Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

History of Belfast's Indian community to be celebrated

History of Belfast's Indian community to be celebrated

THE history and contribution of Belfast’s Indian community will be celebrated in the first of the city council’s Peace IV Culture Cafe events next week.

The Culture Cafe has been set up to celebrate the diversity of multi-cultural Belfast, and the first of these free, virtual events will take place on Monday (29) from 12 noon to 1pm.


The city’s Indian Community Centre will be taking part, with a discussion on the Indian community’s journey to the city, integration into the city and contribution to the wider Belfast community.

The event is being held during Holi, the Indian festival of colours, and will look at Indian traditions and how the event will be celebrated in Belfast.

There will be a special showcase of Indian dance by the South Asian Dance Academy and a demonstration of Rangoli art – a popular Indian art form used during cultural celebrations.

The Peace IV Programme was set up by the European Union in 1995 to support peace and reconciliation. NI and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland have got more than €3bn in EU peace projects since the programme began.

Despite Brexit, the EU has committed to fund projects here until 2027, with the new Peace Plus programme.

Two other virtual Culture Cafes have also been planned for the coming months – a Polish Community event to be held on on May 11 and a Chinese Community event on June 16, both events to be held from 12pm–1pm.

To register to join the free event on Monday (March 29), visit the Council website.

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)

More For You

UK weather warning as heavy rain

The warning covers a wide area, including popular holiday destinations

Getty

UK weather warning as heavy rain forecast for Western England and Wales

A yellow weather warning has been issued for heavy rain across western England and the whole of Wales, raising the risk of localised flooding and travel disruption just as the school holidays begin and the Easter weekend draws near.

The Met Office warning comes into effect at midday on Tuesday and will remain in place for 24 hours. Forecasters have warned of the potential for flooded homes and businesses, power cuts, and delays to public transport.

Keep ReadingShow less
Craig-Williams-Getty

Craig Williams had previously apologised for placing a £100 bet on a July election date but did not confirm whether he had prior knowledge of the timing. (Photo: Getty Images)

Former Sunak aide, Tory officials charged over 2024 election betting

FIFTEEN individuals, including a former aide to ex-prime minister Rishi Sunak, have been charged in connection with alleged betting offences related to the timing of the 2024 general election, the Gambling Commission said on Monday.

Craig Williams, who served as Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary and was a candidate in the 2024 election, is among those charged.

Keep ReadingShow less
tulip-siddiq-getty

Siddiq stepped down as the economic secretary to the treasury in January this year. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tulip Siddiq denies Bangladesh corruption charges after arrest warrant

LABOUR MP Tulip Siddiq has denied corruption allegations after reports emerged that Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had issued an arrest warrant against her. Siddiq is the niece of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former prime minister who was deposed in August.

Siddiq stepped down as the economic secretary to the treasury in January this year. At the time, she said her family connections were becoming a “distraction” to prime minister Keir Starmer’s government.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer said his Labour government would continue to stand with British Sikhs and called them a symbol of pride in the country’s multiculturalism and a force 'against bigotry'. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer thanks British Sikhs for their contributions in Baisakhi message

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer marked Baisakhi with a message from 10 Downing Street on Sunday, thanking British Sikhs for their contributions to the UK across different sectors.

Earlier this week, Starmer hosted a special reception to celebrate the festival, which marks the birth of the Khalsa. He also shared a video on social media showing scenes from the festivities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jonathan-Reynolds-Getty

'Free and open trade grows economies, lowers prices and helps businesses to sell to the world, which is why we're cutting tariffs on a range of products,' said business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

Government reduces tariffs on food and everyday products

THE UK government has announced temporary cuts to import tariffs on nearly 90 products, including items such as pasta, fruit juices and spices. The move is aimed at reducing prices for businesses and boosting economic growth.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said the UK Global Tariff will be suspended on 89 products until July 2027. The changes are expected to save UK businesses around GBP 17 million a year.

Keep ReadingShow less