A man is his 30s was arrested

A man was hospitalised after ‘being stabbed a number of times’ last night.

Emergency services were called to the Bridge Street area of Lisburn on Tuesday evening, June 23, following reports of a stabbing incident.

The victim was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

A man in his 30s has since been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences which include wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He remains in police custody at this time.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “A man has been arrested following a report of a stabbing in Lisburn yesterday evening, Tuesday 23rd June.

“At approximately 7.15pm, it was reported that a man had been stabbed a number of times in the Bridge Street area of the city.

“Officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries.

“A man is his 30s was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

“He remains in custody at this time.

“Anyone with any information or footage that could assist with enquiries is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1675 23/06/26.

“Alternatively, you can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

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‘We are in a terrible situation where we lost everything and now we are being targeted again’

An entrepreneur who lost everything when his business was destroyed in an arson attack says he is in a “terrible situation” as his property is targeted with racist graffiti.

Police were investigating the arson attack on a former gospel hall on Shankill Road that was owned by Gaurav Jindal as a hate crime, with the incident destroying his livelihood and leaving him and his family with nothing.

Now, two weeks after the attack the property has been targeted again by racists who have written “p***s out” graffiti on the building.

Speaking to Belfast Live following the latest incident, Mr Jindal said he noticed the graffiti after visiting the premises with police. He said he would not go there without an officer present due to his fears.

He said: “I don’t know what to do after everything that has happened. It has left us in a terrible situation where we have lost everything and are trying to talk to the various departments about what we can do to move forward. But at the moment we do not know how we are going to recover.

“I was visiting the property with officers when I saw the graffiti that had been written there saying “p***s out” and see that we have been targeted again.”

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The Belfast Asian Women’s Academy has issued a formal statement condemning the latest racist incident targeting Mr Jindal.

Ana Chandran, speaking on behalf of BAWA, expressed deep concern over the escalating hostility in the area saying: “There is currently a great deal of tension within our local community, and spreading this sort of hatred does not help anyone,” said Ms Chandran. “It is heartbreaking to see a family who has already lost everything being targeted in this manner. It is an attack not just on one man, but on the values of our community.”

Ms Chandran also highlighted the significant contributions made by migrants like Mr Jindal, challenging the negative narratives often found in political discourse.

She continued: “Many migrants come to this country specifically to work and contribute. Gaurav and his wife have never been on welfare; instead, they have spent their lives contributing to society and the local economy. It is disappointing that our decision-makers rarely speak of these contributions, choosing instead to focus on narratives of division.”

A fundraiser has been set up to help Mr Jindal and his family that you can donate to via this link: https://gofund.me/c95b9447e

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the capital and the country had not adapted to deal with climate change and urged the public to “bear with us” as they face public transport delays during the heatwave.

Speaking as he visited The Aldgate School in London to announce the results of an air quality report, he said: “What used to be a once in a generation occurrence, events of biblical proportions, now takes place every year, whether it’s heatwaves, whether it’s flash flooding, whether it’s lightning, whether it’s thunder – we as a city, we as a country, haven’t adapted to be resilient to the consequences of man-made climate change.”

He continued: “People across the country can expect to see delays in public transport today, tomorrow and the rest of this week that’s a consequence of the extreme heat.

“People across the country I am afraid will have to bear with us – our public transport system is not made for temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius.”

Mr Khan added: “Forty per cent of Tubes are now air conditioned with more going forward. I will be publishing very soon a plan of what more we need to do to deal with heat.”

He added the school’s headteacher had told him: “One of the reasons they have kept this school open is because actually for many of the kids who come to this school, this school is cooler than their home.”

Virgin Atlantic passengers will soon be able to stream live sport while cruising at 35,000 feet in the air, thanks to a new upgrade.

The airline has partnered with broadcaster Sport 24 to launch the service on flights equipped with Elon Musk’s Starlink wi-fi.

The partnership means passengers will be able to watch major sporting events live, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, on their own devices.

Virgin Atlantic adds live sport to in-flight experience

Juha Jaervine, chief customer officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Whether you are travelling for business, heading off on holiday or flying home, nobody likes missing a big sporting moment.

