LucidTalk poll shows growing public support for NI Protocol

GPs being offered £1,000 a day to work at crisis hit Co Tyrone surgery

Newspaper owner Jim Fitzpatrick had a life well lived, funeral hears

Charge ‘dropped' against ex-hotel worker accused in Michaela McAreavey case

Brian Feeney: DUP committed to proving north is a failed entity

Tiernan Kelly regrets "out of character" action against Galway's Damien Comer, says Clann Eireann team-mate Ryan Henderson

Rowan Atkinson: I was stressed, tired and nervous throughout the entire shoot of Man Vs Bee

Haunting terror of Altnaveigh Massacre lives on in infamy

Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival returns to celebrate 10th anniversary

Latest

Management "swung a carrot" at players over discipline breach claims Mooney

Down have gone backwards under McCartan: Mooney

Taoiseach: Protocol bill vote 'regrettable and unacceptable'

Editorial: Survey reflects protocol realities

Motorcyclist killed in crash outside Newtownards

Body cameras for ambulance staff welcomed following rise in assaults

Northern Ireland news

Platform: Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile

THE IMPORTANCE of all-island collaboration and dialogue have been shown time and time again in recent years.

Topics

Teachers taking industrial action could have their pay docked

TEACHERS taking industrial action in schools across the north could have their pay deducted, it has emerged.
Man questioned following reports of attempted robberies in south Belfast

A MAN was being questioned by police last night following reports of two attempted robberies in south Belfast.
Deaf charity urges health trusts in NI to use 'game-changing' transparent face masks

A CHARITY supporting deaf people has urged health and social care trusts across Northern Ireland to use "game-changing" transparent face masks.
Rory Best to pay 'substantial' damages to Paddy Jackson defence lawyers

FORMER Ireland and Ulster rugby captain Rory Best is to pay "substantial" undisclosed damages to a team of defence lawyers over an interview he gave about an ex-teammate's rape trial, the High Court has heard.

Republic of Ireland news

Brexit concerns in north must be dealt with through partnership shown in Good Friday Agreement, Taoiseach Michéal Martin insists

THE impact of Brexit on people in the north must be dealt with "sincerely by all with responsibilities" the Taoiseach has said during his speech to the latest Shared Island Dialogue event in Derry.

Taoiseach: Protocol bill vote 'regrettable and unacceptable'

THE British government is showing an an "unacceptable trend towards unilateralism" with its Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, the Taoiseach has said.
Sinn Féin shifting blame for inflation crisis away from Putin, Taoiseach claims

Mary Lou McDonald accused the Government of not doing enough to support families struggling with soaring bills.
Draft Covid laws to enable reintroduction of mask-wearing in Republic ‘purely precautionary'

A Dublin government source insisted there is no intention to table the legislation in the Dáil before the summer recess.
Army on standby to help with Dublin Airport security

The Defence Forces personnel will undergo training to help alleviate some of the pressure on staff until the end of the summer.

Healthcare news

Midwife warns some pregnant women cannot afford the fuel to drive to medical appointments

SOME pregnant women cannot afford to pay for the fuel needed to drive to their medical appointments, a community midwife has warned.

Topics

mileage rate

Two out of three asthma deaths are preventable, charity warns

TWO out of three asthma deaths are preventable, a leading health charity has warned.
MPs support moves to allow Secretary of State to commission abortion services in the north

The House of Commons voted 215 to 70, majority 145, in favour of the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022.
‘We were failed' – former patients of Dr Michael Watt

They have called for accountability from the Belfast Health Trust.
Number travelling from Northern Ireland for abortions drops as Republic figure rises

Figures show that 206 women and girls, with address in the Republic, sought abortion care, with 161 women and girls travelling from the north.

Magazine

Travis Barker pictured being taken to hospital following medical issue

The musician was shown on a stretcher being taken into Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles.

Topics

R Kelly to be sentenced for charges of racketeering and sex-trafficking

The singer was convicted on multiple counts of racketeering, with charges relating to bribery and forced labour, by a jury in September last year.
R Kelly: The R&B superstar and sex-trafficker

Here is everything you need to know about the singer's career and the allegations brought against him over the years.
TikTok alcohol post banned for low-calorie and ‘actually get you drunk' claims

Rosie Breen's video for Whisp hard seltzer alcoholic drinks in February was titled: 3 reasons I drink Whisp Alcohol.
Social media companies ‘should do more to crack down on car insurance scammers'

Which? said it found suspect profiles on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok when searching for cheap car insurance.

Sport

Ten years on: How hosting the Irish Open paved the way for Royal Portrush to stage the race for the Claret Jug

In the week that Mount Juliet hosts the Irish Open, Paul Kelly looks back on the historic staging of the tournament at Royal Portrush in 2012.

