It comes as the region recorded its hottest June day in 50 years on Thursday

Temperatures are set to remain high across Northern Ireland amid a warning for thunderstorms, with cooler conditions expected over the next few days.

The Met Office yellow weather warning for thunderstorm is in place from midnight to 10am on Friday, June 26, after days of high temperatures.

Issuing further detail about the warning, a spokesperson for the forecaster said: “A few heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to move north across parts of Northern Ireland during Friday morning.

“Whilst some places will miss them, where they occur hail and frequent lightning are likely along with rainfall totals of 15-20 mm in less than an hour.”

Looking ahead to Friday afternoon, the Met Office said the weather will “become brighter from the south but still some showers around. Warm and humid.” The maximum temperature is expected to reach 26 C.

As for the outlook from Saturday to Monday, the forecaster added: “Dry, bright start Saturday but occasionally heavy rain spreads east in afternoon. Sunday and Monday look much cooler with sunny spells and showers and an occasionally fresh southwesterly breeze.”

Despite Northern Ireland currently experiencing a heatwave, the region hasn’t been feeling the same heat as other parts of the UK. Parts of England and Wales are currently facing a red extreme heat warning.

When asked how we have escaped the higher temperatures, a Met Office spokesperson told Belfast Live that previous cloudy days have contributed to lower temperatures.

They said: “Much of the heat and the hottest temperatures that the UK experiences come from mainland Europe… as Northern Ireland is mostly coastal, this keeps temperatures here relatively cooler than further southeast.”

Northern Ireland reached its heatwave criteria on Wednesday by exceeding 25 C for three days in a row in Castlederg.

On Thursday, Northern Ireland recorded its hottest June day in 50 years, with 30.8 C at Castlederg, matching the June record set in 1976. The all-time record for Northern Ireland remains 31.3 C which was recorded in Castlederg in July 2021.

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Four men were involved in the fight, North Yorkshire Police has said, outside Porto Pizza in Windsor Terrace, Whitby at around 7.20pm on Tuesday (May 26).

Two men required hospital treatment, with one sustaining a broken hip, after the serious assault.

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A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

A force spokesperson said: “As our investigation continues, we’re keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist, and who we haven’t yet spoken to.

“We know there were a number of people in the area at the time, and due to the location of the assault, there may be others we haven’t yet heard from.

“Please email Dan.Hardey@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Dan Hardey.

“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

“Please quote reference 12260096380 when passing information.”

Call the Midwife star Laura Main has opened up about her new role as a carer for her 91-year-old mum

Call the Midwife star Laura Main has revealed the conclusion of the beloved series has allowed her to become a carer for her elderly mother. The popular actress explained the programme’s break has given her the freedom to take on this role, saying her “heart went out” to those in caring positions.

Speaking at the TRIC Awards, she explained: “I’m a carer now. Right now, my mum is my priority. She is 91 and needs support. For 15 years I was doing Call The Midwife, but I’ve now had a change to the rhythm of my life. Because we aren’t filming a new series, I’m have the chance to do this, so it’s good timing.”

The 48-year-old, who portrayed Nurse Shelagh Turner, described herself as “blessed” to spend more quality time with her mother. She continued: “Being a carer is an incredible job. We are having such a nice time. We get on so well. It’s lovely. I feel really blessed to be able to give this time to my mum. She gave her life to her family.”

She also praised the BBC1 programme for highlighting the caring profession. Laura added: “On Call The Midwife we’ve represented nurses, midwives and the care community and it’s an extraordinary thing to help one another.

“My heart goes out to people who are carers for years and years. They should get as much support as possible. They do an incredible service that people need at certain points in their life or throughout their life. It’s about supporting one another.”

Laura revealed her upcoming role will be portraying Sleeping Beauty in this year’s Christmas pantomime, reports the Mirror. She admits: “I love doing that. My sisters said to me: ‘You can’t down tools completely, you’ve got to keep going’.”

Call the Midwife received a nomination for Best Drama at Tuesday’s lunchtime ceremony, ultimately losing to Adolescence. Hosted by TRIC President Dan Walker, the occasion honoured excellence across television, radio, streaming and online entertainment, with winners predominantly chosen through public voting.

The period drama has consistently ranked amongst the BBC’s five most-watched dramas annually from 2012 through to 2026 thus far.

A prequel series titled Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms was announced last week, set in wartime Poplar during the Second World War.

Jenny Agutter, narrating the three-part series, reprises her role as Sister Julienne, alongside Helena Wilson, who portrays her younger self.

Amy Booth-Steel assumes the part of Sister Evangelina, previously portrayed by Pam Ferris, who died on screen in series five in 2016. Helen Schlesinger takes over from Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan, while Dr. Patrick Turner, famously embodied by Stephen McGann, represents another familiar character.

