“What started as a passion project for Belfast’s whiskey community has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined”

Belfast will be getting in the ‘spirit’ as Whiskey Week returns with three mini festivals within the one event. Back for its eighth and most ambitious year yet, the event transforms the city into a nine-day celebration of whiskey, food, cocktails and culture.

Running from Friday July 24 to Saturday August 1, 2026, the festival has evolved from a grassroots whiskey gathering into one of the island’s “leading drinks and cultural events”, attracting visitors, distilleries and hospitality partners from across the UK, Ireland and beyond.

This year’s edition promises to be the biggest to date, with organisers unveiling an expanded city-wide programme designed to showcase not only Belfast’s rich whiskey heritage, but also its thriving nightlife, hospitality and creative scene.

Alongside its acclaimed tastings, masterclasses, distillery showcases, whiskey walks and the flagship Whiskey Expo, Belfast Whiskey Week will introduce three new festival strands:

• Belfast Fringe Fest: A new city-wide fringe programme bringing unexpected whiskey experiences, live entertainment, collaborations and pop-up events to venues across Belfast.
• Belfast Cocktail City: A celebration of Belfast’s booming cocktail culture, featuring innovative serves, guest bartenders and whiskey-led cocktail experiences from some of the city’s top bars and hospitality talent.
• Belfast Food Fest: A curated programme pairing world-class whiskey with Belfast’s celebrated food scene, highlighting local chefs, restaurants, producers and immersive dining experiences.

Since launching in 2019, Belfast Whiskey Week has welcomed thousands of visitors through its programme of tastings, tours, talks and immersive events, while helping position Belfast as a major destination on the international whiskey map.

Festival Director Paul Kane said: “What started as a passion project for Belfast’s whiskey community has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined.

“For our eighth year, we wanted to create a festival that truly celebrates the entire city – its people, its venues, its creativity and its incredible hospitality.

“The introduction of Fringe Fest, Cocktail City and Food Fest allows us to shine a spotlight on every corner of Belfast’s drinks and cultural scene. Belfast Whiskey Week is no longer just a whiskey festival – it’s a celebration of Belfast.”

Michael Stewart, Belfast’s Night Czar added: “Belfast Whiskey Week has become one of the defining events in the city’s cultural and hospitality calendar.

“Its continued growth demonstrates the confidence, creativity and energy that exists within Belfast’s night-time economy. The addition of food, cocktail and fringe programming creates an even broader platform for local businesses, artists and venues to collaborate and showcase what Belfast does best.”

For further details, visit www.belfastwhiskeyweek.com

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Strikes hit the bottom line across a wide range of industries, and it is these ripple effects that make industrial action by the RMT such an effective bargaining tool in securing conditions for its members.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) estimated in April that two 24-hour strikes that month cost the economy directly between £130m and £250m in lost working days – both from RMT members themselves and commuters unable to get to work across the city.

However, it said that due to the increased popularity of cycling schemes and remote working, the direct cost of lost work days is higher than it would have been a few years ago.

But the cost is not limited to working days. Sectors such as hospitality and retail take a major hit when there is a Tube strike, particularly businesses in central London, which see a sharp drop in footfall and “less consumer spending”, the CEBR says.

Ahead of the April strike days, pubs and restaurants were braced for nearly a 40 per cent drop in sales, while cafés and coffee shops were expected to lose 34 per cent, according to trade body UKHospitality, which put the overall figure at around £600 million.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Trump administration is pushing to unleash the power of artificial intelligence for the U.S. military while facing calls to put up guardrails around the rapidly developing technology from some companies — and even notes of caution from top leaders in uniform.

Adm. Frank Bradley, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, told attendees of a recent annual special forces conference in Tampa, Florida, that troops “have to be very careful about how we come to (AI’s) employment and its inspiration into the delivery of lethality.”

Bradley said he can see a future where AI determines what targets to hit but that “we, as humans, have to have the confidence that … it’s going to deliver violence only where we intend it to be delivered.”

The remarks from Bradley, who oversees the units that handle the military’s most difficult and dangerous operations, about the need to ensure safeguards come as his boss, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is pushing to rapidly evolve the military through AI. It is a push that has led to clashes with some tech companies worried about safety measures.

Hegseth has insisted that the Pentagon be allowed to use the technology any legal way it sees fit. He told an audience of SpaceX employees in January he would reject any AI models “that won’t allow you to fight wars” and that his vision for the technology was systems that operate “without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications.”

AI’s use in the military is part of the Republican administration’s larger push to grow the capability it sees as a unique American advantage even as it faces pressure to ensure responsible safeguards.

President Donald Trump abruptly called off plans to sign a new AI executive order hours before an expected White House ceremony over concerns the measure could dull America’s edge on AI technology.

