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.

With sweltering temperatures and sleepless nights set to continue, Aldi is stepping in to save the day with a new mini cooling range, designed to help us stay comfortable and cool without the eye-watering cost of traditional air conditioning.

At the centre of the range is the portable air cooler, a sleek tabletop device that uses water and ice evaporation technology to help cool and humidify the air. Unlike bulky air conditioning units, it’s designed to sit neatly on a desk or bedside table. It costs just £14.99 and features a touch LED display and three speed settings to tailor airflow throughout the day and night.

If you want something more portable, you’ll also find a tripod style fan in the middle aisle. This is £6.99, and is designed to go wherever you do. It can be clipped onto desks, shelves, or bedside tables, so it’s a simple grab-and-go option for staying cool at home or on the move.

For a fan with more power, there’s the £39.99 globe fan. It’s designed to circulate air more widely across a room, with a 360-degree auto-rotation. There are different modes for when you use it, too, including sleep, natural wind, and drying.

Beyond cooling devices, the range also includes summer bedding essentials such as lightweight duvets and pillow pairs, designed to improve comfort on hotter nights without relying on constant fan use.

Read more: Lidl is launching an affordable air conditioner

When can you buy the air cooler at Aldi?

The portable air cooler lands in Aldi stores from Thursday, 2 July, as part of the supermarket’s limited specialbuys range. This means that once stock is gone, it’s unlikely to return.

How much is the air cooler at Aldi?

Aldi’s air cooler will cost just £14.99, so isn’t as costly as investing in a portable air conditioner. There’ll be other cooling devices landing in-store the same day including a portable fan (£6.99) and tabletop fan (£38.99).

Best air coolers

Sealey air cooler, purifier, humidifier, 4l

This no-frills air cooler doesn’t come with a app, remote or digital display but tester Joanne Lewsley enjoyed the simplicity, describing it as “quite refreshing if you don’t want to faff with settings or connectivity”.

She found it to be “one of the more powerful units” she tested, translating “into a noticeable cooling effect too, with the room temperature dropping by around 2C after an hour.”

Best fans

MeacoFan sefte 10in table air circulator

Ranked our best fan by reviewer Joanne Lewsley, she described the MeacoFan sefte as “one of those rare models that manages to feel both powerful and refined.”

In her review, she wrote: “I was genuinely impressed by just how much air it moves – the airflow is strong enough to be felt across the room, yet it never has that harsh, buffeting feel you get from cheaper desk fans.” She praised its “whisper-quiet” blades too: “On its lowest setting, it drops to around 25dB…making it ideal for bedrooms or light sleepers. Even at higher speeds, it’s relatively unobtrusive.”

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VonHaus air circulator cooling fan

VonHaus’s air circulator cooling fan is our best budget fan. Joanne Lewsley said that it was the best for the price, with the spec proving to be a nice surprise. She added: “It feels more like a mini air circulator than a standard desk fan, pushing air around the room rather than just blasting it straight ahead, which makes a noticeable difference in smaller spaces.”

Best portable air conditioners

Blyss A018I-09C 9000BTU portable air conditioner

For a budget buy, you can’t go wrong with this unit from Blyss. When reviewed by Joanne Lewsley in our guide to the best portable air conditioners, she described it as “a straightforward, no-fuss air conditioner”. She wrote: “It covers the basics well, with cooling, fan and dehumidifier modes, plus three fan speeds and a 24-hour timer to fine-tune things depending on how you’re using it – and it’s good value.”

Meaco meacocool MC series pro 8000 BTU portable air conditioner

Our cooling gadget expert Joanne Lewsley found this one of the easiest air conditioner units to install: “The window kit is particularly well thought-out. It has extra-long plastic panels that make it far more adaptable than most, regardless of your windows.”

Read more: Best handheld fans, tested

Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of approximately £1.1 million have been seized

A total of 16 people have been arrested after nine cannabis factories were discovered across Northern Ireland over a two day period.

Detectives from the PSNI Organised Crime Branch have made the arrests as part of an investigation into suspected drug cultivation and associated criminal activity.

The cannabis factories were uncovered during proactive searches in the Co Armagh, Co Tyrone and Co Fermanagh on June 23 and 24.

With the support of Local Policing and Operational Support officers, cannabis plants with an estimated street value of approximately £1.1 million have been seized.

Detective Sergeant Elliott, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch, said: “Nine grow houses were located across a number of towns and villages within Counties Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh – namely Armagh, Newtownhamilton, Keady, Killylea, Coalisland, Aughnacloy, Omagh, and Clabby.

