Mon, 12th May 2025

The Department of Education, run by the DUP's Paul Givan, will issue its response to the Supreme Court sex ruling in advance of Equality Commission guidance, the News Letter understands.

Supreme Court sex ruling: Givan to publish schools policy ahead of ECNI guidance

The Department of Education intends to set out its policy on single sex facilities in Northern Ireland’s schools in advance of non-binding advice to be issued by the Equality Commission next month, the News Letter understands.

Five Things To Read

Buncrana shorefront. Photo: George Sweeney

Second young swimmer dies after incident off the coast of Donegal

John McGrillen (left), the chief executive of Tourism NI with Paul Vaughan (right), the director of golf at Ardglass Golf Club. Mr McGrillen has predicted that the return of the Open Championship to Portrush will have a positive impact for businesses across Northern Ireland.

The Open in Portrush set to give major boost to tourism across Northern Ireland

Police officers praised after cannabis factory uncovered

Local police officers praised after their actions uncover cannabis factory

Winston Churchill’s moment of vindication in Whitehall, London on VE Day, May 8 1945. Not only was Britain alone in 1940, colleagues had wanted him to surrender to the Nazis

Ben Lowry: NI with GB had been alone in war - no wonder there was VE Day joy

WATCH: The full Belfast Marathon of thousands of runners passing by as they stream out of the Stormont starting point

This video lasting 20 minutes shows the entire Belfast Marathon passing by just past the start line

View more

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

Adur & Worthing Councils are offering free support to residents who are ‘struggling to afford their energy bills’. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Experts say switching now could save you £366 on energy bills

Use this tool to start saving on your energy bills now

This free tool finds deals your supplier doesn’t want you to see

Bills are going up again - unless you act now

Cut energy bills by £388 with this free tool before the cap jumps

You might have spare cash sitting in your energy account - here's how to get it back

Explainer Claim energy refunds and save on bills with hidden account credit

Opinion

Morning View

Editorial: ​Still not talking honestly on health pressures

​News Letter editorial on Monday May 12 2025:

Editorial
Morning View

Editorial: Justice for a much-loved sycamore tree, felled by vandals

RAF Sunderland sea planes taking off from the lough, causing showers of sea water

Roamer: WW2 through a six-year-old's eyes

Owen Polley: Northern Ireland looks short of saviours at Westminster

Owen Polley

The area around St Anne's Cathedral in the north of Belfast city centre after it was badly damaged in the Belfast Blitz of 1941. Bryan Johnston recalls, aged three, an air raid in North Belfast

Letter: ​My happy boyhood memories of a war that we were too young to understand

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday. Leo XIV has an added and unique differentiation from all his predecessors – he is the first American to be elected pope

Alf McCreary: Pope Leo XIV is a wise choice

Jackie laments how quickly time passes as she reflects on her son’s school years as he prepares to sit his A-Levels

Jackie McGregor: ​Sunset on the school years and the dawn of a million dreams

Irish League Football

Former Linfield youngster Dylan Stitt has signed a professional contract at Luton Town alongside Sam Anderson. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images )

Former Irish League youngsters sign professional contracts at Luton Town

Jordan Stewart celebrates scoring against Coleraine. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

Former Linfield ace departs Crusaders after 'mutual agreement' over termination

Ballymacash Rangers chairman Stuart Thompson (middle) welcomes Gary Hamilton and Paul McAreavey to the club. (Photo by Ballymacash Rangers)

Gary Hamilton reveals key reasons behind Ballymacash Rangers decision

Fraser Taylor during his time on loan at Ballymena United. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Former Ballymena United favourite backed to make Scottish Premiership step

Chris Atherton in action for Glenavon against Linfield this season. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

Dungannon school offer 'best wishes' as Irish League teens prepare for big moves

Food & Drink

Belfast’s first Vietnamese restaurant, Madame PHO, has announced the closure of its Dundonald store, marking the end of an era for local fans. Credit Facebook

Belfast Vietnamese chain to close a NI restaurant, staff to join new venture

Popular café in Londonderry’s historic Cathedral Quarter, Hidden City Café, is set to close its doors today after almost eight years in business. Credit Facebook

