Another heatwave is set to hit Northern Ireland for a number of days this week

Another heatwave is set to hit Northern Ireland this week, with temperatures predicted to reach 28 degrees.

The Met Office forecast for the week beginning August 10 warns that temperatures are about to spike, rising from highs of 18 degrees on Monday to 28 degrees on Thursday, August 13.

The week will start off quite cool as the forecaster says Monday will start sunny before clouds develop in the evening. However, this is due to clear on Tuesday, August 11, when sunny skies are predicted throughout the day, and temperatures will reach 23 degrees in the afternoon.

This weather is predicted to continue on Wednesday, August 12, although the highest temperatures are set to be a few degrees higher at 25.

Thursday is forecast to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures in the mid-20s for most of the day before reaching 28 degrees in places.

The Met Office has warned that while there will be lots of sunshine and warm weather, there is the potential for heavy showers in places during the heatwave.

Coming into the weekend, temperatures are set to drop again on Friday, August 14, with highs of 21 degrees predicted, dropping further on Saturday, August 15, when temperatures will be in the high teens.

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

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she is freezing her eggs as she decides her next political moves ahead of the 2028 presidential election campaign.

“This is a choice that I am making to feel more in control of my life,” Ocasio-Cortez, 36, said on Instagram about her decision regarding her reproductive options.

The New York congresswoman, a leading figure of Democrats’ progressive left flank, did not say explicitly whether she plans to have children. She said in her social media posts that she was taking a “political risk” in talking so personally about her potential family plans.

She said later on ABC “This Week” on Sunday that she has not ruled out running for president or for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrats’ floor leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, in 2028. She explained that she wants to normalize conversations about what women face in their professional and personal lives, while also highlighting the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

“In this political environment, where this administration is denying reproductive care to women across the country, from abortion rights to the ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy, I think it’s important for us as leaders to have these conversations,” she said.

Trump’s administration opposes abortion rights, and the Republican president’s first-term appointees to the Supreme Court provided the margins in the 2022 ruling that struck down the Roe v. Wade decision that had established a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.

Separately, however, Trump in 2025 signed an executive order designed to lower the costs of in vitro fertilization.

Ocasio-Cortez sponsored a Democratic bill in 2022, when the party controlled the House, to codify abortion rights into federal law after the Supreme Court’s abortion decision.

As part of her weekend announcement, Ocasio-Cortez noted that women — in politics and other fields — face different standards and scrutiny about their family status.

“Men run for office, or frankly they interview for jobs, and people don’t think in the back of their minds, ‘OK, this guy’s running for office, how old is he? Oh, well, is he going to want to start a family?’” she said.

House of the Dragon has aired its bloodsoaked season 3 finale and many characters did not survive past the Battle of Tumbleton.

The House of the Dragon season 3 finale is here – and fans have been left reeling as yet more characters meet a violent end.

As the long-awaited Battle of Tumbleton unfolds on the HBO show, several major players are lost, while away from the ill-fated town, huge revelations are made.

It follows the dramatic events of episode 7, where we see a brutal dance of dragons, learn of Lord Ormund’s daring Gambit and discover the fate of Aegon’s dragon Sunfyre.

But what happens in the nail-biting final episode of House of the Dragon season 3? And which characters finally meet their end?

*Warning: This article contains huge spoilers for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8.*

Who dies in House of the Dragon season 3 finale?

High Septon Eustace

In shocking scenes, Rhaenyra Targaryen finally decides to put High Septon Eustace to the sword.

It comes after his continued refusal to anoint her as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, which is critical for the stability of her rule, as many of her subjects follow the Faith of the Seven.

In the end, she instructs Ser Alyn of Hull to carry out the gruesome deed, and he obliges by driving a sword through the religious leader’s stomach in the King’s Landing Sept.

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Roderick Dustin

During the Battle of Tumbleton, Roderick Dustin dies by dragonfire when Ulf the White goes rogue, burning soldiers on both sides with the help of his dragon, Silverwing.

The leader of the Winter Wolves’ death doesn’t feel tragic, as he vows to survive just long enough to see Tumbleton’s main gate fall.

He also manages to strike down Lord Ormund Hightower in the process, meaning he more than lives up to the task.

Kat

After the battle is ended, we learn Hugh Hammer’s wife Kat has died amid the chaos.

Earlier in the episode, we hear Hugh calling for her during the struggle, but he does not find her.

When Hugh discovers her body in the ruined remains of Tumbleton, he lets out a cry of anguish.

