Mediclinic and ER24 invite passionate and ambitious South African students to apply for the Mediclinic External Bursary Programme for the 2026 academic year. This bursary opportunity supports studies in critical healthcare fields, including Nursing, Pharmacy, and Emergency Medical Care. Bursary...
The post Mediclinic and ER24 Bursary Applications 2026 Now Open appeared first on StudentRoom.co.za.
GARDAI have seized an estimated €35million worth of cocaine in a major operation in Cork.
Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, are in custody after officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area this morning packed with the drug.
It’s understood the cocaine had been collected after a shipment was delivered to the coast.
Gardai say the joint task force op – which includes Revenue’s Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, local gardai and the Irish Air Corps – remains ongoing and live.
It is expected that further arrests will be made as part of the major investigation.
The two men in custody are understood to be from the UK and Germany.
It is believed cops have seized around 500kg of cocaine, which is worth around €35m, however that is yet to be confirmed.
A garda spokesman said: “A Joint task Force Drugs Interdiction operation is ongoing at this time in Co Cork.
“This morning Gardai from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork and a large quantity of suspected Cocaine has been recovered (exact quantity and value yet to be determined).
“Two males (30s and 40s) have been arrested and are currently detained in a Garda Station in Co Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007.
“The operation is supported by the Joint Task Force partners, Revenue’s Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, and local Gardai and the Irish Air Corps.
“As this is an ongoing operation no further details are available at this time.
“Further updates will be provided in due course.”
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan hailed the operation and said: “Another major cocaine seizure worth up to €35m by gardai this morning.
“Excellent cooperation involving Gardai, Defence Forces and Revenue, and another example of our work to disrupt the criminal gangs involved.”
Fine Gael’s Noel O’Donovan also commended the work of Gardai following the bust in his constituency.
He added the removal of the drugs off Cork’s streets was “very welcome”.
He said: “I’d like to commend the work of An Garda Síochána both local and national units in the significant detection of an estimated €30 million worth of drugs off the West Cork coast this morning.
“The seizure and removal of €30 million worth of drugs off our streets, towns and villages is extremely welcome.
“This capture in rural West Cork highlights again the need for more resources and more Gardai to prevent and detect crime in our local communities.”
NEW Radio 1 presenters have been confirmed in the run-up to the summer.
Fresh new faces are joining forces with the BBC station including a TikTok creator and former Hits Radio hosts.
Greg James is getting an extended breakfast slot for the summer months and on air till 11am.
The DJ said: “No one thinks being on the radio for three and a half hours a day is a real job. And they’re right. How about four? Is that better?”
The official Instagram account for BBC Radio 1 confirmed: “Announcement! Here is our schedule for the summer!”
“From Monday July 21, Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James will run until 11am (Monday-Thursday), giving more young listeners the chance to start their day with him throughout the summer.”
The post continued: “The normal Radio 1 schedule will resume including Greg James on Breakfast (7am-10:30am) and Going Home with Jamie Lang and a returning Katie Thistleton (3.30pm-6pm) from September.
“From Monday 28 July, Going Home (Monday-Thursday, 3.30pm-6pm) will be hosted by Sam [MacGregor] and Danni [Diston] for the summer.
“We welcome three brand-new presenters to the station taking on Friday Early Breakfast (Fridays, 5am-7am) on a monthly rotation.”
July’s takeover is Danny Mylo and Rosie Madison, while the August takeover is TikTok creator Charley Marlowe who will host the Early Breakfast show on Fridays.
Life Hacks on Sundays from 4pm to 6pm will be co-hosted by Lauren Layfield alongside Tskenya Frazer in July, and Yinka Bokinni in August.
Presenter Sam exclaimed on the post: “WAHEYYYY LET’S GOO!”
I Kissed A Girl’s Charley commented: “I’m so excited to get started!”
Charley added: “I’ll be playing as much Jane McDonald and Kylie Minogue as the BBC allow. Otherwise you can expect anything from a show tune to Madonna.”
Tskenya wrote: “Eeek. So excited! Cannot wait!!!!” While Yinka exclaimed: “We back baby.”
