Latest from Rhyl Journal
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Massive cocaine haul valued at £100m seized at UK port
The enormous haul was found under containers on a ship arriving into London Gateway port from Panama, the Home Office said. Specialist officers detected the shipment earlier this month after carrying out an intelligence-led operation. With help from the port operator, they moved 37 large containers to get at the stash. Worth an estimated £96 million, it marks the sixth-largest cocaine seizure since records began. Minister for migration and citizenship Seema Malhotra said: 'Drugs gangs trying to import illegal substances into the UK are a blight on society and we will leave no stone left unturned in our pursuit of organised crime gangs inflicting addiction, misery and death upon Britain's communities. 'Well done to Border Force Maritime officers on a hugely successful operation, which has struck a major blow against the criminals threatening our country.' Cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023, the Home Office said. Border Force Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh said: 'This seizure – one of the largest of its kind – is just one example of how dedicated Border Force maritime officers remain one step ahead of the criminal gangs who threaten our security. 'Our message to these criminals is clear – more than ever before, we are using intelligence and international law enforcement co-operation to disrupt and dismantle your operations.' Container ships are one of the main methods used by gangs to smuggle cocaine into the UK, Mr Eastaugh told The Times. Meanwhile, a haul of 20 firearms, 320 rounds of ammunition, 170kg of ketamine and 4,000 MDMA pills have been found in a lorry at Dover Port. National Crime Agency investigators estimate the street value of the ketamine would have been around £4.5 million and £40,000 for the MDMA. The driver, a 34-year-old Tajikstan national, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling the illegal items.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Archbishop of Wales retires after critical reports on cathedral behaviour
Andrew John confirmed he would be stepping down with immediate effect in a statement issued on Friday evening. He will also retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31. The move follows a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral, which identified 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' and 'promiscuity was acceptable'. There is no suggestion the archbishop behaved inappropriately. Mr John commissioned two reports into the North Wales cathedral in October last year. A summary of a report shared on the Church in Wales' website said there were also reports of 'inappropriate language, rude jokes and innuendoes in the choir that left some feeling unsafe and marginalised'. Inappropriate language was also used in front of younger members of the choir and at times caused 'humiliation to some', the report's compilers were told. Other issues raised included the presence of hurtful gossip, a poor safeguarding approach and weak financial controls. Announcing his retirement, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' After the publication of a summary into the reports earlier this year, the archbishop said: 'I acknowledge that these findings are hard to hear – but they must be faced if we are to move forward with integrity.' 'I have begun reflecting on what I must learn from this process – not only as a leader, but as a fellow pilgrim,' he added. 'While this has been a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change. It will mean hard work, but it can also bring healing, and we do not do this alone.' Mr John became Bishop of Bangor in 2008 and was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Spain's Aitana Bonmati in hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025
The 27-year-old Barcelona player, who has won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years, was absent for her country's 3-1 friendly win over Japan on Friday. She posted a picture on Instagram of herself watching the match, which was played in the Spanish city of Leganes, from a hospital bed. Euro 2025 kicks off on Wednesday, with world champions Spain set to begin their campaign a day later against Portugal in Bern. National team head coach Montse Tome, whose side also face Belgium and Italy in Group B, told a press conference: 'Initially all the tests came back fine but the last one confirmed she has viral meningitis. 'The word is scary but the doctor tells me it's under control. She will remain hospitalised; we don't know the timeline of her recovery. 'She's an extremely important player for us and we will wait for her, no matter what, as long as we have to.' Bonmati was a key member of the Spain squad which won the 2023 World Cup – following victory over England in the final – and the 2024 Nations League.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Rhyl Journal
Brits warned as temperatures set to reach 30C in some areas
