I felt like an observer – NI health minister on pandemic Cobra meeting
Cabinet Office briefing meetings were held throughout the pandemic to share information as the UK responded to Covid-19. At a sitting of the Covid-19 Inquiry in Belfast on Monday, lead counsel to the inquiry Clair Dobbin put to Mr Swann that it had been said it was “highly unusual for ministers from Northern Ireland to be invited to attend Cobra”. “I think in hindsight it would have been useful if the invitation had included the first and deputy first ministers even from those early points as well,” he said. “As we work our way through the pandemic, it was often that I was there along with them and other meetings as well. In those early stages it was delegated to me to attend at that point.”Mr Swann described the first meeting he attended in January 2020, with Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride, chaired by then health secretary Matt Hancock, as “very challenging”.
Source:The Herald
May 13, 2024 11:15 UTC
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Motion on baptism of children of unmarried mothers defeated as Burke family interrupt Church of Ireland Synod
Martina Burke, mother of teacher Enoch Burke, was among those who interrupted the Church of Ireland General Synod in Armagh on Saturday. File photograph: Collins CourtsA motion to allow all children of unmarried mothers be baptised in the Church of Ireland was rejected at its General Synod in Armagh, despite the overwhelming support of lay delegates. Separately, proceedings at the General Synod, in the Armagh City Hotel, were disrupted for a short period on Saturday, with a protest by Martina Burke and members of her family. READ MOREA spokesman for the Church of Ireland said on Saturday evening that, following the intervention members of the Burke family, “the business of the General Synod was suspended and resumed 45 minutes later”. Rev Sam Johnston of Down diocese opposed the motion and urged the Synod to mandate clergy and bishops “to navigate these complex times”.
Source:The Irish Times
May 13, 2024 10:47 UTC
Cerillion boosted by $11.1m contract with provider of satellite and 5G services in Africa
Cerillion shares rose on Monday after the software firm won a large contract and revealed record half-year results. It told investors the customer serves the business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets across Southern Africa with technologies ranging from fibre to satellite, microwave, and 5G standalone. Cerillion anticipates achieving its annual market forecasts, owing to a significant back-order book, new business pipeline and current projects. Hall started Cerillion in 1999 following the management buyout of the customer care and billing product arm of Logica, a now-defunct computer services consultancy. Cerillion shares were 1 per cent higher at 1,591.4p on Monday morning, meaning they have expanded by around 32 per cent over the past year.
Source:Daily Mail
May 13, 2024 08:56 UTC
Offaly humbled by London in shock defeat
Offaly humbled by London in shock defeatTailteann Cup Group 4London 2-20 Offaly 0-12Offaly slumped to a shock defeat at the hands of London in their Tailteann Cup opener at Tullamore last Saturday - but it was the manner of the defeat that really sent shockwaves through the GAA world. A London win of any kind would have been a major surprise - indeed, it was their first championship victory in 11 years - but a win by 14 points was the sort of result nobody saw coming. It was a day to remember for London manager Michael Maher and his team, while the outcome will prompt a post mortem in Offaly. Offaly defeated London by nine points in the corresponding fixture last year, but they never really raised a gallop on Saturday. Offaly are away to Limerick in their next game at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Saturday (3pm) where they will be looking to atone for the London defeat.
Source:Irish Independent
May 13, 2024 07:25 UTC
Recruitment in private sector falls for tenth month in a row
Recruitment in the private sector has fallen for the tenth month in a row, which is the longest decline since records began. Accountancy firm BDO said its employment index, which tracks the UK job market, slumped to the lowest level in more than a decade in April. Bouncing back: Hiring intentions are expected to start recovering by September as forecasts suggest the Bank of England will cut interest rates this summerBut hiring intentions are expected to start recovering by September as forecasts suggest the Bank of England will cut interest rates this summer. It comes after figures last week showed the economy bounced back from a recession.
Source:Daily Mail
May 13, 2024 07:20 UTC
New law will hike age limit for buying cigarettes to 21
Health Minister Donnelly plans to raise legal age for buying cigarettes to 21‘After decades of progress, we are stagnating’It's hoped that the new age limit on buying cigarettes will have a beneficial effect on people's health in Ireland. Photo: PAThe legal age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco products is set to rise from 18 to 21 under landmark legislation being introduced by the Health Minister. Stephen Donnelly will this week seek Cabinet approval for the legislation to increase the legal age by three years. Raising the minimum legal age of the sale of tobacco products is expected to lead to a significant reduction in smoking prevalence and addiction. A new law in the UK will each year increase the legal age for the sale of cigarettes by one year.
Source:Irish Independent
May 13, 2024 07:16 UTC
Monday morning rain after our short spell of summer weather – here’s the forecast for the rest of the week
Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow rain warning for three counties following a spell of warm, dry weather. Heavy rain is expected with the possibility of localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility. Met Éireann said the weather will be changeable during the week, with rain showers and some sunshine possible. There will be a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, with some regions remaining dry. The next weekend will be a little cooler, with sunny spells and scattered showers, Met Éireann said.
