Category: Weird

An Australian tourist claims to have spotted the Loch Ness monster, meaning there have already been more sightings this year than in the entirety of 2025.

With another four and a half months of 2026 left to go, so far there have been nine in-person sightings of the mythical beast – and 11 if webcam footage is included in the total.

Oscar Gray was visiting Urquhart Castle on July 21 when he says he saw something strange emerge from the water, and managed to capture the encounter on camera.

It’s now been added to the official Loch Ness monster sightings register.

Confirming his reported encounter, a spokesperson for the register said: ‘Oscar Gray, visiting from Australia, reported that he was standing at the shoreline at Urquhart Castle when he saw the top of a dark green flat topped head pop out of the water well out from the shoreline.

‘The head was followed by two same coloured humps that emerged out of the water behind the head, which he thought would be the body.

‘Then he saw ripple lines about 500 metres behind the humps and it made quite decent white waves which he expected it was from the tail swimming through the water.

‘After the tail swished water over its head it then swam back down below the water. He said he never saw it again for the rest of the day. But he managed to get a photo.’

In June, a mysterious green mass sparked fresh rumours about the existence of the beast.

The object was caught on camera next to Urquhart Castle by a tourist on a Jacobite Cruises boat tour.

Two months earlier, the elusive creature was ‘spotted’ twice within just a few days.

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Legendary psychic Baba Vanga — known for supposedly predicting 9/11, the death of Princess Diana and the COVID pandemic, to name a few — has posthumously found herself in the spotlight once more.

Followers of the blind Bulgarian mystic, who died in 1996 aged 84, have claimed that two of her five prophecies for 2026 have already come true, leaving the remaining predictions to play out in the next few months.

They’re not predictions of world peace or us all winning the lottery, either. Instead, some are actually pretty bleak.

The first new prediction is perhaps the wildest: Baba Vanga is said to have claimed that a massive spacecraft will visit Earth this year.

Reportedly set for November, she alleged that it will enter the atmosphere and mark humanity’s first official contact with an extraterrestrial civilisation.

However, the mystic was unclear about whether the visitors come in peace or as a threat. Hopefully, it’s the former. We’d have no qualms about E.T making an appearance on Earth.

Unfortunately — and due to the state of world affairs right now — the second is a little easier to believe.

Alongside meeting aliens, Baba Vanga also predicted that 2026 would be the year World War III breaks out.

Interpretations of the prophecy say China would attempt to seize Taiwan.

Meanwhile, it’s claimed that tensions between Russia and the US would escalate into direct conflict.

There’s also the current war between Russia and Ukraine to take into consideration, which has already caused instability across multiple regions.

Finally, the third prophecy suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin will lose power and be replaced by a new leader, all before 2027 starts.

For almost 20 years, Putin has ruled Russian politics. The 73-year-old is also set to stay in office until 2036, after he signed a law which allowed him to extend his rule.

That is, unless the prophecy is correct.

Speculation about Putin’s future — both political and health-wise — has circulated for years. There have been many conspiracy theories surrounding the leader, from him using body doubles to claims that he had died.

Recently, rumours of him being in poor health escalated after the Kremlin accidentally released footage of him in the middle of a coughing fit.

While this all sounds awful, let us be clear: Baba Vanga left no written records of her predictions.

Rather, her prophecies have been interpreted by relatives and followers in the decades since her death.

Therefore, there’s no actual (reliable) evidence that she predicted every prophecy credited to her.

Still, followers claim that two of her five major forecasts for this year and last have already come true.

This includes a vague prediction of a string of global natural disasters.

In this instance, Baba Vanga’s followers have linked the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar in March. The disaster caused thousands of deaths and severe destruction in the area.

There’s also the recent European wildfires that have devastated parts of Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy.

The second focuses on the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the idea that robots will eventually replace humans.

Baba Vanga reportedly gained her psychic powers after a freak tornado in her home country of Bulgaria swept her up into the air at 12-years-old.

Sand and dust were forced into her eyes, and as a result she went blind.

However, she and her followers also claimed that the blindness allowed her ‘open her mind’, which led to her developing her mystic powers.

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A jaw-dropping photo taken with an iPhone 250 miles above Earth has captured the incredible sight of a super typhoon over the Pacific Ocean.

The image was taken by Nasa astronaut Anil Menon while aboard the International Space Station (ISS), offering a stunning bird’s-eye view of the colossal storm system churning across the ocean below.

The picture, which was taken on August 2, reveals a tightly wound spiral of towering cloud bands wrapped around a clearly defined eye as the cyclone made its way across the western Pacific.

