Vertu Mazda in Layerthorpe has now officially shut, with its forecourt cleared of cars, after a short consultation period where a spokesperson said that they were ‘reviewing the financial viability’ of the site.

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

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“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 garage is empty, aside from one member of staff who is working inside (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

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

However, some customers – including Andrew Mortimer – were told to contact the garage in Harrogate to book a new service, something that was ‘somewhat of a shock’ as he was able to successfully book an appointment at the start of the month.

The forecourt is mostly empty with only a few cars still inside (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

As reported by The Press over the years, developers have been eyeing up the site which is on the edge of York city centre for several years with one applicant said to be “working collaboratively with the council since February 2023″ on student housing plans.

Georgia Hunter Bell is eyeing an ambitious sweep of gold medals in 2026 after winning the 800m Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow.

England’s Hunter Bell dominated the field to add Commonwealth gold to the 1500m world indoor title she won earlier this year in Poland.

The 32-year-old, a training partner of 800m Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, will also race at next month’s European Championships and the inaugural Ultimate Championships in September.

“There are four opportunities to win gold this year,” Hunter Bell told BBC Sport.

“I am two golds down and two more to go.”

Hunter Bell is blossoming later in her career.

Having taken five years out from the sport before returning during the Covid-19 pandemic, she took 1500m bronze at the Paris Olympics before pipping Hodgkinson to silver at last year’s World Championships in the 800m.

This, though, is her first outdoor title – in the event Hodgkinson is Olympic champion.

“Every medal is a landmark moment but my first outdoor gold is huge,” she said.

Hunter Bell and Kenya’s world champion Lilian Odira were the favourites for this title after Hodgkinson opted not to compete. The final was barely a contest with Hunter Bell setting the pace and then kicking on with 200m to go to win by more than a second.

Hodgkinson has instead taken time off before the European Championships in Birmingham, which start on 10 August.

Hunter Bell is only running in the 1500m in that event, denying the chance to see an intriguing race between the pair, but took her opportunity in her friend and training partner’s absence.

Though she said the win validates her decision to come to Glasgow, she defended the decision of others to withdraw.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pitched President Donald Trump and other American officials on helping Ukraine win permission from tech titan Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system to guide strikes inside Russia.

The push for expanded use of Starlink comes as Zelenskyy looks for alternate ways to mitigate the need for U.S. Patriot air defense systems to thwart the steady barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory. The interceptors are in shorter supply as the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran continues to rage, and Trump on Friday appeared to back away from a recent commitment to give Ukraine a license to produce them.

Zelenskyy made the request directly to Trump in an Oval Office meeting this week during his whirlwind trip to Washington, according to one person familiar with the matter. He also told lawmakers later on Capitol Hill that he wanted Starlink to help with targeting inside Russia, according to a person in the room. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive private discussions. Trump did not commit to Zelenskyy’s request.

Zelenskyy has been pushing to expand Starlink use for weeks

Musk has allowed the Ukrainians to use Starlink inside their own territory, including in Ukrainian regions occupied by the Russians, but has restricted use of the satellite system inside Russia.

Zelenskyy has been making the case for expanded use of Starlink with U.S. officials for at least several weeks. The White House, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington and officials at SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Zelenskyy’s request. Zelenskyy’s efforts to get Musk’s permission to use Starlink to help with Ukrainian attacks inside Russia was first reported by The Atlantic.

Granting permission for an expanded use of Starlink could come with risk for Musk. The Associated Press reported in December that two NATO-nation intelligence services suspect Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon to target Musk’s Starlink constellation with destructive orbiting clouds of shrapnel.

The intelligence findings were shown to the AP on condition that the services involved were not identified, and the news organization was not able to independently verify the findings’ conclusions.

Russia views Starlink as a grave threat, the findings indicate. The thousands of low-orbiting satellites have been pivotal for Ukraine’s survival against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

Ukrainian leader also pitched US lawmakers during recent visit

Zelenskyy had traveled to Washington to attend Sen. Lindsey Graham’s memorial service and used the visit to check in with Trump and allies on Capitol Hill.

Zelenskyy visited the Capitol following his meeting with Trump in the White House earlier in the day. Senators said the requests the Ukrainian president made were similar to what he had told them earlier in July during a meeting at the NATO summit in Turkey.

“They need access to Starlink long term to make their longer-range and intermediate-range systems more accurate,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“They prefer to be exactly on target, as opposed to, in the general area,” Rounds said. “He made that pretty clear.”

