Politics

It has become so fashionable to criticise the DUP’s stance on the petition of concern that almost the only concerns expressed about the changes to the Assembly veto procedure has been that they did not go sufficiently far in restricting abuse.

The Mid Ulster Pride committee has defended using an image of Christ kissing a child to promote their forthcoming ‘Blessed are the Queer’ conference, after a cleric challenged them over the matter.

Mid and East Antrim’s recycling residents have been praised for helping struggling families after one tonne of toys was donated to a charitable campaign.

A former Sinn Fein MLA has hailed a Catholic priest for refusing to allow his premises to be used by the party due to its stance on abortion.

The PSNI has confirmed that it has seized a British army rifle from a republican themed museum in west Belfast after complaints from victims of terrorism and UUP Justice Spokesman Doug Beattie.

A former lecturer at the Presbyterian theological college in Belfast is to be the keynote speaker at a LGBT affirming conference – about one year after being sacked by the church over a sexuality row.

Free Presbyterians last night protested outside a Cookstown hotel while inside the Mid Ulster Pride committee officially launched its parade and associated events.

The DUP has defended the latest political deal, but is not suggesting it could prevent Sinn Fein collapsing the assembly again - the unionist party’s main goal in last week’s talks.

The principal of a north Belfast Primary School has called for more resources to support her teachers after revealing that five people linked to her pupils had taken their lives since September.

The leader of the Irish Labour Party has ruled out going into government with Sinn Fein in Dublin over concerns the party is still under the influence of the IRA.

Work is to commence next month on long-awaited improvements to the slipway at Carrickfergus Sailing Club (CSC).

A Sinn Fein councillor in Dublin has apologised for remarks he made about the Irish premier Leo Varadkar.

DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has used her maiden speech in the House of Commons to call on the British Government to stop legislation for abortion laws for Northern Ireland.

There was an intriguing anecdote on BBC Radio Ulster Talkback yesterday.

The largest trade union in the Northern Ireland health service, Unison, has announced it is bringing industrial action to an end.

Gerry Adams has described himself as feeling “emotional” at the prospect of stepping down as TD for Louth.

The UK government has announced its funding package for the newly re-established Northern Ireland Executive.

Health unions will tomorrow consider calling a halt to strike action after negotiations on the details of an offer by the new Health Minister Robin Swann stretched into the evening.

The first row of the new assembly has seen the DUP rubbish claims by Sinn Fein that government is refusing to honour outstanding cash from the unionist party’s Confidence and Supply deal with Theresa May.