Mylo and Rosie are joining BBC Radio 1 following their departure from Hits Radio.
They said: “We cannot put it into words how excited we are to be joining the Radio 1 team, it’s a real pinch me moment.
“If we could tell those two mates who started in radio by making tea for the good grown-up presenters that we’d be talking to you now, they wouldn’t have believed you! And we kinda don’t either.
“Our job is to literally make each other laugh every single day so it goes without saying, we hope you’ll have a laugh with us too.”
Tskenya wrote on social media: “SURPRISE. Eek, very overjoyed to be covering Life Hacks on @bbcradio1 with the gorg @laurenlayfield whilst the babe @shanequa.paris is raising the next gen of broadcasting!
“Thanks to the Radio 1 leadership team and producers for giving me this opportunity. MAJOR love to my BBC Radio London family, mentor @darrenlewis5 , and my friends for carrying this past year through the self-doubt and anxiety! WE UP!”
BRIT-award presenter Yinka said: “I’m buzzing to be joining the team this summer!”
Sam and Danni take over Going Home from 28 July, covering for Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton, who are both on maternity leave, while Jamie Laing is away filming.
The usual radio schedule will return in September.
WIMBLEDON is underway at the All England Club – with some MASSIVE names entering the competition on Day Two!
The likes of Jack Draper, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff are all in action in SW19 today.
Though the day has not started as strongly for the Brits as yesterday – with Heather Watson and Johannus Monday exiting at the first round.
America’s Taylor Fritz is also resuming his fifth-set decider with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, after the match was SUSPENDED 40 minutes before the 11pm curfew last night.
WIMBLEDON 2025 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
Follow our live blog below…
POLICE have launched a manhunt after a woman was sexually assaulted.
The incident occurred in the Claremont area of Blackpool at around 4.45am on Saturday, June 28.
Blackpool Police has now released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in relation to the assault.
Cops believe he may have been in the town centre area throughout Friday evening and Saturday morning.
In addition to the manhunt, they are also appealing for CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage between the town centre and Claremont area.
In a statement to Lancashire Live, Blackpool Police said: “We’re asking if you recognise this man after an incident over the weekend.
“At around 4:45am on the morning of Saturday 28th June, we received a report of a sexual assault in Blackpool.
“It was reported that a man sexually assaulted a woman in the Claremont area of North Blackpool.
“An investigation is underway, and the woman is being supported.”
Anyone that recognises the man, has information, or footage that could assist the investigation should contact 101 quoting log 0270 of 28th June.
JACQUI Hurley has been living the baller lifestyle on and off the court while representing Ireland in Lugano, Switzerland.
She’s part of an Over-40s women’s team that have already qualified for the last-16 of the the FIMBA Maxibasketball World Championship.
At the time of writing they still have hopes of going all the way, having booked their spot in the tournament’s last-16 by topping their pool.
That mini-achievement was duly celebrated by the whole squad with Hurley convincing everyone to take part in a TikTok-style dance trend.
She captioned that particularly fun bit of holiday social media content: “Victory dance in the piazza.”
Despite her hectic broadcasting schedule, she has kept up her playing commitments over the years in basketball in addition to going back playing ladies football after a decade-long break.
The 41-year-old represented Ireland internationally in basketball in her 20s before having to focus on her budding career with RTE.
Understandably, this made last week’s milestone of being presented with her official Team Ireland kit all the more meaningful.
She reflected on Instagram: “Full circle moment to be heading off to play for Ireland again this week at @ticino2025.
“A real privilege to be able to do it at this stage of our lives & so special to get to play with so many former teammates again.
“Looking forward to making more memories with an incredible group at Basketball Ireland Masters!
“And never fear, there’s more tik-toks on the way in our downtime!!”
Earlier this year Hurley conducted an interview with RTE where she spoke about how her passion for playing the sport hasn’t waned over the years.
She remarked: “I turned 41 very recently and I reckon the football will have to go. I’ll move into a coaching role in that respect. But the basketball is something I’d like to play into my 50s.
