Fernando Alonso made a major breakthrough for Aston Martin on the weekend they debuted their virtually new car by breaking out of the first session for the first time this season.

Alonso will start 16th, 2.8secs off pole – but that was two seconds faster in relative pace than they had managed for some time.

The veteran Spaniard, who is 45 next week, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I feel relieved a little bit, feeling that the team understood the weaknesses of the car and this is the first step in the right direction.

“We brought a few updates to this car early in the season, and it didn’t work much. And we come from two years of disappointments of upgrades. So definitely there is a change in optimism in the factory and I feel optimistic.”

Alonso faces a decision this summer as to whether to continue his career after this season. He said that while he had no doubts managing technical partner Adrian Newey would lead the team to success in the future, he was not sure whether it would happen soon enough for him.

“No one should doubt Adrian Newey or the potential we have in Silverstone. It is a matter of time before we have the best chassis and it is a matter of time before Honda have the best engine in F1. It is a question of when.”

All the drivers were battling with a track surface that was breaking up, especially in the final two corners, where Norris said it was especially difficult to judge the grip level.

Even before the incident with Verstappen, Russell was afflicted on his final run by a water leak, which was spraying water on to his rear tyres.

Mercedes asked him to pull over immediately after crossing the line, and he parked at Turn One, in an attempt to avoid damaging the engine.

Antonelli said: “I think we were just slightly out of the window with tyres, then in Q3 we did a good step and the car just felt finally a bit more alive. For sure it was a shame with the yellow flags, but it happens. P3 was on the table today but still not good enough for pole.”

A man who ‘brutally’ beat up a seagull in front of young families after it swooped for his food has called for wild birds to be trained – while claiming he is, in fact, an ‘animal lover’.

Charlie Righton attacked the bird in July at the Harbour View Cafe in Porthleven, Cornwall, while having lunch with a companion.  

It is understood Mr Righton, believed to be from Truro, grabbed and punched the seagull, and then ‘smashed’ it against the cafe’s wall and ‘stuffed [it] through the fence’. 

The bird was allegedly rescued by tourists, who Mr Righton deemed ‘idiotic’ and said rather ‘ruined’ the seagull’s day by ‘taking it away from its home’.

The harrowing incident, which witnesses said left the bird with broken wings, took place by the harbour on the afternoon of July 13. 

Mr Righton has since defended the attack, described by bystanders as ‘brutal’, as he called out his local council and ecologists for failing to ‘train’ the habit out of the wild animal.

In one post, he said that ‘having root canal treatment I felt obliged to give the seagull that attempted to steal my food a little roughing up’.

While denying breaking the bird’s wings or killing it, he wrote: ‘It’s unfortunate that our local council and ecologists haven’t done what is a simple thing and train the animals not to take food out of our mouths! My dog does not take from my table and neither should our gulls.

‘I was actually protecting the food of B who has been vegetarian all her life to her eighties who was kind enough to take me there. She fully supports my actions. 

‘The bird was not harmed or killed and flies around Porthleven again.’ 

Mr Righton added: ‘I am actually an animal lover and believe that with the correct training all species can live in harmony. 

‘Businesses and humans need to take a stand and learn how to harmonise these creatures, understand them and teach them their place in our society as we all have ours. Sorry for any upset my actions have caused anyone.’

In a separate post, as reported by Cornwall Live, he described being in ‘intense pain’ after the bird’s wing hit him in the mouth, causing the ‘automatic’ reaction to ensue. 

He added on Facebook, which includes a bio that reads ‘one life live to the max!!!!!’: ‘I didn’t even damage the animal. It was in shock and I guarantee that the gull won’t attack other diners at the harbour side cafe again (the food was delicious and staff warm and friendly) and just because some idiot tourists decided to further ruin the bird’s day by capturing it and taking it away from its home where it would have naturally recovered.

‘Get a grip, find something useful to do with your day go plant a tree! Why not grow yourselves some food of your own and actually understand the animal cruelty behind your food that you choose to give to the seagulls.’

Commentators jumped to the seagull’s defence, with one writing: ‘No aggression towards any animal is acceptable and I’m sure you would have some strong words for me if I’d “roughed up” your dog.’

Mr Righton has since defended the attack, described by bystanders as ‘brutal’, as he called out his local council and ecologists for failing to ‘train’ the habit out of the wild animal

While another said: ‘I’d love to see you train a seagull.’

A third person added: ‘Trained? A wild animal? Maybe we could train weaver fish not to sting, or pigeons not to coo!

‘If you were in that much pain, why were you visiting a cafe? And people who saw your attack were very clear the bird was badly harmed.’

