Other NI News In Brief

Milk Cup Underway

Ex-Manchester United player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has received a rousing ovation from thousands of fans in Coleraine as he opened this year's Milk Cup International Youth Football Tournament. The Old Trafford 'legend' was swamped by crowds as the kicked off the event which has launched the careers of the likes of David Beckham in the past at an event that bucked the trend elsehwere and ran throughout the very worst of NI's Troubles. An estimated 10,000 people packed into the main thoroughfares of the town to welcome players from 19 countries who have converged on the North Coast region for the annual feast of football.

Second Bike Rider Killed

In the second such incident in less than a week, a 28-year-old motorcyclist has died following a crash outside Larne, Co Antrim, the police have said. The accident happened at 7.10pm on Monday on the Ballymullock Road when the man's motorcycle and a car were in collision. The driver of the car was not injured. Police have appealed for witnesses. A bike rider from the Irish Republic was killed along the North Coast at the weekend.

See: Irish Biker Killed On Antrim Coast

Artists Sought - In A Roundabout Way

An opportunity for local artists to design a large-scale sculpture in Belfast has been unveiled. Belfast City Council and its project partners are holding a competition for the commission of a flagship piece of public art in the city. This large-scale piece will be situated at the Broadway roundabout, at the heart of one of Northern Ireland's busiest roads. Artists can express interest to be considered for the project by submitting a CV, images of previous work and ideas for approaching the public art piece to the council. Up to six artists will be short-listed in early September.

Hospital Bug Deaths Rise

There has been an alarming rise in the number of deaths in Northern Ireland hospitals, as a result of the superbug C-difficile. New figures revealed that 86 people died from C-diff in the first seven months of this year. That's more than the 77 fatalities reported for the whole of 2007. DUP MP Sammy Wilson, who uncovered the statistics in an Assembly question, described them as atrocious and urged the public to be vigilant. He said there were 63 C-diff deaths in 2006, and 35 in 2005, according to death certificate records.

Antrim Housing Fillip

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has been awarded a major contract to improve 31 bungalows at Townparks North, in Antrim. Patsy Smyth, Antrim District Manager, has described the scheme as an important step in helping to deliver the Decent Homes Standard for all its properties.

(BMcC)