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

Minister Patrick ODonovan, leading Arts, Media, and Sport, was hospitalized in Brussels Tuesday night during an EU meeting after feeling unwell—his team is requesting privacy as he recovers, leaving the public in the dark for now, but everyone’s hoping for a swift return to duty. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@the...

Andy Burnham is poised to become Labour’s next leader — and possibly Britain’s next prime minister — after becoming the sole declared candidate in a race that’s already looking like a coronation. With nominations pouring in from MPs and backing from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who praised Burnham’s leadership during crises and his work on key initiatives, the path is clear. Burnham’s focus on sta...

Tensions between Iran and the US are escalating again, sending shockwaves through global energy markets—and Irish households are feeling the heat at the pump. The Irish government, already on high alert since March, has extended fuel tax cuts until August 31st to cushion the blow, with a phased reintroduction planned through December. With the Strait of Hormuz still a flashpoint and U.S. and Irani...

The Inspector of Prisons is sounding the alarm after being blocked twice during unannounced inspections at Midlands Prison and the Dochas Centre, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the prison system. His team was obstructed while examining how older inmates were treated, forcing him to halt one inspection and formally notify the Prison Service’s Director General. The...

Ireland’s healthcare system is in crisis, with thousands facing waits of over nine years for psychology appointments—highlighting a nationwide backlog affecting 200,000 people. While the Minister for Health claims progress, including removing 21,000 from lists, the human toll is devastating: mental health delays are crippling recovery, and regional disparities mean some patients are left waiting l...

A devastating fire ripped through Edinburgh’s historic Debenhams department store on Princes Street, destroying its roof and upper floors and leaving the building charred and blackened. Council leader Jane Meagher, a lifelong Edinburger, called the loss heartbreaking and stressed that public safety remains the top priority. While officials work with emergency services to assess structural damage a...

Workers at Short Brothers in Belfast have ratified a new pay deal offering a 4% raise backdated to January 2026, with another 4% in January 2027—approved by 58% of union members after months of negotiations. The agreement, hailed by the company as a step toward competitiveness and long-term value, includes an inflation-triggered review clause. Now part of Boeing following a recent acquisition, the...

A UPS worker known as “King” has been jailed for 12 years after smuggling 290kg of cocaine into Britain — using his job to bypass security and steer shipments undetected. His boss, Steven Bullen, received 16 years and 4 months for orchestrating a massive international drug ring worth millions, trafficking cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamines. Caught via encrypted EncroChat messages, Archbold was paid £...

Bonnie Tyler, the legendary Welsh singer whose gravelly voice defined anthems like “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” has died at 75 in Portugal after an unexpected illness. A global music icon, she was set to perform in Cardiff just weeks after emergency surgery in May. Tributes poured in from stars like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sir Cliff Richard, and Bryan Adams, praising her vibrant spirit and unforget...

The UK just shattered its record for the most 34°C+ days in a single year, with this third heatwave of 2024 triggering water restrictions, early harvests, and health alerts—especially for the elderly and dementia patients. Europe’s June was its hottest on record, and scientists blame climate change fueled by fossil fuels. As crops ripen faster and power grids strain under soaring demand, the world...

The Prince of Wales had a whirlwind day in Hastings, hopping on a funicular, playing crazy golf with pros, chatting with fishermen and netmakers about climate challenges, and even snagging a silver shell from a local charity. He also visited community hubs, listened to teens ditching social media for real-life hangouts, and ended the day laughing with a baby and well-wishers — a mix of sport, sea,...

A former Ulster Bank employee in Northern Ireland, Mark Clements, 52, has pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position for allegedly creating a fake credit and withdrawing unauthorized funds between 2013 and 2015. Appearing in Belfast Crown Court, Clements faces sentencing on September 1st, pending a pre-sentence report from the Probation Board. The judge emphasized full cooperation with the board...

UDA flags are back near a controversial bonfire site in south Belfast — a location flagged last year for asbestos — sparking fresh debate over police action. With new powers now in place since last Monday, the PSNI can confiscate paramilitary banners without needing to prove a direct link to criminal activity, a major shift from previous restrictions. As politicians push for stronger measures and...

