18/10/2016 BBC Newsline

This is BBC Newsline and these are the headlines

Trouble at the clothing chain Exhibit.

Millions of pounds to cut waiting lists is spent on other projects.

Questions too about the way a letter from the Prime Minister

A council says sorry as thousands of ratepayers are left confused

I'm live at the Ballymena Showgrounds where Northern Ireland's

women's under-19s face France in a test tournament ahead of next

And some parts still prone to showers but many

parts dry with the chilly wind easing as well.

Around 100 jobs are under threat with the clothing chain Exhibit

The locally-owned retailer has been trading since 1983 but says it has

been hit by a significant change in consumer spending patterns.

Here's our Economics and Business Editor John Campbell.

This was the Exhibit store in Belfast's Castlecourt

It has a total of 14 branches across Northern Ireland.

It operated in the intensely competitive world of

The HNH Group, which is acting as administrator, said

Exhibit had suffered from, a general downturn

and, a significant change in consumer spending patterns

Around 100 jobs are now under threat.

worried about getting paid. I don't think I'm in the worst position to

be honest. I can get on by that, but our managers have got houses and a

mortgage. When you have got a kid coming up to Christmas, it is not

just our store. I am a zoomed anyway. I pay my own bills as well.

I am kind of stuck for things like that. I will just have to look for

another job. -- I am a student. The number of people employed

in retail has actually been rising over the last year,

and some new brands have But with more shopping being done

online and consumers demanding bargains it remains

a challenging environment. We also got inflation figures today

which show prices are rising across the UK economy.

What are the stats? We learned in September the weight

of inflation was 1%. Prices generally across the economy 1%

higher in September than they were last year. That compares to a annual

rate of more .6% in August. It we can see inflation is starting to

rise. I have been talking a lot over recent days about the fall in the

value of the pound. That means that imports are becoming more expensive

and that will push up inflation. These figures will not include that.

There are other inflationary pressures building up in the

economy. There is more inflation to come.

Inflation still low when you look back in years?

Yes, we have been living in this very abnormal period of very low to

nonexistent inflation. We will look at HRT which covers the last five

years. You can see in 2011, inflation was over 5% will stop the

ball were feeling up. Wages were rising. The last couple of years of

being a terror. -- wages were not rising. In historical terms it is

incredibly low. Should we be expecting

further rises? Yes, definitely. As the import of

fact, the currency will stay weak. If the pound say week, then it could

be up to 3% at the end of next year. It doesn't feel much, but if you

wages are not rising, then it will be felt.

A trial has been told that a kitchen knife was held to the throat

of a murder victim whose body was found in a bin.

The claim was made on the first day of evidence by a woman

Shauneen Boyle who's 25 and from Banbridge,

is charged of murdering Owen Creaney in 2014,

along with 30-year-old Stephen Hughes from Craigavon.

Kevin Sharkey has more from the trial.

Owen Creaney and the two people accused of his murder had been

drinking together on the evening before he was assaulted.

The court heard that they spent the evening at his house in Lurgan

In the early hours of the next morning, all three then went

According to taxi records, it was between 2 and 3am

when they arrived at the house at Moyrafety Court.

On the witness stand today, Shauneen Boyle, said

they were all, fairly drunk, very drunk.

She also said they were only in the house about 15 to 20 minutes

Shauneen Boyle told the Judge and Jury that Stephen Hughes

She said he began punching the victim in the face.

During the attack, she said, Stephen Hughes went

to the kitchen and returned with a knife.

She said it was, like a butchers knife and was about eight

She said he held it to Owen Creaneys throat and she cut her fingers

Defence Counsel for Stephen Hughes challenged the evidence,

saying the claim about a knife being held to the victim's throat

had not been mentioned by Ms Boyle in a previous statement

Today's testimony came a day after Stephen Hughes told the court

that the assault was carried out by Shauneen Boyle.

Owen Creaney died two days after being attacked and his remains

The Assembly was told today that almost half of ?40 million

that was supposed to be spent cutting hospital waiting times

One MLA described that as an absolute disgrace.

But Sinn Fein said the debate was an exercise in scaremongering.

It's a topic we've covered extensively on BBC Newsline,

patients facing excessive waits for treatment.

Last November, the then Minister Simon Hamilton announced

?40m would be spent to get some of those waiting lists down.

