Ms Long said agreeing the budget was the “biggest challenge” facing the Executive

The consequences for Stormont departments if the Executive cannot agree a budget will be “catastrophic”, Naomi Long has warned.

The Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister also insisted that she cannot make any further cuts to her department without doing “structural damage” to the justice system in Northern Ireland.

Finance Minister John O’Dowd published draft proposals in January for a multi-year budget, but they have not yet been agreed by the powersharing Executive.

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In February the UK Government announced it would make £400 million available from reserves to the Executive to deal with overspends.

The money has to be repaid over the next three years and the Treasury said it would be conducting an “open book exercise” looking at the Executive budget.

Ms Long said agreeing the budget was the “biggest challenge” facing the Executive.

She said: “It’s the one thing that the Executive must do. We can’t avoid it, we can’t duck it, we have to get a budget in place.

“We have an opportunity to have a three-year budget, and that three-year budget would be beneficial, we would be able to plot out over the next three years what is possible.

“It would also, I think, be really helpful to people in the community and voluntary sector to know what their likely funding will be for the next three years, and to be able to plan on that basis, rather than this annual race for funding.”

She added: “If we can’t agree a budget then the consequences for all departments will be catastrophic.”

The Justice Minister said Stormont departments had to prove that they can be responsible with their funding allocations.

She said: “Unless Treasury can see clearly that we’re spending the money in the right places and on the right things, we’re not going to be able to make a compelling argument for more.

“We do have a strong case to make, but I think we undermine ourselves quite often, because the things that we spend money on are often not the real essentials.”

Ms Long said the amount of funding given to justice had fallen in recent years from 11% of the block grant to 8%.

She added: “We are caught in a very difficult situation, we have already had to trim the fat away from DOJ.

“We have had a significant reduction, for example, in the number of staff in DOJ, the number of staff in our arms length bodies.

“That’s not true in other departments. We’ve had to put downward pressure all the time on what we’re doing and what I’m saying is it’s not fair to come to me after 10 years of doing that, and say, find more, there is no more to give.

“There are other people who have not started that journey yet and they are the departments I think that really now need to focus on how do they right-size, because I would argue now that justice actually is too lean, that we don’t have the resources that are necessary to provide the basic services that we have to provide.

“I can’t find additional savings without doing structural damage to the justice system and to confidence in justice, and that’s a life or death issue.”

She said: “We hear this about health, it’s a life or death issue. So is justice, and so it’s really important that we are properly funded.

“If you take health and education, 71% of the block grant goes on health and education, 8% on justice.

“There has got to be something there that needs to be dealt with in terms of where we prioritise resources so that people can feel safe in their community, because people’s safety, people’s well being, is connected to them feeling safe and secure in their community.”

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However, the charity’s latest State Of Our Beaches report, using data collected by almost 15,000 volunteers who surveyed 141,656 metres of coastline, reveals “encouraging progress”, with average litter levels dropping 15% between 2024 and 2025, including an 18% fall in single-use plastics.

Strictly Come Dancing has hit the headlines again with reports that five professional dancers from the BBC show face the axe

One former Strictly Come Dancing professional has suggested that the BBC series should be rested following outrage over the reported shake-up to its professional dancer line-up.

This comes after the announcement of a significant reshuffle, following the departure of hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, which has reportedly seen five professional dancers dropped from the programme.

Kristina Rihanoff, who was a part of the Strictly team from 2008 until her departure in 2015, has voiced her opinion that the show needs a hiatus if a revamp is on the cards. The 48-year-old proposed that the programme should “go back to basics”.

She further stated: “If I were a producer, I would give it a rest for a year, regroup and think about what we can do differently.

“There’s something to say about going back to basics and back to its roots – the roots of the show were pure ballroom and Latin dancing without the razzmatazz of 101 props and 3D projections,” reports the Express.

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Speaking to The Independent, Kristina said: “When I came onto the show, it was about ballroom and Latin dancing. It was minimum props, all the group dances were live.

“The professionals were choreographing it, and the celebrities had to learn proper ballroom and Latin dancing. It would not do any harm to go back to the good old-fashioned [ways].”

Reflecting on her own journey, the dancer explained she departed Strictly because she “didn’t want to be there anymore,” highlighting that all professional dancers receive only year-long contracts and the uncertainty surrounding their future on the programme can be mentally draining.

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This follows reports that Karen Hauer, who became part of Strictly in 2012 and ranks amongst its longest-serving professionals, was notified of the decision not to extend her contract just days earlier.

A source told the MailOnline: “It’s an awful fate for the professional dancers who have dedicated their careers to the show.

“Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future. She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, as well as her work in the fitness industry.”

The insider further suggested: “It’s also looking increasingly likely that Alja Škorjanec will not return, whilst Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have been given the green light to stay.”

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC iPlayer

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An Apprentice star admitted in the boardroom that he would “regret” a key decision “for the rest of my life”.

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BBC The Apprentice bid farewell to another contestant this week, but not before Lord Sugar called out someone’s “nasty” behaviour.

During the seventh week of the popular BBC business programme The Apprentice, the remaining hopefuls tackled a virtual reality fitness challenge where they were required to create demonstrations and brands whilst pursuing investment.

Unfortunately, when the boardroom showdown arrived, it was the end of the road for Team Eclipse, led by project manager Lawrence Rosenberg, who secured investment four times smaller than Team Alpha.

The tension truly escalated in the boardroom when Lawrence had to select who would return with him.

His initial choice was Rajan Gill due to his “lack of contributions” before revealing the contentious reasoning behind his second selection of Levi Hague.

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Lawrence said: “With respect Lord Sugar, I think you have made it quite clear about your mind on Levi so I will need to bring back Levi as well.”

Before his decision, Lord Sugar had challenged Levi about what he had accomplished during the previous seven weeks of the competition, but despite his own doubts, The Apprentice icon was displeased with this “naughty” strategy.

“This is not how this process is supposed to work, you’re supposed to bring people back in who you think did not contribute to this task.”

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

Lord Sugar branded it a “nasty move” with Lawrence apologetically responding that “I’ll regret it for the rest of my life”.

The Apprentice veteran stated he would be “fair” to Levi and retain him for another week, nominating him as project manager for the following task, with the candidate responding “happy days”.

Despite this exchange between Lawrence and Levi, it was ultimately Rajan who faced dismissal for his insufficient contributions to the challenge.

This didn’t prevent Lord Sugar from delivering one final reprimand to Lawrence, cautioning: “You were this close to getting out of here.”

The tension continued when the surviving pair returned to the house, with Lawrence confessing to the remaining group that he was “beyond embarassed”, having made a “weak decision”.

Levi wasn’t prepared to let the matter rest, however, as he firmly told the other candidates: “Don’t ever use me as a scapegoat in there, don’t ever do that to me.”

The Apprentice continues every Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The armed man who rammed his vehicle into a US synagogue full of children has been named by officials as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali after he was shot dead at the scene

The man who rammed his vehicle into a US synagogue in a ‘targeted act of violence’ has been identified as a 41-year-old citizen born in Lebanon, according to officials.

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali was shot dead by security officers after driving through a hallway at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township near Detroit, Michigan, in a vehicle that then caught fire on Thursday, March 12, authorities said.

None of the synagogue’s staff, teachers or the 140 children at its early childhood centre were injured.

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Ghazali came to the US in 2011 on an immediate relative visa as the spouse of a US citizen and according to the Department of Homeland Security was granted citizenship in 2016.

Jennifer Runyan, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit field office, called the crime a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community”.

The FBI are leading the investigation into the attack at one of the nation’s largest Reform synagogues and are yet to determine a motive.

“What drove this person into action has to be determined by the investigation,” said Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

Smoke billowed from the synagogue moments after the attack with parents in “utter shock” after hearing the news and fearing for their children’s safety.

A security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, the sheriff said. And 30 law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation.

Temple security officers “engaged the individual and neutralized the threat” according to West Bloomfield Police Chief Dale Young.

Ghazali was found dead inside his vehicle, according to Bouchard.

Cassi Cohen, director of strategic development at Temple Israel, was standing at the hallway where the crash happened. She said she heard a loud bang, grabbed a few staff members, ran into her office and locked the door.

“When I heard the crash, I knew it was bad,” Cohen said.

Cohen added that there was a classroom near where the car hit the synagogue with children as old as four and more than 30 staff members.

“Thankfully, we have had many active shooter drills and our staff is prepared for these situations,” she said.

Rabbi Arianna Gordon, from Temple Israel, thanked the security team, law enforcement and early childhood teachers for getting the children out safely and reunited with their parents, calling them the “true rock stars of the day.”

As soon as authorities cleared the building around a dozen parents raced to collect their children. Other families were reunited at a nearby Jewish Community Center.

Allison Jacobs, whose 18-month-old daughter is enrolled in Temple Israel’s day care, said she got a message from a teacher saying the children were OK even before she knew what happened.

“There are no words. I was in complete and utter shock,” she told the AP. “I was hoping that it was a false report.”

