Mon, 10th February 2025

Philomena Skelton pictured with Andreea Cozac, 14 years-old, from Fagaras orphanage in Romania during her stay with the family. Her husband, Kevin said he did not trust the Irish Government to co-operate with the inquiry

Husband of Omagh bombing victim challenges inquiry to deliver truth for victims

A man whose wife was killed in the Omagh bombing has challenged a public inquiry to provide the truth about the atrocity to victims

Five Things To Read

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry heard that 56-year-old Veda Short was a “loving wife, mother and grandmother” who was very family-orientated and active within her church

Family say their worlds ‘were’ shattered by murder of mother in Omagh bomb

Keir Starmer had the gall to lecture unionists on the threat of a trade border with the Republic of Ireland. Meanwhile, unionists ​joined with nationalists against Benn’s justified remarks on funding rather than focusing on the Irish Sea border

Owen Polley: Jim Allister's mutual enforcement has unfortunately been shelved

On Monday, Ms Long condemned the attacks on the officers.

Justice Minister condemns ‘disgraceful ‘attacks on police officers

Ulster's James Hume. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

James Hume reflects on 'some really dark times' but now with Ulster hope

Ulster University students out in hundreds to welcome Prince William during Royal visit to new Belfast campus

Ulster University students turned out in their hundreds to greet the Prince of Wales

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Puzzles

Quick CrosswordTo test and hone your word skills

SudokuThe ultimate logic-based numbers game

WordwheelPit yourself against the clock with our simple anagram game

Cost Of Living

Shirley & Ted's Takeaway in Bangor served its final customers over the weekend, citing the “current climate” and a “pure lack of business” as the main reasons behind the decision. Credit Facebook

NI seaside takeaway closes due to ‘current climate’ and ‘lack of business’

DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.

MLAs didn't bring storm compensation rules in line with the rest of UK

Sinéad Dynan, head of consumer and business protection at the Utility Regulator

Struggling to pay bills? Utility Regulator urges NI firms to reach out

The minister said the offer has been made following a series of negotiations with both industrial and non-industrial Civil Service unions

Finance Minister makes 20-month Civil Service pay offer

Opinion

Morning View

Editorial: ​A rare example of success in a legacy court case

News Letter editorial on Saturday February 8 2025​

Editorial
Many parents have voted overwhelmingly for their schools to transform to integrated status

Letter: Conversion of schools to integrated status should be supported

​An illustration of Result in Carrickfergus, where she was built

Roamer: Cargo ship was bait for enemy U-Boats

Ben Lowry: Only ​in UK would we get this contemptible Clonoe ruling against SAS

Ben Lowry

Four Provisional IRA members were killed by soldiers in an ambush in Clonoe, Co Tyrone on February 16, 1992. Minutes earlier, the gang had fired 30 rounds of armour-piercing tracer ammunition into a Coalisland RUC station, from a Soviet-made heavy machine gun mounted on the back of a stolen lorry

Letter: A ruthless terrorist cannot be an innocent victim

Valentine’s Day is still big business in the UK

Jackie McGregor: Valentine's Day can bring mixed feelings

Morning View

Editorial: ​The outrage of hounding SAS and RUC heroes

Irish League Football

Josh Ukek celebrates his equaliser for Portadown at Solitude

Portadown produce battling qualities to earn comeback draw at Cliftonville

Success Edogun made his Ballymena United debut against Linfield on Friday evening. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

The 10 most underrated January transfers that could make a big impact

Linfield's Joel Cooper has enjoyed a tremendous season which has helped put the Blues in pole position to reclaim the Gibson Cup. Cooper has scored 16 league goals and provided nine assists so far. He hasn't let the speculation over his future impact his game either - he has scored six times in as many league matches since news of a move to Coleraine broke, picking up January's Player of the Month award.

RANKED: Who is the 'most valuable player' at each Irish League Premiership club?