We are well down the line of planning for this. Some people will

stop to get notifications of those assessments. The appointments and

the assessment survey will be having done to them and the next couple of

done to them and the next couple of days.

But figures from the current Health Minister

show a big chunk of that money went elsewhere.

?25m was spent reducing waiting lists across the board

But a further 18.5m went to various other areas

including GP out of hours and independent care homes.

Time and time again, cancer waiting times have been raised in this

chamber. We have heard the words, disappointed, Ms stairwells 2015,

silence from Minister last October 's debate. And again last week,

shocking regret from Minister O'Neill. When will these

condemnations of the service they are leading turn from words into

action? The 6.7% of women presenting with potential breast cancer with an

urgent referral, 6.7% of those are in the Southern health trust have

had that referral and have been seen. That figure cannot be

overlooked. But the DUP largely

defended the service. Leave that there is a deterioration

in the cancer services, no. I believe we can do better.

The health minister questioned some of the statistics in today's debate

but admitted there's more work to be done.

No. I have never stood in this hasn't said they are perfect. But a

recognition right across the board that we need to tackle this and

deliver better outcomes for people, that is the job for Government.

The fact that not all of the money earmarked

for waiting lists was spent where is should be will be of little

comfort to those hoping they'll get treated soon.

The First Minister Arlene Foster has rejected criticism over the way

a letter about Northern Ireland from the Prime Minister was made

The letter from Theresa May was in response to the First

and Deputy First Ministers Brexit priorities.

It was disclosed to the BBC's Nolan Show this morning before

Our political correspondent Enda McClafferty reports.

For more than six weeks Stormont has been waiting and waiting

Today, we learnt that letter has finally arrived but not everyone

I would like you to rule on the issue on whether it is appropriate

for important documents that will have influence on debates within

this chamber are actually released to The Assembly first, rather than

released to the Nolan Show, as was the letter from the Minister.

And this is what Steve Aiken was talking about.

When the DUP's Gavin Robinson was challenged

about the long awaited letter on Nolan Show this morning.

Gavin, perhaps you could ask for a reply from the letter. We have got a

reply from the letter, Sinead. Could you tell the people of Northern

Ireland? What was the reply? I don't read your posts.

That letter from Theresa May arrived at Stormont on Friday but yet no one

told the opposition parties as they debated in the chamber

yesterday as to why Northern Ireland should be given special status

It definitely isn't good enough, Mr Speaker, to send a letter in August

to the British prime ministers and patiently wait for a reply. I don't

even think we got one yet. Little did he know that reply

was sitting upstairs on a desk. Today the First Minister sought

to clear up the confusion. It came in late on Friday evening. I

then got it on Monday. In full before you there is no big mystery.