“During the searches, cannabis plants with a collective estimated street value of approximately £1.1 million were seized.”

The detective added: “We have 16 arrests in total. Fourteen men were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected cannabis cultivation and associated criminality, with two further men arrested on suspicion of possessing counterfeit currency.

“Thirteen of those arrested remain in custody at this time, while two have been released on bail and one released unconditionally.”

The detective continued: “The majority of the properties were in rural locations, with many of the structures significant in size and sophistication. This would inevitably involve considerable planning, investment, and time – in terms of both establishment and maintenance.”

Detective Sergeant Elliott added: “Illegal grow operations, of such complexity, are without doubt generating profits for criminal networks.

“Organised crime groups who exploit others, in this case through the supply of drugs, have one aim only and that’s to line their own pockets. Sadly, this often comes at the expense of vulnerable people.

“The investigation is extremely significant in terms of the number of constructions identified, the subsequent number of arrests and the volume of seizures. By identifying and shutting down the grow houses, and by making arrests, we’re helping to stop criminality in its tracks. Our investigation will, however, continue beyond today’s arrests.

“We, as a police service, will continue to identify and investigate those who make their living from crime, and we remain grateful for your support. I’m keen to take this opportunity to encourage anyone with information, or indeed concerns, to contact us on 101.”

A report can also be made to police online at www.psni.police.uk/report

Alternatively, information can be given, with total anonymity, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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

The youngster was reportedly “pinned down” by a Japanese Akita while it was tied up outside a home on Guthrum Place just after 6pm on Sunday, June 21.

He was taken to hospital for treatment after suffering facial injuries but is understood to have since returned home.

A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, described the attack as “horrific”.

She said: “It happened in the car park near their house. I feel so sorry for the little lad, he must have been terrified.

“It pinned him to the floor. His face was an absolute mess afterwards. He’s had to have surgery on it, and it is still so swollen from it all. The whole thing is just horrific.”

Durham Police has confirmed the dog has since been seized while enquiries continue into the circumstances of the attack.

A spokesperson from the force previously said: “We were called to reports of an eight-year-old boy being bitten by a dog after stopping to pet it outside an address in Guthrum Place, Newton Aycliffe, just after 6pm on Sunday, June 21.

“The boy suffered an injury to his cheek and was taken to hospital where he remains.

“An investigation is ongoing.”

The incident is one of four dog attacks reported in the town in recent days.

Officers said they had also received a report of an elderly owner letting go of her two Labradors on a walk after they became “uncontrollable”, with the dogs biting a woman on the arm.

In a separate incident, a woman was bitten on the arm by a friend’s cross-breed Bulldog while visiting her home.

A fourth report involved a cyclist being bitten on the back of the leg after an Alsatian was allowed to roam off lead while being walked.

Police said the victims in the three other incidents suffered minor injuries and investigations remain ongoing.

Durham County Council is proposing to extend the existing Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) for working-age residents throughout 2027/28, keeping the maximum level of support at 90 per cent of a claimant’s council tax liability.

The authority currently supports 54,100 residents through the scheme, including 33,500 working-age people and 20,600 pensioners. 

The current arrangements were introduced in April 2026 following a review and public consultation.

But rival politicians warned the tax rise would impact the county’s poorest residents.  

Changes included the introduction of an income-banded model for working-age applicants and a reduction in the maximum level of support from 100 per cent to 90 per cent.

All working-age claimants are now required to contribute at least 10 per cent towards their council tax bill.

Yet it is still too early to fully assess the impact of the changes on both residents and the authority, the council said. 

It added that further monitoring is needed to understand how the revised scheme affects collection rates, administrative efficiency and residents’ ability to pay, as well as any wider impact on deprivation.

Several neighbouring councils have moved in the opposite direction, with five local authorities across the region now offering support of up to 100 per cent and many no longer taking non-dependant deductions into account when calculating entitlement.

Despite those changes elsewhere, Durham County Council said retaining the current scheme would provide continuity while allowing more time to evaluate its effectiveness.

The authority said the scheme would remain under “continuous monitoring and review” to assess its impact on both residents and council finances.

A report recommending the continuation of the current arrangements will be presented to full council later this year for approval.

Inside or outside, the choice is yours with these city centre venues with great beer gardens and terraces as well as cool interiors – temp wise and atmosphere wise!

