“I would just like to make a comment, that everybody is very welcome to come along to the Hairtlan Festival on the first two weeks in July.”

A NI council has kept costs of the “largest Ulster Scots festival in the World” behind closed doors despite a unionist plea for transparency.

The ‘Hairtlan Festival’ organised by the Schomberg Society will host a multitude of cultural events over two weeks this summer with a highlight advertised as the July 11th Bonfire Night celebrations in Kilkeel.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s economy, regeneration and tourism committee approved funding this week away from the public and media with its live meeting online stream unplugged.

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Mournes DUP councillor Glyn Hanna said:”Is there any need to put the Hairtlan Festival’ into closed session?”

A council officer replied:”It has been in closed session at previous meeting and there would be information relating to the business affairs of the council and others.

“So the details warrant it being in closed session.”

As party colleague, Councillor Callum Bowsie was about to offer a suggestion to keep some of the matters in open debate, the onlline connection to the public and the media was cut off.

Tha Hairtlan Festival in Kilkeel will include Ulster-Scots heritage and history exhibitions as well as many social events for all ages and an open air concert.

The first ever festival was held just last year, with the Mourne Gullion Strangford tourism website advertising the Schomberg Society leaflet claiming it as the “largest Ulster Scots Festival anywhere in the World”.

In open session, committee chairperson Councillor David Lee-Surginor Alliance said:”The Hairtlan Festival, it was agreed to support the new outreach and support programmes for the the festival in 2026.

“It was also agreed on the proposal of Councillor Hanna to allocate 20% of the total event cost towards delivery of the event including all activities set out in the report.”

Councillor Hanna added:”I would just like to make a comment, that everybody is very welcome to come along to the Hairtlan Festival on the first two weeks in July.

“They’d have a good experience if they come, and they will.”

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I’m a Celebrity… South Africa aired explosive scenes on Tuesday night with fans left ‘furious’

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I’m a Celebrity… South Africa hosts Ant and Dec were forced to do a massive U-turn on Tuesday’s show.

During the latest instalment, the remaining celebrity contestants learnt that they would be taking on trials and challenges in pairs over the next few days.

Ant and Dec said: “Your fate going forward will depend on how well you perform during each trial in that pair!”

Each contestant then had to pick a stone – with a red stone meaning they got to choose a partner and a white stone meaning they would be picked.

Mo picked Harry, Jimmy chose Adam, Ashley picked Scarlett and Craig and Sinitta remained, forming the final pair. In yet another show twist, Ant and Dec revealed that the pair that finished in last place in the trial would be sent home immediately.

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For Tuesday night’s trial, Rancid Run, Ant explained: “This is Rancid Run. One half of the pair will be locked inside the cage at the end retrieving cogs from an abacus, using only their tongue. Once you’ve got a cog, all you’ve got to do, pass it to your partner.”

To which Dec added: “Once your partner has the cog, they will make their way through the Rancid Run to the box at the end and place the cog on top of the box. Only when the cog is on the box, can your partner start working on retrieving the next cog. There’s five cogs to collect.”

As the trial got underway, Jimmy refused to move while the other celebrities got stuck in. A confused Ant and Dec were quick to encourage Jimmy but he remained frozen.

Jimmy admitted: “Boys, I don’t think I’ve got it in me…” while Adam successfully moved the first cog through the abacus. However, the trial was suddenly brought to a halt when Jimmy declared: “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!”

Adam was left furious over Jimmy’s decision, as it meant he would be leaving the show too as they were together in a pair. The two then got into a heated discussion before Adam broke down sobbing over his unexpected exit.

However, due to the circumstances around Jimmy quitting rather than finishing in last place, Ant and Dec made a U-turn on the show’s rules, asking the fellow contestants whether Adam should remain on the show to which they all agreed.

Gathering the remaining celebrities back, Dec said: “The pairs trials were designed to test both members of each partnership. But when Jimmy called I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! without even attempting it, he denied Adam the chance to compete for his place in the camp.”

With Ant adding: “So it falls to you guys as to whether Adam should remain in camp or not” to which they all agreed Adam deserved to stay in camp.

