There would have to be legislative change for such a venue to open

There have been renewed calls for a drug consumption room in Belfast as a local councillor says the situation in the city centre is “continuing to deteriorate.”

Overdose prevention facilities – often referred to as drug consumption rooms – are supervised facilities where individuals can safely consume drugs under supervision of trained staff who can intervene to prevent overdose.

Sharing a video from the streets of Belfast this week, showing discarded drug paraphernalia littered in the city centre, Independent councillor Paul McCusker said it shows why such a venue is needed.

He said: “If this does not highlight that we urgently need a drug comsumption room for Belfast I don’t know what will, this video was recorded today in the City Centre.

“Six years ago I brought a motion to Belfast City Council that was suported by all parties to ask for a dedicated drug task force and to support a drug consumption room, what has happened since then? Nothing!

“Intrevenous drug use has significantly increased as well as the risks of bloodborne viruses and the risk to the user and the public. Users often having to find isolated areas putting them at further risk of overdose and death.

“We know the situation is continuing to deteriorate, the lack of policital direction and agencies playing the situation down is contributing to the perfect storm that I have raised for years. Belfast has a serious drug problem and the ignorance politically along with statutory agencies is putting lives at risk every day. Wake Up & listen!”

No drug consumption rooms currently exist in Northern Ireland, and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has the effect of prohibiting such a facility from operating as those operating the premises would be at risk of prosecution. In order for an overdose prevention facility to be operated lawfully, there would have to be legislative change.

Northern Ireland has the second highest rate of drugs-related deaths in the UK, that is 11.5 per 100,000 people, which is just behind Scotland.

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

Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations as powerful explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital, sparking fires across multiple districts and causing an apartment building to collapse.

Several massive explosions rocked Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday morning, igniting fires that blazed across the Ukrainian capital as Russia launched a devastating assault on the city using ballistic missiles and drones.

Kyiv residents flooded into underground stations clutching sleeping bags and their pets as air-raid sirens wailed throughout the city, seeking refuge from the ferocious blasts. Warnings had previously been issued that a large-scale offensive was imminent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged citizens to heed the air-raid warnings and remain “especially careful,” according to The New York Times. He announced on Wednesday evening that intelligence suggested Russia was preparing another “massive strike.”

The air-raid sirens had begun sounding several hours earlier, according to reports, as residents braced themselves for a lengthy and terrifying night.

Attack drones formed the opening wave of the assault. The relentless, droning sounds of air defences engaging were heard shortly after their arrival, followed by an enormous explosion at around 11 pm.

Further blasts followed in quick succession.

A substantial blaze was spotted burning in the city centre shortly afterwards, with a smaller fire visible just beyond it.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to remain in shelters as the night progressed, with ballistic missiles entering Ukrainian airspace shortly after the drones.

A further series of powerful explosions shook Kyiv just before 2 a. m.

on Thursday, triggering car alarms throughout the city. Emergency services rushed to tackle the collapse of a nine-storey apartment block, where individuals were trapped, according to Klitschko.

He stated that firefighters also battled to put out fires in at least two parts of the capital, including one blaze which broke out on a hotel rooftop. Another consumed a residential property.

The number of casualties remains unclear, though Klitschko confirmed five medical staff sustained injuries.

Numerous residents in Kyiv had been preparing for a major attack similar to the one which took place on Wednesday night into Thursday.

Ukraine has been putting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin through launching long-range drone strikes on Moscow, disrupting Russian fuel supplies and mounting significant attacks against Crimea, which Russia unlawfully annexed in 2014.

Kyiv stated the aim is to bring the war to Russia and compel Putin to consent to ending the conflict. Yet Putin has shown defiance and remained steadfast, even as his capacity to shield Russian society from the war’s impact has begun to crumble – his citizens are enduring the consequences of the full-scale war which commenced in February 2022.

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“Putin wants to keep fighting,” Zelensky declared on Wednesday in Ireland before hastening home. “That is why he must face conditions that make it impossible for him to keep this war going.”

