Other NI News In Brief

Cricketers' Sun Care

There was all round protection this week at the Pepsi ICC European Under-17 Championship's 1st Division cricket match between Ireland and Demark, when Sandra Gordon, Melanoma Strategy Co-ordinator from the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) provided free factor 30 sunscreen for players including Ireland's Jordan Colgan and Denmark's Zishan Yaqub, (pictured). UCF provided sunscreen for all teams during the cricket tournament, as over-exposure to sunlight at a young age is a significant factor contributing to the development of skin cancer in later life.

Republic Expects Swine Flu Deaths

It emerged yesterday that another swine flu sufferer is now critically ill in the Republic of Ireland, making a total of two patients now more at risk of dying from the virus. The State's health chiefs are now warning people with underlying medical problems that they remain at risk and also said that some 276 cases have been confirmed in Ireland. Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said they now expect deaths from the disease in the coming weeks and months. As well as the two being treated in intensive care, another 10 flu victims also remain in hospital with the illness.

International Students Applauded

The NI Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has congratulated the success of the UK Erasmus Student of the Year 2008. At a reception in Parliament Buildings, the Minister congratulated Queen's University student, Patrick Cassidy from Belfast, on his achievement after winning the 2008 Erasmus (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) Prize Competition. "Erasmus has become a key driver in the modernisation of Higher Education in Europe, providing the opportunity for students to study for part of their degree in another country," he said, noting that Erasmus is a European-funded student mobility scheme which addresses the teaching and learning needs of staff and students in Higher Education and provides support for HE Institutions across Europe to work on shared projects including curriculum development and other areas.

School Attacks Slammed

The Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast Gerry Kelly has hit out at the latest attack on St Mary's Star of the Sea school. The school was targeted in a second arson attack within two weeks. "We were lucky that the school was not destroyed. We can see the impact of arson attacks on schools with the razing to the ground of Whitehouse Primary School last week and we are extremely fortunate that this was not the case last night. Schools should in no way be targeted. They are attacks on all of our children and on their futures," he said, insisting that schools are not just centres of learning for our children but they also provide, on an ever increasing basis, services and facilities for the wider community.

UUP Cuts Debts

The Ulster Unionist Party has announced a turnaround in its financial position, slashing losses from £400,000 in 2007 to around £14,000 last year. Carrickfergus-based politician, Mark Cosgrove, who is the party's Treasurer said this was in part due to the selling a 20% stake in its East Belfast headquarters and moving to smaller premises. Overall, the party has reduced operating costs by £100,000 and cut debt by £300,000.

Car Dealer Fined For 'Clocking'

A motor trader has been fined for selling a car with the wrong mileage recorded. Malcolm McGarrity, with an address on the Upper Newtownards Road, was fined £425 plus £62 court costs at Belfast Magistrates Court. In addition to 'clocking' the car, McGarrity was also found guilty of selling a car while posing as a private individual. In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service (TSS) of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, McGarrity pleaded guilty to two charges under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and four charges under the Fair Trading Act 1973.

Anderson Pushes For Science Park Progress

Foyle assemblywomen Martina Anderson has welcomed the latest moves towards the establishment of a science park in Derry in partnership with Magee University. The Sinn Féin MLA said: "I welcome confirmation by Dean of Academic Development at Magee, Prof Deirdre Heenan that the Science Park is now actively examining possible developments in Derry in conjunction with the university."

She said progress was "long overdue on this issue".

(BMcC/JM)