Belfast news

• Weir's decision to cut exams comes too late in the day, principals insist

  17-12-2020 23:30 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  School principals have said they are "tearing their hair out" over Education Minister Peter Weir's confirmation that A-level students in Northern Ireland will take fewer exams next summer.
  
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• Port of Dover boss says more funding needed to prevent ‘increased hold ups’

  17-12-2020 23:29 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  The chief executive of the Port of Dover has called for urgent financial support from the Government as Brexit approaches.
  
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• ‘Thousands’ of jobs under threat due to NI lockdown

  17-12-2020 23:27 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Businesses have warned the introduction of a strict new lockdown in Northern Ireland on Boxing Day will lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.
  
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• A deal to be done? Timeline of the Brexit saga

  17-12-2020 23:21 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Boris Johnson and the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said “substantial progress” had been made on a Brexit trade deal following a phone call on Thursday – but both are still warning there are significant obstacles to overcome.
  
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• Major obstacles remain despite progress in UK-EU trade deal talks

  17-12-2020 23:18 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Major obstacles remain in post-Brexit trade deal talks between the UK and European Union, Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen have warned, despite progress in the negotiations.
  
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• Winner crowned in MasterChef: The Professionals

  17-12-2020 23:08 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Alex Webb has been crowned as the winner of MasterChef: The Professionals.
  
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• Marcus Rashford hits brace as Manchester United continue perfect away record

  17-12-2020 23:08 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Marcus Rashford’s brace helped comeback kings Manchester United overcome Dean Henderson’s early gaffe at former club Sheffield United and continue their 100 cent Premier League record on the road.
  
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• Northern Irelands's new year lockdown will be death knell for businesses, sector warns

  17-12-2020 23:00 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  The six-week lockdown from Boxing Day will sound the "death knell" for a "tsunami" of retail and hospitality businesses - with some retailers now forced to bring forward the traditional December 26 sales, sector chiefs have warned.
  
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• Nine drivers a day in NI caught using their mobile phones at the wheel

  17-12-2020 23:00 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  More than 3,300 people were detected using mobile phones behind the wheel last year - an average of nine a day.
  
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• Lucy Bronze happy to be a role model for others after winning top FIFA award

  17-12-2020 23:00 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Lucy Bronze expressed her pride at being a trailblazer after becoming the first British player to win one of FIFA’s top two awards.
  
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• Star Wars actor Jeremy Bulloch dies aged 75

  17-12-2020 22:47 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Star Wars actor Jeremy Bulloch has died aged 75, his agent has said.
  
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• Callum Smith confident of toppling Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez

  17-12-2020 22:47 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Callum Smith is relishing the prospect of testing himself against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on Saturday and has stressed his belief he will emerge victorious.
  
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• More than 300 kidnapped schoolboys are freed in Nigeria

  17-12-2020 22:34 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  More than 300 schoolboys abducted last week by armed men in north-west Nigeria have been released, the Katsina State governor said.
  
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• Torrential rain forecast in Wales and South West sparks flood warnings

  17-12-2020 22:29 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Torrential rain is expected to cause flooding in some parts of the UK on Friday.
  
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• New six-week lockdown for N Ireland ‘draconian but necessary’ – Michelle O’Neill

  17-12-2020 22:24 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  A new six-week lockdown in Northern Ireland is “draconian but necessary”, the deputy First Minister has said.
  
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• Greater Manchester Police to be placed in special measures

  17-12-2020 22:23 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  England’s second largest police force is to be placed in special measures after a watchdog raised concerns over its failure to record more than 80,000 crimes in the space of a year.
  
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• Dean Smith happy with Jack Grealish’s focus after off-field issues

  17-12-2020 22:17 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Dean Smith praised Jack Grealish’s focus after Aston Villa drew a blank against Burnley.
  
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• NI Covid lockdown: 'We have probably taken our hardest decision'

  17-12-2020 22:11 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Robin Swann said there was choice but to introduce a new lockdown due to pressures on the health service.
  
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• Brilliant video show shares nostalgic memories of NI Christmases gone by - Belfast Live

  17-12-2020 22:06
  
  Brilliant video show shares nostalgic memories of NI Christmases gone by  Belfast Live
  
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• Ireland could introduce tougher Covid restrictions before New Year’s Eve

  17-12-2020 22:03 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Restrictions on household visits and on the hospitality sector could be introduced in Ireland before New Year’s Eve, the Taoiseach has said.
  
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• Diane Dodds welcomes extension of job furlough scheme to end of April

  17-12-2020 22:00 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  The furlough scheme paying 80% of the wages of employees unable to work during the pandemic is to be continued until the end of April.
  
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• Wayne Rooney’s son Kai signs Manchester United deal

  17-12-2020 21:50 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Wayne Rooney’s son Kai has followed in his father’s footsteps by signing for Manchester United.
  
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• Aston Villa miss chances as Burnley secure goalless draw

  17-12-2020 21:01 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Wasteful Aston Villa were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by battling Burnley.
  
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• Armagh woman says new cystic fibrosis drug has transformed her health

  17-12-2020 21:00 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  A Co Armagh woman living with cystic fibrosis has told of the miraculous turnaround in her health just weeks after receiving the newly approved drug Kaftrio.
  
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• Covid-19: "Urgent intervention" needed says Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill

  17-12-2020 20:53 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, speaking at Stormont, says an "urgent intervention" was needed.
  
