Other News In Brief

Lidl To Axe Black Plastic Packaging In NI

Lidl has confirmed it will soon be getting rid of it's black plastic packaging, which cannot be recycled, across all stores in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland before Christmas.

The black packaging is used for fruit and vegetables and more than 65 tonnes of waste will be avoided annually as a result of the company's decision.

Green Party MLA Steven Agnew has hailed it a "great move" by the budget supermarket and called on other retailers to follow suit.

"Much of our fruit and vegetables don't need to be wrapped or packaged, certainly not in single-use plastic," he said.

"I look forward to other retailers following Lidl's lead and removing black plastic packaging.

"People want to recycle as much as possible and it's right that businesses and retailers make it as easy as possible to take the right choices," Mr Agnew added.

The packaging, which is not yet recycled in Ireland or the UK because sorting systems cannot detect the carbon black pigment, will be removed from fresh fish products by February 2019, followed by fresh meat, poultry and cured meats by August of next year.

Explorer Levison Wood To Tell His Story In Belfast's Ulster Hall

Former Parachute Regiment Officer turned explorer, Levison Wood, is bringing his current tour to the Ulster Hall in Belfast next month.

The 36-year-old from Staffordshire is now a celebrated explorer, author and television star, but previously spent time touring Afghanistan and fighting the Taliban, an experience that he said "enhanced his belief in humanity".

His latest series Walking The Americas from Mexico to Colombia aired on Channel 4 last year, and the accompanying book topped the Sunday Times bestseller list.

The audience at his Belfast date will hear tales of his most dangerous trips, see behind-the-scenes footage from his excursions, and get the chance to quiz Levison in a Q&A session.

His most recent trip was a 5,000 mile circumnavigation of the Arabian peninsula fro Iraq to Lebanon, and he also attempted to walk the length of the River Nile while in Uganda.

Levison details the humanity of people around the world as his motivation for exploring. He said: "I was in Yemen which is in the midst of appallingly brutal civil war- it's one of the most dangerous and deprived places on earth yet I still encountered incredible human kindness."

Tributes To Talented Boxer And Young Dad Who Passed Suddenly

Tributes have been paid to a young dad and talented boxer from County Tyrone who passed suddenly on Saturday.

Wayne Bell, who was in his 20's died in Craigavon Area Hospital after "taking ill" at a home in the Moygashel area of Dungannon.

A spokesperson for his employer, R&M Greenkeeper in Cookstown, said Wayne had "a heart of gold," ahead of his funeral on Wednesday 10 October.

"He was a well respected lad. He was a hard worker and would be close friends with a lot of the lads. It will be a very sad day on Wednesday."

The talented boxer was also described by his trainer as "very mannerly" in the gym and "a fantastic fella".

"It's just terrible. I am proud to have been his coach," he added.

Many have also taken to social media to share their sadness at Wayne's passing, including his granny.

Her message read: "Saturday has to have been the most heartbreaking day because I lost my beautiful grandson Wayne. I'll always love you and miss you."

Another social media tribute said: "I am so glad I had the opportunity of meeting you, such a nice guy. Gone too young."

A Northern Ireland Ambulance spokesperson said: "NIAS received a 999 call at 16:59 on Thursday, 4 October 2018 following reports that a male had taken unwell at an address in the Moygashel area.

Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was transported to the Craigavon Area Hospital."

A PSNI spokesperson said that as in all sudden death cases, a postmortem will be carried out.

(JG)