The Health and Education Ministers have launched a digital campaign promoting positive health and wellbeing resources primarily to children in the early years of secondary school.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill has officially unveiled a new public artwork celebrating Derry-Londonderry’s status as an International City of Peace.

Reacting to reports that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza peace deal, Dr Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire and Parliamentary Green Party Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said: 

“The announcement of an agreed deal for peace in Gaza is an urgent and welcome lifeline for people who have endured horrendous suffering. For months, Gaza’s children have known only rubble, hunger, and terror; hospitals lie in dust, neighbourhoods are shattered, and people have starved behind blockades. Families in Israel and abroad too have known no peace while desperately wishing for the release of loved ones still being held hostage. 

“A ceasefire is hugely welcome – and it is only the first step. All parties must use this moment to foster peace, rebuild lives, and tackle root injustice. The ceasefire must be accompanied by clear guarantees: release of all hostages, unfettered aid access to Gaza’s starving people, and a plan for full withdrawal of occupying forces from Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The UK must use every diplomatic, legal, and economic lever to support the delivery of aid and drive independent and impartial investigations into war crimes and genocide, as well as the establishment of justice mechanisms for victims.  

“We understand reports that the ceasefire negotiations may follow the outline of President Trump’s 20-point proposal, which envisages a temporary technocratic authority for Gaza supervised by an international ‘Board of Peace’ chaired by President Trump and involving former prime minister Tony Blair. While we welcome an end to the bloodshed, the Green Party is clear that decisions about Gaza’s future must be driven by Palestinians themselves, not by foreign powers. Anything that sidelines Palestinian voices will not command the legitimacy needed for lasting peace. 

“The Green Party have been calling for an end to this slaughter for two years, and we could not be more relieved that a deal for peace has been secured. Relief, however, must be channelled into resolve: to secure humanitarian aid, to insist on Palestinian self-determination, and to pursue truth and justice for victims of war crimes. True peace means more than stopping the killing: it means confronting the root causes of the violence and supporting the fundamental rights of both Palestinians and Israelis. This ceasefire must mark the end of destruction and the first step on a path to justice, dignity, and hope in the region.” 

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The Minister was speaking as the Department published information today which reveals that 77% of planning applications which were subject to statutory consultation were responded to on time, that is within 21 calendar days or within an agreed extended timeframe.

The Department of Health has published a review of the deliverability of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Strategy’s actions over the next three years.