40 Signals Excel

Two worthy causes have benefited after NI Territorial Army soldiers on a six-month tour of duty on Operation Tosca in Cyprus returned to NI having raising £5,000 for the Children's Hospice and ABF, the Soldiers' Charity. Lieutenant Colonel Stewart McConnell, Commanding Officer of 40 Signal Regiment Group, pictured, said that his soldiers wore the distinctive UN blue beret as they patrolled the so-called 'Green Line' in the capital, Nicosia, working alongside regular troops from Argentina as well as Slovak and Hungarian troops who manned other sections of the frontier. "Off duty, when they could have been relaxing, our guys and girls opted to tackle everything from 24 hour gymathons to marathon walking events. The result was £10,000 to be divided between two great charities," he said.

Stab Death Pensioner Recalled

The violent death of Norman Moffatt, 73, who was walking home after buying a paper in a local shop in Coleraine a decade ago is back in focus this week. Ten years after he was stabbed at Railway Road at about 7am on 26 January, 2001, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Crawford said: "I cannot discount the possibility that Norman Moffatt was stabbed for absolutely no reason other than he was a convenient victim for a ruthless killer who is still at large," as police have made a fresh new appeal for information.

Robbery Cash Haul Sought

A Belfast Sinn Fein councillor, Deirdre Hargey has hit out at those responsible for robberies on the Ormeau Road. "The actions of those involved in these robberies are utterly reprehensible and their actions are an attack upon the whole community in the area. I would urge anybody who has any information in relation to these robberies to contact the PSNI and for traders to be vigilant and to ensure that they are taking the basic security precautions necessary to thwart such robberies," she said. Police said a substantial amount of money was stolen during the latest raid on Monday evening. Four men entered a business premises on the Ormeau Road as it was being closed at about 5.40pm and demanded money from an employee and escaped with cash. The employee was left shaken but uninjured and the police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

Ulster Student Accolade

Digital artwork by a University of Ulster postgraduate student has been selected for publication in Images 35 ­ the ultimate jury-selected sourcebook for illustration in the UK and showcase for the best of British contemporary illustration. Eileen-Marie Emerson, who hails from Cushendall is doing a Masters degree in Design Communication at the University's Magee campus. Eileen-Marie's entry selected for inclusion in the New Talent category was developed from computer manipulated mark making in pastels, inks and watercolours.

Foyle MP Connects With Holocaust

The SDLP MP Mark Durkan has asked for funding be made available to allow school children in Northern Ireland to take part in educational visits to the death camps at Auschwitz Birkeneau. Speaking ahead of an event on Thursday to mark Holocaust Memorial Day when Mr Durkan will recall his visit to Auschwitz in 2008, he revealed how there has not been a Holocaust Educational Trip organised for students in Northern Ireland since 2008. The Foyle MP has now tabled a Parliamentary motion at Westminster calling on the Government to re-establish a funding arrangement.

Belfast Targets EC Funds

Local companies had the opportunity to learn about the EU funding initiatives available to them for developing their businesses overseas, at an innovative breakfast seminar yesterday in Belfast City Hall. The European Funding Breakfast Seminar provided businesses in the city with information on a range of business programmes such as the Framework Programme for Research, the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and the Life-Long Learning Programme. The seminar was organised by Belfast City Council's European Unit in collaboration with the CBI and Invest NI.

(BMcC/GK)