Zelensky says Russia has ‘no intention’ of ending war
Russia’s war in Ukraine is reaching a turning point as the initiative is likely shifting in Kyiv’s favour, experts monitoring the conflict say.
Moscow’s spring offensive failed to yield gains as its forces recorded a net territorial loss – of about 113 sq km – last month for the first time since August 2024, The Institute for the Study of War, an American think tank, claimed.
Battlefield losses are mounting as well, Ukraine’s defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov claimed earlier this month, declaring a Russian casualty count of 35,000 per month, far more troops than Moscow would be able to recruit.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, said Russia had no intention of ending the war, leaving Kyiv to brace for further attacks.
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“Russia has no intention of ending this war. And we are, unfortunately, preparing for new attacks. But peace must come. That is exactly what we are working for,” he said.
Both sides reported fighting along the long frontline despite the ongoing ceasefire, and each accused the other of launching drone and artillery strikes.
Zelensky says Russia launched over 200 drones at Ukraine overnight
Russia launched more than 200 drones overnight at Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.
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“Overnight, more than 200 attack drones were launched against Ukraine. Aerial bombs were used again on the front – more than 80 of them, and over 30 air strikes were recorded. Attack drones were shot down in the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, as well as in Kyiv and the region,” Zelensky said on X this morning, sharing photos of the areas hit in the overnight strikes.
He added that energy facilities, apartment buildings, and a kindergarten were damaged in the attack.
“…there was also a strike on an ordinary civilian locomotive on the railway… People have been reported injured as a result of these strikes. And, unfortunately, there are fatalities,” he said.
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 12:00
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Putin suggests war in Ukraine is ending
Vladimir Putin said after the Victory Day commemorations that he thought the war was coming to an end.
He said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, with Germany’s former chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, as his preferred partner.
But European foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on Monday, rejected Putin’s suggestion about Schroeder. They dismissed any role for Schroeder, who has worked for Russian state companies and cultivated a close relationship with Putin.
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Russian state news agencies reported yesterday that Russia’s defence ministry had said it had recorded 23,802 ceasefire violations by Ukraine since the start of the ceasefire.
Russian troops had responded in kind to Ukrainian attacks, the ministry was quoted as saying.
Putin claims Russia-Ukraine war is ‘coming to an end’
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 11:30
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The ex-German chancellor and Putin’s ‘buddy’ who Russia want to mediate Ukraine peace talks
Vladimir Putin hinted over the weekend that he foresaw the war in Ukraine coming to an end soon, while raising the prospect of talks with the EU to draw up new security arrangements for a post-war Europe.
The Russian president told reporters that he would be open to reopening lines of communication with Ukraine and Europe, ideally mediated by former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder.
“For me personally, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Schröder, is preferable,” Putin said, asked on Saturday if he was willing to engage with Europe.
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 11:00
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UK sanctions dozens over ‘Russian campaign to deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children’
The UK has sanctioned dozens of people and entities allegedly involved in the forced deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children.
New measures target 29 people linked to a Russian campaign to forcibly deport and militarise children, and a further 56 linked to information warfare.
More than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia and within the occupied territories of Ukraine.
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Among those forcibly deported, an estimated 6,000 children have reportedly been taken to re‑education camps and subjected to propaganda designed to erase Ukrainian identity.
As part of their response, the UK unveiled an additional £1.2m in funding to help identify and return Ukrainian children to their homes and communities.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attend a bilateral meeting ahead of the 8th European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan (AFP/Getty)
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 10:35
Ukraine suggests ‘ceasefire’ for airports with Russia
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Europe can help the war-hit nation achieve a ceasefire with Russia – starting with each other’s airports first.
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“We probably need a new role of Europe in our peace efforts. Maybe we would try to resolve or to achieve a so-called airport ceasefire,” Sybiha told Politico yesterday in Brussels.
Sybiha, a close-aide of Volodymyr Zelensky said the proposal seeks a limited Moscow-Kyiv agreement not to strike airports which helps Putin as well.
The Russian leader, he said, may have an incentive to engage with such a deal which helps him protect major Russian hubs like Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport and St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport.
“Maybe our European allies, by establishing a platform, or maybe an ad hoc group, we could discuss [the airport ceasefire],” he said.
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Sybiha said Zelensky has already discussed the idea with some European leaders.
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 10:15
Europe rejects Putin’s pick for peace mediator: ‘Not very wise’
The EU’s foreign policy chief on Monday rejected Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could represent Europe in future talks with Moscow on European security arrangements.
