Belfast News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Tragedy struck County Tipperary as a four-vehicle crash on the R688 killed a man in his sixties—driver of one of the cars—and left a van driver in his forties with serious injuries. The scene, closed for investigation, is prompting local diversions and a desperate plea for witnesses or dashcam footage from the Cooper’s Lot area between 5 and 6 PM yesterday. Authorities urge anyone with info to con...

Legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie, who brought glittering magic to Hollywood icons like Cher, Madonna, and Diana Ross, has died at 87. His career, spanning decades from “The Carol Burnett Show” to winning a Tony for “The Cher Show,” was defined by bold sequins, dazzling sparkle, and fearless creativity. From Marilyn Monroe’s historic JFK birthday dress to Cher’s unforgettable stage looks, Mack...

Prince Harry turns 42 as Meghan celebrates with sweet social media love—but behind the scenes, their family life is shifting fast. Archie and Lilibet have already switched schools in England after a chaotic commute strained security, while both parents face new official risk assessments back on UK soil. Their 2020 decision to step back from royal duties and split time between continents has been o...

Rory Best is back with his third “Miles to Mayo” fundraising challenge, running from September 12th to 20th to support the Cancer Fund for Children. Starting at St. Helen’s in Dublin, this isn’t just a run—it’s a community-driven mission to uplift kids battling cancer, like seven-year-old Senán Smyth. With his background in finance and rugby leadership, Best brings both grit and strategy to the ca...

The UK government is doubling down on AI, with Deputy PM Louise Haigh set to unveil bold plans at the TUC conference—highlighting how AI can revolutionize public services, fuel business growth, and drive scientific breakthroughs. But she’s also sounding the alarm: real-world builders of AI are warning of risks, and the government is preparing to collaborate globally to safeguard citizens and natio...

Fair City isn’t just another Irish soap—it’s a cultural institution that’s shaped generations of talent while mirroring real-life chaos, from e-scooter gangs to festival ticket scams. Actors like Ger Ryan, Tina Kellegher, Daryl McCormack, Barry Keoghan, and Aisling Bea all launched their careers there, proving it’s more than drama—it’s a launchpad for Ireland’s biggest stars. Listen in comfort: Ge...

Energy bills are skyrocketing this winter, with every provider raising rates and gas prices reversing recent drops. Global disruptions may be far away, but they’re hitting your heating and lights hard—costs could jump hundreds of pounds. While markets can shift, higher prices look locked in for the season. Don’t ignore your bill: compare suppliers, check expired deals, and manage usage—you’ve got...

SDC Trailers just smashed revenue records in 2025, raking in nearly £195 million—a big leap from last year—while profits dipped slightly to over £12 million due to rising material and labor costs plus new regulations. Despite the bottom-line squeeze, they remain the UK’s top semi-trailer maker, owned by Chinese giant CIMC, and are doubling down on efficiency upgrades, supplier diversification, and...

Northern Ireland is gearing up for an AI revolution with a bold new plan: an AI Workforce Observatory designed to watch, measure, and predict how AI is reshaping jobs in real time. Unlike outdated systems that report on past trends, this observatory aims to spot early warning signs—like tech talent leaving, career shifts, or regional imbalances—before they spiral into crises. With Scotland and Ire...

SVRgo, part of Shelbourne Motors, just rolled out a major new rental hub in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter — a £2.25 million investment that’s already brought 50 vehicles and 50K pounds in site upgrades. With four locations now across Belfast, Portadown, Newry, and Dublin, their fleet swells to 350 vehicles and they’re targeting a 25% sales jump in the first year. This move taps into rising demand from...

Irish whiskey makers breathe a sigh of relief as U.S. tariffs are finally lifted—ending months of confusion and extra costs for Northern Irish distillers like McConnell’s, Shortcross, and Hinch, who’ve long struggled to compete with tariff-free Scotch on American shelves. With President Trump’s announcement, the industry now braces for smoother exports and renewed global competitiveness, though th...

The Ministry of Defence secretly hired Jeffrey Donaldson — the convicted child sex offender awaiting sentencing — to advise on peace talks in Cameroon in 2018, paying him over £11,000 for three trips. Despite walking out of the Good Friday Agreement himself, officials saw his Troubles experience as “useful,” even drawing eerie parallels between Cameroon’s crisis and Northern Ireland’s conflict. Do...

