Connect with us

Published

on

Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill has made history by being appointed Northern Ireland’s first nationalist first minister.

A power-sharing government has returned as politicians gathered at Stormont to appoint a series of ministers to the devolved executive, two years after it collapsed over the UK government’s deal with the EU.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) Emma Little-Pengelly has been nominated to serve as deputy first minister.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, the deputy has an authority equal to that of the first minister.

In her speech, which began in Irish, Ms O’Neill said: “Today opens the door to the future – a shared future.

“I am honoured to stand here as first minister.”

Michelle O'Neill at Stormont. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Michelle O’Neill at Stormont. Pic: Reuters

Ms O’Neill said she was addressing an “assembly for all – Catholic, Protestant and dissenter” and that the public was “relying” on the members of Northern Ireland’s elected assembly.

More on Northern Ireland

She added: “We must make power sharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community.”

Ms O’Neill continued: “As an Irish republican I pledge co-operation and genuine honest effort with those colleagues who are British, of a unionist tradition and who cherish the Union… Despite our different outlooks and views on the future constitutional position, the public rightly demands that we co-operate, deliver and work together.”

The first minister also acknowledged that the power-sharing coalition will “undoubtedly face great challenges” but vowed to “serve everyone equally”.

Ms O’Neill also spoke about the impact of the UK government’s austerity measures on Northern Ireland, telling the assembly the country “cannot continue to be hamstrung by Tories in London”.

She added: “Tory austerity has badly damaged our public services. They have presided over more than a decade of shame. They have caused real suffering.

“I wish to lead an executive which has the freedom to make our own policy and spending choices.”

Sir Jeffrey Donaldsonsays the DUP have agreed a deal with the UK government to restore power-sharing
Image:
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the DUP


Earlier, former DUP leader Edwin Poots was chosen by members of the assembly as its new speaker.

His party had refused to participate in government at Stormont, arguing that post-Brexit arrangements effectively left a trade border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

An agreement a year ago between the UK and the EU, known as the Windsor Framework, eased customs checks and other hurdles but didn’t go far enough for the DUP, which continued its boycott.

However, the DUP has since forged a deal with the UK government on post-Brexit trade, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.

Ms O’Neill said in her speech after being appointed first minister: “We will now begin to seize the considerable opportunities created by the Windsor Framework.

“To use dual market access to grow our exports and attract higher-quality FDI.

“The Windsor Framework also protects the thriving all-Ireland economy, and we must fully realise its huge potential.”

Ms O’Neill’s selection as first minister, made possible after she led Sinn Fein to victory in the 2022 Assembly elections, marks the first time the post has been held by a nationalist committed to seeing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland united as one country.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

UK

UK weather: Temperatures could hit 14C this week after fortnight of ‘anticyclonic gloom’

Published

on

By

UK weather: Temperatures could hit 14C this week after fortnight of 'anticyclonic gloom'

Temperatures could hit 14C by the middle of the week after a period of persistent gloom.

The Met Office said people could see sunshine return as soon as Monday in some parts of the country.

It will come as a relief after an “anticyclonic gloom” brought dull skies and bitter weather to much of the country.

The weekend arrived with warnings of sleet, snow and rare freezing rain in parts of England.

Parts of the UK could continue to see snowfall throughout Sunday evening and into Monday – but then things are starting to look up.

The predicted temperatures of 14C by mid-week are well above February’s average, with 6C the usual monthly average in Scotland and 9C in southern England.

This will be a “noticeable shift” after the last fortnight, which was below average, Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said.

Don’t expect the temperatures to break records, though. February’s highest temperature was 21.2C recorded in 2019 in Kew Gardens, Mr Vautrey added.

Read more from Sky News:
BAFTAs 2025 latest: Films stars descend on London

Jockey Michael O’Sullivan dies aged 24 after fall in race

What’s an anticylonic gloom?

An anticylonic gloom happens when “high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the Earth’s surface”, Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon explains. “That brings a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, but with pockets of mist and fog as well.”

Weather producer Jo Robinson says anticyclones typically result in stable, fine weather, often with sunny skies in summer.

Sometimes in autumn and winter, when the sun isn’t as strong, moisture can get trapped in the anticyclone as winds are light.

This brings a layer of cloud near the surface, along with some fog and drizzle.

The cloud can often thicken overnight too as moisture condenses.

It often leads to higher levels of pollution as aerosols also become trapped.

However, some areas could go 10 days without any sunshine, which is “near record-breaking”, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said.

If Lyneham in Wiltshire remains cloudy on Sunday, it will equal the site’s February record for consecutive days without any sunshine.

More western areas are likely to see some rain during the week, while eastern areas are forecast to stay drier.

Rain and potentially snow are expected in some places, particularly around East Anglia and Lincolnshire over the weekend, and into Scotland towards the beginning of next week.

Mr Morgan said: “We’ve basically got this battleground taking place over this weekend between cold air across Scandinavia and Central Europe, which is affecting eastern parts of the UK, but towards the west is a little bit milder.

“The Atlantic is trying to shift that cold air out of the way, pushing from west to east across the UK, but it’s a very slow process and it will take until the middle of the coming week for conditions to turn much milder nationwide.”