Ukraine is seeking membership of the European Union, and while the process could span several years, Zelensky touched down in Ireland on Wednesday – which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

“Ukraine proves every day that it deserves to be an equal partner of our common European home. And we hope that during Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council, we will be able to achieve tangible progress on the path to membership and open all negotiations clusters,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine has emerged as a supplier of military technology coveted by numerous nations globally, particularly in the drone sector. Many European nations worry that Moscow’s territorial aspirations might extend beyond Ukraine, prompting leaders to portray Kyiv as a barrier against Russian expansion.

Ukraine is “becoming a security provider for the whole of Europe,” Swedish Minister of Defence Paul Jonsson said in Kyiv, where he held discussions with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov.

Consequently, it has grown somewhat more embedded within the European defence community, including NATO – though the process has been gradual.

Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s capital with missiles and drones overnight into Thursday with the intense strikes causing loud explosions and shaking Kyiv for hours.

Residential buildings were damaged in the attacks that killed. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 11 people were injured.

The attack with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones affected all of the city’s 10 districts, on both sides of the Dnipro River. Many residents took shelter at metro stations after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and other authorities issued the first warnings of the attack.

Russia has intensified its attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, even as Ukraine’s own long-range drone campaign against Russian military sites and energy facilities has caused fuel shortages and disrupted supply lines inside Russia.

Mr Klitschko urged residents to remain in shelters, describing an ongoing “furious enemy attack” on the capital.

He said five people were injured in the Shevchenkivskyi district and one of the injured, a paramedic, was in extremely critical condition.

In the Desnianskyi district, people were trapped inside a damaged nine-story residential building and rescuers headed to the scene, Klitschko said. In the Holosiivskyi district, a fire broke out on the roof of a multistory building.

In the Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi districts, fire broke out in homes and debris trapped people in buildings.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said the attack partially destroyed a residential building in the Desnianskyi district, sparked fires near residential buildings at two locations in the Pecherskyi district, and ignited a fire near an administrative building in the Solomianskyi district.

He said authorities were also recording damage in the Obolonskyi and Podilskyi districts.

Former NFL star Chris Johnson is bringing back the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness of ALS as he fights the fatal nervous system disease.

The Ice Bucket Challenge gained popularity in the summer of 2014 as a way to raise ALS awareness. People took a video or photo as they got a bucket of ice water dumped on them, and they’d challenge friends or relatives to do the same.

According to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, the drive helped raise an estimated $135 million in the United States and $220 million worldwide in the fight against ALS.

Johnson attempted to boost the cause once more in an Instagram post Wednesday, two days after announcing on “Good Morning America” that he’s dealing with ALS.

Johnson said he was inspired after watching former Utah men’s basketball player Hunter Mecum post an Instagram video in which he dumped ice water on his head to honor the 40-year-old former running back.

“The support you’ve shown me over the last few days has meant more than I can put into words,” Johnson said in his post. “Seeing this video reminded me of something powerful. Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge united millions of people around one cause and helped change the fighting against this disease. Today, I’m asking you to help me do it again.”

Johnson challenged former All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch and former Tennessee Titans teammates LenDale White and Adam “Pacman” Jones to participate. Johnson later added Instagram Story posts showing White and others getting doused with water.

In his “Good Morning America” interview, Johnson said he was diagnosed with ALS last year.

The 2008 first-round draft pick from East Carolina rushed for 9,651 yards during a 10-year career that included stints with the Titans (2008-13), New York Jets (2014) and Arizona Cardinals (2015-17). He rushed for 2,006 yards and was The Associated Press offensive player of the year in 2009.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Sixteen children who ‘looked like feral animals’ were rescued from a tiny dilapidated house of horrors in Ohio, as four adults face charges, according to police. 

The gruesome discovery was made by the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday morning after executing a search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation. 

Law enforcement encountered a horrific scene inside that home that was simply described as ‘pure evil,’ according to Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson. 

‘Conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in,’ Wilson said. 

Some of the children found ‘couldn’t even speak,’ he revealed.