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Putin told reporters on Saturday that he believed the war was “coming to an end”, and said he would be open to negotiating new security terms with Europe, ideally via Schröder as a mediator.
But Kaja Kallas dismissed the offer this morning as she arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
“If we give the right to Russia to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, you know, that would not be very wise,” she said, adding that as Schroder had lobbied for Russian state companies, “he would be sitting on both sides of the table”.
After leaving office in 2005, Schroeder almost immediately took a job as chairman of a controversial German-Russian gas pipeline consortium and has faced heavy criticism in Germany for his closeness to Putin.
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European Council President Antonio Costa said last week he believed there was “potential” for the EU to negotiate with Russia, and to discuss the future of the security architecture of Europe.
EU vice-president for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas delivers a statement after a Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels (AFP/Getty)
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 09:55
Watch: Zelensky says Russia has ‘no intention’ of ending war
Zelensky says Russia has ‘no intention’ of ending war
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 09:35
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Ukraine reports 180 battlefield clashes as fighting kills three
The General Staff of Ukraine’s military, in a Monday morning report, said 180 battlefield clashes had been recorded along the front line over the previous 24 hours.
The General Staff said on Monday afternoon that Russian troops had carried out 38 new assaults on Ukrainian positions, adding: “Artillery shelling of border areas continues.”
Regional governors in Ukraine reported on Monday that at least three people had been killed in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia and southern Kherson regions over the past 24 hours.
Russian soldiers fire a grenade launcher towards Ukrainian positions on an undisclosed location in Ukraine (AP)
Arpan Rai12 May 2026 09:15
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EU targets Russians with sanctions over alleged abduction of Ukrainian children
The European Union has imposed sanctions on 16 officials accused of helping Russia to abduct tens of thousands of children from Ukraine and force many to change their identities or be put up for adoption.
Sanctions were also slapped on seven centres suspected of indoctrinating the children or training them to serve in the armed forces, either for Russia or pro-Russian militias inside Ukraine.
Over 130 people and “entities” are now under EU travel bans and asset freezes over the abductions.
EU headquarters said the measures target “those responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarized education, of Ukrainian minors, as well as their unlawful adoption and removal to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories.”
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Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, about 20,500 children have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to Russia or Russian-held territories in eastern Ukraine.
EU officials say many of the children are stripped of their Ukrainian identity and culture, given Russian passports and put up for adoption. Some are forced into schools for indoctrination or into military camps.
“Russia is trying to erase their identity,” Latvian foreign minister Baiba Braže said yesterday at a meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels, where the sanctions were endorsed.
“When you look at the Genocide Convention, it’s one of the features of the genocide crime. So, it’s very serious.”
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Arpan Rai12 May 2026 08:55
Zelensky says Russia launched over 200 drones at Ukraine overnight
Russia launched more than 200 drones overnight at Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.
“Overnight, more than 200 attack drones were launched against Ukraine. Aerial bombs were used again on the front – more than 80 of them, and over 30 air strikes were recorded. Attack drones were shot down in the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, as well as in Kyiv and the region,” Zelensky said on X this morning, sharing photos of the areas hit in the overnight strikes.
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He added that energy facilities, apartment buildings, and a kindergarten were damaged in the attack.
“…there was also a strike on an ordinary civilian locomotive on the railway… People have been reported injured as a result of these strikes. And, unfortunately, there are fatalities,” he said.
Today, a Sudanese man in his 30s is being held on suspicion of attempted murder after a knife attack in North Belfast.
Footage of the attack has been widely shared on social media. Politicians in Westminster and Stormont have appealed for calm while the police carry out their investigation, while some have called for faster transparency and information about the identity and immigration status of the suspect.
Adam is joined by Chris Page, the BBC’s Ireland correspondent, and Joe Pike, senior political correspondent, to discuss what we know about the events and the political reaction.
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Plus, SpaceX, Elon Musk’s spaceflight corporation is set to debut on the stock market this week giving members of the public the opportunity to buy shares in the company. Simon Jack joins Adam in the studio to explain why investors will be closely watching the debut.
You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord
Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.
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New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Anna Harris. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Maitiu Mág Tighearnán has been identified as one of the heroic passers-by who leapt in to try to stop the bloody attack in Belfast on Monday
Connor Lynch and Olivia Bridge Reporter in Live News Network
20:27, 09 Jun 2026
The community is celebrating the courageous actions of a local man with a campaign to ‘buy him a pint’, which already has more than £7,000 raised, as it emerges he may have saved a life amid a knife attack in Belfast.
