Latest news with #EveningExtra
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ireland's RTÉ opposes Israel's entry in Eurovision
Irish national broadcaster RTÉ asked for a discussion with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, reported the BBC. RTÉ's director general, Kevin Bakhurst, expressed that he was "appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages". He added that RTÉ hoped for a discussion "notwithstanding the fact that the criterion for participating" is having an EBU membership. He also maintained that he was mindful of his organisation's commitment to reporting the war in Gaza objectively. "We are also very mindful of the severe political pressure on Israel's public service broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli government," he said. Eurovision is the world's biggest annual live televised music event, reaching around 160 million viewers, as per AFP. The event begins with Sunday's opening ceremony, when all 37 competing countries' entrants will parade through Basel. Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7, 2023 attack, will be representing Israel at the event this year. However, over 70 former Eurovision competitors opposed Israel's participation due to the war in Gaza, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The old contestants, including Ireland's 1994 winner Charlie McGettigan, signed a letter that called for a ban on Israel and Kan. "By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalising and whitewashing its crimes," the joint letter read. In an interview with BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme, Emma O'Kelly of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) at RTÉ showed solidarity with Bakhurt's statement, stressing the importance of speaking out against Israel. "We believe this is RTÉ listening to its staff, but more importantly, listening to public sentiment here in Ireland, which is just outrage at Israel's actions in Gaza," she said. "We don't believe that the EBU should be giving a country such as this a platform." Last year too, several campaigns opposed the participation of Israel's Eden Golan, though the EBU ruled that Golan was allowed to perform.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Nothing is off limits' in new BBC News NI podcast
For years, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey have been synonymous with radio and television coverage in Northern Ireland - but they are now making the jump to a new medium. The duo are spearheading The State of Us - a podcast which aims to tackle news stories that impact Northern Ireland in a fresh way. "We're allowed to loosen the top button a little bit and that's really exciting," Declan said. The first episode is set to be released next week. "The podcast world is very busy," Tara admits, "but it's also very successful. "There's definitely an appetite for going and finding your news in slightly different ways," she adds. The State of Us hopes to offer a more informal, conversational approach to the news agenda. "We do a lot of discussing and debating stories," said Tara. "We just thought, where is there space for that? "Maybe there's room to go down the rabbit holes and into the weeds of stories that don't get the time on other BBC outlets." The podcast will expand upon the range of stories that the BBC is reflecting, by offering a platform for them to breathe. ""In TV and radio there is a lot of time pressure. We have been released from that pressure," Declan says. Both Tara and Declan will still be keeping on their day jobs as BBC Newsline presenters. The name of the podcast is one that will be recognisable to people living in Northern Ireland. "It's like 'up the Lagan in a bubble'. It's kind of one of those phrases that we say that is quite peculiar to us in Northern Ireland," Tara said. Declan expressed how the name sets the tone for what the podcast aspires to represent. "We're just going to talk about the state of us. The good, the bad, what could be better and the stuff we are doing brilliantly. ," he said. The relationship with the audience will be key to the podcast. "This should feel like you're just having a chat with friends," says Declan. "We laugh, we joke, we pull apart the bits that are stressful - why can't we have a conversation about the news like that?" As Tara puts it: "We want people to get knowledge, friendship, companionship and a bit of craic." The pair were keen to emphasise this will be completely different to what audiences have come to expect. "We're really excited at covering just a massive range of stories, we've been told that nothing is off limits, and we intend to make the most of that." Tara and Declan have worked together within BBC News NI for more than half a decade. They struck up a friendship presenting BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra together and working as part of the BBC Newsline television team. "For as long as I've known Tara, we have always chatted and debated the news and laughed about things outside of the studio. "What this is doing is just putting a microphone in front of that conversation and hopefully people will join us in the conversation as well," Declan finished. Kevin Kelly, head of news and current affairs at BBC News NI, said it was an "exciting new addition to our stable of content for BBC audiences in Northern Ireland and further afield". "The State of Us" podcast will talk about the news, make the news, and help people learn about news stories in an informative and engaging way. It will tackle the big stories, and the serious issues affecting all our lives, and will hopefully have some fun as well along the way," he added. He said it would increase BBC News NI's digital programme footprint. Tara and Declan will be delivering two episodes of "the State of Us" each week and it will also be available on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday mornings. The release of the podcast coincides with the streamlining of Evening Extra into a dedicated news hour from 17:00 BST to 18:00 focusing on the latest news updates and breaking stories. Click here to subscribe and listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds every Tuesday and Thursday. You can get in touch with the team by contacting thestateofus@
