Other NI News In Brief

Magners Style Shines

The Magner's Light Style Awards is the event that traditionally launches Northern Ireland's fashion season and NI's leading designer, Mary Rose McGrath, is raising expectations and excitement with her promise to unveil two gowns specially created for the awards ceremony. Capturing the Look of 2011 are Maryam Ahmed in a Mary Rose McGrath creation and the eternally-stylish Pete Snodden who will be joining Katie Larmour as co-host of tonight's exclusive party for the glitterati at Cafe Vaudeville.

Royal Mail On Alert

A device has been found during a security alert at the Royal Mail sorting office in Belfast's Tomb Street that police said was a "viable device". It has been removed for examination. The find was made as a security alert was continuing on the lower Ormeau Road with the Ormeau Bridge cordoned off and a controlled explosion carried out on a suspicious object found at Artana Street.

Shots Fired In Strabane Abduction Bid

Shots have been fired during the attempted abduction of man in Co Tyrone that happened in the Meville Court area of Strabane at about 9pm on Wednesday. The man was walking in the area when he was approached by three men who tried to grab him and pull him into a white van but he ran off. A number of shots were fired at the man as he tried to escape.

Police Hold Firearm Suspects

Two men have been arrested after police investigating dissident republican activity stopped a van in north Belfast on Wednesday night. The vehicle was stopped at Clifton Street at around 10pm and the area was cordoned off while army bomb experts made safe a firearm found in the van. The men arrested are aged, 29 and 41.

Swine Flu Tragedies

Four more people with swine flu have died in Northern Ireland according to the latest Public Health Agency figures. The PHA said all those who had died had underlying health problems. The figures - for the week 29 January to 4 February - show there were 11 new confirmed cases of the virus.

City Airport Hit By Fog

Many flights to and from George Best Belfast City Airport were grounded early today because of heavy fog. Passengers were being advised to check Belfast City Airport and their airline's website before travelling as the east Belfast airport said it will be providing an update on the situation after four flights which had been due to land at the airport were diverted to Belfast International Airport. However, the tragic Cork flight, number NN 71001, did take of as scheduled, crashing on laning killing six of the 12 people on board. See: Six Die As Belfast Flight Crashes In Cork

Policing Board Seeks Members

Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has launched a competition for the nine independent members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. It is reconstituted every four years and as well as independent members, has 10 political members reflective of party strength in the Assembly. The Board is responsible for securing the maintenance of the police in Northern Ireland and has a key role in ensuring the provision of an effective, efficient, impartial and accountable police service, which will enjoy the support of all sections of the community. The Board also holds the PSNI Chief Constable to account for the exercise of his functions and those of the police. Advertisements for independent members appeared in NI newspapers. Launching the competition, Justice Minister, David Ford said: "These are demanding positions within the Northern Ireland Policing Board and those appointed will have a fundamental role to play during their tenure." The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 4 March.

Think-Tank Closure Slammed

An NI economic 'think-tank' set up to give advice on the economy is to be closed down next month. Twelve staff are to lose their jobs at the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland when it closes. It cost about £1m a year to run, but the Office of the First and the Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) is refusing to fund it any longer. It said an independent review carried out more than a year ago concluded that the institute failed to fulfil its mandate and did not represent value for money. SDLP Economy Spokesman Dr. Alasdair McDonnell MP has accused the OFMDFM of being 'penny wise and pound foolish' in their decision to put the independent Economic Research Institute out of business. "Never has there been a more critical time when the Northern Ireland Executive needed to have a professional independent economic research body advising it going forward," he fumed.

(BMcC/GK)