Emergency services descended on the Kinnaird Avenue area in north Belfast on Monday (June 8) night to reports of a stabbing.
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Video footage of the assault also showed several people attempting to intervene and stop the attacker from inflicting further injury as the victim lay apparently helpless in the street.
The victim, a man in his 40s, is now in hospital in critical condition. Police have also said a Sudanese man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Now, locals have launched a GoFundMe to offer a man who appeared to try and stop the attack a pint. Maitiu Mág Tighearnán has been identified as the man who appeared to have stepped in to help, reports Belfast Live.
The fundraiser, which has been launched by Niall Donnan, has already passed £7,700 at the time of writing. It states: “I have set up this GoFundMe so the people of our land can show our support to Matt for his incredible bravery and courage.
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“100% of donations will be sent to Matt directly. Let’s buy him a pint!”
The gesture comes as the “extraordinary courage” of those who intervened have been celebrated across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said it was important to “acknowledge at the very outset the bravery of those members of the public who ran towards danger to intervene and help the injured man”.
North Belfast MP John Finucane said he believed their heroism may have saved the life of the victim. He said: “They showed extraordinary courage and bravery to step in, to put themselves in danger to save, I think possibly, a man’s life because of their selfless acts, and I want, on behalf of everybody I’m sure, to thank them for that,” he told the Press Association at the scene on Tuesday morning.
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Mr Finucane said his thoughts first and foremost are with the victim, and his family and friends, but also with residents who witnessed what happened, police who came upon a horrific scene, and first responders from the Ambulance Service.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn also said members of the public who intervened “showed the very best of humanity”.
The ‘barbaric’ attack has caused widespread outrage and been condemned by politicians and community leaders across NI.
A number of protests have been planned for the evening of Tuesday, June 9, in response to the incident. This has led to a number of businesses closing early and sending their staff home.
Imagine calling yourself part of the Dingle family when you can’t even spot an easy scam.
Emmerdale’s Caleb Milligan (William Ash) is having this exact existential crisis. He got caught out easily by a scammer using a fake version of his daughter Steph’s voice to ask him for £5,000. He paid it without question, and now he’s embarrassed himself and is an embarrassment to the Dingle name.
The scammer also now knows he’s an easy target. That is one bruised ego and he should hang his head in shame. Caleb decides to call the police and vows revenge on whoever has done this to him.
As Caleb tries to figure out how this happened, Ruby (Beth Cordingly) mentions that the scammer seemed to know a private detail about Laurel and Ross, suggesting who ever it is, is close.
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What Caleb doesn’t know and what makes it all the worse, is that he’s being scammed by a teenager – Jai Sharma’s (Chris Bisson) son Archie (Kai Assi). He’s been outsmarted by a kid, Jai’s kid.
Caleb’s pride is dented and he needs to come up with a fix. Having seen Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton) with a counterfeit purse, it gives him an idea.
Caleb plans to start selling knock-off goods to get his head back in the game. He has a depot and haulage vehicles, the perfect platform for his crime.
Jai’s son Archie is behind it (Picture: ITV)
He feels that doing this will give him back his edge, but he must keep it secret from Jai. But he can’t do it alone, so pulls in Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) to be his right-hand man. He trusts Billy – he was the one he gave his bank account details to, to transfer the money.
Billy is reluctant, but it’s not long before Caleb is piling on the pressure and Billy agrees to make the drop. Their new counterfeit business is up and running.
Another point he doesn’t know, is that after telling Jai about the whole swindling situation, Jai starts putting two and two together, realising his son is somehow involved.
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“You’re supposed to be welcoming fans from around the world,” Thomas Concannon, who leads the FSA’s England fans’ group, told BBC Sport in April.
“And I think at this stage, fans couldn’t feel less welcome.”
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It is not even as though Trump inherited the tournament from another administration. It was endorsed and backed by his presidency, with the intention to bid lodged a few months after he took office in 2017.
What has changed is the sheer extent of the immigration crackdown.
Trump is happy to take the plaudits for the glitz and the glamour of the World Cup, but it will not distract from that key aim.
It is not just Artan who cannot get into the United States. Supporters of Iraq, which is not on the banned list, have described how they have given up trying to get into the country.
The squad are permitted to fly in and out of the country from Tijuana in Mexico within 24 hours for each match – but this has yet to be tested.
If a team cannot attend their own game, it would be another unprecedented twist.
