The new Belfast coffee shop is expected to become a popular stop-off destination for city centre shoppers, coffee lovers, and those looking for a stylish place to relax during the day
Following a £280,000 investment and the creation of ten new jobs, Northern Ireland’s homegrown coffee brand, Ground Espresso Bars, has officially launched its latest Belfast venue.
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The new branch has just opened inside Next on Donegall Place, delivering its distinctive handcrafted coffee, fresh food, and laid-back ambience to the city centre’s core.
Expanding its network of 30 outlets and employing more than 240 staff throughout Northern Ireland, this exciting launch represents another significant achievement for Ground. The locally-established brand continues its expansion across the UK and Ireland, developing contemporary social hubs where customers can take a break, refresh, and socialise while shopping in one of Belfast’s most frequented retail locations.
Situated within the recently renovated Next store on Donegall Place, the new Ground Espresso Bar provides a premium coffee shop experience, showcasing expertly-prepared coffees, speciality teas from Belfast’s own SUKI Tea, fresh traybakes, pastries, sandwiches, and light refreshments – all presented within Ground’s modern and inviting setting.
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Discussing the opening, Darren Gardiner from Ground Espresso Bars said: “We’re incredibly excited to open our newest store in the heart of Belfast city centre. Next on Donegall Place is a fantastic retail destination, and this new store allows us to bring the full Ground experience to even more customers.
“This investment reflects our continued confidence in Belfast and our commitment to creating welcoming social spaces where people can enjoy exceptional coffee and food.”
The 4.8-star rated Dunelm Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug is currently half price, with sizes starting from just £24.50
Rahaf Ali and Sarah Tulloch Senior Affiliates Writer
09:28, 09 Jun 2026
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Updating your interior décor offers an enjoyable opportunity to breathe new life into your home, and one of the easiest methods to inject vibrant colour into your living area is by adding a fashionable new rug.
A sought-after choice from Dunelm is the Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug, currently available at half price. This shaggy rug comes in grey and natural shades, versatile colours that complement most interior schemes. Available in six different dimensions, the Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug is priced between £24.50 and £329.
Dunelm’s website describes the Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug as: “Scrumptiously soft, the Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug is a real treat for your feet! Made from a supersoft high pile, this rug will add a touch of cosiness to any living space.
“The hints of mottled colours throughout add style and depth to this semi-plain rug, making it an easy to style winner for any future home décor changes.”
For those seeking an alternative shaggy option, the Habitat Noodle Plain Shaggy Rug is offered in four colour choices, with prices spanning from £35 to £95.
The Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug has received an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars from 91 customers. One delighted buyer commented: “Superior quality, excellent value, feels so luxurious and warm, can’t recommend enough.”
A second reviewer noted: “It has a nice thick pile and looks really good quality. I like the different shades of light, medium and dark grey in it which make it look different depending on which way the pile is lying. I’m very pleased with my purchase and would definitely recommend to others.”
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A third customer remarked: “It was a long search and we covered a lot of ground but in the end our Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug from Dunelm ticked all the boxes for size, colour and quality.”
However, one purchaser observed: “Cosy. Nice feel on the feet, warm texture. One drawback is the finish at the ends. One end of each rug is not well finished. Could result in fraying later.”
Shoppers have given the Slumber Marl Shaggy Rug glowing feedback, with another stating: “Lovely rug, nice colour to it, makes the house feel more of a home.”
A school in Manchester is said to be “on lockdown” amid reports of a serious incident.
Images show a large emergency services presence outside the Co-op Academy on Plant Hill Road, Blackley, and according to parents, the school is currently on lockdown.
A helicopter has also been seen overhead and police, along with ambulances, have been pictured outside the school gates, as well as within the school grounds.
Pete Wicks says that he was distinctly underwhelmed when he was invited to Buckingham Palace last week as part of his work with The Dogs’ Trust
Former TOWIE star Pete Wicks says he was was less than impressed when he visited Buckingham Palace recently. Chatting to pal Sam Thompson on their Staying Relevant podcast, he compared the 320-year-old landmark to a branch of Nando’s.
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He explained that after spending the day filming at the Dogs’ Trust, a charity is an ambassador for, he had changed into his suit and tie “in a kennel” before rushing across town on the “hottest day of the year” to attend the royal event. But when Pete was welcomed into the 775-room palace, he found himself confined to public areas that he found distinctly underwhelming.