It is very straightforward and as I say it is now in the library of The

Assembly. Much of it we have heard before,

but we now have a commitment in writing from the Prime Minsiter

to ensure the continued free movement of people and goods

across the Ireland of ireland. But the oppositions parties say

they are less than impressed Whatever the circumstances of how

this letter landed here at Stormont The bottom line is that it provides

little comfort for those No doubt the First and Deputy

First Ministers will be expecting much more

when they meet Teresa May Still to come an astronaut comes to

a rocket factory. The Former Alliance leader

David Ford has been removed from his role as an elder

in his local Presbyterian Church. The move follows his comments

in favour of gay marriage. Our reporter Maggie Taggart is

outside the church in County Antrim Well David Ford, the former

Justice Minister had been an elder at Second Donegore Presbyterian

Church in Dunamuggy in Ballyclare in Now an elder who is someone

who is elected by people His or her job is look

after the management of the congregation in his

or her own church. Mr Ford is no longer an elder

at his own church, Second Donegore, but is still an elder of good

standing within the wider Has Mr Ford spoken

publiclly about this? Mr Ford has not spoken to us yet,

but he has issued a statement. The statement shows he is obviously very

upset at this demotion in his role over three decades. He has said that

he has been downgraded, obviously. He said it has been a difficult for

years. He says it is... This conflict has been going on for a

long time. It is in a statement that his local church ear has failed to

promote healing and unity despite repeated requests from him over the

last nine months. Earlier this month he told the BBC how he reconciled

his stance on gay marriage with his role as a ruling elder and his job

as Justice minister in the Stormont executive. I have a particular view

as an individual who happens to be a president Erin and indeed a

president Terry elder as the rights of churches and the meaning of

marriage in the Christian sense. I also recognise as minister and as

the leader of the party who is committed to ensuring the quality

and fair treatment for all through the state that that is a very

different position. What has the church had to say? They say he has

been removed from that position. Also leading figures in the

presbytery and church say he have been removed from his role. Also

they rule out the idea that they can be... They are staying quite clearly

that it it is nothing to do with taking this role, but the fact that

he can no longer work with the congregation who strongly disagree

with his position on gay marriage. Belfast City Council has apologised

to thousands of householders for not informing them of a change

to their bin collection day. Letters containing the information

were supposed to be sent out last Hundreds were found dumped

in a skip, others had As Catherine Morrison reports

there's been a lot of confusion Mendes. Not everyone received these

letters. It is only because I listen to it on the radio this morning. I

saw on Facebook last week. Then it was on Facebook again yesterday. Did

you receive any thing from the council? No. I only knew yesterday.

It was lifted. The household waste any recycling. They came this

morning. It is usually on a Monday that they come. This is one of the

letters the council sent out through a contract they had hired to deliver

them. Out of 160,000 households, will more than 60,000 didn't get

one. Hundreds were found dumped in a skip. Others had the wrong

information. It has all led to confusion and missed bin

collections. Many people turning to social media complain.

This Council official has apologised to ratepayers. We did rely on the

contractor to do the letters. All that -- that has fallen below of

expectations. First and foremost, I want to apologise to the residents

of Belfast. This is not where I want to be. I did expect glitches. We do

have mitigation in place, but this is much more significant. Now I give

more soon assurance that we will resolve this situation as quickly as

possible in the coming days. Anyone still unsure about their bin

collection day should check online on the City Council website or phone

the council on this number. Advice from the council is that any black

beans which should have been collected, but haven't yet, should

be left out until half past seven this evening. Or onset of the

morning. Extra staff will be working over the weekend to deal with any

backlog. Katherine Morrison, BBC Newsline.

Northern Ireland is to be the UK base for a new manufacturing

The astronaut Tim Peake was guest of honour at the announcement

by the French company Thales, whose factory in east Belfast

will make technology used to manoeuvre satellites.

This report from our business correspondent Julian O'Neill.

Who better to open a new space facility than Tim Peake.

The astronaut touched down in Belfast to launch a project

The company Thales is a missile-maker and now

in a UK-first will produce electric propulsion equipment to move

satellites around in orbit for the european space agency.

It gives me enormous pleasure and satisfaction to be here. And to see

the talents in Northern Ireland. It really is one of those dedications

of the UK space agency that is at the forefront of these cutting edge

technologies and make me proud to say that. This will be ?6 million.

That is not just from the company, but also from the space agency and

invest NI. But this belfast facility

could share in 200 more positions the company aims

to create in years to come. Clip thales said it could have

opened at other sites in europe Being first is always an important

thing. We have to show our commitment. We are confident we will

do that. Then the work will flow. Thales said it could have opened

at other sites in europe Politicians believe that's a tribute

to the engineering capability Still to come on the programme,

International women's football comes to the Showgrounds. One of the

venues to next year's Championships. More than 70% of people questioned

for an Amnesty International opinion poll here have indicated support

for a change in abortion law. The poll surveyed 1,000 people

across Northern Ireland seeking opinions about abortion

in cases of rape, incest The Charity Life NI says those

being polled should have been Our Health Correspondent

Marie-Louise Connolly reports. Abortion remains one of the most

difficult and controversial issues facing some people in Northern

Ireland. Unlike the rest of the UK,

abortion here is only allowed if a woman's health is at risk

or there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental

or physical health. But with so much public debate

are attitudes changing? 1,000 men and women between the ages

of 16 and 65 were questioned and as with all polls we should

remember there is always a margin When asked if abortion should be

available in Northern Ireland if pregnancy is the

result of rape or incest, When asked if abortion

should be available if there is a fatal foetal

abnormality, 67% agreed And should Northern Ireland

decriminalise abortion for doctors and medical

staff, well 59% agreed, Talk to people on the streets. It is

representative. Attitudes are changing in Northern Ireland.

some change in attitude among political supporters.

When asked if abortion should be available

is the result of rape or incest, 73% of DUP supporters agreed,

SDLP 69%, 66% of Ulster Unionist parties also agreed,

with 71% of Sinn fein supporters also saying yes.

