Thu, 25th April 2024

L-R: Health Minister Robin Swann; UUP leader Doug Beattie and UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt speak to members of the media in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Photo: David Young/PA Wire

UUP accuses coalition partners of backtracking on health service pledge
The Ulster Unionist Party has accused its Stormont coalition partners of backtracking on a pledge to prioritise the health service, as its minister voted against the Executive’s budget.

Five Things To Read

  • 1Police missed chance to warn murder victim about threat says Police Ombudsman
  • 2PSNI chief believes workload contributed to officer taking their own life
  • 3Concerns remain on home privacy in hate crime bill
  • 4This a home with possibly the most breath taking views in Northern Ireland
  • 5Police seize £240k in cash as part of investigation into organised criminality
    • Mattresses at the Craigyhill site in Larne.

    Mattresses brought to bonfire site to be used for safety say organisers

    Lord Mayor Alderman Margaret Tinsley officially unveils Centenary Stone at The Palace Demesne in Armagh, pictured with elected representatives, Alderman Gareth Wilson, Councillor Scott Armstrong, Councillor Peter Haire and Alderman Gordon Kennedy.

    Northern Ireland centenary stones get final approval in 12 towns and villages

    An anti-Protocol rally in Dromore Co Down this Friday will be addressed by Ann Widdecombe, Ben Habib and Kate Hoey and Jim Allister. It is a joint TUV-Reform Party event.

    NI Protocol: Ann Widdecombe speaking at TUV rally this Friday

    Chair of Mid Ulster Council Councillor Dominic Molloy at the new dog park at Dungannon Park

    New dog agility exercise areas proving popular with both owners and pets

    Feature Video: Watch now

    Chaotic scenes as police contend with angry crowds outside court after former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson appears in court on rape and other sex charges

    View more

    Puzzles

    Quick CrosswordTo test and hone your word skills

    SudokuThe ultimate logic-based numbers game

    WordwheelPit yourself against the clock with our simple anagram game

    Cost Of Living

    Follow our advice to save on car breakdown cover

    Expert shows how to save hundreds on car breakdown cover

    Stormont deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly and First Minister Michelle O'Neill speak to the media during a visit to a childcare facility at the Shankill Women's Centre in west Belfast. Picture: Rebecca Black/PA Wire

    DUP and Sinn Fein united on no 15% rates rise as part of fundraising pressures

    On a monthly basis, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices fell by 0.4% between December and January.

    Inflation unchanged in January as food prices fall for first time since 2021

    Traffic chaos on the Cregagh Road during Thursday morning's rush hour into Belfast, with all public transport frozen due to strike action. Photo: 01/02/24 Pacemaker

    Latest public transport strike causes 'considerable disruption'

    Opinion

    Baroness (Kate) Hoey of Lylehill and Rathlin is a former Labour MP

    Baroness Hoey: Why I’m delighted to share a platform with Ann Widdecombe

    ​Tonight I will share a platform with Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister who I sat opposite for many years in the House of Commons.Baroness Hoey
    Morning View

    Editorial: Public’s tolerance of ‘woke’ policies does have a limit

    Letters to editor

    Letter: Does blame for unionist disunity rest with those who have told truth?

    Letter: Why should NI be linked with Sir Roger Casement?

    Letters

    Richard Tice of Reform and Jim Allister as with Ben Habib (Reform UK) and Cllr Ron McDowell

    TUV and Reform pact is about strengthening NI’s position in the UK

    Morning View

    Editorial: It is the GAA that should meet the Casement stadium funding shortfall

    A search for Columba McVeigh in Co Monaghan in October 2022. Those who murdered Columba will one day have to answer to God

    Letter: Campaign for 'disappeared legislation’ had a sincere objective

    Sport

    Ulster Rugby’s Scott Wilson pictured at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast ahead of a crunch United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton

    Scott Wilson set to earn 12th cap for Ulster in vital Benetton clash

    Arne Slot, who wants to take the Liverpool job and hopes an agreement can be reached with Feyenoord to allow him to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield

    Arne Slot confident deal can be reached to take over as Liverpool boss

    Annagh United manager Ciaran McGurgan (L) and Bangor boss Lee Feeney. PICS: Presseye

