New research suggests AI could be the ultimate job creator
New data from award-winning digital marketing agency LOCALiQ UK has revealed 81.3% of businesses don’t think Artificial Intelligence will lead to redundancies. From the survey, around 40% of businesses said they’ve used AI and a further 15% planned to use it in the future. Those who have used AI have seen benefits, as 68% reported an increase in the volume of output. The responses on what AI is being used for widely varied, but most used it for campaign optimisation (48%) and written content creation (47%). Nikki Broxup, Marketing Director at LOCALiQ UK, said it’s hard to label an increase in the use of AI as simply good or bad.
Source:The Herald
February 01, 2024 14:27 UTC
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Hamas mulls new proposal for ceasefire and release of hostages as Israel continues Gaza air strikes
A burst of flame erupts as an Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires a round from southern Israel toward the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/GettyIsraeli forces carried out air strikes in Gaza on Wednesday as the militant Palestinian group Hamas studied a new proposal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in the enclave. Israeli sources said the framework of a proposed deal involved the release of 35 hostages held by militants in Gaza in the first stage of a truce that would last for 35 days. The Washington Post reported that the ceasefire could be extended, after the release of all civilian captives, to allow for the release of soldiers and the bodies of hostages who have died. A Palestinian man mourns over the body of a loved one at the Ahli Arabi hospital in Gaza City.
Source:The Irish Times
February 01, 2024 12:57 UTC
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Seven reasons public servants should grasp the pay deal with both hands
Illustration: iStockThe public sector pay deal will go out to union members to vote on in the weeks ahead. So older public servants who joined before 2013 have a particular reason to support the deal. The Government needs money to expand the scale of the public sectorA key driver of the rising public sector pay bill has been increased numbers. Over the same period an additional 75,600 have been hired in the public sector – a rise of not far off one quarter – while the public sector pay bill has gone up by one half. Second, the key political challenge is to deliver better public services in return for a larger and better-paid public sector.
Source:The Irish Times
February 01, 2024 12:16 UTC
My husband resents me 'splashing out' from our joint account and it's making me miserable - what should I do? Money psychotherapist VICKY REYNAL replies
My husband and I have had a joint bank account since we were married 20 years ago. But I do like to spend money on our daughters and I like to get my hair cut every few months and buy clothes each season. I don’t want to stop having a joint account but equally I’m really miserable at how this has come between us. I would suggest having a conversation with your husband about how it makes you feel to have your expenses scrutinised. Recognise the importance that you, as a couple, agree on an amount that feels reasonable for each to spend monthly as ‘personal expenses’.
Source:Daily Mail
February 01, 2024 12:07 UTC
Company opens new car rental branch in Athlone
Karen McAdoo, Marketing Manager Europcar, Joey Carbery and Paul McNeice Head of Country for Europcar Mobility Group Ireland at the new Europcar branch at Diskin Centre, Golden Island, Athlone. Photo: INPHO/Morgan TreacyCompany opens new car rental branch in AthloneEuropcar has opened a new branch in Athlone. It's part of a major expansion of services across the country by the car rental company, as part of a €3m investment. The Athlone branch is located at Unit 3B Diskin Centre, Golden Island, and is one of three new branches opened recently. The company said it is committed to making transport solutions available to even more people across Ireland in 2024, as a sustainable and flexible alternative to private vehicle ownership.
Source:Irish Independent
February 01, 2024 11:45 UTC
Dublin lotto player who scooped €14.6m finally makes contact to claim prize
The Dubliner who won the €14.6m Lotto jackpot has made contact to claim the prize. Pic: Stock imageAn online player in Dublin, who became the first Lotto jackpot winner of the year after scooping €14.6m, has finally made contact to claim their prize. The Dublin player, who won last Saturday’s main Lotto Jackpot, is now €14.67m richer and is starting the bank holiday weekend with celebrations as arrangements are made for their prize to be paid. The winning ticketholder will officially become the 7th biggest Lotto jackpot winner in history after purchasing their ticket online. Meanwhile, the National Lottery is urging south Dublin players to check their tickets after a player won just over €200,000 in Wednesday’s Lotto draw.
Source:Irish Independent
February 01, 2024 11:32 UTC
Irish weather forecast: Met Éireann predicts temperatures to rise ahead of the weekend but patchy rain and drizzle expected for coming days
The first day of February will start sunny and become cloudier as the day progresses, becoming cloudier throughout the afternoon. Some light rain, drizzle and mist can be expected in the western half of the country with Met Éireann also forecasting a steady rise in temperatures throughout the day, reaching 9 to 11 degrees by this evening. Patches of rain, drizzle and mist will continue into the west and northwest tonight and into Friday. Some sunny spells will develop between patchy showers on Sunday with temperatures remaining steady at 10 to 13 degrees. Met Éireann expects little change into Monday, when the forecast currently looks cloudy with patchy drizzle that could give way to more persistent rain in the north later.
