BANGKOK (AP) — Rescue workers in Laos said Saturday they have safely evacuated four villagers trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days, the day after another one was successfully extracted. Two men remain missing.

Lao and Thai rescue groups posted about the successful operation on social media, along with photos of the men lying on stretchers, wearing oxygen masks and being wrapped in foil blankets.

The villagers had reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by flash flooding that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped in time and alerted the authorities to the seven left behind.

Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People said on its Facebook page that the water level inside the cave receded low enough for them to leave with divers who had gone in to deliver food and water. They said they will continue their search for the two who remain missing.

The first man was safely evacuated on Friday. According to rescuers, that operation took about 30 minutes. Videos showed the moment he emerged from the water alongside a diver, catching his breath before struggling to crawl through a narrow, flooded passage and rising unsteadily to his feet. As rescuers helped him away from the tunnel, one could be heard warning others to be careful because his hands were injured. He was then wrapped in a foil blanket and helped into a seated position.

Another video showed the man getting out from the cave’s entrance with a lamp strapped to his forehead. He was walking unsteadily with the assistance of two men, who handed him over to other team members amid a waiting crowd.

The villagers had reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by flash flooding that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped in time and alerted the authorities to the seven left behind.

Five of them were found alive Wednesday. They were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen.

The men had been supplied with water, soft food and foil blankets to keep them warm, although videos shot inside the cave suggested that their conditions continued to deteriorate.

Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand were joined by Japanese and Malaysian colleagues. Indonesian, French and Australian specialists also reportedly arrived at the site in a rugged area in the central province of Xaisomboun, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Vientiane.

Several of them had taken part in the complicated 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand of 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach.

More risky tasks await rescuers

In a video shot Friday, just about an hour before the evacuation of the first man began, Thai rescuer Kengkaj Bongkawong of the Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin detailed the challenge they are facing in the operation.

The team has set up a station in a large chamber inside the cave, accessible only by navigating more than 200 meters (yards) of twisting, narrow, flooded passages with jagged walls. From there, divers need to dive through a flooded tunnel about 30 meters (yards) before reaching the trapped men.

“To dive in a cave, there are issues with the temperature, narrow areas, control of movement, and managing the panic of the survivor, which will be difficult, but we have to do it,” Kengkaj said.

There is a significant risk for the team of guiding the survivors without diving skills through zero-visibility water.

A video showed Thai diver Norrased Palasing and Finnish diver Mikko Paasi teaching the men how to use diving gear, including breathing techniques underwater.

“All the way, breathe through your mouth only. Do not ever breathe with your nose, do you understand?” Norrased said during the session.

Rescuers are also preparing to search for the two villagers who remain missing.

Kengkaj said the team plans to explore an area deeper inside the cave, about 20 to 25 meters (yards) beyond where the survivors were found. However, he cautioned that the section is heavily flooded.

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Previews of every single World Cup team in your inbox, featuring the players to look out for, games you shouldn’t miss and Metro’s big England predictions.

Alderwoman Grekos said: “Fleet Street is one of London’s most iconic and historic streets, and this project gives us a unique opportunity to reimagine it for the future. The design options we are bringing forward reflect valuable input from local businesses, residents and stakeholders, and demonstrate our ambition to create a greener, safer and more welcoming environment for everyone who uses this important route.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Latin America met with Cuban military leaders Friday in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” near the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, the latest official to visit the island nation as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on its leaders.

Trump has warned that Cuba “is next” after U.S. military forces captured Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a January raid. In the months since, the Trump administration has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, maintained warships in the Caribbean Sea and indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on federal charges.

Gen. Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, met with Lt. Gen. Roberto Legrá Sotolongo and other Cuban military officials.

Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces said in a statement that both sides viewed “the meeting positively because it addressed security issues along the perimeter separating the military enclave, and they agreed to maintain communication between the two military commands.”

Top Trump aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, also have met with Cuban officials to explore possible improvements in relations. But the U.S. side has come away unimpressed from those talks, leading to even more sanctions imposed on the Cuban government.

Besides the meeting, Donovan also assessed the security of the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay and discussed the “safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness with base officials,” U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X.

The U.S. maintains the base despite decades of friction with Cuba’s socialist leaders, whom Trump wants removed from power.

The U.S. military has a handful of Navy ships, including at least one amphibious assault ship, in the Caribbean, a much smaller force than was present at the time of the Maduro raid.

On Friday, the Pentagon announced that a new unit of 1,300 sailors and Marines would be replacing the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed to the region last summer.

___

Associated Press writer Andrea Rodríguez in Havana contributed to this report.

There were delays on the M4 outside Cardiff early on Saturday morning due to a crash.

Two lanes of the motorway were shut on the westbound side near Junction 30 following a collision at around 7am. Traffic Wales advised motorists to expect delays and to allow extra time for travel.

Both lanes reopened at around 7.45am.

Our gallery features old photos of York’s most famous royal visits over decades.

One of the most notable occasions came on June 8, 1961, when York Minster hosted the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, attended by the Queen Mother, a young Prince Charles, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen.

