NEWS

Cancer services in Northern Ireland remained under intense strain at the end of 2025, with the latest Department of Health figures showing that almost all key waiting time targets continued to be missed despite an increase in the number of patients beginning treatment and a sharp rise in breast cancer assessments. The newly published Accredited Official Statistics cover the quarter ending December 2025 and set out waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospit

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has written to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland warning that rising agricultural input costs, driven by renewed global instability, are placing increasing pressure on farm businesses and could threaten food production across Northern Ireland. Representing around 12,000 farm families, the Union said ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are creating fresh volatility in the cost of essential farming inputs,

Retired Irish League footballers Jeff Hughes Patients receiving care at Holywell Hospital are taking part in a new 12-week football coaching programme designed to support mental health recovery, build resilience and reduce social isolation. The initiative, launched by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust , is giving service users meaningful time away from the ward through structured coaching sessions led by former Irish League footballers and fully qualified coaches. The

Mid and East Antrim Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford Mid and East Antrim Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford led tributes to former first citizen PJ McAvoy following his recent death, before councillors stood in the chamber to observe a one-minute silence. Speaking at a full meeting of the borough council at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, Cllr Minford said: “I was very saddened to learn of the passing of the former mayor of Ballymena Borough Council, PJ McAvoy.” The mayor sa

A Carrickfergus apprentice has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s brightest emerging engineering talents after being crowned Apprentice of the Year at the NI Apprenticeship Awards 2026, before going on to secure a second major accolade on the very same day. Paula Bamford, who is employed by Caterpillar , was honoured at the awards ceremony held at Titanic Hotel Belfast , in recognition of her outstanding technical ability, professionalism and commitment throughout h

McCarroll McConnell & Co. Ltd In Pennybridge, Ballymena One of Ballymena’s longest-established insurance brokers has been acquired by a major UK insurance broking group, with customers told their cover, contacts and local branches will remain unchanged. McCarroll McConnell & Co. Ltd confirmed this week that the business has been recently acquired by Adler Fairways Insurance Group, marking a significant new chapter for the long-running local firm which has served the area for

Curlew (Photograph by Matthew Dean, RSPB volunteer) As Northern Ireland heads into the Easter weekend, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has joined forces with RSPB NI and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to issue a strong public warning over the disturbance of native breeding waders and other ground-nesting birds. The appeal comes at one of the most critical times of the year for some of the region’s most vulnerable bird species, with conservation bodies warnin

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston Fresh questions have been raised over spending at Stormont after newly revealed documents showed the refurbishment of the Assembly’s Blue Flax canteen cost almost £200,000 more than originally budgeted, prompting sharp criticism from TUV MLA Timothy Gaston. The final bill for the renovation of the canteen at Parliament Buildings came to £530,532, according to documents obtained by BBC News NI through a Freedom of Information request. The Bl

Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena Early risers across Ballymena are being invited to start their day with purpose later this month as Turning Point NI hosts a community 5km Sunrise Walk in support of its vital mental health services. The walk will take place on Saturday 25th April , with participants gathering for a 5am start at ECOS Nature Park. Organisers are encouraging people from across the community to come along and take part in what promises to be a meaningful and uplifting

Ulster Unionist Party Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows with Deputy Party Leader and Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong outside Mr Burrows’ constituency office in Ballymena The strength and growth ambitions of businesses across North Antrim were brought into sharp focus following a day of constituency engagements led by Ulster Unionist Party Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows alongside Deputy Party Leader and Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong . The visits, w

The Met Office has updated its yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland as Storm Dave is now expected to bring a more intense spell of damaging winds from Saturday afternoon into Easter Sunday morning, with forecasters warning that some areas could briefly see gusts of up to 80mph. The updated warning is now in force from 14:00 on Saturday 4 April 2026 until 03:00 on Sunday 5 April 2026, extending the period of concern into the early hours of Easter Sunday. The latest fore

McKeever Hotel Group has strengthened its senior leadership team with two strategic appointments as the hospitality business moves to support what it describes as an accelerated growth trajectory and an expanding operational scale. The appointments mark a significant step for the hotel group as it continues to build capacity across its seven-strong portfolio, with both newly created roles focused on driving commercial performance, brand strength and long-term growth. New role

Popular well-known Ballymena man Jonathan Gilmore who died suddenly on Thursday morning. Warm and heartfelt tributes have been pouring in across Ballymena following the sudden death of Jonathan Gilmore, affectionately known to many as “Spud”, whose passing has left the local community in shock. A popular and well-known local man, Jonathan was a familiar face within the town’s marching band scene and was widely regarded with great affection by those who knew him. As news of hi

Inset: TUV Braid councillor Anne Henry A major resurfacing scheme is set to begin on Shellinghill Road, Cullybackey, with works scheduled to take place from 20 April to 24 April, in a move welcomed as a much-needed upgrade to one of the area’s long-standing road concerns. The improvement scheme will cover the section of road from the National Speed Limit sign to the railway crossing, addressing what local representatives say has become a road surface far beyond the stage of r

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth speaks to those gathered to mark the special occasion at the the Ulster Aviation Society. One of the world’s most iconic military aircraft has found a new home in Northern Ireland after the head of the Royal Air Force personally handed over a historic Harrier jump jet to the Ulster Aviation Society. The landmark donation, made on 1 April to coincide with the RAF’s 108th birthday, sees the celebrated aircraft join one of Nor

Ballymena Police Station Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man at a residential property in Ballymena in the early hours of Thursday morning, 2 April. It is understood the property is in the Harryville area of the town. The incident, which unfolded overnight, has prompted an active police investigation as officers work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the man’s death. At this stage, however, police have said the death

Lilianna McKeown and Mollie McCrea (Cliftonville), Ava Upritchard and Alice Shaw (Crusaders), Maci Davidson and Megan McCabe (Linfield), and Aleah Neill and Sophia Currie (Glentoran) are pictured at Coronation Garden, Hazelbank Park, as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms its 2026 Girls’ Sections line-up. Liverpool will make a landmark first appearance in the Girls’ Premier section of this summer’s Budget Energy SuperCupNI, in what is shaping up to be one of the tournament’

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court A 30-year-old man has been charged to court after police investigated a report of threatening online messages allegedly sent to a local elected representative. The charges follow an incident reported to police on Friday, 27 March, raising concerns over the targeting of an elected public figure through digital communications. The man is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday, 2 April. Charges brought following police inve

Easter weekend weather across Northern Ireland is set to take a sharp turn, with the Met Office naming Storm Dave as a rapidly deepening Atlantic low-pressure system expected to bring potentially disruptive winds across the region from Saturday afternoon into the early hours of Easter Sunday. After a largely fine and bright start to the week, forecasters say conditions will become significantly more unsettled as the holiday weekend begins, with Northern Ireland among the area

Championing the cause… Marian Maguire, Chairperson of Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association and winner of the Community Champion award in the Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards. A woman whose dedication has helped shape and strengthen communities across rural County Antrim for more than two decades has been recognised with one of Northern Ireland’s top grassroots volunteering honours. Marian Maguire, Chairperson of the Glenravel & District Communi