“With Sport 24 available on our growing Starlink-enabled fleet, customers can be part of the action from start to finish.

“This is another way we’re taking connectivity to new heights.”

The service will be available on aircraft, both on the ground and in the air.

Passengers will simply need to sign up for a free Virgin Atlantic Flying Club membership to access the live coverage.

More than 6,000 hours of live sport will be available through the Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra channels.

Sport 24 is owned, operated and licensed by the sports marketing agency IMG and claims to be the first live sports channel created for airline and cruise passengers.

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Currently, Starlink wi-fi is available on one-third of Virgin Atlantic’s fleet, with full rollout planned by the end of 2027.

Richard Wise, senior vice president of content and channels at IMG, said: “Sports fans want to stay close to the action wherever they are and travel shouldn’t mean missing out.

“Sport 24 is the market-leading live sport partner in the air and at sea with an unmatched portfolio of live sport, including the FIFA World Cup 26.”

Would you like to watch live sport on flights? Let us know in the comments.

The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers is set to perform at the Barbican in York on Wednesday, October 21.

The show is part of his newly announced UK and Ireland tour and comes ahead of his third solo album, Thrasher, released via Island Records on August 21, 2026.

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The musician will perform new material and tracks from his previous solo albums Flamingo and The Desired Effect.

The album, recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville with producers Shawn Everett and Jonathan Rado, features contributions from guitarist David Rawlings, pedal steel player Bruce Bouton, and harmonica legend Charlie McCoy.

The first single from the album, Plans, will be released on Friday (June 26).

Brandon Flowers (Image: Chris Phelps)

Other venues on the tour include Bournemouth, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Dublin.

His London date at the Royal Albert Hall holds particular significance, marking his first full performance at the venue since The Killers’ 2009 shows, which were later released as the iconic live album and DVD, Live From The Royal Albert Hall.

Tickets will go on general sale from Friday, July 3, at 10am at https://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk/whats-on/brandon-flowers

New York City appears to be bracing itself for the American equivalent of a royal wedding: the marriage between pop superstar Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

For weeks, reports have suggested that the pair would be tying the knot at Madison Square Garden, the city’s world-famous arena that can hold up to 22,000 people, on the July 4 weekend.

The New York Times now reports that a permit was filed with New York City to close the streets around Madison Square Garden from July 2 to midday July 4 for an event on July 3, according to three sources, further pointing towards Madison Square Garden as the chosen venue for the pair.

Winick Productions, an event planning company that produces major high-profile events, filed an application with the city’s Street Activity Permit Office in early June, according to the report.

The company requested authorization to set up a tent or canopy outside the arena for the event, which it said would include 500 to 999 attendees. The permit also stated that trucks would need space to load and unload materials at the venue. The Independent has contacted the mayor’s office and Swift’s representatives for comment.

The outlet also reports that several members of the Kansas City Chiefs have booked hotel rooms for dates around July 3 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

A city official who was briefed on the preparations also told the publication that Madison Square Garden is planning to host the wedding festivities on July 3.

The report also states that Amtrak police officers, who patrol the station beneath the arena, have been told to expect a Swift wedding the weekend of July 4.

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It comes after New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared to verify reports that the couple’s nuptials would be taking place in the city.

“We are the biggest city in the country,” Mamdani said during a press conference last week. “We are used to big events, and we are incredibly excited for this one.

“We know it coincides with July 4, America 250, Taylor Swift’s wedding all happening at the same time,” he continued, assuring that he is “fully confident in the work of the NYPD” to provide a “safe experience” over the three-day weekend.

Located in Midtown Manhattan above Penn Station, Madison Square Garden has multiple entrances and exits, which could be a reason why the high-profile couple reportedly chose the venue.

Currently, the venue has no planned performances or sporting events between June 29 and July 6. The venue can hold up to 22,000 people for concerts and around 18,000 for sports games.

According to a Page Six report, more than 1,000 guests are reported to have been invited to the wedding, including Suki Waterhouse, Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Ed Sheeran.