A fourth posted: ‘Ah yes, thank you for this eloquent manifesto on proportionate response and animal husbandry.

‘What a relief to learn that you think the seagull can still fly around Porthleven, truly the bar for “not harming animals” has never been set so low.

‘And what touching dedication to vegetarian B and her chips, though I do wonder if she knew her lunch companion had recently become a martial arts enthusiast after dental work. Your dream of teaching all species their place in society is admirable.’

At the time of the incident, a witness wrote on social media: ‘This man brutally and repeatedly smashed a seagull against the wall of the Harbour View Cafe because it tried to steal some food.

‘He then stuffed the seagull through the fence onto the road, where it floundered with two broken wings. This was in front of numerous people and children who were hugely upset.’

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said in July: ‘We have been made aware following a report of a seagull being injured by a man by the harbour in Porthleven on the afternoon of Monday, July 13.

‘It was reported the suspect grabbed and punched the seagull leaving it injured.

‘Enquiries into the matter are ongoing.

‘Anybody with any relevant footage or information is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting 50260183379.’

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, according to the RSPCA. 

It is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure seagulls, take or destroy their eggs, or damage or destroy any seagull nests while they’re being used or built. One must have a licence to do so. 

Brazil has reportedly rejected visa applications from two officials associated with the Trump administration, who had intended to travel to the South American nation with the stated aim of casting doubt on the integrity of its electoral system.

Two Brazilian officials with direct knowledge of the matter informed Reuters on Saturday.

These officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity given the delicate nature of the situation, indicated that the US initiative was perceived as an attempt to influence Brazil’s forthcoming October presidential election.

This election will see leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva contend with Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, a known ally of Trump.

The visa requests for the US delegation, which included Assistant Secretary Riley M. Barnes from the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and Deputy Assistant Secretary Samuel Samson, were formally denied by Brazil on Friday, according to the same Brazilian sources.

The US State Department has not yet provided an immediate response to requests for comment regarding the matter. The details of the US plan were initially brought to light by the Washington Post, with Reuters subsequently confirming the information.

In the most recent polls, the incumbent Brazilian President maintained his lead over opposition senator Bolsonaro.

Lula would defeat the senator, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in a potential runoff by 48 per cent to 43 per cent, the poll showed.

A June survey showed Lula ahead by 47 per cent to 43 per cent.

It showed in a first-round scenario Lula would lead with 40 per cent of the votes, followed by Bolsonaro at 32 per cent, Ronaldo Caiado at 4 per cent, and Romeu Zema and Renan Santos each at 3 per cent.

In Brazil, if no candidate gets more than 50 per cent of valid votes, the two frontrunners go to a second-round vote.

Meanwhile, Argentine President Javier Milei flew to Brazil on Friday to throw his weight behind Senator Bolsonaro’s presidential run at a party convention.

The rare endorsement of a foreign head of state at the nominating convention offers Bolsonaro’s campaign a fresh jolt of energy after months of scandal and infighting.

Other conservative parties have avoided backing Bolsonaro’s run while his father serves a prison sentence under house arrest for a failed coup plot. The imported star power may help the senator consolidate a fractured field.

“Having Milei at the convention helps energize and mobilize the party’s more ideological base,” said Silvio Cascione, Eurasia Group’s head of Brazil, noting the alignment with recent right-wing victories in Colombia, Peru, and Chile.

Vertu Mazda has been consulting colleagues about the closure of its garage in Layerthorpe, saying the state of the economy had forced them to make tough decisions.

The company has now informed customers of the York site’s final day in operation.

The Vertu Mazda garage in Layerthorpe, York, which will close permanently on July 31, 2026. (Image: Kevin Glenton)

In a message to customers, the company wrote: “As a valued Vertu customer we are writing to inform you that Vertu Mazda York will be permanently closing on 31st July 2026.

“To ensure you continue to receive the high-quality service and care you’ve come to expect, Vertu Renault York (located just three miles away from Vertu Mazda York) will now support your ongoing sales, servicing and repair needs and the colleagues there look forward to serving you.”

The news comes after customer Andrew Mortimer spoke of his shock when his yearly service was cancelled within a week of him booking it, and he was told to contact the Mazda garage in Harrogate, which would have involved a 50-mile round trip.

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Vertu Renault York is at Clifton Moor Gate and serves customers from York and surrounding areas, including Wetherby, Pontefract, Leeds, Thirsk, Hull and Scarborough.

Vertu’s spokesperson previously said: “We are carefully reviewing the financial viability of our Mazda York dealership and have made the tough decision to enter consultation with our colleagues, with a view to potentially close the site.