He explained the gloom “dominating” the UK over the last two weeks has been caused by a “large anticyclone”, or high-pressure system, which has been sitting over Scandinavia, bringing cold wind from the east.

“Those cold conditions have picked up a lot of moisture across the Baltic and North seas, and those moist conditions have led to a lot of clouds,” he added.

Continue Reading

UK

Pub landlady describes moments before woman was shot dead on Valentine’s Day

Published

on

By

Pub landlady describes moments before woman was shot dead on Valentine's Day

The landlady of a village pub where a woman was killed on Valentine’s Day has told Sky News the victim was drinking in the pub before she was shot dead in the car park.

Michelle Thomas, who runs The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, said she was printing off menus and preparing for the Valentine’s dinner service when she heard two loud bangs that she initially “thought were fireworks”.

“There was so much commotion – screaming, shouting, crying. People were outside, on their phones. We tried to get people inside the pub to consolidate them.

“People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening”, she said.

Sunday 16/02/2025 GVs from The Three Horseshoes pub in the village of Knockholt, Kent, where a woman was shot on Friday night. 
Ingest 26 NM26 SAF SEVENOAKS PUB SHOOTING MURDER GVS
Image:
Bouquets have been laid near the scene of the shooting


 Sunday 16/02/2025 GVs from The Three Horseshoes pub in the village of Knockholt, Kent, where a woman was shot on Friday night. 
Ingest 26 NM26 SAF SEVENOAKS PUB SHOOTING MURDER GVS
Image:
Cans of Red Bull were also left among the flowers, suggesting a connection with locals

She described how an off-duty firearms officer intervened, calling him “amazing” as he helped get the situation under control following the shooting on Friday.

Around 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar as the incident unfolded just after 7pm.

The pub near Sevenoaks reopened its doors on Sunday, but Ms Thomas said the community is in “absolute shock”.

She said the victim, whose identity has not yet been released, had been to the pub before “mostly in the summer” but “wasn’t a regular”.

Police have said the woman, in her 40s, is believed to have known her attacker.

People laid flowers in the pub’s car park, while the murder investigation continues.

Read more from Sky News:
Austrian suspect motivated by ‘Islamic terrorism’
FBI joins Southport investigation
Irish jockey, 24, dies after fall

Investigators recovered a vehicle linked to the investigation on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which crosses the River Thames in Dartford, roughly 17 miles (27km) away from the scene of the shooting.

Police call handlers had received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier of the bridge.

Detective Chief Inspector David Higham said they’re “not ruling out the possibility that he may have entered the water”.

“We are currently only looking for one suspect and do not believe there to be an ongoing risk to the public”, he said.

Laura Trott, Conservative MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley, said she was “devastated” about the shooting. Posting on Facebook she said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends impacted.

“I know our community will be shocked at the news, but this is a live investigation and we must allow the police to do their job.”

Continue Reading

UK

Craig and Lindsay Foreman: British couple detained in Iran are named – as family ‘significantly concerned’

Published

on

By

Craig and Lindsay Foreman: British couple detained in Iran are named - as family 'significantly concerned'

A British couple who have been detained in Iran have been named by their family as Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

The family said they are “significantly concerned” by the “distressing situation”.

According to Ms Foreman’s social media, the couple were on a motorbiking trip across the globe to Australia as part of a positive psychology mission.

On 30 December, she posted about how they were about to face “one of the most challenging” parts of their trip, Iran and Pakistan.

Lindsay Foreman (who along with husband Craig) is being detained in Kerman, Iran. Source: family handout via FCDO
Image:
Lindsay Foreman. Pic: Family handout via FCDO

Craig Foreman (who along with wife Lindsay) are being detained in Kerman, Iran. Source: family handout via FCDO
Image:
Craig Foreman. Pic: Family handout via FCDO

The post reads: “Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we’ve chosen to keep moving forward.

“Why? Because we believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life.

“Yes, we’re aware of the risks. But we also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.”

A screenshot from Ms Foreman's post from Armenia. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman
Image:
A screenshot from Ms Foreman’s post in Armenia, from where they crossed into Iran. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman

A screenshot from Ms Foreman's post from Armenia.. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman
Image:
Ms Foreman appears in her post from Armenia. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman

In a statement, the couple’s family expressed their concern and said they were engaging with the UK government.

“We would like to take this opportunity to address the distressing situation concerning Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently being detained in Kerman, Iran,” they said.

“This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and wellbeing during this trying time.

“We are actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, working diligently to navigate the complexities of this matter. The family are united in our determination to secure their safe return.

“We truly appreciate the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community, which has provided us with strength and encouragement as we face this ordeal.”

They added: “Thank you for your understanding, compassion, and continued support.”

Read more from Sky News:
Trump says he and Starmer will meet ‘very soon’
World number one gets three-month tennis ban for doping

A Foreign Office spokesperson earlier said: “We are providing consular assistance to two British nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Iranian state media said on Wednesday that a man and woman were in custody in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman on security-related charges.

The Foreign Office warns that people are at risk of “arrest, detention and a death sentence” if they travel to Iran.

Iran has previously arrested and held British citizens for extended periods of time.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, who are dual British-Iranian citizens, were released in March 2022 after years held captive in Iran.

Continue Reading

Trending