Latest news with #Pacemaker
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Abandoned 34,500-seater football stadium that had been tipped to host Euro 2028 matches in new boost after £50m funding
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ABANDONED 34,500-seater football stadium that had been tipped to host Euro 2028 matches has received a new boost after landing £50million in funding. Belfast's Casement Park was initially selected as a host stadium for the upcoming tournament. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 An abandoned stadium has received a fresh boost Credit: AFP 4 Casement Park was initially selected to host Euro 2028 matches Credit: Pacemaker It saw Northern Ireland join England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland as a host nation. Plans were afoot to rebuild the ground to a 34,000 capacity in time for the competition. But Northern Ireland was axed as one of the host nations due to funding issues over Casement Park. The national team currently plays at Windsor Park, which holds 18,000 fans. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GEORDIE SCORE Kieran Trippier's mystery woman revealed as Geordie Shore's Chloe Ferry However, Uefa requires all grounds for major tournaments to hold at least 30,000 spectators. And failure to find the funding for Casement Park ended Northern Ireland's hopes of hosting Euro 2028 games. But now, the overgrown arena has been given a major boost after receiving £50m towards a £260m rebuild. That money has come from the government, according to the BBC. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And it has finally been confirmed that the funds will not have to be repaid, with the £50m being provided as an 'equity stake' and not a loan. Despite the cash boost, the redevelopment of Casement Park is still not fully financed. Jarlath Burns warns 'time is money' over Casement Park stadium project 4 Casement Park has received £50million in funding from the government Credit: Getty 4 It has been confirmed that the money does not have to be paid back Credit: Pacemaker £260m is required for a full rebuild, but the Gaelic Athletic Association can only find £120m on top of the government's £50m – leaving a £90m shortfall in total. Casement Park used to be a top stadium for hurling and Gaelic football matches. Tens of thousands of fans used to cram in for matches. But the venue shut down in 2013 and has since been left abandoned. Now, the derelict site has received planning permission to be modernised and early demolition work has begun.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned 34,500-seater football stadium that had been tipped to host Euro 2028 matches in new boost after £50m funding
AN ABANDONED 34,500-seater football stadium that had been tipped to host Euro 2028 matches has received a new boost after landing £50million in funding. 4 An abandoned stadium has received a fresh boost Credit: AFP 4 Casement Park was initially selected to host Euro 2028 matches Credit: Pacemaker It saw Northern Ireland join England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland as a host nation. But Northern Ireland was axed as one of the host nations The national team currently plays at Windsor Park, which holds 18,000 fans. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL However, Uefa requires all grounds for major tournaments to hold at least 30,000 spectators. And But now, the overgrown arena has been given a major boost after receiving £50m towards a £260m rebuild. That money has come from the government, according to the Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And it has finally been confirmed that the funds will not have to be repaid, with the £50m being provided as an 'equity stake' and not a loan. Despite the cash boost, the redevelopment of Casement Park is still not fully financed. Jarlath Burns warns 'time is money' over Casement Park stadium project 4 Casement Park has received £50million in funding from the government Credit: Getty 4 It has been confirmed that the money does not have to be paid back Credit: Pacemaker £260m is required for a full rebuild, but the Gaelic Athletic Association can only find £120m on top of the government's £50m – leaving a £90m shortfall in total. Casement Park used to be a top stadium for hurling and Gaelic football matches. Tens of thousands of fans used to cram in for matches. But the venue shut down in 2013 and has since been left abandoned. Now, the derelict site has received planning permission to be modernised and early demolition work has begun.