Wedding of Duke and Duchess of Kent, York Minster, 8 June 1961. From left Queen Mother, Prince Charles, Duke of Edinburgh, and the Queen. (Image: The Press)

In 1971, Her Majesty returned as York marked 1,900 years since the founding of Roman Eboracum, with large crowds turning out for the celebrations.

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The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were again given a warm welcome in July 1977, arriving at Micklegate Bar during the Silver Jubilee tour.

1977 – The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive outside Micklegate Bar on their Silver Jubilee visit to York on July 13th (Image: The Press)

And in November 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana drew enthusiastic crowds to the city centre during their visit, capturing the excitement of a new royal era.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles meet crowds in York November 1981. (Image: The Press)

Share your memories

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email nadia.jeffersonbrown@newsquest.co.uk

Due to underwater hazards and dangers of cold water on hot days people have been told not to swim in the river

A Cambridgeshire beauty spot has warned visitors not to swim in its river due to there being ‘many dangers’ in the water. Houghton Mill, a popular National Trust site in Huntingdon with green spaces, stunning views and a pretty café, has issued a swimming warning after several deaths across the country.

Houghton Mill has been a popular place for swimmers, but the trust has warned that there are many dangers in the water, such as dangerous currents and other underwater hazards. In a statement, the trust said: “In the light of recent tragedies related to outdoor swimming, we’d like to remind you that we do not recommend swimming in the river at Houghton Mill.

“We know the Mill has been a popular spot for water activities for a long time; however, the waters are dangerous, and we strongly advise you not to swim. The water depth varies a great deal – some areas are suddenly very deep. There are underwater hazards that could injure or entangle you. The sluice gates could open at any time, and the waterwheel creates dangerous currents. The area is unsupervised, and there are no lifeguards present.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the water safely. If you have children who might be unsupervised near the river, please remind them not to swim near the Mill and to stay clear of the sluice gates at all times. “

Houghton Mill was almost demolished many years ago. It was then saved by the local villagers and restored to working order to carry on the tradition of milling on this site for over 1,000 years. Set in an idyllic village location on an island on the Great Ouse River, Houghton Mill has inspired artists and photographers for generations.

Arsenal arrived in Hungary on Thursday and Mikel Arteta spoke to the media 24 hours later, confirming a major fitness boost ahead of the showpiece. However, it is a formidable task that awaits his side inside the Puskas Arena as PSG boast, arguably, the best set of forwards in Europe currently and are at full strength.

He happily posted with staff for a picture after having breakfast.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron popped in for breakfast at a trendy brunch spot in Glasgow’s west end.

Staff at Kudos, in Finnieston, were left speechless after the former Prime Minister appeared in the doorway looking for a quick bite on Friday.

The ex-Conservative leader later posed with staff for a candid snap outside the eatery, reports Glasgow Live.

Posting to instagram, the Kudos team said Cameron was more than happy to pose for the picture.

The post said: “RIGHT nae complaining this weekend because if it’s good enough for @dwdcameron it’s good enough for you!

“Speechless at who joined us for breakfast this morning after seeing us online. We’ve had our fair share of stars come through the door and usually just scream with excitement amongst the team & leave guests to dine in peace.

“However, we couldn’t resist this one. Our team looking gorgeous in their Scotland tops ahead of the game … HAPPY FRIDAY.”

David Cameron was leader of the Conservative party from 2005 and had election success against Labour leader’s Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn.

He elected as Prime Minister of the UK in 2010 and 2016, before standing down after losing the EU referendum.

Nowadays, Cameron is a Peer at the House of Lords and is involved in the charity sector as President of Alzheimer’s Research UK and leading the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Council.

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Flashed by a speed camera, a friend gave them a word of advice. “I told them ‘that’s a sign from God’. I told them to go home.”

They didn’t go home. Uways Hussain and Usmon Mahmood, sucking nitrous oxide from balloons, continued motoring along south Manchester streets at speeds of up to 139mph.

Later that night, an innocent man was killed. The scene of the horror crash that claimed Sylvester Abayomi’s life was horrific. Images of the wrecked cars appalled those in court as Hussain and Mahmood faced justice months later.

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The Manchester Evening News spoke to people at the scene on Kingsway in Burnage in the wake of the tragedy. One man said he knew the pair. They were on the stretch as takeaways there stay open late on Ramadan, he said.

He revealed he had begged them to go home when he found out they were up to. “They’ve been driving fast late at night,” he said.

“When they got snapped by a speed camera on the road, they called me and I told them ‘that’s a sign from God’. I told them to go home.”

As he tried to comprehend the gravity of what had happened, he added: “It’s stupid. I told them to go home.” After Hussan and Mahmood were jailed at Manchester Crown Court this week, police released shocking footage from that night.

Videos taken on Hussain’s phone showed him casually holding the wheel of his Volkswagen Golf GTI with one hand while reaching speeds of over 100mph. He filmed himself inhaling nitrous oxide, alongside Mahmood in the passenger seat.

Their night came to a disastrous end as Hussain ran a right light, careering into Mr Abayomi’s Volvo S40 as he travelled to work. The 50-year-old suffered catastrophic chest injuries and died later that morning.

