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NEWS


‘Alien culture’ warning after Sudanese man arrested over north Belfast knife attack
Jim Allister says attack reflects ‘alien culture’, while UUP Leader Jon Burrows has secured Matter if the Day for the brutal incident to be discussed in The Assembly TUV leader Jim Allister has linked brutal knife attack in north Belfast to “unchecked immigration” and Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots accepted a Matter of the Day from Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows following the declaration of a PSNI critical incident. The chilling attack has left a man with serious injuries t
Jun 9


Critical incident declared after Sudanese man arrested over brutal north Belfast knife attack
Police have declared a critical incident after a man, who they first believed to be Somali but later confirmed was Sudanese, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a brutal knife attack that left another man with serious injuries to his face, neck and back in north Belfast. The assault happened in the Kinnaird Avenue area shortly after 10.30pm on Monday night, 8 June, and has sparked widespread shock across Northern Ireland following the circulation of graphi
Jun 9


TUV demands immediate disclosure after “horrific” Belfast knife attack video spreads online
Police arrived at the incident in Belfast where the video reveals the attacker raise a knife in the air, shouting, before proceeding to try and cut at the victim’s neck. A widely circulated video showing a brutal stabbing in north Belfast has sparked political demands for the immediate release of details relating to the suspect’s nationality, immigration status and religion following what one senior unionist described as “one of the most horrific pieces of footage” he had eve
Jun 9


Northern Trust launches new support programme for unpaid carers across community
Members of the carers walking group pictured in Antrim Castle Gardens with Claire Campbell and Louise Feeney from the Northern Trust’s Carer Hub. Unpaid carers across the Northern Trust area are being offered new support through a wide-ranging programme of wellbeing classes, peer support groups and activities designed to help them look after their own physical and mental health. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has launched its latest Carer Support Programme during C
Jun 9


MLAs to pay for Stormont EV charging under new policy as Assembly Commission orders system overhaul
Free electric vehicle charging for MLAs at Stormont has been suspended after mounting public criticism over taxpayer-funded electricity use and concerns around travel expense claims. The Assembly Commission confirmed on Monday morning that a new paid charging system will now be introduced for all EV charging points under its control at Parliament Buildings following a cross-party meeting chaired by Speaker Edwin Poots. The decision comes after days of political pressure and g
Jun 8


Council officers back controversial Ballymena riverside housing plan despite huge community backlash
Views across Tullygarley bridge toward the proposed housing development site near the River Braid Planning officers have recommended approval for a controversial housing development beside Ballymena’s Braid River Walk despite months of fierce opposition from residents, environmental concerns and a petition backed by hundreds of people. The proposal, which has triggered one of the most emotionally charged local planning disputes in Ballymena in recent years, would see 28 new h
Jun 8


Kirkinriola Primary rallies behind pupil Charleigh-Rose after devastating brain tumour diagnosis
Pictured staff from Kirkinriola Primary School, Ballymena: (L-R) Viola Stewart SEN classroom assistant, Emily McCaffrey Principal, Emma Laird SEN classroom assistant, Chloe Parr teacher, Gillian Todd classroom assistant, Emma Lee Adams SEN classroom assistant, Jodi Crawford teacher and Naomi Quaite SEN classroom assistant. A Ballymena school community is preparing to walk, scoot and rally together this week in support of a nine-year-old pupil facing the fight of her life aft
Jun 8


Forgotten Co Antrim tycoon who shaped America’s railroads rediscovered after 130 years
James McHenry (1817-91) pictured in Paris on railroad business, 1861. (Image: Carte de visite, James McHenry, 1861 – Allegheny College Library Special Collections) A powerful 19th century financier who once moved in the same circles as some of the biggest names in American industry has been largely erased from history for more than a century — but groundbreaking new research is now bringing his extraordinary story back into the spotlight. Historian Dr Barry Henderson is se
Jun 8


Robin Swann to host Toome event to help protect declining swift populations
Pictured: South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann is set to host a public conservation event in Toome focused on protecting native swifts as concern grows over the future of the birds across Northern Ireland. The free event will take place between 1pm and 2pm on Friday 12 June at the Lock Keeper’s Cottage in Toome as part of the upcoming Great Big Green Week. Mr Swann will be joined by local swift conservationists, including representatives from the RSPB Antri
Jun 8


Police investigate sectarian graffiti attacks on Rasharkin GAC and Orange Hall
Graffiti sprayed outside a local GAA club in Rasharkin Police are investigating two sectarian hate crimes after graffiti was sprayed on both a GAA club and an Orange Hall in Rasharkin within hours of each other, escalating tensions in the North Antrim village ahead of the marching season. The incidents happened on Sunday evening, June 7, with criminal damage reported first at St Mary’s GAC on Townhill Road before a second attack later that night on Rasharkin Orange Hall on Ma
Jun 8