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Ormund Hightower

Villainous Lord Ormund Hightower, who establishes himself as one of the most snobbish and prudish characters in the Game of Thrones universe, meets a fittingly vulgar end.

After forcing children to guard Tumbleton’s gates as human shields, he is set upon by Roderick Dustin, who drives a sword up his backside.

Moments later, both are engulfed by dragonfire, courtesy of a disillusioned and hungover Ulf.

Heleana Targaryen

Tragically, death finally befalls everyone’s favourite dreamer far away from the battlefield.

Following the forced departure of her mother Alicent, Helaena is no longer protected from the cruelty of the palace.

In the end, she decides she would rather die than remain imprisoned by Rhaenyra and throws herself out of the window very reminiscent of the one King Tommen Baratheon defenestrates himself from over 100 years later in Game of Thrones.

She leaves behind a curiously detailed tapestry, which could reveal her most telling prophecy to date.

House of the Dragon season 3 is available to watch on HBO Max UK & Ireland and Sky Atlantic.

By NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 12:00 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 12:38 BST, 10 August 2026

A bungalow was completely destroyed in a suspected gas explosion.

The property in Newton Longville, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, was caught on doorbell video as it exploded on Sunday morning.

One man, believed to have lived inside, has been taken to hospital while his Doberman dog was taken to the vet.

Striking footage shows bricks and debris flying out onto the street, damaging nearby homes and cars.

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Plumes of black smoke can be seen rising from the property as locals approach the wreckage in the aftermath of the blast.

Residents reportedly gathered in the local pub where victims were treated by emergency services.

An witness described the explosion as ‘very scary’ while another said they heard a ‘bang’ three miles away in Bletchley.

One resident, Graham Fuller, said he heard his wife ‘scream’ following the explosion before running outside.

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A bungalow was completely destroyed in a suspected gas explosion 

The bungalow is seen exploding here on a quiet residential street in Milton Keynes

The property in Newton Longville, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire was caught on doorbell video exploding at around 9.44am on Sunday

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An eyewitness described the explosion as ‘very scary’ and said the home was ‘almost completely demolished’

He told the BBC: ‘Debris everywhere, I ran out into the street and my neighbour had already managed to grab hold of the occupant of the property… He was badly burnt, in shock, and we were trying to treat him while all the chaos was going on.

‘We’ve been kicked out of our homes at the moment – we don’t know when we’re going back.’

Another resident likened the explosion to ‘World War Three in the street’.

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He added: ‘I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemies, to be quite honest with you.’ 

Thames Valley Police said: ‘At around 9.44am emergency services were called to Cobb Hall Road, to a report of an explosion, fire and collapse of a property.

‘One person sustained injuries, requiring hospital treatment, where they remain.’

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue said they were dealing with a suspected gas explosion and had sent four fire engines to the scene.

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Neighbours have since set up a GoFundMe page to support the homeowner and other residents affected by the ‘horrific event’.

One resident likened the explosion to ‘World War Three in the street’

Police and gas working at a suspected gas explosion at a bungalow injuring a man on Cobb Hall Road in Newton Longville

Officers are pictured next to a police cordon at the scene. One person was injured and taken to hospital

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Thomas Humphries, who launched the fundraiser, said: ‘On the 9th August a horrific gas explosion occurred, severely damaging and injuring the home owner as well as other properties.

‘My aim of this goal is to raise support and care for the home owners and residents that have been affected by this horrific event.’

Mr Humphries said 85 per cent of donations would be given to the home owners affected while 15 per cent would be ‘evenly shared to any resident that has experienced secondary damage to their property, belongings and themselves physically and mentally’.

The multi-award-winning American band brought their flamboyant headline show to TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday night, turning the North Yorkshire coast into a giant open-air dance floor.

Frontman Jake Shears, joined by Del Marquis, Babydaddy, a full band, and vocalists, burst on stage with the unstoppable I Don’t Feel Like Dancing – a fittingly euphoric opening for a sun-soaked Saturday by the sea.

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There was barely time for the crowd to catch its breath as Laura and She’s My Man followed, setting the tone for a night packed with disco beats, singalong choruses, and more glittering glam-pop than Scarborough had seen in some time.

Shears and co dazzled as brightly as the earlier summer sunshine, leading thousands in mass dance and singalong moments to fan favourites including Take Your Mama, Comfortably Numb and, inevitably, the gloriously camp Let’s Have A Kiki.

The party did not stop there.

