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Walking through Ballyannan Woods recently, I was stopped in my tracks by a sound that felt oddly out of place. A Sounds Ireland Forgot, or Perhaps Never KnewAsk whether woodpeckers are native to Ireland and you’ll often get a confident answer, no. Unlike the UK and continental Europe, where multiple woodpecker species have long been part of everyday woodland life, Ireland lacked them within living memory. They don’t tell us how widespread woodpeckers were, or how long they persisted. Why Woodpeckers MatterWhether woodpeckers were once widespread in Ireland or only marginally present, their current role is clear.

The latest Ireland’s Best Workplaces results suggest that where these elements are embedded, organisations are better positioned for long-term success. That distinction is evident in Ireland’s 2026 Best Workplaces benchmark data. This sense of staying power is reinforced by day-to-day experience: employees in Best Workplaces are more likely to feel supported, listened to, and confident about their future. Clear patterns in organisational and leadership development emerge across Best Workplaces. The experience of Ireland’s Best Workplaces™ suggests that trust, engagement, and consistent leadership continue to shape sustainable success across Irish organisations.

Kevin Kreider and Devon Diep, the stars of Bling Empire, have called it quits after their longtime, on-and-off relationship. The couple, who have been romantically linked for approximately 15 years, had just gotten engaged five months earlier before they called it quits. Kreider, 42, and Diep announced their separation in a joint statement obtained by People on Thursday. At the time, the couple announced their engagement in a since-deleted, joint Instagram post of them enjoying their Italian getaway. The streaming service made the announcement in April 2023 and also canceled the spinoff series, Bling Empire: New York after just one season.

"An argument and eh I woke up now to check on him and he's not breathing, he's cold, you know?" The dispatcher told Cypas if he wanted to try to help his friend he was going to have to turn him on his back. Cypas said: "I just can't, I'm sorry I can't, my head is spinning.....I can't he's just lying there". The dispatcher told the accused that an ambulance would be there as soon as possible and to unlock the front door. The 12 jurors were told by defence counsel Brendan Grehan that the accused Cypas admits hitting the deceased.

Two British cousins accused of knifing a man in the throat after allegedly trying to chat up his female friend were just millimetres away from killing him, Italian police have revealed. Axyl Izouaouen, 19, and Adam Izouaouen, 21, both from London, are in custody on suspicion of attempted murder following the St Valentine’s Day attack in Venice. Witnesses said an argument developed after the two British men, who are from London, tried to chat up a woman who was with the victim. Social media accounts for the men reveal both are from London and Adam is said to be a law student while his cousin is unemployed. Both men are currently being held in a jail near Venice and are expected to appear in court again next month.

International award-winning filmmaker and BEM recipient introduces ASCEND, a trauma-informed leadership and institutional resilience platform in the U.S. Adversity can be transformed into leadership and strategic institutional impact.” — Andrea Aviet BEMCHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, February 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — British Empire Medal (BEM) recipient, award-winning filmmaker, and international survivor advocate Andrea Aviet BEM has officially launched her United States leadership and empowerment platform, ASCEND, headquartered in Chicago. ASCEND: Leadership, Resilience, and Institutional ImpactASCEND is designed to partner with colleges and universities, government agencies, corporate leadership teams, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, and community and faith-based institutions. Statement from Andrea Aviet BEM“Pain does not have to define a person’s future. About Andrea Aviet BEMAndrea Aviet BEM is a British award-winning filmmaker, author, survivor advocate, and transformational leadership coach.

In the South East, business confidence jumped by 16 points to 38 per cent in February, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Amanda Dorel, regional director for the South East at Lloyds, said: "It’s encouraging to see South East confidence rise again this month. Nationally, UK business confidence held steady at 44 per cent. Looking ahead, firms identified key areas for growth in the next six months. In January, the South East’s confidence reading was 22 per cent, making February’s rise particularly notable.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4 per cent amid renewed worries about a possible AI bubble. British aerospace and defence stocks rose to an all-time high following the results. Fresnillo fell 5.1 per cent, Antofagasta fell 4.4 per cent, Anglo American fell 3.6 per cent, reversing Wednesday’s gains. MSCI’s All Share Index was down 0.30 per cent after rising to a record high of 1,063.86. New YorkThe Nasdaq Index led losses, dropping 1.7 per cent, as a rally in technology stocks lost steam while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5 per cent by mid afternoon in New York.