Topics

Dowds reflects on Antrim journey as Saffrons target senior survival

ANTRIM manager Elaine Dowds was in reflective mood following her side's defeat to Galway in their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship clash in Dunloy at the weekend, looking back on the last two games that saw her charges face the All-Ireland champions of the past three seasons.
GAA has to toughen punishments for the eye-gougers and neck-wrenchers

The GAA has a duty of care to players, a responsibility to protect them from dangerous opponents, who gouge eyes and wrench necks.
Antrim captain Carey says ladies' football is booming in Ulster as Saffrons prepare for All-Ireland semi-final

ANTRIM captain Cathy Carey believes ladies' football is booming in Ulster, with counties like provincial senior champions Armagh providing the blueprint.
Tiernan Kelly regrets "out of character" action against Galway's Damien Comer, says Clann Eireann team-mate Ryan Henderson

TIERNAN Kelly deeply regrets his “out of character” actions at Croke Park last Sunday and he will learn from his mistake, says former coach and Clann Eireann team-mate Ryan Henderson.

Opinion

Brian Feeney: DUP committed to proving north is a failed entity

ONE of the reasons the British government can get away with spouting so much poppycock about the protocol is that hardly anyone in Britain cares about it, much less knows anything about it, and is oblivious to the results of its proposed abolition.

Topics

Brian Feeney

Deaglán de Bréadún: A time of war, and a time of peace

LET'S start off with a quote from the Bible (King James Version): " To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Editorial: Survey reflects protocol realities

IT has always been the case that rhetoric around the Northern Ireland Protocol has not reflected lived experience on the ground.
Offensive assertions

Obviously stung by my criticism of another hypocritical Sinn Féin political stance, Jack Duffin – ‘Stones and glass house spring to mind’ (June 20) – defends Sinn Féin and instead falsely accuses me of political hypocrisy.
Fionnuala O Connor: In solidarity with Joyce, and me

‘MY sister gave me it when I was 17 and I thought it was great.

Business

Glenpark Estate uses Tourism NI funding to invest in new facilities

GLENPARK Estate in the Gortin Glens area of outstanding natural beauty has opened a number of new facilities following a £97,600 funding injection from Tourism NI's Experience Development Programme.

Topics

‘Great Place to Work' initiative gathers momentum in Newry

NEWRY Mourne and Down Council (NMD) has launched the ‘Great Place to Work’ strand of its Labour Market Partnership (LMP), which comes in response to research indicating that there are more than 1,200 job vacancies in the area.
MoD pulls £30m unmanned combat aircraft project awarded to Spirit Aero

A £30 million UK Government project awarded to Spirit AeroSystems to develop unmanned combat aircraft has been cancelled by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Hastings Hotels swings back into profit - but only just

THE marque Hastings Hotel Group has swung back into the black - but only just.
70-year-old Cookstown bakery is bought over

BELFAST businessman Martin Booth has acquired one of the north’s longest established bakeries, the Corner Bakery in Cookstown, and says he has exciting plans for growth under his ownership.

Life

Rowan Atkinson: I was stressed, tired and nervous throughout the entire shoot of Man Vs Bee

THE job of house-sitting a posh mansion should be an enjoyable and simple enough task.

Topics

Honda Jazz still making the right noises

I FELT tired just watching Paul McCartney leaping around the stage at Glastonbury on Saturday night, writes William Scholes.
James Joyce's Ulysses documentary 'a fine and stylish celebration' of Joyce's epic in its centenary year

ADAM Low's new documentary James Joyce's Ulysses serves as a thoughtfully composed and scrupulously researched tribute to the infamous novel, which celebrates its centenary this year, and also as an engrossing point of access for those thus far defeated by the Irish literary maverick's most formidable and controversial tome.
Today's TV Tuesday 28 June
Eight smart ways for tweens and teens to earn their own money

LEARNING early how to make and use money is a vital practical skill that will be useful for a young person throughout their life.

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

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.

Topics

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.
Fresh hope for Dublin Airport passengers who missed flights on refunds

PASSENGERS who missed holidays due to security queue delays at Dublin Airport last month may be able to get the cost of their break refunded.

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.
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
Irish language theatre company may be forced to close after it lost out on Arts Council funding

THE north's leading Irish language theatre company Aisling Ghéar has warned it may be forced to close after it lost core Arts Council funding.

Arts

Tyrone author Michelle Gallen on Édith Piaf, Radiohead and what lessons politicians could learn from watching Paddington

1. When did you think about a career in writing and what were your first steps into it? I am not sure that I understand what a career in writing is even now, or how I should proceed in it.

Topics

Haunting terror of Altnaveigh Massacre lives on in infamy

IN the early hours of the morning of Saturday June 17 1922, a party numbering between 20 and 30 from the IRA's 4th Northern Division crossed the border from Ravensdale in Co Louth and raided a Protestant farming community in the small townlands of Altnaveigh and Lisdrumliska in south Armagh, approximately five miles from the border and one mile from Newry.
Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival returns to celebrate 10th anniversary

THE Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival returns next month for a plethora of Samuel Beckett-inspired performances, the first time the annual event has been staged since 2019 due to Covid.
James Joyce's Ulysses documentary 'a fine and stylish celebration' of Joyce's epic in its centenary year

ADAM Low's new documentary James Joyce's Ulysses serves as a thoughtfully composed and scrupulously researched tribute to the infamous novel, which celebrates its centenary this year, and also as an engrossing point of access for those thus far defeated by the Irish literary maverick's most formidable and controversial tome.
Books: Fern Britton on single life in Cornwall, personal ambitions and royal scandals

WHILE some people just walked, chatted on Zoom and watched TV reruns during the pandemic, bestselling author and TV presenter Fern Britton was immersing herself in royal history.