    Two great mates set to battle it out for Premiership play-off spot

    Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk admits they do not deserve to win the Premier League

    Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool 'have not been good enough'

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola impressed by mental strength of Man City

    Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the second goal in a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Goodison Park

    Liverpool's title hopes dashed by derby rivals Everton

    Ulster flanker Marcus Rea sees a clear target for the province as they bid to reach the United Rugby Championship playoffs

    Marcus Rea believes Ulster must win remaining games in playoffs bid

    Irish League Football

    Kirk Millar signs his new contract with Linfield. PIC: Pacemaker

    Kirk Millar recalls standout Linfield memory after signing new two-year contract

    Linfield manager David Healy. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

    David Healy holds international hopes for impressive Linfield youngster

    Andy Ryan celebrating Monday's 1-1 draw with Linfield which means Larne can celebrate back-to-back Irish League title wins this weekend. (Photo by INPHO/PressEye/Stephen Hamilton)

    Larne group 'mentality' at heart of title run for goal hero Andy Ryan

    Larne's Jaziel Orozco (right) battling for the upper hand against Linfield. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

    Life with champions Larne one to remember for Mexico's Jaziel Orozco

    Larne fans were jubilant after effectively sealing a second successive Gibson Cup triumph on Monday night

    Kenny Bruce's investment at Larne has transformed the community says avid fan

    Eating Out

    In the lead up to the completion of a £7 million restoration project, Belfast’s five-star hospitality house, Regency House (formerly The Regency), has appointed hospitality stalwart, Michael O’Connor, as its executive head chef. Pictured are Anthony Kieran, proprietor of Regency House and Michael O’Connor, newly appointed executive head chef of Regency House

    NI’s five-star hospitality house edges closer to completion of £7m restoration

    Award-winning Blank restaurant which opened in Belfast over two years ago is to close following rising costs of energy, wages and ingredients

    Blank Restaurant forced to close its doors amidst NI hospitality crisis

    Crime

    The aftermath of the McGurk's Bar bombing in Belfast in 1971

    Fresh inquests ordered into deaths of 15 killed in McGurk’s bomb blast

    Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates Court. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

    Man arrested after officer spat at outside court following Donaldson appearance

    Derryvolgie Avenue Belfast - Google Image

    Man aged 19 released on bail following £125k drugs seizure in south Belfast

    Haul of drugs

    Teen arrested following the seizure of suspected class A and B drugs

    Impounded pregabalin tablets

    PSNI tell of drugs in underwear and suspects who brawl amongst themselves

    NIAS

    Two men charged after a man assaulted in the Seymour Street area of Ballymoney

    Your World

    Youth for Housing delegates at EHF (l-r) Alex Jula, Anca Dragomir, Ella Burns, Ross Blackbourne

    Local students raise their voices in Warsaw

    Sharing Tables

    The Big Lunch, FareShare and City & Guilds join forces to launch special award c...

    Oliver Kenny, Chief Commercial Officer at Calor

    Calor research reveals 85% of manufacturers in NI to commit to renewable energy ...

    Retro

    In March 1991 the then Prince of Wales, and of course now King Charles II, went on a walkabout in Belfast despite a security leak which had him the talk of the town. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

    Retro - Prince Charles pays ‘surprise’ visit to Northern Ireland in March 1991
    In March 1991 the then Prince of Wales, and of course now King Charles II, went on a walkabout in Belfast despite a security leak which had him the talk of the town.
    Darryl Armitage

    David Hardy of the Northern Ireland Daffodil group speaking to the News Letter outside Hillsborough Castle.

    ‘We are all totally daft about daffs’

    Pictured in March 2009 are Dean McAuley, Paddy Sheelan and Peter Morgan pictured at the dog trial at Sam Wallace's farm on Slemish. Picture: Farming Life archives/Steven McAuley.