1. The Botanist

This beautiful beer garden is glamorous and a perfect date night summer setting. With fairy lights scattered around, The Botanist remains true to its name and its roof-top terrace is decorated with lots of lush greenery and it offers a selection of flowery cocktails. Where: 10 Church Street, CF10 1BG

2. Jacob’s Roof Garden

Okay, not quite an ‘all-day’ beer garden, but having a beverage on the top of this building, which has a stunning 360 view over the skyline, is pretty spectacular on a clear day. It’s currently running its ‘rooftop coffee shop & byo’ between 11am and 5pm where you can bring your own bottle of fizz or grab a coffee from the cafe alongside snacks and enjoy the weather. What a way to spend a day!

Jacob’s also hosts open air cinemas – read more on that here.Where: W Canal Wharf, CF10 5DB

3. Bacareto

This Venetian tapas-style bar is a fabulous place to help you unwind after work with a spritz or two. But while it’s open sliding window front is lush and a sun trap that looks out onto the busy Church Street, the upstairs terrace is intimate, cosy (with a limited number of seats) and welcoming. Where: 13 Church Street, CF10 1BG

4. FLight Club

Two floors above the entrance of the dart-throwing madness and fun at Flight Club is a beer garden with a unique design – there’s a gypsy-style caravan, a red telephone box and picnic tables with parasols. To give the feel of a green oasis in the heart of the city centre, it is also decorated with fake grass and plenty of greenery and if you’re tall enough, there’s a cracking view of St John’s Church. Where: 3-4 St Mary Street, CF10 1AT

5. Roos

Serving brunch, lunch and dinner as well as coffees and an outdoor bar, too, Roos – named after the architect Alexander Roos who designed Sophia Gardens and much of the Bute estate in Cardiff and south Wales – will welcome those who fancy a coffee break, cocktail happy hour. Where: Sophia Gardens’ Wardens Hut

6, Brewhouse and Kitchen

Okay, it’s not exactly hidden, but it is an absolute cracker of a beer garden. Situated in Sophia Gardens, you can enjoy a drink under the protection of the ‘Aperol’ umbrellas, foliage and flora of the city centre at the front of the pub whilst in the back, behind a gated area, there are seats surrounding a firepit with fairy lights to bring a little more sparkle to your summer evening al fresco. Where: Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna, CF11 9HW

With around 70 per cent of properties in the town now able to upgrade their broadband service, Openreach is encouraging residents to check what’s available and see if they can benefit from faster, more reliable broadband.

Full Fibre broadband is now available to 15,000 homes and businesses across Coatbridge thanks to a major investment of around £4.5m – but many people could be using slower, less reliable connections.

With around 70 per cent of properties in the town now able to upgrade their broadband service, Openreach is encouraging residents to check what’s available and see if they can benefit from faster, more reliable broadband.

Full Fibre delivers a smoother online experience – faster downloads, more stable connections, and better performance when multiple devices are running at once – and the Openreach network has a wide choice of service providers to choose from.

People living in Coatbridge can check if they can upgrade by visiting Openreach’s Full Fibre checker.

Robert Thorburn, partnership director for Scotland, said: “Most of Coatbridge is now covered by Full Fibre, but many residents and businesses still haven’t made the switch.

“It’s not automatic – you need to place an order with your chosen broadband provider.

“The difference in speed and reliability can be significant, especially for busy households or people working from home.

“We want to make sure everyone knows what’s available and how to get it.

“Openreach is committed to building the best Full Fibre network, and doing it sustainably.

“Through our Let’s Reach Zero strategy, we’re working to reduce carbon emissions, use fewer resources, cut waste, and protect nature wherever we operate.”

Full Fibre brings a faster, more reliable connection that keeps up with modern digital life – whether it’s streaming, gaming, video calling, managing finances, or running a business.

Openreach’s Full Fibre network now reaches 22 million homes and businesses across the UK.

The company plans to extend this to 25 million by the end of 2026, with the potential to reach 30 million by 2030 with the right investment conditions.

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Pocklington Town Council said it has agreed to support a partnership approach with the Pocklington District Heritage Trust (PDHT) and the Pocklington Community Trust (PCT) to develop Burnby Hall in The Balk into a community and heritage hub, with the council taking the lead on a proposed National Lottery Heritage Fund application.

In September 2025, the lease for the former East Riding of Yorkshire administration offices was handed over to Pocklington’s civic officials.

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Pocklington District Heritage Trust works to preserve and showcase the area’s rich archaeological and historical heritage highlighting everything from internationally important Iron Age burials to Anglo‑Saxon and Viking history.

It recently won the race for an Anglo-Saxon panel to return to the town and said it hopes to show it in a very distinct case.

Pocklington Community Trust, through its role at Burnby Hall and the Community Hall, has introduced an affordable community hub for local people, managing spaces used for coffee mornings, fitness and craft classes, heritage events, NHS blood donation sessions and a wide range of social, cultural and support activities.