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Nothing is off limits' in new BBC News NI podcast
For years, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey have been synonymous with radio and television coverage in Northern Ireland - but they are now making the jump to a new medium. The duo are spearheading The State of Us - a podcast which aims to tackle news stories that impact Northern Ireland in a fresh way. "We're allowed to loosen the top button a little bit and that's really exciting," Declan said. The first episode is set to be released next week. "The podcast world is very busy," Tara admits, "but it's also very successful. "There's definitely an appetite for going and finding your news in slightly different ways," she adds. The State of Us hopes to offer a more informal, conversational approach to the news agenda. "We do a lot of discussing and debating stories," said Tara. "We just thought, where is there space for that? "Maybe there's room to go down the rabbit holes and into the weeds of stories that don't get the time on other BBC outlets." The podcast will expand upon the range of stories that the BBC is reflecting, by offering a platform for them to breathe. ""In TV and radio there is a lot of time pressure. We have been released from that pressure," Declan says. Both Tara and Declan will still be keeping on their day jobs as BBC Newsline presenters. The name of the podcast is one that will be recognisable to people living in Northern Ireland. "It's like 'up the Lagan in a bubble'. It's kind of one of those phrases that we say that is quite peculiar to us in Northern Ireland," Tara said. Declan expressed how the name sets the tone for what the podcast aspires to represent. "We're just going to talk about the state of us. The good, the bad, what could be better and the stuff we are doing brilliantly. ," he said. The relationship with the audience will be key to the podcast. "This should feel like you're just having a chat with friends," says Declan. "We laugh, we joke, we pull apart the bits that are stressful - why can't we have a conversation about the news like that?" As Tara puts it: "We want people to get knowledge, friendship, companionship and a bit of craic." The pair were keen to emphasise this will be completely different to what audiences have come to expect. "We're really excited at covering just a massive range of stories, we've been told that nothing is off limits, and we intend to make the most of that." Tara and Declan have worked together within BBC News NI for more than half a decade. They struck up a friendship presenting BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra together and working as part of the BBC Newsline television team. "For as long as I've known Tara, we have always chatted and debated the news and laughed about things outside of the studio. "What this is doing is just putting a microphone in front of that conversation and hopefully people will join us in the conversation as well," Declan finished. Kevin Kelly, head of news and current affairs at BBC News NI, said it was an "exciting new addition to our stable of content for BBC audiences in Northern Ireland and further afield". "The State of Us" podcast will talk about the news, make the news, and help people learn about news stories in an informative and engaging way. It will tackle the big stories, and the serious issues affecting all our lives, and will hopefully have some fun as well along the way," he added. He said it would increase BBC News NI's digital programme footprint. Tara and Declan will be delivering two episodes of "the State of Us" each week and it will also be available on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday mornings. The release of the podcast coincides with the streamlining of Evening Extra into a dedicated news hour from 17:00 BST to 18:00 focusing on the latest news updates and breaking stories. Click here to subscribe and listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds every Tuesday and Thursday. You can get in touch with the team by contacting thestateofus@
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The State of Us: 'Nothing is off limits' in new BBC News NI podcast
For years, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey have been synonymous with radio and television coverage in Northern Ireland - but they are now making the jump to a new duo are spearheading The State of Us - a podcast which aims to tackle news stories that impact Northern Ireland in a fresh way."We're allowed to loosen the top button a little bit and that's really exciting," Declan first episode is set to be released next week. Allowing news stories to breathe "The podcast world is very busy," Tara admits, "but it's also very successful."There's definitely an appetite for going and finding your news in slightly different ways," she State of Us hopes to offer a more informal, conversational approach to the news agenda."We do a lot of discussing and debating stories," said Tara. "We just thought, where is there space for that? "Maybe there's room to go down the rabbit holes and into the weeds of stories that don't get the time on other BBC outlets."The podcast will expand upon the range of stories that the BBC is reflecting, by offering a platform for them to breathe.""In TV and radio there is a lot of time pressure. We have been released from that pressure," Declan Tara and Declan will still be keeping on their day jobs as BBC Newsline presenters. The State of Us The name of the podcast is one that will be recognisable to people living in Northern Ireland."It's like 'up the Lagan in a bubble'. It's kind of one of those phrases that we say that is quite peculiar to us in Northern Ireland," Tara expressed how the name sets the tone for what the podcast aspires to represent."We're just going to talk about the state of us. The good, the bad, what could be better and the stuff we are doing brilliantly. ," he said. The relationship with the audience will be key to the podcast."This should feel like you're just having a chat with friends," says Declan. "We laugh, we joke, we pull apart the bits that are stressful - why can't we have a conversation about the news like that?"As Tara puts it: "We want people to get knowledge, friendship, companionship and a bit of craic." 