"I don't want Callum just to be another sad story.” Childhood friend of footballer killed in Christmas Eve crash pays emotional tribute to "amazing person" Callum McVeigh (23). 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Just clocked off after my Boxing Day shift - all these headlines and stories are from today. Tragedy has unfortunately visited a lot of families over the festive period. Horrible shock and sadness at any time of year but especially when families are together at Christmas 🙏

🔴 | NEW: A man in his 40s has died following a house fire in Ballymena. It brings the number of fatal house fires in NI this year to 16, more than three times the 2024 figure of 5. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🎄 Everyone is bedded down for another year. One by one the twinkling lights on the houses flicker off.  Preparation done and a few hours sleep before the little footsteps come running to ask if it's too early to go downstairs yet.  At least they still ask.  1/

⛪️ | Summary - including live blog - from today's General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland on its plans to address significant safeguarding failures. Members also discussed a potential redress scheme for victims. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴| LATEST: Wheelchair stolen during car theft returned to Daithí Mac Gabhann "Our community have wrapped their arms around us. Thank you." 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴| UPDATE: Three arrests made after police track down the car in west Belfast All remain in custody. 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴 | NEW: Car belonging to family of Daithí Mac Gabhann stolen overnight The 9-year-old's wheelchair was in the car, along with some Christmas presents, his family has said. 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴 | "We will not rest until his remains are returned" Disappeared Commission vows to keep searching after the latest search for Columba McVeigh's remains proves unsuccessful. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🙌 A nice surprise on Fionnuala's birthday yesterday to find myself shortlisted for Daily Reporter of the Year at next year's Regional Press Awards in London. Congratulations to all who were shortlisted, especially my @belfasttelegraph.co.uk and Sunday Life colleagues.

🌈 "You know someone who has lost a baby. You may not know it, but you do." Fionnuala Tunney 15.12.16

🦠 "Quite frankly, we're probably in a worse place now than we were in 2019" - @brownecfm.bsky.social 🔸 strain mutation behind surge 🔸 peak could come at Christmas 🔸 PHA urges more vaccination 🔸 Covid lessons not being learned 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

When Daddy and daughter sit down to do a bit of silent reading 😂😂 you can decide who is reading what 👀

🇨🇦 The Irish rap trio have said they intend to take legal action against the Canadian MP, who took to X to announce the 'ban' in September. 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴 | NEW: More than 6,000 Airbus aircraft affected by software issue that caused emergency landing in the US. ✈️ easyJet has confirmed it is expecting 'some disruption'. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🏥 | Significant development on SWAH emergency surgery story following yesterday's Health Committee, which was held at the hospital. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

📉 Numbers are slightly down from June 2025 and have dropped by more than 40% since this time last year. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

⛔️ The PAC has rejected an appeal against a decision that rendered an AD plant unlawful in 2019. It marks the end in the latest chapter of a saga that has run for more than a decade. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

👀 All the way to Belfast to be hosted by a Liverpool-supporting Mayor and interviewed by a Leeds supporter! ⚽️ Around 100 Man Utd fans are expected in the city this week to mark 20 years since George Best's death. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🧣"I always say 97 died but many more lives have ended prematurely as a consequence." Queen's criminology professor Phil Scraton on the 'Hillsborough Law', conflict transition and his love for the Duncairn Arts Centre. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

⬇️ The report has recommended some reform to the governance system to better prepare for future emergencies. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Any wonder the world is couped? TikTok won't let me report on the sale of Nazi memorabilia at auction in NI, but live stream a race riot or walk around sticking phones in immigrants' faces and you can fill your boots 🤷‍♂️

🏦 | The number of children in care in NI has risen by more than 45% in the last decade. @voypic.bsky.social CEO Alicia Toal said "too many young people are being let down". 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🏛️ Stormont's deferred legislation introducing free parking at hospitals is due to come into force in May 2026. The pressures at the RVH are so vast the Belfast Trust is struggling to find a solution. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🍵 This is a great wee spot in Coleraine - drop in if you're in the town! 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

📰 Delighted to pick up Regional Investigation of the Year at the Media Freedom Awards in London on Wednesday for my work on the FBA Brand Builder. 👏 Thanks to all sources, ex-clients, our news room and our legal team for their support on this story. #MFA2025