Jacobs said she often tries to not think about all that’s going on in the world due to never thinking it will happen to you.

“You never think that this is actually going to happen to you,” she said. “But I know that it’s — it’s just terrible. This morning I was mourning the loss of the school that got hit in Iran.”

Logan Parker was tragically killed after being struck by a car on the A38 in Nottinghamshire

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A young boy who lost his life after a collision on the A38 has been identified by police.

Logan Parker was hit by a car on the A38, Kings Mill Road East, near Kingfisher Way in Nottinghamshire, at 8.26pm on Tuesday, March 10. The seven-year-old passed away at the scene.

The A38 was temporarily shut in both directions whilst investigations were carried out, but it has since reopened, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

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Nottinghamshire Police officers said the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and is cooperating with their inquiries into the incident.

Logan’s mother honoured her son in a moving tribute: “In memory of a boy who will remain seven forever.

“Always unconditionally loved and cherished, you will never, ever be forgotten.

“There are no words other than you are the most beautiful, happy and mischievous special boy – full of love, light and adventure.

“You will be always part of me and our hearts, my little superhero who loved to play and make us laugh.”

“This is not goodbye but a ‘see you soon’.”

“Love from mum and family.”

Detective Inspector Jamie Moore, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a devastating incident and our thoughts are with Logan’s family, friends and loved ones.

“The circumstances are being investigated and we would ask the privacy of the family is respected at this tragic and difficult time.

Police have appealed to any witnesses of this incident to come forward, including anyone with dashcam footage which could help in the investigation.

“If you can help, please call us on 101 quoting incident number 770 of 10 March,” Detective Moore said.

The UK is considering possible options to help defend shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, the defence secretary has said.

John Healey also signalled that British forces needed to be ready in coordination with allies to evacuate UK nationals from the Middle East if the US and Israeli war with Iran worsens.

He said he had spoken to his counterparts in the so-called E5 group of European powers, which includes Germany, France, Italy and Poland, on Wednesday to discuss the crisis.

On the threat to oil tankers in the Gulf, the senior cabinet minister said the best way to unblock the vital waterway would be an end to the war between the US, Israel and Iran.

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However, as conflict rages and with tankers ablaze, he said he has asked his military planners to look at what the UK could offer alongside other nations to protect commercial tankers needing to pass through the Strait from attacks by Iranian drones, mines and missiles.

This could include autonomous vessels that can counter mines.

In addition, the British military has personnel based at a headquarters in Bahrain with expertise in commanding maritime security operations.

The UK is already sending HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, with significant air defence capabilities, to bolster its defences in the region. This ship could also potentially be an option if there is a move to protect shipping.

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“Recognising the huge impact this potentially has on oil prices and the cost of living, there is an international imperative to try and see this resolved,” Mr Healey said, referring to the disruption to the flow of tankers carrying oil and gas through the Strait.

“I have – pre-positioned in the region – some autonomous mine hunting systems,” the defence secretary told reporters, speaking after meeting with commanders at the permanent joint headquarters, PJHQ, in Northwood, in northwest London, which is the main headquarters overseeing British military operations around the world.

“I have been talking to planners today about additional options we can bring to bear alongside allies should it be needed.”

However, Mr Healey stressed that this work was “early days”.

“You should not read into that that we have got some hard options poised to go. But… I am discussing additional options with our planners.”

Mr Healey said he had spoken with E5 defence ministers about greater coordination in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He signalled this could also mean in any future evacuation efforts.

“If this conflict worsens, we have to be ready should evacuations be required,” he told commanders.

The UK has placed RFA Lyme Bay, a vast support ship, on heightened readiness to deploy, in a sign of the kind of assets being readied.

However, the options to assist in defending shipping through the Strait of Hormuz or conducting evacuations are more limited than they have been in the past following defence cuts.

A decade ago, the Royal Navy had at least one major warship operating out of Bahrain and up to four minehunters – each one a large, crewed ship – as well as a huge support vessel.

Today, there are no warships based out of Bahrain, with the last crewed minehunter, HMS Middleton, sent back to the UK for maintenance.

It means the UK could only contribute to an effort to protect shipping in the Gulf alongside allies like the US and France.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An American military refueling plane taking part in the operation against Iran crashed in Iraq and rescue efforts were underway, U.S. Central Command said Thursday.

It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. A U.S. official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the developing situation, said the KC-135 aircraft that crashed had at least five crew members aboard.

The crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire, the military said in a statement, which described the plane as “a loss.”

U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said that two aircraft were involved and that one landed safely and the other went down in western Iraq.

