior knowledge of the event taking place”.

Gwent Police said its officers attended Chepstow Park Wood after receiving reports of an unlicensed music event being held in the early hours.

“Officers attended, advised those in attendance to stop the music before safely dispersing the area”, a statement from the force said.

A spokesperson for Monmouthshire County Council said: “We can confirm that Monmouthshire County Council had no prior knowledge of the event taking place.

“The event organisers did not engage with the Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) process. ESAG is a multi-agency forum chaired by Monmouthshire County Council and it provides an opportunity for event organisers to receive specialist advice and input to their event to ensure a safe and legal event can take place.

“Advice covers a range of issues, including the mitigation of any potential noise nuisance. ESAG is a voluntary process and whilst there is no legal requirement to engage, we do receive requests from numerous event organisers.

“It is disappointing that this event did not engage with this forum. We will continue to work with our partners, including Gwent Police, to seek to identify the organisers of this event and encourage them to engage with ESAG and prevent any future issues of a similar nature arising.

“We encourage all event organisers to engage with ESAG and further information is available here: Event Planning – Event Safety Advisory Group – Monmouthshire.”

Greater Manchester Police said the discovery was made by road workers shortly after 11pm yesterday (August 3), near a bridge between junctions 3 (Hyde) and 4 (Hattersley) of the M67 in Tameside.

The force believes the remains have been identified and is working with specialist teams to establish what happened.

An officer said: “We are working with specialist teams to understand the circumstances behind this incident.

“The road will be closed between junctions 3 and 4 while detectives carry out their investigation.”

The force said the road will remain closed while detectives carry out their investigation.

The force has asked the public to continue to avoid the area, and said it will provide updates when it has them.

More than 150 migrants have been rescued after the boat they were using to cross the Channel caught fire on Tuesday morning, French authorities have said.

The boat was attempting to cross to the UK when its engine caught fire, according to the French maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea.

It said 157 people have been rescued and are being taken to port in Boulogne-sur-Mer. There are no reports of anyone having been injured or killed.

It comes just a day after Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged his government will be “relentless” in curbing the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats.

French authorities said the boat left France on Monday night.

Overnight “five people on board the vessel required rescue… the remaining people on board refused the assistance offered by the French patrol boats”, the French maritime prefecture said.

“Determined to reach the United Kingdom, migrants crossing the Channel in small boats refused assistance offered by French emergency service, accepting it only in situations of extreme emergency,” it said in a statement.

Because of the “structural fragility” of boats used to cross the Channel, it said they decided not to intervene further at that stage.

But this morning the engine caught fire and the “vessel’s integrity deteriorated very rapidly”.

Rescue boats went to the scene from France and the UK, including the RNLI Eastbourne lifeboat and the UK Border Force vessels BSC Contender and BSC Courageous.

Two French boats rescued 103 migrants and the British boats rescued 54.

All of them are being taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment, where they are expected to arrive there at 12:30 local time (11:30 BST) on Tuesday.

Earlier, the UK Coastguard said: “A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting.”

The incident took place at the Open Jar Tribute Festival in Seaton Carew on Saturday (August 1) – with police being made aware of the footage the following day. 

Officers have not received a complaint but identified a 25-year-old man, who was receiving hospital treatment, and he was visited in person by officers on Monday. 

Cleveland Police has now confirmed that a 27-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 GBH and he will be questioned while enquiries continue.

The festival, which took place across Saturday, was described as a “huge day of live music, energy, and unforgettable festival vibes”. 

This year’s line-up featured tributes to Queen, Oasis, Coldplay, ABBA, Pitbull, Sabrina Carpenter, Gerry Cinnamon, and Amy Winehouse.

The police statement said: “On Sunday (August 2) police were made aware of video footage apparently showing a man being assaulted by security staff at the Open Jar festival at Seaton Carew the evening before (Saturday, August 1).

“At that stage we had not received any complaint from a victim, however our enquiries soon identified a 25-year-old man who was receiving hospital treatment. 

“He was visited in person by officers yesterday (Monday, August 3).

“A 27-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 GBH and he will be questioned while enquiries continue.

“Our officers are continuing to liaise with the local authority and the event organisers.