NI café to hide for good as it bids heartfelt goodbye closure after eight years

Crime

Police make arrest

Man is arrested after car break-ins in Armagh

Police injured

Two police officers injured responding to separate fights in Belfast

"Officers from Armed Response Unit eventually brought the vehicle to a controlled stop

Man arrested after vehicle reported stolen in Dublin spotted in the border area

Laganside court complex. Image: Google

Four Romanian men accused over running knife battle in Belfast street

A PSNI poster warning about sextotion

Police urge caution following recent reports of ‘sextortion’ incidents

Max Hollingsbee from Lurgan, has been sentenced to five years and two months

‘Predator’ who groomed and abused at least 14 girls receives five-year sentence

Your World

Pictured in September 1980 is Mr Roy McDougall, on the right, commercial manager BP, handing over cheques to Mr Arthur McAlister, YFC secretary, and Mr Lawrence McMillan, chairman of the NI Ploughing Association. Also included is Mr Frank Espey, secretary of the NIPA. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

College training is key for young farmers says farming minister (1968)

East Londonderry UUP Association Chairman Robert Carmichael.

Make VE Day a national holiday, urges East Londonderry UUP

Stephen Henderson (Owner SJ Henderson Fulfilment) showing Councillor Pete Byrne (NMDDC Chairperson) and Dr Caoimhe Archibald (DfE Minister) the scanning technology funded by DTFF.

NI logistics firm levels up with cutting-edge tech through DTFF support

Retro

Retro video games could be worth thousands of pounds, even if they are used and in some cases lacking their boxes, according to new research by Currys

The 20 most valuable retro video games you might own, worth up to £4K

Your old video games could be worth thousands of pounds - even if they’re unsealed

Robert Cumber

Do you remember these and other popular lunch box snacks and drinks of the 1980s?

13 retro snacks every 80s child wanted in their lunch box at school

UUP MLA and Afghanistan veteran Andy Allen and WWII RAF veteran 101-year-old Victor Clarke cut the ribbon for the military memorial arch on the Shankill Road in Belfast on VE Day 2025. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

RAF veteran, 101, cuts ribbon on Ulster Military Memorial Arch

The Leading Ladies, from left to right, Lynne McAllister, Michelle Baird, Ceara Grehan. The group sang nostalgic war time songs at the VE Day 80th celebrations in Coleraine on 8 May 2025.

Thousands turn out to VE Day events across Northern Ireland

The 1982 Eurovision Song Contest was staged in the north of England for the first time. That year's show opened with the question 'Where is Harrogate?' as an international audience was introduced to the charms of the North Yorkshire spa town.

When Eurovision came to Harrogate - a look back at the 1982 final

Homes & Gardens

Cast a shade for £14.99 with this bargain canopy

Keep cool in your garden for just £15 with this half price sun shade

Amazon has knocked 50% off this garden sun shade - and it has to be one of the cheapest ways of creating a cool space in your garden

Gareth Butterfield

The site is located on lands to the South of Gortinure Road and immediately East of Silverbrook Park and Primity Crescent in Newbuildings

Planning permission granted for over 160 new Northern Ireland homes

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Fondant Fancy' are among the new blooms at Chelsea Flower Show 2025.

Gardens: New plants at Chelsea Flower Show 2025

The three houses are worth a combined £8.5 million

Win £8.5m of luxury homes for just over £20 in prize draws

Adding to the buzz is the introduction of a new and exclusive feature: "Garden Centres by Homebase," offering premium plants, garden accessories, and seasonal finds – just in time for the warmer weather. Credit The Range

NI's newest The Range store to open this Friday with 'thousands of offers'

Recommended

8 must-have beauty essentials for some aeroplane pamper time

8 Beauty essentials for effortless in-flight care

I stayed at the Hoseasons Darwin Forest for a long weekend family staycation - here’s what I really thought

My honest review of the Hoseasons Darwin Forest lodge and hot tub

Raging Bull: The perfect Father’s Day gift for the fashion-conscious dad

Raging Bull is the men's fashion collection perfect for Father’s Day

A reliable student-ready machine with plenty of storage and speed

Top 5 laptop deals in Amazon Tech Week – from £149

Lifestyle

Gareth Butterfield has been driving a six-year-old Tesla Model 3 for a few weeks to see if they really are a used-car bargain

Living with a used Tesla: Battery-powered bargain, or EV ordeal?