    Increase in egg-laying production reported in ministry tests (1929)

    circa 1940: American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 - 1945) at his desk. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

    The days of isolation are over warns President Roosevelt (1939)

    Thomas McAleese from Ballycastle Ploughing Society, pictured in November 1980, in action with his stylish pair of Clydesdales at the Ulster International Ploughing Match which was held at Moira. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

    Bygone Days: Photos From the Farming Life archives from November 1980

    Homes & Gardens

    Northern Ireland estate agents, John Minnis Estate Agents, which is celebrating a double triumph at the national Guild of Property Professionals Awards after achieving gold for Sales Northern Ireland and bronze for Lettings Northern Ireland. Pictured is John Minnis, company director at John Minnis Estate Agents

    Northern Ireland estate agent celebrates double win at UK property awards
    John Minnis, which has offices in Belfast, Lisburn, North Down and the Ards Peninsula, scooped gold for Sales Northern Ireland and bronze for Lettings Northern Ireland
    Claire Cartmill

    Rapid herb harvesting in a colander

    Gardens: Money-saving hacks

    40 Fairhead Road,Ballycastle, BT54 6RD

    Northern Ireland property: This cottage is for sale at £80,000

    The Cotswold Company, the digitally-led handcrafted furniture and homeware brand, is delighted to announce that it has expanded its premium delivery service to serve customers in Northern Ireland for the first time

    The Cotswold Company expands to Northern Ireland for the first time

    Actor and gardener Caroline Quentin with a harvest of her home-grown veg.

    Gardens: Caroline Quentin on growing asparagus

    Lifestyle

    Northern Ireland’s only premier designer outlet, The Boulevard is now officially home to the Northern Ireland’s first ever Clintons outlet store

    Northern Ireland’s first ever Clintons outlet store opens

    Queen Elizabeth's car

    Queen Elizabeth's personal vehicle

    Northern Ireland couple Ciaran and Michelle Connolly have received three silver YouTube plaques, celebrating the remarkable success of their three channels, ProfileTree, ConnollyCove and LearningMole

    NI couple grow three YouTube channels to over 400,000 global subscribers

    The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, councillor Mark Cooper, shares a joke with the team at Kwik Fit’s new Mallusk centre after officially opening the centre. Credit: PressEye

    UK’s leading automotive company opens new garage and first training centre in NI

    People

    Lumiere

    Belfast TradFest to bring the finest traditional music acts to city venues
    Belfast TradFest is yet again bringing the finest traditional music acts to Belfast venues from 21st – 28th July.
    Gemma Murray

    Donaghadee lifeboat

    Trawler led to safety after losing electrics by Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat

    The funeral of Benny McIlhatton (and inset, Benny himself)

    Motorcyclist Benny McIlhatton (44) was fourth sibling to die suddenly

    Business

    Sarah Travers, Roseann Kelly CEO WiB Group, Minister of Finance Caoimhe Archibald, Nichola Robinson

    New Social Enterprise Launches with Bespoke Business Offering

    Sam Dooley, Country Director of The Stepstone Group Ireland with responsibility for NIJobs

    Optimism for Local Job Market but Recruitment Challenges Linger

    Halifax in Portadown, Co Armagh is to close permanently following fire in February, 2024

    Halifax decision not to re-open Portadown branch is a 'big blow' says Lockhart

    Mr Tayto

    Famous Tayto Castle tours reopen on May 7 in Northern Ireland

    Recommended

    Ad Feature Openreach explain everything about the digital upgrade

    34 Bladon Park, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5LG

    This is possibly the finest home for sale in Belfast - 10 mins from city centre

    48 Tattykeeran Road, Tempo, Enniskillen, BT94 3FT

    Look around this converted 1844 church which blends into a living space

    How to grow microgreens

    Learn how to grow your own microgreens in Dobbies’ stores to start New Year

    UK Trending

    Brian Groom

    WATCH & LISTEN: Author Brian Groom fights for northern history

    Motorists forked out millions for unexpected repairs in the last year

    Millions of clueless Brits believe certain drinks are of UK origin

    Dragons' Den has become an international brand with variations airing around the world (Image credit: Dragons' Den)

    Advocating the ambitious: The Apprentice & Dragons’ Den

    London Marathon participants put in their pizza orders during race

    Adults say their salaries can’t cover all of their living essentials

    Must Read

    Garret Kavanagh, Director at Openreach in Northern Ireland and Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber)

    Ad Feature Openreach investment offers 97% of NI properties Ultrafast Full Fibre

    Ad Feature Vrbo announces the UK holiday homes of 2024

    Ad Feature Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal returns to SPAR stores

    Ad Feature Data shows many UK adults are aware of illicit tobacco and vape sales