Northern Ireland

Grid operator boss calls on Brussels to approve funding for a new electricity connection to France to avoid isolation from continent.

The UK Government and industry players are looking to revitalise domestic mining, placing communities and ecosystems under threat.

Mining is booming in Northern Ireland. Five companies currently hold 10 mineral prospecting licences for different location across the country. EMILY MACINTOSH reports

Al available science indicates that badgers have little if anything to do with bovine TB in cattle, writes Lesley Docksey. This is reflected in Wales's consultation on its 'refreshed TB Eradication Programme'. We must hope that Northern Ireland's bTB Eradication Strategy will be equally science based - and ready to campaign hard if it relies on cruel, ineffective and expensive badger culls.

Badgers are having a rough time in England, writes Lesley Docksey. But it's no better in most other European countries, where they enjoy no specific protection and digging, baiting and shooting are widespread. Hence the new Eurobadger coalition formed to campaign for them Europe-wide. The one shining example is Holland - TB-free since 1999 without killing a single badger!

Local people are furiously trying to stop a fracking company from drilling near a drinking water reservoir serving tens of thousands of homes, after Northern Ireland planners failed to block Infrastrata's claim for 'permitted development' rights.

Over 500 people have signed the online 'Fire Sammy Wilson' petition in 24 hours. The Green Party of Northern Ireland has set up the petition calling for the resignation of Environment Minister Sammy Wilson because of his refusal to recognise man made climate change.