Surge in Covid infections in north as lateral flow testing extended

Man (26) who moved to north 18 years ago stunned after racist graffiti painted on house

DfI urged to "take lead" in removing flags from its property

Extra staff allocated to rural Co Tyrone GP practice taken over by Western Trust

Patrick Murphy: The wheels are coming off but no one is accountable

Denis Bradley: Time and space needed to allow for normal politics

Jake O'Kane: You can't embarrass our political class, even with MLAs getting paid when there's no Assembly

Mary Kelly: British government's manoeuvring over the NI Protocol Bill too depressing to watch

Ian Knox on the delicate art of satirising sensitive subjects

Latest

Seamus Blaney: Former Ballycastle councillor and GAA stalwart

Protesters gathered in support of family of teenager Noah Donohoe at pre-inquest hearing in Belfast

Tricia Magennis: 'She is forever mine and I am forever hers'

Police probe report of criminal damage at west Belfast primary school

Marriage age could rise to 18

Editorial: Patients cannot wait any longer

Northern Ireland news

Man (26) who moved to north 18 years ago stunned after racist graffiti painted on house

A MAN who has lived in Northern Ireland for 18 years has said he cannot understand why racist graffiti was painted on his house in north Belfast.

Topics

Interface worker praises youth project for helping her get on degree course

A WOMAN who works with vulnerable young people at a north Belfast interface has praised a youth programme for helping her get a place on a degree course.
Forensic tests on weapons seizure 'not yet complete'

Forensic tests have yet to be completed on guns and ammunition allegedly discovered in the boot of leading loyalist Winston Irvine's car, a court heard yesterday.
Extra staff allocated to rural Co Tyrone GP practice taken over by Western Trust

SOCIAL workers and a physiotherapist have been allocated to a rural Co Tyrone GP practice after it was taken over by the Western Trust.
DfI urged to "take lead" in removing flags from its property

A Stormont department has been urged to "take the lead" in removing unionist flags from its property.

Republic of Ireland news

Covid spike leads to further Aer Lingus flight cancellations

A COVID spike among staff has forced Aer Lingus to cancel several flights.

Topics

Drowning victim's organs donated to help other children

A YOUNG Donegal girl who died in a drowning tragedy in Majorca is now lying in the arms of her father who was killed in an accident just weeks before she was born, mourners at her funeral have been told.
Tánaiste defends Dublin government's handling of cost-of-living crisis

Leo Varadkar said there is only so much ministers can do to help ease the pressures on household finances and struggling families.
Child (7) dies in Majorca pool tragedy
Republic's new Covid wave driven by Omicron sub-variants

OMICRON sub-variants are behind a new wave of Covid-19 in the Republic, health experts have warned.

Healthcare news

Cross-border healthcare reimbursement scheme gets extension with £5M injection from Stormont's Department of Health

A "VERY successful" cross-border healthcare scheme allowing people on waiting lists in the north to access treatment in the Republic is to be extended.

Topics

waiting lists

General surgery provision plan welcomed as signalling 'step change' for ailing system crippled by waiting lists

A PLAN to reconfigure how surgeries are carried out in Northern Ireland will deliver safer and more consistent care for patients, Stormont's health minister has said.
Health department misses cancer treatment targets

Cancer Research UK said January 2022 was the worst month on record for patients starting treatment for cancer.
Robin Swann sets out new plan for general surgery provision

Changes to services would create greater separation between emergency and elective surgery provision.
Human milk bank appeals for more donor mums

A SERVICE that helps premature and seriously-ill babies has appealed for more breast milk donors.

Magazine

Theatre and film director Peter Brook dies aged 97, says French media

His publisher said he ‘leaves behind an incredible artistic legacy'.

