JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman might do something this weekend he’s never done in his storied NFL career: draft a player who will take a pay cut by entering the league.

It won’t be the last time, either.

The minimum salary for an NFL draft pick in 2026 is slotted at $915,120. But with college revenue sharing going into effect before the 2025 season — top programs are now spending up to $20.5 million on student-athletes, with the majority earmarked for the most talented football players — there are undoubtably players who will be drafted Saturday who topped the million-dollar mark last season and will earn less in the pros.

At least in Year 1.

Most of the players making more than $1 million in college football are quarterbacks. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson were first-round draft picks, with Mendoza going No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders and Simpson surprisingly landing with the Los Angeles Rams at No. 13.

Mendoza’s NFL rookie deal is slotted to top $57 million, including nearly $10.5 million in 2026. Simpson’s contract will be roughly half that — $25.4 million total, including $4.6 million in the first year.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Miami’s Carson Beck are projected to be the next quarterbacks selected, with both potentially coming off the board in the second or third round Friday night — and both likely earning less as NFL rookies than they made as established college starters.

Same goes for fellow QBs Drew Allar (Penn State), Taylen Green (Arkansas), Cole Payton (North Dakota State), Sawyer Robertson (Baylor), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Joey Aguilar (Tennessee) and others.

Although revenue share payments are typically undisclosed, name, image and likeness valuations are much more public. Nearly half of the top 50 NIL valuations in 2025 belonged to QBs, according to On3, with two dozen of those over $1.5 million.

“They come in almost like pros now,” Raiders general manager John Spytek said. “I actually think it’s made it easier because you know what the guys are going to do when they have money.

“You know the ones that love the game and are about the right things, and just because they’ve got more money than we all had when we were in college, they still prepare the right way, they play the right way, they love the game, they’re there for their teammates. I think it’s kind of been a little bit illuminating to the character of who they are.”

The financial component has less of an impact on NFL decision-makers as the age issue.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said this is the third consecutive year in which 18% of the team’s draft board is comprised of players at least 24 years old. That number used to be 4%, he added.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the initial age surge. But soaring NIL payments and rev share could be the deciding force for years to come.

“That’s something that we don’t really understand fully and what that means,” DeCosta said. “I don’t think it’s a good thing, certainly. But historically we’ve tried to draft younger players when we can. That’s been something that we feel strongly (about), but now we’ve got 18% of the draft board that’s over 24 years old. So that’s going to change the way that maybe we target players.”

And some of them will be millionaires before they even sign an NFL contract.

“That’s interesting. I don’t know that it’s rooted in financial thoughts as much as you talk about age quite a bit and whether or not tread on the tires is something of note,” Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said. “I think most of the times the guys have a little bit more financial awareness, and that can be a really helpful tool.

“The fact that they’re not just being dumped a good chunk of cash for the first time when they enter the NFL. They now have some version of experience navigating that, and that can be a really helpful piece for sure.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

RACHAEL Maskell is right to campaign for the Bootham Park Hospital (BPH) site to be bought and used for the ‘the public good.’ (The Press, April 23 – ‘Why this York building should be for all of us’).

However I disagree with her over allocating some of the land to ‘affordable housing’.

For many families even that is out of reach. Better to follow the example of the Attlee 1945-51 government and build council houses – a public good which will remain (unless we get another Thatcher) with the public.

Rachael says her ‘priority for the legacy of BPH has always been the mental health of York residents’.

There is nothing like having one’s own front door, somewhere to raise a family and go to school from, to provide the security on which mental health is founded.

Harold Mozley,

Blakeney Place,

York

Read more:

….RACHAEL Maskell once again raised the issue of Bootham Park Hospital in Prime Ministers Questions.

The Prime Minister replied that he was aware of the concerns of Yorks citizens and understood the site was under offer.

It was reported that the prospective buyers wish to start work before the current planning permission ends on May 17.

So what is the situation? Is it sold or is it not?

In 2023 plans were put before City of York Council by the then prospective purchasers, Early Retirement Living and were passed although the vote was not unanimous.

This company then decided not to proceed. Now a company Timeless Holdings Ltd and Stonehouse Projects Ltd have applied to have four conditions of the planning permission discharged so they can begin work before May 17.