Oul hands before social hurling vs during social hurling

🛤️ Came past one of these earlier - trying to explain to a seven-year-old what it meant was bad enough. Imagine how those on the receiving end of it feel. The PSNI has been approached for comment. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

⚕️ "Their potency and risk of fatal overdose cannot be overstated." Another inquest has highlighted the increase in the Nitazene problem facing NI. Jay Woolsey (33) died in August last year. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk 1/4

🚧 Light at the end of the tunnel as DfI 'optimistic' Kilrea Bridge can reopen before Christmas. Packed house of business owners, residents and local reps in the town this afternoon. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🏥 | Despite a prolonged procurement process, the Trust was left with interim arrangements for a three-month period on its life-saving medical gas system. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴| NEW: NI schools will see a rise in the price of school meals in January, with an almost 20% hike to costs. It's among a number of sweeping cost-cutting measures announced by the Education Authority today. How will it impact you? 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

💬 "I do not need to be told what this man said to the police. I spent three days in Musgrave with him. The PPS were not there." Robust exchanges as a court ultimately heard this case cannot be expedited at this stage 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴 | NEW: The NI Audit Office has raised concerns over a Stormont department's accounts for the second year running 🏦 The Dept said the outcome was "expected" 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴 | NEW: Kilrea Bridge to remain closed for a futher three months The Department said the length of the work was due to "difficult ground conditions". "We fully appreciate the impact of the ongoing closure," added a spokesperson. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

⛔ Belfast has consistently recorded the highest figures for immigration raids in the UK since 2018 That's according to a recent report compiled by the @migrantsrights.bsky.social It found some 1,277 raids had been carried out in the BT3 area alone between Jan 2022 and Sept 2023. 1/2

📉 A group civil action taken by dozens of the brand builder's former clients has taken a step forward. Mr Campbell has announced the launch of a new venture - but says he has no income in the UK. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🏥 | Some 950 post mortems on NI infants have taken place in Liverpool since 2020. Previously the service had been offered in Belfast. The Health Minister has discussed cross-border co-operation with his ROI counterpart. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

📩 Hundreds of emails released under FOI tell the tale of how the Dept has responded to issues at Kilrea Bridge. 🔸 feasibility study ordered in 2022 never completed 🔸 wingwall at risk of collapse, could threaten bridge's long term use 🏛️ DfI says UK Government austerity behind maintenance issues...

🏛️ I watched the Committee @sjamcbride.bsky.social refers to here and it was an example of scrutiny done well. As was the Health Committee on Thursday when the Trust faced questions. People think Committees are boring - but they are effective when used well by MLAs.

🥊| Winning world title at Windsor Park was a 'dream come true' says IBF World Welterweight Champion Lewis Crocker Belfast City Council held a civic reception for the Sandy Row man at City Hall on Thursday. 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🔴 | One of the men has been on the run since June this year after absconding during compassionate leave for a funeral Bench warrants for the other two were issued last month by Belfast Crown Court. 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

🏥 | Trust and Department officials appeared before the Health Committee today. 🔸 No de-escalation until report implemented 🔸 review of senior management 🔸 Trust apology to Diane Dodds 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

⚡ NI's Energy Strategy is failing considerably in some of its key targets despite a £107m spend since 2020. Just 90GWh of a targeted 8000GWh in savings has been achieved while there is a 35% shortfall in renewables goals. 📰 | @belfasttelegraph.co.uk 🔗 tinyurl.com/2rraeztr

🔴 | RVH cardiac surgery team still 'dysfunctional' says new report. 🔸 some consultants questioning original review 🔸 increase in whistleblowing cases 🔸 700 overdue mortality reviews 🔸 steady increase in legal claims against Trust 📰| @belfasttelegraph.co.uk

In Saggart tonight there's a large group of masked men who just want to protect women and children who also happened to be determined to murder a hotel full of women and children

There is a team of three different English men with "audits" accounts livestreaming and the three different feeds are being put onto a tiktok account "HumanDilemma"

The mob at citywest is so scary, the guards should be way more prepared than this. Imagine being inside and knowing there's a mob of violent racists trying to get in... Terrifying

If you are with the thugs setting fire to Garda vehicles, you’re one of the bad guys. And not the smart, savvy bad guys, you’re the dumb shit henchmen who takes the fall for someone who‘ll be careful not to get their hands dirty while you go to prison.

🍂 Autumn always enhances Clarendon Dock - 5pm views today...