Ireland’s ‘freeloading’ on defence despite huge tax windfalls, and its reputation as “the most anti-semitic country in the European Union” is being noticed by powerbrokers in Washington and across European capitals, the UUP’s Steve Aiken says.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/irelands-defence-freeloading-and-problem-with-anti-semitism-is-being-noticed-in-washington-aiken-4841561

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RTÉ has defended a joke by Late Late Show presenter Paddy Kielty about Sinn Fein, the broadcaster arguing that "satire is a core part of freedom of expression".

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/rte-defends-joke-by-late-late-show-presenter-paddy-kielty-about-sinn-fein-saying-satire-is-a-core-part-of-freedom-of-expression-4831552

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We have been growing potatoes for many years, but have never seen a crop so good.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/community/may-not-have-been-the-best-summer-but-potato-harvest-is-looking-to-be-one-of-the-best-ever-4808094

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​​Women’s rights campaigners including Father Ted writer Graham Linehan were allegedly subjected to discrimination in a Belfast pub because of their gender critical beliefs, a court heard today.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/courts/father-ted-writer-graham-linehan-among-group-who-claim-they-were-discriminated-against-by-robinsons-bar-because-of-gender-critical-beliefs-4784246

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A Newry teenager is aiming to become the youngest person to complete the Irish Triple Crown swimming challenge.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/national/co-down-teen-aims-to-become-youngest-to-complete-irish-triple-crown-challenge-4773542

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The return of Armagh Food and Cider Weekend has been marked with a significant and symbolic event this year - which saw direct relations of those who introduced the Bramley apple to Armagh, plant a descendant of the original tree.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/arts-and-culture/historic-bramley-apple-planting-marks-return-of-armagh-food-and-cider-festival-4748836

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Belfast Zoo is going Down Under with a new ‘Animals of Australia’ habitat to transform the former elephant enclosure at the premises.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/national/belfast-zoo-goes-down-under-as-a-new-animals-of-australia-habitat-is-formed-4734905

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​Up to 20,000 pages of evidential material has been amassed in an investigation into the bid to kill a top PSNI detective, the High Court heard.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/john-caldwell-murder-up-to-20000-pieces-of-evidential-material-gathered-in-case-so-far-4682838

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The June event is set to be attended by more than 400 business leaders from across the province

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/blue-lights-cast-to-headline-northern-ireland-chambers-annual-lunch-4659558

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Northern Ireland Women’s manager Tanya Oxtoby is focusing on the positives from her side’s 4-0 Euro 2025 qualifying defeat to Portugal and says it remains an exciting time for the group with so many young stars emerging onto the senior stage.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-manager-tanya-oxtoby-really-proud-of-teams-performance-during-euro-2025-qualifying-defeat-to-portugal-4649948

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Linfield manager David Healy insists it is up to the Blues and other clubs to keep tabs with high-flying Larne.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/we-need-to-look-in-house-to-keep-pace-with-larne-warns-linfield-manager-david-healy-amid-possibility-of-outside-investment-at-the-blues-4617106

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The TUV leader has been scathing about the lack of scrutiny afforded to huge financial decisions about how Northern Ireland will be funded in the next year – as the Finance Minister says Stormont departments face the prospect of running out of cash if the bill faces normal passage.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/budget-bill-bulldozed-through-assembly-allister-says-mlas-diminished-and-demeaned-4524900

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The site of a former nursing home in Ballycastle has been transformed into a modern apartment building for people aged over 55 by Apex Housing Association (Apex).

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/former-nursing-home-site-in-ballycastle-given-a-new-lease-of-life-when-its-transformed-into-a-modern-apartment-building-for-people-aged-over-55-by-apex-housing-association-4517667

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A Belfast restaurant has been fined for food hygiene offences at Belfast Magistrates Court.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/kanto-asian-fusion-take-away-fined-for-food-hygiene-offences-by-belfast-city-council-an-active-mouse-infestation-found-during-inspections-4508627

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Motorists have been advised to exercise caution this morning particularly on untreated roads.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/transport/traffic-travel-road-gritter-hits-parked-cars-in-south-armagh-as-psni-warn-motorists-that-below-freezing-overnight-temperatures-have-caused-widespread-ice-throughout-the-road-network-4469274

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Senior clergy from the Anglican and Methodist churches were among those at the funeral this afternoon for the Roman Catholic former bishop of Down and Connor, Patrick Walsh.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/nothern-ireland-church-leaders-mourn-patrick-walsh-catholic-bishop-and-mathematical-prodigy-who-helped-run-st-malachys-school-4463558

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Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has announced that its Belfast headquarters has relocated to new offices in the city centre following £1million investment

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/northern-irelands-largest-commercial-property-consultancy-announces-new-home-at-the-kelvin-4432086

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​New crimes have now entered force in Northern Ireland as part of a rolling reform of how the justice system handles sex cases.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/filming-up-skirts-and-down-blouses-are-stand-alone-crimes-in-northern-ireland-as-of-today-as-part-of-wide-ranging-overhaul-of-justice-system-at-behest-of-womens-rights-activists-4423683

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Tributes have been paid in memory of Norman Drew following his passing at age 91.

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/golf/tributes-to-norman-drew-91-celebrate-one-of-northern-irelands-finest-ever-4253670

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A letter from John Mulholland:

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/letters/letter-now-unionists-are-at-a-crossroads-and-must-decide-if-northern-ireland-as-a-country-is-more-important-than-bank-balance-4036391

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A letter from Peter Lynas:

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/letters/transgender-activists-grip-on-our-institutions-may-be-loosening-after-trio-of-big-victories-for-women-and-children-3789931

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Plus, a Toronto school board won’t send students to a book-club event for teenagers featuring Marie Henein

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-morning-update-migrants-remain-trapped-at-poland-belarus-border-as/?cmpid=rss

#theglobeandmail #newsletter

Protest at Ambassador Bridge preventing traffic from entering Canada could hurt auto sector and supply lines for fresh produce

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-morning-update-windsor-blockade-threatens-trade-with-us/?cmpid=rss

#theglobeandmail #newsletter