Latest News...

(Source: BBC News)

Bug found in more hospital taps Pseudomonas is detected in water outlets in the neonatal units at three more hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Halifax jobs in doubt in Belfast There are fears over possible job losses at the Halifax in Belfast as part of a restructuring programme.

Minister targets drink promotions The social development minister says he will move to ban some cheap drink promotions in Northern Ireland.

Ferris cleared to play in Paris Stephen Ferris will be available for Ireland's Six Nations clash against France on Saturday after escaping a ban in a Six Nations disciplinary hearing.

SDLP and government talk welfare The SDLP tell the government they must show "flexibility and discretion" when it comes to changing the benefits system in Northern Ireland.

Man assaulted in Odyssey complex A 21-year-old man is assaulted at licensed premises in the Odyssey complex in Belfast during the early hours of Wednesday.

Burglary charge in murder probe A man arrested following the murder of a man in Lurgan at the weekend is charged with burglary.

Phone loss 'not security breach' The Policing Board asks the PSNI for a report into a newspaper story that an officer's mobile phone had been obtained by dissident republicans.

'Satellite' Irish school proposed Four primary schools in County Londonderry could send pupils to an Irish language school which is a 'satellite' of one in Belfast.

Smoky coal raises pollution level The Department of the Environment warns of the lung cancer risk posed by households in Northern Ireland's urban areas burning smoky coal.

Carroll case evidence criticised An explosives expert giving evidence at the Constable Stephen Carroll murder trial strongly criticises the prosecution team.

Punched gun accused stays silent A man knocked out as he allegedly stopped a car while armed with an imitation gun has chosen not to give evidence in his own defence.

No public smoking advises midwife A senior midwife at Belfast's Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital advises staff that if they intend to smoke, they should do so away from public eyes.

Girl 'raped' after internet chat A teenager alleged raped and sexually assaulted a girl after he befriended her through the internet, a jury is told.

Stormont cuts consultants spend Stormont departments dramatically reduce their spending on consultants by almost £16m pounds.

Men questioned on cigarette haul Over one million smuggled cigarettes are seized in Larne, County Antrim.

Derry man 'told mum he was dead' A man who allegedly told his mother he was dead is charged with attempting to defraud her of £1,000 at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.

Derry school buses found unfit Four buses used to transport pupils to and from schools in Londonderry were found to be unfit for service.

Church attack damaged community An attack on a church hall in County Donegal caused "enormous damage to the Protestant community," a court hears.

Limavady rates to rise by 1.12% Limavady councillors have agreed to a 1.12% rise in rates.

Body found after trawler tragedy A body found in Glandore Harbour in County Cork is thought to be one of the missing crew members of the trawler Tit Bonhomme.

Shooting of teenager 'barbaric' A teenage girl dies after a shooting in Brookfield estate, Tallaght on Tuesday night.

Cork crash plane had sensor fault There were problems with one of the two engines on the passenger aircraft which crashed in Cork in February 2011.

Man still held in dissident probe One of two men arrested in the Republic as part of an ongoing investigation into dissident republican activity is released.

Lembit Opik stars in music video Bangor-born former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik is the star of a new music video by unsigned band The Good Suns.

Pickwick Papers please Paterson Secretary of state pleased with Dickensian gift

Town plan invite for Mary Portas Retail expert Mary Portas is invited to Northern Ireland to advise on the content of an action plan to regenerate the country's town centres.

'Tesco tax' to apply from April A levy on large stores in Northern Ireland will come into affect from 1 April, after it passes its final stage in the assembly.

55 NI sex crime suspects at large The justice minister reveals to Lord Morrow that 55 suspected sex offenders with outstanding arrest warrants against them are currently at large.

NI fuel prices highest in the UK Northern Ireland motorists face higher fuel prices than any other region of the UK , according to the Consumer Council.

Phoenix rejects gas price plans Phoenix Natural Gas rejects proposed controls by the utility regulator which would have slashed the price of gas for big business in Northern Ireland.

Property business back in profit Antrim-based property business May Estates has returned to profit, according to its 2011 accounts.

McLaughlin clarifies academy move Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin issues a statement to clarify his move to a role with the province's academy.

McKinlay and Wright join NI staff Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill appoints Billy McKinlay as his assistant and Tommy Wright as goalkeeping coach.

