NEWS

Flu cases across Northern Ireland have almost doubled in the past week, prompting an urgent call from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt for eligible people to come forward for vaccination. Positive influenza cases have risen sharply to 954, with flu-related hospital admissions also nearly doubling to 264. During a visit to the Ulster Hospital vaccination clinic, the Minister warned that winter pressures on the health service are intensifying and stressed the importance of timely v

Emma Rose Duffy has experience volunteering with the NSPCC Young Witness Service and obtained a master’s degree in Children’s Rights, before qualifying as a solicitor in 2019. Working with the Children’s Law Centre, she promoted the rights of young people in the legal system, with a particular focus on mental health, prior to taking up the CSOLA role. A new series of awareness-raising videos has been launched by the Department of Justice to highlight a free legal advisory ser

A 25-year-old man living in County Antrim has been extradited from Northern Ireland to Lithuania, where he is wanted to stand trial for a series of alleged human trafficking offences involving children. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s International Policing Unit confirmed the extradition took place on Thursday, 2nd December, concluding a process that began with the man’s arrest in Templepatrick on 2nd June 2024. The offences are alleged to have taken pl

The team from The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre celebrate success at the GNI Mag awards. The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre has been recognised for its vital work supporting victims of sexual violence, winning the Health and Wellbeing Award at this year’s GNI Mag Awards in Belfast. The annual ceremony celebrates individuals, organisations, and services that champion inclusivity and play a significant role in improving the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing

Inset: North Antrim MLA Paul Frew North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has raised fresh concerns over ongoing delays in the collection of recycling boxes by Bryson Recycling, as households across Ballymena and the wider Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area continue to report prolonged disruption. Mr Frew said he had been “contacted numerous times over the last number of weeks” by residents frustrated at waiting days beyond their normal schedule for collections to be completed. Som

Asda Antrim Community Champion helped secure an Asda Foundation grant for Randalstown Ulster Scots Cultural Society Asda has relaunched its ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative across Northern Ireland in a bid to support older people facing loneliness and isolation during the festive season. The move comes as part of the retailer’s latest Christmas Community Tracker, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK. The research revealed that for many over-60s, the “lack of human in

Christmas on Castle Street is set to make a joyful return to Ballymena Elim on Saturday 6 December 2025 , offering a warm and welcoming festive celebration for families across the borough. Running from 12 noon to 5pm , the much-loved community event promises a packed programme of activities — and best of all, every attraction is completely free. Pastor Pip Kerr said the church was “delighted to once again open our doors to the community for what we truly believe is the mos

Latharna House high rise block of flats in Larne. Mid and East Antrim councillors have been given assurances by the Housing Executive over the future demolition of Larne’s last remaining high-rise flats. Speaking at a meeting of the council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Tuesday evening, Housing Executive chief executive Grainia Long was responding to a query from Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly regarding the unoccupied

Kilrea Bridge UUP councillor Richard Holmes has expressed concern that responsibility for supporting local businesses affected by the closure of Kilrea Bridge is “being passed around like a grenade” among government departments. In late September, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) announced the bridge’s closure due to concerns about the structural stability of a retaining wall on the approach to the structure. DfI has since said it is working with a specialist contrac

Professor Linda Kelly, NIPEC Chief Executive; Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Professor Maria McIlgorm, Chief Nursing Office A new Career and Development Model designed to support professional growth and long-term workforce retention across Northern Ireland’s nursing and midwifery professions has been formally launched. The model, unveiled this week at the Northern Ireland Practice & Education Council for Nursing & Midwifery (NIPEC) annual conference, provides a clear and struc

Preliminary test results released by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have revealed the suspected presence of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) in a further 44 cattle within a Co Down herd, following the confirmation of two initial cases last week. The findings relate to a holding near Bangor, situated within the 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) introduced on Saturday 29 November. DAERA has stressed that while Bluetongue poses no risk to human heal

The Battle Garden associated with the Moravian Church in Kilwarlin, Co Down. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced the formal protection of several “hidden gems” across Northern Ireland, following the addition of a number of historically significant sites to the official schedule of monuments and list of protected buildings. The newly designated sites span multiple counties and reflect what the Minister described as “a microcosm of our rich heritage”. Among them a

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has detailed more than £62 million of investment across Mid and East Antrim during 2024/25, as councillors were briefed on extensive works to improve homes, support vulnerable residents and maintain community cohesion. Chief Executive Grainia Long delivered the update at the annual Housing Investment Plan presentation on Tuesday 2 December 2025, outlining progress in both the organisation’s Strategic Housing Authority functions and its r

