NEWS

Parents across Northern Ireland are bracing for higher school meal prices and potential changes to transport and music provision after the Education Authority (EA) confirmed a series of cost-saving measures to address a £300 million funding shortfall. The EA said the “regrettable” measures, which aim to deliver up to £30 million in savings, will begin to take effect this month. However, the organisation warned that even with these cuts, it will be “some distance” from breaki

More than 195,000 Universal Credit recipients in Northern Ireland will gain automatic entitlement to free NHS sight tests, dental treatment, and travel cost support from 1 December, following a key legislative update announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. The move brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK, after years of disparity in how Universal Credit recipients accessed the Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme. The HwHC scheme supports people on low in

Ahoghill in Bloom volunteer John Wilson, with the team’s special award Community pride shines as Ahoghill earns Community Resilience Award and Small Town runner-up honour at prestigious horticultural event Ahoghill’s community volunteers are celebrating after being recognised with a special accolade at the 2025 Ulster in Bloom Awards, held at Grand Central Station in Belfast. The village received the Community Resilience Award, highlighting the remarkable spirit and teamwork

Braid UUP Councillor Alan Barr with new UUP Braid representative Samantha Patton, and (centre) North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has welcomed Samantha Patton as its new North Antrim representative for the Braid area, where she will work alongside Councillor Alan Barr to strengthen community engagement and champion local issues. A respected businesswoman, early years educator, and former RAF servicewoman, Samantha brings a wealth of experience and d

Mandatory housing measures for all kept birds and poultry will come into force across Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Thursday, 6 November 2025 , as part of new efforts to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that the new Housing Order will require all bird keepers — including pet bird owners, commercial operators, and those with backyard or hobby flocks — to keep thei

Cadets from Cullybackey Detachment C Company have been praised for their “fantastic job” preparing Craigs Parish Church ahead of this Sunday’s Remembrance Service. A spokesperson for the Parishes of Craigs, Dunaghy and Killagan said the young cadets spent Tuesday evening decorating the church in readiness for the annual commemoration. “Last night, the cadets from Cullybackey Detachment C Company did a fantastic job decorating Craigs Parish Church in preparation for Sunday m

New dog control orders will come into effect across Antrim and Newtownabbey from 1 January, extending restrictions to include several of the borough’s most popular visitor attractions. At a meeting of the Operations Committee held at Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening, councillors agreed that dogs must be kept on leads in the Platinum Jubilee Garden area of Antrim Castle Gardens , and in the Coronation Garden at Hazelbank Park, Newtownabbey. Dogs will also be required to r

“Honoured as Member of Parliament for South Antrim to place a Memorial at the Opening of the House of Commons Garden of Remembrance.” – Robin Swann MP Following intervention by South Antrim MP Robin Swann , the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has confirmed that the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and related merchandise are not subject to EU regulations. Guidance will now be updated to reflect this clarification. Mr Swann welcomed the decision as “a win for commo

Ian McMaw, Business Lecturer at the College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus and Richard Henderson, Head of Agriculture at AbbeyAutoline. AbbeyAutoline has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of Northern Ireland’s agricultural industry by renewing its partnership with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) for the 2025/2026 academic year. As part of the CAFRE Industry Support Programme, AbbeyAutoline will once again o

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, with club representatives at Stormont. The iconic Ulster Grand Prix is set to roar back onto the international motorsport stage in summer 2027, marking its long-awaited return to the famous Dundrod circuit for the first time since 2019. The announcement from the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) Ltd (MCUI UC) confirms that extensive discussions with government departments, MLAs, counc

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, with his much-loved companions Cassie and Maggie. Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Jon Burrows has voiced strong support for reforming Northern Ireland’s fireworks legislation, describing the current situation as “deeply distressing” for families, pet owners, and communities affected by irresponsible use. The North Antrim MLA, who is a well-known dog lover, said his own pet suffers panic attacks during fireworks seaso

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has called for agreement to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Northern Ireland, following the publication of an expert panel report recommending stronger, more accountable environmental governance. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Muir outlined plans for the creation of a non-departmental public body (NDPB) under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair

