Other NI News In Brief

Hong Kong Win For White's

NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has this week announced that Tandragee firm White's has won a £200,000 contract with Wellcome, Hong Kong's biggest supermarket chain. The Minister revealed the export success as she prepared to lead a 27 company-strong Invest Northern Ireland trade mission to Shanghai and Hong Kong. Pictured here celebrating with Arlene Foster is Mark Gowdy, Sales and Marketing Manager, White's.

Castlerock Trial Halted

The case of a woman accused of the murders 20 years ago of her husband and her ex-lover's wife has been delayed today after it emerged in court that the accussed woman, Hazel Stewart's co-accused, Colin Howell, made a new lengthy statement to police. Antrim Crown Court sitting in Coleraine heard that Ms Stewart's defence lawyers need time to consider the statement made by Howell, who has already been sentenced to life in prison for the two murders and will be told next Monday how long he has to serve.

Rathcoole Riot Arrests

Two more men have been arrested by police investigated rioting in Newtownabbey last month when six cars and a bus were burned out during disturbances in the Rathcoole estate on 25 and 26 October. The trouble followed police raids connected to an investigation into crime carried out by the UVF in north Belfast. The two men - aged 30 and 33 - were arrested in the estate on Wednesday morning.

Cowen Holds Onto Job

The Irish Premier, Brian Cowen has survived a meeting between his party's most influential members, despite mounting pressure for him to step down as leader. During the meeting of the Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party on Tuesday night a number of rebel backbenchers were expected to put forward a motion of no confidence, but despite facing a barrage of criticism, Mr Cowen managed to fend of the challenge. The issue of his leadership was raised a number of times but Mr Cowen indicated to them there were "mechanisms" in the party to deal with the issue if anyone wanted.

UCF Supporters 'Walk-it'

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has congratulated Newcastle walking group, the Trassey Trackers, who have raised £65,000 for the charity over the past 10 years. The walking group formed when Michael King's son, Darren was diagnosed with throat cancer. Michael and his friends came together to climb Ben Nevis to raise funds for UCF. While, Darren passed away, since then the walking group has grown to 12 members who regularly hold fundraising events, including their annual Donard Dander on the last Sunday in July, to raise funds for UCF in his memory. Neill Grainger from UCF said: "Congratulations to the Trassey Trackers for raising this terrific amount. The walkers are dedicated to raising much needed funds for UCF while enjoying the great outdoors and having fun. All funds raised for UCF are spent locally providing information, care and support services for the 55,000 people affected by cancer in Northern Ireland. We are incredibly grateful to the Trassey Trackers and congratulate you all for reaching the £65,000 milestone," he said.

Ards Roads Boosted

The NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £3m for structural road maintenance in the Ards borough this year. He also noted that improvement works have been completed at the junction of Carrickmannon Road with the Bog Road, Ballygowan. He said: "This scheme involved improving the road realignment which enhances sightlines for drivers exiting Bog Road and Vestry Road onto the main Carrickmannon Road. Initial observations show this scheme is operating successfully. In addition, over 21km of resurfacing has been completed, so far in the Borough this year and resurfacing schemes have been completed."

NI Economy In Focus

The Economic Advisory Group (EAG) has met with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the local economy. The Group is seeking the views of stakeholders on how the Northern Ireland economy can be further developed and, in particular, how the short-term and longer-term challenges facing the economy can be addressed. The Chair of EAG, Kate Barker said: "It's iimportant for the EAG to meet with a wide range of stakeholders, and to hear their views on the issues facing the Northern Ireland economy. Their views will be invaluable in informing the Group's first annual review of the Northern Ireland economy in early 2011." Attending the stakeholder meeting were representatives from the business community, trade unions, the voluntary and community sector, education, tourism, local government and retail with the engagement with stakeholders being one of the first in a series of similar meetings to be convened by EAG on a regular basis.

CCTV Boosts Oldpark

North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds has welcomed the installation this week of police security cameras on the Oldpark Road covering the interface between Lower Oldpark and the Rosapenna/Ardoyne area. The new CCTV cameras will be monitored from a control room in Antrim Road Police Station."I and my party colleagues have been pressing strongly for this to happen, particularly since the closure of the nearby Oldpark Police Station. There had been uncertainty over funding for the new cameras and I welcome that financing was secured," he said. "While many interfaces in north Belfast have become relatively calm, regrettably that is not the case at this location. These cameras will provide firm evidence of incidents so that necessary police action can result, rather than relying only upon the accounts of residents."

UUP Puts 29 Forward

The Ulster Unionists have selected candidates for next year's Assembly election in all but one of the 18 constituencies. Some 29 names have been put forward with the party's former leader Reg Empey, whose peerage was announced last week, standing again in East Belfast. Health Minister Michael McGimpsey will run in South Belfast. Basil McCrea, who lost out on the party leadership earlier this year, will stand in Lagan Valley.

(BMcC/GK)