Other News In Briefs

Derry Police 'Lured' into Ambush

Politicians have united in condemning what an Alliance Foyle representative today described as attempted murder when shots were fired at police officers in Londonderry on Wednesday night. A number of PSNI officers were responding to a report of a stolen vehicle when shots were fired in their direction, but no one was hurt. Alliance's Keith McGrellis commented: "These police officers were just doing their job, to protect and serve our community. They are there to ensure that we are able to go about our daily lives. "This was clearly attempted murder. If you fire a gun at anybody, you are trying to kill them.

100 New Jobs To Be Created By Parcel Company

An Irish parcel delivery firm has announced the creation of 100 jobs over the next five years. The jobs are the result of the company Nightline entering into a partnership with global postal company Swiss Post International. It is also the first excursion into Ireland by Swiss Post. Nightline currently owns 7 depots including sites at Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo and Cork. It also has a UK regional office in Lancashire.

Half Of Water Lost Through Leaks

Half of all water produced by local authorities is lost by leaking pipes, it has emerged. A report into water services by local authorities shows that nearly 50% of all water produced is "unaccounted for" due to leaks, unauthorised usage and metering errors. The news comes on the foot of an Government announcement that water services had greatly approved following an investment of almost €500m a year in new pipes and treatment plants, but still much of the water is seeping into the ground because of leaks in the system. The scale of the leaks will infuriate the tens of thousands of home owners who had their water turned off to preserve supplies during the recent big freeze. Making water safe and clean to drink costs the State €1bn a year, but waste across the system is rampant.

(DW/GK)