Other News In Brief

Minister Visits Fostering Achievement Summer Scheme In Newtownards

The Education Minister has visited the Fostering Achievement Summer Scheme at Victoria Primary School, Newtownards.

Minister Peter Weir said he was pleased to have met with representatives form the Fostering Network

He said: "Foster and kinship carers undertake an invaluable role in encouraging and supporting fostered children and young people to gain a sense of achievement and to reach their potential. They are to be congratulated for their care of these often vulnerable children and young people."

Farrans Begins Work On Watermains Improvement Scheme In South Belfast

Farrans Construction has started work on a watermains improvement project in south Belfast.

The work on Balmoral Avenue will upgrade the watermains and improve the quality and security of the local water supply.

In order to complete the work traffic management will be put in place. Due to the location of the watermains and the working space available, lane closures will be implemented as necessary and will be completed in sections In order to keep disruption to a minimum.

The majority of work will be carried out between 8am and 6pm. However, in order to reduce disruption and complete the work as quickly as possible, continuous day and night works will take place over a 24 hour period from now until the end of July.

Diversions will be put in place.

Lord Mayor Has 'Damaged' Relationships With LGBT Community - Alliance

The DUP Lord Mayor has "damaged" relationships with the LGBT community, the Alliance Party's Micky Murray has said, after Councillor Brian Kingston felt the need to clarify his involvement with the city's popular Belfast Pride festival.

Hitting out at Belfast's First Citizen, the chair of the Alliance Party's LGBT group said he found his comments 'odd' and 'disappointing', after what was a fantastic event to kick-start the festival last Friday night.

Mr Murray said: "I'm at a loss for words. Why the Lord Mayor felt the need to clarify his participation in such a way is quite simply baffling.

"I attended the Belfast Pride Awards and Festival Launch on Friday night and recognised the willing participation of Councillor Kingston in welcoming everyone to the event, before handing over the Deputy Lord Mayor to officially launch the festival.

"In Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was front and centre when it came to celebrating Vancouver Pride, yet in Belfast we only witness the same old rhetoric from the DUP on this issue. As a young LGBT man living in Northern Ireland it is extremely disappointing to feel disowned by our political leadership."

(CD)