“The facility will remain closed while the damage is assessed and necessary repairs are completed.”

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A popular Co Down paddling pool has been damaged in an act of vandalism amid reports of children falling ill after spending time in the water.

Lemons Wharf Paddling Pool in Donaghadee had been emptied, cleaned and refilled on Wednesday after the water turned bright green. Children who had been in the pool in recent days reportedly suffered symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.

However, on Friday morning, Ards and North Down Borough Council took to social media to announce the pool would be temporarily shut again due to damage caused to the basin.

The council shared an image of the damage and said: “Lemons Wharf Paddling Pool, Donaghadee, is currently closed due to vandalism of the pool features.

“The facility will remain closed while the damage is assessed and necessary repairs are completed.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.”

No reopening date was given.

The vandalism comes just days after pictures on social media showed the Lemons Wharf paddling pool in Donaghadee filled with bright green water before Ards and North Down Borough Council employed contractors to rectify the problem.

Residents raised concerns that the water had become infected with blue-green algae, however both the council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) failed to test the pool water for the bacteria.

A spokesperson for Ards and North Down Borough Council told Belfast Live: “Ards and North Down Borough Council was made aware on Tuesday afternoon of an issue relating to the paddling pool at Lemons Wharf, Donaghadee.

“Council’s contractors assessed the matter on Tuesday evening and, as a precautionary measure, the pool was immediately closed, drained and cleaned. The pool was subsequently refilled with fresh mains water on Wednesday morning and reopened.

“Council currently operates the Donaghadee paddling pool using fresh mains water. As part of routine procedures, the water is regularly drained, the pool tank is thoroughly cleaned, and the pool is then refilled. As an additional precaution, Council has increased the frequency of this process to twice weekly from this week.

“Council is not in a position to comment on individual medical matters. Anyone with concerns about their health should seek advice from an appropriate medical professional.”

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His sentencing will still go ahead in September

Disgraced former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson will appeal his convictions after he was found guilty last month of 18 convictions for sexual offences, including rape, against two victims when they were children.

Donaldson had until Monday to launch an appeal against his convictions.

The former Lagan Valley MP’s solicitor, John McBurney, confirmed that appeal papers had been lodged at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast on Friday.

It is understood that Mr Donaldson intends to appeal against all 18 convictions.

Despite this appeal, his sentencing is scheduled to continue in September, with the next hearing scheduled for 25th September.

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

Toxic smoke from Canadian wildfires has engulfed New York City, triggering public health warnings with air quality likened to smoking 10 cigarettes – days before Sunday’s World Cup Final.

Residents have been urged to stay indoors and avoid outdoor exercise as strong winds coupled with intense heat pushed the smoke into the atmosphere. 

Wildfire smoke is more toxic than polluted air and can linger for weeks. Fires can burn cars and buildings, meaning their smoke contains traces of chemicals, metals, plastics and synthetic materials.

New York City resembled a Gotham nightmare on Thursday, as an intense heat gripped residents, smoke created a thick haze and air quality levels reached ‘very unhealthy levels.’

It comes as thousands of fans prepare to descend on the open-air MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

Photos show New Yorkers wearing N95 masks with officials warning that even those who do not have respiratory issues may be at risk of adverse health effects.

‘It’s reasonable to say you’re smoking 10 cigarettes today by breathing the air in New York City,’ Michael Petroni, a pollution expert, told the New York Post.

‘The rule of thumb is about 20 AQI (Air Quality Index) points for a whole day equals one cigarette. They get into your bloodstream because they’re so small and they wreak havoc on your immune system. Over time, that adds up and it increases your likelihood of cancer, of heart disease.’ 

The Manhattan skyline is seen during an air quality health advisory due to wildfire smoke

Air quality monitors have deemed the air to be ‘hazardous’ in multiple US cities on Friday, July 17

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A person wearing a mask walks past the Empire State Building during an air quality health advisory

New Yorkers were seen in N95 masks during their commutes during the health advisory 

According to New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, the AQI has been measured in the 151-200 range, which is much higher than the 0-50 mark, which would be considered ‘good’

While there have been fears over the level of pollution at Sunday’s showcase event, air quality is projected to steadily improve heading into the weekend. 

A mesmerising graphic shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed the thick grey haze travelling across the eastern US on Wednesday afternoon.

The smoke culminated in a daunting circle above eastern Canada and parts of the American Northeast.

Detroit was also engulfed in smoke, as the city ranked among the cities with the worst air quality in the world, alongside Minneapolis and Chicago.

The city had a US Air Quality Index (AQI) of 566, making it the most polluted major city in the world at the time of the reading.