“We’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to get in the way of that lead,” Trump told reporters.

Two differing AI worlds within the military

When asked about Bradley’s remarks, a Pentagon official said efforts are focused on using AI to create “functional battlefield tools” that can help troops come up with and identify targets more quickly and, as a result, speed up strikes on those targets. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to offer more candid remarks.

Officials at U.S. Special Operations Command talked about AI not as something that will help eliminate targets but rather as a tool that can offer troops more time to focus on their mission.

Sgt. Maj. Andrew Krogman, the top enlisted official for U.S. Special Operations Command, said at the conference that he sees AI handling administrative tasks to free up operators or helping modernize how the command does business.

Melissa Johnson, the top acquisition official for the command, said AI should be “reducing the cognitive workload on mundane tasks.”

“We’re leveraging AI more and more, but it’s not to replace operator judgment, it’s to enhance it,” she added.

Helen Toner, interim executive director at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, said those differing descriptions about AI in the military are both true.

“There are a huge number of potential uses for AI in these kinds of bureaucratic settings, which the U.S. military is actively exploring,” Toner said.

Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, head of Air Force Special Operations Command, told a congressional committee in May that his troops used AI “bots” to convert top secret intelligence down to a secret classification within seconds to make it easier to share with drone operators on the ground during the Iran war.

However, there is no doubt that AI also is helping the military find and strike targets.

The center that Toner oversees published a case study two years ago on how the Army’s 18th Airborne Corps used AI to target artillery strikes “just as efficiently as the best unit in recent American history” and with 2,000 fewer service members.

“Human operators are still the ones making crucial decisions, but AI … is making it possible to operate with a new level of speed and scale,” she said.

AI safety has created a public dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic

The clash over the integration of AI into the military, who ultimately controls the technology and the ethics behind its use has played out in unusually public fashion during the Trump administration.

Hegseth and Anthropic are embroiled in a bitter contract dispute over the company’s concerns about unchecked government use of its technology, including the dangers of fully autonomous armed drones and of AI-assisted mass surveillance that could track dissent.

After CEO Dario Amodei refused to back down over concerns about how the chatbot Claude is used in classified Pentagon networks, both Trump and Hegseth accused Anthropic of endangering national security.

The Pentagon formally labeled the San Francisco-based company a supply chain risk — ending its $200 million defense contract and prohibited other government contractors from working with the company.

Anthropic sued, claiming the Pentagon is illegally retaliating by stigmatizing the company with a designation meant to protect against sabotage of national security systems by foreign adversaries. The Pentagon has since emphasized its turn to Anthropic rivals — including Google, OpenAI and SpaceX — to secure AI technology that can “augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments.”

Toner, a former OpenAI board member ousted after a clash with CEO Sam Altman, said “the general public often seems to underestimate the caution with which the U.S. military approaches new technologies.”

“Commanders want their missions to succeed, which means both being able to create lethal effects at scale, and avoiding unintended effects like friendly fire, civilian casualties, or simply identifying targets incorrectly,” she said.

It’s a major bone of contention for many frustrated drivers who struggle to find a free parent and child spot at their local supermarket or shopping centre

Three out of five Northern Ireland drivers believe people who misuse parent and child parking spaces should face fines, new research has revealed.

A survey of 700 motorists found that 59% support car park operators issuing penalties to drivers who wrongly use the designated bays.

The findings by CompareNI.com highlight what has become a major bone of contention for many frustrated drivers who struggle to find a free parent and child spot at their local supermarket or shopping centre.

While these reserved bays provide extra space to allow parents or guardians to get their children in and out of a vehicle safely, two thirds (66%) of those surveyed said they have seen a driver without a child using them.

Despite this, only 28% of respondents said they would feel comfortable confronting someone over their misuse of a parent and child bay.

Car insurance experts have warned that drivers who abuse these designated spaces are forcing parents to use narrower bays, which can see unintended damage caused to vehicles as parents attempt to remove bulky and heavy pushchairs or car seats – potentially leading to costly and avoidable insurance claims.

Some major supermarkets have begun clamping down on improper use of these special spaces, with signs warning motorists that misuse could result in parking charges of up to £100.

The apparent abuse of parent and child spaces has sparked widespread debate online, with disagreements over who should qualify to use them – including whether heavily pregnant women and parents with older children should be permitted to park in these spots.

Unlike disabled parking bays, there is currently no national law governing the use of parent and child spaces. Because the bays are usually located on private land, such as supermarket car parks, the rules are set by individual retailers and parking operators – meaning policies can varies from site to site.

While many operators allow parents with children aged up to 12 to use the spaces, others restrict access to those travelling with babies or toddlers.

Rules around expectant mothers also differ, with some car parks permitting heavily pregnant women to use the bays while others do not. It is important for drivers to always check the management signage in each car park to avoid being caught out.

