Women On Stage

The Lyric Theatre's commitment to showcasing the work of local writers on a wider platform sees its new production of Owen McCafferty's The Absence of Women as the first play staged in the new theatre to go on tour. Originally produced at the Elmwood Hall in Belfast during construction work on the new Lyric building, The Absence of Women will run for two weeks on the Lyric's Northern Bank Stage from 20 August before travelling firstly to the Horsecross in Perth, Scotland and then a month-long residency at the prestigious Tricycle Theatre in London. The Absence of Women will run from 20 August to 3 September on the Northern Bank Stage, with Alice O'Connell as Dotty in The Absence of Women's earlier production shown here.

Man Shot

A 34-year-old man has been shot in the ankle by a gang at his west Belfast home. The victim was taken to hospital following the attack shortly before 2pm on Monday, when four men burst into the property in the Hazel View area of Lagmore where his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Girls Night Out

A 'Girls Night Out' will be held on Friday 12th August in Ballyclare Comrades Football Club, Ball Clare to back a local horse and animal charity. The 'Full Monty-style' show starts at 8pm and will be followed by a disco and raffle. All monies raised will be donated to Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary in Antrim, towards the cost of feed and vet bills for the many rescued animals that are cared for there. Tickets cost just £10 and are available from Jules 02893352548 or 07921571051 or facebook Jules Moore.

Money Talks

The Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has called a crisis meeting at Stormont on Monday to discuss the impact of the global financial crisis on the local economy. he will host many of Northern Ireland's leaders in industry, business and trade unions to assess the potential effect of the American and Eurozone financial crises. It follows news that the United States has lost its Triple A credit rating and coupled with the problematic stock market, it is feared the region could be heading for a double-dip recession.

Ballymena Cops Attacked

PSNI officers have come under attack while responding to a call-out in Ballymena, Co Antrim. A window in a police vehicle was smashed by a thrown brick as officers responded to youths throwing stones at a house in Dunclug Park at 11.20pm on Saturday as bottles and stones were also thrown at police during the disturbances.

UU Grants Add Up

Academics at the University of Ulster were awarded approximately £14m in research grants for the academic year 2010/11 - almost £2m up on the previous year, despite the economic downturn. The grants were awarded to each of the six faculties and across all four campuses, highlighting research excellence throughout the University with major awards going to nursing, biomedical sciences, engineering, environmental sciences, robotics and nanotechnology. Just over one third of all research funding came from the EU and, in particular, the Framework VII programme. Two of the largest EU funded grants went to the School of Nursing and the Institute of Nursing Research for research into congenital anomalies.

Cemetery Contact Signed

The main contractor has been appointed for the works involved in the construction of access roads and paths at Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast. The development by FP McCann will comprise the construction of access paths and roadways, drainage, improvements to existing entrance and other related works at Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast. Main construction work is due to commence on site during early August, 2011 and the contract period is estimated at six months. The cost of the scheme is in the region of £500,000.

(BMcC/GK)