“There are so many former Irish internationals that I’ve known down the years, and they are still playing. I’d love to play on an Irish Masters team and travel with them. Someday, hopefully.”
As if that wasn’t enough of a packed playing CV with which to boast of, she also played camogie for Cork in her 20s.
In that same interview she delved into how she has to be mindful of her natural biases when covering Gaelic Games.
She laughed: “Ah no, when Cork was playing in the All-Ireland hurling final last year, I was sitting beside Anthony Daly and we almost had to be separated.
“We did have great craic, but I’m emotionally invested in the GAA, and it can be very hard to detach myself.
“But you must keep bias separate. When the Cork camogie team won down the years – I would have played with a lot of them.
“But you must keep your emotions in check on air, because you’re a broadcaster and journalist first and foremost and have a job to do.”
WHAT’S the first thing you think of when you think of a family trip to Finland?
Snow and Santa, right? Well, let me change your mind.
I took my family of four to the gorgeous capital of Finland, Helsinki, and couldn’t recommend it highly enough as a family-friendly destination.
Forget Santa and festivities and snowball fights, this trip was all about saunas and foraging and outdoor swimming for myself, my husband James and our daughters Lily, 7, and Rosie, 4.
The city might not be the first place you think of for a family break, but it has it all.
From gorgeous nature parks and sea views to daily saunas and delicious fare, you begin to see why the Finns are so happy.
Flying from Dublin takes around three hours and the airport is about 30 minutes from the city centre. You can get a taxi at the airport for a fixed rate or a train directly there.
We stayed at Hotel Scandic Park Helsinki, where room rates start from €204 per night, in a family room with pull out couch for the girls.
The hotel was family-friendly with a playroom right by the restaurant, perfect for the kids to jump around in while James and I enjoyed a leisurely dinner or breakfast.
They loved it and made firm friends during the week there. It really should be a must for every hotel.
On the first day we met with our guide Karin, who couldn’t have been warmer or more informative, and off we trotted to the impressive Helsinki Central Library Oodi, a modern architectural marvel designed by Finnish firm ALA Architects.
More than just a library, Oodi offers visitors a wealth of knowledge, creative resources, and a space to engage with the city’s diverse urban life.
And for the girls there are several playgrounds around the library which is also close to the picturesque Töölö Lake.
Another highlight of the trip was a Foraging Walk on Seurasaari Island.
Guided by Anna Nyman – a biologist, forager and herbalist- she unveiled to us a world of wild edible plants and herbs.
We nibbled on heart’s ease pansies, ground elder, wood sorrel, and even the kids munched on some flora. Rosie particularly liked the flowers of the blueberry plant.
The island itself is a tranquil retreat, popular with walkers, sunbathers, and outdoors enthusiasts and there we got to feed some local wildlife too before snacking on a gorgeous picnic provided by Anna in the sunshine. Highly recommended.
Then, in contrast to the relaxing morning spent being at one with nature, we set off to do something a bit more high-octane.
Linnanmaki Amusement Park is Finland’s oldest and most popular amusement park, located in the Alppila district of Helsinki and it’s celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
The park features over 40 rides, a wide variety of games, and numerous restaurants and cafés.
The girls are still too young, and short, to go on some of the park’s wildest spins and most exciting rides like Swingi – which swings visitors from side to side at nearly 100 kilometres per hour, or the rollercoaster Taiga – that throws you upside down four times per ride with a top speed of 106 km/h.
But we did go on some more of the sedate rides and the girls enjoyed being budding truck drivers on Rekkaralli, and spinning around on Propelli amongst loads of other fun attractions.
While in Helsinki we also took the ferry across to Suomenlinna, the historic Sea Fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, steeped in maritime history and charm.
We met our very informative guide Kasper at the pier and he talked us all around the island, while the girls loved exploring.
The entire area of Suomenlinna has about 200 buildings from different eras spread over 80 hectares of land.
The fortress alone has about 6km of walls and over a hundred cannons remaining.
It is a must when you visit Helsinki. You can enjoy Suomenlinna with just the price of a ferry or water bus ticket, as there is no entrance fee to the fortress.