Zelenskyy spoke with lawmakers late Tuesday evening ahead of a Senate vote on a punishing new Russia sanctions package, which advanced toward a final vote expected next week.

Zelenskyy also reiterated Ukraine’s need for more U.S. Patriots and the previously discussed licensing agreement so Ukraine could start producing the system in house, said Rounds, who was part of the delegation of U.S. lawmakers at the NATO conference in Ankara.

“There was a consistency from what President Zelenskyy shared with us in Turkey two weeks ago to what he shared with us again once again, in terms of what their needs are,” Rounds said. “It’s pretty straightforward.”

Trump appears to edge away from Patriots licensing commitment

But Trump appeared to edge away from the earlier commitment to give Ukraine a license to make Patriots for its military needs during a gathering of his Cabinet at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, on Friday.

Trump at the NATO summit in Turkey declared “we’ll give them the right to make Patriots” to counter missile attacks from Russia in their more than four-year war.

The president told reporters on Friday that the licensing matter remains under discussion and said he hasn’t made a decision on it.

“We’re talking about it. But it’s a hard thing to give away that kind of technology,” Trump said.

Trump’s relationship has improved with Zelenskyy as Ukraine has gained strength on the battlefield with Russia in recent months. And Zelenskyy has sought to portray that his war with Russia is connected to the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran.

U.S. intelligence has shown that Tehran provided Russia with drones to use against Ukraine. More recently, Russia has prepared to ship drones for Iran, including upgraded versions of the technology that Tehran originally supplied to Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine, according to U.S. and European officials.

Zelenskyy said ahead of this week’s visit to Washington that he’d share evidence with the United States that shows Russia is assisting Iran in targeting U.S. bases in the Middle East via satellite surveillance.

Zelenskyy also has been making the case to the Trump administration that his country is well positioned to help the U.S. counter Iranian drone attacks on U.S. bases in the Middle East and Gulf allies’ infrastructure.

“He has been very emphatic they are going to provide more aid to us in unmanned warfare, aerial unmanned warfare, which has been so instrumental in Iran — his people have been there, they’ve been providing technology and know-how — and they’re ready, willing and able to do it in even greater magnitude,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, who sits on the Armed Services Committee. “He was very emphatic on that point.”

___

AP writers John Leicester in Paris and Emma Burrows in London contributed reporting.

By ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER

Published: 21:03 BST, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 23:02 BST, 31 July 2026

The body recovered from a river in Devon has been confirmed to be the body of a missing teenage schoolboy. 

Taylor Charlton was 14 when he vanished on 8 May at around 10.30pm. He was last seen in a car park on Station Road in Barnstaple, north Devon.

His disappearance prompted a major search party, which ran until the body was pulled from the River Taw six weeks later. 

The discovery came after shoes believed to belong to Taylor were discovered on consecutive days along the riverbank between Sticklepath and Bickington. 

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A series of public appeals were made, including a community search organised to coincide with what would have been the schoolboy’s 15th birthday.

In a heartfelt Facebook post at the time, loved ones wrote: ‘Today is Taylor’s 15th birthday – he isn’t spending it at home with his family.

‘He isn’t waking up to presents, he isn’t waking up to the utmost love and kindness.’

Devon and Cornwall Police have since confirmed that remains spotted and recovered from the River Taw on 24 June have been formally identified as Taylor.

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Taylor Charlton was 14 when he vanished on 8 May at around 10.30pm. He was last seen in a car park on Station Road in Barnstaple, north Devon 

Pictured is a missing poster for Devon teenager Taylor Charlton

This came after police arrested a woman in her 40s in July on suspicion of murder. 

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She is the second person to be arrested after a 20-year-old man was detained on suspicion of murder.

The pair remain on police bail while enquiries continue. 

A spokesperson said this week: ‘We are extremely saddened to confirm that human remains found in the River Taw on 24 June have today been confirmed as being those of teenager Taylor Charlton from Barnstaple.

‘Taylor’s family have been updated of this development and our thoughts and condolences are with them, Taylor’s friends and the local community.

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‘Taylor’s loved ones continue to be supported by specialist officers at this incredibly difficult and distressing time.

‘We respectfully ask that the family’s privacy is respected as they come to terms with this tragic news.’

Police said a large-scale search operation and substantial investigation was launched after Taylor was reported missing.

The force added: ‘This is not the outcome that anyone hoped for and we know how deeply this will affect the local community who have shown tremendous support throughout the search.’

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An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Taylor’s death remains ongoing.

Taylor was 14 when he went missing but would have turned 15 in the time since he was last seen. 

In a public appeal, his mother Zoe previously said she was ‘absolutely desperate’ for him to come home.

