27/11/2008

Other NI News In Brief

Court Remand Over Weapons Find

There was a court appearance today for a Newtownabbey man charged with having explosives with intent to endanger life. William Mason, 22, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday following the discovery of five pipe bombs in Co Antrim on Tuesday. Mr Mason, of Carmeen Drive, Rathcoole, spoke only to confirm he understood the offences. He was remanded in custody.

Police Probe Derry Fire

A police investigation is now underway into the cause of an early morning blaze which destroyed a bar in the centre of Londonderry. It broke out at Sister Sara's on Little James Street at about 1.30am on Wednesday. One person was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. The police have since appealed to anyone who was in Sister Sara's from about 6pm on the evening before the fire to contact them at Strand Road police station.

Estate Agent Jobs Lost

Some 100 jobs are this week in jeopardy at local branches of the estate agency brand Remax. The USA-owned company has reduced its number of branches in Northern Ireland by over 50%. There have also been cutbacks at its regional office in Dublin, but the company will not say how many staff are affected by the closures.

NI Wages Starting To Meet UK Average

Estimated earnings in Northern Ireland are said to be closing in on the UK average, according to new figures. Provisional results from the 'Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)' showed that growth over the year to April 2008, in median gross weekly earnings for all employees in Northern Ireland, was 5.1% (to £346.5). This was higher than the comparable average UK growth of 3.3% (to £388.4). However, when full-time employee earnings in Northern Ireland are compared with those for the whole of the UK, the results showed that growth rates over the year were broadly similar.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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