Pictured (L-R) is Alistair Caldwell (SSP Operations Manager), Dan Owens (CEO, Belfast International Airport), Michelle McKay (General Manager, Soul & Grain), Cathy Granby (Chief Operations Officer, SSP UK and MD Ireland), andRichard Attwood (Director of Business Development UK and Ireland). Belfast International Airport has unveiled ambitious plans to enhance its food and beverage offering as part of its wider £100 million, five-year investment programme. The airport, part of

Police have arrested two men following disturbances near a protest at Belfast City Hall on Tuesday evening (2 December), after a second group arrived at the scene and began antagonising demonstrators. Officers were deployed to the area when the protest began at around 5.30pm, with the PSNI confirming that the demonstration had remained peaceful until shortly after 6.30pm. According to police, tensions escalated when a separate group approached the protest and engaged in disru

Dobbies Garden Centres has officially ushered in the 2025 festive season with the arrival of 40,000 real Christmas trees across its UK stores — including its popular Antrim and Lisburn locations. The newly arrived stock includes a wide selection of 1ft to 9ft trees, with 30,000 freshly cut varieties and 10,000 pot-grown options now available. Prices start from £20, giving customers in Lisburn and Antrim a broad choice for creating their perfect Christmas display. Shoppers can

A photo shared on social media by a resident Missed bin collections in Antrim and Newtownabbey will be discussed behind closed doors at a full meeting of the borough council after “service issues” were blamed on continuing crew absenteeism. The issue was highlighted at a meeting of the council’s Operations Committee at Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening. Lynsey Daly, head of waste strategy and sustainability , insisted that missed collections were due to absenteeism amon

A vehicle checkpoint at Shaws Bridge in Belfast at the winter anti drink and drug campaign launch The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a stark warning to motorists as it launches its winter anti–drink and drug driving campaign, urging drivers to “make good choices” amid rising concern about impaired driving across the region. The annual operation, announced in Belfast today (Tuesday 2 December), will see intensified roadside testing, coordinated cross-bor

Back row: Dr Conor O’Neill, Ward Sister Karen Devlin, Lead Nurse Paediatrics and Neonatology, Shirley Montgomery, Dr Lynne McFetridge, Dr Aiveen Higgins, middle row, physiotherapist, Lisa Rainey, TinyLife Family Support Worker, Charlene McKee, Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Kathie Dobbin, Bliss Chief Executive, Caroline Lee-Davey, Tinylife Chief Executive, Joanne Morgan, front row, Enhanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Suzie Forbes, Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is pictured with CEO of Gaist Steve Birdsall as she launches a new Road Maintenance Strategy for consultation. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has unveiled a major shift in how Northern Ireland’s road network will be maintained in the years ahead, with technology and data-driven decision-making placed at the centre of a newly published draft Road Maintenance Strategy. The strategy, now open for public consultation, sets out a long-term

Eddie O’Neill presenting Elizabeth McAllister with a trophy for Reserve Champion Show Flock. The Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club marked another successful year as members gathered for the annual Club Dinner at The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown, on Saturday, 22 November. The evening saw the announcement of the 2025 Flock Competition results and recognition of outstanding achievements from breeders across the island. Members were awarded a range of cups, trophies and rosettes in

North Ballymena Rangers Football Club has confirmed a major milestone in its rapid rise, after securing a 25-year lease for Smithfield Playing Field with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The agreement, approved at Monday night’s Full Council meeting, is being hailed by the club as the beginning of a transformative new chapter. In a statement, the club said it was “very enthusiastic about this development, as it marks the beginning of a new era for our Club with the acqu

Coca-Cola Ireland has launched its 2025 Designated Driver campaign, celebrating an impressive 17 years of encouraging responsible choices and supporting the hospitality sector during the festive period. The initiative, which launched yesterday on 1 December, once again offers two complimentary Coca-Cola soft drinks — including Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Original Taste — to anyone acting as the designated driver at participating venues across the island of Ireland. The

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched a criminal investigation after masked and armed men appeared in an online video issuing threats to elected representatives in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. The video, which has circulated widely across social media platforms in recent days, shows several individuals dressed in paramilitary-style clothing and holding weapons. The group in the footage has called itself the New Republican Movement, an organisation previousl