US President To Be Invited To NI For Good Friday Agreement Anniversary

US President Joe Biden is to be formally invited by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

As he prepared to fly to California to meet with President Biden, Mr Sunak said that the upcoming anniversary was a "very important milestone to commemorate and celebrate".

Speaking to reporters ahead of his departure, Mr Sunak said: "I know reports have said that the president is keen to come to Ireland at some point, but I'll be inviting him formally to come celebrate the Good Friday Anniversary in the first instance.

"Hopefully he will be able to make it."

Alliance Criticises Those Behind UVF Flag In Kircubbin

The Alliance Party has criticised those behind the erection of a UVF flag outside St Mary Star of the Sea Church in Kircubbin.

Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong said: "I'm absolutely disgusted to see a UVF flag has been errected outside a Catholic chapel. The UVF is an illegal, proscribe organisation. It highlights just how disrespectful and despicable these sectarian criminals are.

"We will not be dragged back. People should be free to worship without fear or intimidation.

"I am calling on those behind the flag to remove it immediately. But failing that I’m calling on the PSNI to act, to see these flags removed."

New Scientific And Environmental Demonstrator Site At Botanic Gdns

Belfast City Council has announced the launch of the first stage in the development of a scientific and environmental demonstrator site in Lower Botanic Gardens.

This is following the successful award of funding from the Horizon 2020 EU 'UPSURGE' Project.

The project focuses on testing nature-based solutions in 5 demonstrator cities across Europe, with the aim of sharing learning and good practice on pollution alleviation, citizen health and climate resilience.

Chair of Belfast City Council's Climate and City Resilience Committee Councillor Séanna Walsh said: "The UPSURGE project was co-designed by community and statutory stakeholders as part of three workshops and conversations that took place throughout 2022. Belfast City Council and Queen's University are two local partners who are taking the project forward as part of the Horizon 2020 project.  

"The first phase of the project will see a research garden which will be used by QUB where soil enhancement, food production and digital testing can be undertaken. It is hoped the project which will also utilise bee monitoring which will lead to the stimulation of community resilience in relation to climate, community integration in the area with volunteers, residents and students learning together."

The UPSURGE Project was co-designed with local stakeholders and will utilise land at Lower Botanic Gardens, close to Queen's University Physical Education Centre.

Councillor Walsh continued: "The learning capabilities from this project are endless- the project team and partners can then share the knowledge across the city which will in turn create stronger climate resilient practice across Belfast."

Professor Greg Keeffe from Queen's University who is leading the co-design said: "Community design with a wide range of stakeholders is about creating a shared vision, one that does not compromise but builds consensus. Good design is not about giving people what they think they want, but delivering something magical, something that they never thought they could have."

The project forms part of The Belfast Resilience Strategy which aims to transition the city to an inclusive, net-zero emissions, climate resilient economy in a generation.