‘It was terrible. They looked like almost feral animals. It was terrible,’ he said. 

Two parents and grandparents were each charged with 17 counts of endangering children, a second-degree felony. 

The suspects were identified as Gary Siders Jr, Gary Siders Sr, Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders. 

The home was in the tiny town of Hamden, which has a population of less than 1,000 people and is about 60 miles southeast of Columbus. 

The suspects were identified as Gary Siders Jr, Gary Siders Sr, Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders

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Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain described the home as being littered with human feces and a small room where investigators believe the children were kept for nearly four years

Felony charges were filed by the DA’s office because the parents and grandparents were responsible for causing ‘serious physical harm,’ according to prosecuting attorney William Archer. 

Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain echoed a similar sentiment at a news conference, describing the home as being littered with human feces and a small room where investigators believe the children were kept for nearly four years.

‘Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children,’ Cain added.

The children ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years and included both boys and girls, officials said. 

Several were in serious condition when found, and two had to be flown to level one trauma centers because of their injuries.

When asked about their emotional state at a press conference, Wilson said that investigators’ primary concern upon arrival was getting the children to a hospital due to the extent of their medical conditions. 

Officials did not confirm how all the children were related, but said it was not a human trafficking situation. 

Authorities added that the four arrested were not locals and appeared to have been traveling. 

‘Our children deserve better from their parents, guardians, and custodians. No child should endure these kinds of conditions,’ Archer, the prosecuting attorney, said. 

‘My office will do everything in our power to make sure these children get the love and care they deserve. My office will prosecute these persons to the fullest extent of the law.’

Several were in serious condition when found, and two had to be flown to level one trauma centers because of their injuries

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Felony charges were filed by the DA’s office because the parents and grandparents were responsible for causing ‘serious physical harm’

Officials did not confirm how all the children were related, but said it was not a human trafficking situation

The four were arraigned in the Vinton County Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday morning and remain in jail on a $300,000 bond

The Siders have lived in multiple Ohio counties since 2008 and have avoided establishing medical or government records

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Terri Siders, a relative of the family, told NBC News that she had not heard from the family in at least eight years. 

‘I knew little Gary had kids, yeah. I don’t remember meeting any of the kids, though,’ she said.

‘I knew they had a lot of kids through family talking years ago, but there’s no way I thought they had that many kids.’ 

The four were arraigned in the Vinton County Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday morning and remain in jail on a $300,000 bond. 

Investigators said in an update that they now believe the Siders have lived in multiple Ohio counties since 2008 and have avoided establishing medical or government records. 

Adam Thackway, 38, threatened to kick in a shop employee’s head as he stole items from five different shops and assaulted a police officer after he was arrested.

He also defied a court order forbidding him to have any contact with one of the two people charged and acquitted of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent on October 5 last year.

He has now received jail terms totalling 23 weeks since his release from hospital.

Thackway, who gave his address as Flaxman Avenue, Tang Hall, pleaded guilty to seven charges of shop theft and one of assaulting a police officer.

Shortly before midnight on October 5, he was rushed to hospital with serious abdominal wounds after what police at the time described as a “disturbance” in a house off Huntington Road, York.

Police in Huntington Road the day after the stabbing (Image: Newsquest)

Defence solicitor Shawn Cooper told York magistrates: “He was in hospital for 10 weeks and very nearly lost his life. This affected his mental health.

“He has then turned to alcohol and to drugs in a way of being able to cope with it. This has been the main factor leading to his offending.

“He was homeless and with very limited money.”

Thackway was jailed for seven weeks for the theft and assaulting the police officer.

On May 27, he was jailed at the same court for 16 weeks for breaching a restraining order preventing him contacting the woman acquitted over the stabbing and assaulting her and another shop theft committed on January 26.

He has more than 100 previous convictions for theft, assault and drug dealing and in 2015 was jailed for more than eight years for a machete attack.

Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, said Thackway stole items worth £37.26 from Sainsbury’s on Scarcroft Road on February 28.

When a member of staff saw he had so many items inside his jacket it was “bulging”, they offered him a basket.  