Straight out of medical school, he is now portrayed by Ben Rose. Fred Buckle, another Poplar fixture played by Cliff Parisi, will be portrayed by Ciaran Bowling in the Christmas prequel.

Call the Midwife is streaming on BBC iPlayer

The chief told the Press Association that it is not just the elderly and people with underlying health conditions affected by the heat, adding: “I’m saying to people I need you to drink water even when you’re not thirsty, staying out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, and particularly not exercising outside and putting your body under additional heat and strain.”

The Crown Estate has published financial figures for 2025/26

The Crown Estate generated a windfall £200m in profits from its assets in Wales in the last year.

The vast majority of the income was from option fees paid by companies taking part in the planned giant 1.5GW Mona offshore windfarm development in the Irish Sea, some 30km off the coast of north Wales. Mona is being developed by a joint venture involving oil giant BP.

The Crown Estate’s profits have been published as part of a more open approach by the corporation. The Royal Family receives 12% of the income from its assets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the remainder goes to the UK government.

There are calls for the profits from the Crown Estate’s assets in Wales to go directly to the Welsh Government as happens in Scotland. Wales’ new Plaid Cymru government and the previous Labour administration of Eluned Morgan have called for it to be devolved.

This year’s accounts show that in 2025/6, the Welsh assets generated a profit of £210m slightly down on the figure last year of £253.4m in 2024/25, which was also boosted by windfarm revenue.

The vast majority of this year’s operating profit, some £200m, came from option fees relating to the Mona wind farm.

The project forms part the Crown Estate’s offshore wind leasing round four and is 87% within Welsh waters off the north Wales coast

These option fees were time limited and have now ceased after Mona entered its pre-generation phase earlier this year. Excluding option fees, the Crown Estate said its operating profit in Wales would have been just £9.8m.

Crown Estate assets in Wales include renewable energy licences and development rights for offshore wind and tidal projects. It also leases seabed space for oil and gas pipelines, marine aggregates (used in construction) and the subsea cables and interconnectors that help manage electricity supply and carry intercontinental data traffic. It manages around 65% of the foreshore and tidal riverbed. On land it has around 50,000 acres of common land that is primarily rough pasture, used for grazing.

The Crown Estate (covering Wales, England and Northern Ireland) manages a diverse £16bn portfolio.

For the financial year 2025/26, the Crown Estate’s assets in Wales were valued at £290m – a 22% year-on-year increase following the awarding of development contracts for three huge floating offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea under leasing round five.

However, the auction process for round five set option fees at just £.1.6m which the Crown Estate said was a reflection of the more “challenging conditions in the global market in recent years, and the less mature technology involved in floating offshore wind, which carries a different risk and cost profile.”

Only one is solely in Welsh waters off the coast of Pembrokeshire, with another straddling both and English and Welsh (equally) and a third just in English maritime waters. The three schemes are projected to create 5,000 jobs with an total economic impact of £1.5bn. They are not scheduled to become operational until the mid 2030s.

Since 2024, the Crown Estate has also invested £18m in projects to support the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, including £5m to support delivery of the three offshore floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea. Seven projects in Wales have benefitted from this investment, which is part of a wider commitment to invest up to £400m in a UK offshore wind supply chain.

Dan Labbad, chief executive of the Crown Estate, said: “This has been an important year of progress for The Crown Estate in Wales, as we continue to grow our ambitions for offshore wind and the marine economy across the nation.

“Over the past few years, we have made significant strides to strengthen our operations through local partnerships, investment and engagement. Securing agreements for three floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea reflects these efforts, with the potential to create over 5,000 jobs and contribute £1.4 billion to the wider economy.

“At a time when conditions in the global market are unusually challenging and tenders in other countries have failed to attract interest, this is an outstanding result that shows what we can achieve when we work together.

“Like us, the new Welsh Government has a clear vision that the Celtic Sea opportunity must deliver long-term value for Wales and Welsh communities, and we look forward to building a strong partnership with Plaid Cymru ministers to realise these benefits, together.”

The UK Government has steadfastly declined calls for a devolving of the Crown Estate in Wales.

Since it was devolved to Scotland in 2017, aggregate profits generated by Crown Estate Scotland has provided a boost to the Scottish Government’s budget. In its last financial 2024/25 financial year Crown Estate Scotland posted its highest ever net profit of £130m which was distributed to the Scottish Government’s consolidation fund.

However, the UK Treasury is ramping up what it nets off the Scottish Government’s block grant to account for increasing profits it receives from Crown Estate Scotland. This amounts to £15m in the current financial year, but will reach £40m by 2028-29, after which it will remain flat and unindexed.

