Today’s overview of news reports with links
Varadkar opposed to direct rule in NI
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/taoiseach-varadkar-tells-downing-street-ireland-will-not-support-direct-rule-36621587.html
http://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/0219/941725-varadkar-sinn-fein-stormont/
Ex-Northern Ireland Secretary Paterson slammed for Good Friday Agreement comment
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/exnorthern-ireland-secretary-paterson-slammed-for-good-friday-agreement-comment-36616767.html
Stormont impasse delaying domestic abuse laws, ex-police boss warns
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/stormont-impasse-delaying-domestic-abuse-laws-expolice-boss-warns-36619044.html
Backlash over ‘IRA kneecapped gays’ comment – but senator Norris stands by claim
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/backlash-over-ira-kneecapped-gays-comment-but-senator-norris-stands-by-claim-36618934.html
Arrests in paedophile hunting group in NI
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43119276
Minister raises doubt over chances of repealing the eighth
http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/ietopstories/~3/G5ky6aOMYkI/minister-raises-doubt-over-chances-of-repealing-8th-467337.html
No anti abortion medical experts willing to argue for eighth – Noone
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/no-anti-abortion-medical-experts-willing-to-argue-for-eighth-noone-1.3397941
Religion to be optional at second level
http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/ietopstories/~3/3rYJuESwDq0/religion-to-be-optional-at-second-level-467295.html
Ulster Rugby star Trimble vows to carry on as ambassador for Oxfam despite recent scandal
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ulster-rugby-star-trimble-vows-to-carry-on-as-ambassador-for-oxfam-despite-recent-scandal-36616578.html
Reports that the Church Commissioners have expressed concern over governance and remuneration at Sports Direct, including voting against related items at the company’s AGM.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-43112560
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5407005/Mike-Ashley-s-Sports-Direct-damned-Church-England-failings.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/church-of-england-mike-ashley-sports-direct-treatment-factory-workers-executive-pay-a8217301.html
Interview with Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, speaking to Rev Kate Bottley, on body image anxiety in young people. The ‘Liedentity’ conference hosted by Bishop Rachel is taking place today.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09rm75q
Interviews with the Bishop of Norwich on marking his 25th anniversary as a bishop, the longest serving in C of E at present
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05yp14d (at around 1.39)
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/longest-serving-bishop-in-church-of-england-bishop-of-norwich-marks-25th-anniversary-1-5400517
Further coverage following announcement that church spires could play a key role in bringing wifi, broadband and mobile access to rural areas through a new agreement between the Church of England and the Government.
http://tech.newstatesman.com/news/church-spires-mobile-connectivity
http://www.computerweekly.com/news/252435271/Church-spires-to-become-mobile-coverage-hotspots
Report that the Glastonbury Festival is to undergo an ‘enormous’ project to create a ban on plastic water bottles when it returns in 2019. The report mentions the Church of England’s Lent challenge to avoid single use plastic.
https://www.edie.net/news/5/Glastonbury-Festival-to-ban-water-bottles-from-2019/
News feature on how people are adapting to a cashless world. Includes interview with Margaret Cave, Vicar of Christ Church in East Dulwich, south London, which has been part of a six-month national card reader trial.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/19/people-dont-carry-cash-uk-firms-adapting
Please tell your friends about CNI’s news updates – a compact overview from recognised sources
http://www.churchnewsireland.org/news/irish-uk-news/