While the dramatic photo looked like it had been photographed using specialist camera equipment, it was actually taken on an iPhone – a capability made possible after Nasa recently began allowing astronauts to carry personal smartphones on missions.

Sharing the image, Menon wrote: ‘The Pacific Ocean this morning from the cupola with an iPhone.’

Viewed from orbit, the immense scale of the weather system becomes clear, with the storm dominating hundreds of miles of open ocean in a single frame.

He didn’t identify the storm by name, but Menon’s image is believed to have captured Super Typhoon Dolphin, which rapidly strengthened over exceptionally warm waters before moving towards Japan earlier this week.

China has evacuated more than 1,000,000 from their homes after the typhoon brought heavy rain and strong winds, triggering a red alert.

Winds hit 94mph when it hit the Zhejiang province on Sunday.

The photograph was taken from the ISS’s Cupola – a seven-window observation module widely regarded as offering astronauts the best views of Earth.

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An adrenaline junkie filming a rollercoaster ride was taken by surprise when he was hit in the face by a flying shoe.

The theme park fan was on the Goliath ride at Six Flags Over Georgia in the US, which reaches speeds of around 70mph, on Sunday.

While up in the air, as the thrillseeker was recording their time on the coaster using Meta glasses, the white trainer flew off a rider in front of them and came whizzing towards the camera lens.

The filmmaker said: ‘I filmed this POV while riding Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia on Sunday August 2, 2026.

‘Shortly after the ride began, a rider in the front row lost one of their shoes. As the coaster reached speeds of approximately 70mph, the shoe flew back toward my row.’

In footage of the moment, the rider can be heard shouting: ‘Oh, my god,’ as the shoe makes impact with a thud.

Luckily, as the shoe ‘crashed into’ the rider, he was able to catch it before it dropped into the lake beneath the ride.

‘The catch was completely unexpected and was not staged or planned in any way,’ he added.

‘The video recorded on my Meta glasses captures the entire moment from my point of view, including my reaction after catching the shoe.’

In the film, he can be heard saying: ‘I got it!’ after nabbing the airborne accessory. Later, he holds the shoe out in front of him, proudly declaring: ‘I got the shoe!’

He then holds it up in the air, refusing to let go even as the ride speeds up.

‘I got hit in the face and caught a shoe!’ he can be heard telling grinning fellow riders as the rollercoaster comes to a gradual stop.

Once everyone had disembarked from the ride, the rider managed to locate the owner of the runaway garment, whose friends screamed and clapped as it was returned.

‘After the ride ended, I returned the shoe to its owner,’ he added.

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It’s an unusual career for someone who trained as an electrician.

But when Harvey More fell into a ghost-related TikTok hole during lockdown, he realised he was closer to the spirit world than he had originally thought.

Long before he began investigating haunted locations, he says he repeatedly saw a mysterious figure walking across the upstairs landing of his parents’ West Midlands home.

‘When I went upstairs onto the upstairs landing, I would see a man dressed all in black, walking from one bedroom door to another. It happened a few times, and I could hear unexplained footsteps outside my bedroom,’ the 23-year-old said.

It was Harvey’s first spiritual experience. When he told his parents, they told him that vicars used to live at the address, and that it was likely to be their spirits.

‘I thought, there is definitely another world out there that we don’t know about,’ he said.

‘That experience was just crazy. From there I have believed there is something out there, that there’s an afterlife.’

Harvey started watching paranormal live streams on TikTok during a boring lockdown and became intrigued.

He decided he wanted to find out more and immersed himself in learning about crystals, spiritualism and what he describes as alternative realities.

Today, the content creator spends his time investigating locations believed to be haunted, searching for evidence that spirits are still present.

Harvey believes he has witnessed things that cannot be explained.

‘I have seen apparitions, from white mists to black figures in the corner of the eye. But when you look, they vanish,’ he said.

‘And I’ve experienced random smells and scents coming up out of nowhere.’

After filming footage, he often notices noises on the edits that he didn’t originally hear.

‘You often hear taps and bangs that you didn’t hear at the time. You might hear a lady humming or a droning sound,’ Harvey added.

‘Once I heard a girl laughing when none of the team heard it. But when I edited I picked it up again. It is amazing the things you pick up.’

During investigations, Harvey and his team ask what they believe are spirits to make their presence known.

‘When they go on a hunt, they ask the spirit world to affirm their presence with a noise,’ Harvey, who hosts the Unexplained Mysteries Paranormal podcast,’ said.