'Nothing is off limits' The pair were keen to emphasise this will be completely different to what audiences have come to expect."We're really excited at covering just a massive range of stories, we've been told that nothing is off limits, and we intend to make the most of that." Tara and Declan have worked together within BBC News NI for more than half a struck up a friendship presenting BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra together and working as part of the BBC Newsline television team."For as long as I've known Tara, we have always chatted and debated the news and laughed about things outside of the studio. "What this is doing is just putting a microphone in front of that conversation and hopefully people will join us in the conversation as well," Declan finished. 'Informative and engaging' Kevin Kelly, head of news and current affairs at BBC News NI, said it was an "exciting new addition to our stable of content for BBC audiences in Northern Ireland and further afield"."The State of Us" podcast will talk about the news, make the news, and help people learn about news stories in an informative and engaging way. It will tackle the big stories, and the serious issues affecting all our lives, and will hopefully have some fun as well along the way," he said it would increase BBC News NI's digital programme and Declan will be delivering two episodes of "the State of Us" each week and it will also be available on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday release of the podcast coincides with the streamlining of Evening Extra into a dedicated news hour from 17:00 BST to 18:00 focusing on the latest news updates and breaking stories. Click here to subscribe and listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds every Tuesday and Thursday. You can get in touch with the team by contacting thestateofus@
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Family of murdered GAA official applauded outside court
The family of a GAA official who was killed by loyalists have been applauded by a crowd of supporters as they arrived at the Court of Appeal in Belfast for the latest hearing in their bid to secure a public inquiry. Sean Brown was shot dead in 1997 after being abducted outside a GAA club in Bellaghy, County Londonderry. The court has ruled that the government's refusal to hold an inquiry is unlawful, but Secretary of State Hilary Benn confirmed on Wednesday the government was planning to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court, the UK's highest court. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald were among those who supported the Brown family outside court. The NI secretary has asked the Court of Appeal for more time to fully consider the judgement. Speaking at Westminster on Wednesday, Benn said he remained determined to have a "full, thorough and independent investigation" into Mr Brown's murder. Posting on X on Wednesday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill described the government's decision to challenge the ruling as "cruel and inhumane", while SDLP leader Claire Hanna called the move "appalling". Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said the government's decision to appeal the court ruling is "a continued affront to a grieving family". He added the "only viable option" is a public inquiry. Niall Murphy, a solicitor representing the Brown family, said he was "disgusted at the disgraceful attempt by the NIO (Northern Ireland Office) to spin this appalling decision". Mr Murphy said there was nothing left for the NI secretary to consider. "We don't need another day, never mind four weeks, it's a public inquiry, do what the courts have told you to do or continue your declared state of illegality," he told BBC News NI's Evening Extra. On Thursday, Mr Brown's daughter, Siobhan, labelled the UK government as "disgraceful" for how it informed her family about its decision to challenge the ruling. "We were distraught at the fact that this information had been released without the family knowing in entirety," she told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme. "To suddenly hear it being broadcast, it's disgraceful." Ms Brown accused the government of treating her family with disrespect and of trying to undermine them. She referred to her 87-year-old mother Bridie's appeal to Benn last month not to make her go to London to campaign for an inquiry. "My mother made an impassioned plea to Hilary Benn, not to take her to London, that's fallen on deaf ears, that's the route we now have to go," Siobhan Brown added. Mr Brown was locking the gates of GAA club Bellaghy Wolfe Tones when he was kidnapped by the LVF. Early last year, a court heard more than 25 people, including state agents, had been linked by intelligence material to Mr Brown's murder. In March 2024 a coroner said Mr Brown's inquest could not continue due to material being withheld on the grounds of national security. He decided that redactions of intelligence material meant he could not properly investigate the circumstances of the killing. Instead, he wrote to the then Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, requesting a public inquiry into the case. In December, the High Court ruled that current Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn must set up a public inquiry into the murder. The government then appealed against that ruling, mounting a legal challenge to the Court of Appeal. However, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said it was "a shocking state of affairs" that more than 25 years had passed but there had been no "lawful inquiry into the circumstances" of Mr Brown's death. After that ruling, Mr Brown's family said Benn should "do the right thing". Mr Brown's widow spoke directly to the NI secretary, saying: "Five judges have told you what to do, do the right thing and please don't have me going to London." 'Disgraceful' government has disrespected family - Sean Brown's daughter Benn should 'do the right thing' after murdered GAA official court ruling Government to challenge Sean Brown public inquiry ruling
