Arson Attack Probed

Police in Co Antrim have appealed for information relating to an arson attack on a property in Newtownabbey. Two men were rescued from a house in the Kings Avenue area of the town after the front door was set alight at about 1.30am this morning. No injuries were reported. Police believe the attack was deliberate and have requested that anyone with information contact Newtownabbey station on 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. No injuries were reported. Newtownabbey Alliance Councillor and former Mayor, Lynn Frazer (pictured) said she is appalled at an arson attack in Kings Avenue. "I am appalled at this incident and am disgusted that anyone would do something like this. Northern Ireland is trying to move forward to a peaceful and better society and violence has absolutely no place in this. Anyone who can assist police with their investigation into this should contact them immediately," she said.

Fees Fears

Proposals to ask all but the poorest graduates in England to pay a "market" rate of interest on their student loans could affect students in NI. It has emerged that a review of higher education funding in England is expected to call for the cap on tuition fees to end and as the fees are collected by the Revenue service it is likely this would be mirrored in Northern Ireland.

NIHE Inquiry Begins

The Social Development minister, Alex Attwood, has announced details of a major review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE). The review announcement follows confirmation that DSD investigators are examining procedures around audit, fraud and personnel issues in NIHE. The move was connected to two BBC investigations, one of which concerned a dispute between NIHE and one of its biggest contractors.

Derry Sectarianism

The DUP MLA William Hay has said he believes damage caused to 30 cars parked in a mainly Protestant area of Londonderry at the weekend was a sectarian attack. The police are investigating after the vehicles, parked in the Irish Street area, were vandalised sometime between 1.30am and 10am on Sunday.

Irish Road Deaths Continue

There has been yet another road fatality with the police at Sligo Gardaí Station now investigating a deadly collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian early today. It occurred at approx 5.45am on the N17 at Toberbride, Collooney - Galway to Sligo road - and saw the pedestrian very seriously injured at the scene. The injured man was taken to Sligo General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The road is currently closed for a forensic collision examination, diversions are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area. Witnesses are asked to contact Sligo on 071 9157000, the Gardaí Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Gardaí Station. Already today, the Gardaí were appealing for witnesses following three earlier fatal road traffic collisions.

Derry 'Domestics' In Focus

Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board's Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee have held a dedicated meeting in Londonderry to discuss the policing of domestic abuse. As part of discussions, Board members met with key stakeholders to hear about ongoing work between the police and the community in the Foyle area. Highlighting the issue, Policing Board member Martina Anderson and Sinn Féin MLA said: "The latest PSNI statistics show that there were 4,137 domestic violence incidents in 'G' District over the last year - 2,429 of these were in Foyle and that represents a significant increase on the previous year. It's important to point out that there has been a lot of good work done between the PSNI and organisations such as Foyle Womens Aid to encourage the victims of domestic violence to come forward and that may be partly responsible for this spike in the numbers locally. However, it is still clearly a major issue and I greatly welcome the Committee coming to Derry to meet with local stakeholders as part of a thematic report into the issue of domestic violence," she said.

Truckers Warned

Freight Vehicle Operators in Northern Ireland have been urged to prepare for changes to operator licensing commencing early 2012. Under the recently approved Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010, freight operators using vehicles over 3.5 tonnes as part of a trade or business are required to be licensed. The changes will be introduced over the next two years by the newly formed Department of the Environment Transport Regulation Unit (TRU), which will take over the role of freight operator licensing, currently carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). New enforcement powers given to DVA will enable them to impound goods vehicles being used without an Operators Licence. Operators should, therefore, ensure they become familiar with the new legislation in order to avoid enforcement action.

Wasted Food In Focus

NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has tested his culinary skills and launched the Love Food Hate Waste NI campaign website. Aided by well known chef Paula McIntyre, the Minister swapped his office at Stormont for the EcoShow Live kitchen at the King's Hall, Belfast. The duo cooked up a delicious sausage risotto from one of the 170 recipes that are said to help reduce food waste. Speaking at the launch Mr Poots said: "I find it staggering that in the UK people throw away 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink every year and less than a fifth of this is truly unavoidable. This costs the average family £680 a year which equates to £50 per month. Particularly in the current economic climate I think most people would welcome a reduction in their monthly food bill just by rethinking their food waste."

(BMcC/GK)