‘Often we get unexplainable footsteps and knocks. You can tell when it is something paranormal. The majority of what we catch is supernatural.’

One location that continues to draw him back is a former 17th century burial ground near his home which has since become a public park where families picnic and children play.

‘I have always felt that there is an energy there that has called me to investigate. Every time you go there, you pick up new information, evidence of the spiritual world.’

Harvey says one investigation there produced what he considers some of his strongest evidence. Using a paranormal voice box, a handheld electronic device that paranormal investigators believe spirits use to manipulate radio signals, he started picking up words to do with crime, justice, water and pipes.

‘When I got back and started researching who I was connecting with. It emerged that Richard Jesson, who is buried there, was a well-known attorney. And he was one of the founders of South Staffs Waters, a water work company,’ Harvey said.

‘I couldn’t believe it. I always go to a location with an empty head with no background. Any information I get I then go back and research it. Nearly every time it links to historical records.’

He also visited the site of Jesson’s grave, where the temperature dropped ‘significantly’ and his team detected ‘a really strong, musky scent, almost like incense, even though nobody was around us’.

Harvey said investigations rarely end when the team decides to leave, as often spirits will try to pull them back.

‘There are some spirits that are reluctant to come forward and communicate, whether they’ve got low energy or they just don’t want to talk to us,’ he says.

‘But when we’re leaving the location, when we’ve turned our backs, things get thrown at us. I’ve had twigs, stones and other debris thrown as I tried to leave. That is the point of an investigation where we have to set up a boundary and say “no more”, because it takes our energy.’

His most frightening experience was at Cannock Chase, a Staffordshire beauty spot known for ghost stories and alleged sightings, where his car was unlocked while he was investigating.

‘I saw a light in the corner of my eye. And I saw my car unlocked itself. That frightened me. I thought, it’s messing with the car. If it wants your attention it can go to your property.

‘Thankfully the battery hadn’t gone flat. It was completely dark and we contemplated abandoning the investigation and going home. That will stay with me for the rest of my life because it was so bizarre.’

Despite the unsettling moments, Harvey says paranormal investigation has brought him comfort rather than fear, particularly after the death of someone close to him.

‘Paranormal investigation brings me so much peace. It’s not all scary and spooky. I have been able to contact spirits who have left a legacy. Being able to connect with roots of where I am from is comforting,’ he said.

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It’s the event where being boring is the whole point.

Every year thousands of fans travel from across the world for the Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU) at Grimsthorpe Castle, in Lincolnshire.

Created to champion the most basic cars you can imagine, the grounds are packed with around 2,500 much-loved but largely forgotten family vehicles now rarely seen on Britain’s roads.

The event this weekend was in its 12th year and entries must have been manufacturedbetween 25 and 50 years ago to qualify.

Fifty are selected to compete for top prize, with this year’s judges having included editor-in-chief at Autocar Steve Cropley, content creator Steph Hoy, motoring journalists Richard Bremner, Jesse Billington, Antony Ingram and Gary Axon, as well as TV presenter Jon Bentley.

First place went to Gordon McNeill and his 2001 Volkswagen Polo E, which has been owned and loved for 20 years. It was Gordon’s first car and – despite having battle-scarred paintwork – is still the only car he has ever owned, racking up 176,000 miles.

In second was a very rare 1992 Toyota Previa, owned by Matt Swinn, who uses it to haul his band and their equipment all over the country.

Despite its heavy use, Matt has kept it meticulously maintained. He is so dedicated that he even framed the 1990s sweet wrappers, receipts and other period rubbish found under the seats when he bought it.

Third place went to a 2001 Ford Focus owned by Jake Seddon. The car originally belonged to his grandad and was restored by his father.

It was displayed alongside many family photos, and the judges commended the condition of the car and its family connection.

Other special mentions went to a 1991 Ford P100 TD owned by Jack Duxbury, a 2000 Kia Clarus Wagon owned by Marwin Jansen, a 1986 Citroen Axel owned by Rick Martens, a 1982 Fiat 127 owned by Maia Egan and a 1994 Honda Civic Bali owned by Emma Rowe.

Away from the cars on the main stage was live music and interviews.

The festival is hosted by insurance provider Hagerty. Mark Roper, the company’s managing director, said: ‘Wow. Just when we think the Festival of the Unexceptional can’t get any bigger, it grows again and is more spectacular than ever.

‘What a delight to see the lawns of Grimsthorpe Castle covered with thousands of FOTU cars, being enjoyed by 4,500 people from all around the world.

‘Thanks to each and every person who came for their dedication, passion and support of all things FOTU.’