“Never have we seen so many World Cup coaches, team operations, fans and even senior administrators within Fifa member associations, subject to so much interrogation and exclusion,” Fare’s Powar added.
“The disruption is such that one has to ask who is running the World Cup. Is it Fifa or is it the US government with its racially charged immigration policies?”
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As Fifa cannot get all of its referees into the country, it feels like the US government is in control.
Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister has appealed for “calm” following the “barbaric” Belfast knife attack.
Speaking at a press conference at Stormont, Naomi Long said: “I think all of us were horrified at what we witnessed unfolding last night in North Belfast. And I understand that many people in that community this morning will be traumatised, they will be fearful, and they will be angry at what unfolded on their doorstep, and they have every right to be so.”
The leader of the Alliance Party appealed for people “to remain calm, to allow the police to do their work in terms of their investigation”.
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Ms Long added: “Allow the justice system to hold the individual responsible to account for what was a shockingly barbaric attack on our streets. We do not want police resources and other people to be caught up in what could become a very heated situation.
“We want the police to be able to focus on this investigation and deliver the justice that the victim and his family and the wider community deserves.
“We also know that there are many in our community today who are fearful, who are afraid because they fear that others will associate them with the person who was involved in this attack.
“We need to reassure them too that their safety, along with everyone else’s safety, is our primary concern.”
“You will share your enthusiasm for the outdoors and passion for the countryside.”
20:06, 09 Jun 2026
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An incredible job opportunity has come up at two of Scotland’s most popular beauty spots, and it would be ideal for anyone who has ever dreamed of working outside amidst the country’s spectacular scenery. It offers a chance to spend your days in lush surroundings across this summer and beyond.
At the moment, the National Trust for Scotland is looking to hire a ranger at Corrieshalloch and Inverewe Garden in the Scottish Highlands. The job is permanent and full time, with the successful applicant working 40 hours per week, while it comes with a salary of £31,055 pro-rata per annum.
The ranger will be based at both the Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve and Inverewe Garden. The former is home to what is considered to be one of the most beautiful gorges in the UK, while the latter benefits from a unique warm microclimate thanks to the effects of the Gulf Stream.
The successful applicant will patrol walking trails and ‘pinch points’ such as the scenic Fowlers bridge that has a capacity of just six people, as well as act as an ambassador for the National Trust for Scotland. They will also inform members of the public how to protect and enjoy the stunning landscapes.
Specific responsibilities of the ranger position include carrying out regular site monitoring checks and record keeping in order to help the National Trust for Scotland evaluate performance and plan conservation activities, as well as habitat and species surveys and weather gauge observations. The ranger will also get involved with footpath maintenance, fence repairs, and litter clearance.
The role will involve participating in estate patrols to engage with visitors, outdoor activity enthusiasts, and campers, championing a ‘leave no trace’ culture and providing practical advice based on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The ranger will be expected to greet tourists in a friendly and knowledgeable manner, and answer any questions they have.
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Additionally, other tasks include recruiting and supervising volunteer roles and assisting with the leadership of group volunteering activities, as well as building positive relationships with the local community. You will also be expected to look for ways to generate sustainable sources of income for the National Trust for Scotland.
Those applying for the job should have a qualification in a relevant field or experience working as a ranger, as well as experience working in a busy countryside setting. A good knowledge of natural history and conservation is important, as is being a competent hillwalker and having the ability to work alone or with minimal supervision.
Other attributes you should have are experience of working in a team and with volunteers, the ability to be flexible and adaptive to change, and experience using Microsoft Office software. Additionally, a first aid certificate and a license to drive trailers are desirable but not needed.
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The job listing states: “Our ranger plays a crucial role in ensuring that our conservation ambitions go hand in hand with welcoming our local community and visitors from across the globe to this well-loved place. You will share your enthusiasm for the outdoors and passion for the countryside with the walkers, campers and sightseers who come to explore Corrieshalloch Gorge and Inverewe Garden during the busy summer season.”
It adds: “You’ll leave those you meet with a desire to respect, protect and enjoy this special natural environment and an understanding of how they can help do this. You will work on your own and with other staff and volunteers, on a variety of practical conservation tasks to help us achieve the high presentation and habitat management standards expected of a National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation, National Scenic area and Geological Conservation Area.
“You will contribute to the long-term sustainability of Corrieshalloch’s and Inverewe’s ranger service through income generated at our car park, memberships and donations inspired by our work, growing our capacity through volunteers and cost-effective use of resources.”
