Other News In Brief

Four Men Arrested In Connection With New IRA Activity

The PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit have arrested four men in Belfast during an operation connected to an investigation into the activities of the New IRA.

Officers carried out searches of a number of properties today, Wednesday, 24 August.

The men, aged 27, 30, 51 and 62, were detained under the Terrorism Act and taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Police Station.

The PSNI said that their investigation is ongoing.

People Urged To Donate Old Unwanted Spectacles

Belfast City Council is calling on residents to donate old unwanted spectacles at its recycling centres.

This is to support the "Spectacle Reuse" scheme, which will see donated spectacles repaired and sent to people in developing countries for reuse.

Council has partnered with the Newcastle Lions Club charity to deliver the project, with 3,500 spectacle donations made already.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Christina Black is delighted council is involved in such a unique project. She said: "This is such a wonderful and unique scheme that is ultimately supporting and helping those most in need. I'm delighted council has partnered with the Lions Club to bring this project forward and I would encourage all residents to get involved and donate any unwanted spectacles they might have at home."

She added: "This really is a worthy cause and a shining example of the circular economy in action, where items are repaired and used again rather than being recycled or sent for disposal."

Residents can bring old spectacles - along with the case if available - to any of the council's four recycling centres and place them in dedicated used spectacle containers.

Donated spectacles will be collected by the Newcastle Lions Club and sent to Lion Medico in France - the international humanitarian arm of Lions Clubs – for repair and redistribution around the world.

Newcastle Lions President Elizabeth Murphy explains the partnership with Belfast City Council will help the charity support greater numbers of people in need.

She said: "The first collection from Belfast in July received over 3,500 pairs of glasses. This resulted in ten large boxes filled with spectacles being sent to Lions Medico where they were cleaned, calibrated, identified and sent to developing countries so doctors can meet the needs of their patients".

"Our partnership with Belfast City Council will undoubtedly increase the numbers of donations allowing us to build greater capacity to help more people around the world."

Many other items collected at recycling centres are also collected for reuse, including books, CDs, DVDs, clothes, and bicycles.

Opportunities Of Protocol Need To Be Built On – SF

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the Protocol provides important protections and the opportunities it creates need to be built upon.

Commenting on the statement from the Business Brexit Working Group, the party's economy spokesperson said: "We are facing an increasingly challenging economic outlook driven by high inflation and spiralling costs for businesses, workers and families.

"The Protocol provides important protections for businesses here from the worst impacts of Brexit, it prevents a hard border on this island, and it protects the all-island economy.

"Economic evidence is showing the Protocol is helping to create jobs and attract investment and our businesses are benefiting from unique access to both the EU and British markets. This needs to be built upon.

"The British government's intention to break international law and tear up an international agreement by pursuing the Protocol Bill which the Business Brexit Working Group has today said will create a 'myriad' of risk for many businesses.

"There now needs to be renewed talks and good faith engagement between the EU and the British government to provide businesses and wider society with certainty and stability."