‘I love you so much and I am worried sick about you,’ she added.

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His father Alex said: ‘Taylor is a loving, loyal and special lad and we can’t wait to have him home again.’

Police have again urged the public not to speculate or share unconfirmed information online while detectives continue their investigation.

York Sport Village in Lakeside Way, Heslington said it had to close its main and small pool today (July 31) after a burst main had affected its hot water supply.

A spokesperson said: “As pool temperatures will begin to drop, it will no longer be safe for customers to use the pools.”

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All swimming lessons have been cancelled today, along with the centre’s café.

Users have been warned that the showers in the changing rooms will also be cold, due to the lack of hot water.

The centre said it was hopeful of the hot water supply being back up and running this afternoon but confirmed this hadn’t been restored at 4.30pm.

A spokesperson said it is unknown whether the pools will be reopened this weekend.

They added: “We will provide a further update as soon as we have more information.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.”

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 20:56 BST, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 22:25 BST, 31 July 2026

A drought sweeping Europe has uncovered a Second World War Nazi ship in the Danube River.

The German vessel was revealed after water levels in the river, located in Prahovo, Serbia, fell to record lows amid another blistering heatwave.

It is believed the German navy scuttled the boat, located in Europe’s second-largest waterway, as the crew fled the Soviet Army during the last days of the war. 

An estimated 200 ships, including cargo ships and barges, sit at the bottom of the Danube, according to the European Investment Bank.

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Boat wreckages risk blocking commercial ships moving along the river which costs Serbia approximately £4.3million per year to remove debris.

A ‘severe’ weather warning has been issued by The Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia as temperatures hit 35C (95F) and are expected to rise next week.

This comes as the Danube’s low water levels have forced Hungary’s only nuclear power plant to shut down for the first time ever next week.

The Soviet-era plant in Paks relies on the river’s water for cooling but the suction nozzles can no longer reach it.

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A Second World War German warship has been uncovered in the Danube River due to record-low water levels

It is believed the vessel was scuttled as the crew fled the Soviet Army during the last days of the war

Hungary’s only nuclear power plant in Paks will shut down after it’s suction nozzles can not reach the Danube

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Péter Magyar, Hungary’s Prime Minister, said the ongoing heatwave could cause the nation’s energy supply to become ‘critical’ from Monday.

The plant provides around 40 per cent of Hungary’s annual electricity generation but its operator has said the shutdown is ‘unavoidable’. 

At a press conference at the plant, Mr Magyar said: ‘According to current calculations… this could happen on Tuesday or Wednesday.’

As the Danube River’s levels have fallen to the lowest in three decades, Romania has shut down one of its nuclear reactors and announced it would close a second.

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The shutdowns are just one effect of an already record-breaking spell of hot weather, with several countries taking steps to reduce the risk of fires and ease pressure on water and energy networks.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Turkish man was arrested Friday in the United Kingdom on charges alleging he conspired to funnel money and supplies to Hamas through his senior role in what prosecutors say was a sham global humanitarian organization.

Mohammad Yousef Hasna, 45, of Istanbul, was ordered held pending extradition proceedings that will occur before he can be brought to New York.

U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald in Manhattan said Hasna worked closely with Hamas’ senior leadership to deliver supplies, food and funding to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid.

The United States has designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization.

It was not immediately known who would represent Hasna in the U.S.

Charges lodged against Hasna include conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, conspiring to finance terrorism and financing terrorism. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

In a release, the U.S. government alleged that Hasna worked closely with senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’ governing body, since at least 2023.

By JOSEPH LUKE PALMER

Published: 14:25 BST, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 22:28 BST, 31 July 2026

On the latest episode of the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, Rebecca English and Richard Eden discuss the ‘extraordinary’ flood of images Meghan posted to Instagram from the Sussexes’ supposedly private family holiday.

This month Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet travelled across the Atlantic to spend time in Portugal and Britain. Meghan and the children were in the UK for just 24 hours, travelling to Highgrove for a landmark family reunion with King Charles.

The trip appeared to be a private affair, with the location of the couple’s rumoured holiday home in Portugal undisclosed and Buckingham Palace only announcing the family’s visit to Britain after Meghan and the children had departed.

However, last week Meghan posted a flood of photographs to Instagram from the trip, including images from near the couple’s rumoured Portugal hideaway. Most strikingly, one picture appears to show Harry and Archie walking with flowers towards Princess Diana‘s island grave at Althorp, the Spencer family’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire.

