Other NI News In Brief

C Series Order Boost

A local aircraft maker is flying high today with news of a major order. A spokesperson for Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast said: "This CSeries announcement is great news for the UK and Northern Ireland in particular, where we are developing and manufacturing the advanced composite wings. Earlier this week we appointed two more UK suppliers to the CSeries wing programme, and we look forward to more UK companies playing a role in the programme in the future. The CSeries aircraft wing programme will take Belfast's considerable experience and capabilities in advanced composites to a new level, and will also be an ideal fit with the UK's wider strategic interests in aircraft wing technology. Bombardier Aerospace announced a major order to Republic Airways Holdings Inc. The Indianapolis, Indiana-based airline has signed a firm purchase agreement to acquire 40 CS300 jetliners.

Bomb Alert 'Hoax'

This morning's security alert in north Belfast has been declared a hoax. The alert began shortly after 7.20am on Friday morning, at the Cityside Retail Park on York Street. It's understood a device was said to have been left in a refuse bin. The alert was affecting the York Street area, and drivers were asked to seek an alternative route if possible as Brougham Street was closed at York Street. Separate alerts earlier this week were sparked following the discovery of suspicious objects in Lurgan, but they were later declared hoaxes. On Wednesday, an alert sparked by the discovery of a suspicious object outside Dungannon courthouse was declared to be a false alarm. However, a 250lb car bomb was detonated outside Newry courthouse on Monday night. No-one was injured, but damage was caused to the courthouse gates and a nearby church and last Friday the centre of Keady village in south Armagh was cordoned off for three days following the discovery of a mortar bomb outside the local police station.

Bank Checks Balance

The Ulster Bank has reported losses of £368m last year as the amount of failing loans soared, its annual report has revealed. Cormac McCarthy, Ulster Bank Chief Executive, said the bank was trading in an extremely difficult market. The bank, which has outlets in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, said the increase in failing loans was due to the continued deterioration in the Irish economy.

Martin Condemns Derry Murder

The Dublin Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, has today condemned the paramilitary-style killing of a man on Wednesday night on the outskirts of Derry city. As initially suspected, dissident republican terrorists were behind the brutal murder of a man they claim was an informer for the Security Service (MI5). Responding to the news of the murder, Minister Martin said: "I condemn this brutal murder unreservedly. The shocking manner in which the remains of the deceased were left on the roadside is especially reprehensible. My sympathy is with the family and friends of the deceased at this terrible time. Their grief reminds us that there can be no possible justification for this disgusting killing. Those who carry out such acts speak for no one and offer nothing but fear and hatred. I stand with the people of Derry in demanding that these criminal activities cease immediately. Violence or the threat of violence have no place in our democratic society."

Mr Martin added: "Anyone with any information relating to this killing should report it to the police."

UU Backs Soccer

The University of Ulster is giving a ground breaking soccer initiative a helping hand, thanks to its Performance Services Unit. Academy North is a soccer apprenticeship programme developed by north Belfast's Cliftonville FC and Crusaders FC, together with North City Training a member of Bryson Charitable Group. The initiative gives 11 promising soccer players aged between 16 and 18, from the clubs' junior ranks the chance to develop their football skills while continuing education and personal development. The talented youths have been coming to the Jordanstown campus to benefit form the world-class expertise and state-of-the-art training facilities.

(BMcC/GK)