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• Substantial progress made in Brexit talks but big differences remain – EC chief

  17-12-2020 20:47 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  The UK and European Union have made “substantial progress” in reaching a post-Brexit trade deal – but “big differences remain”, Brussels’ top official has said.
  
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• Christmas Eve memorial service for two IRA bombers ‘distasteful’

  17-12-2020 20:30 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Dissident republican party Saoradh has been slammed for planning a Christmas Eve commemoration for two IRA bombers who blew themselves up and killed a teenager in Newry.
  
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• HRVY discusses his preparation for the Strictly Come Dancing final

  17-12-2020 20:26 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  HRVY says he has made improvements to his American smooth ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing final.
  
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• Brexit trade talks: Boris Johnson speaks to Ursula von der Leyen

  17-12-2020 20:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The phone call comes as Michael Gove says negotiations could "go on until after Christmas".
  
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• Dreaming of a red Christmas – festive silhouettes appear on Mars

  17-12-2020 19:58 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  As Christmas approaches, it appears that even Mars is getting in on the festive spirit.
  
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• Irish Cup draw: St James' Swifts boss Johnston relishing Welders test - Belfast Live

  17-12-2020 19:53
  
  Irish Cup draw: St James' Swifts boss Johnston relishing Welders test  Belfast Live
  
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• Brexit: Amazon warns NI customers could face delays

  17-12-2020 19:53 via bbc.co.uk
  
  It also warned there could be unavailability of some products for NI customers due to Brexit.
  
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• Jurgen Klopp named FIFA coach of the year as Son Heung-min wins Puskas Award

  17-12-2020 19:50 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been named the men’s coach of the year at the FIFA Best Football Awards.
  
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• Jurgen Klopp and Lucy Bronze claim top prizes as Son Heung-min wins Puskas Award

  17-12-2020 19:50 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been named the men’s coach of the year at the FIFA Best Football Awards.
  
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• Billionaire’s ex-wife will lose even if she wins fight with son, lawyer says

  17-12-2020 19:49 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  A Russian billionaire’s ex-wife who has sued her eldest son as part of a fight to get her hands on a £450 million divorce payout will lose even if she wins, a lawyer has suggested.
  
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• Aine McCabe co-opted to Belfast City Council - The Irish News

  17-12-2020 19:45
  
  Aine McCabe co-opted to Belfast City Council  The Irish News
  
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• Coronavirus: NI facing six-week lockdown from 26 December

  17-12-2020 19:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Non-essential retail, close-contact services, bars, cafes and restaurants will all close.
  
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• In Pictures: RSPCA Young Photographer winners capture nature at its finest

  17-12-2020 19:42 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  A group of young photographers have been recognised for their skill in capturing the true spirit of the animal kingdom in a competition run by the RSPCA.
  
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• US cybersecurity agency warns of ‘grave’ threat from hacking

  17-12-2020 19:38 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  US authorities are expressing increased alarm about an intrusion into computer systems around the globe that officials suspect was carried by Russia.
  
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• British Gas workers vote for strike action

  17-12-2020 19:37 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  British Gas workers have voted heavily in favour of strikes in a dispute over pay and conditions.
  
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• Northern Ireland Executive agrees new coronavirus lockdown restrictions after Christmas - Belfast Live

  17-12-2020 19:32
  
  Northern Ireland Executive agrees new coronavirus lockdown restrictions after Christmas  Belfast Live
  
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• McDermott outlines Glentoran's ambition after bringing in defender Marshall on long-term professional deal

  17-12-2020 19:28 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Glentoran have announced the signing of former Glenavon defender Rhys Marshall on a three-and-a-half year professional deal from Shamrock Rovers.
  
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• Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective, further data shows

  17-12-2020 19:25 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  The University of Oxford’s coronavirus vaccine induces an immune response and is safe, according to more data published by researchers.
  
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• Online Harms director warns of ‘deeply problematic’ niche social platforms

  17-12-2020 19:22 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Some smaller, niche social platforms are “deeply problematic” and refuse to engage with the Government, a director behind the Online Harms measures has said.
  
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• What was the social impact of the Belfast Rape Trial? - Newstalk

  17-12-2020 19:18
  
  What was the social impact of the Belfast Rape Trial?  Newstalk
  
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• Brexit trade talks: Boris Johnson to speak to Ursula von der Leyen

  17-12-2020 19:18 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The phone call comes as Michael Gove says negotiations could "go on until after Christmas".
  
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• Boris Johnson to discuss Brexit negotiations in call with Ursula von der Leyen

  17-12-2020 19:18 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Boris Johnson and Brussels’ top official will speak on Thursday evening to discuss the state of play in the Brexit negotiations.
  
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• Glentoran announce signing of Shamrock Rovers defender Rhys Marshall - Belfast Live

  17-12-2020 19:17
  
  Glentoran announce signing of Shamrock Rovers defender Rhys Marshall  Belfast Live
  
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• Woman transforms home into Christmas wonderland for charity

  17-12-2020 19:13 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  The mother of a young boy who has autism has transformed her Dublin home into a Christmas wonderland to raise money for charity.
  
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• UK political leaders back campaign to tackle Christmas loneliness

  17-12-2020 19:11 via belfasttelegraph.co.uk
  
  Senior political leaders across the UK have volunteered to call people facing the prospect of Christmas alone in support of a campaign aiming to tackle loneliness during the festive period.
  
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