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16/07/2019
Other News In Brief
Alliance: Further Progress Needed In Domestic Abuse Law
The Alliance Party has called for further steps to be taken with regards to domestic abuse law in Northern Ireland.
It comes after confirmation that legislation covering the offence of coercive control will be extended to the region, bringing it in line with the rest of the UK.
Welcoming the move, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw said the provisions are long overdue. She commented: "Northern Ireland has long lagged behind the rest of the UK in making domestic abuse a clear offence and ensuring appropriate penalties.
"It is welcome this is to be corrected to some degree. However, I and other colleagues have been working on Northern Ireland-specific provisions - which, as ever, require Northern Ireland-specific legislators.
"I am sure much of this preparatory work has helped in ensuring Northern Ireland can be included in domestic abuse legislation applying across all or most of the UK, and that is good news.
"However, we are still missing out on delivering precisely what is needed for Northern Ireland because of the absence of our own Executive."
£160m Broadband Scheme To Be Rolled Out In Rural NI
Rural areas across Northern Ireland are to benefit from a new £165 million broadband roll-out scheme.
Project Stratum, the Department for the Economy (DfE) scheme, will improve connectivity for those unable to access broadband services of at least 30 Mbps.
Around 98,000 premises, primarily rural, are eligible for the scheme.
Announcing the launch of the procurement, Permanent Secretary Noel Lavery said: "The additional £150million broadband funding allows us to build on the broadband connectivity achievements to date, given that some 108,000 premises have benefitted from recent interventions. I do recognise, however, that there remain many rural areas across Northern Ireland where broadband access remains unsatisfactory and that this is continuing to have an impact on citizens and businesses within our rural communities. The roll-out of Project Stratum, including additional assistance of £15million from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, will help ensure that more people than ever in rural areas have access to good quality broadband.
"All the premises eligible for inclusion in Project Stratum will be published soon, however the precise number and location of those that will benefit from the project will not be known until the procurement process is complete and a contract has been awarded. My Department will seek to maximise any industry contribution, over and above the £165million public investment, to ensure that as many premises as possible benefit from the project.
"As Project Stratum aims to address the harder-to-reach, and therefore most costly, premises, it is unlikely that we will be able to provide a solution for the full intervention area with the available funding, which is one of the reasons why industry contribution will be vital. The Department continues to engage with DCMS and Local Authorities to ensure that Northern Ireland benefits from national programmes, aimed at addressing the most remote rural premises, in line with UK Government policy emerging from the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review."
Suppliers have until 3pm on 21 August to return a selection questionnaire for procurement.
More information can be found on the eTendersNI portal.
Antrim Exchange Students Welcomed Home From Arizona
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has welcomed the Sister Cities Student Exchange Programme participants back from Gilbert, Arizona.
Kelsie Skelly and Cathal Morgan returned home with their exchange partners, Mackenzie Goldman and Lindsey Giles after spending three weeks being home hosted in Gilbert.
They were welcomed with a BBQ at the award winning Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House on Thursday 04 July.
The Gilbert students will now be hosted in the area by their exchange partner and enjoy a fun-filled and packed schedule organised by the families, exploring the local attractions and beyond.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth commented: "The Sister Cities Student Exchange Programme is now in its 19th year running and the success of the programme is a testament to the participants and their families. We are delighted to help enable young people from our Borough experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, helping them grow in confidence, independence and form friendships that last long beyond the programme."
The Alliance Party has called for further steps to be taken with regards to domestic abuse law in Northern Ireland.
It comes after confirmation that legislation covering the offence of coercive control will be extended to the region, bringing it in line with the rest of the UK.
Welcoming the move, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw said the provisions are long overdue. She commented: "Northern Ireland has long lagged behind the rest of the UK in making domestic abuse a clear offence and ensuring appropriate penalties.
"It is welcome this is to be corrected to some degree. However, I and other colleagues have been working on Northern Ireland-specific provisions - which, as ever, require Northern Ireland-specific legislators.
"I am sure much of this preparatory work has helped in ensuring Northern Ireland can be included in domestic abuse legislation applying across all or most of the UK, and that is good news.
"However, we are still missing out on delivering precisely what is needed for Northern Ireland because of the absence of our own Executive."
£160m Broadband Scheme To Be Rolled Out In Rural NI
Rural areas across Northern Ireland are to benefit from a new £165 million broadband roll-out scheme.
Project Stratum, the Department for the Economy (DfE) scheme, will improve connectivity for those unable to access broadband services of at least 30 Mbps.
Around 98,000 premises, primarily rural, are eligible for the scheme.
Announcing the launch of the procurement, Permanent Secretary Noel Lavery said: "The additional £150million broadband funding allows us to build on the broadband connectivity achievements to date, given that some 108,000 premises have benefitted from recent interventions. I do recognise, however, that there remain many rural areas across Northern Ireland where broadband access remains unsatisfactory and that this is continuing to have an impact on citizens and businesses within our rural communities. The roll-out of Project Stratum, including additional assistance of £15million from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, will help ensure that more people than ever in rural areas have access to good quality broadband.
"All the premises eligible for inclusion in Project Stratum will be published soon, however the precise number and location of those that will benefit from the project will not be known until the procurement process is complete and a contract has been awarded. My Department will seek to maximise any industry contribution, over and above the £165million public investment, to ensure that as many premises as possible benefit from the project.
"As Project Stratum aims to address the harder-to-reach, and therefore most costly, premises, it is unlikely that we will be able to provide a solution for the full intervention area with the available funding, which is one of the reasons why industry contribution will be vital. The Department continues to engage with DCMS and Local Authorities to ensure that Northern Ireland benefits from national programmes, aimed at addressing the most remote rural premises, in line with UK Government policy emerging from the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review."
Suppliers have until 3pm on 21 August to return a selection questionnaire for procurement.
More information can be found on the eTendersNI portal.
Antrim Exchange Students Welcomed Home From Arizona
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has welcomed the Sister Cities Student Exchange Programme participants back from Gilbert, Arizona.
Kelsie Skelly and Cathal Morgan returned home with their exchange partners, Mackenzie Goldman and Lindsey Giles after spending three weeks being home hosted in Gilbert.
They were welcomed with a BBQ at the award winning Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House on Thursday 04 July.
The Gilbert students will now be hosted in the area by their exchange partner and enjoy a fun-filled and packed schedule organised by the families, exploring the local attractions and beyond.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth commented: "The Sister Cities Student Exchange Programme is now in its 19th year running and the success of the programme is a testament to the participants and their families. We are delighted to help enable young people from our Borough experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, helping them grow in confidence, independence and form friendships that last long beyond the programme."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