“It would be improper to schedule customers for servicing beyond the date of the consultation.

“However, we are providing customers with details about meeting their ongoing service and warranty requirements.”

Vertu also runs the BMW, Dacia, and Mini dealerships in Clifton Moor Gate, along with an accident repair centre there.

It also operates Vauxhall and Volkswagen showrooms in St James Retail Park, Knaresborough, the Mazda garage in Harrogate and a number of sites in Leeds and further afield in Yorkshire.

Developers have been eyeing up the site which is on the edge of York city centre for several years.

In 2024, London-based purpose-built student flats developer Danehurst Development Ltd revealed it hoped to build a four to five-storey block building containing 234 flats on the site which was being used by Burrows Mazda at the time.

A letter to City of York Council from London-based planning agents ROK Planning at the time said: “The site in its current form is an under-utilised brownfield site in much need of redevelopment.”

In September last year, city councillors blocked new plans by Danehurst Developments for a 220-room student development.

As reported, the council’s planning officer had highlighted requirements included in the Local Plan on the loss of employment land, development of student housing, as well as design obligations “to respect, conserve or enhance the special historic character of the city centre and setting of the riverside.”

The Local Plan states that the local authority would “expect the applicant to provide evidence, proportionate to the size of the site, of effective marketing of the site/premises for employment uses for a reasonable period of time, and in most cases not less than 18 months.”

Matthew Roe, agent for the applicant, said at the time that the applicant had been “working collaboratively with the council since February 2023″ and had started marketing the site “relatively recently”.

Concerns were also raised about flood risks on the site.

Mr Roe said that insurance policy excesses for flood on the application site would render any business using the ground floor unviable and the applicant’s detailed employment report goes through alternative employment uses, from re-using the existing building, to knocking the building down and building an office, and why those options were unviable.

Shoppers are being told ‘do not eat’ the items and return them to the store they purchased them from

A ‘health risk’ warning has been issued to shoppers who have bought various chocolate products containing milk and soya. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) published an allergy alert on Saturday (July 25) on behalf of Bon Bon’s Wholesale Ltd.

The leading UK supplier of premium confectionery and luxury sweet treats is recalling five of its chocolate items because they contain undeclared milk and soya, which are not mentioned on the label.

This makes these products a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk, milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya.

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Founded in 2007, the wholesaler supplies to more than 1,000 independent retailers, garden centres and visitor attractions across the UK with packaged sweets, chocolates, and seasonal gifting lines.

Chocolate products that are being recalled:

Medium Coloured Ladybird

Best before: 16 January 2028

Best before: 01 March 2027

Small Red Ladybird

Best before: 21 January 2027

Best before: 25 January 2027

Large Red Heart

Best before: 22 November 2027

Best before: 23 December 2027

Best before: 26 December 2027

Mini Butterflies

Best before: 9 September 2027

Best before: 21 March 2027

Sports Car

Best before: 15 August 2027

The FSA states: “Bon Bons Wholesale Ltd is recalling the above products from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

“The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.

“If you have bought the above products and have an allergy to milk and/or soya do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store you purchased them from for a full refund. For more information, or to receive a full refund, please contact enquiries@bonbons.co.uk or call 01937 840681.”

After a long day at work, you finally settle down on the sofa and put your feet up. A moment later, your partner walks into the room, sighs heavily, and says: ‘I’m so stressed, I have 1,000 things to do and no one is offering to help.’

If that sounds familiar, you’ve probably been on the receiving end of ‘dry begging’ – the passive-aggressive relationship habit that’s dividing people online.

From testing the infamous ‘chair theory’ to nursing a ‘vulnerability hangover’, it can be hard to keep up with new dating terms.

It’s even trickier trying to figure out whether or not they’re a red flag or just a simple communication problem that can be easily fixed.

So, what exactly is dry begging, and when (or if) should you start packing your bags?

What is dry begging?

Dating and relationship coach Kate Mansfield tells Metro that dry begging is the equivalent of ‘basically asking without asking’.

She explains: ‘Instead of saying, “Can you help me?” or “I need more reassurance,” someone hints, sighs, complains, or makes a guilt-based comment and hopes the other person will guess what they want.’

From a psychological point of view, Kate adds that dry begging tends to occur because someone feels as though being direct feels too vulnerable.

‘Some people are scared of being rejected, judged, or seen as needy, so they try to get their needs met in a safer, indirect way.

‘In dating, it can also come from an old belief that “if they really cared, they would just know.” But that puts the other person in a mind-reading role, which is not healthy.’

Is dry begging a red flag?

On TikTok, people have gone to war over this topic.