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If you were to go down to the beach today you may find a wobbly surprise.

Thousands of bright electric blue creatures, thought to be Velella Velella, have washed ashore after a scorching heatwave this summer.

The creatures dubbed ‘alien jellyfish’ are normally found in exotic climes like Portugal or the Caribbean but over the weekend it was St Bees beach in Cumbria that was overrun.

Louise Nicholson nearly mistook one of the strange creatures for a mound of seaweed.

Speaking to BBC Cumbria, she said: ‘There were hundreds of them and there were lots of visitors to the area taking photos.

‘They are absolutely beautiful, only about 2ins in size. It was a great find on a beautiful day.’

The organisms have a ‘sail’ which they use to travel across oceans, and normally roll into strange territories in the wake of a storm.

They are harmless to humans – but beachcombers have been warned to be aware.

Velella velella, known as By-the-wind Sailors, haven’t been swept here in such huge numbers in more than a decade.

But although the two-inch creatures are related to the deadly Portugese man ‘o war, the worst they offer people is a mild sting.

The electric blue creatures are ‘colonial hydroids’ – meaning they’re not jellyfish but a colony of tiny individual animals.

They live partly in and partly out of the water with a sail held in the wind and tentacles dangling in the water to catch plankton.

Conservationist Steve Trewhella said: ‘They only wash up after prolonged gales and storms.

‘Because they travel in the same way, in theory Portugese man o’ wars could come in as well, and that would be something to worry about. They pose a real threat and can kill people in the water.

‘We are noticing a trend in these unusual marine animals coming into our shores on a more regular basis recently. It’s because our weather appears to be changing.

‘Velella velella are deep blue or purple in colour and often cause confusion if they wash in, in vast numbers, creating a blue beach.’

Marine specialist Frankie Hobro, owner of Anglesey Sea Zoo in Bynsiencyn, said their sting is ‘mild’ in comparison to their cousins – the deadly Portuguese man o’ war.

‘If you touched your lips, face or another sensitive area, it could be quite painful and cause a tingling sensation,’ she said.

‘What is slightly worrying is that Portuguese Man o’ War are arriving earlier in the year and more frequently, overlapping with marine creatures like By-the-wind-sailors. It shows how climate change is affecting ocean currents.’

Temperatures could reach 35C in the South East on Monday, according to the Met Office, higher than forecasts for the islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini.

Much of central and southern England is set to see highs in the upper 20s to low 30s before temperatures ease slightly later in the week.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat-health alerts for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London from Monday until Wednesday morning.

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Built as an imposing Victorian home, Clifton Hall was repurposed as a masonic hall by the 1920s.

But the historic home has since garnered a reputation for supernatural occurrences, with workers claiming to have noticed unexplained events while maintaining the 180-year-old property.

Caretaker Jeff Forshaw, who joined the team working at the Grade II-Listed building as a volunteer in 2023, said he heard unusual sounds while preparing the property for a visit with his daughter.

Incidentally, the pair were getting the home ready for a live ‘paranormal investigation’ on Halloween by Haunted Scouse, a group which scans haunted locations for signs of supernatural activity.

He explained they had arrived to open up the hall before the group was due to arrive when they heard a loud noise like running water.

‘It was loud, as if someone was filling a bath’, he said.

Things became even eerier when, after he yelled out ‘hello’, the sound suddenly stopped.

Another unexplained event occurred as they were preparing the basement when the fire exit door refused to open, as if it had been blocked from the other side.

Mr Forshaw explained: ‘It genuinely felt like someone had planted their foot behind it.

‘My daughter thought I was messing around, so she squeezed past me and tried it herself.’

After struggling for several minutes, the door suddenly burst open. When the pair tested it again, the door opened and closed without any issues.

In a corridor, they also noticed what sounded like a music box playing. Members of the Haunted Scouse group also reported hearing similar sounds.

Built as a private residence in 1845, Clifton Hall later became a tabernacle before being converted into its current use as a Masonic Hall.

Since 2023, the unique building has been available for hire for events, such as meetings and functions.

Strange occurrences have even convinced more skeptical members of staff.

One volunteer at the hall reported feeling something push them on the shoulder while working alone in the basement.

The hall’s kitchen manager, another skeptic, has since had several experiences, including being hit with a pan lid and losing his keys only for them fly straight at him across the room.

On another occasion, the same manager reported encountering a silhouette of a man looking through one of the windows facing the car park, Mr Forshaw said.

He returned the next day to try and find any trace of the figure or furniture which could have cast the shadow, but discovered nothing there.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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