Jonathon Bennett, founder of Belfast Cheesecake Co, shares how a mint Aero cheesecake and a passion for The Great British Bake Off inspired him to launch a successful dessert business which is now expanding with a second location

How I moved from insurance claims to the sweet life at Belfast Cheesecake Co

A heartfelt tribute marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day has captured the admiration of thousands across the UK, thanks to the remarkable work of Mary Tompsett from Comber, County Down. Credit The Willow Tree Cafe Gallery

VE Day tribute by Northern Ireland crafter captures hearts across the UK

More famland faces flooding (photo: Adobe)

​Present and the future danger of climate crisis

People

Davey Todd, Peter Hickman, Alastair Seeley, Jeremy McWilliams and Richard Cooper with the huge crowd of fans who attended the Briggs Equipment North West 200 'Meet the Stars' event in Coleraine town centre on Friday

100k due at North West 200 Northern Ireland’s biggest outdoor sporting event

​​Excitement is building ahead of today's racing extravaganza on the north coast, the North West 200 – though the mood was marred by the discovery of a body not far from the start/finish point yesterday.

By The Newsroom

​Rev Jim Rea MBE, Methodist Church

Thought for the week: The bravery of a soldier in a dilemma

Residents from The Peninsula have been reflecting on their memories of the celebrations that followed the momentous announcement that World War 2 was over

Through their eyes: NI care home residents recall the moment peace returned

Business

The books are on sale in the church hall at Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian church from 10am to 4pm

Books from the late John Gowan's bookshop in Fermanagh on sale in Belfast today

Construction has officially begun on a £12 million state-of-the-art endoscopy unit at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC), led by Northern Ireland-based Henry Brothers Construction

NI construction firm starts work on £12 million endoscopy unit

Picture at the official launch of the All-Ireland Sustainability Summit & Expo are: Marie Cowan, Director, Geological Survey Northern Ireland, Dr Michael Shaw, on behalf of Matrix NI, Judy McElroy, Sustainability & Environment Manager, NIE Networks, Rob McConnell, Chief Executive, ICC Belfast, Danielle McCormick, Founder, All-Ireland Sustainability Summit, Peter Smiley, Sustainability Manager, Danske Bank, Jac Callan, Senior Sustainability & Impact Manager, Visit Belfast and Lily Hulatt, Marketing & Communications Manager, All-Ireland Sustainability Summit.

Sustainability Summit & Expo 2025 launches new venue, new Sustainability clinic

Sara McCracken FCIPR has made the top 50 Independent PR PR actioners

Only one from NI: Dromara PR powerhouse joins UK’s elite top 50

UK Trending

Sabrina's family: Pauline Nimmo (Sabrina's sister), Joseph Brett (Sabrina's brother), Noel Brett (Sabrina's father); courtesy of ITV Anglia

Our child was murdered 30 years ago. Her killer is still out there

A serial thief who is currently serving more than four years in prison has been convicted of further offences and told she will be deported.

Brazen pickpocket steals purse from diner's coat in Costa Coffee

Roger & Shalini Cana Omaze winners at their £4.5m London home

'I won £4.5m dream home. Now I see the Shard instead of washing lines'

Polar bears go wild and take to the water...in a kayak

Polar bears go wild and take to the water...in a kayak

SELIN HIZLI as DR Sophia Hernandez. Photo: © WORLD PRODUCTIONS/ITV.

Who is new to Malpractice’s cast for series 2

Hannah Onslow and James Nelson-Joyce star in new BBC drama This City Is Ours (Picture: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)

Full cast of This City is Ours - and stars’ previous roles

Must Read

Online fashionistas can now try before they buy!

Ad Feature New tool allows UK online shoppers to try on clothes before they buy

The typical AI error rate hovered around 38%.

Ad Feature Human transcribers more accurate than AI, study reveals

Derrick Cartlidge with photos of his brothers Tommy and Fred, both of whom were killed in action during the Second World War, plus their medals and commendations.

VE Day: Derrick, 91, remembers Belfast Blitz boyhood and fallen brothers

Paloma will bring her wealth of musical talent to this year's gala

Ad Feature Paloma Faith appointed musical director for crucial fundraising event

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