The flight from Athens to Luton left dozens stranded at the airport in hot temperatures.

Ryanair passengers have been left stranded in Greece after their flight back to the UK took off without them.

The flight travelling from Athens to London Luton, took off with between 20 and 50 passengers, still waiting landside at the airport.

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Budget carrier Ryanair blamed border delays for the chaos, while the airport attributed the disruption to congestion caused by “additional processing requirements”. One traveller described to the BBC witnessing a “mega queue” stretching several hundred people deep at both security and passport control, all enduring scorching conditions.

“These poor people were pleading with the Ryanair staff to let them through – one guy was crying, another guy looked like he was about to explode,” they recalled. Airport authorities stepped in “to maintain orderly operations” after “a number of passengers expressed their dissatisfaction”, officials acknowledged.

A spokesperson explained there had been “periods of congestion at passport control in the departures area due to high passenger volumes and the additional processing requirements associated with travel to non-Schengen destinations”.

They added: “As is currently the case at many European airports, passenger flows on certain routes may experience increased processing times as new border-control procedures continue to be implemented and refined.”, reports Birmingham Live. Another passenger voiced their fury on Twitter, condemning Ryanair as “utterly disgraceful you left my daughter (and half your passengers) at the gate in Athens today”.

In response, Ryanair issued a statement confirming that “a number of passengers” failed to board on time “due to delays caused by border control at Athens airport”.

The airline continued: “All passengers that were at the boarding gate when this flight from Athens to London Luton boarded, travelled without incident.”

Greece has now backtracked on its commitment to spare British holidaymakers from the European Union’s forthcoming biometric border controls. Britons will instead face identical Entry/Exit System (EES) registration requirements as all other non-EU arrivals this summer.

The Greek Foreign Ministry acknowledged the reversal, confirming it possessed no information suggesting that “specific nationalities are temporarily exempt from the relevant procedure.”

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Residents may have already seen the sign, but this Wednesday (June 24) will be residents’ first opportunity to try the new Smashbox takeaway on Market Street.

Howfeners can head down during the restaurant’s first week for a 25 per cent discount on all items, from shakes to the famed smashburgers themselves.

Owner Muhammed Haque said: “We’re really looking forward to opening – we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready.

(Image: Smashbox)

(Image: Smashbox)

“This is going to be our fourth location, and we’re looking at potentially opening another one soon too.

“We’ve got smashburgers, smashboxes, loaded fries, shakes, treats, sides – everything.”

(Image: Smashbox)

The Smashbox sign first appeared on Market Street in April, taking the spot formerly occupied by Indian takeaway Balti Taste.

But until now there was no indication of when the spot would finally be open to the public.

Westhoughton is an increasingly popular destination for food and drink.

(Image: Smashbox)

SSmashbox is located only a few doors down from Loft 24, which features food from the ever-popular Chip ‘n’ Go, as well as indie steakhouse It Sear.

The famous Hive Bakehouse is only a short walk away, as is Provenance Artisan Food Hall.

It is understood that 38 people were on board the ship at the time.

A cruise ship worker has died after falling from a ship in the Sound of Mull near Oban.

The male worker fell from the Hebridean Princess on Tuesday evening.

The Oban Coastguard Rescue Team were called out to the water at 8pm.

It is understood that 38 people were on board the ship at the time.

Hebridean Island Cruises, which operates the ship, said its thoughts were with the crew member’s family, friends and colleagues.

They said an immediate response was initiated on board the ship, and HM Coastguard and Police Scotland were notified.

A spokesperson told the BBC: “We are supporting the relevant authorities in their inquiries.

“The individual’s next of kin have been informed, and our thoughts are with their family, friends, and colleagues.

“No further details will be provided while inquiries are ongoing.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said they received a report of a man’s body in the water near Corran Esplanade in Oban about 8.30pm on Tuesday.

“His death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

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More than 80 people were taken to hospital

Nine people are currently fighting for life in hospital following a devastating train crash in Bedfordshire. Emergency services attended a collision involving two East Midlands Railway trains on the railway line in Elstow, near Bedford, at around 5.15pm on Friday evening (June 19).

Tragically, the driver of one of the trains was pronounced dead at the scene. In an update this afternoon (Saturday), Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said 28 out of more than 80 people remain in hospital for treatment today, including nine people who are in a critical condition.

She told reporters at a press conference: “Tragically, the driver of one of the trains died in the collision. His family have been informed and our deepest condolences are with them, his friends, and his colleagues at East Midlands Railway.

