A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident in Millisle, Co Down, where a vehicle struck a number of pedestrians outside a licensed premises on Main Street. The incident, which occurred late on Saturday night, left two individuals with serious injuries, prompting a swift response from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Detective Inspector Oonagh Ryan provided details of the event, stating that the vehicle involved collided with pedestrians before turning around and driving past the scene again, then fleeing. The car was later discovered outside Walkers Lane, leading to the arrest of a man suspected of attempted murder and several driving offences. The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.

The local community has been left in shock by the incident, with Independent MP Alex Easton expressing his dismay and calling for a transparent judicial process. Easton emphasized the need for accountability and justice, urging anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward to assist the PSNI in their inquiries.

Authorities are appealing to the public for any additional information that may aid the investigation. Main Street in Millisle remains closed as police conduct their inquiries, and the community rallies in support of the victims and their families during this distressing time.

EasyJet has reported a headline pre-tax loss of £394 million for the six months ending March, marking a slight improvement from the £350 million loss recorded in the same period last year. The airline attributes this marginal betterment, approximately £50 million, to the later timing of Easter this year, which has historically influenced seasonal demand for air travel. Despite the winter losses, the company remains optimistic about the upcoming summer season, traditionally a profitable period for airlines.

The carrier transported 18.2 million passengers in the first quarter, an 8% increase compared to the previous year, signaling a robust recovery in travel demand. Furthermore, EasyJet's package holiday division showcased a significant 42% year-on-year growth, with pre-tax profits reaching £44 million for the half-year. This performance underscores the airline's successful strategy to diversify its offerings and capture a larger share of the travel market.

Kenton Jarvis, EasyJet's chief executive, highlighted the airline's commitment to enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency as key drivers of its strategy. The announcement of a new base in Newcastle, set to open next spring, reflects EasyJet's ambition to expand its network and provide customers with more choices for flights and holidays across Europe and the UK.

Looking ahead, EasyJet is focused on achieving another record summer, with expectations of strong earnings growth. The airline's long-term goal of sustainably generating over £1 billion in annual pre-tax profit remains a central focus, as it continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the aviation industry.