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16/05/2011
Other UK News In Brief
Olympic Star Joins Minister To Make A Big Splash
Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe joined the Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson last week at the House of Commons to launch the Big Splash. The five-time Olympic champion presented awards to members of the public who have performed inspirational feats in swimming, ranging from heroic life-savers to those who learned to swim against the odds. The event was hosted by Blue Peter’s Andy Akinwolere, who is overcoming his own fear of water to take part in a Blue Peter challenge, and is also being backed by celebrities including Gary Lineker, Graham Norton, Matt Baker and Gabby Logan. The Big Splash has been designed by British Swimming and the BBC to inspire the UK to swim in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.
New Minister For Employment And Learning Welcomed
The Chairman of the British Medical Association’s student committee in Northern Ireland has welcomed the appointment of the new Minister For Employment And Learning. Chairman Neil Cunningham said: “We welcome the appointment of Dr Stephen Farry as Minister for Employment and Learning. Northern Ireland medical students would urge Minister Farry to look, as a matter of urgency, the debt crisis facing all students should tuition fees rise. The next generation of doctors should be trained according to their ability to become the best doctor, not their ability to pay.” He added: “Acquiring high levels of debt will undoubtedly act as a deterrent to studying medicine and there has to be a better way of meeting the shortfall in higher education funding than penalising our future workforce. Northern Ireland leads the rest of the UK in the proportion of those from lower socio-economic backgrounds who enter university; however we are concerned that widening access to medicine in particular will fail, if the debt implications of studying to become a doctor are not addressed.” The Minister concluded: “BMA and its student members would like to work constructively with Minister Farry to ensure that Northern Ireland trains and retains the best doctors for its health service."
Boy Dies In Scrambler Bike Accident
A 12-year-old boy has died in north Belfast after falling off a scrambler motorbike. It is believed the boy was a pillion passenger. He was injured around 9pm last night in the Ballysillan area but later died in hospital.
(BMcN/GK)
Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe joined the Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson last week at the House of Commons to launch the Big Splash. The five-time Olympic champion presented awards to members of the public who have performed inspirational feats in swimming, ranging from heroic life-savers to those who learned to swim against the odds. The event was hosted by Blue Peter’s Andy Akinwolere, who is overcoming his own fear of water to take part in a Blue Peter challenge, and is also being backed by celebrities including Gary Lineker, Graham Norton, Matt Baker and Gabby Logan. The Big Splash has been designed by British Swimming and the BBC to inspire the UK to swim in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.
New Minister For Employment And Learning Welcomed
The Chairman of the British Medical Association’s student committee in Northern Ireland has welcomed the appointment of the new Minister For Employment And Learning. Chairman Neil Cunningham said: “We welcome the appointment of Dr Stephen Farry as Minister for Employment and Learning. Northern Ireland medical students would urge Minister Farry to look, as a matter of urgency, the debt crisis facing all students should tuition fees rise. The next generation of doctors should be trained according to their ability to become the best doctor, not their ability to pay.” He added: “Acquiring high levels of debt will undoubtedly act as a deterrent to studying medicine and there has to be a better way of meeting the shortfall in higher education funding than penalising our future workforce. Northern Ireland leads the rest of the UK in the proportion of those from lower socio-economic backgrounds who enter university; however we are concerned that widening access to medicine in particular will fail, if the debt implications of studying to become a doctor are not addressed.” The Minister concluded: “BMA and its student members would like to work constructively with Minister Farry to ensure that Northern Ireland trains and retains the best doctors for its health service."
Boy Dies In Scrambler Bike Accident
A 12-year-old boy has died in north Belfast after falling off a scrambler motorbike. It is believed the boy was a pillion passenger. He was injured around 9pm last night in the Ballysillan area but later died in hospital.
(BMcN/GK)
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15 September 2014
Funeral Of Former NI First Minister Ian Paisley To Be Held Today
The funeral of Northern Ireland's former First Minister Ian Paisley is to be held today. Ian Paisley was a founding member of the Democratic Unionist Party and help establish the Free Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland following a split with the Presbyterian Church. He died on Friday aged 88.
Funeral Of Former NI First Minister Ian Paisley To Be Held Today
The funeral of Northern Ireland's former First Minister Ian Paisley is to be held today. Ian Paisley was a founding member of the Democratic Unionist Party and help establish the Free Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland following a split with the Presbyterian Church. He died on Friday aged 88.
26 September 2008
New Report Tackles Neighbourhood 'Studentification' Problem
To coincide with the start of a new term for university and college students across Britain, a report that identifies ways to help councils manage high concentrations of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) was published by Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint today.
New Report Tackles Neighbourhood 'Studentification' Problem
To coincide with the start of a new term for university and college students across Britain, a report that identifies ways to help councils manage high concentrations of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) was published by Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint today.
05 July 2011
Ulster's Justice Legislation Updated
The first raft of new justice powers created and debated in Northern Ireland in four decades come into force this week. Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has commenced a number of new provisions under the Northern Ireland Justice Act 2011, which secured Assembly approval in March.
Ulster's Justice Legislation Updated
The first raft of new justice powers created and debated in Northern Ireland in four decades come into force this week. Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has commenced a number of new provisions under the Northern Ireland Justice Act 2011, which secured Assembly approval in March.
09 June 2011
PM Tells NI Politicians To 'Remove Barriers'
The Prime Minister has called for Stormont politicians to work towards creating a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland Speaking at Stormont Castle in Belfast today, Mr Cameron highlighted the recent State Visit by Her Majesty the Queen to the Republic of Ireland as an example of the progress that had been made.
PM Tells NI Politicians To 'Remove Barriers'
The Prime Minister has called for Stormont politicians to work towards creating a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland Speaking at Stormont Castle in Belfast today, Mr Cameron highlighted the recent State Visit by Her Majesty the Queen to the Republic of Ireland as an example of the progress that had been made.
04 April 2011
PM Condemns PSNI Bomb Murder
The NI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott is to meet senior politicians this morning to discuss the weekend murder of Catholic police officer Ronan Kerr. The 10am summit follows the murder of the 25-year-old constable who was killed by a booby-trap bomb which exploded under his car in Omagh on Saturday.
PM Condemns PSNI Bomb Murder
The NI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott is to meet senior politicians this morning to discuss the weekend murder of Catholic police officer Ronan Kerr. The 10am summit follows the murder of the 25-year-old constable who was killed by a booby-trap bomb which exploded under his car in Omagh on Saturday.
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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.