The spectacle would bring heightened tourism to the area, at the peak of an already busy summer season. Over the July 4 weekend, there will be multiple Independent Day celebrations, which will be bigger than usual given the America 250 events happening in the city.

The city has also seen an influx of visitors for the FIFA World Cup, and a game is scheduled to take place at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 5.

Some commentators have predicted that the pair will not use the venue as a traditional arena, but erect a tent or structure inside the venue for increased privacy.

Last weekend, the sudden appearance of a large tent next to Swift’s sprawling Watch Hill estate in Rhode Island ignited a flurry of speculation that the wedding would be taking place in New England instead of New York City. However, those rumors appeared to be dispelled when it emerged that the tent had been erected for a separate event.

Swift, 36, and Kelce, 36, have been together since September 2023 and announced their engagement in August last year.

It’s important to help keep our pets cool and comfortable to avoid serious illnesses like heat exhaustion and stroke

A vet has offered a dog food method that could keep your pet cool in the scorching heat the UK is facing. A Met Office Extreme Heat warning is currently in place for much of southern and central England and Wales.

In addition, Amber warnings now also extend into Friday and Saturday for some. The forecaster said today, Wednesday, June 24, that temperatures “will exceed 30°C for many on Wednesday and Thursday, with a peak of around 37°C possible on Wednesday and 38°C on Thursday and Friday, though there’s still a chance of this being exceeded.”

While many of us are struggling in the high temperatures sweeping across the country, our pets are likely feeling the effects even more acutely. With a natural inclination to be outside, keeping your dog or cat cool and comfortable during a heatwave can feel like an uphill battle.

However, it’s important that we do everything in our power to keep our pets safe and avoid serious conditions such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke and, tragically, death. “Not all breeds are equally at risk,” explains Dr Alex Crow, an RCVS licensed veterinary surgeon.

“Flat faced dogs, like Frenchies, Bulldogs, and Pugs, as well as overweight dogs, are a lot more at risk than other breeds as they can’t regulate temperature as well,” he says, urging owners of these breeds to be “extra cautious.”

Much like dogs, Dr Crow – who shares his expert animal advice on his Instagram @alex_thevet – cautions that “flat faced cats are more prone to overheating, and worth keeping indoors.” When it comes to keeping pets cool, however, Dr Crow reassures us that “Whatever works for humans works for animals.”

Today, Dr Crow has revealed his top three tips for keeping pets cool, along with how to identify the early warning signs of heat exhaustion and what steps to take.

Dr Crow’s top 3 methods to keep pets cool

Dr Crow highlights some clear ‘don’ts’ when caring for animals in hot weather, all of which can rapidly lead to dangerous overheating. “Never put a dog in a car,” he warns. “Dogs can die in just five minutes if they’re left in a hot car.”

If you’re sticking to all the safety advice but still want to discover methods to keep them cool, follow Dr Crow’s essential tips.

1. Freezing food and water fountains

“Adding water to dog food and freezing it is an effective way to keep pets cool,” he says. “It’s a great enrichment for dogs who are bored inside, and it can work really well.”

As the dogs lick the ice, it can cool them down. “Freezing pieces of cucumber or carrot also works,” he said. “It keeps them occupied and cools them down.”

Dr Crow also recommends leaving plenty of water available, and for cats, water fountains. “Cats have evolved from desert animals and they avoid stagnant water,” he explains. “They’re more likely to drink if the water is fresh and moving.”

2. Keep them inside

“Even on mildly warm days, it’s surprising how hot tarmac can get,” Dr Crow says. “During the summer, I see lots of dogs with ulcerated sore paws.”

For this reason, Dr Crow advises you to always do the ‘pavement test’. “Hold the back of your hand against the Tarmac. If it’s too hot to keep your hand there for seven seconds, it’s too hot for a dog’s paws,” he says.

“If you want to walk your dog, go very early in the morning or late in the evening. A dog isn’t going to die from missing a walk. But it could die on a walk.”

Dr Crow does say it’s generally okay to let your cat out during a heatwave. “Cats are pretty good at self regulating body temperature,” Dr Crow says. “They don’t tend to exert themselves as much as dogs, and they’re better at finding shade and cold spots.

