UK weather: Flood warnings for week of heavy rain
On the day pubs and restaurants in England can finally allow customers indoors, heavy rain is expected across the country with hail and thunderstorms in some places on Monday. But torrential downpours are expected from now to next week, the Met Office warned. Met Office five-day weather forecastMondayCloudy start in some eastern areas, but sunny spells developing, before showers develop once again. Wednesday to FridayFurther heavy showers for southern areas Wednesday, before a fine and chilly night. In its long-term forecast for Friday 21 May to Sunday 30 May, the Met Office is predicting further bouts of heavy rain and thunderstorms, though drier conditions are expected next week.
Source:Daily Mirror
May 17, 2021 10:15 UTC
Over €180,000 in funding for food waste reduction projects
A number of projects aimed at reducing food waste generated by food businesses, retailers, and suppliers have been earmarked for funding under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue made the announcement this morning.
Source:Irish Examiner
May 17, 2021 10:00 UTC
Amol Rajan reveals ‘panic attack’ night before Today programme debut
New Today programme presenter Amol Rajan said he had a “full-on panic attack” the night before his debut on the Radio 4 current affairs programme. He tweeted: “10pm last night I had a full-on panic attack. 2/ Want to say a massive thanks to the whole team for looking after me, not least the great @JustinOnWeb. — Amol Rajan (@amolrajan) May 17, 2021“Had 3 massive rums and a bit else. While continuing as the corporation’s media editor, Rajan will also present a new interview series for BBC Two and a two-part royal documentary.
Source:Irish Independent
May 17, 2021 09:56 UTC
British Airways and Heathrow urge UK to ease travel restrictions
The bosses of British Airways (BA) and the UK’s biggest airport, Heathrow, urged the UK government to go further in easing restrictions around travel on Monday, saying links to much of Europe and the United States should be opened up. Britain lifted a ban on international travel on Monday but the government has said only 12 countries are safe for quarantine-free travel so far, limiting any industry recovery. “It’s clear to us that America should be on the green list,” said BA’s Irish chief executive, Sean Doyle. Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye said France, Greece and Spain should also be added. BA is a sister airline of Aer Lingus, operating under the umbrella of the listed company, International Airlines Group.
Source:The Irish Times
May 17, 2021 09:50 UTC
McDonald's rules you'll have to follow from today as dine-in reopens at 1,088 branches
If you’re planning on getting your Maccies fix today, we explain the rules you’ll need to follow. (Image: Media Wales John Myers)Table service onlyLike all other restaurants reopening for inside dining, McDonald’s has confirmed it’ll be operating table service only for those who are eating in. The app allows you to go straight to your table and order food once you’ve sat down. You'll need to choose your restaurant, then select "table service" when you go to order your food. Follow one-way systemsRestaurants will still have a one-way system in place, which you’ll need to follow as you enter and leave.
Source:Daily Mirror
May 17, 2021 09:48 UTC
Bitcoin steadies as Elon Musk clarifies comments
Bitcoin steadied after Elon Musk said Tesla hasn’t sold from its holdings of the token, clarifying earlier comments that seemed to imply the electric vehicle maker may sell or has sold its stake. Tesla CEO Musk spent the past couple of days duelling on Twitter with critics of his move to suspend acceptance of Bitcoin payments on environmental concerns. He lopped nearly $10,000 off the price of Bitcoin in hours last Wednesday after saying Tesla would no longer accept it as payment for cars. A few days earlier, Musk had hosted “Saturday Night Live” and joked that Dogecoin – a token he had previously promoted – was a “hustle,” denting its price. Bitcoin was already falling on Sunday when Musk replied “Indeed” to a tweet from @CryptoWhale suggesting Tesla get rid of its remaining Bitcoin holdings.
Source:The Irish Times
May 17, 2021 09:45 UTC
Perrie Edwards says The Saturdays got cut from BRITs speech as Mollie King confronts her
Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy noticePregnant Perrie Edwards confessed The Saturdays were left out the BRITs speech when she faced a confrontation with Mollie King. In an awkward moment, The Saturdays' singer Mollie and her co-host Matt Edmondson grilled Perrie over why the BRITs speech failed to mention the band. "[He repeats after Little Mix's speech] Spice Girls, Sugababes, All Saints, Girls Aloud, all incredible female bands. Jokingly, Matt suggested it was "worse" because The Saturdays were actually "cut" from the speech. "This award isn’t just for us, it’s for The Spice Girls, Sugababes, All Saints, Girls Aloud.