Topics

‘Feisty' kitten named Smudge rescued from motorway near Doncaster

Traffic officer Gavin Buffam said the kitten tried to nip his fingers a few times.
In Pictures: Brave knights battle it out at jousting tournament

Four champions took to the arena in West Lothian to provide an exhibition of exhilarating horsemanship.
Travis Barker reveals hospital stay for ‘life-threatening pancreatitis'

The drummer said he was feeling much better after receiving ‘intensive treatment'.
Amateur drivers set to compete in front of thousands at Red Bull Soapbox Race

Each homemade soapbox is unique, with some of the designs being inspired by the crew's favourite fictional characters.

Sport

Kenny Shiels: crossing codes and always bridging divides, wherever he has gone from Maghera

THE nickname obviously wouldn't be appropriate for the Northern Ireland's women's side, but their manager Kenny Shiels's life in football was hot-housed from a team called 'Roy's Chicks'.

Topics

Cavan in fight to preserve senior status against Westmeath

TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship relegation play-off: Cavan v Westmeath (tomorrow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford, 1pm) CAVAN face their biggest game of the season when they take on Westmeath to save their senior championship status tomorrow afternoon in Pearse Park.
Galway must improve from Cork win but even that may not be enough against relentless Limerick machine

All-Ireland SHC semi-final: Limerick v Galway (tomorrow, Croke Park, 3.
Kilkenny eye another ambush but Clare have tools to control chaos

All-Ireland SHC semi-final: Kilkenny v Clare (today, 5.
Antrim look to progress at Limerick's expense as Down seek survival against Offaly

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship THREE separate issues will be sorted out by each one of the three games tomorrow in Group Two.

Opinion

Jake O'Kane: You can't embarrass our political class, even with MLAs getting paid when there's no Assembly

ONE benefit of writing this column for a few years is the ability to look back and see recurring themes.

Topics

Mary Kelly: British government's manoeuvring over the NI Protocol Bill too depressing to watch

IT was too depressing to watch all the coverage of the passing of the NI Protocol Bill's second reading at Westminster.
Patrick Murphy: The wheels are coming off but no one is accountable

In the next election here it would be lovely to have the opportunity to vote for people like Danielle O'Neill, Jean Garland and Therese Ward.
Newton Emerson: London's timetable for DUP return is slipping

London's timetable for the DUP's return to Stormont appears to have slipped.
Editorial: Patients cannot wait any longer

SEPARATE announcements by the Department of Health this week provided an insight into vital work being done on health service reform – but also the colossal task that remains.

Business

PLATFORM: 'We need ministers working together to meet cost of living challenges'

WE are in the midst of a cost of living crisis with soaring inflation and the rising prices of food, fuel energy and clothes.

Topics

WEA winners revealed on high-octane night of drama - and emotion

FINANCIAL services firm FinTrU, architectural practice White Ink and Derry-headquartered Alchemy Technology Services were each double winners at last night’s revived Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Titanic Belfast.
Creagh Concrete posts £6.2m loss after taking £4.2m hit from major contract

OFF-SITE precast manufacturer Creagh Concrete took a £4.2 million hit on a large UK contract last year, new accounts show.
Bank of Ireland's car finance firm Northridge records £52m pre-tax profit

BANK of Ireland's motor finance subsidiary Northridge became one of Northern Ireland's most profitable businesses in 2021.
Newry's MJM Marine lands multi-million-pound contract with Marella Cruises

NEWRY-based cruise ship outfitter MJM Marine has been awarded a multi-million-pound ship refurbishment contract with TUI Group subsidiary Marella Cruises.

Life

Marie Louise McConville: Jim Fitzpatrick was a true gentleman who will be sadly missed

I'm a big believer in first impressions.

Topics

Ian Knox on the delicate art of satirising sensitive subjects

BRANDED a "sectarian disgrace" on Twitter by former DUP leader turned GB News presenter Arlene Foster and subsequently advised to "hang his head in shame" by vocal loyalist Jamie Bryson on the same social media platform, Irish News cartoonist Ian Knox caused a minor 'Twitter storm' with two of his famous satirical illustrations last month.
Netting a Bargain: Gap sale, Tesco Clubcard Virgin Atlantic bonus, Sweaty Betty sale

Jonathan Campbell rounds up the best deals on the web and the high street :: GAP has a sale on with up to 70 per cent off until Sunday July 3.
Eating Out: A Lottie to like

Lottie, 306 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3EJ.
Whiskey Galore: Sampling the Midleton Distillery's famous five

SOMETIMES the universe is on your side.

