Northern Irish unionist politician and barrister; DUP Leader since 2024
Maternity services at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple have been suspended due to staffing shortages, forcing expectant families to consider long journeys to Exeter or Taunton. Trust leaders say the move is temporary and focused on safety, with other maternity services continuing elsewhere at the Royal Devon site.
During a two-day visit to Ireland this weekend President Donald Trump has said he would "love to see" a united Ireland and called reunification "going to happen eventually." His remarks have prompted rebuttals from UK and unionist politicians, sparked protests in Dublin and renewed debate over the Good Friday Agreement's border-poll provisions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would “love to see” a united Ireland and that reunification “will happen eventually,” remarks made in Dublin during a visit that has provoked mixed reactions across political camps. He added that unification would be a “fantastic” development and that the UK would have a say in the process. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has urged calm, while British and Northern Irish politicians have offered varied responses.
Northern Ireland has seen a ban on a Protestant Orange Order march through Garvaghy Road. Secretary of State Chris Bryant has intervened to stop the procession, citing public safety concerns amid long-running tensions between unionists and republican residents. Courts are grappling with the latest ruling as authorities seek to avert broader conflict.
Northern Ireland faces a tense budget impasse as Healey’s plan aims to limit public spending growth while NI parties demand more funding. Doctors and nurses threaten strikes as pay awards lag behind English and Welsh levels. A new timetable for budget talks is expected as ministers seek a credible plan ahead of year end.
A 200-page draft sanitary and phytosanitary agreement has been circulated to EU nations as part of a Brexit reset. The text would remove export health certificates and reduce port and inspection costs for UK exporters, potentially boosting the economy by about £5.1 billion annually. Implementation is expected to be phased, with dynamic alignment to EU rules.