Ulster University’s Magee campus in Derry is set to unveil a game-changing £44.5 million Teaching and Student Centre, funded by the Republic of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund and an additional £7 million from the university, marking a major leap forward despite recent financial challenges and job cuts. Scheduled to open in 2028-29, the state-of-the-art facility will host up to 350 students with cutt...

The DUP has launched an independent probe into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in the party, following his conviction on 18 historic child sex abuse charges—including rape—against two victims. The review, led by Mr. Gamble’s iNEQE Safeguarding Group, will investigate who knew what, when, and what actions were—or weren’t—taken. It will also assess the DUP’s safeguarding systems and offer recommendations t...

Diesel prices are surging fast—expect a 10-cent-per-liter jump by week’s end, pushing pump prices past €1.80. The spike stems from a 8-cent wholesale diesel hike, with petrol also climbing 2 cents. April’s fuel tax relief ends in September, sparking calls for a long-term strategy to balance affordability, energy security, and climate goals. Time to watch your wallet—and your tank. Listen in comfor...

A historic Edinburgh landmark, the old Debenhams department store, has been reduced to rubble in a devastating fire that erupted early Thursday. Firefighters battled flames for hours, with the roof and upper floors completely destroyed. Though the blaze is now under control, crews remain on site, urging nearby residents to keep windows and doors shut due to lingering smoke. Police are investigatin...

Zara Home is finally landing in Ireland with its first standalone store in Dundrum Town Centre, spanning over 15,000 sq ft and offering everything from bedding to bathroom essentials. While Ireland already hosts a Zara clothing store undergoing a major revamp, this new venture is set to open later this year. Behind the scenes, parent company Inditex — which also owns Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti...

The DUP has launched a high-stakes, independent probe into former leader Jeffrey Donaldson following his recent rape and child sex offense convictions, with sentencing looming in September. Led by child protection expert Jim Gamble, the iNEQE Safeguarding Group will investigate whether the party knew about allegations against Donaldson, who, reports suggest, engaged in heavy drinking, inappropriat...

A major fire erupted early Thursday on Princes Street in Edinburgh, engulfing the historic Debenhams site and drawing emergency crews by 2:52 AM. The Fire Brigades Union is sounding the alarm, blaming years of budget cuts for crippling firefighter capacity — including the loss of over 1,250 jobs in 13 years and 166 more just three years ago. Union rep Gus Sproul emphasized the critical role of loc...

Tragedy struck Mullingar as two funerals were held this week for Michaela Newcombe and Mark McCullagh-Crichton, who died in a devastating car crash in Spain alongside Mark’s sister-in-law, Amy McCullagh. The collision on Spain’s A7 motorway sent one vehicle plummeting off an embankment, leaving Mark’s brother Ian critically injured but alive. Mark, remembered as a devoted family man and Michaela’s...

Church leaders from across Europe pressed Taoiseach Micheál Martin to accelerate public-benefit projects, citing delays of up to eleven years—even for vital initiatives like wind farms—during Ireland’s EU presidency. Beyond infrastructure, they urged faster action on social unity, migration, AI’s fiscal impact, and humanitarian aid, while voicing concerns over Gaza’s access and media diversity. Th...

London’s marathon is exploding next year—split into two epic days with 100,000 runners hitting the streets, fueled by 1.3 million wild applications. Fifty-five thousand race Sunday, forty-five on Saturday, with charity spots still open for this year only. Meanwhile, Marie Curie smashed its fundraising goal, raising over £2.3 million to support end-of-life care for years to come. Listen in comfort:...

England’s women’s cricket team makes history at Lord’s, playing their first-ever Test match on the hallowed ground — a milestone 50 years in the making — while also bidding farewell to veteran Tammy Beaumont, whose 17-year career will end with a fitting send-off. The squad, still reeling from a heartbreaking T20 World Cup final loss just five days prior, mixes seasoned stars with emerging talent,...

Ulster University is set to unveil a groundbreaking Teaching and Student Centre in Derry, approved for construction with government backing, designed to transform higher education with flexible learning spaces, advanced labs, a student hub, and a café—all opening in 2028-29. More than just classrooms, this state-of-the-art facility blends innovation with campus heritage, fostering creativity, rese...