Broadcast Pro
3 days ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Tuned Global expands Social Radio with real-time tipping
The latest feature mints superfans and empowers artists, all while saving music streaming services years of development work and delivering deeper, more insightful user data. Tuned Global has unveiled a major upgrade to its Social Radio platform with the introduction of real-time tipping, enabling fans to financially support artists, DJs, and creators during live streams. This new monetisation feature adds to Social Radio's interactive capabilities, allowing DSPs (digital streaming platforms) to integrate dynamic fan experiences while saving extensive development time and costs. Drawing inspiration from platforms like Twitch and TikTok, Tuned Global's latest innovation responds to growing industry demand for more immersive and participatory music streaming. The Social Radio platform transforms traditional audio streams into live, fan-driven broadcasts. Listeners can join virtual rooms where hosts curate music, interact with fans, and now receive direct tips. With tipping rolling out in Q3 2025, fans will be able to reward their favourite streamers in real time, further strengthening the artist-fan connection. The SDK also supports features like live voice overlays, AI-assisted transitions via AutomixIQ, and instant audience interaction. This update arrives at a time when DSPs are under increasing pressure to deliver social-first experiences that move beyond static listening. As Spotify's CEO recently highlighted, fostering meaningful artist-fan connections is becoming essential for platforms looking to stay competitive. Tuned Global's Social Radio offers a turnkey solution to meet this demand, blending monetisation, emotional engagement, and nuanced fan data into one powerful tool. Con Raso, Tuned Global's Managing Director, explained: 'Social Radio turns static streams into the interactive experiences listeners now expect. Fans don't just want to listen; they want to participate, support, and belong. Social Radio turns a traditional streaming experience into something social, expressive, and monetisable. The platforms that move first will define the standard for what streaming looks like in the fan-driven era.' At the core of Social Radio's evolution is Tuned Global's 2023 acquisition of AI music tech company Pacemaker. Its patented technologies, including the Recipe format and advanced backend infrastructure, now power the interactive features of Social Radio. Jonas Norberg, Tuned Global's Head of AI and founder of Pacemaker, added: 'Pacemaker's patented Recipe format, proprietary backend, and advanced AI-driven mobile creation tool—with over 20 man-years of dedicated development—offer a market-proven solution that will save DSPs years of development time, significantly accelerating their entry into interactive audio experiences.' Social Radio's unique data capabilities also offer streaming platforms a fresh way to understand user behaviour. Beyond measuring what was played, the platform captures emotional reactions, social sharing, and real-time engagement—insights that can enhance recommendation engines and help platforms foster deeper loyalty. With strong global interest already emerging, particularly from regions where fan culture is deeply ingrained like Asia, Tuned Global is positioning Social Radio as the essential social layer for DSPs aiming to turn casual listeners into committed superfans. Upcoming updates include show replays, creator tools, and user follow options, further expanding the toolkit for platforms ready to embrace the next generation of music streaming.
Sunday World
11-06-2025
- Sunday World
Drug driver put back behind bars after attacking victim he blamed for losing dog
Christopher McGregor once told the Sunday World he was the victim of a sectarian hate campaign when he lived in Kells, Co. Antrim. This is the thug jailed last week for attacking a man he blamed for getting his dog taken away by the dog warden. Christopher McGregor, who has a shocking criminal record already despite being just 23 years old, punched the man repeatedly in the head in a shocking attack which he claims was over losing his dog. But after that attack the Antrim thug launched another even more serious attack on the same man after inviting him to his house where he headbutted him and punched him several times again. And we can reveal McGregor once told the Sunday World he was the victim of a sectarian hate campaign when he lived in Kells. In 2022 he claimed he and his then partner where repeatedly targeted by a loyalist hate mob who called him sectarian slurs and torched their home – forcing them to flee the Co Antrim village. However the Sunday World can reveal McGregor had fallen foul of a crime family. Last August McGregor's flat was burned out by members of that crime family in a direct warning to him. Christopher McGregor. Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker And earlier this year he was jailed for five months after cops caught driving while off his face on drugs after nearly hitting several vehicles – in fact when they stopped him his lips had a substance on them. Now he's back behind bars for two attacks on the man he reckons shopped him to the dog warden and got his pooch lifted. A source told the Sunday World this week: 'Chris McGregor is a total scumbag and Antrim is glad to see the back of him for a few months but he'll be back terrorising people again as soon as he gets out. 'He terrorised the Springfarm estate but he had a major falling out with the (name removed). 