Scissor Sisters closed their hit-packed set with Filthy/Gorgeous and Music Is The Victim, sending fans home buzzing after a colourful celebration of one of pop’s most distinctive back catalogues.

Special guests Bimini and The Hidden Cameras helped get the Saturday-night party underway, with both acts also making guest appearances during the headline set.

Scissor Sisters’ show follows a string of huge nights at Scarborough Open Air Theatre this summer.

The venue’s record-breaking 2026 programme of 26 headline concerts continues on Friday with Holly Johnson, followed by Hollywood Vampires on Saturday.

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ITV viewers shared their thoughts after crime drama Van der Valk returned to screens

Viewers issued the same complaint as crime drama Van der Valk aired on ITV.

The Amsterdam-set series starring Marc Warren as police detective Van der Valk has returned for a fourth run, which is airing three years after its last season wrapped.

Fans have said it’s “a joy” to have it back on screens, but many were less than impressed with its latest episode, posting messages on social media calling it “laughable”.

In the episode, an environmental campaigner is murdered before a global conference, and a suspect caught on CCTV turns out to be a famous singer Cobie Stegenga (Lateesha Verwey) who was presumed to be dead. The plot thickens when it turns out that Cobie has been living below the radar for two years, and that she was under the control of villain Anki Bergen (Raquel Cassidy).

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The final moments of the episode saw a chase and a showdown between Van der Valk and Inspector Lucienne Hassell (Maimie McCoy) as they apprehended Anki.

Some viewers tuning in poked holes in the plot, with one posting on X: “Getting increasingly daft. Jeep can’t catch a Volvo estate over rough ground. They then shoot out its tyre with a pistol from distance — despite a hostage being inside. Then VdV SHOOTS AN AXE out of a woman’s hand despite not hitting a BMW earlier in the episode.”

“How could they possibly have made the last 15 minutes of #VanDerValk any more pathetic!??” someone else posted on the platform, which was formerly Twitter.

“Great episode but poor ending, laughable,” said someone else, while one remarked: “This has degenerated into pretty laughable c*** now. Shame.”

Another viewer suggested the storylines were “really bad”, adding: “I like Marc Warren usually but this series is awful.”

Somebody else commented: “A woman comes at you with an axe, you’re a police officer you have a gun, you let them walk away with a person of interest. Do better.”

However, others were impressed with Marc’s performance and gripped by the action.

“Enjoying this latest series of Van der Valk,” said one. “Especially as this episode they are showing more of the beautiful city of Amsterdam!

Another said: “I’m loving the new series of Van der Valk. Mind you… I’d watch Marc Warren in anything.”

Van der Valk is available on ITVX.

The former Strictly champ will spend weekends with well-known figures and their families in the upcoming seventh series, offering an intimate look into their lives through her signature, candid interviewing style.

Her previous episodes have featured people from a wide range of backgrounds, including a nine-year-old YouTuber and a self-described ‘benefits queen,’ but this marks the first time the format will focus exclusively on high-profile guests.

Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over introducing new celebrity version

“Stacey’s sleepovers are so popular with viewers and critics alike because the format allows her subjects to really open up, exposing the good and — let’s face it — sometimes the bad about their personality, relationships, and lifestyle,” a source told The Sun.

“It always makes for a raw and real take on whoever is hosting Stacey and it suits her style brilliantly.

“This will be her first celebrity series and it’ll be fascinating to see how the stars react under the format.”

Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over first aired in 2019 and has since produced four UK series, along with two series of the American spin-off.

Past episodes have featured a teenage cage fighter, a 70-year-old dominatrix, and families living with disabilities.

The celebrity edition will air on Channel 4, UKTV’s U&W, and BBC iPlayer.

Filming is rumoured to begin in September, with the cast to be revealed soon.

Cast revealed for reboot of iconic BBC show

In other TV news, the cast of the reboot for a classic BBC series has been revealed.

Production company Ecosse Films is behind the revived version of Monarch of the Glen, which originally aired from 2000 to 2005 and followed the comedic and dramatic happenings of a Highland estate in Scotland.

The reboot is being produced by Ecosse Films in partnership with Masterpiece PBS for Channel 5.

Julia Brown, known for her role in Karen Pirie, will take the lead as Isla Campbell, a London lawyer who returns to the Highlands for her estranged father’s funeral and discovers she has inherited a million-pound debt.

Alongside Ms Brown, Chris Fulton (Bridgerton) will play her brother Alasdair, and Ewan Miller (High Value Target) will appear as Ewan, the estate’s gamekeeper and a close family friend.