After Adam was saved, the contestant was left emotional and admitted he was embarrassed over the way he had reacted towards Jimmy. He said: “Thank you and I’m so sorry the way that I acted as well, man, it’s just, you know, just emotions are really running high.”

Taking to Twitter, now X, over the episode and before Adam was saved, ‘furious’ viewers were quick to slam the ‘unfair’ scenes.

One person said: “I’m so glad Adam is allowed back in. Not fair for Jimmy to end Adam’s time there for him. #ImACeleb”, a different account put: “That’s so unfair on Adam #imaceleb”, another wrote: “I’m so glad Adam was allowed to stay in. It would have been so unfair if he had been kicked out when he gave it his all.”

Elsewhere, another viewer said: “Totally unreal, poor Adam that was so unfair #imaceleb”, a different account put: “Jimmy should have just left and not taken Adam out with him. That’s so unfair #ImACeleb” while another viewer added: “It’s so unfair on Adam #ImACeleb” with crying emojis.

I’m a Celebrity… South Africa airs weeknights at 9pm on ITV and ITV X.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was not impressed by criticism of the team celebrations against Arsenal

Pep Guardiola hit back at ‘stupid’ criticism of his Manchester City team celebrating one of their biggest wins of the season. Players and staff did not hide their delight on Sunday after beating Arsenal, with Gianluigi Donnarumma jumping into the crowd and Erling Haaland singing into the camera before all embarked on their usual lap of appreciation around the Etihad.

The scenes came in for criticism, with Wayne Rooney on the BBC saying they were ‘over the top’, ‘premature’ and ‘may come back to bite them’. It has since been suggested that Arsenal can use City’s celebrations as motivation to beat them in the title race.

Guardiola was not asked about the reaction to his team’s celebrations in his press conference ahead of Burnley but brought them up anyway, pointing out how he wants his players to recognise the good things that they do and always appreciate the supporters. City’s manager said their reaction may be different if they beat Burnley in midweek but the occasion and achievement of Sunday’s victory over Arsenal merited their response.

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“When I’m on the sidelines and seeing how Arsenal is playing, I give give incredible credit. They are a top team, a contender to win the Champions League and top of the Premier League. I see that game and we had to sweat and fight to beat them because they have everything. So so competitive, their mentality and many, many things that they do well. They play short, they play well,” he said.

“They play long ball, they win the second ball. Set-pieces. It’s a nightmare. I give a lot of credit to compete with them and against them and the last two times beat them. I give a lot of credit to these players, they know it and feel it.

“People can say whatever stupid things they want to say – they celebrated because they know the value of the opponent. They knew if we didn’t win it would be ‘bye bye’. They won and still we are there. How can they not celebrate it?

“As much as you respect the opponent and the fans of the opponent, celebrate however you want. Wait until the end of the season to celebrate? Come on. I said to them ‘every single game go to our fans’ and enjoy the moment. What sense is not to live it? You have to celebrate just once if you win? And if you don’t win you cry all the time? Come on.

“Of course we are not going to celebrate it in the middle of the week if we win 3-0 or 4-0 and the opponent are different. Everybody knew that game. It was a final. Especially for us. Maybe not for them but for us it was a final and of course you have to celebrate it.”

The coastline was chosen among the world’s 16 best, alongside Big Sur in California and the Garden Route in South Africa, by CNN back in 2019, and the county was included on a short list of the best places to go in 2026

Let’s face it. Driving is pretty boring most of the time. No one is getting excited about circumnavigating the M25 or sitting in a jam on your local A road.

But very occasionally, the motoring gods smile, and you find the traffic gone, the sun out, and a stretch of gorgeous landscape stretching out in front of you.

In March I picked up a rental car in Belfast and asked a member of staff how best to get to Derry.

“You can either go straight down the motorway which takes a bit over an hour, or go the scenic route, but that takes about twice as long,” he said.

After a quick trial of the quite grim and overwhelming M2, I turned off toward the coast and decided I’d take my time. And I was very glad that I did.

