Prominent flag protestor joins PUP
An outspoken participant of the recent flag protests has joined the Progressive Unionist Party.Jonathan Harvey, is the former chairman the Ulster Protestant Voice group.In a video posted to YouTube Mr...
View ArticleTraders to bid for aid as riots bill ‘hits £15m’
FINANCE Minister Sammy Wilson faces a plea for aid from Belfast retailers traders as the cost to the city in lost trade due to the flag protests was set as high as £15 million.The figure from the...
View ArticleAbortion clinic to register with regulator
The operators of Northern Ireland’s first private abortion clinic are to register with health regulators in a bid to increase public confidence in their services.Representatives of Marie Stopes...
View ArticleAlmost half of Dubliners brand flag decision wrong
Almost half of the people living in Ireland - combining Northern Ireland and the Republic - believe it was wrong to limit the number of days the Union flag flies at Belfast City Hall.Just 36 per cent...
View ArticleThree arrests after ‘defrosting’ vehicle thefts
Police officers from A District’s auto crime team have arrested three men in relation to a spate of car thefts which occurred while the vehicles were defrosting.Five vehicles, which had been unattended...
View ArticleThe Red River’s colourful memory banks
I PROMISED to return to Castlederg and its Red River Valley, my travel-guide being a wonderfully reminiscent and evocative book that was sent to me last year by former Strabane District Councillor...
View ArticleAnalysis: Outcome of forum unclear, but unity looks likely
News Letter’s political correspondent Sam McBride gives his analysis of the first meeting of the Unionist Forum.PETER Robinson said that yesterday’s meeting of the Unionist Forum was “the most...
View ArticleMixed reaction to Unionist forum
THE broad spectrum of unionism appears cautiously optimistic that yesterday’s forum will lead to greater peace and prosperity in predominantly Protestant areas.One of those who described the gathering...
View ArticleDublin protest date ‘in hands of gardai’
FLAGS protest spokesman Willie Frazer said yesterday that the decision about when a protest takes place in Dublin lies with the gardai.On Wednesday the News Letter reported that the rally, planned for...
View ArticleMinister’s restrictions could threaten John Lewis store
New planning restrictions are not an attempt to prejudice a public inquiry into a long-running application for a John Lewis store at the Sprucefield shopping complex, the environment minister has...
View ArticleLucy is a People Person (sort of)
Comedian Lucy Porter tells JOANNE SAVAGE why her standup show is inspired by friendship, motherhood, Dave Allen and non-linear thinking“I’M just in Argos shopping,” says Lucy Porter, her voice jolly...
View ArticleYour views: What does Britishness mean to you?
IT has become more and more evident that the ongoing flag protests are about a perceived wider attack by nationalists on Unionist culture and British identity.But what does your British identity mean,...
View ArticleProtests to bring ‘Northern Ireland to standstill’
Protests have been planned province-wide this evening, despite the Unionist Forum having held its first meeting on Thursday.Organisers said there will be “multiple protests” across Northern Ireland in...
View ArticleCouncil could face flag legal challenge
Belfast City Council could face legal action over a decision to restrict the flying of the Union flag which has sparked violent protests, the DUP has said.The change to only hoisting the flag on...
View Article‘SF culture war fuelling unrest’
A MAJOR factor in the recent rioting is that republicans are continuing their war against loyalists by cultural means, a UUP MLA has said.Michael Copeland has been at the scene of every main instance...
View ArticleNew century living means retirement is further away than ever
IN a supermarket the other day the cash till was manned by a woman just a few years younger than myself, someone I thought might prefer to be retired. It was a pleasant day outside, some rare sun had...
View ArticleNursing as it used to be
HASN’T it come to a sorry pass when nurses are to be ‘re-trained’ to look after patients, by treating them with kindness and not focussing on targets. Under new rules they will also be ordered to carry...
View ArticleWashing up is a privilege
NOW that the Queen has the benefit of extra funds from the Crown Estates – her annual government stipend known as the Civil List was not enough to pay the bills – she feels up to adding to her staff....
View ArticleMcLaughlin to be first republican Assembly Speaker
SINN Fein veteran Mitchel McLaughlin is set to become the first ever republican Speaker of the Stormont Assembly, it has emerged.The South Antrim MLA will take over from the current Principal Deputy...
View ArticleOperation standstill v Operation Sitin
It has been the battle of the operations on Twitter with flag protests determined to grind the Province to a halt by waging Operation Standstill/Shutdown, and worried commuters making plans to avoid...
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