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📻📷The top news and sports stories from Northern Ireland. Brought to you by our NI/UK award-winning journalists.
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🚨BREAKING: 30-year-old Sudanese man charged with attempted murder as protests begin across Northern Ireland tonight 🎤Chief Reporter James is in north Belfast. Police say the man has also been charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill. The victim remains in a serious condition in hospital. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has outlined the route the man took to enter Northern Ireland in 2023, where he claimed asylum upon arrival. He was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028. The PSNI has declared a "critical incident" in response to the attack, which was captured on video and appears to show a man stabbing at the victim's head and neck while he was lying on the ground. The footage shows members of the public, including one person carrying a hurling stick, intervening to stop the attack in the Kinnaird Avenue residential area, close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast. A kitchen knife was recovered from the scene. Police said the suspect lived close to where the attack took place. There have been calls for calm as protests begin across Northern Ireland tonight.
Cool FM News343,819 görüntüleme • 11 gün önce
🚨⚠️NEW: Death threats made against Sinn Féin Belfast Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly 🎤🎥Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly has told Chief Reporter James that she does not feel "100 per cent safe", but made clear the threats will not stop her from doing her job. Also hearing from First Minister Michelle O’Neill and joined by MLA Deirdre Hargey. This comes as the clean-up from last night's violent disorder continues. The PSNI informed the Mayor that threats had been made against her life and advised her to take additional personal security precautions.
Cool FM News62,508 görüntüleme • 10 gün önce
⚠️🚫NEW: Michelle O’Neill - 'The DUP are anti-Irish. The DUP will never change, they have form.' 🎤🎥First Minister Michelle O’Neill tells Chief Reporter James she believes the DUP are “anti-Irish”. It comes after a court heard Stormont will not implement an Irish language strategy within this Assembly mandate. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA appeared before a Stormont committee yesterday, where MLAs and the minister clashed. Minister Lyons says he is not hostile towards the Irish language. Last month, Sinn Féin accused the DUP minister of cutting £90,000 in annual funding for a project that helps councils with Irish-English street sign translations. However, Minister Lyons said there had been “no decision” by him or any departmental official to do that. Speaking from the Balmoral Show, Michelle O’Neill hit out at the DUP.
Cool FM News135,108 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce
🚨NEW: Army's top spy in IRA, Stakeknife, was taken on holiday by handlers on a military aircraft. 🔴We heard today how the double agent within the Provisional IRA, Stakeknife, was taken on holiday via military aircraft by Army handlers. 🔴This was while he was wanted by the RUC for conspiracy to murder and false imprisonment. 🎤PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher told Chief Reporter James that Stakeknife was only interested in himself. The agent was widely believed to be west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who was 77 when he died in 2023. The UK Government has been urged to name Stakeknife, with Chief Constable Jon Boutcher stating the refusal to do so is “bordering on farce”. MI5’s initial failure to disclose all it knew about the Army's top spy in the Provisional IRA during the Troubles was a “significant failure”, an independent report into the activities of Stakeknife has said. The final report of Operation Kenova said that MI5 had “earlier and greater knowledge” of Stakeknife than it had at first stated. Stakeknife is linked to 14 murders and 15 abductions where he worked in a IRA unit known as the "nutting squad."
Cool FM News673,771 görüntüleme • 6 ay önce
🎥 “I was shaking like a leaf.” 🗣️ Belfast student settles sexual harassment case against former employer JD Sports for £65,000, after her male supervisor slapped her on the bottom, the company has apologised 🎤 Jayla Boyd speaks to our reporter Tara Griffiths
Cool FM News642,309 görüntüleme • 6 ay önce
👑🎻WATCH: The King and Queen play traditional Irish music and sample whiskey in Belfast 🎤🎥Chief Reporter James reports on Their Majesties’ visit to Northern Ireland. 🙌The King and Queen joined organisers and performers to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann coming to Belfast this August for the first time. The Fleadh is the world’s largest festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance. Hosting it has been described as a historic moment for the city, with those taking part today saying it shows Northern Ireland in a positive light on the world stage. Their Majesties also visited Titanic Distillers. More to follow throughout the day and we’ll hear from some of the performers.