Using the Palace loo, in particular, was a disappointment for Pete. He explained: “When you go to the toilets, there’s f*****g urinals. It’s like a f*****g nightclub p****r.” He said that he really only saw the public areas of the Palace, which weren’t as grand as he expected.
“It’s just a public urinal,” he complained, “it’s no different than Nando’s. I can’t get that excited about it.“
Pete rejected Sam’s suggestion that he might have pocketed a spoon or some other small item as a memento of his visit, and added that for him, the event was what mattered and the venue was almost completely irrelevant. He dismissed the Palace’ historic significance, saying: “It doesn’t interest me that much, it’s just a big house.”
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Sam was a little more impressed during his own brush with royalty, but admits that he “lied to the Queen” out of sheer panic. After being introduced to Queen Camilla at a red-carpet event he wanted to engage her in conversation but was so nervous he couldn’t think of anything to say.
After briefly trying to interest the Queen in the topic of air purifiers, he then wasn’t sure what to say next. “I thought if I pay her a compliment, she’s going to hang around a little bit and …like… linger,” he confessed. So as she was wearing a purple dress, Sam blurted out that purple was his favourite colour.
Admitting that he had to fight the temptation to grab Camilla by the arm, he added: “I wanted to pay her a compliment, but she was already moving off.”
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Sam explained that he felt pressure to say something interesting. He continued: “She just had a lovely conversation with Fleur East on my right, and I was like, ‘Oh, they’ve had a great chat’. I wanted to have some sort of nice moment with her. So, I was like, “Okay, I’ve got to do something.” And I just started talking about air purifiers – I can’t remember why.”
As an opening gambit, Sam had relied on that great British topic – talking about the weather. He commented on how it was a little hot and sticky, then followed that up by telling Camilla that he had recently bought an Air purifier from Amazon.
The former Made in Chelsea star recalled: “She went ‘Oh, nice, nice,’ and then walked off. I thought ‘I can’t leave it there. At least tell her that she looks great’.”
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To make matters worse, Sam then realised that he was reaching out to hold her back: “I managed to stop myself a good 10 centimetres short. I just sort of reikied her from the side. She did like me, I think,” he concluded.
A major search operation has been launched overnight after reports of two people in distress off the coast of a beach in Carmarthenshire.
Police have joined with the coastguard following reports late on Monday of two people in distress at Cefn Sidan beach. There are concerns that the two involved have encountered difficulty or harm at the location.
A police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is working with the coastguard following reports of two individuals, possibly in distress, near the coastline at Cefn Sidan beach at Pembrey, Burry Port.
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“A call was received at around 9.50pm on Monday 8 June reporting two individuals dressed in dark clothing and waving a torch near the water’s edge. It is unclear whether the two individuals have encountered difficulty or harm at the location.
“A multi-agency search is underway, but they have not yet been located.
“If you have any information that could help – or if you were at the Cefn Sidan beach this evening – officers would like to hear from you”
After being ghosted by her husband of five months, Katie has now spoken out about his disappearance after his claim that he was kidnapped, when in reality he was put behind bars on allegations of fraud.
Speaking to The Sun, Katie said: ‘He is coming out, I can’t wait to see him, can’t wait to have our chats, and he should be out next week, but knowing that, knowing what prisons are like even in England, you never know.’
But she added: ‘I’ve made it clear to Lee, I will never give him money, I’ll never give a man money, I’ve done it all my life, I’ve always been the breadwinner. My divorces, I’m the one that always has to give. I said to Lee I’ll never do it.’
Katie has insisted she’s not giving her husband a penny (Picture: Getty)
Katie initially believed Lee had been kidnapped (Picture: Instagram)
‘I’ve never thought Lee’s ghosted me, because I know how close we are,’ she declared.
‘Never thought it, and we’ve always had conversations because we both like watching crime and stuff like that.
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‘You always think of scenarios, we would never do anything like that to it, or we, our relationship isn’t like that, we’re proper like this.
‘And so it was a worry when the kidnap team then came on because they can only say from their intelligence,’ she added.
Initially, officials told Katie that she must pay £6.5k for the authorities to release Lee.
Everything Lee Andrews has been accused of since marrying Katie Price
Misleading claims of being a multi-millionaire business owner
When Katie named Lee as her new partner, he was selling himself as the CEO of Aura Group Future Urban Travel 2027 and an ‘investor in SpaceX Hybrid Fitness’.
