British couple found in French hamlet ‘died by murder-suicide’
French officials investigating the deaths of a married British couple in the south of France have said they are treating it as a murder-suicide, according to reports.
Andrew and Dawn Searle’s bodies were found dead in the hamlet of Les Pesquies in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Aveyron near Toulouse, in the early afternoon of February 6.
Mrs Searle, also known as Ms Kerr, was found in front of her house with severe wounds to her head, while her husband’s body was found hanged inside.
Police launched an investigation to establish whether the couple died as a result of a murder-suicide, or if a third party was involved.
The prosecutor in charge of the case said there is no evidence that anybody else was involved in the deaths, according to the BBC.
Ms Searle was the mother of Scottish actor and musician Callum Kerr, who played PC George Kiss in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, and appeared in Netflix’s Virgin River.
Mr Kerr shared a statement on his social media account following their deaths which said: “At this time, Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle (nee Smith, Kerr), while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle.”
He then asked for family’s privacy to be respected during this “difficult period”.
Mr Kerr, 30, had walked his mother down the aisle when she married Mr Searle at a ceremony in France in 2023.
Mr Searle was a retired fraud investigator specialising in financial crime prevention who worked at companies including Standard Life and Barclays Bank, according to his LinkedIn.
French officials claimed they had been living in Aveyron for five years.
A statement issued by French prosecutors in February said: “The first victim, Ms Kerr, has a significant head injury.
“A box containing jewellery was found near to her, but no item or weapon which could have caused the injuries were located.
“Mr Searle, who was found hanged … did not show any visible defensive injuries.”
The Independent has contacted French police and prosecutors for comment.
Drought fuels demand for new coal power stations
A drought-fuelled energy crisis in Zambia and Zimbabwe led to growth in demand for new coal-fired power in 2024, reaching its highest annual total in eight years.
Both countries were gripped by energy shortages for much of the past year as the Kariba Dam hydroelectric plant, which supplies them with the majority of their electricity, faced record-low water levels due to a severe drought.
Newly proposed coal production would create an extra 2.8 gigawatts (GW) of power, according to data produced by research organisation Global Energy Monitor (GEM). A power plant with a capacity of 1 GW can provide the energy needs for around one million US homes.
The 40 per cent of Zambians with grid electricity suffered their “worst blackouts in memory” as the country’s six hydroelectric turbines generated less than 10 per cent of normal electricity output in the latter part of last year.
In Zimbabwe, meanwhile, blackouts became so severe that finance minister Mthuli Ncube was plunged into darkness in the middle of his budget speech in November, in which he also warned that the agricultural sector would contract by 15 per cent due to the country’s low rainfall.
Though seasonal rainfall has now returned, last year’s drought was caused by a particularly severe El Niño weather pattern, which was exacerbated by climate change, experts have suggested.
In response to the crisis, Zambia has proposed building a $900m, 0.6 GW coal-fired power plant, with support from the Wonderful Group, a Chinese-owned company that manufactures ceramics and fertiliser.
In Zimbabwe, some 1.8 GW of new coal capacity was announced at the Hwange power station, the country’s largest power plant, which was backed by the China-based Shandong Dingneng New Energy, and the India-based Jindal Steel.
A number of other new plants were also proposed in Zimbabwe with the backing of Chinese money, according to GEM, taking the total to 2.2 GW of power.
“The situation unfolding in Zimbabwe is a tragic example of the vicious cycle created by fossil fuel dependency,” Farai Maguwu, executive director at the Zimbabwe-based Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), told The Independent.
“The country’s decision to expand coal at a time when the climate crisis – exacerbated by fossil fuel use – is already wreaking havoc through extreme droughts is both counterproductive and deeply concerning,” he said.
Zimbabwe should be “prioritising a just transition towards renewable energy” rather than “locking in” more coal, Maguwu added.
There is also a new proposal for a coal mine in the country’s Hwange National Park, a biodiversity and tourist hotspot, which is backed by another Chinese company Sunny Yi Feng, and which CNRG has been lobbying against.
“A full cost accounting of any coal development must be cognisant of the rights of future generations,” the CNRG wrote in a recent letter to the Mining Affairs Board, seen by The Independent.
“It appears the considerations above in relation to damaging aspects of the Sunny Yi Feng are not yet being considered.”
Lucy Hummer, senior analyst on GEM’s coal plant tracker team, added that coal-fired power itself requires “significant water supplies” to function, and therefore is not a smart solution for drought-stricken countries.
“Instead, investments are needed in resilient, renewable energy sources rather than the refurbishment of ageing coal infrastructure,” she told the Independent.
“Rich countries that emit the most must step up with climate finance to support a just transition for Southern African countries that seek to alleviate acute energy crises with short-term solutions.”
“While coal projects are often promoted as drivers of economic growth and energy security, their environmental and social costs are significant,” added Marina Agortimevor, coordinator at the Africa Just Transition Network.