While parent and child spaces are typically found in supermarkets or shopping centre car parks, there have been growing calls for more of these accessible bays to be introduced at council-owned parking facilities.

Many off-street car parks in Northern Ireland do not offer family-friendly parking, as councils are not legally obligated to provide them.

Campaigners have successfully lobbied some local authorities to expand the number of parent and child spaces, highlighting how the lack of these dedicated bays is not only creating a safety issue, but is also driving some people away from town centres and impacting high street footfall.

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “The misuse of parent and child parking spaces is a major bugbear for many motorists, with our research showing strong public support for tougher action against drivers who flout the rules.

“Accessible parking is very important for parents, helping them get young children into and out of cars safely, as well as manoeuvre heavy pushchairs and bulky carrier seats. These bays are also usually positioned closer to store entrances, allowing parents to avoid navigating busy car parks with small children.

“Abusing these spaces not only causes unnecessary difficulties for parents who genuinely need them by forcing them into narrower bays, it also increases the risk of accidental vehicle damage. Parents could damage their own vehicles trying to remove a car seat, or scratch or dent a neighbouring car, leading to costly repairs.

“Busy car parks, particularly at supermarkets and shopping centres, are some of the most common places for minor bumps and scrapes, accounting for a fifth of car insurance claims each year.

“Even minor incidents can lead to claims, ultimately contributing to higher insurance costs across the board. Respecting designated parking spaces can help improve safety for everyone, reduce unnecessary accidents and lower insurance premiums.”

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States bombed Iranian radar and drone control sites in Iran after Tehran shot down an American MQ-1 Predator drone this weekend, the American military said Monday. Iran acknowledged launching a retaliatory strike, while Kuwait said it was intercepting incoming drone and missile fire.

The dueling attacks reflect the fragility of a weekslong ceasefire in the Iran war, which has seen repeated attacks even as American and Iranian officials try to negotiate a deal to extend it. Iran has maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz in the meantime, disrupting global energy supplies as a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded once passed through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, fighting continues to escalate as Israel extends its occupation of Lebanon beyond the Litani River and as the militant group Hezbollah continues to launch drones into Israel.

US military attacks Iran

The U.S. military’s Central Command said it carried out the strikes in Iran on Saturday and Sunday around the city of Geruk and on Qeshm Island.

“The measured and deliberate strikes occurred … in response to aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a U.S. MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters,” Central Command said.

“U.S. fighter aircraft swiftly responded by eliminating Iranian air defenses, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones that posed clear threats to ships transiting regional waters.”

The Predator has been phased out of service by the U.S. Air Force, which now flies the MQ-9 Reaper, though the U.S. Army still flies the Predator. The U.S. military said no American troops were hurt in the attacks.

Kuwait reports incoming fire

Kuwait meanwhile said its air defenses had opened fire early Monday morning to intercept incoming drone and missile fire. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency that U.S. forces had targeted a telecommunications tower.

The Guard said it responded with an attack without saying where, likely referring to the attack on Kuwait. The country is home to U.S. Army Central, the Mideast forward command for the Army.

Iranian state television later shared footage of the ballistic missile launch, including a close-up showing a sticker on its body depicting a bruised U.S. President Donald Trump overlaid on a “closed” Strait of Hormuz with the caption: “Until the last American soldier leaves the region.”

Attacks rattle ceasefire talks

The attacks represent the latest escalation between the U.S. and Iran, even as both have insisted they are continuing to negotiate, particularly over Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Over the weekend, the U.S. fired a missile into the engine room of a Gambia-flagged cargo ship trying to break its blockade of Iranian ports.

A trickle of ships have made it out of the strait, but pressure continues on global energy supplies, as well as chemical fertilizer which has led to fears of food shortages. The Gulf region produces 30% of globally traded chemical fertilizers.

Trump met with advisers on Friday but has yet to decide on whether to move ahead with a deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait. Iran has said the deal had not been finalized.

Trump expressed optimism about the talks in a post on his Truth Social platform early Monday in Washington, mocking critics without addressing the ongoing crossfire.

“Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us,” he wrote. “Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end — It always does!”

Stuart Grehan aced the demanding 17th hole at Baltray before parring the last to finish the tournament on 17-under-par

This is the moment Stuart Grehan made a hole-in-one on his way to claiming the East of Ireland Amateur Championship title for the second time.

Amidst tremendous cheers from the spectators at his home course, the County Louth golfer aced the challenging 17th hole at Baltray before parring the final hole to finish the tournament on 17 under par.

Grehan, who previously secured the title in 2015, finished six strokes ahead of fellow former champion Caolan Rafferty from Dundalk.

The Tullamore native has established himself as a formidable competitor since rejoining the amateur circuit in 2025 following several years as a professional touring player.