Other notable cast members include Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey) as Morag, Rishi Nair (The Marlow Murder Club) as businessman Daniel, John Gordon Sinclair (Gregory’s Girl) as family lawyer Fergus, and Gordon Kennedy (The Diplomat) as Angus, the stockman.

The original series, also produced by Ecosse Films, was based loosely on the Highland Novels by Sir Compton Mackenzie and aired on BBC One for seven series, spanning 64 episodes.

The reboot will offer a fresh, female-led perspective on the beloved story, with production currently taking place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

It will be broadcast on 5 and Masterpiece PBS and is expected to air in 2027.

What is your favourite TV show to watch at the moment? Let us know in the comments.

One month after The Salt Path was released in cinemas, an exposé claimed that author Raynor Winn had lied about many aspects of her alleged life story. Now, the film is about to be released in the US – and bizarrely, its lead stars are expected to do press interviews about the project.

Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs previously remained silent on the controversy, but the latter, best known for Harry Potter and The White Lotus, has addressed the scandal for the first time.

Isaacs appeared on Kermode on Film podcast, when host Mark Kermode asked him: “You made The Salt Path, which is only now coming out in America?”

The actor replied: “It’s going to be interesting doing publicity for The Salt Path now that there’s been… I said, ‘Are you sure you want us to do publicity?’ They went, ‘Absolutely.’”

Isaacs said he was fine with the decision as he thinks “it’s a beautiful film” and “that much of it is still completely valid”, but levelled: “Obviously, some of the things have been questioned. It’s going to be an interesting experience.”

The Salt Path, which was published in 2018 and has sold over two million copies worldwide, details how Raynor Winn and her husband Moth lost their house after a friend invested their money poorly. It charts their fall into homelessness and the long walk that miraculously eased symptoms of Moth’s rare, terminal neurological disease (corticobasal degeneration or CBD).

However, the Observer investigation put this whole narrative into question. It was alleged that Winn had stolen large amounts of money from her place of work, gone into hiding, lost the house after borrowing around £100,000 from a family member, and owned land in France where she and her husband could have lived.

Winn has strongly denied the allegations against her, stating they are “highly misleading”.

“The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives,” she said in response. “This is the true story of our journey.”

She also called the investigation “grotesquely unfair” and shared photographs of redacted clinic letters, addressed to her husband, that appear to show that he was “treated for CBD/S [corticobasal syndrome] and has been for many years”.

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The film was originally set to be released in the US and Canada on 22 May, but has been pushed back to 4 September. It’s being distributed by Rialto, whose CEO, Kelly Rogers, described the project as “a film of quiet power” and said that it “speaks to something deeply human”, according to Variety.

The film was a box office hit in the UK, where it earned £7.6m, making it one of 2025’s most successful British indie movies.

When the Salt Path scandal broke last summer, the book’s publisher, Penguin, said that it “undertook all the necessary due diligence” before releasing the book in 2018, and said that it had “not received any concerns about the book’s content” before the investigation was released.

Winn had been due to release another book, her fourth non-fiction title, On Winter Hill, in October 2025, but its publication has since been delayed to January 2028 after the author suffered “considerable distress”.

Dakota Ditcheva says she has “cried non-stop” after breaking both of her hands in the win over Denise Kielholtz – just months after recovering from similar injuries.

The Briton outclassed Kielholtz at PFL New York earlier this month to win by unanimous decision in her first fight in just over a year.

The 28-year-old had not fought since July 2025 as a result of breaking her left hand – then suffered a fracture in her other hand five months later.

Despite comfortably beating Kielholtz on her return, Ditcheva says she fought the majority of the contest with two broken hands.

“I broke my hands in the fight. I could feel it from the second I started the second round,” she said on YouTube., external

“I didn’t tell my corner. I didn’t tell anybody. I didn’t show it this time, and I didn’t actually tell anybody until I got out of the cage.

“I am back in splints until my surgeon has decided what the next steps are going forward, which will be in the next few days.”

Ditcheva, who extended the unbeaten start to her career to 16 fights, said one of her injuries occurred after opting not to have surgery on it last year while the other is a “small break on the other finger that didn’t hold up so well”.

“The good thing is I have no new breaks. It’s just the hand that wasn’t operated on that I broke at the end of last year,” added Ditcheva.

“I was told that if I didn’t go ahead with surgery at that time, there was a possibility it could break again. I took the risk in not doing the surgery because I was hoping it would hold strong, and it didn’t.

“So therefore I’m paying the price for it now and I will be out for a little bit.”