Cool FM News64,845 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce
⁉️🗳NEW: 'I guarantee unionism will win the next election. I can write a list of seats where unionist cooperation would see more returned.' 🎥DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says he guarantees that if unionism “works together”, it will win on a scale that “cannot be ignored.” 🎤He told Chief Reporter James there must be a willingness among parties to cooperate, and once again made clear he is open to that. Reform UK has made major gains at the expense of Labour in the English council elections. There are pro-independence parties in power in Scotland with the SNP, and Plaid Cymru in Wales. Gavin Robinson dismissed the republican movement in the UK, saying it was not a vote for independence, but rather a protest vote against Labour.
Cool FM News79,749 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce
🗣🥁NEW: 'You lift a flute or a drum and put a uniform on, and you become a bad person. That’s not true. Northern Ireland is changing.' 🎤🎥Darren Leighton, chairman of the Belfast Bands Forum, speaking to Chief Reporter James. He outlined how he believes events like today show that his culture and all others, can have a place and be accepted in an ever-changing Northern Ireland. He says today will live long in the memory. The King and Queen joined organisers and performers to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann coming to Belfast this August for the first time. The Fleadh is the world’s largest festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance. Hosting it has been described as a historic moment for the city, with those taking part today saying it shows Northern Ireland in a positive light on the world stage. Belfast Bands Forum
Cool FM News46,492 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce
🇺🇸🤝 NEW: 'Northern Ireland’s role in American independence and in life today, must be celebrated.' 👥The America250 delegation is in Northern Ireland to formally mark NI’s special status in next year’s semiquincentennial celebrations. 🎥Chief Reporter James speaking to Commissioner Joe Crowley and Executive Vice President Jen Condon. They will join Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA for the signing of a 'historic' Memorandum of Understanding during the two-day visit. Both spoke about the 'deep' relationship between the United States and Northern Ireland. James McHenry, born in Ballymena, signed the US Constitution. Charles Thomson, from Maghera, was the first Secretary of the Continental Congress, his name appears on the first copy of the Declaration of Independence. John Dunlap, a printer from Strabane, produced the first printed version of the Declaration of Independence. Hercules Mulligan, born in Coleraine, was a tailor, spy, and twice saved George Washington’s life.
Cool FM News276,456 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce
🚫🗣NEW: 'I’ve met Jamie Bryson once. I’ve no want for culture wars. My wife is learning Irish. My nieces are Irish.' 🎤🎥New Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA tells Chief Reporter James he has absolutely no interest in culture wars. It comes after Jamie Bryson penned a letter to Mr Burrows seeking support for what he described as a “culture war”. Mr Burrows says he will engage with grassroots loyalism and anyone else who wishes to do so. He says he wants to uphold Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, ending his answer with: “I’m my own man.”
Cool FM News160,528 görüntüleme • 4 ay önce
🚨🗣NEW: The prospect of a border poll is 'way off in the distance. Nobody is arguing that there is an appetite for constitutional change.' 🎥🎤Chief Reporter James speaking to Secretary of State Hilary Benn. He says we would all 'be better concentrating on the issues of the moment.' Adding that his focus is on improving the lives of people in Northern Ireland.
Cool FM News246,581 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce
🚨🗣NEW: 'At the heart of this... they are struggling to hide their antisemitism and sectarianism. It’s nonsense.' 🎥🎤DUP Leader Gavin Robinson standing alongside Education Minister Paul Givan, also joined by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly BL. It follows confirmation that the SDLP, Sinn Féin and Alliance Party will back a motion of no confidence in Mr Givan, brought forward by People Before Profit. The DUP minister has faced criticism over his recent trip to Israel, during which he visited a school and asked his department to publicise it on social media. Speaking to Chief Reporter James.
Cool FM News248,227 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce
🗣️”If this was to happen in another community it wouldn’t be acceptable.” 🚨Trevor Clarke MLA speaking following DUP meeting with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. ⚪️🟠It follows footage of a PSNI vehicle taking part in celebrations after Armagh’s win. 🎙️ @hannahpattj
Cool FM News648,332 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
💥🗣 NEW: 'I haven’t read it and I’m not rushing to.' DUP Leader dismisses Alliance Party reform plans. 🎥🎤DUP Leader Gavin Robinson tells Chief Reporter James he will not be rushing to read the Stormont reform proposals from the Alliance Party. The party has launched a Democratic Renewal paper outlining a series of proposals to “fix the system of government” in Northern Ireland. It includes removing the ability of one party to collapse Stormont, ensuring all parties’ votes count equally, stopping blockages at the Executive, “making Ministers more accountable” and increasing transparency around political funding. Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA says the Secretary of State Hilary Benn made clear the issue of reform will be discussed during the next round of party talks.