So my question is, are these companies in a position to begin work on the site if the purchase is not completed?

Secondly what is City of York Council’s position on this confusing situation?

While some members may feel it is a pragmatic decision to allow another piece of York’s history to be destroyed, with the greatest of respect I would remind them of their responsibilities to conserve and defend York’s heritage and to represent its citizens.

This cannot be achieved by adopting a supine position. Sad to say my comments appear to apply to the great and good of York whose purpose is surely to be active in the protection of our heritage.

I write on behalf of a group of people who have campaigned to save BPH since its precipitate closure in 2015.

We are certainly not experts in planning law so clarification on the points raised would be most gratefully received.

Ann Weerakoon,

Fulford Park House,

York

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Thank Donald Trump for holiday mayhem

“LET’S bomb Iran quick and get out quicker” has not only raised the cost of living globally but has also raised the cost of global travel.

Jet fuel has already doubled in price. Holidays will be hit either by flights being cancelled or by an increase in ticket prices.

Long haul flights, to Australia for example, are already suffering by having to avoid Iranian airspace, making it necessary to refuel in Singapore.

Added to this is the very real possibility that some airlines may have to lay off cabin crew, pilots, caterers, baggage handlers, cleaners, air traffic controllers and probably airport shop staff.

Imagine the knock-on effect of all that. So, when you’re looking forward to two weeks in Benidorm and things start to go pear shaped, thank Donald Trump and his massive ego.

Nigel Cummings,

Charlton Street,

York

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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has announced ambitions to “kick on” by increasing its powers and funding. Combined Authority Mayor Paul Bristow has written to central government asking for CPCA to be designated as an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority.

The move has the unanimous backing of the Combined Authority Board, made up of local council leaders. If granted, it would see a significant increase in the powers and funding made available to deliver greater growth and prosperity across the region.

“Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is ready to kick on,” Mayor Bristow said. “Established status would give us the tools to deliver better transport, more jobs, improve skills, and speed up the regeneration and housing our communities need.

“It’s about backing regions that are ready to lead and making sure we get our fair share of Government funding.”

In his letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Mayor Bristow, outlined how the Combined Authority meets all eligibility criteria for Established status. This includes operating with a directly elected Mayor since 2017, maintaining strong governance and financial oversight, and demonstrating a proven delivery record on complex, large-scale programmes.

“We’ve proven we can deliver,” he said. “ARU Peterborough fixed a decades-long gap in higher education; we’re the first predominantly rural Combined Authority progressing bus franchising, and we’re leading the UK’s largest Levelling Up project at Peterborough Station Quarter.”

Mayor Bristow believes gaining Established status will help CPCA deliver its showpiece Local Growth Plan, an ambitious blueprint to grow the regional economy to £97 billion by 2050.

“My ambition in our Local Growth Plan is clear: let’s triple the economy and make this region healthier, wealthier and happier. To do that, we need the deeper devolution, greater flexibility, and long-term funding certainty that Established status brings,” he said.

“It’s time to back Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and I’m looking forward to working with the Secretary of State to take this next step.”

Over 250 guests attended the red-carpet premiere

A red-carpet premiere in North Belfast has put the spotlight on how young people are using film to challenge attitudes around violence against women and girls.

More than 250 invited guests gathered at Movie House Cinemas in Cityside on 23 April for a Cinemagic showcase marking the work of 120 participants involved in a series of film programmes backed by the Department of Education and The Executive Office. The event, hosted by Pete Snodden, featured six short films tackling themes at the heart of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls strategy.

Among the highlights were Before/After and Not That Bad, developed by pupils from Blessed Trinity College in Belfast and St Joseph’s Boys’ High School in Newry. Working alongside writer-director Aidan Largey and local film crews, the young participants took the projects from script to screen, following workshops in script development and filmmaking and culminating in intensive two-day shoots.