Cliftonville's Coran Madden is congratulated after providing an assist for Rory Hale just two minutes into his Premiership debut earlier this season. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

The Irish League teen who 'has been the best player at the club since five'

Dundela manager Stephen Gourley. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press)

Irish League boss reflects on 'awful' transfer window with 'too much turnover'

Eating Out

Mark Gowdy, commercial director, White’s Oats pictured with Colin Kiddell, business development for White’s Oats at Gulfood 2024. White’s is one of five companies from Northern Ireland exhibiting at Gulfood 2025 - the world’s largest food and beverage trade event

NI oat miller and leader in breakfast cereals grows turnover to over £20m

Charley and Becky Cole of Broughgammon Farm in Ballycastle – leaders in sustainable and organic farming and food production

Northern Ireland's Food & Drink innovation showcased at major Science Festival

Crime

A UDA mural

Searches carried out into suspected criminality linked to the West Belfast UDA

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher says 'absolutely shocking' that 9 officers injured

Police examine an abandoned getaway car after the shooting, with damage caused to the roof of a nearby church shown behind. Picture: Pacemaker Archive.

Clonoe IRA gang verdict proof of Republican double standards, say TUV

Laganside court complex. Image: Google

County Tyrone factory worker charged with raping sex worker in Belfast

scrambler

Teenager charged with dangerous driving involving a scrambler

arrested man with cuffed hands

Man due in court charged with rape and possession of an offensive weapon

Your World

(L-R) Mark Gowdy, Commercial Director, White’s Oats pictured with Colin Kiddell, Business Development for White’s Oats at Gulfood 2024. White’s is one of five companies from Northern Ireland exhibiting at Gulfood 2025- the world’s largest food and beverage trade event and, a flagship event for connecting with global industry leaders and businesses, which takes place from 17-21 February at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

White's Oats grown its turnover to over £20m ahead of Gulfood visit

Tony Fearon, Group Commercial Director, Poundstretcher

Store cuts cost of pet products across Belfast network

Some of the All Stars volunteers and athletes L-R : Adam Scully, Christine Erdis, Sean McNearney, Grace Daly, Johnny Gillespie, Kirsty Neill, Liam McNearney, Ciaran Lyons, Thomas McKnight.

Young volunteers needed for Special Olympics Ulster

Retro

George And Mildred aired between 1976 and 1979

Retro: George And Mildred were TV gold

​Earlier this week it was announced that George And Mildred star Brian Murphy had died at the age of 92.

Helen McGurk

One of the earliest News Letter editions dating to March 1749. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Four left dead after Donegal railway disaster (1925)

A 1934 photo of the Saltwater Bridge in south Belfast which archeologists have confirmed remains some 2m under the road on Sandy Row. Photo: The Archaeological evaluation at Belfast Transport Hub on behalf of Translink by the Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.

King Billy's bridge preserved despite loss of Boyne Bridge

The Boyne Bridge in Belfast is being demolished as part of the redevelopment of the area for the new Belfast Grand Central Station. Photo: 5-02-2025 by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

'Departmental vandalism' as Boyne Bridge is demolished

The first major Orange parade of 2025 will take place on February 22 (photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

First major Orange parade of 2025 now in the calendar honouring two IRA victims

Homes & Gardens

38 Ballymenoch Road, Holywood, BT18 0HN 5 Bed Detached House

This is possibly one of the most impressive family homes on the market right now

This very impressive property is located on the Ballymenoch Road which has an unrivalled elevated and private setting with panoramic views across Belfast Lough to the County Antrim shoreline.

Gemma Murray

A posh pillow and a dream duvet - can these really help me sleep better?

