NI takes tentative steps out of lockdown as restrictions ease today

Good morning
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In the news today:
* The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has expressed its deep concern at the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) decision not to bring charges against members of Sinn Fein and others who participated in the funeral of Bobby Storey last June.
‘How can members of the public be expected to follow rules which do not apply to everyone?’
* Northern Ireland will take some tentative steps out of lockdown today with the slight easing of restrictions on meeting outdoors.
From today onwards, up to six people from no more than two households will be able to meet outdoors in a private garden.
* The Stormont Assembly will convene for a recalled sitting later amid the escalating row over a decision not to prosecute Sinn Fein politicians who attended a huge republican funeral during the pandemic.
MLAs are returning from Easter recess to debate an SDLP motion calling for the censure of Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Finance Minister Conor Murphy.
* Pope Francis has written to a former Presbyterian moderator thanking him for his “thoughtful observations” after the pontiff read his views in the Irish News newspaper.
It comes after Dr Norman Hamilton wrote about the Pope’s latest encyclical, or important church teaching document, in the paper’s faith matters section.
And, on the first day of April we bring the news that...
* Holywood, Co Down is to follow in the footsteps of its glitzy US namesake, Hollywood, Los Angeles, after planners gave the go-ahead for the erection of a £1.5 m giant sign.
The News Letter can reveal the Holywood name will be spelled out in 40ft-tall white capital letters and will be some 300 ft long – similar proportions to the iconic American sign, which was created in 1923.

Have a good day

Michael Cousins
Deputy digital editor