Mauricio Pochettino breaks silence on links to Tottenham job with telling commentTottenham will be on the hunt for a new manager this summer with Mauricio Pochettino breaking his silence on a potential returnView 2 Images Mauricio Pochettino has been speaking about a potential return to Tottenham (Image: (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images))Mauricio Pochettino has seemingly left the door open on a return to Tottenham. ‌Pochettino is set to lead the USA at this summer's World Cup but has refused to rule out a return to his old club, hinting that he's open to all offers. We’re focused on the World Cup, on the United States. My contract runs until after the World Cup, so after that we’ll see what might happen. Though he did not win any trophies, the Pochettino years are reflected upon fondly with Tottenham going close in two Premier League title races.

Adults who threw punches at kids' football match banned for lifeIt comes after a shocking brawl occurred during the under-14s match between Aberkenfig BGC and Trefelin BGCAdults throw punches at kids' football match as children try to stop violenceAdults involved in a shocking brawl which saw them throw punches during an under-14s match in Bridgend have been banned for life following the conclusion of an internal investigation. ‌Onlookers could be heard shouting “it’s just a game” and “you’ve got your boys watching” as several adults grappled and threw punches. Trefelin BGC has now announced its investigation had concluded, with individuals involved handed lifetime bans. In a statement released on Sunday evening, Trefelin BGC said: "As a club we have been made aware of an incident on social media. "Trefelin BGC certainly don't condone this behaviour and are awaiting reports from the relevant match and league officials.

‌The former Manchester United and England attacker, 33, is a free agent after leaving FC Seoul back in December. And Lingard looks poised to continue playing overseas with strong interest in his services from Brazil, first from Remo and now Corinthians. ‌ESPN Brazil report that Lingard and Corinthians are attempting to close a deal which would see the winger join them. ‌If Lingard does put pen to paper with Corinthians then he would line up alongside a familiar face in the former Manchester United forward, Memphis Depay. It had been reported earlier this year that Lingard had held talks with Premier League clubs over a possible return to England, while there was also strong Serie A interest in the attacker's services.

Rotary Club of Athlone president Billy Nott presenting a cheque for €6,000 to the Special Olympics Club, Athlone, following last November’s annual Rotary concert. More than €13,000 raised by two Athlone Rotary fundraisersThe Rotary Club of Athlone recently presented the proceeds of two highly successful annual fundraisers which it organsised late last year. Again, Athlone Rotary was delighted to host the Combined Bands of the Defence Forces, with mezzo soprano soloist accompaniment. Your generosity and support made Rotary Club of Athlone Fundraising concert 2025 something truly meaningful for our Special Olympians," said Athlone Rotary. "A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who made this possible, especially the volunteers from both the Irish Wheelchair Association and Rotary Club Athlone branch, whose time, effort, and good spirit helped ensure the event ran so smoothly," said Athlone Rotary.

Summer 'exclusion zone' returns to famous Anglesey beauty spot blighted by adventure tourismConservationists say seal and bird numbers soared after a previous banView 3 Images Penrhos Feilw common was used as a military firing range before being reclaimed by nature (Image: Laura Kudelska)A six-month exclusion zone on a section of Anglesey’s coast is be re-instated this summer. ‌Natural Resources Wales (NRW) first imposed the exclusion zone last year following a request from RSPB Cymru to protect the area. Now the environment body is repeating the ban following “encouraging signs of wildlife recovery” in 2025. RSPB South Stack said “record higher numbers” of breeding birds and seals were seen at the site following last year’s ban. “The new exclusion zone this year will provide more time for wildlife to recover.

Ireland women’s manager Carla Ward has enlisted Jasmine Mander – one of the Canadian staffers sacked over Dronegate at the 2024 Paris Olympics - as her performance analyst. Bev Priestman was swiftly removed as manager, while drone operator Joey Lombardi and analyst Mander also departed. Mander, after serving her suspension, has been brought into the Ireland set-up for their World Cup qualifiers. “I messed up,” is how Mander explained the situation in a first-person account published in the Players' Tribune last October., “I really did. I’d dream about things I wished had happened, but didn’t, like certain people I cared about asking me, “Jas.