£20m Roe Valley Resort transformation ramps up with new lodges, spa and family attractions
Pictured (left to right) are Colin Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Galgorm Collection, and Laura McCorry, Chief Executive, Tourism NI, at Roe Valley Resort, as Galgorm Collection announces the latest phase of its £20 million transformation programme for the North West destination. A major transformation of Roe Valley Resort is accelerating this summer as Galgorm Collection presses ahead with a £20 million redevelopment programme designed to reshape the Limavady destination
Jun 8


Buskfest returns with £4,500 prize pot as Co Antrim performers invited to take the stage
(L-R): Ralph McLean (BBC Radio Ulster), Daniel Coulter, Luke Bell and Páidí Muldoon (last year’s winners, 4AM Club), Chris Nelmes (The Boulevard Banbridge), and Alderman Stephen Moutray, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Musicians, singers and street performers from across County Antrim are being urged to grab their instruments, warm up their voices and head for Banbridge later this month as Buskfest 2026 returns with its biggest prize fund y
Jun 7


Families gather in Co Antrim to honour forgotten heroes of the Yangtze incident with memorial plaque
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick pictured alongside the son of Stoker Sammy Bannister, Andy Bannister at a special memorial plaque at Hazelbank Park. A deeply personal chapter of Northern Ireland’s naval history has been permanently commemorated in County Antrim following the unveiling of a new memorial honouring local sailors caught up in one of the Royal Navy’s most dramatic post-war incidents. Family members travelled from across the UK and beyo
Jun 7


New 30-home social housing scheme proposed for Antrim
Design drawing showing elevations of proposed new social homes in Antrim A planning application has been lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed new social housing development in Antrim’s Ballycraigy estate. The application for full planning permission has been submitted by an agent on behalf of 10 Main Street Ltd for the demolition of Hazeldene Flats at Newpark Road South and the construction of 30 new units. If approved, the development will consi
Jun 7


Red squirrels and folklore to shape new heritage trail in Cushendall’s Cottage Wood
Cottage Wood just off Ballybrack Road, Cushendall A woodland on the edge of Cushendall known for its red squirrels, winding paths and sea views is set to become an immersive outdoor heritage attraction after councillors approved plans for a new art and storytelling trail at Cottage Wood. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has backed proposals from Cushendall Development Group to transform parts of the 10-acre woodland into a family-focused heritage experience celebratin
Jun 7


Late-calving cows putting suckler herd profits at risk, CAFRE warns
Farmers allowing calving seasons to drift over long periods are quietly losing efficiency, calf weight and profitability, according to a new warning from CAFRE beef and sheep adviser Jack Friar. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise says maintaining a compact calving pattern remains one of the clearest indicators of reproductive performance in suckler herds — with late-calving cows creating a knock-on effect that can become increasingly difficult to reverse. M
Jun 7


Mental health crisis services and staffing pressures pushed to top of Stormont agenda
Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O'Neill with Philip McGuigan MLA, Chair of the Health Committee and Danny Donnelly MLA, Deputy Chair of the Health Committee. Expanding community mental health support and tackling mounting pressure on crisis services have emerged as urgent priorities after frontline organisations warned politicians about growing strain across Northern Ireland’s mental health system. More than 50 people from across the sector gathered at Parliament Bui
Jun 7


Northern Trust records surplus but agency staff bill tops £71m
Alongside midwifery-led unit is under construction at Antrim Area Hospital. The interim chief executive of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has warned that “financial challenges can be expected to continue into the financial year”. Suzanne Pullins was speaking at last week’s meeting of the Trust board at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. In an update on the Northern Trust’s financial position, Stevie Lennon, interim director of finance, told board members the Trust had
Jun 7


Patients urged to nominate ‘outstanding’ GPs across Northern Ireland for annual awards
Patients across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to recognise the family doctors and practice teams who have made a real difference to their lives as nominations open for the Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland’s GP and Practice Team of the Year Awards 2026. The annual awards, launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland (RCGPNI), aim to shine a spotlight on GPs and surgery teams who have gone “above and beyond” to support p
Jun 7


Women’s Aid seeks finance and communications experts to help steer support services for abuse survivors
Women’s Aid Seeks Skilled Finance and Communications Professionals for Board Image. Pictured is Women’s Aid ABCLN CEO Gillian Robinson Women and children experiencing domestic abuse across the Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey areas could soon benefit from strengthened leadership at one of Northern Ireland’s frontline support charities, as Women’s Aid ABCLN launches a recruitment drive for two key voluntary Board positions. The organisation is seeking e
Jun 7
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