9 h. ago Yellow warning for thunderstorms in Scotland extended as alert lifted for England

Scotland’s weather warning has been extended from 6pm today to 9pm amid the threat of heavy rain and transport disruption.

Events

10 h. ago Scots cops sent to Northern Ireland as police officers injured in fireworks riots

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the Scots cops in question are "trained to work in our environment".

Events

11 h. ago Tributes after death of former Alliance leader Sean Neeson at 79

Current party leader Naomi Long said Mr Neeson had been a dedicated public servant.

Politics

12 h. ago Police release new image as they probe days of disorder in Northern Ireland

The force is investigating offences linked to several days of violence.

Events

12 h. ago More police officers hurt during fifth night of violence in Northern Ireland

The violence followed an alleged sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena.

Events

12 h. ago Northern Ireland one petrol bomb away from a racist murder, Belfast rally hears

Hundreds braved the rain to attend the anti-racism rally in the city centre.

Events

18 h. ago The Ballymena violence has nothing to do with ‘protecting women’. It is racism, pure and simple | Sarah Creighton

Northern Ireland has always seen high levels of violence against women and girls. Blaming migrants is a useful way to distract from thatIn 1972, loyalist paramilitaries fired bullets into the home of a Catholic woman, Sarah McClenaghan. That night she was at home with her lodger, a Protestant, and her disabled teenage son, David. After forcing her son to get his mother’s rosary beads, proving that she was Catholic, a loyalist paramilitary raped Sarah. David was tortured. The gang then shot them both, David dying of his wounds.I thought about David and Sarah as I watched rolling news of the pogroms in Ballymena. I thought about them in light of the lie that violence against women and girls has been imported to Northern Ireland via migrants or asylum seekers. It’s always been here. Continue reading...

Events

19 h. ago ‘Where are the foreigners’: does a facile explanation lie behind Ballymena’s outbreak of hate?

Northern Ireland faces stark questions over the racism, xenophobia and intolerance that has forced families from abroad to fleeFirst came the shouts as the crowd worked its way through narrow terraced streets, proclaiming its mission to rid the town of “scum”. Then came the shattered glass as rocks exploded through windows. Then the flames, licking up curtains and spreading to sofas, carpets, books and framed pictures until smoke billowed into the summer night.They might have been scenes from another century, another country, but they played out in Northern Ireland this week in the glare of rolling news and social media, which recorded a soundtrack of glee and hate. “Where are the foreigners?” the mob shouted. Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago Portadown chaos see rioters hurl petrol bombs at police amid 'week of shame'

Violent disorder broke out in Ballymena and in Portadown, both in Northern Ireland, for a fifth consecutive night, and police officers had to use a water cannon on crowds

Events

26 h. ago Petrol bombs and fireworks launched at police as Ballymena riots spread across Northern Ireland in fifth night of violence after 'alleged attempted rape of local girl, 16, by two Romanian teens'

Crowds of masked thugs gathered in Portadown where a protest had been held earlier in the evening before it descended into carnage.

Events

26 h. ago Petrol bombs thrown at police during fifth night of Northern Ireland disorder

Police have come under attack for a fifth consecutive night in Northern Ireland, in what has been dubbed a ‘week of shame’ for the region.

Events

30 h. ago US tourist 'hit accelerator rather than brake in fatal crash' near Giant's Causeway

A court heard US tourist Cathy Stewart, 67, hit a woman who was sitting on a bench near the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland with her vehicle - the woman later died

Events

33 h. ago The Guardian view on riots in Northern Ireland: racist violence does not express ‘legitimate grievance’ | Editorial

Politicians must analyse the forces behind mob unrest, but not in terms that make excuses for itA reputation for political violence is one reason Northern Ireland has historically attracted fewer immigrants than the rest of the UK. In that context, increasing diversity could be read as a measure of progress; a peace dividend after the Troubles. That isn’t how it has felt to families cowering in fear of racist mobs this week. The riots started in Ballymena, ostensibly triggered by the arrest of two boys, reported to be of Romanian origin, accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. A community vigil mutated into a racist rampage. Masked thugs targeted the local migrant population. When police came to quell the pogrom, officers were attacked with bricks, fireworks, petrol bombs. There was contagion. Windows were smashed and a fire started at a leisure centre in nearby Larne that had been used as a temporary refuge for those fleeing the Ballymena violence. There were outbreaks of di...

Events

34 h. ago Leaders share healthcare and efficiency hopes for AI at British

Irish premier Micheal Martin said he had a ‘glass half full’ approach to AI, but said it will change the nature of work.

Politics

35 h. ago Benn defends collaboration with Irish Government over legacy issues

The DUP’s Gavin Robinson dubbed the Northern Ireland Secretary ‘foolish and hapless’ over his approach to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles.

Politics

35 h. ago ‘No crisis at Stormont’, First Minister Michelle O’Neill insists

It comes after Ms O’Neill called for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to resign over a social media post.

Politics

37 h. ago Barry McGuigan's night of glory and bringing Northern Ireland together

Boxing legend Barry McGuigan reflects on the night he defeated Eusebio Pedroza in 1985 and how much it still means to fans as well as the impact it had in Northern Ireland

Politics

37 h. ago Health Minister and professional bodies give support to international colleagues

It comes following disorder across Northern Ireland over the week.

Politics

40 h. ago 22 police officers injured in night of disorder in Portadown

The scenes in the Co Armagh town came after three consecutive nights of trouble in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Events

41 h. ago Riots spread in Northern Ireland with 15 arrested after nights of chaos following 'sexual assault of girl by Romanian teens' in Ballymena

Fifteen rioters have been arrested as 41 police officers were injured amid unrest in Northern Ireland following the alleged sexual assault of a girl by Romanian teens. 

Events