A man who died after a crash near a South Cambridgeshire village has been named. Darren Minett, 39, died when the silver Volkswagen Golf he was driving was involved in a crash with a blue Peugeot 208E.
The crash happened on Twenty Pence Road, near Cottenham, at about 6.30pm on July 29. The Golf came to rest in some trees, Cambridgeshire Police said.
Mr Minett, of Station Road, Haddenham, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge. He died there the following morning on July 30.
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The Peugeot driver, a 60-year-old woman from Cambridge, suffered minor injuries, the force confirmed.
The National Trust has told families to ‘avoid’ a section of beach it manages in England as it will ‘stay hot for days’ after a wildfire ripped through the coastline
An urgent ‘avoid the area’ warning has been issued to beach-goers by the National Trust after a fire ravaged sections of a hugely popular UK beach.
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Although the fire is under control, the National Trust, which runs Formby beach and the nature reserve in the dunes, has warned the ground will ‘stay hot for days’ and must be avoided. The beach is hugely popular in the north west – not only with Liverpudlians locally, but also Mancunians and Lancastrians as it’s one of the closest beaches to major cities like Manchester and Preston.
Six fire crews raced to a ‘significant’ blaze on the sand dunes on Formby beach, in Merseyside, on Wednesday evening (August 12). They tackled a fire on sand dunes and gorse around 500 metres by 200 metres in size during the heatwave, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Fire crews used beaters and hoses to combat the blaze, with extended hose lines stretched across substantial distances to secure water supplies. Challenging conditions arose as strong winds drove the fire through dense gorse.
An MFRS drone was also deployed to give crews an aerial perspective of the fire. A fire engine from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and an MFRS off-road vehicle were also mobilised.
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The scorched land now poses an ongoing safety risk, the National Trust announced. In an official statement, the charity confirmed that its ranger team had been working alongside MFRS to evaluate the damage caused by the fire.
It said: “It’s still too early to understand the full extent of the fire’s impact, but we’ll be closely monitoring this ecologically significant habitat and its affected species over the coming months.
“While the fire is now out, the scorched ground will remain hot for several days, so we ask visitors to avoid the area for their own safety.”
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The National Trust also urged those visiting the Sefton Coast to exercise additional caution during the current hot, dry spell.
Visitors were reminded to ensure cigarettes are completely stubbed out, and that barbecues and open fires should never be lit along the coastline.
The organisation added: “We’d like to thank Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service for their quick response and hard work in containing and extinguishing the fire.”
Two people have been seriously injured following the derailment near Brighton
19:54, 13 Aug 2026Updated 22:12, 13 Aug 2026
A major update has been released after a train derailed near Brighton today.
Two people have been seriously injured after the train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes in East Sussex. It’s understood they have been taken to major trauma centres with “severe” injuries, the South East Coast Ambulance Service said.
Emergency services have flooded the scene of the incident, which happened near the town’s railway station on Thursday afternoon and involved a Southern Rail train. South East Coast Ambulance Service said a further nine patients sustained less serious injuries in the derailment.
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A major incident has been declared following the train derailment, British Transport Police (BTP) said.
Three carriages derailed onto their side, leaving a number of people trapped on board the Southern train, which was travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne. They have now been safely evacuated, the force said.
“Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals for further treatment and care,” an ambulance spokesperson said.
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“A number of passengers who did not require hospital treatment have been taken to a local community centre, where they are being supported by partner agencies. This remains a complex and ongoing multi-agency response.”
Photographs circulated online show at least two carriages of a train lying on their side, with two passengers standing on top.
A BTP spokesperson said: “At this time we believe that two patients have sustained serious injuries and a further nine patients have sustained less serious injuries
“Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals. Officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Sussex Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services.
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Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith said: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing at the scene, but all passengers on the train have now been safely evacuated from the service.
“Our thoughts are of course with everyone affected, and I’d like to reassure the public that we’re supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish exactly what’s happened. We’ll provide further information as soon as we are able”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she is “deeply concerned” by the incident and is “working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers”.
Meanwhile, a passenger has told of her “terror” during the derailment where “everything went topsy turvy”.
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The remaining train casualties have been ferried home in taxis or taken to hospital by ambulance. A triage area at the Landport Community Centre sorted the remaining injured. People shared cabs home or were loaded into ambulances.
Passenger Yana Ludwig, 56, from Washington State, USA said she heard a loud bang before being thrown from her seat.
“It was completely terrifying,” she said. “I was coming back from London and Lewes is my stop. There was a banging noise and everything went topsy turvy.
