Other NI News In Brief

UCF Birthday Celebrated

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Pictured here are Professor Roy Spence, Chairman, UCF, former UCF President Peter Brand and founding member Mrs N F Gordon. UCF is a local charity committed to tackling cancer by supporting cancer research, providing services for cancer patients and their families and by educating people on how they can reduce their risk of the disease.

Causeway Boosted

Tourism on the Causeway Coastal Route is set to receive a fillip of £900,000 for improvements at the East Strand Promenade in Portrush. The project will improve a number of key sections of the Promenade, from the Arcadia to the Watersports Centre, and along the front of the East Strand car park. The purpose of the planned improvement project is to enhance the physical character of the area and will include changes to the Promenade, lighting, street furniture and landscaping. NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: "Portrush is a popular destination along the Causeway Coastal Route offering visitors beautiful beaches and spectacular coastline. The world famous Causeway Coastal Route draws visitors from all over the world, so working to improve visitor attractions means that we are constantly evolving as a destination. Listening to the needs of our visitors, delivering unique experiences and offering standards of excellence means we can compete with the best destinations in the world."

Anti-Christ Visits Foyle

A controversial film that caused a stir at Cannes earlier this year is to be showcased at a regional cinema. The Omniplex in Northern Ireland's Derry City is to screen the horror film Anti-Christ as part of the 22nd Foyle Film Festival. Written and directed by Dane Lars von Trier, the horror flick is said to have made some audiences members faint due to the film's explicit violence. Anti-Christ sees a couple who - after the death of their child - retreat to a cabin in the woods where they encounter strange and terrifying occurrences. The film stars only two actors, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe. Since premiering at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, where Gainsbourg won the festival's award for Best Actress, the film has come under attack for what some critics view as misogyny, as well as for featuring explicit sexual violence.

Fears Over Planning Service

The Chair of Northern Ireland's public accounts committee has voiced concerns over an Audit Office report into the Planning Service. Auditors suggested customer service was not wholly satisfactory, with the length of time taken to process applications highlighted as an issue. Sinn Féin MLA Paul Maskey said it was crucial failings are addressed so public confidence is instilled in the planning body. "This report, by the Audit Office report on the performance of the Planning Service, highlights a number of failings that will need to be addressed if we are to have an efficient and effective planning process," he said. Mr Maskey said fellow members of the Stormont public accounts committee were likely to raise similar questions.

Wilson In Derry

NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has met with the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce to discuss a range of business issues that are of particular significance to the North West. "The Executive is committed to prioritising economic development within the Londonderry area. Nevertheless, we are aware that the area faces a number of challenges and I am here to listen to your concerns," he said. Highlighting key policy interventions in the North West, Mr Wilson continued: "The North West Gateway Initiative allows a more integrated and joined-up approach to economic growth in the North West for the mutual benefit of the entire region," he said.

Coleraine Roads Investment

Over £775,000 has been spent on road resurfacing schemes in Coleraine this year, the NI Transport Minister has confirmed. Conor Murphy, providing an update on the £4.2m planned investment in the region, said over 7.6km of carriageway has already been upgraded. This has included 1.1km of resurfacing on the B17 Priestland Road, 1.5km on the B64 Edenbane Road and 1km on the C543 Moneycarrie Road. "Also constructed this year was a £145,000 footway/cycleway on the Dunderg Road, which completed the missing link of footway/cycleway between Macosquin village and Coleraine," said Minister Murphy.

(BMcC/KMcA)