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His profile, which had 111k followers, was littered with photos of the entrepreneur in the gym and enjoying the high life in Dubai – also appearing to rub shoulders with Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian.
However, it was all later exposed as a farce – with no information about his company on its website, and his snaps with celebrities appearing to also be AI-generated.
This was due to the fact that he’d allegedly served time in Dubai’s Al Awir central prison for suspected fraud, for allegedly taking out a £200,000 mortgage in his ex-girlfriend’s name without her knowledge.
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The UAW bans people facing criminal investigations from leaving the country, however Lee denied he was unable to return to the UK and said there must be some ‘wrong details’.
However, Katie later confirmed he was subjected to a ban, but didn’t clarify why.
His ex Alana, then shared a post on Instagram calling him the ‘Tinder Swindler’ and claimed multiple women had contacted her saying he’d tried to scam them out of money too.
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‘Ghosting’ his wife
After Lee failed to return to the UK last week, Katie revealed she had concerns he’d been kidnapped and then reported him as a missing person.
However, it was then reported that Lee had actually ‘ghosted’ his wife and was ‘squatting in a slightly run-down villa’ in Dubai and using a burner phone.
The Sun claimed he was ‘frantically planning a route out of this ginormous hole he appears to have buried himself in’.
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She had to attend the Good Morning Britain interview alone (Picture: ITV)
However, she was then informed of a third case awaiting a court date, allegedly relating to property.
Katie added that she now ‘needs some time to think’ about her relationship with Lee.
‘I still cannot end things with Lee until I’ve spoken to him, but that was a lot.’
‘I cannot just walk away from my marriage without seeing him again. He is, surely, entitled to his say?’
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Police officers were called to reports of violence
08:11, 09 Jun 2026Updated 08:18, 09 Jun 2026
A man has been taken to hospital after a stabbing in Peterborough on Monday, June 8. Cambridgeshire Police officers were called with reports of violence in Windmill Street in Millfield just before 11am.
Emergency services attended and found a man with stab wounds, who was taken to hospital for treatment. Police said they believe his injuries were serious but not life-threatening.
Cambridgeshire Police said it believed the attack was an isolated incident and investigations are ongoing. The force has asked anyone with information to get in touch quoting incident 142 of June 8.
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A spokesperson for the force said: “We were called just before 11am today (8 June) with reports of violence in Windmill Street, Millfield, Peterborough. Emergency services attended and found a man with stab wounds.
“He was taken to hospital for treatment – his injuries are thought to be serious but not life threatening. We believe this to be an isolated incident and investigations are ongoing.”
Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday marks a pivotal moment for Graham Platner, whose campaign is grappling with a significant credibility crisis.
Despite facing no serious opposition for his party’s nomination, the veteran and oyster farmer is under national scrutiny as he attempts to rebuild his public image. His performance is crucial for the Democratic Party’s broader ambition to reclaim the Senate majority this fall.
The controversy surrounding Platner intensified just last week with revelations that he had engaged in sexually explicit messages with multiple women while married. These disclosures were compounded by a New York Times report detailing new allegations about his behavior during previous relationships.
Graham Platner speaks to voters at a town hall at the Elks Lodge 188 on June 7, 2026 in Portland, Maine (Getty)
While Platner’s nomination is virtually assured – his most formidable opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in April – she technically remains on the ballot. Some advocates are now encouraging voters to cast protest ballots for Mills as a statement against Platner.
All eyes will be on Platner’s public remarks Tuesday night. Both supporters and detractors will be closely observing how he addresses the escalating questions about his past and whether he can successfully redirect the campaign’s focus toward Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
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This primary also serves as a critical test for the Democratic Party’s evolving standards in the era of Trump.
Neither Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins nor Democratic challenger Graham Platner faces serious opposition for their party’s nomination (Reuters)
The party’s current response to Platner stands in stark contrast to its stance during the height of the #MeToo movement, when Democrats emphasized holding their candidates to a higher ethical standard, particularly concerning sexual misconduct allegations against Trump.
Despite the allegations, Platner continues to receive support from prominent national figures. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an early backer, reiterated his endorsement on Saturday, a day after Rep. Ro Khanna appeared alongside Platner at a campaign event. This continued backing underscores a notable shift in Democratic political dynamics.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., reflected on the situation, telling ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, “I think President Trump set a new standard.” Following Tuesday’s primary, Democratic leaders are expected to face a fresh round of difficult questions about their own ethical standards.