'His flat was burnt out last year but he didn't move far away. He's always off his head on drugs and drives around off his head until he lost his licence finally.' Last Tuesday McGregor was facing a number of assault charges and had been facing a more serious charge of possessing a 'boiled kettle' as an offensive weapon with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. He admitted the assault charges but the kettle charge along with a number of other charges were withdrawn. Court News NI reported how McGregor, from Barra Street, appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court sitting in Ballymena where he pleaded guilty to assaulting the man on April 8 and then assaulting him again the next day. Christopher McGregor. Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker News in 90 Seconds - June 11th Appearing at court via video link from prison, he listened as a prosecutor explained how around 4pm on April 8 the thug sent a text to the other male 'attempting to arrange a fight' because, according to the barrister, the defendant had blamed the male 'for his dog being confiscated by the dog warden'. The defendant met the male in the Townparks area of Antrim and forced him to the ground, punching him multiple times to the head leaving him bruising to the eye. The fight was broken up by McGregor's mum. McGregor contacted the male again, inviting him up to his house, and again assaulted him, punching him multiple times and headbutted him leaving him with a bloodied nose and bumps and bruises to the head. He had also been accused, on April 9, of possessing a 'boiled kettle' as an offensive weapon with intent to commit grievous bodily harm; assaulting a woman; 'threatening or abusive' behaviour; making a threat to damage property and attempted criminal damage to a car dashboard but those charges were withdrawn by prosecutors. Regarding assaulting the male, a defence barrister said McGregor, who has a significant record, accepts he had 'acted over and above what he should have done'. District Judge Nigel Broderick said they had been 'nasty assaults'. He said one assault was bad enough but the aggravating feature was that he assaulted the male the next day and jailed McGregor for four months. In October 2022 McGregor told the Sunday World he was an innocent victim of a sectarian hate mob. He said he was run out of town by sinister elements connected to loyalist paramilitaries – all because he was Catholic. At one stage a wheelie bin was placed at the front door of the house where they lived and set on fire. 'If it wasn't for the alarms we would have burned to death,' Christopher told us back in 2022. 'There was only one door in or out and we were at the top floor.' McGregor described how he and his partner, who he's no longer with, suffered a hate-filled sectarian campaign. 'I was called a Fenian bastard on the street. I was told f**k off you Fenian bastard,' McGregor said. 'The irony is my Da was in the British Army but people like that don't understand.' He said their home was repeatedly and relentlessly targeted to the point they were forced to leave and ended up having to stay in an old caravan with neither a cooker nor a toilet. Christopher McGregor's flat was burned out. 'Every single day there was an attempted burglary,' he said. 'They put a brick through the window and, in the end we had to barricade the windows.' 'I went to a cash machine in the town and was told f** k off you Fenian bastard. There was graffiti on the door that read 'dirty stinking Fenians'. We never slept.' And he said there were the phone calls where the caller would warn they were coming to get them. When they returned to their flat they found it ransacked – what belongings they left behind were strewn across the floor, furniture and plates smashed. In 2023 he pleaded guilty to charges of setting fire to a property occupied by Polish people. He also admitted burglary, theft and causing property damage and was jailed for eight months. He'd gone to the property and stole the fridge, cooker and washing machine – all of which were discovered in McGregor's house. They also found spray cans which had been used by him to spray racist graffiti on the walls of the house before he set the property on fire. His defence barrister claimed he was 'struggling with alcohol and drug problems, which caused him to behave irrationally'.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Second night of Ballymena violence as cops fire multiple baton rounds at rioters as water cannon on scene amid tensions
Several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace in attacks RIOT UPDATE Second night of Ballymena violence as cops fire multiple baton rounds at rioters as water cannon on scene amid tensions Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RIOT police have been deployed again in Ballymena as cops fire multiple baton rounds at rioters. It comes just one day after serious unrest in the area saw homes destroyed and cops injured. 8 A Ballymena resident said she's too scared to stay in the area following the riots Credit: Pacemaker 8 Firefighters attended the scene after two homes were set alight Credit: Pacemaker 8 People wearing masks threw masonry and other missiles Credit: Pacemaker Hundreds of people have gathered in the Co Antrim town less than 24 hours after riots broke out following a protest last night. PSNI vehicles have been sent into the area to form barricades on some roads. This comes after several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace in attacks which police have described as 'racist thuggery'. The violent scenes in the area left 15 police injured and a number of cops cars damaged. The violence followed an earlier protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend. Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. A 28-year-old man was also arrested by police as part of the investigation on Monday evening, but has since been 'unconditionally released' from custody. A mother who lives in one of the houses attacked during violence in Ballymena said she had been left too scared to stay in the area. The mother-of-three - who now intends to leave the area - said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the Co Antrim town on Monday night. Speaking to the PA news agency, the woman, who said she was too afraid to give her name, said she tried to flee her house after the front window was broken. She said: 'The children were asking me why are we being attacked. 'I don't want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.' 'POGRAM PREVENTED' In the aftermath of the rioting, the chairman of the Police Federation said the actions of PSNI officers saved lives and 'prevented a pogrom with consequences too painful to contemplate'. Liam Kelly, the head of the group that represents rank and file PSNI officers, said cops faced attacks which were 'totally mindless, unacceptable and feral'. Mr Kelly said: 'Once again, our colleagues were caught up trying to quell hate-filled violence on our streets. 'Officers who were trying to protect life and property came under unjustified sustained attack. 'All right-minded people should utterly condemn these actions and provide information and assistance to the PSNI so they can identify those who engaged in the various lawless acts of thuggery. 'Officers' injuries tell a frightening story of a mob fully intent on inflicting great harm on people. 'Police officers worked tirelessly to defuse a potentially explosive situation and uphold the law.' 'MINDLESS VIOLENCE' Mr Kelly said the officers had suffered 'for their courageous and professional interventions'. He added: 'This was mindless violence and thuggery. 'Officers were under great pressure but, to their credit, they restored order over a prolonged period of unrest. 'I have no doubt whatsoever that police officers – far too few because the service is starved of resources and officer numbers – prevented a pogrom with consequences too painful to contemplate. 'What we saw was totally mindless, unacceptable and feral. 'I wish to commend the men and women of the PSNI who undoubtedly saved lives last night. "I would appeal for calm, and request that there is no repeat of these shocking images in the town or the lawless acts of intimidation of anyone in our community." 'FELT FEAR' PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would have a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the attacks should be 'loudly condemned by all right thinking people'. Speaking at a press conference at Ballymena police station, he said: 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced." He said that members of the minority ethnic community 'felt fear' and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. 'All right-minded people should utterly condemn these actions and provide information and assistance to the PSNI so they can identify those who engaged in the various lawless acts of thuggery." Liam Kelly He said one arrest has been made and more will follow, as video and online footage is examined. The 29-year-old arrested has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. He is due to before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Mr Henderson said: 'I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences." VIOLENT SCENES Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder. He said: 'Should I need any additionality, I'm absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales, the National Police Operation Centre, stand fast and ready to support should we need that support.' The senior officer said police did not have specific intelligence that there would be a repeat of the violent scenes, but said a significant policing operation would be in place. PLANNED VIGIL A PSNI spokesperson said: 'At around 7.30pm, a planned vigil gathered in the Galgorm Road area before making its way towards Larne Street, onto Wakehurt Road and then down Queen Street. 'The vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena. 'Officers were present at the vigil to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response, due to the large number of people who had gathered in the area. 'A number of masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties in the Clonavon Terrace area. 'Elements of the crowd then turned on to police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry. 'This disorder was sustained and continued in the vicinity of Galgorm Street, Linenhall Street and Larne Road Link in the vicinity of the Braid.' COPS ATTACKED The statement added: 'Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters. 'Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment. 'Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder. 'A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated. 'The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially motivated hate attacks. 'Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours. 'In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder." OTHER ARSON As part of ongoing inquiries, police are also investigating a report of arson at the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday. Shortly after 12.20am, it was reported that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle in the area which set it alight. Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside. 8 The violence followed an earlier protest Credit: Pacemaker Press 8 Residents told of the fear after the riots Credit: Pacemaker Press 8 PSNI vehicles were sent into the area to form barricades on some roads Credit: Pacemaker Press 8 Cops and riot officers were among those deployed to the scene Credit: Pacemaker
