19/08/2025
Other News In Brief
ONS Analysis Suggests NI Rents Becoming Less Affordable
New analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that rents in Northern Ireland have become less affordable since 2020. The proportion of a typical household's income spent on rent rose from just under 22% in 2020 to 25.3% in 2024, as rents increased at a faster rate than wages.
UUP Councillor Kate Evans from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council stated that while the Republic of Ireland has legislation capping rent increases at 2% in some areas, Northern Ireland has seen an average rental increase of 8.3%. She called for new legislation to cap rents and for the creation of an online rent calculator to help ease the issue for those who do not own their homes.
Sinn Féin MLA Praises Cricket Ireland Sports Camp
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has praised a sports camp organised by Cricket Ireland for its role in bringing children from different backgrounds together. Following the cancellation of a previous camp that was to be attended by East Belfast GAA, Cricket Ireland specifically invited the club to the new camp, highlighting sport’s power to unite communities. Gildernew said it was powerful to see so many children from a range of clubs "mixing with each other, learning new skills and having great fun."
Man Arrested After Serious Assault In Portadown
Police are investigating a serious assault that took place in Portadown Town Centre on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
At around 5.40pm, a man in his 20s was assaulted by another male with a broken bottle in the Market Street area, sustaining chest injuries that required hospital treatment.
A 22-year-old man was arrested a short time later on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and wounding with intent, but has since been released on bail. The police have asked anyone with information or footage to contact them.
New analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that rents in Northern Ireland have become less affordable since 2020. The proportion of a typical household's income spent on rent rose from just under 22% in 2020 to 25.3% in 2024, as rents increased at a faster rate than wages.
UUP Councillor Kate Evans from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council stated that while the Republic of Ireland has legislation capping rent increases at 2% in some areas, Northern Ireland has seen an average rental increase of 8.3%. She called for new legislation to cap rents and for the creation of an online rent calculator to help ease the issue for those who do not own their homes.
Sinn Féin MLA Praises Cricket Ireland Sports Camp
Man Arrested After Serious Assault In Portadown
Police are investigating a serious assault that took place in Portadown Town Centre on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
At around 5.40pm, a man in his 20s was assaulted by another male with a broken bottle in the Market Street area, sustaining chest injuries that required hospital treatment.
A 22-year-old man was arrested a short time later on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and wounding with intent, but has since been released on bail. The police have asked anyone with information or footage to contact them.
Latest Northern Ireland News
19 August 2025
Belfast Parks Shine With 23 Green Flag Awards
Belfast City Council is celebrating after 23 of its parks and open spaces were awarded prestigious Green Flag Awards. The announcement was made at the annual ceremony at Bangor Castle Walled Garden, where 118 sites across Northern Ireland were honoured this year.
Belfast Parks Shine With 23 Green Flag Awards
Belfast City Council is celebrating after 23 of its parks and open spaces were awarded prestigious Green Flag Awards. The announcement was made at the annual ceremony at Bangor Castle Walled Garden, where 118 sites across Northern Ireland were honoured this year.
19 August 2025
Public Urged To Be Vigilant After Asian Hornet Sighting In Cork
Members of the public and local beekeepers are being urged to be vigilant following a recent sighting and subsequent capture of an Asian hornet in the Cork area. The sighting, confirmed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), marks only the second confirmed record of the insect in Ireland.
Public Urged To Be Vigilant After Asian Hornet Sighting In Cork
Members of the public and local beekeepers are being urged to be vigilant following a recent sighting and subsequent capture of an Asian hornet in the Cork area. The sighting, confirmed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), marks only the second confirmed record of the insect in Ireland.
19 August 2025
New Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Launches In Portrush
The Causeway Coast and Glens Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and the PSNI have announced the launch of a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the Hamilton Place and Hamilton Place Lane area of Portrush.
New Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Launches In Portrush
The Causeway Coast and Glens Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and the PSNI have announced the launch of a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the Hamilton Place and Hamilton Place Lane area of Portrush.
19 August 2025
Traffic And Travel Advice Ahead Of Foyle Pride Parade
The PSNI has advised the public that there will be some traffic disruption in L'Derry city centre on Saturday afternoon, 23 August, as the Foyle Pride parade takes place. The parade is scheduled to assemble at The North West Transport Hub, departing at 2pm.
Traffic And Travel Advice Ahead Of Foyle Pride Parade
The PSNI has advised the public that there will be some traffic disruption in L'Derry city centre on Saturday afternoon, 23 August, as the Foyle Pride parade takes place. The parade is scheduled to assemble at The North West Transport Hub, departing at 2pm.
19 August 2025
Police Arrest Man Over Alleged Vigilante Behaviour
Police investigating reports of alleged vigilante behaviour in east Belfast have arrested a 37-year-old man. He has been taken into custody on suspicion of assault, theft, and causing criminal damage.
Police Arrest Man Over Alleged Vigilante Behaviour
Police investigating reports of alleged vigilante behaviour in east Belfast have arrested a 37-year-old man. He has been taken into custody on suspicion of assault, theft, and causing criminal damage.
19 August 2025
SDLP Leads Call For Prime Minister To Act On Gaza
The SDLP has led a coalition of political parties from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to recall Parliament to address the deteriorating situation in Gaza.
SDLP Leads Call For Prime Minister To Act On Gaza
The SDLP has led a coalition of political parties from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to recall Parliament to address the deteriorating situation in Gaza.
19 August 2025
Gambling Trends Show Shift To Digital Platforms In NI
New figures from Northern Ireland show something odd happening with gambling habits. People are gambling less overall, but way more are doing it online now, especially after 2020. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons got asked about this by MLA Diana Armstrong from Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
Gambling Trends Show Shift To Digital Platforms In NI
New figures from Northern Ireland show something odd happening with gambling habits. People are gambling less overall, but way more are doing it online now, especially after 2020. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons got asked about this by MLA Diana Armstrong from Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
19 August 2025
Other News In Brief
ONS Analysis Suggests NI Rents Becoming Less Affordable New analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that rents in Northern Ireland have become less affordable since 2020. The proportion of a typical household's income spent on rent rose from just under 22% in 2020 to 25.
Other News In Brief
ONS Analysis Suggests NI Rents Becoming Less Affordable New analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that rents in Northern Ireland have become less affordable since 2020. The proportion of a typical household's income spent on rent rose from just under 22% in 2020 to 25.
18 August 2025
Man Dies After Fatal Ballyclare Hit-And-Run
A man in his 50s has died following a one-vehicle hit-and-run road traffic collision on the Ballyeaston Road area of Ballyclare on Friday, 15 August 2025. Shortly before 10:35pm, a man and a woman were struck by a car that failed to stop at the scene.
Man Dies After Fatal Ballyclare Hit-And-Run
A man in his 50s has died following a one-vehicle hit-and-run road traffic collision on the Ballyeaston Road area of Ballyclare on Friday, 15 August 2025. Shortly before 10:35pm, a man and a woman were struck by a car that failed to stop at the scene.
18 August 2025
Cross-Party Support For Medical Aid For Palestinian Children
There is growing cross-party political support for a humanitarian initiative to bring injured children from Gaza to Northern Ireland to receive urgent medical treatment. The move was welcomed in separate statements from the Alliance Party and Sinn Féin, with the latter confirming the Northern Executive has agreed to participate.
Cross-Party Support For Medical Aid For Palestinian Children
There is growing cross-party political support for a humanitarian initiative to bring injured children from Gaza to Northern Ireland to receive urgent medical treatment. The move was welcomed in separate statements from the Alliance Party and Sinn Féin, with the latter confirming the Northern Executive has agreed to participate.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.