“There was lots of shaking, it felt like a really long time, but it was probably only about 10 seconds. I landed on top of somebody. I’m just glad nobody was killed.
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“It felt like it was maybe 20mins before the emergency services started showing up. It could’ve been faster, time is kind of warped.”
Yana was waiting for a shared taxi back to Lewes, she added: “This is one of those moments when people pull together, which is good.”
“I also want to acknowledge the local community, for their patience, understanding and support throughout this investigation, particularly those who came forward with information, whose cooperation has been invaluable in helping us establish the truth and secure this conviction.”
The closure orders were granted against Ramis Off Licence and Ted’s Convenience Store, two separate premises both based on Derby Street in Deane.
Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court heard both had been involved in the large-scale supply of illicit cigarettes, illegal vapes, narcotics, and nitrous oxide.
The court heard that these activities had links to organised crime groups in Bolton.
Bolton Council cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Robert Morrisey said: “These closure orders send a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated in our communities.
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“The sale of illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, drugs and nitrous oxide harms local neighbourhoods, fuels organised crime and puts vulnerable people at risk.
Ramis was also given a closure order (Image: Bolton Council)
“This successful action demonstrates the strength of partnership working in Bolton and our determination to tackle those who profit from criminality.”
The closure orders against the two shops were granted by magistrates to council trading standards officers on Thursday, August 6.
According to court documents, both were made subject to applications for closure orders because of noise and disorder.
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Magistrates heard how the shop’s activity was also associated with antisocial behaviour in the nearby area and concerns about vulnerable young people being drawn into substance misuse.
This came after multi-agency investigation involving Bolton Council trading standards, community safety, Greater Manchester Police and other partner organisations.
Both businesses will now have to stay closed for three months.
Speaking after the police operation, Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, said: “The recent GMP operation on Derby Street has led to two shops being closed for three months after officers found large quantities of nitrous oxide, laughing gas, and other illegal substances.
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“This action didn’t happen by chance, it happened because residents spoke up, and because our neighbourhood officers acted quickly.”
He added: “Rumworth has strong, family centred communities.
“When dangerous substances like nitrous oxide start appearing in local shops, it puts our children, teenagers, and vulnerable young adults at risk.
“This isn’t just a policing issue. It’s a community safeguarding issue.
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“Young people are being targeted because it’s cheap, easy to access, and wrongly seen as safe. As a community, we must challenge that myth.”
While taking part in a recent Twitch livestream, the Jealous Type performer told her followers, seemingly completely unprovoked: “Nobody asked me anything about Tyga, but I just felt like saying this. Tyga is a penis for making an AI album.”
The Grammy winner was referring to the latest musical offering from Tyga, which he released at the end of July under the moniker Starface.
Starface marked a musical departure for the Ayo performer, taking inspiration from 80s synth music rather than his usual hip-hop and rap.
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He subsequently told Vibe: “We definitely used AI as a [tool on the album]. And I know people are going to be mad about me saying this, but it’s where technology is going.”
Tyga insisted: “It’s no different than when autotune came out. Some people were opposed to it, but real artists took it and used it.”
“We were like, ‘You know what? I need some ‘80 synths for a certain part of this song. I need a guitar solo done ASAP’. It is what it is,” he added, but insisted that all of the vocals heard on the album are his own.
Starface, and the news that it was created with AI, have been met with a predominantly negative reception – most notably from the music outlet Pitchfork, which gave the album a 0.0 rating for the first time in 20 years.
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AI remains a contentious issue across the entertainment industry, with artists like Madonna, Beyoncé and Ariana Grande among those to have spoken out against its increased usage.
The technology has proved to be just as contentious a subject among creatives in television and cinema, and was a major factor in the industry-wide Hollywood strikes of 2023.
Trump reiterates America’s ‘complete control’ over Hormuz despite Tehran’s ‘clear message’ that strait will remain shut
Iran has suggested it could deliberately prolong the war with the US until Donald Trump leaves office, in order to send a message that attacking the country has lasting consequences.
Mohammad Reza Naghdi, senior adviser to the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said dragging out the war would show any future US administration that “there is a cost” to hostile endeavours against Iran.
“We have to attain deterrence so that the enemy never dares to attack us, so we can live with security,” he told PBS NewsHour.
His comments came as Iran again rejected Donald Trump’s claims that the US has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz.
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Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority said “the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked” and it will not be opened until Iran’s conditions are accepted.
Trump earlier said that “praise be to Allah”, Washington has “total control over the Strait of Hormuz”, adding: “I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!”
Amid their conflicting claims, data from trade intelligence firm Kpler showed shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was near a three-month low.