“Their impacts not only exacerbate the ongoing climate crisis but also contribute to the severe droughts currently affecting Southern African countries.”
Beyond newly proposed power plants, last year was also a bumper year for coal plant construction starts in Zambia and Zimbabwe, with some 1.5 GW of new capacity breaking ground, according to GEM.
The majority of that total was due to the 1.2 GW Prestige power station breaking ground in Zimbabwe, which is being built by China’s Xintai Resources at a cost of £1.2bn in order to power a new metal processing special economic zone.
China’s support for these facilities comes despite a high-profile pledge at the 2021 UN General Assembly from President Xi Jinping to stop financing overseas coal.
Many of the new China-backed proposals exploit an apparent loophole in the pledge, which allows for “captive power plants” – or power stations built to power specific industrial facilities. However, not all of the new proposals appear to fall into that category, according to GEM.
China has for many years been the biggest global financier of coal under its Belt and Road Initiative, which supports large infrastructure with international aid as well as foreign direct investment.
Despite coal’s resurgence in Zambia and Zimbabwe, prospects for the fuel remain broadly negative across the rest of Africa, with 16 countries reducing or eliminating their pipeline of proposed coal over the past decade, with only three countries marginally breaking that trend.
Globally, the 44 GW of new coal that came online last year was the lowest level in 20 years, reported GEM.
However, while retirements of coal plants in the EU increased fourfold in 2023, and the UK phased out coal for good, China recorded its highest year for construction starts since 2015, with 94 GW of capacity breaking ground.
Coal plant retirements in the US also fell to 4.7 GW in 2024.
While nearly half of the remaining US coal power capacity is due to retire by 2035, power utilities including PacifiCorp, Duke Energy, and Georgia Power have more recently said that they are planning to withdraw or delay retirements, according to GEM.
“Last year was a harbinger of things to come for coal as the clean energy transition moves full speed ahead,” said Christine Shearer, senior analyst on GEM’s coal plant tracker team.
“But work is still needed to ensure coal power is phased out in line with the Paris climate agreement, particularly in the world’s wealthiest nations.”
This story is part of The Independent’s Rethinking Global Aid project
Celebration destination: Enjoy life’s biggest moments in the Caribbean
With its turquoise-coloured waters, reliably blue skies, and unparalleled natural beauty, the Caribbean is one of the most desirable destinations for a special getaway. From Antigua to Saint Vincent, St Lucia and Barbados, each island offers something a little different – whether you’re looking for a romantic honeymoon retreat, the perfect place to celebrate a milestone birthday, or a fun spot to enjoy a week (or two) of active pursuits with family and friends.
Sandals’ all-inclusive, adult-only resorts are the perfect way to enjoy the islands in luxurious surroundings. Dotted across the Caribbean, each resort has its own unique identity while staying true to the five-star Sandals ethos. But which one do you choose for your own personal celebration?
Here we look at a range of celebrations worthy of an unforgettable holiday and the perfect Sandals resorts to enjoy them in.
If you like your holidays to be as adventurous as they are relaxing, you’re sure to love the many activities offered at Sandals Grande Antigua and Sandals Saint Vincent. Explore the ocean bed with Sandals’s very own comprehensive PADI® Certified scuba diving programmes, and see beautiful reefs and shipwrecks up close alongside the professional supervision of PADI® certified staff and Newton dive boats. There’s also a wealth of water sports available including kayaking and paddleboarding or, if dry land is more your thing, why not spend your days playing beach volleyball, croquet, and tennis? All activities are included at either resort making your trip hassle free and flexible.
If you’re looking for somewhere to make a real occasion of a celebration or simply hide away on a romantic getaway, the Royal Barbados resort is one of Sandals’s most elegant options. The resort offers an extra level of extravagance that makes every day an unforgettable experience – from swim-up suites, Rolls Royce transfers from the airport when you stay in select suites, to a rooftop pool and restaurant, and catamaran cruises. There’s even a bowling alley if you fancy some good old-fashioned fun, or an alternative option for a date night.
On the beautiful island of Curaçao, lies the Sandals Royal Curaçao resort nestled within the heart of Leeward Antilles. The resort has plenty of opportunity for more intimate stays in its seaside butler bungalows complete with private pools and soaking tubs, while private cabanas and local tours leave you plenty of options for making an anniversary or birthday feel extra special. The parties around the pool or on the beach also make this a fun destination for celebrating a loved one.
Jamaica plays host to a number of Sandals resorts that make the perfect destination for honeymoons and group trips alike. The Sandals Royal Caribbean, for instance, offers over-the-water private villas complete with glass floors, hammocks and butler service, on the resort’s own private island. Ocean-view and swim-up rooms also offer a first-class experience for groups and friends spending time together. Alternatively, it’s hard to imagine a more romantic stay than at Sandals South Coast, where you can stay in spectacular, luxurious overwater villas arranged in the shape of a heart, offering an unmatched connection to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and rich marine life below.