“As long as they have an easy way in and out of the house, they should be fine going outside during a heatwave.”

3. Invest in a cooling mat

“Cooling mats are actually really good,” Dr Crow says. While they won’t ‘feel’ cool to the touch, they’re manufactured from highly conductive materials that assist with heat transfer.

“They work by absorbing heat and dissipating it. Animals will naturally be drawn to them,” he explains.

“When an animal lies on one, it absorbs the heat and evaporates it into the air.” Positioning one or two in your pet’s preferred cool areas around the house will help maintain their comfort.

Signs your pet is overheating

“The most obvious sign your pet is overheating is panting very heavily and frantically,” Dr Crow says. “Especially if they haven’t been exerting themselves. Dogs don’t sweat through their fur or skin like humans, so panting is a dog’s way of regulating body temperature.

“If their gums look particularly red or dark in colour is a sign they are overheating,” the vet says. “This means blood to the extremities has increased to dissipate the heat.

“More severe signs that your pet has overheated include wobbliness, collapsing, and vomiting – a hot dog will feel nauseous and sick. Drooling, too, can be a sign of heat exhaustion.

“Open mouth breathing is always a red flag in cats,” he explains. While he acknowledges this could indicate another respiratory condition, it is frequently one of the earliest warning signs of overheating in cats.

What to do if your pet is overheating

“If your dog is overheating, it’s one of the few emergencies where you don’t want to get to the vet straight away, but actually cool them down first,” Dr Crow advises. He stresses that getting your pet as cool as possible in the shortest time is essential, urging owners to “pour cold water over them and get them as wet as possible.

“The temperature of the water doesn’t matter too much, but obviously you don’t want to shock them with very cold water.” The same principle applies to cats.

He said: “Cats typically aren’t fond of having water poured over them, but if it means you’ll save a life, you’ve got to do it.” As an alternative, Dr Crow says: “Dampening a towel and putting it over them can help, but make sure you re-dampen the towel enough to avoid trapping the heat on their body.”

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The UK became co-chair of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition alongside Brazil in March 2024, a partnership of more than 200 governments, NGOs, and international organisations focused on reducing super-pollutants including methane, black carbon, nitrous oxide, and tropospheric ozone.

Sights in the French capital Paris have also been impacted by the hot weather.

The world’s most visited museum, the Louvre, said it would close its doors earlier this week.

The Louvre said its historic building “remains fragile, external and is not sufficiently adapted to climate change”, adding that the “build-up of heat is at its highest at the end of the day, and intensified by the volume of visitors”.

The Eiffel Tower also closed earlier than usual on Tuesday and was to do so again on Wednesday.

Among those who died in heatwave-related drownings was a six-year-old child who had gone to an unsupervised beach with his parents in Bègles, Gironde on Tuesday evening.

A 17-year-old girl also drowned while swimming in a prohibited area of the Marne river in Champs-sur-Marne, on the outskirts of Paris.

Several drownings have also been reported in Germany, including that of a 26-year-old man who died after going into the Danube River near Regensburg in Bavaria on Tuesday evening.

Emergency services spent hours searching for the Syrian man, who could not swim, using a helicopter and boats. Attempts to resuscitate him after he was found some hours later were unsuccessful.

Temperatures were expected to reach 37C on Wednesday in Germany, and people are being warned not to underestimate the dangers of swimming.

There are also fears of drought in some regions. In Brandenburg, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, authorities are urging people to use water sparingly, German newspaper Die Welt reports.

Barbecue bans have also been introduced in cities including Stuttgart and Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg, local media report.

While Spain has experienced baking heat over the last few days, temperatures are expected to start falling on the Iberian peninsula on Wednesday.

But red heat alerts remain in place for parts of northern Spain, with a maximum temperature of 42C possible in parts of the Basque country, forecaster Aemet said.

Spain’s state meteorological agency said the country recorded its highest daily average temperatures in June since at least 1950, with Tuesday’s average of 28.17C breaking the previous 2025 record of 28.01C.

In Italy, meanwhile, 16 provincial capitals are now under red heat alerts, with Latina added to the list on Wednesday, while Bari will be added on Thursday, Italian news agency Ansa said.