Just 13 vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday, around 90 per cent below the pre-war daily average.
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US official says it would be ‘wise’ for Iran to agree to peace deal
A US official has said it would be “wise” for Iran to agree to a peace deal as the war in the Middle East drags on.
While Donald Trump “has been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, he continues to retain all options if Iran continues to engage in terrorism and refuses to make a deal”, the official told NewsNations.
“The successful sanctions and blockade have crippled Iran’s economy and left Iran in an extremely degraded state. It would be wise for Iran to agree to a deal – otherwise, they know what will happen”.
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Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 02:01
US military denies reports of sailor deaths and suicidal ideation on the USS Abraham Lincoln
US Central Command had denied reports that seven sailors died in a brawl aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East and that there had been a spike in suicidal ideation on the aircraft carrier.
“USS Abraham Lincoln has maintained among the highest crew reenlistment rates (84.4%) of all aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy”, CENTCOM wrote on X.
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“No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln’s historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones”.
Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 01:36
Top US Democrat calls reports of deteriorating conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln a ‘disgrace’
A top US Democrat has called reports of deteriorating conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East a “disgrace”.
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“Food shortages. Rationing. Mental Health Challenges. Lack of fresh fruits and vegetables”, Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader for the House of Representatives, wrote on X. “Republicans need to end their reckless war of choice in Iran immediately”.
Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 01:02
US military shares video of fighter jets over Middle East
Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 00:02
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Vance lays out two major goals in Iran war
US Vice President JD Vance has laid out two major goals his administration has in the Iran war.
“That’s goal number one. Keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country”, Vance told Fox News. “And then obviously, goal number two is ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. I feel confident we’re accomplishing both of those goals”.
Peace talks between the US and Iran, that could potentially include a nuclear deal, have stalled as gas prices in America remain higher than pre-war levels.
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Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 23:16
Strait of Hormuz traffic remains diminished as war drags on
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained diminished as the Iran war drags on for its sixth month.
Just three ships transited the vital oil waterway in the past 24 hours, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor.
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Donald Trump has claimed the US has “total control” over the strait, which Iran denies.
Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 22:33
Iran hints at another war with the US in the future
Iran’s joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has claimed no vessel could transit the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran’s permission.
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“The baseless claims made by the United States regarding the normal passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz … are nothing more than lies and falsehoods,” the command said in a statement published by state media Thursday.
Separately, senior military political official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad said Iran would not reopen the strait unless the other side fulfilled its commitments under the interim deal, adding that the reopening of the waterway was not something the U.S. can achieve unilaterally, according to Fars news.
Sanaei-Rad also warned that Iran would respond more forcefully in any future conflict, saying: “In a possible future war, we will stand more firmly and more offensively.”
Hormuz continues to be a key sticking point in the conflict (Reuters)
Sam Rkaina13 August 2026 21:45
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Iran and US continue to make competing claims over Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is “under Iran’s control and management”, the recently appointed head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary unit said today, a day after Trump said the United States had “total control” of the strategic waterway.
Hossein Taeb said the U.S. had sought to disrupt what he described as the Islamic Republic’s popularity in the region by launching another war in the Strait of Hormuz, but had once more been defeated despite claiming Iran had neither an air force nor a navy.
”Today you see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic,” Taeb said, according to the semi-official Fars news. He added that Iran was continuing on its course in complete security.
After the start of the war, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran effectively shut the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas was previously shipped.
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The U.S. subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, while saying it would protect freedom of navigation for vessels travelling to and from non-Iranian ports.
Sam Rkaina13 August 2026 21:00
US military announces ‘multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force’
US Central Command has announced what it called a new “multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force.”
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Task Force Falcon Strike “will employ one-way attack drones consisting of unmanned systems from above, on, and below the sea operated by military support staff from the United States and regional partners”, CENTCOM wrote on X.
This unit will be the first of its kind, expanding on Task Force Scorpion Strike, the US military’s one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.
“The United States military has a lot of strong partnerships and friends in the region”, Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said. “We are collectively stronger when we integrate and deploy new capabilities together”.
Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 20:34
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Replacement aircraft carrier heading to Middle East after complaints about conditions on USS Lincoln
The USS George Washington will take the Lincoln’s place, US officials toldThe Wall Street Journal. The switch is reportedly part of a previously planned rotation.
The Navy has said it is not publicly discussing plans for the carriers because of operational security concerns.
The swap comes after sailors and their families have alleged issues on the Lincoln, including food shortages, months at sea without interruption and deteriorating mental health.
