Part of the United Kingdom on the island of Ireland
The former Democratic Unionist Party leader has been found guilty on 18 counts including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency involving two women who were children at the time. Sentencing will follow later this year.
The government has introduced a temporary VAT cut from 20% to 5% on children’s meals, cinema and attraction tickets to ease cost-of-living pressures. The measure runs from 25 June to 1 September in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with participating venues including Merlin Entertainments, Odeon, Wetherspoons and Nando’s. Businesses may pass on the savings, and the government says households could save around £20 for a family of four on a day out.
The Crown Estate has reported a mixed bag of results for the year ending March: profits fell to 1.2bn, driven by a drop in offshore wind option fees, while asset values rose as property markets rebound. Marine and real estate segments show growth, and plans to invest up to 5bn over the next decade remain intact.
On April 1, 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated four-time World Cup champions Italy in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, ending Italy's streak of World Cup appearances and securing Bosnia's place in the 2026 tournament. Italy's coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned following the loss. The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams across North America, with Bosnia placed in Group B.
Storm Dave is expected to cause strong winds up to 90mph and heavy snow in northern Scotland over the weekend. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind and snow, predicting travel disruptions, power cuts, and potential damage across most of the UK, especially Scotland. The storm forms from a deep Atlantic low-pressure system.
France has approved a new law allowing the faster return of colonial-era artifacts. The legislation removes previous procedural hurdles, enabling negotiations between museums and countries of origin. The reform aims to address longstanding demands from African nations and reshape France's cultural diplomacy, with the process now more streamlined and open to claims based on provenance.
Protesters in Belfast torch vehicles and buildings after a Sudanese man is arrested for a knife attack that left a man severely injured. Police declare a critical incident and call for calm as political leaders condemn the violence.
A car exploded outside Dunmurry police station after being hijacked to the scene. No injuries have been reported. A 66-year-old man has been charged with offences including attempted murder and explosives offences. PSNI views this as an attack possibly linked to the New IRA, continuing a pattern of dissident activity post-Good Friday Agreement.
Labour figures are in flux as Andy Burnham eyes Makerfield for a Westminster return, while Keir Starmer faces pressure over leadership timing. Streeting and Lammy are among potential contenders as the party confronts Brexit and EU questions ahead of by-elections.
The former Democratic Unionist Party leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, is standing trial in Newry Crown Court on 18 charges spanning 1985 to 2008, including a rape count. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, faces separate charges. Both deny the allegations as the case proceeds.
Devolved welfare policy shows regional differences in entitlements, with Scotland benefiting more from certain supports. England and Wales have lower access in some cases, while local council tax reductions vary by locality. Separately, SNAP benefits have shrunk as a new U.S. law raises work requirements and state cost responsibilities, impacting millions of beneficiaries.
England has opened its World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Arlington, Texas. Harry Kane has scored twice in the first half, Jude Bellingham has put England ahead just after half-time and Marcus Rashford has sealed the win late on. Elsewhere Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo and Ghana beat Panama 1-0.
A 30-year-old Sudanese national has been charged with attempted murder after a man in his 40s was stabbed in Belfast. The suspect remains in custody as police investigate amid protests tied to immigration tensions in the UK. The Home Office says the attacker arrived in the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status; officials say there is no record of prior security alerts.
Protests in Belfast — sparked by a knife attack in which a Sudanese national is charged with attempted murder — have erupted into violence across multiple districts. Rioters have set vehicles and buildings alight, with police deploying water cannon and crews working to protect residents amid rising tensions tied to immigration debates.
The government has updated the Online Safety Act to require platforms to remove illegal content quickly during crises, with firms facing fines or service blocks for non-compliance. The move follows unrest linked to a knife attack in Northern Ireland and intensified debates over social media’s role in spreading harmful material.
A June 18 Makerfield by-election has become a national leadership test after Labour has installed Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as its candidate. A string of ministerial resignations and polling showing Reform UK divided with a Farage splinter have left Keir Starmervulnerable; a Burnham win will force a leadership contest and intensify political instability.
Rioting in Belfast has intensified after a stabbing led to attacks on ethnic minorities. Refugees report fear, while local volunteers marshal relief as police vow to restore order.
Racist violence sparked by a stabbing in Belfast has drawn thousands to anti-racism rallies while protests spill into Glasgow and beyond. Authorities say the unrest follows the stabbing of a Sudanese national and has been amplified online by far-right groups.
A knife attack in Belfast has become a crusade point for far-right actors online. Video of the incident is circulating with calls for demonstrations across Britain and Northern Ireland, while authorities urge calm as they investigate.
Scientists have revised the timeline for Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway formation, linking it to a global volcanic event and shortening the estimated period of lava flows to 5.5 million years. The research connects local basalt columns to activities across the North Atlantic, including Scotland and Greenland, refining the geological history of the region.
The UK faces escalating tensions after rioting in Belfast and Southampton linked to a knife attack case. Government debates online safety measures as far-right actors and social media amplify calls for protests. Protests have targeted immigrants, with authorities promising action against incitement.
Police Scotland has arrested a 36-year-old man after five men were injured in a series of attacks across west and north Edinburgh on Friday night. Three victims have required hospital treatment; none of the injuries are life‑threatening. Counter‑terrorism policing is assisting and authorities have said there is no further threat to the public.