20/08/2025

Other News In Brief

New Youth Services Launched at Renovated Ardoyne Building

Belfast City Council has welcomed new tenants, Streetbeat, into the recently renovated former Upper Ardoyne Youth Club building in North Belfast.

The council-owned building, located within the boundary of Ballysillan Playing Fields, had been out of use for several years. Following extensive repairs, Streetbeat will now deliver a range of services, including mentoring, drop-in groups, and outdoor programmes for young people.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said it was "good to breathe life back into a vacant building," while Streetbeat CEO Steve Morrison said the new facility will provide "much needed services to young people in the area."

Ní Chuilín Encourages Attendance at Hunger Strike Commemoration
News Image
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has encouraged activists to attend the National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Belfast this Sunday, 24 August.

The main procession will assemble at 2.15pm at Dunville Park before making its way to Milltown Cemetery.

The main speaker will be Uachtarán Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald.

According to Ms Ní Chuilín, the event is a chance to remember the "bravery and heroism" of the hunger strikers and to rededicate activists to the goal of a united Ireland.

DUP MP Condemns Calls to Recall Parliament Over Gaza

DUP MP Sammy Wilson has described recent calls by the SDLP, Alliance, and Sinn Fein for Parliament to be recalled to discuss the situation in Gaza as "virtue signalling demands."

The East Antrim MP stated that such a discussion would be a "pointless exercise" that would make no difference to the situation and would give "succour to Hamas."

He added that the DUP will not be part of the calls and supports the Israeli government "in defending its people and its territory and defeating the terrorists who threaten them."


Latest Northern Ireland News

20 August 2025
Man Charged With Attempted Murder Following Armagh Bar Attack
Detectives investigating a petrol bomb attack on a bar in Armagh on Monday, 18 August, have charged a 38-year-old man to court. He faces charges including two counts of attempted murder, arson with intent to endanger life, and possession of a blade or point. The incident occurred on Irish Street, where a petrol bomb was thrown into a bar.
20 August 2025
NICS To Recruit 500 New Executive Officers
The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) has launched a major recruitment drive to hire approximately 500 permanent Executive Officer 2 (EO2) roles across a range of departments and locations.
20 August 2025
£2.5m Funding Boost To Help Tackle Homelessness
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced an additional £2.5 million in funding for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) to boost homeless prevention services. The announcement was made during a visit to the final training session for the Northern Ireland teams competing in the Homeless World Cup in Oslo at the end of August.
20 August 2025
First Climate Action Plan Consultation Event Underway
The first of 10 public consultation events on Northern Ireland's first draft Climate Action Plan has begun, with a session held today at Belfast City Hall.
20 August 2025
Man Charged After Laser Pointed At Police Helicopter In Lurgan
Police have charged a 20-year-old man after a laser beam was reportedly directed at a police helicopter yesterday evening, Monday, 18 August 2025. The incident took place at around 11.15pm in the Victoria Street area of Lurgan.
20 August 2025
New Fixing Factory Project To Tackle Waste In L'Derry
Repair & Share Foyle has announced the launch of its brand-new Fixing Factory, which is set to officially open on 1 September 2025.
20 August 2025
Health Minister Launches Learning Disability Service Consultation
The Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has launched a 14-week public consultation on a new learning disability service model for Northern Ireland. The document, titled We Matter, outlines a three-year roadmap for transforming services and aims to support people with a learning disability to live the lives they choose.
20 August 2025
Other News In Brief
New Youth Services Launched at Renovated Ardoyne Building Belfast City Council has welcomed new tenants, Streetbeat, into the recently renovated former Upper Ardoyne Youth Club building in North Belfast. The council-owned building, located within the boundary of Ballysillan Playing Fields, had been out of use for several years.
19 August 2025
Belfast Parks Shine With 23 Green Flag Awards
Belfast City Council is celebrating after 23 of its parks and open spaces were awarded prestigious Green Flag Awards. The announcement was made at the annual ceremony at Bangor Castle Walled Garden, where 118 sites across Northern Ireland were honoured this year.
19 August 2025
Public Urged To Be Vigilant After Asian Hornet Sighting In Cork
Members of the public and local beekeepers are being urged to be vigilant following a recent sighting and subsequent capture of an Asian hornet in the Cork area. The sighting, confirmed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), marks only the second confirmed record of the insect in Ireland.