Andy Allen: Our dream of better Afghanistan has unravelled + Northern Ireland soldiers who were killed while serving in Afghanistan

Owen Polley: Devolution is a disaster for the Union and has always been

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Subscribe              Aug 17, 2021             Michael Cousins Acting Managing Editor Good afternoon   Welcome to you daily news update. In today's print edition and online military veteran Andy Allen, now an Ulster Unionist MLA, who served an operational tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2008 talks about his experiences in the country and gives his view from an ordinary soldier's perspective.  We also remember the Northern Ireland soldiers who were killed while serving in Afghanistan. Nine soldiers from Northern Ireland were killed after going to Afghanistan to neutralise the Taliban and bring peace and stability to the region. In other news:  * Placing of Ronan Kerr's name on bonfire a hate crime: Donaldson. The placing of a banner bearing the name of a murdered police officer on a republican bonfire has been branded "disgraceful" by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. * New push to increase vaccination rates in 'Big Jab Weekend'. The Department of Health has announced a 'Big Jab Weekend' to encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated against Covid-19. * Founder of War Years Remembered museum pleads to politicians as closure looms. The founder of a military museum which is under threat of closure has made a direct plea to Northern Ireland's political leaders to find a new home for his collection. Have a good day Michael Cousins Acting Managing Editor Subscriptions Did you know you can subscribe to the News Letter for only £1 month for the first three months? With our most popular offer, Digital +,  you'll get unlimited access to the website, see 70% fewer ads, be able to access our online puzzles section and access the newspaper edition app on mobile, tablet and desktop.  Support the News letter today and help us continue to tell your stories for generations to come.            Afghanistan: Our dream of better country has unravelled - Andy Allen           A Northern Irish soldier, who lost his legs and eyesight during the conflict in Afghanistan in 2008, said it was painful to watch the mission that he was part of – to build a better and sustainable country – unravel.                 Placing of Ronan Kerr's name on bonfire a hate crime: Donaldson   The placing of a banner bearing the name of a murdered police officer on a republican bonfire has been branded "disgraceful" by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.           New push to increase vaccination rates in 'Big Jab Weekend'   The Department of Health has announced a 'Big Jab Weekend' to encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated against Covid-19.           Founder of War Years Remembered museum pleads to politicians as closure looms   The founder of a military museum which is under threat of closure has made a direct plea to Northern Ireland's political leaders to find a new home for his collection.           Owen Polley: Devolution is a disaster for the Union and has always been   One of Northern Ireland's abiding political mysteries is why unionists, in political parties at least, have become so devoted to devolution.           The nine Northern Ireland soldiers who were killed while serving in Afghanistan   Nine soldiers from Northern Ireland were killed during combat operations in Afghanistan which lasted from 2001 to 2014.               PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: Unique family home on prestigious Mountsandel Road   205A Mountsandel Road, Coleraine, BT52 1TB: offers around £595,000       THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Coleraine Volunteers celebrate first anniversary (August 1780)   Belfast, 12th August, 1780 – "On Monday, the 7th August, 1780, being the anniversary of the first formation of the Volunteer Companies in the town of Coleraine, the battalion of Coleraine, consisting of nine companies, were reviewed by Colonel Richardson and Lieutenant-Colonel Canning, in the Colonel's demesne.                             Linfield and Larne double deal as Martin Donnelly and Navid Nasseri make moves           Linfield and Larne will kick off the Danske Bank Premiership campaign this month as title rivals but have teamed up to complete a double transfer deal.                   Mark Tumilty eyeing win over Italy   Ireland's men can potentially pin down the first of this week's major targets on Tuesday afternoon if they can back up Sunday's 2-1 win over Poland with another result against Italy.       Larne's Premiership opener with Coleraine switched   Larne's opening Danske Bank Premiership fixture against Coleraine has been brought forward to the Friday evening.       Nikola Katic responds to speculation regarding his Ibrox future   Nikola Katic has appeared to shoot down speculation that he is set to leave Rangers.                   View more news

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