Source:Irish Independent
February 01, 2024 10:31 UTC
Go List 2-1-24
For additional information, visit statetheatre.info. For additional information visit carnegieart.org. For additional information, visit warhol.org. For additional information visit geibelcatholic.org. Celtic Connections, presented by River City Brass, comes to The Palace Theatre on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Source:The Herald
February 01, 2024 06:42 UTC
Irish drivers wanted for pilot scheme to trial new ‘talking cars’ technology
The trial will cover around 355km of the network on the M50 (above), M1, M7 and M8 motorways. Instead of having to wait to see a sign, motorists would get real-time information relayed to them from road network operators via an app or an on-board unit. Linked devices will use “on-road connected vehicle technology” to gather and display information about collisions, congestion, stationary vehicles, road works and hazardous weather. In Ireland, the pilot scheme is being run by the Department of Transport and road operators, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The pilot aims to develop a common system that can be shared between all road operators and road users in every EU state.
Source:Irish Independent
February 01, 2024 05:18 UTC
Kim Kardashian Is Being Praised For Her “Vulnerability” After She Shared New Videos Of A Psoriasis Flare Up All Over Her Leg And Said She’s “Tried Everything” To Help Ease The Pain
In a separate clip, Kim noted that she “wanted to share” her journey with her fans, telling them, “I usually just have this spot, but now I can tell it's going down my leg and up my leg and all up my thigh. So I just know it's time to figure this out.”
Source:The Irish Daily Star
February 01, 2024 00:12 UTC
Explained: The key questions on the deal to restore powersharing at Stormont
By Jonathan McCambridge and David Young, PAHere are answers to some of the key questions surrounding the deal that is set to deliver the restoration of powersharing in the North. The DUP leader says this is the best deal that could be achieved and has persuaded him to end his boycott of the powersharing institutions. The arch Brexiteer claimed the ongoing application of EU law in Northern Ireland was the result of a “spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland”. They insist the Stormont boycott should only end when the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol, and the subsequent Windsor Framework, are scrapped entirely. The DUP leader has hit back, claiming his opponents have delivered a “big blank sheet of nothing” when it comes to removing the Irish Sea border.
Source:The Herald
February 01, 2024 00:04 UTC
Annual inflation in Ireland slows to 2.7pc in January, Eurostat says
Inflation in Ireland fell back again in January after an uptick in December, according to Eurostat. The inflation rate is down on the 3.2pc annual hike recorded December. The Irish figure is from the EU’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which does not include mortgage interest repayments. Food prices are still 4.3pc higher than they were a year ago, though the inflation rate is slowing. Last year food price inflation was in double digits.
Source:Irish Independent
January 31, 2024 23:47 UTC
UK plans to ease Brexit trade friction to restore Northern Ireland government
It also plans legislation to guarantee “unfettered access” for Northern Irish goods to the UK internal market. In a sign that he still has work to do, DUP MPs lined up on Wednesday to criticize the proposals when presented to Parliament by the UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris. “With this package, it’s now time for elected representatives in Northern Ireland to come together to end the two years of impasse,” Heaton-Harris said in Parliament. “Stability is everything, especially to the people of Northern Ireland after all they have been through,” Benn said. Ending the political impasse would be a significant moment in the history of Northern Ireland, which will get its first nationalist First Minister in Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill.
Source:The Herald
January 31, 2024 20:46 UTC
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Wednesday’s Top Stories: Varadkar and Sunak clash over UK Troubles law amid Stormont breakthrough; Extra 120,000 homes may be needed by 2030
Aliza Blu Doody (5), Levi Jordan (6) and Ivy Walsh (7) with Cristian Dirocie at the launch of National St. Patrick’s Festival. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillBritish prime minister Rishi Sunak strongly criticised Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for Ireland’s case against the UK’s legacy act during a telephone call between the two men on Tuesday to discuss the breakthrough at Stormont. The Big ReadFiachra Gallagher writes that for those who remember Ann’s death, January 31st is a painful reminder. Simplex CrosswordCrossword Crosaire CrosswordCrossword Sudoku PuzzleLike this? Get the best content direct to your inbox by signing up to one of our newsletters
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2024 20:18 UTC
Labour U-Turn on bankers bonus: Positive Money response
London, 31 January 2024 – Positive Money responds to Rachel Reeves’ comments today that she would “unashamedly champion” the UK’s financial sector if Labour wins the general election. Fran Boait, co-executive director of Positive Money, said:“It’s deeply disappointing to see Labour go from criticising giveaways to bankers to simply aping the government’s policies.”“It was cosy relationships with the City during the New Labour era that left us wide open when the crash came, costing the party the public’s trust and ultimately, the next election.”“The country is crying out for change; Labour must offer something different to the current government, and stop pandering to vested interests in the financial sector. The public won’t forgive them if they’re left picking up the pieces again.”NotesReeves’ latest comments can be read here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68145720Reeves’ condemnation of the government lifting the bonus cap can be found here: https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/autumn-statement-rachel-reeves-slams-government-for-protecting-banker-and-private-equity-bonuses-20221117Reeves also called out the government’s 2021 Autumn Budget for its handouts to bankers: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/champagne-sipping-bankers-celebrate-rishi-25312606AboutPositive Money is a research and campaign organisation working towards a money and banking system which supports a fair, democratic and sustainable economy. Set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis, Positive Money is a not-for-profit company funded by charitable trusts and foundations, as well as small donations from its network of over 65,000 supporters. www.positivemoney.org.uk
Source:Daily Mirror
January 31, 2024 20:02 UTC