Other News In Brief

BCC Pass Motion To Decriminalise Use Of Abortion Pills

Belfast City Council has reportedly passed a motion on the decriminalisation of women who use abortion pills.

Tabled by Alliance councillor Kate Nicholl, the motion precedes a court case which sees a mother being prosecuted for supplying abortion pills for her teenage daughter.

Posting to Twitter, Cllr Nicholl, wrote: "Delighted our motion on the decriminalisation of abortion has passed - it may not have changed the law but it sends a strong message: there is political support for change..."

First Commissioner For Resilience Announced

Belfast City Council has announced the appointment of its first Commissioner for Resilience; a new role that aims to help the city prepare for potential scenarios which could challenge the city's ability to function and progress as a sustainable economy and good place to live.

Funded for two years by a grant from 100 Resilient Cities – Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation (100RC) - the Commissioner will work with Belfast City Council and its partners to build a comprehensive resilience strategy for Belfast, addressing major 'shocks' such as flooding, infrastructure failure and cyber-attack, and also addressing ongoing 'stresses' such as fragile aspects of the city's economy, economic exclusion, segregation, health inequalities and climate change.

Belfast is the only city in Ireland - and one of only five in the UK - to have been selected from over 1,000 applicant cities to participate in the 100 Resilient Cities global network. The Rockefeller Foundation has invested more than $164 million in the initiative.

Tom Buchanan Officially Nominated For DUP In West Tyrone

West Tyrone MLA Tom Buchanan has been officially nominated as the DUP's candidate for the upcoming West Tyrone by-election.

Speaking as he submitted nomination papers Tom Buchanan said: "This election was caused by Sinn Fein's disrespect for the victims of IRA terrorism. The people of West Tyrone must now pass their verdict. Barry McElduff's actions were disgraceful and caused unprecedented public outrage.

"Faced with that, the only action Sinn Fein were prepared to take was a three-month suspension. Now Michelle O'Neill arrogantly dismisses that the issue should play any role in this election.

On 3rd May people can send a clear message that Sinn Fein's disrespect and contempt must stop. The DUP is the only party capable of sending that message to Sinn Fein."

(MH)