Sir Keir Starmer and police have called for calm after a stabbing attack condemned as “sickening” by the prime minister sent shockwaves through Belfast.
Officers have declared a critical incident in response to the attack, which took place on Monday night on Kinnaird Avenue, a residential part of the city.
Horrifying video circulating online, which is too graphic to publish in full, appears to show a man with a knife pinning another man down on the ground and repeatedly stabbing him.
Bystanders intervened, hitting the attacker over the head with a hurling stick, in an act which police say “undoubtedly saved the man’s life”.
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A man in his 30s, who police say is Sudanese asylum seeker, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. Police believe the suspect had leave to remain in Northern Ireland after arriving in the UK from Dublin.
Read all the latest updates on the investigation in here
The victim, a man in his 40s, has been left with “significant injuries” to his eyes, face and back and remains in a serious condition after he was attacked with a kitchen knife, police said.
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Responding to the attack, Sir Keir said in a statement: “The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening. I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.”
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said it was the police’s understanding that the suspect had been granted leave to remain, having travelled from Sudan to Paris at dates unknown, before flying to Dublin. He then travelled from Dublin to Belfast by bus on 10 February 2023 and claimed asylum on that date.
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“There is no trace of this suspect on any of our national security databases, and he was not known to the Police Service of Northern Ireland,” he said.
He warned people against being influenced “from afar through social media” amid calls for protests in response to the attack from far-right agitators such as Tommy Robinson. He called for the public to allow police to work “unfettered and undistracted by wider concerns there may be about disorder”.
“We understand the community concern, but this is a time for calm heads to allow the police to do their job, it is not a time for protest. Bringing disruption on to the streets and into communities will serve no purpose. …As a community we must stand united against hatred and against violence,” he added.
In an update to the investigation on Tuesday, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was no evidence of a terror link at this stage but detectives were keeping an open mind over the motive behind the “brutal” attack. He said detectives were not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing.
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He said he shared the “public revulsion” over the nature of the attack but issued an appeal for order after calls for protests.
“I understand that last night’s attempted murder will leave people feeling a range of emotions from fear to anger,” he said, before adding that there should be no repeat of disorder previously seen in the city.
“No one needs to see a repeat of this. This only causes damage to the community, and unfortunately, young people often get caught up in that disorder, so I appeal for calm and the safety of all of our communities in response to this.
A police cordon at the scene of a stabbing outside apartments in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast (PA)
“All of our focus must be on a criminal justice investigation.”
Downing Street also said “it is time for calm”, adding: “It’s important that police have the time and space to investigate appropriately”. Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn said it was “innocent people who suffer” when political leaders failed to reduce tensions.
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Speaking in the House of Commons earlier on Tuesday, Mr Benn praised the actions of those who had intervened to try and halt the attack before police arrived.
Police attend the scene following a stabbing attack in North Belfast (Getty)
Referring to the video, he said: “Members of the public did not walk on by, instead a number of them stepped forward and at immense risk to their own safety they intervened to pull the assailant away and protect the victim until the police arrived.
“I would like to say this: you showed the very best of humanity and you have the gratitude of this entire house.”
Mr Henderson also praised those who intervened.
“Our officers were on the scene within minutes and we wish to acknowledge the members of the public who strived to save the man from further attack. Their willingness to step forward to help another person shows incredible bravery and community spirit,” he said.
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Political representatives expressed the shock felt in the local community.
A police cordon at the scene in north Belfast (PA)
Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the person responsible for the attack “must face the full force of the law” and urged the public not to jump to assumptions about the suspect’s immigration status.
She added: “My message today is one of calm and don’t allow those people that don’t care about people here to incite hatred, to incite fear.
“Don’t allow those people who are faceless to orchestrate campaigns on the streets.”
North Belfast MP John Finucane said his thoughts were with the victim. He said: “I am shocked following a horrific attack in north Belfast last night.
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“My thoughts are with the individual who has been taken to hospital following serious injuries, and I hope they make a full recovery.”
A man has been arrested following the attack (Getty)
Local DUP councillor Jordan Doran said he was “left shocked and deeply concerned” by footage circulating online following the stabbing.
“Many residents have contacted me expressing concerns about community safety and seeking reassurance following this incident,” he said.
“Those concerns are entirely understandable. People deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, regardless of where they live.”
The scene outside an apartment complex off Kinnaird Avenue in the lower Antrim Road area remained cordoned off on Tuesday, with markers visible on the ground where the attack had taken place.