Any devolving of Crown Estate assets in Wales, which would require UK Government approval, would likely come with the same netting off mechanism.

Moreover, the Crown Estate has appointed Welsh entrepreneur Michael Plaut as a new commissioner to its board. It has increased its number of commissioners from eight to 12 following the Crown Estate Act 2025 to reflect modern corporate governance.

The legislation also gives the body, the ability borrow against its asset base.

Mr Plaut started his career as an investment banker in London before returning to Wales to head up family-owned business Northmace. He is also currently a non-executive director and member for Wales on the BBC board, as well as chairing the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. As a board member the former CBI Wales chair, will also be responsible for providing advice about the conditions, priorities and opportunities in Wales, including on existing and emerging policies relevant to the Crown Estate’s activities.

Ric Lewis, chair of the Crown Estate, said: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming Michael to the Crown Estate board. Michael’s depth of experience across business, public service and cultural institutions, combined with his deep connection to and understanding of Wales, will be a valuable addition to the board as we take forward our strategy in the years ahead.

“Following the Crown Estate Act 2025, this appointment strengthens the board’s collective insight and ensures we continue to take full account of Welsh interests and conditions as we invest for long‑term value for the nation.”

Mr Plaut, who lives in Cardiff, said: “It’s a real privilege to join the Crown Estate board, and I’m excited by the opportunity ahead. I am particularly looking forward to bringing a strong understanding and insight of Wales in board discussions, helping to make sure that Welsh interests, conditions and opportunities continue to be fully reflected as we take decisions for the long term.”

Borrowing powers

How much the Crown Estate will be able to borrow against assets, which would be used to support investment like helping to de-risk and fast track clean energy infrastructure, has yet to be determined. The legislation doesn’t specify an amount or fixed statutory percentage of the asset base. It is currently working with the Treasury to finalise a detailed framework that will govern how it would borrow in practice, including the relevant controls, approval process and financial parameters.

If the Crown Estate was devolved to Wales it would be prudent for the Welsh Government to also try and negotiate the ability to borrow against assets.

However, on a per capita basis, would the proceeds from borrowing against the Welsh Crown Estate assets be more beneficial for Wales? The Crown Estate’s lucrative property assets in the centre of London, which include Regent Street & St James’, have been valued at £7.1bn alone.

While not a reason to seek a devolving of the Crown Estate to Wales, on a per capita basis it could receive less for investment purposes from the proceeds of any borrowing against Welsh assets, than under the current England and Wales arrangement.

That of course assumes that the distribution of borrowing against assets by the Crown Estate is at least equitable to Wales – unlike the current under funding, going back decades, on non devolved rail enhancement investment. As it stands the Welsh Government would be powerless to prevent an unfair allocation to Wales from Crown Estate borrowings against assets.

The incident happened on Longfellow Walk in Hartlepool at 10am last Friday (June 19) and involved a Surron electric dirt bike. 

Cleveland Police believe the bike was removed from the scene before officers arrived – with the rider taken to hospital for treatment.

The force said it believed the bike was seen in the Brierton Lane area of Hartlepool before the crash and is keen to speak to anyone who saw it or witnessed the incident. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 118253

It comes as part of a Government effort to reduce the use of hotels as accommodation and use more military barracks.

The base, located in the village of Linton-on-Ouse, was previously considered in 2022, but the controversial plan to house 1,500 asylum seekers there was abandoned following local opposition and a legal challenge from the council.

The protests in Linton-on-Ouse against previous plans, which were dropped in August 2022 (Image: Pic supplied)

In a story published by The Press in November last year, a Conservative North Yorkshire councillor said any potential move to house asylum seekers there would be resisted in the “strongest possible terms.”

The new proposal also involves using Ministry of Defence sites in Bicester in Oxfordshire and Barnham in Suffolk which in total would house 3,750 asylum seekers.

The Government is also looking to extend the use of existing sites in Crowborough, East Sussex until 2030 and Wethersfield in Essex) beyond 2027.

The initiative comes in the wake of a significant decrease in the number of asylum seekers temporarily housed in UK hotels.

According to Home Office figures published last month, the number stood at 20,885, marking a 35 per cent drop from the previous year.

At its peak, in September 2023, the number of asylum seekers in hotels was as high as 56,018.

‘This is a system being brought back under control – and we will not stop until the job is done’

The issue of housing asylum seekers in hotels became controversial last year, sparking protests outside some sites.

Today, the Home Office announced the closure of 20 more hotels that were previously used to house asylum seekers.

This move is part of a broader strategy to shift from using hotels to former military sites for accommodating asylum seekers.

Labour has pledged to halt the use of asylum hotels by the next election.

Border security and asylum minister Alex Norris said: “We promised to close every asylum hotel and hand them back to communities, and that is exactly what we are doing.

