Other NI News In Brief

Road Crash Alert

Two vehicles were this afternoon involved in an accident in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. It happened about 3pm on Prince Charles Way, near the Carnomoney Road junction. Police and ambulances crews are at the scene, and are advising of traffic disription in the area. The extent of injuries, or the number of people hurt is not as yet known.

Private Ops Cut

Although 4,000 private operations are scheduled in 2009 already, no more patients being treated in the Belfast Health Trust will be referred to the private sector for operations. The move is part of a cost-cutting drive. The Trust's Chief Executive William McKee said the move was temporary but would impact on waiting times. Patients throughout NI are often referred to private clinics for knee, hip, heart and cataract operations.

Walk For Heroes Invite

A sponsored walk in aid of 'Help For Heroes', the local charity working with service personnel injured in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, takes place tomorrow Saturday 26th at 11am. It will leave Shaftesbury Square, Belfast and finish in Lisburn city centre. Councillor Bob Stoker appealed to people to support the walkers and in turn the injured service personnel in their rehabilitation: "Anyone who watched the BBC documentary 'Wounded' earlier this week cannot help but be moved by these extremely brave men and women, and will want to do their bit to help."

Court Drugs Remands

Two men have appeared in court in connection with searches on what police have described as cannabis factories in Comber and Downpatrick. Keith He, 25, of no fixed abode, and 44-year-old Hunx Chen, also of no fixed abode. appeared in court in Downpatrick on Thursday. They faced three charges each of possessing class B drugs, possession with intent to supply and to cultivate and were remanded in custody until October 22.

Swine Flu Update

The NI Department of Health has published the weekly flu bulletin. Using last week's data it shows GP consultations for flu and flu-like illness have risen for the third week in a row and that out of hours calls for flu and flu-like illness have also increased. There were 42 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during the period making the total 275. The number of cumulative swine flu hospitalisations is 126 and there have been two deaths related to swine flu.

Energy Ship Sails In

NI Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the arrival of a scientific survey ship that will assess the suitability of rocks beneath the local seabed for underground energy storage. The MV Fugro Meridian will spend up to 14 days at sea off the east Antrim coast as it undertakes a seismic survey of the off-shore geology. The survey is a crucial element of a study into possibilities for the underground storage of energy, including compressed air, carbon dioxide capture and natural gas. It is being carried out by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in co-operation with the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and British Geological Survey. Energy storage in underground caverns is an established practice throughout the world. See: Undersea Gas Storage Plan Revealed

Immoral Earnings

A local man and a London woman have appeared in court accused of controlling prostitutes operating in Northern Ireland. Robert Montgomery and Kruawan Ngamwili are also charged with arranging the arrival of foreign nationals into the UK for illegal purposes. The alleged offences were carried out between November and December 2008. Mr Montgomery, 49, of Keel Park, Moneyrea in Co Down, and Ms Ngamwili, from Levison Way in London, were both remanded on continuing bail.

Gambling On Change

The NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced a review of Northern Ireland's gambling laws. Ms Ritchie said the current legislation dating back to 1985 was "not robust enough to deal with modern gambling". In 2006, the British government brought in plans for new laws in NI - including allowing Sunday opening for bookmakers and bingo halls but the changes, planned for 2008, were never introduced after the return of devolution.

Derry Scheme For Homeless Youth

A new housing scheme has been launched to help homeless young people in Londonderry. The Francis Street Project provides accommodation as well as individual support packages tailored to meet the needs of people aged between 16 and 25. The accommodation is an innovative development offering furnished self-contained apartment type accommodation. The project opened in 2006 and is managed by First Housing Aid and Support Services.

Stewartstown Improves

A further £3.1m is to be invested in west Belfast as part of the Stewartstown Road regeneration project. The planned environmental improvement scheme will enhance the area's physical character and will unclude road, street lighting, footpaths, and street furniture being upgraded as part of the scheme.

(BMcC/GK)