The films do not shy away from difficult subject matter. Alongside the two latest productions, Closed Doors, Message Sent, Impact, and Likes explore issues including consent, coercive control, mental health and harmful attitudes towards women and girls. Some have already gained recognition beyond Northern Ireland, with Impact picking up Best Film and Best Actress for Eimear Bailie at the Round Reel International Film Festival in New Jersey and screening at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

The initiative is designed not only to build technical skills but to give young people a platform to shape conversations around social change. By placing those voices at the centre, organisers hope the films can contribute to a wider cultural shift.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Ending violence against women and girls is a priority for the Executive. We recently launched our Second Delivery Plan to build on the work we have done to date, and this initiative with Cinemagic is an important part of that work. Working together across the creative and education sectors, it will support young people to challenge harmful attitudes and engage in important conversations about consent, equality and respect.

“Crucially, it will help embed the key values of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls into the heart of communities, while empowering the next generation to play an active role in driving change.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: “These thought-provoking short films demonstrate the importance of meaningful engagement with young people around the issues of violence and coercive control by encouraging empathy, understanding, and responsibility.

“We recently launched our second Delivery Plan for the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework and prevention is at the heart of it. This collaboration with Cinemagic is a brilliant example of using a creative approach to encourage young people to think about their actions and play their part in bringing about lasting change. Thank you to everyone involved in this initiative for helping us to highlight this important issue in such an impactful way.”

Education Minister Paul Givan, who attended the premiere, praised the young people for their work.

“It was a pleasure to attend this event and recognise the creativity, partnership and most importantly, the young people whose voices and vision are at the heart of this project,” he said.

“The films created by the young people in Newry and North Belfast shine a light not only on the issues that matter to them, but also on their determination to be part of the solutions. I commend Cinemagic for their long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent, and to the schools and partners who supported this inspiring piece of work.”

Cinemagic’s chief executive, Joan Burney Keatings MBE, thanked the Department of Education and The Executive Office for their support on the project.

“With thanks to the Department of Education and The Executive Office for supporting the productions in Belfast and Newry, and supporting the showcase, we have been able to present an incredible body of work produced in collaboration with many partners who share Cinemagic’s passion and ethos,” she said.

“Film is a brilliant way to connect with all members of society and to illustrate the impact of violence against women and girls, and the need to change attitudes and behaviours.

“Cinemagic has been so impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of the teenagers and young adults involved in all six of the productions premiered, and we have been able to highlight what is possible when the creative industries, government, education and community unite to achieve a common goal. We are proud of the work we have produced and look forward to reaching more audiences as the films are screened and promoted throughout Northern Ireland and further afield.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled from the Fetesti airbase in Romania

RAF fighter jets on a NATO patrol have for the first time shot down Russian drones over Ukrainian territory.

Two Royal Air Force Eurofighters were scrambled from Romania as Vladimir Putin’s forces launched attacks on ports along the River Danube in Ukraine.

The crew engaged and downed the Russian drones in Ukrainian airspace, according to the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. The strike over Ukraine, aimed at safeguarding NATO member state Romania, marks a significant new development in the four-year conflict.

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It came as Russia’s relentless overnight assault on Ukraine prompted NATO to scramble warplanes from both Romania and Poland.

“On the morning of Saturday, April 25, Russian forces resumed drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, near the river border with Romania, in Tulcea County,” said the Bucharest statement, reports the Mirror.

“MApN radars detected drones flying near Romanian airspace. Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the British Air Force from the Reinforced Air Police combat service took off at 02:00 from the 86th Air Base in Fetești.

“The National Military Command Centre notified IGSU [General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations] regarding the establishment of measures to alert the population in the localities of Grindu and Isaccea, in Tulcea County, and at 02:14, a RO-ALERT message was transmitted.

“The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft had radar contact with a target located 1.5 km from Reni, above Ukrainian territory. The pilots had authorisation to engage the drones.” The statement said multiple explosions were reported in Reni, Ukraine. It did not explicitly state how many drones were brought down by the RAF. There were reports of falling debris from drones over Romanian territory. “No casualties were reported,” it added.

Romania condemned the Putin regime over its strikes on the Odesa region — with targets just half a mile from NATO territory across the Danube.

“The Ministry of National Defence firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasises that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” said the report.

Such incidents highlight the Russian Federation’s disregard for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.

“Romania remains firmly committed to fulfilling its obligations as a member state of the Alliance and will continue to work closely with partners and allies to monitor and defend national airspace.”

In Poland, French fighter jets backed by Dutch armed forces operating under the NATO alliance were scrambled as Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Ukraine.