Meanwhile, the Sandals Ochi resort in Jamaica offers the best of both worlds for honeymooners and party goers (or those wanting to enjoy both) with private butler villas, white sand beach, and 11 unique bars. Its vibrant atmosphere is ideal for those wanting to relax and party during their stay.
While every Sandals resort offers a luxurious experience, if you’re really looking to splurge and treat yourself, the re-imagined Sandals Royal Bahamian should be on your wishlist. Located in Nassau in the Bahamas, it has everything you could dream of from a holiday destination. Swim-up suites with butler service will help you leave the stresses and strains of everyday life behind, while pristine-white beaches, an award-winning Red Lane spa and 10 specialty restaurants will make your stay as enjoyable as it is relaxing. A short trip by boat will also take you to the Sandals private island with its own bar, restaurant and pool. Luxury adventure tours around the island will also make exploring the rest of the island easy and convenient.
St Lucia is one of the most beautiful and picturesque islands of the Caribbean, and our top destination for visiting with parents. Resorts such as the Grande St Lucian sit on their own peninsula with 360 degrees of volcanic mountains and crystal-clear ocean views to enjoy. As such, it’s the perfect place for making mum or dad feel truly appreciated. In addition to five grande pools, there’s also a Cap Estate Golf & Country Club for serious parental bonding time, not to mention a range of outdoor activities including reading road trips where guests meet children from the island, Catamaran sunset cruises, and carnival experiences.
Discover Sandals’s full range of Caribbean resorts here
What is the Chagos Islands deal with the UK that Trump has approved?
According to No 10, Donald Trump has “signed off” on the highly controversial Chagos Islands deal, drawing to a close the tortuous process of securing the future of the UK-US military base that has been operating on Diego Garcia since 1965.
It means formal sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) will be ceded to Mauritius, and comes as something of a shock to opponents who fully expected Mr Trump to reject the change. The long saga may be coming to a close…
Some of the basics are still unknown, especially as regards money, but the position will be that the BIOT – comprising the Chagos Islands and the military base – will be transferred to Mauritian sovereignty. In return, the UK has been promised a 99-year lease on the islands, with military use by the US part of the deal, in return for an annual fee. The fee has not yet been disclosed, but is thought to be some £90m per annum, inflation-linked.
The small matter of international law. Successive appeals by Mauritius to the UN and the International Court of Justice have left the status of the BIOT in doubt, generally favouring the Mauritian position.
The islands are plainly a colonial possession, acquired from France in 1814 after the Napoleonic Wars. As such they are subject to UN resolutions and decolonisation. The islands were carved out of what was then the crown colony of Mauritius as part of its 1968 granting of independence, but such coercion also violated international law. The UK could carry on ignoring the situation, but this would leave the legal status of the joint base in doubt and thus at risk. In a worst-case scenario, Mauritius could transfer sovereignty of “their” islands to, say, China or India. Generally, civilised nations are expected to abide by international law.
They’ve been shabbily treated for decades, having been forcibly evicted to make way for the base in the 1960s. The diaspora principally lives in Mauritius, the Seychelles and near Gatwick Airport, and have had no vote on the deal. Foreign secretary David Lammy insists they have been consulted throughout.
Not quite. Trump has approved it but the formality of Mauritius and the UK signing the agreement has yet to take place, after which the treaty will need to be approved by parliament and all the costs and clauses will be made public. Given the government’s majority and the backing of the White House, the deal is bound to be ratified.
The Conservatives and Reform UK describe it as such, and object to public money needed for vital services being transferred to Mauritius – but that seems to be the price for settling this long-running dispute. What financial contribution, if any, the US will make is not known. In the current wider context of defence and economic tensions between the UK and the US, the Chagos leasing costs might be considered a useful sweetener in the national interest.
No. Those few empire loyalists who feel passionately about the issue are a minority and would never vote Labour anyway, some because they haven’t forgiven Clement Attlee for giving up India. The often exaggerated cost of the lease (adding inflation over a century to invent a bogus cost in today’s money) is no more than a right-wing debating point. The Conservatives are compromised on this argument because they were in talks to “surrender” the BIOT for years, and no one thinks the deal can be reversed unless the Americans demand it.
It doesn’t feel like it, and the government says not. Nonetheless, there are parallels in their disputed colonial status. Before the 1982 Falklands War, a transfer and leaseback arrangement was freely raised by Britain as a way of ending the arguments in the South Atlantic.
The big shift in both these cases has been Brexit, with one EU member, Spain, having a vital interest in steering EU diplomacy towards regaining Gibraltar and a friendlier stance towards the Argentinian claim on the Falklands. The UK can no longer rely on the EU to back it up at the UN and elsewhere; indeed, the Brexit treaty gives Spain a special role with regard to Gibraltar, and the territory’s land and air border arrangements still haven’t been finally sorted out.
Like it or not, the sun has not fully set on the British empire.