Source:Irish Independent
May 13, 2024 03:37 UTC
Reckitt Benckiser under the cosh over baby formula, says ALEX BRUMMER
However, when it moved into baby formula, with a £13billion takeover of Mead Johnson five years ago, it entered trickier territory. Baby formula, while providing nutrition, has long been regarded as controversial and a poor substitute for mother's milk and divides opinion. Plaintiffs are claiming Mead Johnson (and Abbott's baby formula) is responsible for causing the death of prenatal babies. One mooted solution is to hive off Mead Johnson into a separate entity. A more politically aware Reckitt board should have recognised that involvement in baby formula would be fraught and carry enormous litigation risks.
Source:Daily Mail
May 13, 2024 02:51 UTC
‘F**k the EBU’ – Bambie Thug criticises Eurovision organisers
Bambie Thug says Israeli broadcaster ‘incited violence against me three times’Taoiseach Simon Harris congratulated Bambie for a ‘stunning performance and tour de force at Eurovision 2024’‘F**k the EBU’ – Bambie Thug criticises Eurovision organisers as they accuse Israeli broadcaster of inciting violence against themIrish Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug has heavily criticised the organisers of the Eurovision, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), saying; ‘F**k the EBU’. They accused the Eurovision Song Contest organisers of not supporting them over a row with Israel. Bambie Thug claimed the Israeli broadcaster KAN had disobeyed the rules of the contest and this had been brought to the EBU’s attention. KAN, the broadcaster, incited violence against me twice, three times.,” Bambie Thug said after the final on Saturday night. Eurovision winner Nemo states the EBU banned the non-binary flag in the Eurovision venue“I smuggled my flag in because Eurovision said no and I did it anyway.
Source:Irish Independent
May 13, 2024 01:15 UTC
Teenager has part of each ear bitten off during assault in Antrim
Teenager has part of each ear bitten off during assault in AntrimRebecca Black, PAA teenager assaulted in Antrim had parts of both of his ears bitten off. Police said the incident was reported at a licensed premises in the High Street area of the town shortly before 12.10am on Sunday. “During the incident, a man, aged in his late teens, had part of each ear bitten off and attended hospital for treatment to his injuries,” a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesperson said. “Inquiries remain ongoing and we are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or has mobile phone footage. Witnesses are asked to call 101 quoting reference 21 of 12/05/24 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Source:Irish Independent
May 13, 2024 01:00 UTC
Don't try to be a super woman - build a dream team! The top tech boss who admits the secret to success is her 'pit crew', from a nanny and yoga teacher to a coach and nutritionist
Get yourself a pit crew. And in case the idea assembling a pit crew sounds a bit egocentric, she feels it is important to be part of other women's crews in return. If my pit crew goes AWOL, I feel wobbly very quickly. So could there be a CEO bot, that doesn't need a pit crew? And my pit crew!
Source:Daily Mail
May 13, 2024 00:14 UTC
Celebrities show off glamour on Bafta red carpet
Celebrities show off glamour on Bafta red carpetBy Hannah Cottrell, PACelebrities have flashed the flesh on the red carpet of the Bafta Television Awards in central London. Williams was not the only star to bare some skin, as Love Island star Georgia Harrison sported a bold red dress featuring a white, ruffled bust, leaving two parts of her midriff exposed. Georgia Harrison (Ian West/PA) Photo by Ian WestFellow Love Island star Maura Higgins wore a low cut black gown on the red carpet which ruffled up around her waist and tapered towards the floor. Maura Higgins (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Photo by Jordan PettittIn a similar fashion, actress Hannah Waddingham wore a low cut black dress with silver, sparkly detailing around the upper trim. He carried two different types of fan on the red carpet, one battery-powered and one manual as the sun beat down onthe capital.
Source:Irish Independent
May 12, 2024 23:31 UTC
The use of AI discussed at SH Speakers Series
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Source:The Herald
May 12, 2024 22:02 UTC
Swafford, Charles "Chuck" Albert
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code
Source:The Herald
May 12, 2024 21:39 UTC
Over 700 in Westmeath Age-Friendly programme
Over 700 in Westmeath Age-Friendly programmeThere are over 700 members in the Age Friendly Programme in Westmeath, the cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Councillor Liam McDaniel, revealed as he welcomed representatives from all across the county to the Bloomfield Hotel, Mullingar, recently for the AGM of the Westmeath Age Friendly Programme and Older Persons Council. He gave an undertaking that Westmeath County Council would continue to support its older residents through the age-friendly strategy. Annette Barr-Jordan, Westmeath’s Age Friendly programme manager, explained that the input provided by members at the meeting would be used to inform the policy direction for the next two years. The gathering also heard that the existing members of the Westmeath Older Persons Council have agreed to stay in place – but more members are welcome if anyone wishes to join the body. She said befriending is a major issue and Westmeath Community Development has been doing work in this regard.
Source:Irish Independent
May 12, 2024 20:10 UTC