“Poland raised military aircraft due to the activity of long-range Russian aviation, which carried out missile strikes on Ukraine,” said a statement from air force operational command. Ferocious Russian strikes demolished a four-storey apartment block in Dnipro, leaving at least two dead and more than 20 injured. A further five people are feared to be trapped beneath the rubble.

The city endured bombardment for over ten hours, with strikes also hitting the Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Cherkasy regions. In Bila Tserkva [Kyiv region], a significant blaze broke out amid thick smoke, with residents urged to keep their windows shut.

In one of the most intense overnight assaults of the conflict, Russia unleashed a wave of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine. The attack comprised 47 missiles, of which 30 were intercepted. A total of 580 out of 619 drones were either shot down or suppressed.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones travelled vast distances of more than 1,100 miles to strike major Russian cities in the Ural Mountains for the first time. The Kremlin was rattled by hits deep within its territory, with long-range unmanned aircraft targeting the key hubs of Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk.

Liutyi drones struck an elite high-rise tower in Yekaterinburg, likely after being engaged by air defences. Windows on the upper floors were shattered and smoke was seen billowing from the building. More than 50 residents were evacuated from the multi-storey block, with numerous flats sustaining damage. At least six people were injured.

Reports indicate that Ukrainian long-range drones targeted the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigation in Chelyabinsk. Unconfirmed reports also emerged of explosions near the strategically significant Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant.

The defendant opened his jacket to show the victim his t-shirt, which declared “stop importing – start deporting”, before reaching into his backpack to pull out a red, black and white Nazi flag.

A man who wrapped a Nazi flag around his hand before punching a man in the face during a racist assault has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Sentencing Jamie Taylor at Craigavon Magistrates Court, Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor told the 36-year-old his attack was “racism through and through, naked.”

“Behaviour of this nature is unacceptable in any right-thinking society,” the judge declared and turning to Taylor demanded to know, “have you anything to say?”

“Sorry, Your Worship,” Taylor replied, “sorry to the injured party.”

“I am not convinced that you are,” Judge Trainor told him, adding that “the only question is whether you go to prison today, or the next day when you commit further offences.”

Taylor, from the Tandragee Road in Gilford, had earlier entered guilty pleas to charges of common assault, disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and resisting police, all committed on 27 February this year.

Today (Fri), a prosecuting lawyer outlined that it was around 08.30 am when the victim was standing outside the Baptist Church on Thomas Street when Taylor walked past.

The defendant opened his jacket to show the victim his t-shirt which declared “stop importing – start deporting” before reaching into his backpack to pull out a red, black and white Nazi flag.

After the victim called him a “racist c***,” Taylor told him “you have not seen f****** racism” and after wrapping the flag around his hand, punched him in the jaw.

The defendant left the scene but the court heard that when police arrived, they found that a Kia car had been covered in flour.

The prosecutor said there were “flour trails” which led police to the defendant.

During the arrest, Taylor resisted police, and the court heard that both the assault and the resisting police were aggravated due to hostility based on race.

Defence counsel Peter Canavan told the court that at the time, Taylor had been “heavily under the influence,” adding that “the context [of the offending] is accepted.”

Although he suggested the case could be met with a community-based disposal, Judge Trainor said, given the nature of the offending and the fact that Taylor had previously been on probation, any such option was out of the question.

Revealing that Taylor has 23 convictions, mainly for violence and disorderly behaviour, the judge said it was clear the defendant “had once persuaded probation that he is a reformed character and yet, here he is doing this.”

The victim was sitting in the public gallery and Mr Canavan conceded that his Victim Impact Statement made for “harrowing reading.”

“The injured party has articulated his concerns and what is a wider societal issue,” said the barrister, submitting that Taylor “has been pretty active in trying to address his issues.”

Judge Trainor said while he regularly dealt with defendants who were suffering from mental health or substance misuse issues, Taylor had acted in a “deliberate, pre-planned way, and that is not something that I can put down to mental health, for alcohol or anything.”

“This is racism through and through, naked,” the judge declared, outlining how the incident has had an impact on the victim and his family.

Imposing a six-month prison sentence, he added that given the contents of the report and the defence submissions, “I will suspend that for two years.”

