Northern Ireland's cross-community government missed a legal deadline for its multi-year budget, triggering an automatic 5% spending cut for 2026-27. Local leaders blame each other and demand more UK Treasury funding, while new Secretary of State Chris Bryant emphasizes service reform over immediate cash.
Ireland secured a dramatic one-run win over India in the second T20, inflicting India's first T20 series defeat since 2023, with Jai Moondra and Matthew Hollard each claiming three wickets.
Ireland achieved a landmark 34-run win over T20 champions India at Stormont. Debutants Matt Hollard and Jai Moondra starred as Ireland defended 182, bowling India out for 148. This marks India's first loss since their World Cup win in March.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has condemned former leader Jeffrey Donaldson, convicted of child sexual offenses, as a "wicked deceiver" who led a "double and duplicitous life." Leaders at Stormont distanced the party from Donaldson, calling him a manipulator who hid his crimes. The conviction follows a trial where he was found guilty of 18 offenses against two victims.
Cricket Ireland confirmed the T20I series against India will proceed as planned on June 26-28 in Belfast, following a security review. Authorities are satisfied that appropriate measures are in place, with no specific threat identified.
Ireland's star batter Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the one-off Test against New Zealand due to a calf injury. The 35-year-old's absence, potentially until July, impacts Ireland's preparation for the match at Stormont.
Northern Ireland will become the first part of the UK to provide free sign language classes to all deaf children and their families through the Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025. The legislation, being passed on Tuesday, puts a duty on the Department for Communities to provide free classes for deaf people under-25 and their close families, while giving official recognition to British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language as languages of Northern Ireland. The bill is expected to cost around £3m a year and follows years of campaigning by the deaf community.