Environment

Anne Hailes: Hedgehogs need our help

EAMONN Holmes may not know it but he has given a boost to hedgehogs all over the country.

Topics

What bees that play football could teach us about memory

HOW to make memories more robust is an area of huge scientific interest - with bees providing surprising insights.
Major fish kill following suspected slurry spill

THOUSANDS of fish have been killed at a Co Tyrone river following a suspected slurry spill.
Dog owners urged to keep pets on lead around rivers and ponds due to increased algae risk

DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets on a lead around rivers and ponds due to an increased algae risk.
Take on Nature: The skylark - 'He wings the spiral stair...'

WHEN monitoring the hen harriers I wrote of some weeks ago from around Donegal's Lough Derg, I also encountered many passerines typical of the heather moorland and rough pastures which dominate that landscape.

Holidays&Travel

Travel: Wine, waterfalls and street food – why Portland needs a spot on your travel wish-list right now

THE JURY'S out on whether jetlag remedies really work.

Topics

Go somewhere new, do something different - plenty of options for outdoor family fun this summer

AS we approach the summer holidays, entertaining your kids becomes a full-time job.
Travel: Why a cruise is the best way to explore the Greek islands

AS THE Aegean sea glistens and shimmers in the sunshine, the view becomes more breathtaking with every narrow turn the tour bus makes, high up into the hills of Santorini.
Holidays with teenagers: The ultimate 10-point survival guide

AS children grow older, holidays with them become less about keeping them entertained and safe, and more about preventing their boredom ruining the trip for the rest of the family.
Emma Heatherington: Take time to push yourself up your priority list

HAVE you ever come home from holiday feeling exhausted and burned out? I know I certainly have.

Irish language

Bilingual road signs planned for west Belfast

PLANNING is underway for the provision of bilingual road traffic signs in west Belfast.

Topics

Calls for education minister to do more to 'encourage and facilitate' Irish medium education

SINN Féin's Pat Sheehan last night called on the education minister to do more to "encourage and facilitate" Irish medium education in Northern Ireland.
The seven deadly sins of those we are forced to share cars with
Story of the 'fadgies' to be retold at an event in Co Louth

THE story of the original 'fadgies' - an Irish speaking community who created the first urban Gaeltacht in west Belfast - is to be retold at an event in Co Louth.
Aineolas, séanadh agus dímheas ar an Ghaeilge á léiriú i dTeach na dTiarnaí

Arts

Ian Knox on the delicate art of satirising sensitive subjects

BRANDED a "sectarian disgrace" on Twitter by former DUP leader turned GB News presenter Arlene Foster and subsequently advised to "hang his head in shame" by vocal loyalist Jamie Bryson on the same social media platform, Irish News cartoonist Ian Knox caused a minor 'Twitter storm' with two of his famous satirical illustrations last month.

Topics

ArtBeat:

Notes and musings from the arts scene as it steps into July, including The MAC looking to the future, by Jane Hardy DOES a setting affect the quality of the art or culture consumed within its walls? Put another way, would the Mona Lisa resonate so well in a more modest space outside the Louvre? Probably, even in a shed, but without the sheer pizzazz.
Sister Sledge's Debbie Sledge on headlining the Stendhal Festival

IN THE grand scheme of things, very few musical artists achieve legendary status – fewer again can point to songs in their catalogue that are truly iconic.
Film: Steve Carell on Minions: None of us thought there would be more than one film

STEVE Carell never expected Despicable Me to be a success.
Games: Sony's revamped PS Plus service gives PlayStation's past a future

PS Plus SAY what you like about paramilitaries – they knew how to run a video shop.