In addition, Judge Trainor also imposed a two-year restraining order.

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With almost four decades of working in hospitality under his belt, no one quite knows our local industry like Michael Stewart.

Director of Common Market, owner of a hospitality consultancy and training business and Belfast’s very first Night Czar, championing the city’s late-night economy, he explained passion has been the driving force for his long career.

From taking a risk returning home to manage a South Belfast bar to leading roles in some of the city’s most successful pubs, venues and clubs, Michael has seen the good, the bad and the ugly of what it means to work in hospitality in Northern Ireland.

READ MORE: From 1630 licence to modern nightlife complex: How White’s Tavern became an unstoppable Belfast powerhouseREAD MORE: Belfast night bus service a success but “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it”

Speaking to Belfast Live, the Belfast-born businessman reflected on how the industry has changed over his 39 years in the game, the realities of operating a hospitality business in 2026 and enhancing Belfast’s status as a late-night city.

Four decades on the scene

Having moved to London to work in the 1980s, little did Michael know that a phone call from his friend Pim Dalm, owner of The Clandeboye Lodge, would change the trajectory of his life.

Croft Inns were looking for someone fresh to run Bob Cratchit’s on the Lisburn Road and Pim had put his name forward – after interviewing on a Monday, Michael had moved home to start his role as General Manager of the bar by the Saturday, and his love affair with hospitality offically began.

“I ran Bob Cratchit’s for ten years – the price of a pint was £1, spirits were £1, we were selling wine out of a 10-litre box on draft.

“Ten great years before I jumped ship to join Jaz Mooney. We opened The Fly and I ran it for two years before moving into head office with Jaz where he would say I ‘went on the rampage’,” he laughed.

“We developed Apartment, McHughs, Madison’s, Ryan’s and I was Head of Operations for another brilliant five years.”

Michael’s portfolio working on Belfast’s nightlife hotspots continued to grow and he was eventually headhunted by Ultimate Leisure, operators of Beach Club, and stepped into the world of nightclubs.

But his career “actually kicked off” when he was made redundant back in 2003, forcing him to reevaluate and eventually leading to the creation of The Bar Czar, his successful hospitality sector solutions, project management and training company.

“I’ve actually been self-employed longer than I was employed,” Michael added.

“There’s a cliche where a lot of people say everyone should work in hospitality. I don’t think it is a cliche – I think it is true.

“You should work in hospitality, whether you think you are good, bad or different, and that’s where you’ll really start to find yourself. When you are in hospitality, so many situations are thrown at you.

“Covid taught us how vulnerable we are but it also proved to me that you cannot replicate hospitality. It’s in our DNA – it’s face to face, it’s interaction. The good, the bad.

“If you work in hospitality, you take that away with you and I think it sets you up for life.”

‘Harder than ever’

Reflecting on his “life sentence” in the industry, which he was “so glad” to have fallen into back in 1987, he stressed that it is more difficult now than it ever was to operate in NI’s hospitality industry.

Michael explained: “So many things have changed since 1987. I will say this and I stand over it – back then, hospitality was fun. Now, it is hard.

“And everyone knows that.”

It is no secret that prices of pints are on the rise and the cost of a night out in Belfast is now being compared to that of London and Dublin.

Where people believe greedy publicans are to blame for a £7 pint in the city, Michael stressed that the hospitality rate system is “not fit for purpose” and both businesses and customers alike will suffer as a result.

“The rate system here for hospitality does not fit for everyone. You are taxed on turnover, not square footage, so that is a nightmare.

“And that is before you even open the doors – then you have electric, gas, minimum wage, marketing, insurance, water, sewage, VAT.

“Employees’ rights have changed for the better over the past 39 years, which I totally support, but what is difficult is the rate at which minimum wage is rising every year. It’s beyond inflation and beyond the cost base and a lot of venues have to suffer.

“There are so many things like this that people don’t understand that goes into hospitality but let me tell you this, a lot of people do understand because if they didn’t, hospitality wouldn’t exsist.”

While a night out in Belfast may be seen as much more of a luxury now than it was during his days at Bob Cratchit’s and he can appreciate that more people are enjoying a drink at home, he said it is the experience of a night out in a hospitality venue that cannot be replicated and this is what keeps the industry fighting through the tough times.