Derrytresk handed new penalties Derrytresk will be banned from Ulster and All-Ireland competition for five years after Sunday's All-Ireland final.

VIDEO: Northern Ireland Assembly The finance committee met to discuss the Barnett Formula, on 8 February 2012.

VIDEO: Dissidents get PSNI woman's phone A policewoman who lost her mobile phone containing pictures of her colleagues did not breach police network security, the PSNI says.

VIDEO: Ireland's loss is London's gain Many sports have been feeling the effects of the recession, with the GAA particularly hard hit by emigration - but when it comes to Gaelic football, Ireland's loss has been London's gain.

VIDEO: Ulster confirm McLaughlin move Ulster Director of Rugby David Humphreys confirms that Brian McLaughlin will not be Head Coach of the Irish province next season.

VIDEO: Police officer slashed with knife A police officer is stabbed while responding to an emergency call in the Kilwilkie estate in Lurgan.

Spring awakening As Great Britain freezes, readers' photographs show Northern Ireland apparently preparing for spring.

Birthday celebrations at NI's aquarium Big birthday celebrations at NI's aquarium

Dickens in Belfast The great 19th century writer thrilled Belfast audiences

Grassing-up environmental crime Cracking down on environmental crime

Cold reality for poorest families Poorest 'pay most' for home heating oil

What the papers say Headline stories from Wednesday's newspapers

Latest Sports News...

(Source: BBC News)

Ferris cleared to play in Paris Stephen Ferris will be available for Ireland's Six Nations clash against France on Saturday after escaping a ban in a Six Nations disciplinary hearing.

McLaughlin clarifies academy move Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin issues a statement to clarify his move to a role with the province's academy.

McKinlay and Wright join NI staff Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill appoints Billy McKinlay as his assistant and Tommy Wright as goalkeeping coach.

Derrytresk handed new penalties Derrytresk will be banned from Ulster and All-Ireland competition for five years after Sunday's All-Ireland final.

Ulster v Dragons (Fri) Paddy Wallace, Dan Tuohy and Chris Henry will not be in the Ireland squad for Saturday's Six Nations game against France as they are made available for Ulster duty.

Crues man Morrow voted top player Chris Morrow of Crusaders has been voted the Irish Premiership's player of the month for January.

Kirwan interested in Ulster job Former All Blacks star John Kirwan says he would consider the vacant Ulster coaching job but has not been contacted about the position.

Tyrone player handed 12-week ban Tyrone defender Sean O'Neill is handed a three-month ban arising from an incident in a Sigerson Cup match last week.

Bowe Ulster return moves closer Ireland winger Tommy Bowe agrees in principle to return to Ulster but the final contracts have yet to be signed.

Hession to miss Belfast meeting Paul Hession is forced to pull out of this weekend's Irish Indoor Championships because of an Achilles injury.

Munster match against Aironi off Sunday's Pro12 game between Aironi and Munster is postponed because the pitch is unplayable.

Ulster GP hit by race date clash The Honda TT Legends team is set to miss the Ulster Grand Prix because of a date clash with a World Endurance Championship round.

McLaughlin to leave Ulster post Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin will leave the job at the end of the season and take up a role in the club's Academy.

Republic 'cannot ignore' McClean Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill says the form of winger James McClean will have caught the attention of Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

Leinster v Treviso (Thurs) Preview and team news ahead of Thursday's clash between Leinster and Benetton Treviso at the RDS.

Ireland pair sign Munster deals Ireland duo Keith Earls and Denis Leamy sign IRFU contracts which will keep them at Munster until 2014.

Ireland boosted by Earls return Keith Earls is set to return to the Ireland squad for Saturday's Six Nations game against France in Paris.

VIDEO: Morrow tops player of month poll Chris Morrow of Crusaders tops the poll in the Irish League's player of the month award

VIDEO: St Johnstone's Wright gets NI role St Johnstone assistant manager takes on the role of goalkeeping coach with Northern Ierland

VIDEO: Super Gormley strike beats Sky Blues Joe Gormley's sensational strike gives Cliftonville the points as they beat Ballymena United at The Showgrounds.

VIDEO: Five star Blues beat 10-man Crues Linfield hit 10-man Crusaders for five at Windsor Park

VIDEO: McCaul treble in Glenavon win Brian McCaul's hat-trick helps Glenavon come from behind to beat Carrick Rangers at Mourneview.