‘Chilling’

The night of March 9, 2026 began with Hussain, 20, filling up his car at a petrol station. CCTV footage showed him vaping on the forecourt. Mahmooh, 23, was seen in the passenger seat of the VW filling balloons from a nitrous oxide canister.

Mahmood paid as Hussain inhaled the drug. Hours hours later, Hussain filmed himself driving, music blasting. Mahmood was heard shouting ‘come on’, before filming on his own phone as they overtook a car at 130mph.

Speed cameras were seen flashing in the footage and the seatbelt warning sound was heard. Police recovered footage of the pair parking up at 4.13am.

Hussain filmed Mahmood inhaling from a balloon before turning the camera on himself and making a ‘gun gesture’. They were seen driving on the wrong side of the road.

Later, at Kingsway’s junction with Green End Road, Hussain went through a red light, ploughing into Mr Abayomi’s car.

The Golf was seen spinning before coming to a stop near a bus stop and bursting into flames. Hussain’s Apple Watch automatically called 999, having detected a collision.

Unaware of the call, the pair were recorded talking about reporting the car stolen. They were heard arguing about who would say they were the driver and discussing how to remove DNA evidence.

Hussain was heard saying his dad was ‘going to kill him’. Sentencing the pair, judge Nicholas Dean KC described the call as ‘chilling’, adding: “It doesn’t reveal shock or concern for the victim.”

A horrified passer-by urged them to stay at the scene. They were seen removing items from the boot of the VW – including gas canisters – and callously running away.

Officers tracked Hussain and Mahmood using Apple data. They found Hussain hiding in a garden on Sunnylea Avenue. “None of us were even there, what’s happened, did somebody pass away?,” he said.

Data recovered from the Golf showed that in the seconds leading up to the crash, the car reached a maximum speed of 139mph. At the point of impact, they were travelling at 99mph.

Mr Abayomi’s partner Denise Doyle said in court: “Sylvester was simply on his way to work. He was an ordinary, hard working man. He should have returned home to me that day, but because of your actions, he never did.

“Sylvester had kissed me and said goodbye and that he loved me. I never knew this would be the last time. It didn’t feel like it had really happened.

“A nightmare where I was in a box and I couldn’t get out. Sylvester was not just a name. he was my partner, my best friend, my future, he was a deeply loved member of our family and community.

“The life of belonging together has been taken away from me. The future we had planned no longer exists. It will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“What makes this harder is that this was not an unavoidable accident – it was entirely preventable. The choices you have made that morning have caused irreversible harm and have taken a life of a person that should be here today.

“I wish you had shown remorse and not run away. I wish you would have helped Sylv. How could you just leave him there?

“I hope this case serves as a reminder as to the devastating consequences of dangerous driving. No family should have to experience this kind of loss. No person should have to feel what I am feeling and shed the tears I have shed.”

His brother Andrew Turner told the defendants: “One day you will be able to hug your families again. I will never ever get to see or hug my brother again. You both did this and you both took away my chance to hug my brother again.”

Mitigating, Neil Ronan said Hussain had a previous conviction for drug driving and was a law student who worked full-time at an airport. He said: “Nothing I say on behalf of Mr Hussain takes away from the severity in relation to the horrible outcome for his criminal behaviour.”

The barrister said that in a letter to the judge from Hussain, he described his driving as a ‘single reckless decision’.

Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: “This wasn’t a single reckless decision. He drives under the influence of nitrous oxide in an utterly shocking way and an entirely deliberate way. There was nothing reckless about his behaviour.”

Mr Ronan responded: “This defendant deeply regrets the whole of the driving. He knows and appreciated and understands the effect his behaviour has had. He regrets the fear and panic and shock that led him to leave the scene.”

Judge Dean added: “I don’t accept it was shock that caused him to leave the scene, they were both still likely under the influence of what they had been inhaling. They were panicked, but panicked by their own knowledge for the responsibility of what happened.”

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Representing Mahmood, Clare Ashcroft said he was about to start an apprenticeship with Network Rail. “He is beginning to understand the enormity of his actions… he is remorseful,” she added.

Jailing the pair, Judge Dean said: “This case concerns the wholly unnecessary and entirely avoidable death of Sylvester Abayomi. Your driving, Uways Hussain, was not as you suggested, a ‘momentary lapse’. It was a sustained, deliberation and escalating case of highly dangerous conduct over a prolonged period.

“I have seen the CCTV footage and the videos recorded on phones and they are terrifying. You drove at extreme speeds, up to nearly 140mph on roads which were by and large, 30mph.

“This was, in every sense, a flagrant disregard. This was deliberate risk taking – seemingly for the thrill of it.”

Hussain, 20, from Burnage, was jailed for 11 years and eight months for causing death by dangerous driving; causing death by driving a vehicle whilst uninsured; conspiracy to pervert the course of justice; failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance.

Mahmood, 23, from Levenshulme, was jailed for 12 years and nine months for aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving; aiding and abetting causing death by driving a vehicle whilst uninsured and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

They were both banned from driving for five years with a extension of eight years.