Tina Recovers From Fall

Belfast Zoo's keepers have had a busy few days keeping a close eye on 45-year-old Asian elephant Tina, after she suffered a second serious fall within six months. Tina sustained a leg injury twenty years ago that resulted in limited flexibility of the leg, and means that if Tina falls on the wrong side she can't get herself back up. Tina fell in February this year, and again more recently on Thursday last, but the rapid work of the zoo team and vet guaranteed that Tina was back on her feet quickly. On both occasions, heavy lifting equipment had to be used, and verbal support and encouragement from her keepers also played a big part in getting Tina back on her feet.

Second Sad Funeral

The funeral of Aaron Davidson is due to take place today after he died in a holiday flat following a suspected carbon monoxide leak. Along with Neil McFerran, both of whom were 18, he died in Castlerock last Tuesday, while their friend, Matthew Gaw, survived. The funeral service is due to take place at The Church of the Ascension, after which he will be buried at Carnmoney Cemetery. A funeral service for Neil McFerran was held at Newtownabbey Methodist Mission in Rathcoole on Saturday. Aaron's family also attended that service.

Sir Reg Steps Down

The Ulster Unionist Party boss, Sir Reg Empey is to resign as party leader. Chairman, David Campbell said he had received "formal communication" from Sir Reg and that a meeting to elect a new leader would be held on 22 September. Sir Reg said he would resign earlier following disappointing results in the general election. He will remain leader until the selection of a new leader. Nominations for those wishing to be leader must be submitted by 31 August. See: Sir Reg Set To Quit Party Leadership

Belfast Alert 'Hoax'

Bomb disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious object found in south Belfast on Sunday night in Cadogan Park close to Lisburn Road PSNI station. A police spokesperson said it was a hoax object which had deliberately been made to look like a viable device. A number of business premises were evacuated and roads cordoned off during the alert which lasted until midnight.

Hastings Wins Profits Battle

One of NI's top hoteliers, the Hasting Group is continuing to trade profitably despite the downturn in the hospitality industry, the firm's annual accounts show. Hastings, whose hotels include the Europa in Belfast and the Culloden in Crawfordsburn, made a pre-tax profit of £2.7m in 2009, down from £3.5m in 2008.

Border Robbery Probed

A 41-year-old man was arrested and a large sum of money recovered at the weekend after a supermarket manager was forced to hand over a substantial amount of money following a robbery in Limavady. He was held up by four men in a black BMW car at about 9.30pm on Saturday night, as he drove to work. Police said he was threatened, ordered to empty a safe, and then told to drive to Buncrana in Co Donegal to hand over the money to the thieves.

Sligo Death Probed

A post mortem examination will be carried out today on the body of a 60-year-old man who died in hospital after being assaulted in Sligo town. Cyril Moran was assaulted at his home at River Road in the Cartron Point area of Sligo Town on Thursday morning. He was rushed to Sligo General Hospital following the attack in a critical condition, but died yesterday after his condition deteriorated quickly over the weekend. Gardaí arrested two men following the attack. A 28-year-old man was arrested on Friday night has been released from custody at Ballymoate Garda station. A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(BMcC/GK)