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Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage has been urged to contact police.
Serena Williams rolled back the years at Queen’s with a winning performance on her comeback to tennis after 1,375 days away from the sport.
Fans with the hottest ticket in town packed out the Andy Murray Arena on Tuesday evening to watch one of the greatest players of all time return to action.
Playing doubles alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, the 44-year-old American didn’t look a touch out of place as the pair won 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 to upset third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
Williams “evolved away” from tennis in 2022 after winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her 27-year career.
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Excitement about a possible return grew last year when her name appeared on the list of players registered for the drug-testing pool, and again when it was put on the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reinstatements list in February.
But her comeback was only confirmed last week when it was announced she would be joining 19-year-old Mboko for doubles at London’s iconic Queen’s Club.
A whirlwind nine days followed, with Williams saying she “had nothing to prove” and that the main motivation was the prospect of her daughters seeing her play.
Eight-year-old Olympia and Adira, who was born in 2023, watched on from the stands with their father and cheered on as their mother rediscovered some of the shots that has made her a legend of the sport.
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Williams’ first strike of the ball left fans wondering if the all-time great had lost her touch as she planted a volley from close range into the net.
But those doubts had been quashed 92 minutes later as her serve – once considered her greatest weapon – wrapped up her first match win since the 2022 US Open.
The building is being redeveloped to include student accommodation and restaurant space
A former Cambridge restaurant has been demolished to make way for new student accommodation. The plans by Downing College will see a city centre site next to Parker’s Piece redeveloped into 26 student rooms with restaurant space.
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Several buildings located at 19-35 Regent Street have been demolished to some extent for the redevelopment of the site. These include the former Cuba Libre restaurant and bar.
Downing College Developments Ltd submitted plans to redevelop the buildings on Regent Street. These were approved by Cambridge City Council in September 2024.
CMP Architects, who designed the project, said that the site was “occupied by poorly maintained buildings, which had been heavily and incoherently manipulated over the years”.
The planned layout will see a retail unit on the ground floor, as well as a restaurant space intended to serve both residents and visitors.
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The plans include a retail unit on the ground floor, intended to provide a restaurant serving both residents and visitors. Above this, the student accommodation will feature 26 en-suite rooms
Student accommodation above the retail unit will include a total of 26 en-suites. A council officer said the development would see a “modest reduction” in market housing but would provide more “much needed” student accommodation.
An application from The Dubliner to expand its bar area into its first floor has been approved by City of York Council.
The Irish bar’s plans stated the refurbishment would refresh the bar and help support the building’s long-term commercial viability.
But a neighbouring business objected over live music at the bar which they said could be disruptive and council public protection officers said other noise complaints had been lodged.
Council planning officers ruled the expansion would support York’s evening economy but barred the venue from staging live performances or playing recorded music on the first floor.
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Plans from the bar, in Tanner’s Moat, are set to see the internal partitions separating the rooms in the first floor landlord’s accommodation demolished.
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The four-bedroom flat previously served the venue when it traded as The Maltings pub which closed prior to The Dubliner opening there in December 2024.
A new bar, seating, toilets and food preparation area are set to be created on the first floor following the demolition works.
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Plans also include removing the existing ground floor kitchen and changes to the current bar to allow coffee to be served there.
Works to improve accessibility, including putting new disabled and unisex toilets on the ground floor, are also planned.
Men’s toilets on the ground floor are set to be moved to the first floor to free up room for the changes.
The Dubliner, in Tanner’s Moat, York (Image: The Dubliner)
The venue’s application stated the works would not alter the outside appearance of the building which dates back to the 19th Century.
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They added the changes would help made the building’s continued use as a pub and live music venue viable.
Plans stated: “The alterations involve a significant change to extend the licensed public drinking area.
“The comprehensive internal alterations, including the crucial change of use on the first floor, are sympathetic to the building’s character, as they are contained within the existing structure.”
An objector based in neighbouring officers said they could already live bands when they play on the bar’s ground floor, though only in their kitchen and breakout rooms.
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But they added they were fearful of further disruption if live music is allowed on the first floor.
Council public protection officials said they had received complaints about live music but the venue told them it had no plans for performances on the first floor.
Planning officers stated the works were considered acceptable.
They said: “The first floor has been assessed as having sufficient sound insulation between the party walls for a busy pub or bar.”
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“The applicant has advised that the live music will only be in the ground floor, where a stage is provided, and no recorded or live music will be played at first floor.”
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