“Twenty more hotels have closed, and hotel numbers have more than halved since their peak.

“Instead, we’re moving asylum seekers into ex-military sites that are a far cry from the hotels the last Government left us with.

“This is a system being brought back under control – and we will not stop until the job is done.”

The news of these plans comes ahead of fresh immigration reforms set to be introduced to Parliament next week.

The Refugee Council’s Imran Hussain said: “Moving refugees from unsuitable hotels to unsuitable former military sites is storing up problems for the next prime minister by repeating policies that failed in the recent past. It would be wise to rethink this approach.”

The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for Friday, covering 75 areas across the UK. The alert is in place from 12am until 10am, with 60mph winds and flooding risks expected.

The Met Office has issued a fresh thunderstorm warning in the wake of this week’s heatwave.

A yellow alert is in force from 12am until 10am on Friday, covering the East Midlands, London and the South East, North East, North West, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and Wales.

Thunderstorms are forecast to sweep northeastwards during the early hours, with the potential to bring 60mph winds and 2mm/hr of rainfall, according to the Met Office. Its forecast warned: “There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.

“Where lightning strikes or flooding occurs, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

“Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.”

Thunderstorms can heighten the risk of flash floods and power cuts, and the weather agency is urging people to stock up on batteries and torches, as well as putting together an emergency flood kit ahead of the severe weather, reports the Express.

Areas under the thunderstorm warning:

East Midlands

• Derby
• Derbyshire
• Leicestershire
• Nottingham
• Nottinghamshire

London & South East England

North East England

• Darlington
• Durham
• Gateshead
• Hartlepool
• Middlesbrough
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• North Tyneside
• Northumberland
• Redcar and Cleveland
• South Tyneside
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Sunderland

North West England

• Blackburn with Darwen
• Blackpool
• Cheshire East
• Cheshire West and Chester
• Cumbria
• Greater Manchester
• Halton
• Lancashire
• Merseyside
• Warrington

South West England

• Bath and North East Somerset
• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
• Bristol
• Devon
• Dorset
• Gloucestershire
• North Somerset
• Somerset
• South Gloucestershire
• Swindon
• Torbay
• Wiltshire

Wales

• Blaenau Gwent
• Bridgend
• Caerphilly
• Cardiff
• Carmarthenshire
• Ceredigion
• Conwy
• Denbighshire
• Flintshire
• Gwynedd
• Merthyr Tydfil
• Monmouthshire
• Neath Port Talbot
• Newport
• Powys
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Swansea
• Torfaen
• Vale of Glamorgan
• Wrexham

West Midlands

• Herefordshire
• Shropshire
• Staffordshire
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Telford and Wrekin
• Warwickshire
• West Midlands Conurbation
• Worcestershire

Yorkshire & Humber

• East Riding of Yorkshire
• North Lincolnshire
• North Yorkshire
• South Yorkshire
• West Yorkshire
• York

Callum Kerr, 35, died after police were called at around 2.25 am on Monday, June 22, to reports of a man behaving aggressively onboard a plane travelling inbound from Larnaca, Cyprus.

There were reports that another passenger and a member of the cabin crew had been assaulted by the man.

On arriving at the scene, officers found a man, since identified as Mr Kerr, being restrained by passengers and aircrew at the back of the plane.

Police handcuffed Mr Kerr but found he was unresponsive and performed CPR before he was taken by paramedics to hospital.

Mr Kerr died in hospital on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 23, with a tribute from his loved ones describing him as “a family man, father to three beautiful young children, a lover of sport and with a heart of gold!”

Greater Manchester Police say that a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The incident was reported at Manchester Airport (Image: Newsquest)

Chief Superintendent Mike Allen said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with Callum’s family and all those impacted by this incident.

“An investigation is now underway to establish what happened during the flight and our specialist officers have been keeping them updated with all the information we know so far.

“I know there were many people on the flight who witnessed the violence and disruption prior to officers’ arrival.

“We know passengers and aircrew worked to detain the man to bring the incident to an end.

“Our detectives are investigating this to understand the full circumstances.

“It is mandatory for a referral to be made to the IOPC.

Police have identified the man as 35-year-old Callum Kerr (Image: GMP)

“We will fully assist with their investigation into the actions of the police, where our officers have been independently declared as witnesses rather than being investigated for their conduct.

“Policing is a challenging profession, and we are supporting them through this process.

“Support continues to be provided to the man’s family and loved ones during this time.”

The referral to the IOPC is mandatory because the officers came into contact with Mr Kerr before his death and does not indicate any misconduct by the officers.

The force says that while the IOPC is investigating the actions of its officers, detectives from its Major Incident Team are investigating the circumstances on the flight prior to police arrival.