Sheena McNamee, a trustee of both the PDHT and PCT, addressed the council at its June meeting.

She said: “A partnership National Lottery Heritage Fund bid, led by Pocklington Town Council and supported by PDHT and the Community Trust, is the only credible route to achieving this at the necessary scale.

“It balances ambition with responsibility and partnership with prudence.”

The council’s involvement would provide the governance and financial oversight needed for a lottery application of around £1 million.

The funding would support a more ambitious transformation of Burnby Hall, including the possible restoration of the Edwardian conservatory and wider heritage and community facilities.

Burnby Hall (Image: Supplied)

Pocklington town mayor Roly Cronshaw said: “Pocklington Town Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Pocklington District Heritage Trust and Pocklington Community Trust on this exciting opportunity for Burnby Hall.

“By bringing together the strengths and expertise of all three organisations, we can develop a strong and ambitious proposal that has the potential to secure significant investment for the town.”

“While the project will help preserve and celebrate an important part of Pocklington’s heritage, its benefits will reach far beyond that.

“The vision is to create a vibrant community hub that can be enjoyed by residents of all ages and interests, providing enhanced facilities, opportunities and activities that support the wellbeing, learning and social life of the whole community.”

The PCT is already working to make the whole of Burnby Hall fit and safe for multi-purpose use, while the PDHT aims to open a low-key museum within the building before the end of the year.

Successful lottery applications are not rapid, but it is hoped that the initial steering group can be brought together to get the process underway in the near future.

Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster helped put the finishing touches to the colourful mural which brings a fresh burst of colour to the Quayside and is just one of several art installations planned as the city counts down to the 2026 event.

Sir Brendan said: “This Sunday we celebrate a big milestone, the 45th birthday of the Great North Run. In that time, we’ve had over 1.4 million finishers and helped raise hundreds of millions of pounds for charity.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

“Over the years we’ve had countless special moments, incredible feats, records & world firsts but we’re focused on the future, and we’ve kept this a secret until now, but we’re gearing up for the biggest ever Great North Run in 2026.

“An additional 3,000 places were allocated for this year’s event meaning there will be are 63,000 runners on Sunday 13th September.

“The popularity of the Great North Run continues to grow with ballot entries to secure a much coveted place increasing year on year, so we’re delighted to be able to offer even more runners the chance to participate this year.”

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

The mural, designed and painted by Newcastle-based street artist Mul (Alex Mulholland), stretches 90 metres along the Quayside and features his signature Running Heart character, which has become part of this year’s GNR45 branding.

Mul’s artwork will be seen on this year’s finisher t-shirts and medals, and the mural’s location ties it firmly to the event’s celebrations over the Great North Run weekend.

On Friday, September 11, the Quayside will host the Great North Run 5k, followed by the 40th edition of the Great North Junior and Mini events on Saturday, September 12.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster, pictured with street artist Mul (Image: North News & Pictures)

Sir Brendan said: “We’re gathered on the Quayside to see the starting touches on a giant floor mural which is part of the GNR45 celebrations.

“The Great North Run has always been a real celebration of the North East and this is the first of several exciting city installations which will pop up over the coming weeks.

“The Quayside is the perfect location for this installation as it is home to many of our running celebrations across the Great North Run weekend.

Sir Brendan Foster and street artist Mul, who created the mural (Image: North News & Pictures)

“Mul’s street art is designed to be accessible to everyone and his Running Heart personifies our event and everyone who takes part to raise money for many great causes, in memory of loved ones, or purely for the love of running.”

Mul said it was a career highlight to be involved.

He said: “It’s a true honour to have been invited by The Great Run team to contribute to the legacy of such an iconic North East institution.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

“To know my artwork will form part of The Great North Run’s history is a genuine bucket-list moment and something as an artist, I’m very proud of.”

The mural was delivered in partnership with NE1, Newcastle city centre’s Business Improvement District company.

Stephen Patterson, CEO of NE1 Ltd, said: “We are extremely proud to host the world’s favourite and largest half marathon here in Newcastle and we are delighted to play our part in the Great North Run’s 45th anniversary celebrations.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

“The Great North Run is part of the fabric of the city.

“It has put Newcastle and the wider North East on the national and international map attracting millions of visitors over the years to enjoy the event, its associated festivities and everything the city and the region have to offer.

“The event delivers a huge economic boost to the city and its businesses and creates an amazing atmosphere that we look forward to each year.”

He said: “This new artwork will be a fitting tribute to the incredible legacy of the Great North Run and the impact it has on Newcastle.”

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)