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Published 57 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The exclusively Christian-focused religious education (RE) taught at primary schools in Northern Ireland is unlawful, the High Court has ruled. A judge held the curriculum breaches human rights as it does not approach religious education in an "objective, critical and pluralist manner". The verdict came in a legal challenge by a father and daughter to the current syllabus in controlled primary schools. Proceedings were brought against the Department of Education. The challenge was on behalf of a seven-year-old girl who attends a school in Belfast. Mr Justice Colton said the "unlawfulness identified requires a reconsideration of the core curriculum" in how it sets out the teaching of religious education (RE) and the provision of collective worship. The child's lawyers argued that the complete focus on … [Read more...] about Christian-focused RE in Northern Ireland primary schools ‘unlawful’

By Nuala McCann Published 31 May 2012 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A library book has been returned to Navan library in the Republic of Ireland ... 80 years late. A mystery borrower slipped the book discreetly through the letterbox at the county library at the weekend. It was checked out in 1932. County librarian Ciaran Mangan said he was just delighted to see it back. ''It was an item that had been out on loan effectively since it was published and put into stock and the system in 1932," he explained. "As good Christians, we decided we would waive the fine if the person appears in person and confesses to having returned the book." There are no details on the original borrower because the library's computerised records only date back to 1994. However, someone may have had their conscience pricked because the overdue book is a pictorial record … [Read more...] about Oops I forgot – library book returned after 80 years

Published 10 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Growth in the economy appears to have slowed in the second quarter of 2022 and businesses confidence is weakening, a new survey suggests. The NI Chamber and BDO surveyed 263 companies in late May and early June. A majority of those were still trading positively. However inflation is starting to hit business performance and expectations. The chamber said wages were a "very strong driver" of pressures with rising utility and fuel costs also featuring. Just over 50% of businesses still expect turnover to grow in the next 12 months but that compares to 70% in the final quarter of 2021 and 60% in the first quarter of 2022. More than 90% of respondents agreed that the UK could go into recession if current economic conditions persist. 'Adapted well' The survey has been tracking business attitudes to Brexit … [Read more...] about NI economy: Growth slowed in second quarter, survey suggests

By Jayne McCormack Published 1 day ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics The Troubles Controversial legislation aimed at ending Troubles legacy prosecutions has passed its stages in the House of Commons, despite ongoing political opposition. The bill offers a conditional amnesty to those accused of killings and other Troubles-related crimes. It will proceed to the House of Lords in the autumn to face further scrutiny. No MPs from Northern Ireland support the bill. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the bill would "help families and victims move forward". The Conservative Party's working majority of 73 means it can comfortably pass the legislation without relying on other parties in parliament. On Monday, it passed its third reading by 282 to 217 votes, with Labour, the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), SDLP (Social … [Read more...] about NI Troubles: Legacy bill passes Commons stages

Published 9 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A musical based on the life of the former SDLP leader John Hume has been awarded a £50,000 grant by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The production, entitled Beyond Belief, is set to premiere in 2023 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The musical is being produced by the John and Pat Hume Foundation with The Playhouse in his native Londonderry. Sixty-six grants worth £2m have been awarded to groups across NI. Tim Attwood, the foundation's secretary, said: "The Hume Foundation partnership with The Playhouse on Beyond Belief is a natural one as they have a deep commitment to promoting healing, understanding and reconciliation. "We are excited that The Playhouse, with Beyond Belief, will develop an inspiring, creative and emotional work telling the story of John Hume's journey … [Read more...] about John Hume: Musical on SDLP founder’s life awarded grant

By Rebecca McGirr Published 8 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A ghostly image of County Antrim's Dark Hedges taken by a Belfast man has won a global photography award. Paul Killeen was crowned overall winner of the World Landscape Photographer competition , which had over 1,600 entries. His black and white photograph, titled Souls Tied, depicts two birds flying into the centre of the well-known site. He said he was "shocked and honoured" to have won for the image, taken on the morning of a friend's funeral. One of the judges described the image as "a brilliant winner". Another judge, Verity Milligan, said: "Just the woodland, the mist and the dancing birds. Magical. A special image and a worthy winner." Mr Killeen's shot won out ahead of 8.655 other images, the Belfast Telegraph reported. For him, there is a special meaning behind the … [Read more...] about Dark Hedges image wins World Landscape Photographer competition

What is it with three-word slogans about Europe ? Boris Johnson tried “Get Brexit Done”. Now Sir Keir Starmer has come up with “Make Brexit Work”. He first tried out the slogan at the CBI last November. It failed to catch fire then. Now, he has relaunched it at the Irish Embassy for the 24 th anniversary of thinktank the Centre for European Reform. The CER is the best of the new European policy thinktanks set up towards the end of the last century as Britain appeared fully to engage with Europe following the lost years of John Major’s early Tory hostility to the EU after the Maastricht Treaty. But in European capitals, no-one in politics, diplomacy or journalism has any interest in what anyone in London thinks or says on Europe. Britain is back where it was in the 1950s and 1960s, as Conservative and Labour politicians ignored developments that allowed Europe to put a century of war in the file marked “History – Do Not Reopen” and showed how market dynamics … [Read more...] about Puzzled, bored, overly negative: I read the room at Keir Starmer’s ‘Make Brexit Work’ speech

COVID rules have returned as the virus makes a comeback. The Omicron sub variants are fuelling a summer wave that experts say is “really worrying”. Newer Covid variants Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, which are more transmissible, are able to evade the immune protection built up by vaccines or previous infections. While face coverings have become a personal choice across much of the UK, some hospitals are making them mandatory once more - although it is not enforceable by law. It comes in response to admissions creeping up to levels not seen since the spring Omicron wave. Hospitals in Hampshire, Wales, Cambridge and Cornwall have introduced mandatory masks for patients, staff and visitors, The Times reported. Read more on coronavirus SUMMER CHAOS Summer holiday warning as Covid cases soar in European hotspots WHAT A S-PAIN Spain holiday warning - Covid rules may be brought BACK ahead of summer hols Dr Lara … [Read more...] about Major change to Covid rules as new Omicron sub variants fuel summer wave

The British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has said there is no going back on Brexit, in a speech on Monday night. Instead, he offered a new slogan as part of a drive to ensure Britain thrives: "Make Brexit Work". "There are some who say 'we don’t need to make Brexit work — we need to reverse it'," the Labour leader told the Centre for European Reform (CER) . "I couldn’t disagree more." "Let me be very clear. Under Labour, Britain will not go back into the EU. We will not be joining the single market. We will not be joining a customs union." It represents a major policy shift for Starmer — who in the run-up to Brexit called for a deal to be put to a second referendum, and lauded the benefits of the free movement of workers, now consigned to the past. It also further distances the country's current direction from the fiery debates and deadlock in the aftermath of the 2016 referendum, with the two largest parties firmly wedded to the UK's departure from the … [Read more...] about Brexit damage: Is EU exit now hitting UK’s economy harder than COVID?

Rishi Sunak follows Javid and resigns from Johnson’s Cabinet Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Mr Javid said he could not continue in his post “in good conscience” after losing confidence in Boris Johnson’s leadership. This follows the revelation Mr Johnson admitted he was aware of a misconduct complaint against former deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher, who was suspended from the party following allegations of sexual misconduct last week. Related articles Take GP service off life support, medics tell Sajid Javid Putin channelling Stalin with terrifying starvation plan But Mr Javid’s replacement has been named as Steve Barclay, who … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson’s fightback begins as new Chancellor, Health and Education Secretaries named