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“The driver’s family, as you would expect, are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time. Over 80 people were treated at hospital last night. As of this morning, 28 remain in hospital, and nine are in a critical condition.”

The two trains involved were the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both to London St Pancras. A major incident was declared following the collision. An investigation is underway, with a Rail Accidents Investigation Branch van and a Deutsche Bahn vehicle seen on nearby Ampthill Road, which has been closed off this morning.

King Charles said he was ‘greatly saddened’ by crash, and is being kept regularly updated on developments. “His thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson added.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Network Rail said on Saturday morning: “We’re deeply saddened that a railway colleague has tragically died following the incident near Bedford. Our thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues, and with everyone affected.

“Our teams are on site working closely with the emergency services and industry partners. We want to thank the emergency services and the wider railway family for their professionalism and swift response. In the meantime, we ask passengers to please check before they travel.”

Leaving Saturday, 20 June

1) North Shore

2) The Secret Agent

3) Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron

Leaving Sunday, June 21

4) Love Is a Story

5) #Selfie

6) #Selfie 69

7) The Secret

8) Who Are You: School 2015

The arrests took place after searches on Thursday (June 18) at homes in Hartlepool.

The suspected heroin haul was discovered in the kitchen of a house on Gullane Grove. Two men, aged 22 and 30, and a 22-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

Gullane Grove, Hartlepool (Image: Google Maps)

Suspected cocaine was seized at a home on Octavia Drive, where three women aged 41, 35, and 27, and a 19-year-old man, were also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

The seven individuals were taken into custody and later released on bail pending further enquiries.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Adrian Dack said: “We know the problems that drug dealing, and the ASB that comes with it, causes for our communities.

“These searches resulted from information provided to us by the public.”

“We always act upon information given to us, and we’d ask you to continue speaking to us. You can call us directly on 101 with or provide details online via our website.

“Alternatively, if you feel uncomfortable providing information directly to us, you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The World Cup 2026 is into the second round of group stage fixtures, with sides including England, Germany and France well-placed to put a foot in the round of 32 over the coming days.

Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to advance into the last 32 after their win over South Korea, and that 1-0 victory means El Tri have will finish top of Group A.

Despite the fact that their opponents could finish with a better goal difference, Mexico have secured top spot in Group A thanks to a subtle change in group stage rules that is new for this World Cup.

For the first time ever, the tournament is using head-to-head records – rather than goal difference – as a tiebreaker for teams who are level on points in the groups.

This means the USA were also confirmed as topping their group after Turkey lost 1-0 to Paraguay in the early hours of Saturday morning, after following up their opening win over the South American nation by convincingly beating Australia.

This new rule is sure to influence the eventual round of 32 fixtures, so here’s more information on how it could affect the final group stage games.

What is Fifa’s new head-to-head rule?

Essentially, the new rule means that a team’s head-to-head record against another team is the first thing to separate teams who are level on points. This is the same as the system used in Uefa competitions.

Goal difference is then used as the next differentiator, with the total number of goals scored in all group matches then considered before the highest “team conduct” score, which takes into account the total record of yellow and red cards.

Interestingly, if two teams still can’t be separated after all these criteria, then the team that is ranked higher “according to the most recent published edition of the Fifa/Coca‑Cola Men’s World Ranking” will go through.

In terms of tie-breaking criteria for the group stages, Fifa’s official website reads that the following criteria – in the same order as below – will be used to determine group rankings:

How does the head-to-head rule apply to Mexico?

For a team to secure top spot in a group after just two games, a group either needs to have two draws or for the team in first place to have beaten any team(s) on three points.

Mexico have won both of their opening games, and they now sit three points clear of second-placed South Korea. However, they cannot be overtaken as they beat South Korea 1-0 in the game between the two nations.

How can the rule affect other teams?

The fact that some teams can secure top spot after just two games comes with both advantages and disadvantages for the other teams in the group depending on how they’ve performed so far.

In Mexico’s example, El Tri could opt to rest their entire starting XI, so the Czech Republic – who currently sit in third, two points behind South Korea – could benefit, leaving South Korea needing to beat South Africa to be certain of second place.

Who else could win their group on matchday two?

As mentioned, the US have secured top spot thanks to Turkey losing to Paraguay, while Germany could win their group if they beat the Ivory Coast and Ecuador don’t beat Curacao.

Sweden can qualify as group winners if they beat the Netherlands and Japan don’t win against Tunisia, while Lionel Messi and Argentina can top their group if they beat Austria and Algeria fail to beat Jordan.

