Ben Lowry: Christopher Stalford was a thoughtful Stormont politician, with a dry wit

A personal message from News Letter editor Ben lowry

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Subscribe              I N S I D E R           Feb 26, 2022             Ben Lowry Editor Good morning It has been a week full of sadness.   On  Sunday the appalling news came through of the death of Christopher Stalford at the age of 39 https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/stalford-death-last-speech-calls-for-tolerance-and-slams-sf-over-human-rights-3579502   He got into politics young, I first saw him when he was 22 at a boisterous election count which Sinn Fein won https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/ben-lowry-christopher-stalford-was-a-thoughtful-stormont-mla-with-a-dry-wit-3587578   The invasion of Ukraine has shaken the world.    Even as far away as Northern Ireland we have links to the region, such as Timothy and Rhoda Sloan, known at gospel halls here before they moved to Lutsk https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/prayers-for-ni-missionaries-in-ukraine-as-explosions-threaten-gospel-hall-3585248   Ukrainian forces are reportedly armed with weaponry built in Northern Ireland, at Thales https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/defence/video-ukrainian-forces-reportedly-armed-with-belfast-built-bazookas-3587105   A Northern Ireland peer has expressed amazement at the fact that UK warships are out of action for the next six years due to a design fault https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/defence/putin-laughing-at-the-uk-over-the-fact-its-warships-break-in-warm-water-empey-3587328   In this piece I recall being arrested in a pro Russian breakaway part of Ukraine https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/ben-lowry-my-memories-of-visiting-a-ukraine-that-seemed-part-west-part-soviet-3587583   A placement journalism student at the News Letter who followed Formula One since the age of 10 welcomes the cancellation of the Russia grand prix https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/the-decision-by-formula-one-to-cancel-the-russian-grand-prix-is-the-right-call-3587596 Dr Esmond Birnie here assesses the likely economic impact of war, including in Northern Ireland https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/economist-economic-impact-of-invasion-of-ukraine-on-ni-is-unavoidable-3585519   The DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is worried about food supply, particularly if Stormont passes a zero emissions bill https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/war-in-breadbasket-of-europe-could-hit-food-supplies-in-ni-warns-sir-jeffrey-3587587   Meanwhile, Sir Jeffrey has brushed off reports that in a meeting with Doug Beattie he considered rejoining the Ulster Unionist Party https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/sir-jeffrey-donaldson-denies-approaching-the-uup-with-the-intention-to-rejoin-3583424   Our political editor Henry McDonald reports that the DUP and UUP are believe the source was someone in the former party https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/real-resentment-rising-towards-those-behind-alleged-donaldson-uup-talks-leak-3587338   There is unhappiness at Michelle O'Neill attending a GAA-IRA memorial https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/michelle-oneill-under-fire-after-attending-ira-gaa-memorial-launch-3579479   Our reporter Adam Kula has challenged a court order which hides the identity of a Sinn Fein man behind a judicial review concerning Irish Sea border check https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/news-letter-reporter-challenges-anonymity-ruling-in-irish-sea-border-case-3585042   In sport, the statue of the road racer William Dunlop has been unveiled in Ballymoney https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/motorcycling/william-dunlop-memorial-statue-unveiled-in-ballymoney-3586924 In football, the Irish League was united in its frustration at another possible delay to the Sub-Regional Stadia Funding programme. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/irish-league-fans-unite-to-make-their-voice-heard-after-funding-impasse-3574897 From Farming Life, this 582 acre property is asking £2.85 million https://www.farminglife.com/country-and-farming/offers-over-ps2850000-are-sought-for-this-suckler-and-sheep-enterprise-with-circa-582-acres-3585053 And the popular TV show This Farming Life returns with the remaining episodes of series five https://www.farminglife.com/country-and-farming/this-farming-life-the-popular-tv-show-returns-with-the-remaining-episodes-of-series-five-3584I764 Tax and revenue authorities have clarified the position on using red diesel in tractors  https://www.farminglife.com/country-and-farming/hmrc-clarify-position-on-using-red-diesel-when-helping-to-clear-roads-after-storms-3586253   There is so much more to say. Our website is packed with reports and our bumper edition News Letter and Farming Life is in the shops until tomorrow. --- Ben Lowry Editor             Ben Lowry: Christopher Stalford was a thoughtful Stormont MLA, with a dry wit   Read more +     Ben Lowry: My memories of visiting a Ukraine that seemed part West, part Soviet   Read more +           War in 'breadbasket of Europe' could hit food supplies in NI warns Sir Jeffrey                     Read more +     Subscribe today             Full access   Subscribe for unlimited access to all our articles, 70% fewer ads, daily puzzles and our desktop & mobile app. From just £1 . Cancel anytime.     Find out more     Gift access   Give someone a subscription for a year's unlimited access to all our articles, 70% fewer ads, daily puzzles and our desktop and mobile app. From just £79.90 for 12 months.    Find out more

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