A second U.S. official, who similarly spoke on condition of anonymity, said the other plane involved also was a KC-135 tanker.

“More information will be made available as the situation develops,” Central Command said. “We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.”

The tanker is the fourth publicly acknowledged aircraft to crash as part of the U.S. military’s operations against Iran. Last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire.

All six crew members safely ejected from the F-15E Strike Eagles and were in stable condition after being recovered, the U.S. said.

Seven American troops have been killed in combat during the Iran war so far, while about 140 U.S. service members have been injured, including eight severely, the Pentagon said earlier this week.

Both President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have warned that the Iran war would likely claim more American lives before it ends.

Six of the fallen service members were killed when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port in Kuwait. They were in the Army Reserve and worked in logistics, keeping troops supplied with food and equipment.

They died one day after the U.S. and Israel launched the military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28. The Islamic Republic has retaliated with missiles and drones against Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces.

The seventh American service member died after being wounded during a March 1 attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.

Trump joined grieving families for a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base when the remains of the first six soldiers were returned to the United States. Vice President JD Vance, Hegseth and others saluted the seventh flag-draped transfer case as it arrived this week at Dover.

The KC-135 tanker involved in the latest crash is based on the same design as the Boeing 707 airliner and entered military service more than 60 years ago. Like other long-serving aircraft, the planes have undergone various retrofits and upgrades over the years.

The KC-135 tankers typically have a crew of three. It’s not immediately clear what role the extra crew members were serving aboard the flight.

According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, the Air Force last year had a total of 376 KC-135s, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve.

Six years ago, as countries around the world went into COVID lockdowns, the air got cleaner. Factories slowed down, roads emptied and aeroplanes were grounded. As people stayed home, the world burned fewer fossil fuels and so carbon dioxide emissions dropped – by around 7% in 2020.

But something else was also happening in the atmosphere. Levels of methane – an extremely potent greenhouse gas that warms the planet even faster than CO₂ – rose faster in 2020 than at any point since records began in the 1980s. And methane levels kept on rising during 2021 and 2022.

Ever since, scientists have been trying to piece together what caused this sudden mysterious increase in methane. Now, they think they have the answer, and it was partly due to COVID lockdowns.

In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to Philippe Ciais, a researcher at the Laboratory for Climate and Environmental Sciences at Université Paris-Saclay in France, and one of the authors of a new study in the journal Science about the spike in methane levels, who explains how they solved the mystery.

The atmosphere contains a special type of cleaning agent called hydroxyl radical (OH) which is capable of breaking down methane. Ciais calls it the “pacman of the atmosphere”. The production of these OH particles is facilitated by pollution, including nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (known collectively as NOx) from combustion processes.

“ In the chain of complex chemical reactions in the atmosphere that leads to the formation of NOx, OH is generated,” says Ciais. “When you have a reduced emission of NOx, as it was the case during the COVID, you have a weakening of OH … less concentration of this cleaning agent, and as a result, methane increasing faster in the atmosphere”.

The study found that around 80% of the spike in methane was caused by a reduction in OH, but increases in methane from wetlands and from agriculture also played a role.

Ciais says understanding where the growth in methane came from doesn’t mean the world should go on polluting. Rather, it’s a wake-up call. “ It’s not by continuing to drive more that we will reduce methane. It’s by reducing [methane] emissions,” he said. “That’s the ultimate way we have to prevent methane from increasing and amplify the warming of the climate.”

Listen to the interview with Philippe Ciais on The Conversation Weekly podcast. This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany, Katie Flood and Gemma Ware. Mixing by Eleanor Brezzi and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available via the Apple Podcasts or Spotify apps.

Emergency services were called to the crash this morning (Thursday, March 12)

A man has been arrested after a crash involving a lorry and car. Cambridgeshire Police were called to the incident at around 8.20am today (Thursday, March 12) on Ramsey Road, near Wistow.

Officers arrested the driver of the car, a man, on suspicion of drunk driving. However, the man has been taken to the hospital with injuries believed not to be serious.

The lorry driver was also taken to hospital. A police spokesperson said: “We were called at about 8.20am this morning to Ramsey Road, near Wistow, to reports of a collision between a car and an HGV.

“The car driver, a man, has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving but has also been taken to hospital for injuries which are not believed to be serious.” The East of England Ambulance Service transported two people to hospital.

An ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called shortly before 8.30am with reports of a road traffic collision on the B1040 in Wistow, involving a car and a lorry. Two ambulances and an ambulance officer vehicle were sent to the scene. Two patients were transported to hospital for further care.”

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