Cool FM News51,391 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce
🚨NEW: Education Minister REMOVES transgender guidance in Northern Ireland schools. ⛔️Paul Givan has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Education Authority’s 2019 guidance. 🗣Mr Givan says education policy must be based on legal clarity and the best interests of children — “not ideology.” He rejects the idea that: Trans pupils should use toilets or changing rooms aligned with gender identity. Boys identifying as girls should compete in girls’ sports. Teachers or pupils should be compelled to use pronouns that don’t reflect biological sex. Speaking to Chief Reporter James, the Minister said schools must approach these issues sensitively, but stressed the legal requirements are now clear. Asked thoughts on how some may see this is an attack with people left feeling venerable.
Cool FM News260,890 görüntüleme • 9 ay önce
⁉️💥NEW: “There is a crack in the union. The 'disunited Kingdom'. London has treated us like second-class citizens.” 🎤🎥Chief Reporter James speaking to Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill. 🗳She believes that, when looking at Scotland and Wales, if elections go a certain way there could be 'huge changes' in the make-up of the United Kingdom, with a united Ireland following in the future. She says election wins for The SNP in Scotland and Plaid Cymru 🏴 in Wales would say a lot about where people are at, adding: “They want change.” On Westminster, Michelle O’Neill says London has never cared for this place and never will. It comes ahead of the party’s Ard Fheis in Belfast this weekend, with keynote addresses from Michelle O’Neill on Friday and party leader Mary Lou McDonald on Saturday.
Cool FM News60,157 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce
🚨💥NEW: Reform’s Robert Jenrick says 'Northern Ireland let down over Brexit' during Shankill Road visit 🎥🎤Chief Reporter James speaking to Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick. 📍He was in Belfast alongside DUP Leader Gavin Robinson. Mr Jenrick says it “pains” him to admit it as a former Conservative, but that government let Northern Ireland down. He says too few Westminster politicians visit Northern Ireland and that people here have a right to feel “neglected.” He was asked how things would change under a potential Reform UK government.
Cool FM News87,180 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce
🚨🗣EXCLUSIVE: 'I'm a mum, I'm a wife, a sister, a daughter... the abuse is about my appearance, and I will call those responsible out.' 🎥🎤DUP MP Carla Lockhart MP speaking to Chief Reporter James in Westminster about more abuse she has received online this week. 🚨She details the impact that it has on her family but makes clear it does not annoy her and when people attack how she looks 'they've lost the argument.' 🚨Adding she doesn't speak about this often but wants to see changes. ✅️The MP says she will continue to press the Government on how women can be protected in the public space.
Cool FM News345,169 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
🚨🗣NEW: 'I have no confidence in Paul Givan and it can’t be restored. It’s important to remember he is not the victim here.' 🎥🎤Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald tells Chief Reporter James she has no confidence in Paul Givan continuing as Education Minister. The DUP Minister has faced criticism over his recent trip to Israel, during which he visited a school and asked his department to publicise it on social media. She says this is not the view of a “pan-republican front,” but that ordinary, decent people have been hurt. Adds that if relationships at Stormont are damaged, that is down to Mr Givan.
Cool FM News188,445 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce
🚨NEW: Palestinian flag flying at Belfast City Hall this morning as unionist legal challenge to be heard 🎤Chief Reporter James reports from Belfast. 🟢The Palestinian flag was raised above Belfast City Hall late last night, after a Sinn Féin motion passed by 32 votes to 28. As the Christmas Markets open, there is a small police presence in the streets nearby. Sinn Féin say the move shows solidarity with the people of Gaza, but the DUP have described the process as “scandalous.” An Alliance Party amendment that proposed illuminating the City Hall in the colours of Palestine in January instead of raising the flag was earlier defeated by 49 votes to 11. There was a protest outside the rear of City Hall last night as councillors left the meeting. A legal challenge will now be heard at Belfast High Court this morning, as confirmed by the TUV.
Cool FM News159,950 görüntüleme • 6 ay önce