NEWS

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today published the Northern Ireland’s first Aviation Policy for consultation. Pictured (L-R) are Katy Best, Chief Commercial Officer, Belfast City Airport, Dan Owens, CEO, Belfast International, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Steve Frazer, Managing Director, City of Derry Airport. A major new aviation policy designed to strengthen Northern Ireland’s global connections and drive economic growth has been launched — with ambi

Marks & Spencer has reaffirmed its long-standing support for Northern Ireland’s farming community, announcing its return as Platinum Sponsor of the Balmoral Show — a move that reinforces the retailer’s deep ties with local producers and the agri-food sector. With more than 25 years of backing behind it, the partnership signals continued investment in an event widely regarded as the heartbeat of rural life in Northern Ireland, bringing together farmers, food producers and thou

A new generation of young entrepreneurs has taken its first bold step into the world of business — selling products, pitching ideas, and impressing judges in a high-stakes, Dragons’ Den-style challenge in Ballymena. Primary school pupils from across Mid and East Antrim swapped classrooms for commerce as they launched their own mini companies, culminating in a lively trading event at the Fairhill Centre and a competitive pitch finale at The Braid. The initiative, part of the B

Pictured are the four UK farming union presidents, Andrew Connon, NFU Scotland, Tom Bradshaw, NFU, William Irvine, UFU and Abi Reader, NFU Cymru pictured at today’s Summit. Geopolitical tensions thousands of miles away are now hitting home for UK farmers — and the consequences could soon be felt on dinner tables across the country. Farming leaders from across the UK gathered in Newry for urgent talks, warning that escalating global instability — particularly in the Middle Eas

North Coast based lifeguard supervisor Michael Jess. (Photo credit: Nathan Williams) A familiar face on the North Coast is now telling the story of lives saved at sea, as the RNLI marks a major milestone with a new podcast — just as lifeguards return to local beaches ahead of the Easter break. Portrush-based lifeguard supervisor Michael Jess is the narrator of We Are Lifeguards , a five-part series launched this week to celebrate 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding across the UK a

McKillen’s on Church Street closed its doors earlier this month after 100 years of trading as a family business in Ballymena town centre Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is being urged to establish a taskforce to develop a strategic action plan aimed at supporting the borough’s three main town centres. The proposal is due to be brought before a full meeting of the council at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening by Coast Road DUP Councillor Andrew Clarke , seconded by p

Manage tyre pressure and axle loads when carrying out field operations. Farmers across Northern Ireland are being warned that decisions made in the coming weeks could have lasting consequences for crop yields, grazing performance, and long-term soil health—after one of the wettest winters in recent memory left land in a vulnerable state. According to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, many soils are entering spring “fragile” and at risk of damage, despite

Communities across Northern Ireland are being urged to shine a spotlight on the people who quietly make a difference every day, as the BBC officially opens nominations for its 2026 Make a Difference Awards. From volunteers and young heroes to neighbours who go above and beyond, the awards celebrate the everyday acts of kindness that often go unnoticed — but shape communities in powerful ways. A UK-wide celebration of community spirit The awards bring together BBC radio statio

Stephanie Scott, Age Friendly Coordinator, and newly appointed Walking for All Officer, Colleen Martin, with participants from Cloughmills Community Action Team during a session promoting Age Friendly and Walking for All initiatives. A renewed push to help older people stay active, connected and heard is gathering pace in Cloughmills — with new efforts focused on turning the village into a truly age-friendly community. In a joint initiative led by Causeway Coast and Glens Bor

Golf Ireland outgoing President Michael Evans and new President Fiona Delargy at the Golf Ireland AGM in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. (Photo credit: Bryan Keane / Inpho.) A proud moment for the north coast — and a landmark for women in sport — as Cushendall’s Fiona Delargy has been appointed President of Golf Ireland, becoming the first Ulster woman to take on the prestigious role. Her appointment was confirmed at the organisation’s 2026 National AGM, held on Saturday (Marc

Pupils at Harryville Primary School, Ballymena learned how to look after their eyes during a visit from the team at Fitzsimons Opticians A Ballymena optician is taking eye care education straight into the classroom — with a clear goal: make eye tests feel normal, not frightening, for the next generation. Children as young as four at Harryville Primary School were given a hands-on introduction to eye health this week, as local optician John Broderick set out to “take the fear

L-R: Declan McAleer MLA, Deputy Chair of the AERA Committee; Robbie Butler, MLA, Chair of the AERA Committee; Kathleen McBride, CEO of Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co‑Operative Society; Michelle McIlveen MLA, AERA Committee member and Dr Janice Thompson, Committee Clerk. The scale of the crisis engulfing Lough Neagh was laid bare this week as Stormont committee members heard stark warnings from local fishers who say their industry is “dying” amid environmental decline, collapsing

A pioneering, youth-led programme giving Ballymena pupils real power over funding decisions has scooped a major all-Ireland award — and in doing so, showcased a new model of democracy in action. The Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme was named winner of the Community Champions Award at the Chartered Institute of Housing All-Ireland Housing Awards in Belfast on Friday evening, recognising its transformative impact on young people and local communities. A

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, pictured with Winnie Mellet, President of Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, alongside representatives from Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, CAN (Compass Advocacy Network), Lislagan Farm and FUSE FM at the launch of the 2026 Ballymoney Spring Fair. Ballymoney is preparing to burst into life this April as a colourful carnival, live music, and a packed programme of family-friendly events transform the town for a three-d

Murder victim: 49-year-old Rolandas Kvederis A man who died following a late-night altercation in Portadown has been named by police as 49-year-old Rolandas Kvederis, as detectives continue a murder investigation into his death. Emergency services were called to a property in the Ranfurley Road area shortly after 11pm on Thursday 26 March, where Mr Kvederis was found injured. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Police Service of Norther

An action plan is set to be implemented by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust at Whiteabbey Hospital by the end of next month in a bid to improve theatre efficiency. Trust board members were presented with a report on theatre performance at the end of February, which showed that performance in the Trust’s “peripheral” hospitals — Whiteabbey and Mid Ulster — is below target in terms of both operating and run times. Operating times refer to the time spent on each patient

A Ballymena resident has been left shaken after suspected petrol bombs were thrown at their home in a dangerous early morning attack that police say could have had devastating consequences. Detectives have launched an urgent investigation following the incident in the Drumtara area in the early hours of Saturday, 28 March, which is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life. Terrifying early morning attack Police received a report at approximately 3.05am that two sus

Alderman Stewart McDonald visiting the site of the works. Repeated flooding that left a Ballymena road vulnerable during heavy rainfall has now been addressed, following months of concern from local residents. TUV Bannside Alderman Stewart McDonald has welcomed the completion of works on Cardonaghy Road, describing the issue as a long-standing problem that caused “real disruption” for those living nearby and for motorists using the route. Long-running issue during heavy rain

Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA Summer schemes for children with special educational needs will now go ahead — a dramatic turnaround following days of uncertainty that left families fearing vital support had been lost. The confirmation, welcomed by Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA , follows intense political pressure and urgent engagement between the Departments of Education and Health. For familie

Northern Ireland’s Education Minister Paul Givan, and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt Families of children with special educational needs have been handed renewed hope after Stormont ministers stepped in over the controversial cancellation of summer schemes. Education Minister Paul Givan has called for urgent engagement to restore provision, while Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has now voiced “extreme concern” — ordering officials to explore how schemes could still go ahead. The