One of the main routes runs through the fortress from north to south.
The Blue Route starts at the main pier in front of the pink Jetty Barracks and the Visitor Center and ends at the King’s Gate. It’s about 1.5km long and marked with blue signs on signposts and a blue line on maps.
Along the route, you’ll find information boards in the Russian Merchant Quarter, by the Church Park, in the Great Courtyard, at the Dry Dock viewing platform, in Piper’s Park, and at Kustaanmiekka, the southernmost part of the fortress.
And there are plenty of museums, cafés and restaurants along this route too.
Capping off our cultural adventure we immersed ourselves in Finnish wellness traditions with a sauna and swim at Allas Pool, a popular waterfront spa with stunning views – tickets available for €18.
So good we went twice in the five days we spent in Helsinki, Allas Pool is a marine spa and an oasis of urban culture right at the heart of the city.
It’s open all year round and offers new ways of enjoying the Baltic Sea, just a stone’s throw away from the Market Square and other main attractions.
It has three saunas, two warm water pools and one sea water pool, to which the water is pumped from nearby streams and filtered clean.
One of the pools is perfect for kids, with tummy height water for them and floaties and pool noodles are available from the lifeguards.
In addition to these, an outdoor gym, restaurant & café services, guided wellness & sports lessons and culture events are on offer.
We spent hours there on both visits and had dinner and cocktails in the Seagrill beach house restaurant on the second floor one evening.
The beach house noodles were delicious and chock full of fresh, crunchy veggies and the girls devoured a watermelon, pineapple, grapes and strawberry fresh fruit platter.
Speaking of saunas, they’re really a must for visitors to Finland.
Finland actually has more saunas than cars — roughly one sauna for every 1.67 people.
But the real question is – is everyone nude? And the answer is – kinda. It actually depends on where you go.
Check the dress code and remember wearing a towel is always ok.
Just one minute in cold water after the sauna boosts your happy hormones.
When you alternate the heat of the sauna with a 30–60 second dip in the sea, lake, or cold shower, your body responds with a rush of feel-good hormones.
And I was so surprised when Lily and Rosie loved the sauna at Allas pool.
The two mini pros popped in and out several times relaxing in the heat until their cheeks went pink, then they were back in the pool for another bit until they fancied another session.
Don't sweat it
Right across from the pool is the funky restaurant Toppa. Toppa is on the top floor of the historic and outstanding ‘Sugar Cube’ building
designed by Alvar Aalto.
Food here is meant to be shared and we feasted on Bo ssam, a fresh and crunchy Korean classic made for sharing.
The centrepiece of Bo ssam is succulent pork, marinated and slow-roasted to melt-in-the-mouth perfection that you add to a wrap of crisp green lettuce along with some kimchi, spiced tomatoes, pickled carrots and cucumber.
We also munched on Chorizo Pan, Piri Piri Pulpo and the kids enjoyed the corndog consisting of battered sausage with honey mustard and Korean ketchup. The cocktails were also delicious.
Come to happy Helsinki
Fiona was a guest of Visit Finland (www.visitfinland.com) and Helsinki Partners (www.myhelsinki.fi).
Where to Stay:
Stay at the Hotel Scandic Park Helsinki, where room rates start from €204 / £172 per night. There’s a good kids’ menu in the dining room, and a playroom.
What to do:
Visit: Helsinki Central Library Oodi, a modern architectural marvel designed by Finnish firm ALA Architects.
Venture into nature with a Foraging Walk on Seurasaari Island.
Enjoy the thrills and spills of Linnanmaki Amusement Park.
Take the ferry across to Suomenlinna, the historic Sea Fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, stepped in maritime history and charm.
Sauna and swim at Allas Pool, a popular waterfront spa with stunning views – tickets available for €18.
How to Get There:
This year Finnair is celebrating a decade of direct flights between Dublin and Helsinki. Finnair (www.finnair.com) flies from Dublin to Helsinki up to ten times a week, year-round. A return flight from Dublin to Helsinki, starts from €170 Economy Class and €567 in Business Class. Fares include all taxes and charges.
