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Hurricane Lala lashes Hawaii with 'enormous storm', as at least one dead on Big Island
Hurricane Lala is lashing Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain - leaving more than 89,000 households without power across the state.

Although it did not make landfall on Big Island, roads have been flooded as the storm turns rivers into raging torrents.

Damaging winds are expected throughout the night, with residents urged to stay in their shelters.

Lala is currently a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of up to 75mph.

According to the National Hurricane Center, rainfall "will produce life-threatening floods and mudslides" - and overnight, hurricane-force winds are expected.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said some areas have already received more than 13in (33cm) of rain, and added that at least one person had died around South Point.

He earlier called it an "enormous storm" and added: "You definitely want to be home, do not be out on the roads."

Tropical storm warnings have also been issued for the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.

A hurricane last made landfall on Hawaii's islands in 1992, when Hurricane Iniki - a Category 4 storm - lashed Kauai.

Mr Green said that event "did $3 billion worth of damage." and added: "It destroyed thousands of homes, and it did kill six people.

"We just can never know if a storm is going to turn."

Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old who lives in a care home, also told the Associated Press that he planned to "hunker down, cross my fingers, hope the lights don't go out".

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Extended power outages are possible, with fallen trees already knocking down multiple poles and structures.

Major airports were closed as the hurricane approached.


Jason Arday: Fundraiser launched to cover academic's funeral costs
A fundraiser in memory of former University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has raised more than £30,000.

The 41-year-old, who resigned from his position as professor of sociology of education last week, was found dead at an address in Battersea in London on Friday.

On Saturday afternoon, Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon launched a GoFundMe page in Dr Arday's memory, which has received more than 1,000 donations.

Writing on the website, Sir Patrick paid tribute to the "pioneering" academic - and said he was "deeply concerned" about the nature and intensity of attacks directed at him after allegations of plagiarising his PhD thesis while at Liverpool John Moores University.

"I was also subject to media scrutiny for signing the letter of support and challenged in supporting Jason," he said.

Sir Patrick said the funds will help cover Dr Arday's funeral, memorial and associated family costs, as well as practical support for his family.

Stand Up to Racism co-convenor Weyman Bennett said in a statement that his death was a tragedy, and the "result of a racist witch hunt."

"For more than a week, the right-wing press, politicians and the far right have hounded Jason with the most vicious racism," Mr Bennett said.

"They are spreading the far-right lie that black people are only appointed because of the colour of our skin, rather than our ability.

"They have blood on their hands. Our thoughts are with Jason's family, but we are furious with those who are to blame. Enough is enough."

The anti-racism organisation has announced plans for a vigil in Dr Arday's memory on the steps of the National Gallery in central London at 6pm on Monday.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Saturday described the professor's death as a "tragedy on so many levels" and a "really sad, sad and sorry state of affairs".

"It's not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It's a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this," he told reporters during a trip to Cornwall.

In a resignation letter, Dr Arday had told colleagues: "While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement.

"The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love."

He said his resignation shouldn't "be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me".

In a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK on Friday, Dr Arday's family said he was "subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse" during his tenure at Cambridge "by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him".

Professor Deborah Prentice, vice chancellor at the University of Cambridge, said: "We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

The university initially said he was the target of a "vile" smear campaign, but has since launched an independent investigation into his appointment.

The Daily Telegraph reported last month that Dr Arday's thesis contained "more than 100 passages that are identical or nearly identical to a 2009 PhD thesis" by a Brunel University student - although it said he credited the student 17 times.

Liverpool John Moores University previously said it conducted a "confidential procedure" after being notified about the allegations in September, adding that his PhD "still stands".

Dr Arday cancelled promotional events for his memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, which is due to be published on 27 August.

The publisher had faced calls to postpone its release in the wake of the plagiarism claims.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.


Arrest after stabbing at a hotel used to house asylum seekers
A Somali man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after police were called to a hotel used to house asylum seekers.

Armed officers went to the Stanwell Hotel, just south of Heathrow Airport, at about 6.30pm to investigate reports of a stabbing.

The victim - a man in his 30s - hasn't been named, but Surrey Police said they were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The man arrested is in his 20s, and officers aren't looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Detective Superintendent Kate Hyder said: "Due to the nature of the report, armed officers were dispatched to the scene and assisted with the arrest.

