Northern Ireland Breaking News, Sport, Business and Entertainment from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley (Brian Lawless/PA)

RHI Scandal

RHI: Paisley’s energy official claim ‘may be unjustified’

Accusation levelled by Ian Paisley that an energy official lied 'may be unjustified'.

DUP leader Arlene Foster (Niall Carson/PA)

RHI Scandal

Foster’s claims over ex-spad questioned at RHI probe

Foster’s “accountable but not responsible” queried by RHI chair.

Chelsea

Chelsea condemn anti-Semitic chanting

Fans heard singing an anti-Semitic chant on Thursday night in Hungary.

Rangers

Rangers crash out of Europa League

Rangers crashed out of the Europa League after conceding a late goal.

President of Commission Jean Claude Juncker (L) and President of Council Donald Tusk (R) give a joint press on December 13, 2018 in Brussels during a European Summit aimed at discussing the Brexit deal. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images

EU underlines Irish backstop 'temporary' and pledges to work 'expeditiously' to replace it if introduced

The EU has reiterated the Brexit withdrawal deal is not up for renegotiation.

Prime Minister Theresa May arrives for a round table meeting at an EU summit (Alastair Grant/AP)

Northern Ireland

May delays Commons Brexit showdown until after Christmas

Theresa May has delayed a fresh Commons showdown over her Brexit deal.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to the media (ec.europa.eu)

Northern Ireland

Taoiseach: Irish border backstop not up for re-negotiation

The Irish border backstop is not on the table for re-negotiation, Leo Varadkar has said.

Northern Ireland

Woman who stole candles had extreme porn, court told

Woman allegedly raided department store for Yankee Candles for 'steal to order' scam.

Ian Paisley is facing calls from other politicians to resign over new allegations

Paisley 'should have declared Maldives trip'

Former public standards watchdog calls for probe into MP's holiday.

Funeral for Jim Donegan at St John the Evangelist on the Falls Road, Belfast

No retaliation, only justice: Family appeal at funeral for murdered Jim Donegan

Father of two was gunned down outside a Belfast school in front of hundreds of children.

An emergency crew responded to the incident, as did the Air Ambulance (stock photo)

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland farmer killed by a bull

Rural community in Co Antrim has been left devastated after tragedy.

Stephen Betts said burglary has left him unable to relax in his home

Northern Ireland

First Christmas with birth mum ruined by gang’s £20k raid

A Belfast man has said his Christmas has been "destroyed" after burglary.

Music and Gigs

Bob Dylan and Neil Young announce joint Irish gig

The iconic Bob Dylan and Neil Young will perform in Kilkenny this summer.

Theatre and Arts

Watch: Panto cheer at Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

There was magic in the air at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children today.

Brexit Analysis

Theresa May plays down prospect of early breakthrough on Brexit deal

Theresa May has played down the prospects of an “immediate breakthrough” on the so-called Northern Ireland backstop in talks with EU leaders.

Theresa May arrives for the EU summit in Brussels (Francisco Seco/AP)

Jon Tonge: Tory no confidence vote solved nothing - just a spectator sport for the DUP

Suzanne Breen: Theresa May still needs DUP support but while Brexit backstop remains she won’t have it

Nelson McCausland: 'Questions over Remain funding make calls for second poll on leaving the EU a one-sided affair'

Opinion: Suzanne Breen: MPs may say Prime Minister has their support but backstabbing to Tories is second nature

Opinion: Suzanne Breen: The writing's on the wall... May's refusal to read it is what's damning

Opinion: Jon Tonge: Why it would be wrong for DUP to view May's humiliation as victory

Opinion: Chris Moncrieff: PM might still pull off a deal...but don't gamble your life savings on it

Opinion: Editor's Viewpoint: More disarray over Brexit after frenzied day at Westminster

Sammy Wilson: I will have no difficulty ignoring siren voices backing this rotten Brexit agreement

Ambassador and Cool FM DJ Rebecca McKinney and Lynda Hurley, Police Service Northern Ireland, pictured at the event in Belfast.

Are you the designated driver over Christmas? Then the drinks are on Coca-Cola!

Do you forfeit the fizz during part of the festive season to ensure loved ones are taken from A to B safely?

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Britain First leader Paul Golding on an earlier visit to Ballymena

Britain First leader Golding in Northern Ireland court over 'stirring up hatred' charges

Britain First leader Paul Golding has been granted continuing bail over Christmas in connection with charges accusing him of intending to "stir up hatred".

Northern Ireland travel: Child knocked down in Newtownards

Follow the latest updates from our travel feed below.

12 Dec 2018 People out for Bot Wednesdays End of Semester Xmas Party. Picture by Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX

Belfast nightlife: End of term Christmas party at the Bot

Flick through the nightlife gallery from Bot Wednesdays' party.

Fashion Spy: Vogue Williams' look is simply stunning'

Rachel Dean checks out the style in Victoria Square, Belfast.

Ulster Rugby Round Up podcast S2E17

The team look at a key phase for Ulster in the lead-up to the festive inter-pros.

Find out how to save £££’s on your festive food shop

Save on your festive feast this Christmas with savings on big supermarket brands like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S & more..

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French police kill suspect in Strasbourg Christmas market shooting

French police have killed a suspect in their hunt for the alleged gunman who killed three people near a Christmas market in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Northern Ireland

Theresa May faced criticised over the UK’s lack of clarity over the future relationship (Alastair Grant/AP)

EU warns Theresa May there can be no legally binding...

EU leaders have warned Theresa May she cannot expect a “legally binding” commitment that...

Britain First leader Golding in Northern Ireland court...

Britain First leader Paul Golding has been granted continuing bail over Christmas in connection with...

Northern Ireland travel: Child knocked down in...

Follow the latest updates from our travel feed below.

The child was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

Arrest after young boy hit by car - child critically ill...

A man has been arrested after a young boy was left in a critical condition in hospital after he...

Sport

Kieran Tierney (right) in action (Graham Stuart/PA)

Celtic lose but scrape through to Europa League knockout stage

Celtic dramatically won through to the knockout stage of the Europa League despite a 2-1 defeat by Salzburg at Parkhead.

Rangers crash out of Europa League after Rapid Vienna loss

Rangers crashed out of the Europa League after conceding a late goal to lose 1-0 against Rapid Vienna.

Chelsea condemn anti-semitic chanting during Europa...

Chelsea have condemned supporters who were heard singing an anti-Semitic chant on Thursday...

Olivier Giroud netted Chelsea’s equaliser in Hungary (Adam Davy/PA)

Giroud salvages draw for much-changed Chelsea...

Substitute Olivier Giroud saved Chelsea from an embarrassing Europa League loss at Vidi.

Ulster's Sean Reidy is fit to face Scarlets.

Ulster v Scarlets team news: Reidy passed to start...

Ulster flanker Sean Reidy has been passed fit to keep his spot in the line-up for Friday evening's...

5 novelty Christmas jumpers to get your hands on this festive season

Christmas jumpers have fast become the number one must-have piece in everybody’s winter wardrobe, and we know finding the perfect one can be a bit of a mission.

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Business

£2.9bn slump in Northern Ireland sales to Britain driven by Gallaher closure: expert

The devastating economic cost to Northern Ireland following the closure of the JTI Gallaher tobacco plant in Ballymena has been borne out in new Government data, economists have said.