For more details and to book, visit www.finnair.com or call 0330 8081188.
And it’s so easy to be active in Helsinki. The city has 34 public beaches, 21 winter swimming locations, 13 ice rinks, 16 indoor swimming pools and outdoor pools, 812 indoor sports facilities, and 92 dog parks.
Phew. It also has an extensive 1,300 km network of cycling paths, meaning there is literally something for everyone.
Children were warmly welcomed wherever we went and Finnish people are warm and friendly.
In all, the trip was a massive success and a wonderful family adventure.
It was our second visit to Helsinki, where James and I got engaged 10 years ago, and we’ll definitely return – hopefully we won’t wait another decade to experience it all.
YOU can beat the heat and have an incredible time at these inflatable waterparks around the UK.
With slides, inflatable blast bags, family-friendly obstacle courses and the huge free fall slides from just £20 entry too.
Go big or go home at Cliff Lakes Aqualand in Staffordshire, which is the biggest aqua park in the UK.
Across the lake are six separate courses with various challenges such as climbing walls, tunnels, trampolines, and high ropes.
The general admission price is £24 per person for an 80-minute session.
The price includes a shortie wetsuit (3mm or 5mm) and a buoyancy aid.
One happy visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Great day out! So much fun with all the different courses, quite a workout but so worth it.
“Would recommend to anyone, best time to go is in summer as you do jump into the lake.”
Aqua Park Group has three sites across the UK and features the largest collection of bespoke, high-impact water obstacles.
The biggest inflatable is at its water park in Rutland Water and it’s called the Rutland Mammoth.
The giant slide has a 5.5 metre free-fall drop – and is the tallest of its kind in the UK.
Across the waterpark is also Tornado Tower, a 3.5 metre inflatable that you can jump off into the lake water below.
There are blast bags, slides, trampolines and inflatable climbing frames.
Visitors must book online before going to Rutland Water and a one hour session costs £21, or, you can book two hours for £31.
Other Aqua Parks across the UK include Aqua Park Lakeside and Cosmeston Lake.
Aqua Action is a floating aqua park in Ilford, Essex which you can get to via the Elizabeth Line which goes between Shenfield and London Paddington.
It’s open until September 28, 2025 and on the lake is a 3.5 metre climbing tower and the two metre high balance beam.
There’s the highly anticipated and hilarious blast bag, the jumping platforms, and thrilling drop slides and entry is £20 for a one hour session.
For the younger ones aged one to eight, there’s a puddle park too called Aqua Tots.
Kids can jump on the giant turtle, hop on the inflatable swans, and have a good old splash about.
Entry to Aqua Tots for children cost £12 and an extra £2 for their accompanying adult.
Thorpe Lakes is known as London’s Ultimate Watersports Resort, and is set across 150 acres of lakes – and it has a huge inflatable too.
It has wobbly balance beams, towering slides, bouncy trampolines, and climbing walls.
The only downside to this inflatable waterpark is that it’s only open on weekends.
Entry cost £20 for 55 minutes of fun, and you get a life jacket included with the option to hire a wetsuit.
At Thorpe Lakes, you can also try wakeboarding and water-skiing, with options for lessons for beginners.
Since 1960, UK temperatures in June have surpassed 34C in only three years, with the hottest being 35.6C, recorded on June 28 1976.
A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds.
Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C.
Bewl Water Aqua Park just outside Tunbridge Wells has an enormous Witbit inflatable.
It has a floating obstacle course with room for jumping, sliding and balancing.
Individual tickets cost £25 each for children (between 6-12 years old), teenagers and adults – for 50 minutes.
Also on the lake are pedalos for hire, paddleboarding and canoeing are also options.
One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “The Aqua Park was AMAZING! The kids loved it and my partner loved it even more. Swimming in the reservoir was just lovely, it was warm and the cool water was so refreshing.”
Here are the lidos in the UK mapped – with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even FREE to enter.
Three of the UK’s biggest indoor waterparks with tropical climates and heated infinity pools.