Review: We try out Simba's best bedding to see if we sleep better

The villa is a new build for 2025 and has its own pool

See inside this £540,000 Cyprus villa you can win for £1.49

Shark's vacuums have so many innovative features

Huge savings on Shark vacuums right now if you follow this link

Hagan Homes, one of Northern Ireland’s leading homebuilders, has commenced construction on its latest development, Springwater, located on Jubilee Road, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim. Pictured is Kate Dempsey, architectural consultant and Andrea Sinclair, planner, Hagan Homes

NI construction firm begins £18million development to deliver 77 local homes

Recommended

Enjoy a romantic meal for two with the HelloFresh Valentine's Day box and get 50% off your first box

Romantic meal for two with the HelloFresh Valentine's Day box

Run, don't walk! UGG boots are having a major sale and you could save up to £160 off your favourite styles

UGG boots are having a major sale that could save you over £150

Sit back and relax with these Sunday self-care bath and body essentials

Sunday self-care bath and body essentials

The Nebula Capsule Air is small enough to fit in a trouser pocket

Nebula Capsule Air review: A pint size projector that packs a punch

Lifestyle

Michelle Sherrard, director of Consulting Services, Northern Ireland at CGI and Fiona Greene, chief executive at Niacro launch a transformative social value programme aimed at empowering society’s most vulnerable to overcome digital barriers

Global firm partners Belfast charity to help bridge the digital divide in NI

Northern Ireland firm Hampton Conservatories has completed a substantial glazed extension for the Ryder Grill restaurant at The Belfry Hotel & Resort

NI firm completes majestic orangery at world-renowned golfing venue

Armagh-based Louise Doyle, co-founder and CEO of needi, was recognised for her approach to corporate gifting, blending AI-driven technology with a mission to support independent businesses and reduce waste from unwanted gifts

NI entrepreneur wins prestigious Innovation & Technology Award in London

Lotus Property has announced that leading operator Staycity Group will be tenant of £20m aparthotel, marking their first move into Northern Ireland

European aparthotel operator to open first aparthotel in Northern Ireland

People

A person using an umbrella to shelter from the rain whilst walking

Northern Ireland weather: Drab day with 'just a few sunny interludes'

Today has been ‘dry and rather cloudy with just a few sunny interludes, these mainly in west’, according to the Met Office.

Gemma Murray

Margaret Thatcher arrives at Downing Street after winning the general election on May 1979

Margaret ​Thatcher’s march into history books started 50 years ago

John Cooney

John Cooney: Book of condolences opens for tragic boxer in Ulster Hall

Business

Fairhill Shopping Centre is thrilled to announce the commencement of an extensive internal revamp and branding project, marking a further significant investment into the future of the centre

Northern Ireland shopping centre on £10million boost ahead of Primark opening

Mark Magill, senior economist at Ulster University and author of the report (Photo: Nigel McDowell / Ulster University)

NI faces workforce crisis with projected shortfall of 5,400 workers annually

Tourism Northern Ireland has urged accommodation providers planning to rent out their properties for The Open this summer to get certified. Pictured is Aidan McPeake, director of Environmental Services at Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, David Roberts, director of Strategic Development at Tourism Northern Ireland and Andy McKeown, station commander at the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, launch Tourism NI’s accommodation certification campaign ahead of The Open in Portrush in July

Tourism NI urges accommodation providers to 'get certified' ahead of The Open

Henry & Marta, Asda Dundonald

Love is in the aisles: Five Northern Ireland couples find romance at Asda

UK Trending

Krispy Kreme and happn create 'Doughnuts & Dates' spots

The top 15 early dating 'icks' revealed

Nearly a third reckon they need a personal assistant to help keep on top of things

Two in five Brits struggle to keep up with their 'to-do' lists

(Photo: Pexels)

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 - and how to make the most of it

(Photo: Pexels)

National Apprenticeship Week: 7 surprising industry opportunities

The Michelin Awards 2025 ceremony is being held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

Live Live updates from Michelin ceremony as 2025 guide is announced

(Photo: Pexels)

'I'm a jobs expert - wearing this is an online job interview no-no'

Must Read

Veterans can have their independence and continue living comfortably in their own homes

Ad Feature UK veterans can claim 'discount' for more affordable mobility care

There are six major trends expected to influence the sector in 2025

Ad Feature ID card printing trends in 2025 - here’s how it can help your business

8,000 consumers decided which new products deserved to have the red Product of the Year logo accolade

Ad Feature Top UK products of 2025 - full list revealed!

Ciarán McGonagle

Pakflatt director Ciarán McGonagle named on prestigious Lawyer Hot 100 List

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