Commission changes Newry parade decision

The Northern Ireland Parades Commission has changed a decision not to re-route a loyalist band parade away from nationalist areas in Newry.

The commission has re-routed the parade after meeting a delegation of Sinn Fein councillors on Wednesday.

The commission imposed conditions on Friday's parade by the South Down Defenders Flute Band, after Sinn Fein argued that it would pass 'very sensitive interface areas in the town'.

The commission said it also took evidence from the RUC in making its decision.

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Man cleared of Shankill murder charge

A 47-year-old Belfast man has been cleared of murdering a women found dead in her home six months ago.

The Department of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges against Samuel Black, from Cambrai Street in the Shankill area, without specifying a reason on Wednesday.

Mr Black had been in custody since March accused of murdering 52 year-old Margaret Johnston, who lived at Montreal Street.

Her relatives shouted abuse at Mr Black as he was left the dock.

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Man charged with abusing sister

A 44-year-old man has gone on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of sexually abusing his younger sister in their former Newtownabbey home over 20 years ago.

The man who can not be named to protect his 34-year-old sister's identity denies a total of eight charges of indecent assault alleged committed between May 1972 and May 1980.

His sister told the court that her brother abused her from about the age of seven until she was in grammar school at the age of about 13 or 14 and at times forced her to perform oral sex on him.

The trial will continue on Thursday.

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Racecourse is targeted by vandals

The racecourse at Downpatrick in County Down has been targeted by vandals for the third time in the last 18 months.

A fence was set on fire on Tuesday night disrupting plans for one of Downpatrick's main race events next Monday.

The course for the Lady's Day meeting will now have to be shortened.

The Downpatrick course registrar, Ian Duff, said the vandalism problem appeared to be getting worse.