Other NI News In Brief

Pipe Bombs Found In Rathcoole

A 22-year-old man has been arrested and is currently being questioned about five pipe bombs and a large amount of ammunition which police uncovered at a house in a loyalist estate in Co Antrim last night. The "viable devices" were found during a planned search at Carmeen Drive in the Rathcoole area of Whitehouse, Newtownabbey. The PSNI said that eight controlled explosions were carried out during the operation, which took place shortly after 9.30pm on Tuesday.

NI Food's Good

The biggest-ever presentation of food and drink from Northern Ireland will be featured at the forthcoming BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham, from 26-30 November. Invest Northern Ireland has organised the presentation, which will provide trade buyers with exposure to a showcase of Northern Ireland produce. It is part of Invest NI's strategic focus on helping local food companies, especially small to medium sized enterprises, to win business and increased brand recognition in target markets. On show on the 'Northern Ireland –Naturally' stand, will be a broad range of food and drink from 30 local companies including artisan producers.

UCF Supports Families

A new family support service to help children, young people and their families when a close family member has been diagnosed with cancer has been launched. The Ulster Cancer Foundation's 'tailor-made' service provides one-to-one or group support to help reduce the impact of cancer on family life and aims to minimise the long-term effects on the emotional well-being of the entire family unit.

Pumping Money Into Economy

A Coleraine-based energy firm has announced plans to invest in new range of sustainable products, with help from Invest NI. Transen Sustainable Energy Systems Ltd (Transen) is poised to market and export the energy saving ground source heat pumps across Europe. Support for Transen, formed by three local businessmen, led by Bryan Law, the Managing Director, based at Causeway Enterprise Park, was announced by Des Gartland, Manager of Invest NI's North West Regional Office following the offer of financial assistance from Invest NI to the company. Mr Gartland said: "This is an entrepreneurial and R&D focused business being set up to manufacture and sell an innovative geothermal pump which has extensive potential, particularly in markets outside Northern Ireland."

NIHE Volunteers Refurbishment

Volunteers from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Direct Labour Organisation have taken part in a one day refurbishment project at a west Belfast homeless centre, as part of Business in the Community's Business Challenge. The 14 strong team carried out extensive repairs to the Welcome Centre, off the Falls Road. The work included fixing a leaking roof, cleaning and repairing guttering and replastering walls. They also helped put up shelves and even built a table for the nurse. The Welcome Centre, which provides assistance to vulnerable rough sleepers in Belfast, has been operating for 15 years and started as a soup kitchen for the homeless.

Water Consultation Launched

Northern Ireland Regional Development officials have launched consultation on the proposed Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009. The regulations will make the monitoring of raw water quality by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) a legal requirement. NIW already carries out this monitoring as good business practice. Assurances will also be made on the water safety plan approach recommended by the World Health Organisation by widening the scope of risk assessment.

(BMcC/KMcA)