Other NI News In Brief

New Cases Of Swine Flu

It has emerged this afternoon that the number of cases of swine flu under investigation in NI has risen to three, two more than was the case at this time yesterday. However, there remains only one confirmed case, that of a man from Co Antrim, while the total number of local cases that have proved negative for the virus remains at 82. The World Health Organisation's alert level remains at five, which means the WHO consider a global pandemic to be imminent - but not, as yet underway. See: NI Swine Flu Case 'Under Investigation'

See: Swine Flu Cases Exceeds 200

Burns Victim Mystery Probed

The police are investigating how a woman sustained serious burn injuries early this morning. The victim was taken to hospital after being found with life-threatening burns on a Belfast street. The woman, aged 54, was found on the Newtownards Road at about 4am, police said. The emergency services attended the scene and the woman was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Orde Replacement Sought

The Northern Ireland Policing Board today formally commenced the recruitment process for a new Chief Constable to replace Hugh Orde with the advertisement of the post. Chair Elect of the Board and Chair of the appointment panel Barry Gilligan said: "We are looking to appoint an officer who will bring exceptional skills and professional ability to this challenging and demanding role. This is a high profile job and we expect there to be significant interest in this job from serving Chief Constables and Deputy Chief Constables. Policing is an essential public service and this is of course an important time for policing with the process now in place to facilitate the devolution of policing and justice. Building on the progress of reform in recent years, a key issue for the new Chief Constable will be working with the Board to set and lead on the future vision for policing in Northern Ireland," he said.

Postcards From Belfast

There's a new multi-media exhibition of innovative postcards underway called 'Hello from Belfast'. The Waterfront Hall is hosting 16 pieces that reflect some well-known Belfast locations through the eyes of female students, aged from 13 to 17, who have worked on it by using creative technology: taking pictures, painting with texture, composing collages and putting it all together with specialised Photoshop software. These metaphorical postcards and a website are the result of a cross-community cultural project coordinated by Johanna Bartley, Lecturer in Multimedia Design in the School of Creative Arts of the University of Ulster. The pupils involved come from the Hazelwood Integrated College and St Louise's Comprehensive School. They have worked together on the initiative since last September. The exhibition, at Belfast's Waterfront Hall, runs until 12th of June. See: Postcards Reveal Youngsters' View Of Belfast

Heads Oppose Seclection

Primary school principals have called on grammar schools to abandon their plans for unregulated tests due to take place later this year. The call came after a meeting organised by the five main teachers' unions reported on 4ni.co.uk yesterday. They also called on politicians to work together and agree a method of transfer to remove stress from current primary six pupils and protect the curriculum. See: Testing Debated As Grammars Excel

Drugged Drivers Targeted

Motorists who get behind the steering wheel under the influence of drugs are dicing with people's lives as much as drink drivers NI Environment Minister Sammy Wilson warned this week. During the launch of a new road safety campaign, the Minister insisted the same stigma applied to drug driving as drink driving. The new advertising campaign seeks to raise awareness of the drug driving problem and highlight the ultimate consequences of driving under the influence of drugs. The campaign is based on research amongst high-risk young people which revealed that they tend not to think through the lethal consequences of mixing drugs with driving.

(BMcC/JM)