Other NI News In Brief

Classic 'Retro' Cars Rev-Up

Conn Williamson, from CIP insurance brokers in Crumlin presents the 'Dundrod Bowl' trophy to Ronnie Mitchell, (pictured right), Ulster Automobile Club clerk of the course for the forthcoming Retro Car Trial. Running from Friday Oct 9th to Sunday 11th, the winner of the CIP Dundrod Bowl will be able to admire how it is etched with an outline of the world famous Dundrod Circuit - home to Tourist Trophy Races until the 1950s and still home to the Ulster Grand Prix Motorcycle Races. It will be awarded to the driver of the best Performance Rear Wheel Drive Car in the Dundrod tests section of the UAC Retro Car Trial. Starting at noon on October 9th, from Lisburn Island Centre, this rally offers a rare opportunity to view these magnificent machines before seeing them in action.

Grim Toll

The man who died after he was knocked down by a lorry in Omagh this week was the 91st road victim of 2009. The 71-year-old was walking on Loughmacrory Road in the town at about 10pm on Tuesday when the accident happened. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police in Omagh on 0845 600 8000. See: Road Deaths Rise

Traceability To Assure Food Safety

NI's Department for Employment and Learning has invested £1.8million in a new all-Island research centre to help ensure improved animal heath and traceability. The Centre for Assured, Safe and Traceable Food (ASSET) was officially opened this week at the Agri-Food Conference at Queen's University. The £1.8million investment is part of the Department's 'Strengthening the All-Island Research Base' programme. NI Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: "The investment from my Department will enable Queen's and its Irish research partners, to focus on improving both animal health and the safety of meat and milk, as well as developing new and innovative ways of ensuring traceability across the island of Ireland."

Scotland Gets NI Connection

Stormont Culture Minister Nelson McCausland is visiting Scotland this week with a view to developing cultural links between Northern Ireland and Scotland. "There are deep cultural, historical and social connections between Ulster and Scotland and I will be exploring how these can be augmented and strengthened," he said, noting that he will be meeting the Culture and Sports ministers in the Scottish Parliament and also visiting a number of Scottish cultural organisations and institutions. The Minister will also be visiting the Scottish Arts Council, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland.

Up In Smoke

Nearly nine million suspected counterfeit cigarettes have been recovered at Belfast docks. The huge haul, seized by officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) at Belfast Docks on Tuesday morning, is thought to have originated from China. Officials estimate the find would have lost the taxpayer an estimated £2 million in excise duty. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, which is only the latest such seizure. See: Arrest Follows Latest Cigarette Haul

(BMcC/KMcA)