Alexander Avendaño Varela plunged into the water and nobody tried to help him.
A young partygoer has tragically drowned in a reservoir after being allegedly forced over the edge of a boat following a scuffle.
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Alexander Avendaño Varela, 22, boarded a party boat at the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir in Guatapé, Colombia on May 24, but what should have been a fun trip sadly ended in disaster. Disturbing footage shows an altercation taking place on board, for reasons that remain unclear, among a large group of young revellers, reports the Mirror.
The group were pushing and shouting and at one point, Alexander appeared to be cornered at the edge of the deck and missing his trousers and trainers. A scuffle broke out between him and other partygoers but seconds later, the visibly frightened young man went over the railing and plunged into the water.
Struggling to swim he thrashed his arms around before sinking beneath the surf moments later. Nobody jumped in to try and rescue Alexander, and the boat continued on its route.
A large search operation was scrambled, involving at least 14 divers. But, deep water and poor visibility hampered efforts, and Alexander’s body was recovered several days later.
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Since the clip emerged on social media, authorities have been working to determine whether anyone could face criminal charges over the incident. In the footage people could be heard warning that Alexander, originally from Medellín, did not know how to swim, while others shouted: “Drown him!”
None of those on board appeared to be wearing life jackets, despite mandatory safety requirements on tourist boats due to a history of drowning incidents in the area.
The Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, which covers more than 2262 hectares and reaches depths of up to 45m (148ft), is one of Colombia’s best-known tourist destinations. Around 50 people are believed to have drowned in the reservoir over the past decade, and swimming is banned.
Investigators continue to gather testimonies from those who attended the party.
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Two major cricket events are to take place in Belfast later this summer involving India and Afghanistan
20:57, 08 Jun 2026Updated 20:59, 08 Jun 2026
Belfast Council is to write to the UK Home Office to criticise the Electronic Travel Authorisation system, and to warn that thousands of Indian cricket fans are being turned off from visiting Belfast for major international matches against Ireland.
Elected representatives at City Hall have unanimously agreed for council officials to state that the ETA is negatively affecting international sporting events in the city, especially cricket this year.
Two major cricket events are to take place in Belfast later this summer. The first is the Men’s International T20Is between Ireland and India, on June 26 and 28, at the Civil Service Cricket Club, also known as the Stormont Cricket Ground. Ireland against Afghanistan in the three games will take place there on August 10, 12, and 14.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital permission required for non-visa nationals to travel to countries for short stays, a pass created as a result of Brexit. Depending on the destination, it serves as mandatory pre-travel screening, electronically linked to a passport. It costs £10, and British and Irish citizens are exempt.
It has caused controversy since its inception and introduction in Northern Ireland last year. Critics say the digital permit creates an invisible border for tourists traveling across the island.
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Businesses argue that the cost, bureaucracy, and need to apply in advance deters spontaneous cross-border travel, and estimate anything between a quarter and three quarters of potential visitor spend coming to Northern Ireland from international countries could be at risk.
Ireland is often promoted as a single tourist destination, and critics add many international tourists don’t know they are crossing an international border when driving from the Republic into Northern Ireland
At the full meeting of Belfast City Council for June SDLP Councillor Donal Lyons said: “There are two international cricket games coming up in Belfast in the Stormont Pavillion against India.
“I was contacted by a couple of community groups in the Republic, and separately on the same issue by a tour operator in Belfast, pointing out that the 50 to 60,000 Indian citizens who live in the Republic of Ireland who are very keen on cricket are facing an economic barrier from attending this match. Which is less than two hours drive up the road from Dublin.
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“It is the Electronic Travel Authorisation. Beyond the nonsense, overblown rhetoric and grandstanding (on this), we have overlooked what is the lived reality and economic impact. We are depriving ourselves of, let’s say, 50 percent of that, which is over 20,000 people interested in coming to our city for a sporting event which will have a television audience of 100 million.
“So we are depriving our city of that because of the short-sighted, needless Electronic Travel Authorisation. I have no interest in going back to the nonsense and the rhetoric-driven hatred from 10 years ago, but I will point out the tenth anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox.”
He said: “When this ETA was brought in in April 2025, the Home Office suggested they would give it a tourist season or two to see the impact. What I would like to propose here is we write to the Home office, pointing out that a major international sporting event in Belfast is already excluding and putting barriers up to a huge number of people who would come and spend money in our city”
The chamber unanimously agreed to the councillor’s proposal.
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