Locals reported it smelling like ‘a bonfire that you can’t escape,’ saying the smoke is seeping into buildings. Minneapolis ranked second with an AQI of 289, followed by Chicago at 259.

Readings between 201 and 300 are classified as ‘very unhealthy,’ with health officials warning that all residents could experience adverse effects from prolonged exposure.

Michigan is under a statewide air quality alert after plumes spread through the Upper Peninsula and continued sinking south toward the Indiana border.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said dense smoke had already produced hourly readings that surpassed previous records in the Twin Cities, while trace amounts of ash had been observed.

In northern Illinois, the state Environmental Protection Agency declared a red air pollution action day for Rockford and all six Chicago-area forecast zones.

‘It’s basically a river of smoke pouring into the Midwest right now,’ Emily Fischer, an atmospheric chemist and ​professor at Colorado State University, told Reuters.

Pennsylvania was also placed under a statewide Code Red alert, unhealthy for everyone, on Thursday as smoke from Ontario and Minnesota moved into the state from north to south.

Residents in New York (Pictured) struggled to breathe outdoors on Thursday due to intense air pollution from the Canadian wildfires

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New York City resembled a Gotham nightmare on Thursday, as an intense heat gripped residents

Multiple American cities, including New York, faced extremely poor air quality ratings on Thursday 

Argentina is set to play Spain in the World Cup Final on Sunday in New Jersey (Pictured: Lionel Messi of Argentina)

Air quality is projected to steadily improve heading into the weekend for the World Cup Final (Pictured: Lamine Yamal of Spain)

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 Clouds of hot, rising smoke can be seen on satellite imagery, looming over Canada and the Great Lakes region on Tuesday.

The dangerous smoke and disastrous flames have continued to ravage parts of Canada.

Firefighters are working overtime to starve the flames. Randy Schroeder, a fire chief in the western province of Alberta, told the New York Times that the wildfires, coupled with the intense heatwave, were ‘relentless.’

‘The fires grow and last a lot longer than they would have normally done in the same fuel, in the same period of time, years ago,’ he added.

Now mobile experts have revealed four simple settings that could help your phone battery last significantly longer – without spending a penny.

Four in five (79%) admit they regularly use their phone with less than 10% battery remaining, while the average Brit refuses to leave the house unless their handset has at least 61% charge.

The advice comes as research commissioned by Vodafone found almost half of UK smartphone users (46%) see their battery almost die at least once every week.

How to maximise battery life

For younger generations, running out of battery has become one of life’s biggest everyday worries.

More than a third of Gen Z (36%) and Millennials (34%) said the prospect of a flat phone battery was among their most stressful daily situations – ranking above running late, being stuck in traffic and losing their wallet or keys.

The growing dependence on smartphones is partly to blame.

Many now actively plan their journeys around places where they can recharge, with some plugging in on trains, at airports, cafés, restaurants and even shops.

The four settings that could make your battery last longer

Experts say a handful of simple tweaks can dramatically reduce battery drain throughout the day.

Turn on Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode reduces background activity and limits processes that consume unnecessary power.

On an iPhone, head to Settings > Battery and switch on Low Power Mode.

Android users will find a similar feature under the Battery settings menu.

Lower your screen brightness

Your display is one of the biggest battery drains on any smartphone.

Reducing brightness – even slightly – can noticeably extend battery life over the course of a day.

Using automatic brightness can also help reduce unnecessary power consumption.

Stop apps refreshing in the background

Many apps continue updating even when you’re not using them.

Turning off Background App Refresh for apps that don’t need live updates can reduce battery drain considerably.

Keep your phone updated

Software updates don’t just introduce new features.

Manufacturers frequently include battery optimisation improvements that help devices run more efficiently, making it worth installing updates when they become available.

Why we’re charging our phones more than ever

The study found the average smartphone now spends around three hours every day plugged into a charger.

Nearly three-quarters of people (73%) leave their phone permanently connected while at home, while almost a third (29%) regularly charge it at work.

One in three Britons now carries a portable power bank, while two in five make sure they always have a charging cable with them.

Kester Mann, Research Director at CCS Insight, said smartphones have become central to almost every aspect of modern life.

“The smartphone has become the remote control for our lives, enabling us to do everything from keeping in touch, making payments, taking photos and getting directions,” he said.

“It’s no surprise that people are anxious about running low on battery.”

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He added that battery life is now the second most important factor people consider when buying a new smartphone – ranking ahead of storage, camera quality and design.

“Knowing they can get their battery replaced if it won’t make it through the day gives consumers peace of mind,” he said.

“Extending a smartphone’s lifespan is also the right thing to do from an environmental perspective.”