VIDEO: Ports beat Whites to stay in touch Portadown beat Lisburn Distillery at New Grosvenor to keep the pressure on Linfield

VIDEO: Ulster prepare to take on Dragons Ulster return to Pro12 action on Friday night when the Dragons provide the opposition at Ravenhill.

VIDEO: Ulster confirm McLaughlin move Ulster Director of Rugby David Humphreys confirms that Brian McLaughlin will not be Head Coach of the Irish province next season.

VIDEO: London team gets emigration boost London are a team on the up thanks to the influx of Irish players working in the city.

VIDEO: Middletown target All-Ireland glory Armagh side Middletown aim to win their first All-Ireland title in Saturday's intermediate hurling decider against Mount Leinster Rangers.

VIDEO: Boxers chasing Olympic dream Irish champions Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan and Tommy McCarthy target success in London 2012

VIDEO: Ireland's Best deflated by defeat Ireland hooker Rory Best reflects on the 23-21 defeat by Wales in the Six Nations

VIDEO: Last-gasp defeat disappoints Kidney Ireland coach Declan Kidney says his side missed the chance to kill off Wales before losing 23-21 in their opening Six Nations game in Dublin.

VIDEO: Best goes over for Ireland in Dublin Ireland's first-half pressure against Wales is rewarded after Tommy Bowe's side step creates space for the rampaging Rory Best and the Irish hooker dives over for the simplest of tries.

BBC pundits on 2012 Six Nations Jeremy Guscott, Andy Nicol, Jonathan Davies and Keith Wood tip the winners and their players to watch

Defender Greacen back with Derry Defender Stewart Greacen is back with Derry City Derry City after a brief spell with Irish League club Glentoran.

France coach makes four changes France coach Philippe Saint-Andre makes four changes to his pack for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Ireland in Paris.

Derry 1-11 1-15 Galway Derry's NFL Division 2 campaign starts in disappointing fashion as they are decidedly second best against Galway at Celtic Park.

Laverty joins new team for BSB John Laverty is to ride for new team Splitlath Redmond in the British Superbike Championship.

Ireland cruise to win over Canada Ireland cruise to an inninings and 11 runs victory over Canada within two days in the Intercontinental Cup game at Rathmines.

Clarke and McIlroy handed awards Northern Ireland golfers Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy are among the award winners at the 2012 Laureus Sports Awards in London.

O'Rourke will compete in Belfast Derval O'Rourke gives organisers of this weekend's Irish Indoor Championships a boost by confirming that she will compete in Belfast.

Irish Premiership photos Pictures from Saturday's Irish Premiership games

National League photos Pictures from the opening round of National League games

VIDEO: Highlights - Ireland 21-23 Wales Highlights of Wales' dramatic 23-21 victory over Ireland in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

VIDEO: Do you remember these Glory Days? BBC Northern Ireland will soon be broadcasting a sporting archive mini series called Glory Days, featuring the best and most memorable moments the 1970s, '80s and '90s

Capello quits as England manager Fabio Capello resigns as England manager, the Football Association confirms.

Prince qualifies as Apache pilot Prince Harry has qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot after 18 months of rigorous training in the UK and the US, the Ministry of Defence says.

MoD cuts 'risk military skills' The armed forces face losing important skills because of the speed of government spending cuts are being implemented, Whitehall's spending watchdog says.

Redknapp cleared of tax evasion Harry Redknapp says his "nightmare" is over after being cleared of tax evasion along with Milan Mandaric.

Elderly man dies after dog attack An 83-year-old man died from injuries sustained when a pit-bull type dog escaped from a neighbour's garden in London, it emerges.

Coogan reaches hacking settlement Comedian Steve Coogan and ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne are among the latest people to have settled their claims for damages over News of the World phone hacking.

Minister's hint over dog chipping Ministers hint they may support the compulsory microchipping of dogs to help encourage "responsible" ownership.

Police hold 213 in raids on gangs More than 200 people are arrested during raids across London by the Metropolitan Police's new dedicated unit tackling gang crime.

MSPs pass £30bn Scottish budget MSPs have approved the Scottish government's £30bn budget in a Holyrood vote which saw 70 members backing it and 52 members rejecting it.

Man seeks assisted suicide ruling A severely disabled man with "locked-in syndrome" has urged a judge not to decide to halt his High Court action to let a doctor end his life.