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The 120-mile-long Causeway Coastal Route runs north from Belfast up through Newtonabbey and up to Larne, weaving through small villages and hamlets before reaching the charming seaside village of Ballycastle.

From there, you’re just a stone’s throw away from the familiar basalt towers of the Giant’s Causeway.

There are plenty of other spots along the road to Derry that are well worth a stop.

Among them is Cranny Falls waterfall and locations borrowed by Game of Thrones, such as Mountain, Downhill Beach, Portstewart Strand, The Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour, Murlough Bay and the Cushendun Caves.

If the tourist-laden, sea-whipped path down to the Causeway isn’t your cup of tea, then Whitepark Bay may be. The beach is undeniably one of the most beautiful in the country.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Fanad Lighthouse and Ireland’s most northerly point at Malin Head aren’t too awful, as destinations go.

The true joy of the road comes not from stopping, but from slowly winding your way along a route that was built by William Bald in the 1800s to replace the Old Irish Highway.

I found myself being pulled up the road’s many hills by a little tug of anticipation as to what lies beyond the blind summits.

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It could be one of the historic castles, churches and forts that sprinkle the coastline; a typically emerald-green hillside of sheep; an avenue of gnarled trees; or a breathtaking view of the Atlantic.

And it’s not just me who has been lured in by the journey.

The Antrim coastline was chosen among the world’s 16 best, alongside Big Sur in California and the Garden Route in South Africa, by CNN back in 2019, and the county was put on a short list of the best places to go in 2026, put together by CNTraveller.

Here’s how the players rated in Swansea’s 2-1 win over QPR

Swansea City secured back-to-back away wins by edging to a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Tuesday.

Ronald put this Swans in front after two minutes, before Zan Vipotnik doubled the lead from the spot with a controversial penalty deep into the second half.

Rhys Norrington-Davies pulled a goal back for the hosts late on, but the Swans held out for a well earned three points.

Here’s how the players rated on the night.

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Lawrence Vigouroux 7

Another fairly solid performance. Produced some good saves, and can’t be blamed too much for the goal.

Sam Parker 7

Another reallly accomplished showing at right-back. Subbed.

Cameron Burgess 8

A monster in the air. No player won more all evening. A good night at the office for the centre-back.

Ben Cabango 7

Not quite as imposing, but still put in a decent shift at the heart of defence.

Josh Tymon 7

Linked up well with the likes of Walta and Widell. Not his very best, but still a good performance.

Jay Fulton 7

Mopped up really well at the base of midfield and produced a couple of really good driving runs. His ball helped set up the opener too.

Goncalo Franco 7

Really energetic all evening. Made a couple of really good tackles and looked pretty sharp in possession on the whole. Subbed.

Ronald 8 – STAR MAN

Arguably his best showing for a while. Took his goal well and tested the defence with several decent runs. No player made more tackles too.

Melker Widell 7

A key component of Swansea’s press. A little un Worked hard all evening, alth

Leo Walta 7

Looked really comfortable, to be fair. Snapped at a couple of shots, but showed some really promising glimpses of his invention in the final third. Subbed.

Adam Idah 6

Ran himself into the ground, but aside from a first-half chance on the rebound, he wasn’t really afforded too many opportunities in front of goal. Subbed.

Subs:

Malick Yalcouye (on for Walta 67) – Really energetic cameo that helped drive his team late on – 7

Zan Vipotnik (on for Idah 67) – Took his goal well from spot – 7

Eom Jisung (on for Franco 67) – His surging run yielded the penalty (although it clearly wasn’t inside the box) – 7Joel Ward (on for Parker 73) – Fairly quiet cameo – 6

Liam Cullen (on for Widell 76) – Had an effort cleared off the line but otherwise quiet – 6

—

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas issued in the investigation of former CIA Director John Brennan, with officials asking for voluntary interviews instead of testimony before a grand jury, two people familiar with the matter said Tuesday.