"There remains a police presence in the area while we carry out initial enquiries.

"We understand this incident has caused concern within the local community, and I encourage you to speak to local officers."

Surrey Police has urged the public not to speculate about the incident on social media.


Hundreds gather for Bonnie Tyler procession in Wales ahead of funeral
Hundreds of Bonnie Tyler fans gathered for a procession to honour the late singer ahead of her funeral in Wales.

The legendary Welsh rock singer, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, died aged 75 last month in Portugal.

Fans lined Newton Road in the Mumbles, where she lived, to watch the procession as the singer was transported back to her former home.

Others waited outside Tyler's home on nearby Mumbles Road, where floral tributes were laid.

Among those waiting to pay their respects to Tyler was Carys Edwards, 18, who says the singer was "an inspiration to everybody".

She said: "Her music touched a lot of people, especially me.

"I'm quite surprised how many people came here today, but then not as well, because she was such an icon.

"She was always coming home and making sure that she came back to her fans in Wales.

"Her songs really did touch a lot of people here in Wales, we loved her a lot.

"When we found out she passed away, it was such a heartbreak to all of us. We cried and everything."

Carys' mother, Melanie Smith, 53, added: "Most importantly, she was a Swansea girl, and she didn't forget that."

Michael Bone, 58, and his partner Alan Hawkins, 54, travelled from Derby to watch the procession.

Mr Bone said: "We thought it'd be nice to pay our respects.

"For me personally, it's because in my teens, her music was quite prolific, for me it was her most iconic period in the 1980s."

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A celebration of Tyler's life for family and friends will take place at Swansea Minster on Monday, before the singer makes a final journey through her home village of Skewen, located just outside the town of Neath.

Famous for her 80s hits Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, Tyler was nominated three times for a Grammy award, and represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.

She was awarded an MBE for her services to music by Queen Elizabeth II in 2023.

Her final full live concert was at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 19 March.


More than 100 arrested in Morocco after social media call for another migrant mass crossing to Ceuta
At least 111 people have been arrested for trying to get into Ceuta following another call on social media for a mass crossing of migrants.

Moroccan police blocked the attempt two weeks after more than 72,000 people descended on the Spanish enclave on the tip of northern Africa.

At least 96 died in that incident - many by drowning - and it led to a diplomatic spat between Spain and Italy over border security.

A source in Morocco's interior ministry said nearly all of those arrested on Saturday - 109 - were from sub-Saharan Africa. The other two were Moroccans.

They were detained in or around Fnideq, the Moroccan city opposite Ceuta.

Police used tear gas to disperse people on hills about two miles from the border, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

Images showed scores of police, some in riot gear, escorting migrants from the area.

Moroccan authorities said earlier this week they were monitoring social media posts urging another mass crossing on 15 August and would prosecute organisers and participants.

There was a heavy Spanish police presence on Ceuta's streets on Saturday, but it was calmer than in the days after the mass crossing.

Soldiers and more than 500 extra police have been sent from mainland Spain, bringing the total to more than 1,600 officers in a city of around 80,000 people.

A barrier has also been installed in the sea to try to prevent another mass crossing.

"We'll continue to deploy whatever personnel are necessary to restore normality as soon as possible and prevent events like those ‌of July 30 from happening again," interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Thursday.

Most of those who breached the border returned to Morocco in the days after the influx, according to Spanish authorities, but Mr Grande-Marlaska said about 5,000 were still in Ceuta.

He said all would be returned to Morocco - except in rare cases of extreme vulnerability.

Many of those remaining are camping in makeshift shelters on the beach. However, Sky News was told this week that about 75 had made it to southern Spain via boat.

The crisis sparked anti-immigration rhetoric across Europe and diplomatic tensions within the EU over border policy, with Spain accusing some partners of an "unhelpful and polarising" response.

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Italy temporarily suspended its open-border Schengen agreement with Spain, re-imposing controls for air and sea until at least 15 August

In return, Spain said passport, nationality, and visa checks would be conducted for Italian passengers and visitors from other countries arriving from Italy ‌until 7 September.


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