Three major nationalist parties—Sinn Féin, the SNP, and Plaid Cymru—are forging a historic alliance aimed at breaking away from the UK, marking the first time leaders with that ultimate goal hold power in their devolved governments simultaneously. While not entirely unexpected given recent electoral shifts, this collaboration signals a seismic shift in the political landscape across the British Is...

A major Chinese tech giant is making its first overseas investment by setting up a high-tech superconducting wire factory in Larne, Northern Ireland — creating 41 premium engineering jobs and injecting £1.5 million annually into the local economy. This cutting-edge facility, part of Superconducting Technologies Northern Ireland, will produce materials vital for MRI machines, maglev trains, and fus...

A British university is pioneering a bold new approach to the divisive Irish unity debate—forcing participants from opposing sides to back every claim with hard evidence before going on camera. The project, Civic Space Two, funded by Ireland’s foreign ministry, brings together people who weren’t even born when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, challenging them to engage in fact-based dialogue...

A major loyalist band parade in Portadown, featuring up to 30 bands—including those named after UVF members—is set for September 26th, just before the Orange Order’s controversial Garvaghy Road march. With nearly 1,000 expected attendees near nationalist areas, tensions are rising amid historical violence tied to Drumcree—including UVF killings—and recent commemorations of UVF figures. Despite esc...

Northern Ireland’s retail sector is on the brink, with the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium demanding urgent action to slash crippling business rates—sometimes up to 50% higher than in England and Scotland—and overhaul slow, complex planning systems and aging infrastructure. With retail supporting 140,000 jobs, the push is to revitalize high streets and attract investment by making Northern Irel...

A man from County Antrim just got a ten-year sentence for drug charges—but this isn’t his first rodeo. Philip Shackels, already a U.S. inmate for nearly five years after helping smuggle millions in meth from North Korea, was caught again thanks to the EncroChat hack. He admitted to conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering, claiming he was coerced by a real-life James Bond villain—Paul Le...

Kiran Khatri, Northern Ireland’s first Indian Consul General, faced a shocking start—racist riots erupted just days after her arrival, devastating the Indian community. Yet amid the chaos, she found resilience in local solidarity and an open consulate that became a beacon of support. Since then, Belfast has embraced diversity through cultural events like the Indian cricket tour, Fleadh, and Mela,...

The National Ploughing Championships kicked off in Screggan with a massive turnout and record-breaking scale, but beneath the spectacle lies a brewing crisis for Irish farmers. Facing soaring energy costs, a punishing dry summer, and looming cuts to EU funding, the industry is under unprecedented pressure. New studies reveal alarming trends: one in three farmers plan to quit within five years, and...

The National Ploughing Championships roar back to life in Screggan with up to 80,000 fans expected on opening day — a massive rural festival blending tradition and tech. Over 350 ploughing champs compete, while global machinery giants from New Zealand and France unveil cutting-edge tractors and harvesters. Beyond the engines, expect sheep shearing demos, livestock shows, farm safety workshops, and...

Gas prices are soaring, with oil up 50% since July and diesel already over two euros a liter — and the government’s tax relief measures are costing them hundreds of millions. With looming carbon taxes and planned fuel hikes set to start in November, officials face a tough choice: raise prices further when drivers are already reeling — or risk political backlash. They’re calling it “agile” decision...

Man Dies in Newtownards Incident | Belfast News

Dublin Airport is on track to burn through its entire carbon budget by 2034, with emissions projected to surge over 65% under current expansion plans — far exceeding what’s acceptable to meet global climate targets. As the government lifts passenger caps, critics warn Ireland can’t lead on climate while greenlighting more flights, forcing other sectors to shoulder deeper cuts. A report of 20 Europ...

Industry leaders are urging the UK government to urgently overhaul tax rules and licensing for oil and gas, warning that over 100 new projects could launch next year — boosting domestic energy production, slashing imports, and securing jobs. With more than 40% of UK energy still imported and gas storage in Europe at a five-year low, the push is on to introduce a new Oil and Gas Revenue Levy by 202...