Thackway responded: “You just think I’m stealing” and something fell out of his jacket.

“He was threatening, saying he would kick his (the shop employee’s) head in,” said Ms Whiteley. 

On February 11, the CPS dropped the case against the man and woman charged over the stabbing and on March 3, Thackway assaulted the woman.

He was initially given a community order for the assault and January theft on April 24.

On April 29 he stole vodka worth £20 from Marks and Spencer and assaulted the police officer while in custody at Fulford Road Police Station.

On May 1, he stole vodka worth £18.50 from Morrisons on Foss Islands Road, York, on May 3, alcohol and groceries worth £37.73 from a Co-op store in Foxwood,  and on May 13 stole alcohol worth £25.50, £10.75 and £8.50 from the BP garage on Lawrence Road on separate occasions.

On May 23, he was spotted with the woman in the street and was arrested and held in custody. 

On May 27, the community order was revoked and he received the 16-week prison sentence.

Tracy Ostle, chair of the Foss Fairy Trail, a free trail for families along the banks of the River Foss across from Huntington Road, said she reported at least two people sleeping rough in a tent on the path to the council’s Navigators on May 19.

However, she said no one replied to her email – and the tent remained next to the river on Monday (June 29).

Tracy Ostle maintaining the Foss Fairy Trail (Image: Dylan Connell)

City of York Council said its teams visited the site several times over the last two months.

A team also attended on Monday to clear the site and found that the rough sleepers were no longer staying in the tent, the council said.

The council’s assistant director of housing, Katherine Proctor, said the local authority’s Housing Navigators work with rough sleepers in York “but our offer of help is not always accepted”.

She said the council teams “always act on all reports” about rough sleepers, and offer help ranging from helping someone returning home or into a hostel and support where necessary.

But Ms Ostle questioned the support that the rough sleepers at the Foss Fairy Trail had received, adding that the lack of communication from the council had left her concerned for their welfare.

Ms Ostle also said delays in officers attending the trail meant she had to spend two hours cleaning the site.

Items left by rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail in York (Image: Supplied)

She said two mattresses and mess – including human waste – had been left at the site, describing it as a “mini-Glastonbury”.

The chair of the trail, who maintains the site alongside her full-time job, said the mess had resulted in people avoiding the area.

But Ms Ostle said she was ultimately concerned for the welfare of the rough sleepers, adding: “It’s just shocking.”

Mattresses left by rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail in York (Image: Supplied)

She felt the rough sleepers would have been seen sooner by the Salvation Army, which previously supported York’s rough sleepers’ early intervention programme through the charity’s £95,000-a-year contract with City of York Council.

Ms Ostle added that Charlie Malarkey, who ran the Salvation Army’s York Early Intervention and Prevention Team before the council moved the service in house in 2023, had been to check on the rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail – even though it is no longer his job.

She claimed the Salvation Army would have ensured the rough sleepers were supported quicker.

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Recalling previous cases with rough sleepers on the Foss Fairy Trail while the Salvation Army carried out the service, Ms Ostle said: “I’d email Charlie Malarkey and he’d be down there first thing – 4am/5am.

“He knew what had to be done and would do whatever he could to find them somewhere. They would be gone the next day.”

Major Andrew Vertigan, from the York Salvation Army, said: “Salvation Army continues to work with rough sleepers across the city, as a voluntary provider of social care but no longer receives funding to do so from City of York Council.”

Mr Vertigan said he has been “surprised by the number of requests and inquiries his team receives”, adding: “We seek to respond and support as best we can with limited resources.”

‘We always act on all reports,’ says council boss

Ms Proctor said City of York Council’s Housing Navigators “work with everyone sleeping rough in the city, including those in the centre and the outlying areas, but our offer of help is not always accepted”. “We offer and give help discreetly, while honouring our duty to protect individuals’ privacy.

“This could range from helping someone to return home or, where appropriate, into a hostel and support. Depending on a person’s circumstances, we cannot always offer a place at a hostel. When in our hostels, everyone must follow a clear set of rules to keep residents and staff safe. If this is breached, we will take action.