 “We would appeal for anyone who witnessed or captured footage of the incident to contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number quoting ref 152776.” 

A top Cabinet minister today defended Andy Burnham for taking a holiday after just two weeks as Prime Minister.

Mr Burnham, who only entered office on 20 July, is taking a break from his day-to-day duties to travel abroad with his family for a long-planned trip.

He is not expected to appear publicly this week, but Downing Street insisted he will still be working and is prepared to travel back to the UK if required.

Reform UK has accused Mr Burnham of ‘bunking off’ while even Labour insiders questioned the PM’s decision to go away.

But Alex Norris, the Justice Secretary, this morning backed Mr Burnham over his choice to take a holiday and insisted the PM would be ‘in constant contact’ with his office.

‘The Prime Minister is having a few days away with his family,’ he told Sky News. ‘You know, he will be in constant contact with his office.’

‘I mean, I might gently say that I’ve spoken to him virtually every day since I joined the Cabinet, and I suspect that won’t change.

‘These last couple of weeks I’m really proud of the work we’ve been doing on the cost of living, on social care, on homelessness, on defence. And that work is happening at pace and will continue to do so.’

Alex Norris, the Justice Secretary, backed Mr Burnham over his decision to take a holiday and insisted the PM would be ‘in constant contact’ with his office

In Mr Burnham’s absence, Mr Norris was left to field questions about the Government’s decision to still allow the killers of PC Andrew Harper to be eligible for early release from jail.

The Justice Secretary acknowledged that the decision had ‘created harm’ but said the alternative was seeing prisons cease to function.

Some 5,000 people are expected to be released early under sentencing changes, down from 6,000 after the PM exempted rapists and child sex offenders as part of the scheme to tackle overcrowding in jails.

But two of PC Harper’s killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, remain eligible for early release after their 2020 convictions for manslaughter despite an outcry from the officer’s family that prompted a review of the early release plans.

PC Harper sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.

Until recently, both close friends and staff of Mr Burnham claimed the PM had cancelled plans to join his family on holiday, with this replaced by a tour of Britain to meet voters towards the end of August.

As recently as July 25, Downing Street told the Mail that Mr Burnham would not be heading off for a break after becoming Prime Minister.

But on Monday No10 confirmed he would be travelling abroad to spend time with his family, after making a blizzard of spending pledges on bus fares and energy bills that could cost up to £96billion during his first two weeks in charge.

Downing Street published an official portrait of Mr Burnham on Tuesday as he took a holiday from No10

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Mr Burnham, who only entered No10 on 20 July, is taking a break from his day-to-day duties to travel abroad for a long-planned trip

While Mr Burnham is on holiday, his de-facto deputy Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will be the most senior minister in Westminster

Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson said: ‘Two weeks into the job and Andy Burnham has already had enough.’

‘After dropping a number of unfunded commitments and overseeing over 2,000 illegal migrants breaking into our country he’s bunked off for a jolly abroad.

‘This isn’t a PM that’s serious about leading.’

And a Labour source told the Mail: ‘Talk about easy mode. A week’s holiday? Because he’s had a difficult summer? Because he had to fight a by-election?’

The source said that Keir Starmer ‘barely went on holiday’, adding that when he did ‘he would just sit there with a bottle of rosé and talk through work over the phone. It was inspiring.’

The former PM cancelled a planned holiday in August 2024 – about six weeks after entering No10 – due to the riots that erupted after three young girls were murdered in Southport. He eventually went on a family holiday in Madeira at the end of December 2024.

When Sir Keir was away, Downing Street insisted that he remained in charge, rather than handing over power to the then deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner.

While Mr Burnham is on holiday, his de-facto deputy Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will be the most senior minister in Westminster.

It is understood that convicted fraudster Ms Haigh will be working this week as normal, however, No 10 insisted that she will not be taking day-to-day decisions in Mr Burnham’s absence.

The PM’s spokesman said: ‘The Government continues to operate as normal with [the] PM remaining in contact with officials, holding meetings and receiving regular updates on government business.’

There were no further details on where Mr Burnham will go on holiday as prime ministerial holiday destinations are not usually confirmed by Downing Street.