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27/06/2012
Queen And Sinn Fein's McGuinness Shake Hands
The Queen and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness have shaken hands at a cross-border event in Northern Ireland.
The deputy first minister and former IRA leader made the symbolic gesture after weeks of 'will they-won't they' deliberations.
Mr McGuinness said the handshake was "a big ask" and he has come under fire by some republicans, who condemned him for meeting the head of the armed forces.
But he said yesterday: "In shaking the hand of Queen Elizabeth I am effectively, symbolically, shaking the hands of hundreds of thousands of unionists."
Mr McGuinness was a commander of the IRA in Londonderry as a young man but insists he left before the paramilitary organisation killed the Queen's relative Lord Mountbatten.
The historic handshake happened in private during an art event run by Co-Operation Ireland, a charity that works to promote cross-border links.
The pair then shook hands in front of the cameras before the Queen left for a lunch at Titanic Belfast and a garden party at Stormont, Northern Ireland's parliament building.
She wore a signature skirt suit in pastel green, with gloves.
The Queen, who is visiting Northern Ireland as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour, attended a Catholic church in the province for the first time yesterday when it held a service of thanksgiving for her 60-year reign.
(NE)
The deputy first minister and former IRA leader made the symbolic gesture after weeks of 'will they-won't they' deliberations.
Mr McGuinness said the handshake was "a big ask" and he has come under fire by some republicans, who condemned him for meeting the head of the armed forces.
But he said yesterday: "In shaking the hand of Queen Elizabeth I am effectively, symbolically, shaking the hands of hundreds of thousands of unionists."
Mr McGuinness was a commander of the IRA in Londonderry as a young man but insists he left before the paramilitary organisation killed the Queen's relative Lord Mountbatten.
The historic handshake happened in private during an art event run by Co-Operation Ireland, a charity that works to promote cross-border links.
The pair then shook hands in front of the cameras before the Queen left for a lunch at Titanic Belfast and a garden party at Stormont, Northern Ireland's parliament building.
She wore a signature skirt suit in pastel green, with gloves.
The Queen, who is visiting Northern Ireland as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour, attended a Catholic church in the province for the first time yesterday when it held a service of thanksgiving for her 60-year reign.
(NE)
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Public Name New Neighbourhoods In Olympic Park
Five new residential areas that will be built on the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park have been named following a public competition. Almost 2,000 people submitted their suggestions to the Olympic Park Legacy Company, inspired by factors such as the future design for the area, its history or the Games themselves.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