A small handful of subpoenas were known to have been issued over the weekend for witnesses to appear before a grand jury in Washington. But investigators on Monday evening informed lawyers that the subpoenas were being withdrawn in favor of requests for voluntary interviews, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press to discuss developments in an ongoing investigation.

The reason for the reversal in course was not immediately known.

The months-old Brennan investigation is one of several criminal probes the Justice Department has opened over the last year against President Donald Trump’s perceived adversaries. It centers on one of the Republican president’s chief grievances — a U.S. intelligence community finding that Russia interfered on his behalf during his successful 2016 presidential campaign.

The subpoenas were issued after a shake-up in the Justice Department team leading the investigation. A career national security prosecutor in Florida who had been handling the inquiry recently left the case after expressing doubt about the legal viability of a potential criminal prosecution, according to another person familiar with the matter.

The Justice Department on Monday installed a Trump loyalist, Joe diGenova, who served as U.S. attorney in Washington during the Reagan administration, as a counselor to the attorney general who will now work on the Brennan investigation. DiGenova supported Trump’s failed legal campaign to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election and has also been an outspoken critic of Trump foes like Brennan, saying in a television interview years ago that the former CIA director was “at the head” of a conspiracy to falsely link Trump to Russia.

At an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche brushed aside questions about whether diGenova’s past comments could create a conflict of interest and leave him susceptible to claims of bias.

“The mere fact that he has spoken about his perception — he didn’t have access to grand jury information, he didn’t have access to witnesses. And so, like any prosecutor, I expect that he will follow the facts. And those facts come from witnesses and grand jury information,” Blanche said.

Brennan served as CIA director under President Barack Obama and was in that role when the intelligence community in January 2017 published an assessment detailing Russian interference aimed at helping Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016. An investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russia meddled on Trump’s behalf and that his campaign welcomed the assistance, but it did not find sufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy.

Large plumes of smoke were seen for miles as firefighters battled a blaze at a derelict building in Radcliffe on Tuesday night (April 21). Firefighters were called to reports of the fire on Milltown Street at around 7.15pm on Tuesday (April 21).

People were told to urged to avoid the area and those living closest to the scene were told to close their windows and doors.

One eyewitness told the M.E.N that a ‘really large explosion’ was heard in the area. Crews working on the fire used water from the River Irwell to help dampen the blaze.

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Police and paramedics are also attended the scene before the cordon was extended, according to eyewitnesses.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At around 7.15pm today (Tuesday 21 April), eight fire engines and three specialist appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to a building fire on Milltown Street, Radcliffe.

“Crews arrived quickly and are using jets and turntable ladders to extinguish the fire.

“Residents are asked to avoid the area and close their windows and doors if they live nearby.”

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment.

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The incident marks the second fire in as many years on Milltown Street. Last year, emergency services rushed to the area after reports of a blaze at a derelict mill in September.

Locals claimed crews are working at Pioneers Mill which is at the bottom of the street.

In 2022, the street was the site for another fire when a huge blaze tore through a plastic storage unit.

Tim Sherwood believes Chelsea will sack Liam Rosenior following the 3-0 defeat against Brighton on Tuesday night.

Brighton ran out deserved winners at the Amex Stadium with goals from  Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck.

The defeat means Chelsea have now lost five league games without scoring a goal for the first time since 1912.

During the second half, Chelsea supporters chanted against the club’s BlueCo ownership and called for Rosenior’s sacking.

Chelsea have insisted that they have no plans to dismiss Rosenior, however, Sherwood feels the 41-year-old will lose his job at Stamford Bridge.

‘It was a team playing against a bunch of individuals who had no spirit, no character,’ Sherwood told Sky Sports.

‘I’ve just watched them at the end going up to the Chelsea fans, half of them had already left the stadium probably 20 minutes ago, it was done and dusted after the second goal went in.

‘They played five at the back in the first half, it was embarrassing the amount of room Brighton had, second half was a little bit better at the start.

‘He [Rosenior] was lucky at half time it was only one [goal], Garnacho came on and gave more in forward areas but as soon as they got the second goal with Hinshelwood, we’re talking an academy player who played in every single position on the pitch, he played full-back, he’s outstanding in that position, plays in midfield, he played as a No.10 tonight, he was outstanding.

