Hours after DUP brief that they will veto Irish language act, party U-turns in face of pressure from Sinn Féin

I've just held my wife's hand for the first time in a year: MLA tells of Covid agony

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Subscribe              Mar 23, 2021           Good morning, Today is an auspicious day. It's exactly one year since the UK first entered national lockdown. It's been a year like no other as Northern Ireland (and the world) ground to halt in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. The past year has seen dramatic shifts in how we live our lives. Businesses have been forced to close, schools shut, workers sent home and the most vulnerable forced to shield themselves from the rest of the population. Many of our readers have suffered but the future looks much brighter as the vaccine rollout continues at pace. We've been with you through it all. Explaining every lockdown restriction, reporting on Covid-19 developments, telling your stories and helping you make sense of a new and often frightening world. As we come out out of this lockdown we will continue to be there for our readers, after all, you're the reason we are here. Like many industries, newspapers have been badly hit by the pandemic. If you have valued or enjoyed any of our coverage over the last 12 months please consider subscribing to us. With a digital subscription you can read our online edition via our eReader on your desktop or mobile device. A Digital+ subscription will give you unlimited access to our website where you'll see 70% fewer ads. You can also access the interactive puzzles section along with the digital edition. All for less than £1 month. Michael Cousins Deputy digital editor           Hours after DUP brief that they will veto Irish language act, party U-turns in face of pressure from Sinn Féin           Just hours after threatening to block an Irish language act if the Irish Sea border is not removed, the DUP has abandoned that strategy after a bizarre flip-flop.                 I've just held my wife's hand for the first time in a year: MLA tells of Covid agony   A former health minister has spoken about the heartache wrought by the coronavirus lockdown exactly one year ago today, shortly after his first visit to his wife in 12 months.           Down's syndrome campaigner Heidi Crowter: Abortion services shouldn't be imposed on people of NI   A woman with Down's syndrome says people in Northern Ireland 'should be able to make their own laws' as the secretary of state prepares to take up powers to force the NI Executive to roll out abortion services.           £220 million support for Northern Ireland confirmed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock   Northern Ireland is to receive £220 million for the NHS and social care services under plans announced by Matt Hancock last week, it has been confirmed.           Top doctor warns of 'huge surge' facing NHS after Covid crisis ends   Northern Ireland's NHS must find the resources to prepare for a coming "surge" in demand for medical services once the pandemic crisis has receded.               Would you have space in your heart and home for one of these dogs?   This week sees our regular feature in association with Dogs Trust Ballymena highlight two adorable dogs in their care who are looking for their 'forever homes'.       Cider family buoyed by Amazon UK listing in vibrant market in Britain   Long Meadow Cider in Armagh is toasting a major retail success in Britain from pivoting its business to meet the serious challenges posed by the shuttering of bars and hotels due to the Covid pandemic lockdowns.                             Brad Roberts loving life on Ulster stage           Not many players will have played at Murrayfield and the Principality Stadium in two of their first four professional games of rugby but that is just part of the incredible journey that Ulster hooker Brad Roberts has been on.                   Steven Gerrard felt Old Firm clubs demonstrated class with show of solidarity   Steven Gerrard believes both Old Firm clubs demonstrated their class with their show of pre-match solidarity before Sunday's 1-1 draw at Celtic Park.       Shayne Lavery's 'got the tools' for Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough   Charlton striker Conor Washington has been ruled out of Northern Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier against Italy through injury and is expected to miss all three upcoming fixtures.       Northern Ireland's Dion Charles 'can lift you off your seat' says former manager   Included on the list of people Dion Charles got in contact with after his inclusion confirmation last Thursday within the Northern Ireland squad was his former boss at Southport, Liam Watson.                   View more news

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