Source:Daily Mirror
May 17, 2021 09:42 UTC
Pedestrians have a narrow escape as car hurtles backwards along pavement
This is the moment a driver mistakenly accelerated instead of hitting the brake pedal, narrowly missing three pedestrians as it reversed up the pavement. CCTV footage shows a silver car in Hoan Kiem in Hanoi, Vietnam, backing down a street. The silver Toyota all of a sudden speeds up as it mounts the pavement shortly after 11am on May 11. Footage from another angle shows how close the car was to hitting the pedestrian in the hat, and two other women on the same stretch of pavement. There are two other pedestrians nearby when the car crashed, with one in a baseball cap walking in the same direction the car was reversing
Source:Daily Mail
May 17, 2021 09:39 UTC
Cyberattack a ‘despicable’ crime with risk of stolen patient data being abused, Government says
The Government has said the cyberattacks on the State’s health services are “despicable crimes” and “no effort is being spared” to resume medical services and restore the HSE’s system. It also said any public release of stolen patient data by the criminals behind the attack is “utterly contemptible”. “The significant disruption to health services is to be condemned, especially at this time. “Any public release by the criminals behind this attack of any stolen patient data is equally and utterly contemptible. There is a risk that the medical and other data of patients will be abused.
Source:The Irish Times
May 17, 2021 09:33 UTC
Share your story: Have you been affected by delays due to the HSE cyberattack?
Thousands of procedures, appointments and scans scheduled for patients this week have been cancelled as a result of the biggest cybercrime attack seen in the State. HSE cyberattack: Have you been affected by delays? Have you had a procedure or an appointment delayed or cancelled as a result of the cyberattack? You can use the form on this page to tell us how you have been affected. If you are reading this in the Irish Times app, click here to access the form.
Source:The Irish Times
May 17, 2021 09:33 UTC
Trust remains low in banks more than a decade after financial collapse
TRUST in banks remains low more than a decade after the financial collapse, according to surveys of the public and banking staff show. Four out of 10 people say their perception of banks has worsened since 2008, according to research commissioned by Irish Banking Culture Board. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe warned banks that they need to do more to build trust for customers and staff. But more than a decade on from the banking collapse market research among the public found trust levels remain low, and are well below international benchmarks. “We are pleased our bank staff survey results show progress being made internally across all IBCB [Irish Banking Culture Board] member banks since 2018.
Source:Irish Independent
May 17, 2021 09:33 UTC
Petition launched calling for independent regulator in English football
A UK parliamentary petition calling for an independent regulator in the English game by the end of the year has been launched. The group highlighted last month’s European Super League breakaway attempt as evidence of the need for reform of the game’s governance. “As football fans, we were appalled by the attempt to set up a European Super League,” the letter began. The letter added: “Without swift and direct intervention, the return of a European Super League will be a constant threat. I don’t think an independent regulator is required, but that’s not to say that we won’t fully co-operate with Tracey Crouch’s review.
Source:The Irish Times
May 17, 2021 09:33 UTC
People share photos showing themselves finally embracing family and friends
Some scientists have urged caution though, suggesting that embracing loved ones again is still a 'high risk activity'. Scroll down for videoA grandfather hugs his granddaughter after almost 14 months of not being able to due to lockdown restrictions. Posting the family snap, @SeanC_Mayo said the moment was a sign that 'normality' was finally returning to life as the pandemic's grip loosens in the UK. Katie Taylor, who runs the The Latte Lounge, captioned the image: '14 long months later & we can #hug our friends & family. On ITV's Lorraine this morning, viewers were reduced to tears after a grandmother got to hug her family for the first time in 17 months.
Source:Daily Mail
May 17, 2021 09:30 UTC
Grandmother suing gastropub for £200,000 after breaking leg when slipping on ice and cake
A grandmother who claims she broke her leg when she slipped on spilled champagne ice and birthday cake in a gastropub is suing for £200,000. The pensioner spent weeks in hospital and rehabilitation after the fall left her with a broken leg and fractured knee cap. 'There were also other greasy foodstuffs, including what appeared to be birthday cake, visible on the floor around the table. 'The defendant denies that the area was covered in water and ice cubes and greasy foodstuffs including birthday cake at the end of the night,' she said. 'The accident occurred at approximately 11.30pm, by which time Mrs Andlaw's group, including Mrs Andlaw, were intoxicated,' she added.
Source:Daily Mail
May 17, 2021 09:28 UTC
Desperate search for teen girls last seen in field as police release photo of clothes
Ruby Cuskern, 14, and Megan Hardwick, 15, have been urged to let people know they are safe. The force has reassured the girls they are not in any trouble and urged them to make contact so police can establish they’re both safe and well. A spokeswoman said: "If Ruby and Megan see this message, please call Cleveland Police on 101 as soon as possible - to let us know you’re safe and well. "You're not in any trouble, we just need to know you're ok!" Police have also asked parents and carers of those who know Ruby and Megan to speak to their children and ask if they’ve seen them or know where they are.
Source:Daily Mirror
May 17, 2021 09:23 UTC