‘I don’t like saying it but there are demonstrations there and flags out against BlueCo, he will not survive this, Liam Rosenior will not survive this, unfortunately for him.

‘It’s a real tough job for any manager to go in there and change the environment because these Chelsea fans have been brought up winning trophies, the biggest trophies, with the biggest players. It’s a development club.’

Sherwood also criticised Enzo Fernandez for his reaction towards Chelsea’s supporters after the final whistle as the midfielder stood shrugging with his arms out in front of fans at the Amex Stadium.

‘He wanted to make a show, this is not someone who I wanted to see with an armband on,’ Sherwood said.

‘He wants to leave the club. He stuck his chest out, he stood there, he made a stand, mate, make a stand when the game is on, do something about it, lead your players, you’re an individual who plays for himself.

‘He’s probably there talking to the coaching staff trying to blame everyone else around him, that ain’t what leaders do, they galvanise their teammates, they make sure they’re organised, he has to know when he’s on that pitch what Liam Rosenior wants, and he has to try and implement it on the pitch for his manager.

‘They are not playing for their manager. Whether it’s him, Pochettino, Potter, Enzo Maresca, they throw them all under the bus. The players need to look at themselves but the club needs to change, you are not going to shift the mindset of these Chelsea fans.

‘Cucurella was poor tonight, Gusto was poor, the centre-backs are not good enough, whether it’s Fofana, Hato or Chalobah, they’re not good enough, the goalkeeper is not good enough. They need experienced players, no only in age but who have played a lot of games and know the Premier League, I want to see leaders on that team like the Chelsea of old.

‘This is not Chelsea Football Club, it’s nothing like I recognise from a Chelsea Football Club… terrible.’

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s approval rating on the economy has slumped over the past month as the Iran war drives prices higher, according to a new AP-NORC poll, with even Republicans showing less faith in his leadership.

The findings from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research show a president who is struggling with unfulfilled promises to tame inflation and testing Americans’ patience with a conflict in the Middle East that has dragged on longer than expected.

Trump’s approval rating on the economy dropped to 30% in April from 38% in a March AP-NORC poll. A similarly low share of U.S. adults, 32%, approve of the president’s leadership on Iran, which is unchanged since last month.

The poll was conducted April 16-20, during which time the Strait of Hormuz was reopened by Iran, then closed again, an example of the whiplash that has characterized the conflict.

The president’s policies and pronouncements have often been at odds with each other. Gasoline prices — which he promised to slash — jumped after the U.S. attacked Iran in February. His tariffs have kept much of the economy in limbo and hiring has slowed despite his boasts of a “golden age.”

Only 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s overall job performance, down slightly from 38% last month.

Trump’s falling approval ratings could create problems for his party as it tries to defend House and Senate majorities in the midterm elections. The poll finds that Trump is especially weak on cost of living, and enthusiasm about Trump’s performance has waned over the past year among his own supporters.

Kathryn Bright, 60, a retired captain in the U.S. Air Force, regrets that she supported Trump in the last election.

“I feel disgusted with myself, I feel betrayed, like he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” she said.

Bright lives in a small town far out on Colorado’s prairie and has several disabling medical conditions. She was initially drawn to Trump because of his vows to support veterans, avoid foreign wars and lower costs.

“It’s like high school class president: ‘I’m gonna promise we are going to get pizza every single day,’” Bright said. “Then as soon as they get elected they are like, ‘Oh, I lied.’”

The vast majority of Americans disapprove of Trump on cost of living

In a sign of just how unpopular Trump’s approach on prices has become, the poll found that only about one-quarter of U.S. adults approve of his handling of the cost of living.

The consumer price index climbed 3.3% in March from a year ago, and inflation is slightly higher than the 3% that Trump inherited upon returning to the White House last year. Yet Trump has shown little interest in inflation and played down the rising energy costs caused by the war prompting Iran to effectively shutter the Strait of Hormuz to oil and natural gas tankers.