Kew Gardens in London reached 38.1C on Thursday, making it the UK’s hottest day of 2026 so far, and the fifth hottest UK day on record.
It is also the second time this year that the temperature has reached 38C, after Lingwood, Norfolk recorded 38.0C on 26 June.
This is only the second time that 38C has been reached twice in the same year – the previous occasion being 2022.
Though the Met Office amber warning for extreme heat that covered large swathes of England on Thursday expired at midnight, high temperatures will linger in central and eastern parts of England on Friday.
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Long spells of sunshine will lift temperatures to 29-34C (84-93F) across large parts of the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and the south-east.
For many places it will mark a third consecutive day above official heatwave thresholds.
The heat will ease elsewhere.
Somewhat cooler conditions will begin to move into northern and western parts of the UK, although temperatures will generally remain above the norm for the time of year – widely reaching the low to mid-20s Celsius.
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Many places will be dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells although a few showers are possible, and these could be heavy and thundery in some places.
A striking photo of homes ablaze under the headline “Houses burn and train derails on hottest day” dominates the front of the Times. Perhaps unusually, it is a headline that encompasses three separate stories from Thursday – the fires that raged across the West Midlands. the rail accident near Lewes that left two people seriously injured, and the ongoing heatwave that saw the UK record its hottest day of 2026.
She joined the show as a panellist in 2005 and has been “on and off” ever since
Rishma Dosani and Olivia Bridge Reporter in Live News Network
21:58, 13 Aug 2026
Denise Welch has confirmed to fans she is leaving Loose Women after 25 years to pursue another venture.
The 68-year-old has been a staple on ITV panel talk show, but said in a statement earlier today she would be stepping down after decades.
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On Instagram, she told her followers the reason for her departure is because she wants to focus on her acting career, describing it as her “first love and the thing she’s best at”.
“I’m leaving Loose Women after the best part of 25 years, off and on,” she said. “I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018.
“This show has been part of mine, and my family’s life, for nearly a quarter of a century. I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories and it’s just that acting has always been my first love and, I think, the thing I’m best at.
“At the moment, I’m having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way and I’m grabbing them by the you-know-whats and running with it for this new chapter of my life.
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“And so I just wanted to say that in person to thank all of the people who have shared my stories with me. I’ve shared my life with you – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m very marmite but I cherish all the comments, good or bad, that I’ve had over the years.
She added: “I just hope you wish me well for this new exciting chapter in my life. I’ll miss everybody but I will remain friends with the whole gang because, despite what you might read, we are a happy band of campers. Lots of love, thanks for sticking with me.”
Fans have since flocked to her comments to show support, including her husband, Lincoln Townley, The Mirror reports.
He penned: “Grab those you know what’s darling you’re an incredibly strong talented sensational woman, the best is yet to come!”
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Denise joined the show in 2005 alongside Kaye Adams and Coleen Nolan before taking a step back from the series in 2013. She then returned in 2018.
She has since shared the show with Ruth Langsford, Christine Lampard, Andrea McLean, Oti Mabuse, Gloria Hunniford and many others.
In an interview, the former Greater Manchester mayor was asked to name his favourite Greggs offering but stumbled while trying to remember the name of the sausage, bean and cheese melt.
Instead, he called it “that sausage, bean and cheese thing”, a name which quickly went viral on social media.
Now, the bakery has gone one step further, officially renaming the product in honour of Mr Burnham .
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Warren McCarrick, shop manager at the Manchester Heron House branch, located near the Prime Minister’s new No 10 North base, said: “Our shop has been buzzing with Mancs getting their hands on Burnham’s favourite bake.
“Sales have gone through the roof this morning.
“Cheers, Andy.”
Signs at the store have already been swapped out to read: “The sausage, cheese and bean thing as eaten by our Prime Minister.”
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🚨 NEW: Greggs has renamed its Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt after Andy Burnham called it a “thing”
Mr Burnham’s offhand endorsement has been a hit for the bakery, with sales reportedly doubling overnight.
The Prime Minister has since acknowledged that several of his strongest policy proposals were inspired by everyday exchanges, whether while standing in line at Greggs or sharing a conversation over a drink at the local pub.
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Staff at the Manchester store quickly got behind the new identity, refreshing the branch’s branding in the early hours of Thursday.
Greggs, founded in Newcastle in 1939, has yet to say whether the rebrand will be introduced across the country or remain a temporary local change.
In the meantime, the Manchester outlet is happily dishing out the “sausage, bean and cheese thing” to customers who are both entertained and eager for a bite.
Whether Burnham’s pastry-inspired policymaking proves equally enduring is something only time will tell.
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