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On Palace Confidential , Rebecca English and Richard Eden discuss the ‘extraordinary’ flood of images Meghan posted to Instagram from the Sussexes’ supposedly private family holiday

Last week Meghan posted a flood of photographs to Instagram from the trip, including images from near the couple’s rumoured Portugal hideaway

Royal editor English expressed astonishment at the decision to post the photographs, arguing it was ‘hypocritical’ given Harry’s repeated complaints about privacy and media intrusion

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Royal editor English expressed astonishment at the decision to post the photographs, arguing it was ‘hypocritical’ given Harry’s repeated complaints about privacy and media intrusion.

She said: ‘We have pictures of Meghan in a swimsuit on a beach with Harry and the children in the water, we have pictures of local restaurants they have eaten at, local shops they’ve used.

‘I find that quite extraordinary given the complaints they have made about their privacy and security issues.

‘What was particularly extraordinary about this was the photograph of Harry and Archie with flowers in their hands, clearly walking to the burial place of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

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‘Look, it’s up to people individually what they choose to share online. I don’t share anything with my family. That’s my choice. But what I find extraordinary about this is that Harry has long complained about the exploitation of his mother’s memory.

‘I think to allow those pictures of such a personal moment to be published like that, I personally found it quite hypocritical. I think people would say that in itself is exploitative.’

Meghan’s post included 12 intimate family photographs, captioned simply: ‘Summer Holiday’.

Diary editor Eden agreed with his co-host, arguing the images were made worse by the fact that Meghan’s Instagram account exists explicitly to promote her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

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‘It’s an entirely commercial venture,’ he claimed. ‘You’re not sharing these photos with friends.

One picture appears to show Harry and Archie walking with flowers towards Princess Diana’s island grave at Althorp, the Spencer family’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire

‘I found them quite strange, the Althorp pictures particularly because it’s a combination of showing the backs of the children – not giving away their full identities – but then you’re revealing they’re going to lay flowers at the grave of their grandmother for the first time.

‘That’s a very intimate, personal moment, isn’t it? Being recorded and shared. Even as you’re going there: someone must have been like, ‘stop, I have got to take a picture.”

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Catch the debate in full by subscribing to Palace Confidential on YouTube.

A major incident has erupted in the town this evening with armed police officers seen at the door of a property.

Armed police have swooped on a home in Ayrshire amid an ongoing incident this evening.

The alarm was raised around 7.30pm when officers were alerted to an incident on Dean Road in Kilmarnock. Emergency services, including Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, raced to the scene.

The fire service sent two appliances and confirmed to the Record they remain in attendance alongside cops. The nature of the incident, as well as how many people are involved, remains unknown.

Footage taken at the scene shows a major emergency response in the street, which has been locked down. The area has been taped off while uniformed officers stand guard.

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Dozens of marked police vans and blue-lit fire engines can be seen on the road. Firefighters in full gear appear to be digging or investigating a hole in the road.

Worried residents and onlookers can be seen gathering in numbers while the scene unfolds. The fire service confirmed their attendance to support police but had no details regarding injuries.

Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.

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A 4.7 magnitude earthquake has struck the Naples region, centred on Pozzuoli in the Campi Flegrei volcanic zone

A major earthquake has rocked the Naples area, forcing terrified locals out onto the streets as buildings trembled throughout the Campi Flegrei volcanic region.

The 4.7-magnitude quake, among the strongest to hit the area in 40 years, struck at Pozzuoli, a community well-versed in seismic activity but seldom subjected to tremors of such ferocity.

Footage circulated by residents reveals streets strewn with rubble and chunks of stonework ripped from building fronts, while extensive electricity outages have left numerous districts without power. Authorities confirm at least four people have been injured, with the shaking experienced throughout Naples, Pozzuoli and neighbouring communities, the Express reports.

“I understand the concern and apprehension that can arise in these moments, especially among families. We immediately activated the Municipal Operations Center (COC) to coordinate all monitoring and assistance activities for the population,” said Pozzuoli mayor, Luigi Manzoni.

“We are in constant contact with the Vesuvius Observatory, the Civil Protection Department, and all the competent authorities to follow the evolution of the ongoing seismic swarm minute by minute.”

Further tremors of lesser strength are believed to have been detected. The National Institute of Geology and Volcanology reports that Campi Flegrei, an enormous super volcano situated close to Naples, Italy, has been undergoing an extended phase of instability marked by repeated earthquake clusters and substantial ground elevation, known as bradyseism.

From 2005 to today, a new phase of bradyseism has been underway which in April 2025 produced an uplift of about 144 centimeters, the INGV also said.

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