Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was seriously injured during a violent aggravated burglary at a Ballymoney home late on Thursday night. More below.

𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 | Mike Nesbitt has announced he will step down as Ulster Unionist Party leader, paving the way for a new leadership contest ahead of the 2027 elections. Read more below.

𝗝𝗢𝗕 | 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙚 ᴘʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴄᴇ ʀᴇᴄᴇᴘᴛɪᴏɴɪsᴛ (ᴘᴀʀᴛ-ᴛɪᴍᴇ) We are now recruiting for a new Receptionist, Part-time (temporary) position to cover maternity leave (primarily for 6 months but may be extended), to join our team serving the health care needs of the wider Portglenone community.

𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 | Two weather warnings issued today ❄️ Snow and ice could disrupt travel across Northern Ireland from Friday afternoon through the weekend and into Monday, with higher routes like the Glenshane Pass at risk of significant snowfall. Take care if travelling. Full update below.

A wintry early morning, with a skiff of snow on the ground, as the train rolls into Ballymena beneath a bright moon. 📸 Peter Hayes

Snow showers this morning at Ballyeamon Barn in the Glens of Antrim. 📸 Liz Weir • @lizstoryteller.bsky.social

Have you seen Taylor? Police are urgently appealing for help to find missing 21-year-old Taylor Stewart, last seen in Cookstown early on New Year’s morning. More below.

Thinking about starting running in 2026? 🏃‍♀️ Ballymena Runners’ popular Cosy Sofa programme is back this January, helping beginners go from couch to 5K in just eight weeks. Friendly support, expert guidance and a great community — places are limited! More below.

𝘽𝙄𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙊𝙉𝙀-𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝙎𝘼𝙇𝙀 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲, 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 👗 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 & 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 | 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘳 👗 Saturday 3 January • Doors open 9:30am For ONE DAY ONLY, enjoy: 🔥 ALL mother of the bride & groom wear — 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗙 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 🔥 ALL guest wear — 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗙 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 ➜ No appointment needed!

Wintry showers across Rathlin Island and Ballycastle this afternoon - 3pm on New Year’s Day. 📸 Cathy Clark

Sunrise on New Year’s Day with views of Belfast from Cavehill, County Antrim. 📸 Kyle • Sky Wander Drone

New Year’s Day in Ballycastle, County Antrim. 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

A Dervock park could be renamed in honour of US President William McKinley, whose family roots trace back to the village. Councillors also moved to recognise the work of local historian Peter Thompson. More below.

Farmers are being urged to review new Farm Sustainability Standards now in force from today (1 January 2026). The changes affect eligibility for key support schemes, including the Farm Sustainability Payment. More below.

ℹ️ The Minor Injuries Unit at Mid-Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt is open today, New Year's Day, from 9am – 5pm. Here is what you can expect at the Minor Injuries Unit: ➡️ orlo.uk/6TJWH Call 028 7936 6720 to make an appointment. In an emergency always phone 999.

Brave swimmers took the plunge at Carnlough Harbour today for the 27th Annual New Year’s Day Sponsored Swim, raising much-needed funds for the local Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus charity. 🩵 🎥 Peter Hayes

𝗡𝗜 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | “The disappearance of Martin has had a profound impact on his family.” Twenty years on, police have renewed their appeal for information on the disappearance of Belfast man Martin Kelly. Detectives say they remain “committed and determined” to uncovering what happened. More below.

57 lives lost on Northern Ireland’s roads in 2025. As 2026 begins, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins urges all road users to slow down, stay alert and protect the most vulnerable. Full breakdown of figures below.

💍 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗡𝗘-𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗨𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘 💍 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙚 • 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝟯️️ 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 The Wedding Centre, Randalstown is bringing you THREE unbeatable one-day deals: ★ 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝟭 👔 £139 – Hire the suit, keep the shoes, shirt & cufflinks ★ 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝟮 👔 £199 – Keep the suit, shoes, shirt & cufflinks (1/3)

Happy New Year! 🩵

DUP Leader’s New Year Message “Responsibility over rhetoric.” DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP sets out his vision for Northern Ireland in 2026, calling for common sense politics, economic stability and strong public services. Read more below.

