20 h. ago Scientists are BAFFLED by a 'vanishing lake' in Northern Ireland that mysteriously drains and refills itself within hours

Called Loughareema and locally referred to as 'the vanishing lake', the natural feature is capable of a remarkable magic trick.

Science

23 h. ago Faster support for child exploitation victims in UK as pilot scheme widened

Decision-making will begin in all eight new areas this autumn, the Government said.

Events

26 h. ago Leaving the ECHR 'is NOT a threat to Good Friday Agreement' as pressure mounts for overhaul of asylum rules

Supporters of the Strasbourg court have long claimed that quitting the ECHR would undermine the landmark agreement that brought an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Events

37 h. ago Autumn to begin with ‘unsettled’ weather as rain and wind forecast

The weather is expected to remain unsettled throughout the coming week with blustery showers and longer periods of rain across much of the UK.

Politics

44 h. ago The Guardian view on GCSE resits: admitting the problem is just the first step | Editorial

The low pass rate in compulsory retakes is one of many challenges in 16-19 educationFor years, rigid rules and a shocking failure rate in compulsory GCSE retakes have been one of the exam system’s dirty secrets. At last this dire situation is getting some of the attention it deserves. This year, nearly a quarter of all maths and English language entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were for students aged 17 or older on a repeat attempt – with just one in six of those retaking maths managing to pass.By calling this a crisis, Jill Duffy, who heads the OCR exam board, has thrown a spotlight on the problem. But admitting that there is an issue with resits, as officials are now doing, is only the first step. There are differing views about what ought to happen next. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago UK’s largest lake faces environmental crisis as rescue plans stall

Toxic algae cases in Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh have tripled since last year, as local fishers’ incomes plummetThe UK’s largest lake, Lough Neagh, is on course to record its worst year of potentially toxic algal blooms to date, as rescue plans remain deadlocked.As a ban on eel-fishing in the lake is extended yet again, with local fishers’ incomes falling by 60% since 2023, there have so far this year been 139 detections of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) growths recorded at the lough and its surrounding watercourses, according to a government pollution tracker. This is more than treble the number for the same point in 2024 (45). The data covers the 400 sq km freshwater lough, its tributaries, and smaller peripheral bodies of water, including Portmore Lough and Lough Gullion. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Martin Smyth was an MP of ‘integrity and Christian principle’, service told

The former Ulster Unionist MP for South Belfast and Orange Order grand master died last week at the age of 94.

Politics

4 d. ago Report reveals ‘true scale’ of environmental impact of pig and poultry farming

A study for the Wildlife Trusts highlights the scale of waste produced by the livestock sectors and the land used to grow feed.

Politics

5 d. ago Major healthcare equipment supplier sells product sales arm after insolvency

NRS Healthcare has sold the division after collapsing into insolvency earlier this month.

Politics

6 d. ago Northern Ireland will not be at forefront of Reform’s plans – Farage

The Reform UK leader responded to criticism of earlier remarks that he would ‘renegotiate’ the Good Friday Agreement.

Politics

6 d. ago Farage has no right to ‘tear up’ Good Friday Agreement – Hanna

But DUP MP Sammy Wilson has backed the Reform UK leader’s plans to renegotiate the peace deal.

Politics

6 d. ago Sex offender, 84, killed in 'brutal and sustained' attack after recent release from prison: Man in 40s arrested over 'murder'

Sean Small, 84, was discovered near his Newcastle property in County Down, Northern Ireland, late on Sunday night.

Events

6 d. ago Farage ‘hasn’t got the faintest idea’ of consequences of leaving ECHR, says Benn

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said jeopardising the Good Friday Agreement would be ‘dangerously irresponsible’.

Politics

7 d. ago Warmest August bank holiday Monday ever for Wales and Northern Ireland

The remnants of Hurricane Erin are set to bring rain and wind to the west of the UK.

Events

7 d. ago Teen girl suddenly dies after major UK music festival as two others fall ill

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that a teenager had been taken to hospital after falling unwell at the Emerge Festival in Belfast and later died shortly after

Events

7 d. ago Teenage girl dies while boy and woman are rushed to hospital after falling ill at British festival

Police have launched a probe into sudden death of a girl - in her late teens - at the Emerge dance festival, which is held at Boucher Playing Fields in the south of the Northern Ireland capital.

Events

7 d. ago Teen girl dies at Emerge Belfast festival as two others fall ill

A girl was taken to the hospital after becoming unwell at the Emerge Festival in Belfast on Sunday night and later died, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said

Events

7 d. ago With Love, Meghan guest star who had key role in Duchess's royal wedding reveals what it was really like to be on her cooking show

Clare Smyth, an internationally renowned chef from Northern Ireland , will appear in the new season of Meghan Markle's new coking series.

Society

8 d. ago Bank holiday traffic and weather latest as Wales set to bask in 'glorious' sunshine

Beaches and parks are expected to be busy, with the Met Office saying 'a glorious bank holiday Monday is on the cards' in Wales

Politics

9 d. ago Bank Holiday temperatures to rise to near 30C before rain arrives

Maximum temperatures on Sunday will be about 26C or 27C, then it will reach 28C or 29C on Monday, with widespread sunshine, the Met Office said.

Politics