Kain Stewart in the ring Ballymena’s rising combat sports star King Kain Stewart delivered an electrifying performance in Birmingham as part of the prestigious Breakthrough Fight Series, streamed live on Notorious TV. The ten-year-old sensation, a pupil of Ballykeel Primary School, lready a multiple world champion, secured a mid-card slot on the event — a remarkable achievement for such a young athlete. Fresh from an incredible showing at the WKA World Championships, where he

Convicted: Cathan Quinn A man from Magherafelt has been sentenced to two years and two months for the online blackmail of two female victims involving intimate images. Twenty-nine-year-old Cathan Quinn appeared before Dungannon Crown Court on Monday, 4 November, where he was told he will serve half his sentence in custody and half on licence. He has also been made subject to a five-year restraining order for each victim. Detective Inspector Ryan said: “In early 2021, Cathan

The two thieves making off with the bike, and (inset) Sinn Féin Councillor Bréanainn Lyness A second bicycle has been stolen in as many weeks from All Saints Chapel in Ballymena, prompting renewed calls for vigilance from local Sinn Féin Councillor Bréanainn Lyness . The latest theft reportedly occurred while parishioners were attending Mass at the All Saints Parish Centre, highlighting growing concern over opportunistic crimes targeting community spaces. Confirming the incid

Victim: 69-year-old Patrick Flanagan from the Derry area . Police have confirmed that the man who died after being seriously injured in Dungiven in the early hours of Sunday, 2 November, was 69-year-old Patrick Flanagan from the Derry area. Detective Inspector Gillian Connolly, from the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department , said: “Police received a report at approximately 1.35am on Sunday morning that an injured man had been found in the Foreglen Road area. “Officers att

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick looks forward to the opening of Enchanted Winter Garden for 2025. Antrim Castle Gardens will once again transform into a festive wonderland this winter as the Enchanted Winter Garden returns from Friday 28 November to Tuesday 30 December 2025 — with even more magic, light and family fun than ever before. Presented by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, this year’s event promises to be the most spectacular

Barkley Thompson Musical Director and members of the Farmers Choir who attended the awards evening.   Members of the Farmers’ Choir were delighted to attend the Northern Ireland Farming Awards 2025, where the group was recognisedo as a finalist in two prestigious categories – Farming Event of the Year and Farming Society of the Year. The choir received a Highly Commended accolade in the Farming Society of the Year category, acknowledging its exceptional contribution to rural

Women in Northern Ireland who have suffered multiple miscarriages face profound emotional distress, isolation and guilt, according to a new study led by Queen’s University Belfast. The research, published today in BMC Women’s Health, sheds light on the experiences of women across Northern Ireland who were treated for miscarriage, revealing how social stigma and a lack of adequate support leave many feeling devastated and alone. The study, led by Dr Áine Aventin, Senior Lectur

An act of Remembrance at the Ballymena Memorial Park in 2024 A series of Remembrance services and parades will be held across Mid and East Antrim this weekend to honour those who gave their lives in conflict. Residents across the Borough will come together on Remembrance Sunday (9 November 2025) to commemorate the sacrifices made by service personnel during World War One, World War Two, and other conflicts. Ceremonies will take place at War Memorials in Ballymena, Carrickfer

A suspect case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been identified at a commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy, County Tyrone, prompting swift disease control measures by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The Department confirmed that the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher, took the decision to initiate control protocols following the emergence of concerning clinical signs and preliminary test re

Police in Mid and East Antrim have seized an estimated £65,000 worth of drugs, cash and prohibited weapons following two separate operations in the Ahoghill and Randalstown areas. The District Support Team carried out the first arrest and search operation on Wednesday, 29 October, in Ahoghill. During the search, officers recovered suspected Class A and Class B drugs, along with several prohibited weapons. Police estimate the total value of the drugs to be in excess of £30,000

Suspected murder victim: Jordan Webb Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Portavogie. The victim has been named as 28-year-old Jordan Webb. Police and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended a property in the New Harbour Road area of the County Down village on the morning of Monday, 3 November. Detective Inspector Hollie McCartan , who is leading the inves

All photos: Cindy Robinson Photography In a heartfelt ceremony underscoring themes of hope, reconciliation, and academic triumph, Slemish College held its annual awards presentation on Friday, 24 October 2025, honouring the achievements of its pupils while advocating for the expansion of integrated education across the region. The event, hosted at the integrated post-primary school in Ballymena, brought together pupils, staff, parents, and distinguished guests to recognise ou