Other NI News In Brief

Caring Postie Recognised

Postman, Malachy McGovern, from the NI Mail Centre, Mallusk, is pictured entertaining children at the NI Children's Hospice showing just why he was selected as UK Community Champion in the Royal Mail national Chairman's Awards for Excellence. Holywood's Malachy beat off stiff competition to receive the award having raised an impressive £400,000 for good causes in his community, including the hospice, and has inspired colleagues to do the same. Malachy supports numerous local and national charities, and has done sterling work for the Children's Hospice, where he has been a carer in the past. Together with colleagues he recently helped build a peace garden for their use.

Spanish Suspect Lifted

A Spanish citizen has been arrested under terrorism legislation in a joint operation between the PSNI and Spanish police. Fermin Vila Michelena, 40, was arrested in Belfast on Thursday. Michelena is a suspected member of the armed Basque separatist group ETA and wanted in Spain for a number of attacks.

Kids Recall Somme Sacrifice

School children will join Chelsea Pensioners and other 'old soldiers' this Sunday to commemorate those from County Antrim and from across Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme in 1916. Councils from across the whole of the county will be represented at a ceremony revived by the locally based Whiteabbey Royal British Legion over a decade ago, when wreaths will be laid and the traditional two-minute silence observed. John Dumigan, Secretary of the Whiteabbey Club welcomed the role played by the young people and said that as today's service personnel continued to sacrifice their lives on a near daily basis in Afghanistan, the youngsters "will add poignancy to the formal ceremonies by laying flowers at the memorial as their own contribution to remembrance". Taking place at what is one of the most picturesque settings anywhere for a commemoration - high above Belfast Lough at the County Antrim War Memorial, Knockagh the children will also join in a solemn act of remembrance at 11am, when the salute will be taken by the Queen's official representative, Joan Christie, the Lord-Lieutenant of Co Antrim.

Early Years Strategy Slammed

The NI Childminding Association (NICMA) has expressed disappointment at the omission of childcare in the draft Early Years Strategy which was launched by the Stormont Education Minister this morning. "When we took part in the initial consultation on this Strategy, we were assured by officials that childcare would form a central element of this important document," says NICMA's Director, Bridget Nodder. "Instead, there are just a few token mentions of the subject - there has been no attempt whatsoever to address the current lack of good quality, affordable childcare in many parts of Northern Ireland," she said, noting that the "Early Years Strategy could have provided a valuable opportunity to start making real progress on childcare issues, at least in terms of pre-school care". Ms Nodder believes: "Unless there's a substantive redraft of this document, that opportunity is going to be lost."

Lyttle For Long

The Alliance Party has selected Chris Lyttle to replace Naomi Long as assembly member for East Belfast. Mrs Long was elected as MP for the area in May. Mr Lyttle, 29, was born and raised in east Belfast and was educated at Queen's University Belfast and Harvard University in the US. Mr Lyttle is a member of the East Belfast District Policing Partnership and worked for Mrs Long.

Coleraine March Restricted

The Sinn Féin East Londonderry MLA Billy Leonard has welcomed the decision by the Parades Commission to prevent an Orange Parade from passing the spot where Kevin McDaid was murdered last year. "I welcome this move by the Parades Commission; it will go some way to reducing tension and the potential for tension. I think it is wholly inappropriate to have an Orange parade past the spot where Kevin McDaid was brutally murdered," he said, yesterday. "Much work is ongoing in the area to try and ease intercommunity tensions and I commend that work however we have to realise the hurt and offense that this parade could cause and it is only sheer common sense that the Parades Commission should take this appropriate decision."

Poor Housing Conditions Debated

An international panel of experts met in Belfast this week to hear how poor housing conditions are as costly to the public purse as they are to the health of residents. Experts from the fields of health, urban geography, and architecture provided evidence alongside testimonies from residents of the Seven Towers high rise flats in the New Lodge area of North Belfast and international human rights experts at 'The Right to Housing: A People's Inquiry' event. The current housing situation, Government's obligations and examples of best practice on how to progress the right to housing in Northern Ireland was discussed. The inquiry, which was held at Grosvenor House, was organised by the Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) Project which works to support residents to use international human rights standards to address the inequalities and deprivation which affects them.

Talent Spotters On Alert

Belfast is shining the spotlight on talent, on and off the sports, field during its annual summer schemes. The City Council will be hosting an end of season talent show in August to allow youngsters particularly those involved in drama and dance projects showcase their skills. Councillor Peter O'Reilly, Chairman of the Parks and Leisure Committee said: "We aim to offer activities that will attract young people and our staff work hard to ensure that these schemes are successful every year. They offer parents a safe environment for their children and offer young people a more attractive alternative to hanging round the streets." Information on the activities for young people can be found on our website: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/summerschemes

(BMcC/GK)