Hillary Heading Back?

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could be visiting Northern Ireland in the autumn. The publisher of the US-based Irish Voice newspaper, Niall O'Dowd, told RTE radio today that Mrs Clinton wanted to introduce herself to the leaders of the political parties. He said Mrs Clinton would also appoint an economic envoy to Northern Ireland. Mrs Clinton has been to NI six times in total.

Sympathy For Baby's Death

The First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have expressed their regret following the passing of sextuplet Kerrie Conway. Martin McGuinness said: "Words can simply not express the sadness and grief that Kerrie's parents Nuala and Vincent must be suffering at this time. I pass on my heartfelt condolences to the family and will continue to pray for the good health and progress of the other babies." First Minister Peter Robinson said: "It was with great sadness that I learnt of young Kerrie's passing. The death of a child is every parents worst fear. Our words will offer little comfort but I would wish the family to know that I offer them my prayers and deepest sympathies at this difficult time." See: Sextuplet Passes Away

Bogus Call-Outs Revealed

It has been revealed that ambulances and fire crews in Northern Ireland have had to respond to more than 15,000 hoax calls in the last five years. The emergency services have attended more than 2,500 prank reports in the past 12 months alone, according to the Department of Health and since 2004, firefighters were phoned 6,150 times for prank calls while paramedics responded to 9,022 fake calls for help. The figures were obtained by SDLP Assembly member Thomas Burns through a written question to Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's officials.

Stansted Winter Cuts Loom

The Irish budget airline Ryanair has announced a reduction in its services at Stansted Airport. Blaming higher charges, Ryanair - which flies from Derry City and the George Best Belfast City Airport - will reduce the number of aircraft it runs at the airport by 40% in its winter schedule, and will cut the number of flights by 30%, it said. It will operate only four fewer planes than it did last winter as it is one of its most expensive bases, and added that an increase in air passenger duty tax was also a factor in its decision. The airline operated 40 aircraft from Stansted in the summer, but said this would fall to 24 this winter.

Derry Screening Sought

The top man in the Apprentice Boys has said clear screens should be used during the annual parade in Londonderry if rival crowds gather along the route. The loyal order's governor was commenting on a planned march in the city centre on 8 August. The call comes after the Orange Order criticised police over their handling of the recent Twelfth parade in Derry. The Order's Chief Marshal, David Ramsey, said his marshals were put at risk as rival spectators were not kept far enough away from each other.

Hospital Bug Death Probed

Help is being sought by medical experts investigating a hospital infection outbreak linked to 60 deaths. They have appealed for anyone affected by the virus to come forward after some five hospitals in the Northern Trust area were hit by the spread of the C. Difficile bug between June and August 2008. The public inquiry into the outbreak - which is led by Dame Deirdre Hine, a former chief medical officer for Wales - began the first stage of its work recently with an appeal: "We hope that anyone who was affected by the outbreak will contact us to help us to fulfil the task that the (Health) Minister has given us," Dame Hine said. Inquiry contact details are, by telephone: 028 90 517250 / 028 90 517124 or in writing to the Clostridium Difficile Public Inquiry, 20 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GB, or via the www.cdiffinquiry.org

(BMcC/JM)