Finally, Thomas Tuchel’s England can ensure they qualify top of Group L if they beat Ghana and Panama fail to beat Croatia.

Not all heroes wear capes… our Unsung Heroes series celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary work.

Today it’s Karen, 47, from west London, who administers first aid at public events.

What do you do?

I’m a cycle responder volunteer, so I bike through busy events to provide fast first aid assistance. I’ve done it for 11 years. Last year, our team helped at 220 events. I volunteer 500 hours in total per year.

What sort of events?

Trooping the Colour, London Marathon, football parades. Royal events are my favourite. I love the aeroplane fly-bys.

Any brushes with royalty?

At the King’s Coronation I watched his carriage pass by – that was exciting!

Why are cycle responders so useful?

We quickly reach a person who needs help with a surprising amount of equipment.

What kit do you use?

A pocket defibrillator, oxygen, airway management kit, blood pressure monitors, medication, dressings, burn packs and more.

Any common call-outs?

On The Mall there’s a particular tree that triggers allergic reactions in many people.

Any strange situations?

A lady fainted at one Trooping the Colour parade, then her husband fainted. They were very confused to wake up next to each other on the floor. Both were fine.

What medical emergencies can you treat on the spot?

Diabetes, asthma, allergies, fractures, serious cuts. For a cardiac arrest, I can open airways to help with breathing and try to restart the heart with my defibrillator.

What’s your day job?

I’m a deputy head at a primary school.

How far do you cycle?

Maybe 50 miles per event at a slow speed. Constant braking makes your arms tired!

How do you deal with the pressure?

Your own stress takes a back burner. You are helping somebody when they really need it. You treat the injury.

Any feedback?

A retired footballer came to us and said thank you. He’d had a cardiac arrest and his life was saved by someone who learned CPR, just like us.

Everyone can learn. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

How do you chill out?

Volunteering is my relaxation. I also enjoy hiking, running and skiing.

Volunteer or donate to St John Ambulance at sja.org.uk

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Becky Hill has sparked a fierce debate among festivalgoers after being booed by some audience members during a surprise set at TRNSMT.

A TikTok video from the weekend appears to show sections of the crowd leaving while others boo after the singer revealed she would be performing an entire set of unreleased music.

The clip, which has attracted thousands of views, was captioned: ‘Not Becky Hill getting booed and everyone leaving.’

The reaction has divided fans online, with some arguing that the chart-topping singer badly misjudged her audience by turning a festival slot into what was effectively an album preview.

‘Sorry but a festival slot is not the time to do a set full of new songs only,’ one viewer wrote.

Another added: ‘Worst idea ever at a festival.’

A third commented: ‘I love Becky Hill but I would of been fuming, no Disconnect or Afterglow.’

Others questioned whether audiences should really be expected to stand through half an hour of songs they’ve never heard before.

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‘No one goes to a gig to hear songs they don’t know,’ one person argued. ‘They want to sing along with the hits. Even Bowie did a tour that was just the hits.’

The moment occurred during Hill’s appearance as TRNSMT’s secret act on the King Tut’s stage.

Although organisers had initially kept her involvement under wraps, her appearance was revealed earlier this month.

When she took to the stage, however, Hill had another surprise for fans. ‘The reason why it’s a secret set is because it’s all new music,’ she explained.

‘Sometimes as an artist you have to ditch the tunes they know you for and play something new.’

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The singer is currently gearing up to release her third studio album, Rebecca, in September, and used the set to give fans an early taste of material that has yet to be released.

Predictably, not everyone was thrilled by the prospect.

Some audience members reportedly drifted away as the set continued, while videos circulating online appear to capture pockets of dissatisfaction among the crowd. However, plenty of fans rushed to Hill’s defence.

‘Everyone is overreacting to this, to be honest,’ one person wrote.

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‘She was doing a secret set, announced months after the rest of the lineup, on a smaller stage, in a slot normally reserved for newer artists. Festivals are all about discovering new music, this is fine.’

And those who stuck around were ultimately rewarded.

According to reports from the festival, Hill closed her set by treating loyal fans to two of her biggest hits, Afterglow and Disconnect, prompting cheers from the remaining crowd.

The singer’s gamble raises an interesting question about what festivals are actually for.

For some fans, they are a place to hear the songs they already know and love. For others, they remain one of the few spaces where artists can still take risks and introduce audiences to something new.

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Unfortunately for Becky Hill, a sizeable portion of the TRNSMT crowd appears to have voted for the former.

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