“Northern Ireland is resilient,” he said. “We came through The Troubles, we came through the dot-com crisis, we’ve come through I don’t know how many financial crashes and we are still here.

“We will always find our way out, we are resilient people and sometimes our way out is just to go out and have a bloody good time.”

Common Market – the new age of a night out

It was in the aftermath of the pandemic that Michael joined forces to open his newest hospitality venue, Common Market, in the Cathedral Quarter – a buzzy food and drink market that has launched some of the city’s most exciting food ventures.

“The way I sum it up is informal formality – people want that informality but they want the formality of good service, good standards, quality drinks and good value.

“People don’t want a cheap night, they want good value for money and Common Market is all about the experiential.

“You can get a drink if you want a drink, get food if you want food or you can come in, get nothing and enjoy the live music. It’s dog-friendly, child-friendly.”

When asked what has kept him in hospitality and constantly developing new things for Belfast’s food and drink scene, Michael said it comes down to one thing – passion.

An Ulster University alum, he regularly goes back to talk to hospitality and business students, sits on the board reviewing final year dissertations and engages with students in his role as Night Czar, all things he does on his own time because he is passionate about hospitality in Northern Ireland.

“You’ve got to have passion, stamina and enthusiasm. I’ve got enthusiam and loads of passion – maybe getting less stamina,” he laughed.

“But the passion, you either love it or you don’t. Even when it is hard, you have to love it.”

Late-night economy and hospitality

Michael was appointed as the city’s first Night Czar in 2024 in a bid to improve its night-time economy.

His two-year role, which has been extended for another year, focuses on enhancing, coordinating, and advocating for the city’s night-time strategy in terms of safety, transport, and business.

The Night Czar’s responsibilities include acting as the central point of contact for night-time services including hospitality, venues, transport and policing as well as advocacy and lobbying for statutory agencies.

When asked on a radio interview after his appointment why he would take up this honorary role for only £12k, he replied: “Well the fact I am doing it for that sort of money tells you I am not doing it for the money.

“I am doing it for the passion and wanting to make a difference.”

He started with four key objectives when he became Belfast’s Night Czar: develop and enhance late-night transport, advocating for an end to violence against women, reinstate Culture Night and a common-sense approach to pavement café licensing.

One of the biggest impacts on the hospitality trade and the safety of both customers and workers was a year-long pilot scheme for late-night travel to and from Belfast.

Late-night buses operate across 11 Translink Metro routes and four Ulsterbus routes on Friday and Saturday nights and with fares costing under £3, Michael is proud to have lobbied hard to achieve this scheme and offer a safe way home from a night out in the city.

With hopes to extend the scheme for another six months when the pilot ends, he stressed that it is a “use it or lose it ” situation, with the benefits to the economy, hospitality industry and safety of the nightlife scene in Belfast far too important to lose.

With over half his life spent serving the hospitality industry in Belfast, there is not a corner of it he hasn’t worked in, consulted on or enjoyed himself.

Violence, pandemics, financial crashes – he has worked through them all and seen Belfast fight back to rise through the ashes despite the continued set backs the industry faces.

“We are in uncertain times, just on a world stage, but I think it will come good again at some point. It will have effects for everybody in every walk of life.

“But as I said at the begining, we in Northern Ireland are a resilent bunch and I think we will come through it, probably battered and bruised, but we will come through it.

“People will still, in some shape or form, want to go out – no matter the price of a pint, the price of meal or entry to a club, they will still want to experience it because you cannot replace that social interaction that is in our DNA.

“Habits may change, but people will still want to work in hospitality.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

John Higgins faces Ronnie O’Sullivan in the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible on Saturday

John Higgins has admitted to not sharing a close relationship with the likes of Mark Williams or Ronnie O’Sullivan, despite their numerous encounters over the years. Higgins and O’Sullivan are set to meet at the World Snooker Championship on Saturday.

Part of the sport’s celebrated Class of ’92 alongside Williams Higgins and O’Sullivan, have been fixtures throughout each other’s 34-year careers. Their forthcoming last-16 clash at the Crucible will mark their 80th encounter, with the competitors having secured a combined 11 world championships and 74 ranking titles.