Some users are quick to immediately label this behaviour as ‘toxic’ and ‘nauseating’, with one individual, @Ché, claiming that anyone who dry begs must have ‘a hidden agenda.’

Some state that it doesn’t work on them, while others admit that they’ve even blocked friends for dry begging them over the years.

However, Kate emphasises that dry begging is not always manipulative.

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The relationship expert explains that sometimes it is a learned communication style.

She continues: ‘If someone grew up in a home where direct needs were ignored, punished, or mocked, they may have learnt to hint instead. But even when it comes from insecurity, it can still create guilt, pressure, and resentment in relationships.’

A number of people who’ve shared their personal experiences online confirm this theory.

One user, @almondpen, wrote: ‘I noticed I used to dry beg for a while in my 20s, but realised it was from childhood trauma because I did feel like an inconvenience and felt guilt for asking for help for anything.’

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@Luka added: ‘I used to do this to an extent because I always wanted to give the person an “out” but I wasn’t consistently in need. The few times I did want and or need something I would never want to ask them directly because I felt bad for asking.

‘Now I just ask someone “Hey can you do this for me?” I explain the reason why I want or need their help but assure them that “If you can’t help that is perfectly fine” and that “I can figure it out if not.” That’s the best I can come up with – I just figure being direct is the best way to go in the long run.’

How should you address someone who’s dry begging?

Kate explains that the best way to respond to someone dry begging is with warmth and clarity.

While it might be frustrating, it’s best to gently name what’s happening – rather than attack them.

She recommends asking questions such as “it sounds like you might be asking for help. Is that right?” or “I care about you, but I need you to ask me directly.”

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This keeps the tone kind but also sets a clear standard.

She also adds that ‘if someone keeps dry begging, encourage them to use simple, honest language. For example: “Can you help me with this?” “I’d like more time with you,” or “I’m feeling overwhelmed and need support.” Directness is not confrontation. It is emotional maturity.

While dry begging isn’t exclusive to relationships, it’s paramount that you address any concerns you might have in the early stages of dating, because healthy relationships are built on honesty, not tests.

‘If someone has to guess your needs,’ Kate notes, ‘both people end up frustrated. A more secure approach is to ask clearly, then allow the other person to choose freely. That creates real connection rather than guilt.’

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“I’m all too aware of the fact that as a trans man under this new guidance, I shouldn’t really be going to a women’s toilet, shouldn’t really be going to a men’s toilet, and that excludes people like me from public life and it’s affecting non-binary people, trans women, trans men,” Mr Bailey-Bearfield told PA.

The explosion killed two people and damaged over 700 homes

History has seen some tragedies over its time, and Cambridgeshire has seen its fair few disasters, including major fires and crashes.

One disaster that “almost destroyed” a town was a railway fire that occurred in Soham in 1944. The day was June 2, when a heavy freight train left Whitemoor marshalling yard, near March, just after midnight.

The train was made up of a WD Austerity 2-8-0 engine, 51 wagons and a brake van, and it was headed for Ipswich. On board the train was driver Benjamin Gimbert, 41, fireman James Nightall, 22, and train guard Herbert Clarke.

Around 90 minutes into the journey the train approached Soham station. As it approached, the driver looked back and saw flames coming from the leading wagon.

This wagon contained 44 general purpose bombs, each weighing around 500 lbs. Gimbert stopped the train and instead of running to safety, he told Nightall to uncouple the first wagon from the rest of the train.

Nightall managed to sort this quickly, however the fire grew more serious. Gimbert started to get the wagon away and moved it around 140 yards away.

At this point, he was still alongside the platforms at Soham station and the bombs exploded. A more serious explosion was avoided as a result of the men’s actions.

The blast instantly killed Nightall. Signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, died the next day. Gilbert was badly injured, but didn’t die. Despite being in shock, Guard Clarke managed to walk to the next signal box to warn other signalmen of what happened. Five other people suffered severe injuries and 22 other people suffered minor injuries.

As well as human injury, the explosion created a massive crater, measuring 66ft in diameter and 15ft deep. The station buildings were almost demolished, and there was also severe damage to over 700 homes within a 900-yard radius of the explosion.

Despite the explosion being so severe, the line reopened to freight traffic within 18 hours. The cause of the fire was never fully explained, so it remains somewhat of a mystery.

A trainee barrister who was allegedly caught driving a car bomb towards Northern Ireland in a suspected New IRA operation spent time in Syria, her lawyer said. 

Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, was arrested after Irish police said they made an ‘extremely significant seizure’ of a device on Wednesday.

The force said the device, which was made from military-grade plastic, could have caused significant damage. 

