Lauren Harte

The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for Counties Antrim, Armagh and Down from the evening of August 27 until 6 a.m. on August 28. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible hail could produce 20–30 mm of rainfall in three to six hours, surface-water flooding, travel disruption, power outages and limited damage from flooding or lightning.

Two men in their 20s and 30s were arrested in County Down after a black Volkswagen Golf allegedly fled at high speed towards the Irish border following a PSNI anti-burglary operation near Markethill. The PSNI Air Support Unit and Interceptors Team, assisted by An Garda Síochána border checkpoints, prevented the suspects from leaving the jurisdiction. One man faces suspicion of burglary and dangerous driving among other offences, while the other is suspected of burglary; both remain in custody as enquiries continue.

Nadine Coyle has withdrawn from the opening night of Manchester Village Pride 2026 because her voice is unwell and she needs time to rest. Irish pop group B*Witched will replace her on the Friday main stage. The event is the first Manchester Village Pride, created after the company behind Manchester Pride entered voluntary liquidation, and will feature performances by numerous other artists over the Bank Holiday weekend.

A joint cross-border operation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána led to the seizure of 119 kilograms of cannabis valued at approximately €1.666 million (£1.4 million) in County Louth. Follow-up searches in Newtownabbey uncovered a further 45 kilograms of cannabis, half a kilogram of cocaine, 22 imitation firearms and about £25,000 in cash. Two men, one in his 40s and another in his 30s, were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and related offences.

Bangor disability campaigner Mandy McCreight says she has faced hurtful online and in-person abuse after supporting a proposed accessible playpark and an 81-space car park at Marine Gardens. She argues the parking is essential for disabled people, older residents and families, while opponents have campaigned to preserve the gardens and collected more than 5,000 petition signatures. The facilities form part of the wider £70 million Queen’s Parade regeneration, which includes homes, a hotel, cinema, leisure facilities, public spaces and new businesses. Construction has begun after years of delays, with Bangor Marine continuing the project through a joint venture between Karl Group and Oakland Holdings.