‘The Rocket’ arranged a showdown with Higgins after beating China’s He Guoqiang 10-2, while ‘The Wizard of Wishaw’ progressed to the second round with a 10-7 triumph over Ali Carter. Williams, meanwhile, has to overcome a 10-6 deficit against Barry Hawkins as their match resumes on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Higgins has acknowledged he would not regard O’Sullivan as a friend. At least not in the traditional sense.

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“I get asked about that and it’s the same answer I give, I don’t really know Ronnie at all,” Higgins told the Talking Snooker podcast in 2023. “When you think all these years we’ve been on the tour, we’ve never really been that close, I could count on one hand the amount of meals we’ve had together.

“But I’ve got the utmost respect for him as a snooker player. Incredible player and I think it goes back to what I said about Mark Williams. Going for the same titles, you cannot be all that friendly with each other.

“Respect of course, but being friends, nah. We’re different characters as well, the three of us, totally different characters.

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Higgins explained that competing for the same titles had strained his relationship with Class of ’92 icon Williams in the past. However, seven-time world champion O’Sullivan has shared a different reason for wanting to keep his distance from other players on the snooker circuit.

“I think Mark and John are better friends than I am with them,” O’Sullivan said to TNT Sports. “I don’t really get close to anyone on the snooker circuit, because I don’t really hang around tournaments.”

READ MORE: What is HBO Max and how to watch TNT Sports on the new streaming service

“No one sees me, I’d rather be down the gym or go running, or go to nice restaurants, while a lot of the players hang out with each other.”

He added: “I don’t want to talk about snooker, I get bored talking about rankings, about what world snooker is doing. I have zero interest in snooker as far as that’s concerned. I choose to separate work from my off time.”

Morgan Gibbs-White inspired Nottingham Forest to ease themselves further clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a stunning 5-0 victory at Sunderland.

The 26-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Burnley, starred in a first-half rout as the Europa League semi-finalists established an eight-point gap to 18th-placed Tottenham, who only have five games left to play.

Aided and abetted by a shambolic defensive performance by Regis Le Bris’ men, Forest put the game to bed before the kettle for the half-time tea had even been filled with Trai Hume’s unfortunate own goal sparking a spectacular collapse amid which Chris Wood, Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus all scored inside six minutes before Elliot Anderson added a fifth at the death.

In the process, they extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games and inflicted the Black Cats’ heaviest defeat since their return to the top flight as they conceded four in successive fixtures, prompting a rare, if mercifully short, chorus of boos at the break.

The visitors made the brighter start and Anderson saw his early strike blocked by Omar Alderete after Noah Sadiki had carelessly passed the ball straight to Omari Hutchinson, but Chris Rigg passed up a glorious opportunity to fire Le Bris’ side ahead when he shot tamely at keeper Matz Sels from Enzo Le Fee’s inviting through ball.

Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs had to dive to his right to palm away Hutchinson’s well-struck 13th-minute attempt after Alderete had gifted possession to Jesus, but Forest went ahead in slightly fortuitous circumstances with 17 minutes gone.

Hutchinson worked a short corner with Anderson and crossed for Jesus to head the ball against the back of Hume’s head, and Roefs could only look on in horror as it flew past him at his near post.

The visitors who continued to look extended their lead 14 minutes before the break when Roefs’ attempted clearance was half-intercepted by Wood, who was on hand to slide the ball into the unguarded net when Gibbs-White played it back to him.

Forest were in dreamland three minutes later when Williams and Anderson worked another short corner for Jesus to head down for Gibbs-White, who thumped a first-time shot past the helpless Roefs.

It was 4-0 with 37 minutes gone when, after Hutchinson’s cross had been cleared and Ola Aina’s initial attempt blocked, Jesus smashed the rebound home to leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.

Le Bris sent on Reinildo for Rigg at the break and switched to a back three, and they thought they had reduced the deficit when Ballard headed home from close range with 61 minutes gone, only for referee Darren England to be sent to the monitor and ultimately rule out the goal for a foul by Nordi Mukiele on Sels.

It took a sunning one-handed save by Sels three minutes from time to deny Le Fee a consolation goal, and it was Roefs who was picking the ball out of his net once again deep into stoppage time after Anderson arrived perfect on cue to complete the job.

PA

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