NEWS

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Criminal Investigation Department have arrested three individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected fraud linked to a local council body. The inquiry follows a report received in May 2024 concerning alleged fraudulent activity. As part of today’s operations, Wednesday 4th March, authorities carried out arrests in both Ballymoney and Derry/Londonderry. A 39-year-old man was arrested in the Ballymone

Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton in Clough Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton have issued a stark warning over dangerous speeding in Clough and Rathkenny, saying it is only a matter of time before a serious injury or fatality occurs unless urgent action is taken. The issue emerged while the pair were leafleting in the area, where residents expressed frustration and fear over vehicles travelling at

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, pictured with Corrina and Johnny McAleese at a special reception in Cloonavin honouring the work of Noah’s Story, the charity founded in memory of their two-year-old son, Noah. A family’s heartbreak has become a force for change across the north coast — and this week that compassion was formally recognised at Cloonavin. The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, hosted a special recepti

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA, writing in The Orange Standard calls for “Unionism for the Future” Unionism stands at a crossroads — and its next chapter, according to Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows , will be shaped by whether it thinks long-term, works together and delivers for everyday people. Writing in the March 2026 edition of The Orange Standard, the official publication of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland , the Jon Burrows sets out a candid an

(L-R) Eva Lilly Beckett and Taleen Eldris, pictured with Ballymena Academy Principal Mr Stephen Black, and school netball coach, Julie-Anne Cairns Two Ballymena Academy pupils are set to step onto the European stage this week — and they are doing it in an Ireland dress. Taleen Eldris and Eva Lilly Beckett have been selected to represent Ireland at the upcoming Netball Europe event in Aberdeen, taking place from Friday 6 March to Sunday 8 March 2026. The international tournam

Hundreds of millions of books are lying untouched on UK shelves — and now Asda is asking Northern Ireland shoppers to help change that. The retailer has launched a nationwide “Free The Books” campaign, introducing book donation points in stores across Northern Ireland after research revealed a staggering 283 million books are currently gathering dust in homes across the UK. The findings paint a powerful picture of how deeply physical books still matter. A striking 98% of adu

A public row has erupted over responsibility for pollution in Lough Neagh, after the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) accused NI Water of presenting “modelling as fact” in claims that 70% of water pollution originates from the agricultural sector. The farming body has expressed “serious concern” over what it describes as inaccurate comments made by an NI Water representative, who stated that the figure was factual. The UFU says that assertion is both misleading and inappropriate.

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows People living with Parkinson’s in Ballymena are being invited to speak directly to their local MLA about the pressures they are facing — particularly around delayed healthcare appointments, treatments and medications. On Friday 20 March, Jon Burrows, MLA for North Antrim and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, will meet members of the Parkinson’s community at Ballymena North Business Centre from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The

Colleagues from the Northern Trust’s Eating Disorder Service. For two decades, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has quietly supported some of the most complex and misunderstood mental health conditions in our community. Now, as it marks 20 years of its Eating Disorder Service, the Trust is calling for greater understanding to reduce stigma and help more people reach recovery sooner. The milestone coincided with Eating Disorders Week, which ran February 23 to March 1

A violent incident in Bushmills on Monday night left two occupants shaken and a woman injured after masked men armed with weapons forced their way into a home. The attackers ransacked the property before fleeing on foot. Detectives have launched an investigation following what police have described as an aggravated burglary in the Mount Pleasant area. Detective Inspector Hanbidge said: “Police received a report on Monday, 2nd March at approximately 9.30pm that a number of mas

Drivers dropping passengers at Belfast International Airport will soon pay significantly more, with the airport confirming a sharp rise in its drop-off tariff from Monday 9 March. The charge in the airport’s drop-off zone will increase from £3 to £5 — a jump of more than 65 per cent — in a move the airport says reflects wider financial strain on businesses across Northern Ireland. A spokesperson for Belfast International Airport said: “From Monday 9th March the tariff in our

Northern Ireland’s approach to water pollution could be about to change in a way many will see as long overdue. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced plans to end a 2007 administrative arrangement that has constrained enforcement action against Northern Ireland Water — a move designed to put the public utility on the same regulatory footing as farmers, private businesses and industry. For years, agriculture has borne the brunt of public and political criticism over water

Northern Ireland’s exam system is facing its biggest shake-up in a generation, with AS levels to be scrapped and the overall number of GCSE and A Level exams significantly reduced under sweeping reforms announced today. Education Minister Paul Givan has published a new policy framework for CCEA GCSE and A level qualifications, setting out structural changes designed to cut exam pressure, reduce coursework, and shift the focus from “teaching to the test” to deeper learning.

Brandon McCaughan (Pics: DPPI Images / Ligier European Series) Ballymena racing talent Brandon McCaughan is stepping onto the biggest stage of his prototype career yet after confirming a full 2026 campaign in the Ligier European Series with reigning champions Team Virage. After dazzling in limited appearances over the past two seasons — including a flawless double victory at Silverstone last year — the 22-year-old has now secured a full-time seat in one of Europe’s most compe

Community pharmacy teams serving Portglenone and Broughshane are in the spotlight after securing major nominations in the Pharmacy In Focus Awards 2026 — a recognition that places their work at the heart of modern healthcare delivery. Bannside Pharmacy has been shortlisted in the Commitment to Health & Wellbeing category, while Medicare Pharmacy Broughshane is in contention for Community Pharmacy of the Year . Adding to the celebrations, Shania O’Boyle of Bannside Pharmacy

Announcing the closing date for the application period for Innovation Farms Kenneth Johnston, CAFRE Innovation Farms programme manager. A new network of Innovation Farms is being launched — and local dairy and beef producers are being urged to step forward before the deadline closes this week. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has opened applications for farmers to become part of its Innovation Farm programme, a key strand of efforts to accelerate

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister has launched a new framework aimed squarely at reducing reliance on costly agency doctors and dentists — introducing a price cap for the first time and signalling a fresh push to stabilise the medical workforce. The new Medical and Dental Agency Framework follows the introduction of a Nursing, Midwifery and Support Workers Framework in May 2023, and forms part of a broader strategy to curb escalating agency spend across Health and Social Car

Energy costs in Northern Ireland are surging again — and political pressure is mounting for urgent scrutiny. The Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows , has written to the Utility Regulator seeking assurances that energy providers will not use escalating international tensions as justification for what he describes as unjustified or excessive price increases. His intervention comes as households across Northern Ireland face sharp rises in ho

More than 3,500 children and young people are currently living in foster care across Northern Ireland — and the number is rising year on year. Behind that statistic are real lives, real stories and children like eight-year-old Kaiden, who is waiting for a place to call home. There are currently 3,514 children and young people in foster care in Northern Ireland. As demand continues to grow, HSC NI Foster Care says the need for more foster carers who can provide a safe and nurt

Slemish Market Garden, Ballymena A planning application for the retention of a farm shop, car park extension and change of use of an existing office and former retail unit to storage in Ballymena has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee. Members granted permission at a meeting on Thursday (February 26) for works at Slemish Market Garden, located within the grounds of the Ecos Nature Park at Kernohan’s Lane. The approval also covers a new s