Dissident republicans are planning a Christmas terror blitz in the North, a senior police commander has warned.

One in five people arrested using anti-terror legislation in the North was ultimately charged with terrorism offences as the rate hit its lowest level for a decade, a watchdog has revealed.

Three people have been stabbed in Belfast as the city prepares for annual Twelfth of July celebrations.

Eight people have been arrested for public order offences in north and west Belfast overnight.

Northern Ireland’s first minister Peter Robinson has made a public apology for any offence caused to Muslims by his defence of a controversial preacher.

Almost 2,000 vehicles have been stopped at checkpoints designed to thwart dissident republicans in Belfast, police said.

A military gun was used to spray police vehicles with bullets in the North, a senior officer said.

Seventy-one police officers have been injured in four nights of rioting in the North linked to the banning of a contentious Orange Order parade.

At least four blast bombs were thrown at police in east Belfast last night.

Hundreds more police officers are to be drafted in to the North from forces across the UK after three nights of rioting linked to a parades dispute.

Street violence over flags is unacceptable and must stop, the Northern Ireland Assembly warned today.

Three 13-year-olds were among several youths charged for taking part in loyalist riots in Belfast.

Police in Belfast remained on high alert today despite only minor disturbances reported after a protest by loyalists.

Police were bracing themselves for another night of violence after a protest by loyalists against new restrictions on flying the Union flag passed peacefully.

Thousands of loyalists gathered in Belfast city centre for a protest against new restrictions on flying the Union flag.

Hundreds of loyalist protesters, many wearing balaclavas and masks, have begun a fresh protest outside Belfast City Hall.

A major security operation is underway to prevent more trouble breaking out in Belfast later today.

Loyalists were urged tonight to cancel more planned street demonstrations over a Belfast City Hall decision to restrict the flying of the Union flag.

More attacks have been carried out on the non-sectarian Alliance Party during a night of violence in the North.

The cost of policing contentious parades in Northern Ireland has soared to £7.4m (€9.2m) this year.

A senior police chief has called for "all those with influence" to help bring an end to the violence in Belfast as officers came under attack during a third night of disturbances.

Nine police officers have been injured during serious rioting following the passing of a Protestant parade through a nationalist area of north Belfast.

Around 15 Orange Order members have paraded without incident through a sectarian flashpoint in North Belfast.

Police federations in Northern Ireland and Great Britain have protested against arrangements to bring in officers from England and Wales as reinforcements.

The increasing security threat in the North is seen by police as a major barrier to delivering good service to communities, a report said.

Police called for a state inquiry into historical clerical child abuse in the North today and revealed a specialist detective team has been set up to investigate past crimes.

A 40-YEAR-OLD man was yesterday being questioned by police in Belfast about the disappearance and probable murder of a former right-hand man of jailed loyalist Johnny Adair.

A right hand man of jailed loyalist leader Johnny Adair has been murdered in a re-ignition of the UDA feud, police feared tonight.

DISSIDENT republicans who left a huge van bomb near the centre of Belfast have attempted to undermine the Northern Ireland peace process just hours before party leaders met President Bush in the White House, it was claimed yesterday.

Dissident republicans who left a huge van bomb near the centre of Belfast have attempted to undermine the Northern Ireland peace process just hours before party leaders met President Bush in the White House, it was claimed today.

A man was fighting for his life tonight after a savage hammer attack at his home.