He represented GB&I in the Walker Cup last year, but achieving a hole-in-one while winning the East of Ireland at his adopted home club must surely be amongst the pinnacle moments of his golfing journey.

The remarkable moment was filmed and shared on social media by Irish Amateur Golf Info:

Grehan posted rounds of 70, 69, 67 and 65, and was one of three Baltray members to place within the top five at this esteemed amateur competition, which has previously been won by numerous legendary figures in Irish golf, including Joe Carr and Darren Clarke.

Gerard Dunne, who has previously come close to winning the competition on several occasions, recorded rounds of 77, 69, 66 and 70 to finish in a tie for third place with Joshua Hill on nine under par.

Meanwhile, promising young talent Gavin Tiernan, also a Baltray member, secured fifth place on five under par.

The findings come despite Welsh Government figures showing a 25 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or injured on low-speed roads since the policy was introduced there.

Drivers in Northern Ireland could react negatively to the introduction of more 20mph speed limits, according to new research carried out in Wales, where similar restrictions have already been introduced.

The warning comes after the Department for Infrastructure completed a 14-week consultation on plans to introduce reduced speed limits in targeted areas across Northern Ireland.

The issue has already sparked debate locally following the introduction of part-time 20mph zones outside 40 schools in June last year.

Insurance broker Sterling Insurance surveyed almost 1,500 Welsh drivers to gauge attitudes towards 20mph limits following their rollout in Wales more than two years ago. The survey found that seven in 10 motorists wanted the reduced limits reversed and restored to 30mph.

Men were more likely to oppose the changes, with 72 per cent supporting a return to 30mph limits compared to 63 per cent of women surveyed.

The findings come despite Welsh Government figures showing a 25 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or injured on low-speed roads since the policy was introduced.

According to the data, 2,638 people were hurt or killed in the most recent 18-month period compared to 3,520 in the period before the changes came into force.

Sterling Insurance general manager Peter Cook said improved safety statistics were “encouraging” but acknowledged many drivers remained unhappy with the restrictions.

“While safety remains paramount, it was interesting to see how many people are not in favour of the changes and we suspect the consultation may have discovered some similar responses,” he said.

“But these results are even more telling given they’ve come from drivers who have experienced these changes already.”

The survey also found 64 per cent of respondents wished the limits had never been introduced, while 62 per cent described them as an inconvenience.

More than half of drivers surveyed said they did not feel safer on the roads despite the lower limits.

Meanwhile, 83 per cent said they were watching their speedometer more frequently and 59 per cent reported feeling more stressed or anxious while driving.

Sterling said it had recorded a 60 per cent drop in accidents among its Welsh customers since the changes were introduced, alongside a 59 per cent reduction in speeding convictions and 57 per cent fewer insurance claims.

The debate comes amid a rise in motoring offences in Northern Ireland.

PSNI figures show motoring offences increased by 1 per cent in 2025, rising from 36,837 to 37,120. Speeding accounted for 4,513 offences, representing around 12 per cent of the total.

Northern Ireland currently has 20mph schemes operating in 20 locations, alongside around 33 advisory zones and approximately 700 roads featuring traffic-calming measures.

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Pep Guardiola has said farewell to Manchester City and talk has now turned to how the club will fare without the legendary manager.

From returning club legends to a message from Neil Warnock, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City farewell threw up more than its fair share of surprises but was a fitting way to say goodbye to one of the greatest managers the Premier League has ever seen.

With the ticker tape swept up and the bunting back in the cupboard, talk has already turned to what the post-Pep era will look like. Enzo Maresca is set to replace Guardiola in the Etihad hotseat as he seeks to continue the incredible success the Catalan coach has delivered over the past decade.

While City’s rivals are licking their lips in the hope of a United-esque drop-off following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the set-up at the Etihad should ensure no such prediction comes to pass, although the task of following a manager who delivered 20 trophies in 10 years cannot be underestimated.

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Our City writers discussed the challenge facing Maresca in the latest episode of the Talking City podcast, with Chief Manchester City Writer Simon Bajkowski confident there will be enough motivation in the squad to prove they are not reliant on Guardiola to deliver success.

“I think there’s going to be a sea change but Erling Haaland said at the after party ‘We want to win the biggest titles and we didn’t win them this year, we want to fight for those titles’. So the players that are still here will be determined to improve on last year,” he said.

“Everyone thinks there’s going to be a drop-off after Pep – it would be weird if there wasn’t – but you’ve got Enzo Maresca coming in who is determined there won’t be, and the players as well, they don’t want to be seen as players who are nothing without Pep.

“If we’re being honest, a lot of them want to win the World Cup and do as well as they can for their countries, but when they come back there will be a different level of motivation from them.”