In some areas, temperatures could reach 30C. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) alert - the second in two weeks - which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday. A yellow heat health alert also covers Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands over the same period. Significant heatwave to finish June, but not as hot this time for northern and western areas. Temperatures in south-east could peak at 34/35C 🥵 (June record is 35.6C set in 1976 & 1957) The previous amber health heat alert was issued for all parts of England on 19 June, the first time it had been used since September 2023. The UKHSA alerts are designed to warn health and social care workers about the impacts of hot weather on their services, including possible weather-related deaths in those aged 65 or with long-term conditions. They are not public weather warnings. Europe is also facing severe weather, with wildfires breaking out just south of Athens on Thursday and authorities banning outdoor activity and non-essential travel for building and delivery staff on Friday. Recommended reading: Meanwhile, storms in France and Germany have left at least three people dead and authorities in Spain are warning residents to stay indoors due to hotter-than-normal temperatures. Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: "The big talking point at the moment is the rise in temperatures we're going to be seeing over the next few days." Conditions in Glastonbury, where more than 200,000 festival-goers will be exposed to the heat, are expected to be between 26 and 27 degrees this weekend.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Brat's back: Charli XCX to make Glastonbury return after prize-winning year
Her culture-shaping sixth studio album was nominated for the Mercury Prize last year and won the album of the year at the Brit Awards in March. In recent months the singer, real name Charlotte Aitchison, has been performing at festivals across the globe, including Coachella in California, Primavera Sound in Barcelona and a headline slot at Lido Festival in London. The 32-year-old played her Partygirl set at Glastonbury Festival in 2024, but this time the singer is taking to a much bigger stage amid a year that has seen her pick up a slew of awards. Following the release of Brat, her infectious electronic-pop tracks soared up the charts and inspired a trend, with fans embracing the 'brat summer' cultural movement. The accolades followed, and in March she dominated the Brit Awards, winning five categories including songwriter of the year. She also secured album of the year, artist of the year, dance act, and song of the year for her track Guess featuring US superstar Billie Eilish. In February she picked up three awards at the Grammys and she was named songwriter of the year at The Ivors in May. Born in Cambridge in 1992 the singer is the only child of a mother of Indian descent and a Scottish father. She began posting her songs on Myspace as a teenager before performing at raves and later being signed. In 2013, she released her major-label debut album True Romance, after several singles which did not chart. She broke through into the mainstream after featuring on Icona Pop's 2012 hit I Love It, which went to number one in the UK. She gained further attention after her 2014 collaboration with Australian singer Iggy Azalea on Fancy, which was nominated for two Grammy awards: record of the year and best pop duo/group performance. Her second album, 2014's Sucker, featured the top 10 hit Boom Clap and reached number 15 in the UK album charts. In 2019 she starred in the documentary I'm With The Band: Nasty Cherry, in which she put together a girl band that included model Gabriella Bechtel, known professionally as Gabbriette, who is engaged to The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. The band, who headlined Glastonbury on Friday, also features drummer George Daniel, who is engaged to Charli XCX. Also in 2019, she released her album Charli and followed it up with 2020's Mercury Prize-nominated How I'm Feeling Now, which landed at 33 in the UK albums chart. In 2021, she expressed her grief at the death of her friend and long-time collaborator Sophie, whom she has cited as a major influence and paid tribute to during an acceptance speech at the Brit Awards earlier in the year. The singer's first number one in the albums chart came with her fifth LP, Crash, which was released in 2022 and featured collaborations with the likes of Rina Sawayama and Caroline Polachek. The artist, known for her championing of experimental hyper pop, was also among the artists to feature on the Barbie movie soundtrack, and her song Speed Drive reached number nine in the UK chart. The latest addition to her catalogue, which saw the world embrace the 'brat summer' cultural movement, propelled the singer to stratospheric heights. The trend promoted sultry style choices, including a lot of neon green in honour of the album's cover. She followed her album with a remixed version featuring collaborations with the likes of Lorde, Troye Sivan, Ariana Grande, Bon Iver and Kesha. She also released a Guess remix with Eilish which soared to number one on the UK singles chart in August 2024. During an appearance on Saturday Night Live, she defined the meaning of Brat and said: 'So many people have asked me, what is brat, and honestly, it's just like an attitude, it's a vibe.' The singer has said the idea of letting Brat go is 'hard' and as she finished her performance at Lido Festival on June 14 a message on stage told fans: 'It wasn't just a summer thing. It's a forever thing. Please don't let it be over.'