Examining the figures, some believe that the poll's

questions were too narrow and that more information about care

and support may have provoked a different answer.

I think whenever you are somebody a question and you don't have the

background information then your answer is going to be very different

to when they do have in understanding about what care should

be provided about women. The results of the Poll

were delivered to Stormont, where ultimately any decision

on changing the law will be made. And Stephen Watson is at

the Ballymena Showgrounds where one of the Northern Ireland women's

football teams is playing tonight. Yes, it's the women's

under-19 team in action. They are taking on France

in the first game of a mini-tournament being held

across Northern Ireland this week at four venues including

here at the Ballymena Showgrounds. That is a test event ahead of the

championships that being held here. Here is Sarah both. How big a deal

is it that the European Championships are going to be held

here in Northern Ireland next year? Is a massive thing for us. Posting a

major event will drive participation. We knew that when we

bid for the tournament. We are excited to win it. What we want out

of this to inspire generations of footballers in Northern Ireland. We

have gotten tougher opposition here this week. The USA, England and

France. We were the team some great action here this afternoon. How big

a test is this for the Northern Ireland team? We have the

superpowers of English -- world football here. To get them here is a

huge credit to us. For Northern Ireland it is a big test. They are

playing against the best. Hopefully they will play well for us. As they

warm accommodation, so the warm up body part of this. What we looking

to get out of this tournament this week? For us, it is to get our

players the best preparation they could. We want to test our

structures and venues. Really, this is about raising awareness of the

game and driving spectators next year. We want the Americans to come

back and fall in love with our country and football. This game is

being streamed around the world, so everyone can watch it. Yes, we're

working with tourism Northern Ireland to do that. We have had a

good response and will keep us get out. A first for the Northern Irish

football Association. Openly there is more to come. Thank you for sub I

hope it goes well. We will give you the result of the game later. We

will also give you the results in local football tonight. Linfield

could go top of the leak beat Cliftonville. We went up last year

and with broken the voodoo. We will go with our confidence. Considering

we lost the cup match, the bread-and-butter is this. You can do

all the preparation and all the analysis you want, but I think these

games take care of themselves and the boys will go for it. They need

to be well rested and recovered. It is a huge game for both teams.

Ulster Rugby have announced plans to Anthony Foley in the away

dressing room at Ulster's CEO Shane Logan revealed

the intention to pay tribute to the Munster head coach

who died at the weekend. he was a magnificent rugby player.

In a magnificent human being and we extend our condolences to him.

Munster were superb when he died. They put a permanent memorial to

Nevin in the away changing room and would like to reciprocate that for

Ulster. Ulster play Munster next week. That is it. Back to you,

Donna. Angie Phillips has

the weather forecast details. Very autumnal. A chilly and cold

front that moves through. As the name would suggest it has introduced

cold air. You can see the blues in the air just flowing in. That front

just pushing out into the north continent. It also affected parts of

Northern Ireland. That is why part of the north and east almost had a

steady flow of showers on and off through the course of the day. Of

course those conditions are ideal for spotting rainbows. Quite a few

photos came on today. This is one. It looks as though it is shrouded in

a great bubble. We still have some showers to contend with this

evening. Still quite a gusty wind to begin with but signed through the

night that it eases down. Nevertheless, still quite breezy.

Parts of the coast. Have some showers running along the north

coast and the north channel. Inland, dry and clear spells. Quite chilly

again. Three or four in the countryside. We could get the odd

pocket of grass frost. Those images continue to ease down so we should

have a better day. Dry weather and sunshine. Particularly in those

northern and eastern areas during the morning time. Into the

afternoon, they will start to ease away. By that stage, we are looking

at more dry and wet weather. Virtually anywhere will be seeing

bright and sunny spells coming through. Temperatures similar to

today around 12 degrees or so. If you are in the sunshine it won't be

feeling quite as chilly as it did today. Of course with what light

winds it is going to be a colder one. We will see those temperatures

dropping down close to freezing. We are looking at some frost and mist

and fog patches. Thursday after that cold start, a fine day with some

sunshine and temperatures around 11 or 12 degrees. Some rain behind me.

But it will be mainly dry the next few days. A risk of frost. Not too

bad. We have updates at eight and night -- nine.

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