“All support is tailored to each person’s needs. It is provided sensitively to maintain a dialogue and encourage the offer of help to be taken up. We work with people to discuss options at times that best suit them.

“When a rough sleeper location is vacated and waste is left behind, our Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers will investigate and clean the site. Any waste left in public spaces should be reported via (www.york.gov.uk/ReportFlyTipping, email ycc@york.gov.uk and will be removed as soon as possible.

“We welcome alerts about people sleeping outdoors and we always act on all reports. This includes help to manage during periods of extreme heat or cold.”

Two masked daredevils who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building with a protest banner – before one dropped to a knee for a dramatic proposal – are now facing multiple charges. 

Angela Nikolau, 33, and Vanya Beerkus, 32, were taken into custody following their sky-high stunt on Wednesday afternoon.

The Russian couple were hit with a slew of charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, violation of a local law, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct, and possession of burglar’s tools, ABC News reported.

The thrill seekers were escorted out of an New York Police Department precinct in Midtown on Wednesday night. 

Beerkus was seen with a stoic expression, dressed in black and handcuffed, as two police officers walked him out of the building and into a white van. 

Nikolau followed behind with a smirk, also clad in black, as two officers guided her to the same white vehicle. 

The 33-year-old had a cheeky grin on her face as she sat seen sitting inside the white van.

Nikolau and Beerkus are being transported to Manhattan Criminal Court where they will face a judge for arraignment. 

Ivan Beerkus is transported in handcuffs in New York. He was taken into police custody after unfurling a pro-peace banner on top of the Empire State Building

Angela Nikolau is transported in New York after she climbed to the top of the massive building before getting engaged to Beerkus

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The pair scaled the spire of the New York City landmark, which reaches a staggering 1,454 feet. 

As they clung on, the daredevils flew a banner which read: ‘When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.’

The message appeared to be a modified quote from British politician William Gladstone, and is often misattributed to the rock star Jimi Hendrix. 

After flying the banner at around noon, the climbers began to descend just after 12.30pm, before reaching a lower platform where Beerkus dropped down to one knee and proposed.

Nikolau appeared to say ‘yes’ to the astonishing proposal, as a helicopter circling the building captured the couple embracing and they removed their masks to share a kiss.

The influencer posted a video of herself atop the Empire State Building at around midday.

The stunt couple, who are known for climbing skyscrapers, starred in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.

Nikolau has posted herself scaling tall buildings and performing hair-raising acts while donning a black cat-face covering.

Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau attend Netflix’s Skywalkers: A Love Story Tribeca Film Festival Premiere

A daredevil influencer, Angela Nikolau, posts videos of herself scaling tall buildings while donning a black cat-face covering. She is often filming with musician Vanya Beerkus 

After they began their descent at around 12.30pm, Beerkus proposed to Nikolau on a lower deck of the spire, and she appeared to say yes as the pair embraced and shared a kiss

Nikolau posted a series of photos of the pair atop the Empire State Building, including a snap of the proposal and her flashy diamond ring

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Tourists and onlookers gazed up in astonishment at the scene unfolding above them, as the Empire State Building’s observation deck was quickly cleared

Nikolau shared a video of herself on top of the Empire State Building at around midday

The New York City Police Department was at the scene and the couple were arrested at around 1pm

She is often videoed and pictured atop the terrifyingly tall buildings with musician Beerkus.

Nikolau posted a series of photos of the couple shortly after the stunt, including a snap of the proposal and of her flashy new diamond ring.

The New York City Police Department was at the scene and the pair were taken into custody at around 1pm.

Tourists and onlookers gazed up in astonishment at what was unfolding above them as the Empire State Building’s observation deck was quickly cleared.

Witness Julie Morris told CBS: ‘We were right at the top. I could see two people open the gates – the mesh gates – and they went up to the top.

‘I just assumed they were allowed up there.’

On the street below the iconic building, police had taped off the area and closed the street.

This is a breaking news story.