🚐 𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗛 – 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙢 + 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚 🐶 Dial A Dog Wash North East Antrim and Coleraine just keeps growing… with hundreds of loyal customers we have more vans and more staff dedicated to serving you and and your loved friend. 🐾

Growers, researchers and policymakers came together at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus to tackle one of horticulture’s biggest challenges – moving beyond peat. Read more below.

Plans have been submitted to extend the car park at Causeway Hospital, potentially adding around 130 new spaces, amid warnings of a “clear and persistent shortfall” and concerns over safety, access and congestion on site. More below!

Save the date! The North West Angling Fair returns this Spring, with a new venue and a bigger-than-ever showcase of fishing gear, demos and expert talks. More below.

More than 112,000 consultations, 32,000 patients supported – and hospital referrals cut to just 4%. The Causeway MDT is being hailed as a huge success, with plans already under way to expand the community care model into East Antrim. More below.

“The last glimpse of daylight for 2025 here on Broughshane Street, Ballymena… as we count down the hours to the New Year, it’s 1°C, but feeling cooler!” 📸 Eugene Diamond • Diamonds News • @diamondsnews.bsky.social

New Year’s Eve on the Antrim coast at Ballycastle. 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

“A wee bit baltic this afternoon at Portrush East Strand…” 📸 Lisa Southgate

Update: A 41-year-old man has been charged following a police pursuit linked to the Antrim area that ended on the M2. More below.

Cullybackey’s Peter Willis (17) has been confirmed with the CFMOTO Sportbike team for 2026, following a breakthrough season that included his first British Talent Cup win at Silverstone. A huge next step for one of NI’s brightest motorsport talents. More below.

From sold-out concerts to a BEM honour 🎶 The Farmers’ Choir is celebrating an unforgettable year of music, community spirit and national recognition — proving that song can truly bring rural communities together. Read more below!

𝗧𝗩 | Ring in 2026 with Patrick Kielty as he hosts a star-studded Late Late Show New Year’s Eve with Inhaler, David Gray, Lyra and a live countdown from Dublin Castle. More below.

TUV Party Leader’s New Year Message ‘The EU noose is tightening.’ Jim Allister warns of new Irish Sea border controls, medicine bans and a failing Stormont as TUV sets its sights on 2027. Read more below.

A frosty New Year’s Eve morning from Pomeroy, County Tyrone. 📸 Simon Sharkey

A frosty start to the last day of 2025 in Kells, County Antrim. 📸 Noel Hughes

Last sunrise of 2025 from White Rocks, Portrush. 📸 Edel Mairs

Weather Warning ⚠️ The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across all six counties of Northern Ireland. Icy roads and snowfall could cause travel disruption. Latest update below.

A beautiful winter’s day on Tuesday around the Antrim coast. 📍 Ballycastle, County Antrim 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

‘He’s just my brother.’ A powerful sibling story from Coleraine showing how the Northern Trust’s Day Opportunities programme helped Jonathan Fillis gain independence, confidence and his dream role at Coleraine FC. More below.

𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 | What is myostatin – and should it influence your breeding decisions? CAFRE adviser John Hamilton explains how different gene mutations can affect muscling, calving ease and labour demands in suckler herds. Read more below.

Alliance Amateur Swim Club has secured a £1,000 Hafner’s Sports Fund grant to help break down barriers to swimming for children and families in County Antrim. A win for grassroots sport and community wellbeing. More below.

A decade of dedication celebrated at Stormont. Rosie’s Trust has honoured volunteers who have spent 10 years caring for people by caring for their pets – with tributes from James Nesbitt and political leaders. 🐾 Read more below.

Funding now available for native woodland creation 🌳 The 2025 Small Woodland Grant Scheme is open, offering landowners up to £6,425 per hectare to plant native trees, boost biodiversity and support climate action. Find out more below.

UUP Party Leader’s New Year Message ‘2026 must be consequential.’ Health Minister Mike Nesbitt sets out plans for early intervention healthcare, party renewal and Executive action on inequality and inactivity. Full story below.

Red suits, big hearts and festive cheer! Ballymena’s Santa Run brought the community together and raised an incredible £985.50 for Cancer Fund for Children. More below.

“A little Robin red-breast at Kinbane, with Fairhead in the distance.” 📸 Claire McCaughey