It is understood to be the most sophisticated bomb seized by police since the Troubles. 

A man in his 40s was also arrested in the major investigation, with Irish news outlets reporting that the man was a suspected member of the New IRA’s Dublin branch. 

In an intelligence-led swoop, the Garda’s Special Detective Unit stopped the vehicle in transit near the Irish border on Wednesday afternoon on the N2 south of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. 

Sullivan, from Clane in Co Kildare, was granted bail on Friday after appearing before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath charged with possession of explosives.

It has now emerged her solicitor Mr Gavin Booth told the court she was a previous member of a ‘political group’ and had spent some time in Syria.

Sullivan leaves the after appearing before a special sitting of Trim District Court in Co Meath charged with possession of explosives

Mr Booth, however, said Sullivan had stepped away from politics as she focused on her studies as a barrister. Her notes were reportedly in the back of the car she was driving when arrested.

Sullivan, reportedly known as Perrie, was a student at ATU Donegal in Letterkenny and graduated last year with a law degree.

Mr Booth said his client had been asked to take a bag to the north and was not aware of its contents. He added Sullivan, who lives with her father, had been ‘manipulated’. 

He said her parents are ‘devastated’ and can’t comprehend this week’s events. He added, if she was granted bail, they would keep her on a ‘tight rein and ensure she abides by all conditions’.

Judge Raymond Finnegan granted Sullivan bail on Friday provided she obtained a €15,000 (£12,800) independent surety. 

She, who was wearing a pink White Fox Boutique hoodie at the time, was also ordered to surrender her passport and keep to a strict curfew. 

Her family had to leave medication at Dundalk gardai station, the court was told, because ‘if she doesn’t receive it, her body could go into shock and she could die’. 

The male suspect remained at a Garda station in the Dublin area on Friday night

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly spoke to reporters on Friday in Templemore, Co Tipperary

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Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed details of the operation as he spoke to media at a Garda graduation event in Co Tipperary on Friday.

‘To be clear, what we found was an extremely significant seizure,’ he said. ‘So this was an explosive device.’

Commissioner Kelly added: ‘Any seizure of this nature is really concerning.

‘However, we certainly know that there are a small minority of dissident republicans who did not agree with the Good Friday Agreement, they did not put weapons and explosives (out of use), they didn’t, you know, go through with the proper process in relation to decommissioning. So that is something that we continue to deal with.

‘There’s a small minority of these individuals, I would describe them as radicalised republicans, and this is a threat that we’re going to continue to face for some time in An Garda Síochána.

‘We work very closely with our colleagues in PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) and the intelligence services in the UK to deal with this threat. But I want to commend the members of An Garda Síochána who are involved in this operation.’

Mr Kelly also indicated that the bomb was already constructed when it was seized.

‘Unfortunately for operational reasons, I can’t go into the exact detail of the device,’ he said. ‘But what I will say certainly it was a significant explosive device. So certainly not just the seizure of components or pieces.

‘This was an explosive device and it would have or could have potentially caused significant damage.’

The commissioner confirmed the operation relied on intelligence. ‘Obviously, this was not a random stop,’ he said.

‘This is an intelligence-led operation. But, naturally, I can’t go into a lot of that in public.’

Ireland’s Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan described the seizure as ‘very worrying’.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said police on both sides of the Irish border shared a ‘joint commitment’ to tackle the dissident republican terror threat. 

Carrickmacross is about six miles (10km) from the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Sporadic attacks by militant groups, often attempted car bombings, continue in Northern Ireland almost three decades since a peace deal largely ended sectarian violence.

The driver of a Renault Clio was killed in the collision with a Scania lorry in Aberlour.

A young driver has died following a horror crash between his car and a lorry. Mercy crews were scrambled to Aberlour, in Moray, on last night after the smash.

A Renault Clio and Scania lorry collided at around 9.15pm on Friday, July 24, on the A95 between the town’s High Street and the B9138 at Marypark.

The 21-year-old Renault driver was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The HGV driver was assessed by paramedics. No other injuries were reported.

The road was locked down to allow the police investigation to get underway. After around 15 hours, at 2.30pm on Saturday, July 25, the road was reopened.

Cops have urged anyone who saw the crash or either vehicle before the fatal incident to get in touch. Anyone with dash-cam footage from the area has also been asked to contact Police Scotland.

Sergeant Chris Bain said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the man who died at this extremely difficult time.

“Our enquiries into the crash are ongoing and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or saw either vehicle prior to get in touch with officers.

“I’d also ask that those driving in the area at the time with dash-cam footage review this to see if it has captured anything that could assist with our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3617 of July 24, 2026.