Other News In Brief

Part Of Man’s Ear Bitten Off In Co Antrim

Police are appealing for information after a man was injured after part of his ear was bitten off by a stranger.

The incident occurred at licensed premises on Ballymoney Street, Ballymena, in the early hours of Monday, 28 October.

A man was leaving the premises and was approached from behind by an unknown male who bit part of his ear off.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "An investigation is underway and detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who has CCTV or dash-cam footage from the area which could assist them with their enquiries, to contact them at Antrim on 101, quoting reference number 113 28/10/24."

Alliance Marks One-Year Anniversary Of Floods

Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray has marked the one-year anniversary of the flooding that devastated parts of Newry, Mourne and Down last year, stating that the administration of aid schemes for home and business owners has been insufficient.

Mr McMurray said: "The devastating floods that occurred last year left many residents and business owners shattered as they witnessed their homes and businesses being destroyed. The horrific effects of the flooding are still obvious in my constituency, especially in Newcastle and Downpatrick, where shops on the high streets that were once busy are now closed for business due to the aftermath of the floods.

"It has been a year since the floods, and I am disappointed that we have yet to see an effective response or plan from the Government to support those affected. A one-off scheme is insufficient to help town centres recover from the economic shock and help residents rebuild their homes. This situation is unacceptable, and the Department for the Economy urgently needs to develop plans that will provide support and relief to those affected.

"Communities continue to live in fear of adverse weather afraid their homes and businesses will be flooded again. This is a distressing situation that should be avoided and Alliance has called for funding for a Flood Forecasting System and investment to improve rainwater management systems to rehabilitate our sewers and prevent such scenes from reoccurring. A Department for Infrastructure Flood Prevention Scheme for homeowners has also seen long delays, with some homeowners still waiting for a response to their applications. "These floods are a direct result of climate change and NI's insufficient infrastructure to deal with its effects. With extreme weather conditions likely to reoccur, it is time a sufficient plan is put in place to deal with such events and to prevent families and businesses from experiencing such devastation again."

Minister Calls For Collective Effort To Protect NI Landscapes

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister, Andrew Muir, has emphasised the importance of collective action in preserving and enhancing Northern Ireland's natural landscapes.

Speaking at the 'Enriched Landscapes Enriched Lives' event in Belfast, Minister Muir commended the work of Landscapes NI, a newly revitalised network of 16 organisations dedicated to safeguarding the region's natural environment. The event marked the launch of the NI Landscapes Manifesto, which outlines a vision for protecting and promoting Northern Ireland's unique landscapes.

Minister Muir highlighted the diverse benefits that landscapes provide to communities, including recreational opportunities, biodiversity conservation, and economic contributions. He encouraged professionals in landscape protection and management to collaborate and share best practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable assets.

Landscapes NI represents a united front of organisations working to balance the needs of nature and people in Northern Ireland's landscape. Their efforts are crucial in preserving the region's natural beauty and heritage for future generations.

Welcoming the launch of the Manifesto, Minister Muir said: "Northern Ireland has an incredible array of amazing landscapes and seascapes. They are not only places of outstanding beauty they are also where we live, work and play, they provide a home for diverse nature and wildlife, and they support livelihoods through agriculture and tourism.

"We need to reduce the harm caused to those landscapes and ensure that they are resilient to the risks of climate change. It is our responsibility to protect these natural treasures for future generations.

"The Landscapes NI manifesto has clear links to the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) that was agreed by the Executive and published last month.

"The EIP commits to developing a landscape Action Plan by December 2025, completing a landscape and policy review, and then, publishing a landscape strategy by March 2027.

"This will help us to create healthy and accessible landscapes everyone can connect with and enjoy."