Other NI News In Brief

UCF Backs 'Hide Tobacco' Legislation

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is one of 100 national, regional and local organisations and medical and scientific experts that have signed a full-page advertisement appearing in The Observer newspaper urging members of the House of Lords to vote today to end tobacco displays in shops and ban sales of tobacco from vending machines. The Report Stage of the Health Bill starts on 28th April and UCF is urging the Lords to vote to put tobacco out of sight in order to protect children from the eye-catching tobacco displays that are often sited next to the sweet counters in corner shops.

Dentist Remanded Again

The dentist accused of murdering his wife and an RUC officer 18 years ago has been remanded in custody for a further three weeks. Colin Howell, 50, from Sea Road in Castlerock, appeared at North Antrim Magistrates Court on Monday via videolink from Maghaberry prison. The bodies of his wife Lesley and RUC officer Trevor Buchanan were found in a fume-filled car in Castlerock in 1991. Mr Howell, who has been in custody since January, is also charged with drugging and indecently assaulting women.

Refugees Recognised

Community Relations Week kicks off today with a special reception recognising the refugee community in Belfast. Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tom Hartley, has extended 'a very warm welcome' to refugees and asylum seekers living in the city. Representatives from the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Amnesty International, EMBRACE, Bryson One Stop Shop and other organisations which assist refugees and asylum seekers living in Belfast also attended the reception in the Lord Mayor's Parlour in Clarendon Dock, Belfast.

Airport Passengers Nosedive

The number of passengers using Northern Ireland's airports has fallen sharply compared to this time last year. City of Derry was worst hit having 36.2% fewer passengers than in March last year. The falls at Belfast City and the International were 7.5% and 21% respectively. The provisional figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show that the most dramatic slowdown is in the number of people taking international flights.

Fermanagh Business Park Will 'Stimulate' Economy

A newly-built Fermanagh workspace development in Clabby, can help to stimulate economic growth in the local area, the NI Enterprise Minister has said. Arlene Foster officially opened the 10,109 square foot workspace at Clabby Enterprise Park last week. Around 36 new jobs will be created through the opening of six new workspace units at the business park.

Department Moves On

The Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL) today relocated to its new headquarters premises at Causeway Exchange in Bedford Street, Belfast. NI Culture, Arts & Leisure Minister Gregory Campbell said: "The new premises will create a modern and flexible working environment that will support the changing needs of DCAL staff. The design of the new offices involves the latest thinking in workplace design and technology to create an open plan working environment for staff and visitors to the building. This new environment will encourage staff to work together in a much more efficient way, delivering better services to the public and providing better value for money to the taxpayer in an environment they are proud to work in," he said. Causeway Exchange, will house approximately 170 staff from the DCAL occupying the top four levels, with the remainder of the building being occupied by staff from the Department of Finance and Personnel. The Department's current lease on the Interpoint Building in York Street expires in June.

(BMcC/JM)