January sales drive shop price inflation to lowest level for more than a year
Big price cuts in the January sales drove shop price inflation down to 2.9 per cent, the lowest level for more than a year. Inflation for non-food items in January came down from 3.1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, which is the lowest level for almost two years. The BRC said the average increase in the price of food came down from 6.7 per cent in December to 6.1 per cent in January. Chief Executive of the BRC, Helen Dickinson, said: 'Some New Year cheer as January shop price inflation slid to its lowest level since May 2022. 'However, consumer demand remains fragile as most households are yet to feel better off after nearly 2 years of inflation.'
Source:Daily Mail
January 30, 2024 16:13 UTC
Northern Ireland political party agrees to end 2-year boycott and restore the mothballed government
Anderson, IN (46016)TodayOccasional snow showers. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Source:The Herald
January 30, 2024 15:46 UTC
Former St Joseph’s College principal widely mourned
Sr Patricius QuineFormer St Joseph’s College principal widely mournedAn “exceptional teacher and principal” is being fondly remembered this week for her kindness, gentle encouragement and as an “amazing role model” to former students and staff who continue to be inspired by her. That's just a flavour of the tributes being paid to Sister Patricius Quine, the former principal of St Joseph's College, Summerhill, who died on January 14 last. Sr Patricius moved from St Peter's Athlone in 1972 to become principal of St Joseph's College, and it was here she stayed until 1988. The legacy left by St Patricius can never be erased from the minds of so many students who attended Summerhill. After reposing in the Strand Funeral Home, her remains were removed to Ss Peters and Paul's Church, Athlone for funeral Mass.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2024 14:28 UTC
Offaly cafe announces closure
Offaly cafe announces closureThe Wandering Elk cafe in Tullamore announced its closure on Saturday last and closed yesterday (Sunday.) Taking to social media to reveal the news, The Wandering Elk team said that they were "very sad" to say that yesterday would be their last day operating in Tullamore. "We have loved our time and meeting our fantastic customers. Thanks to our amazing staff for all their hard work and to our friends in The King Oak for all their support," the business said. The cafes in Athlone and Portlaoise remain unaffected and all vouchers will still be valid in those locations.
Source:Irish Independent
January 30, 2024 14:18 UTC
Northern Ireland political party agrees to end 2-year boycott that caused the government to collapse
×LONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s largest British unionist party has agreed to end a boycott that left the region’s people without apower-sharing administration for two years and rattled the foundations of the 25-year-old peace. He said he would publish details of the U.K. government's new proposals on Wednesday, after briefing all of Northern Ireland's main political parties. The political impasse in Northern Ireland stems from the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union and its borderless trading bloc after decades of membership. The DUP, though, says the new east-west customs border undermines Northern Ireland’s place in the U.K. “We are determined to take our place in taking Northern Ireland forward.”The situation has been complicated by Northern Ireland’s changing political landscape.
Source:The Herald
January 30, 2024 13:34 UTC
Vaping firm Chill Brands hammered after Rishi announces ban on disposables
Crackdown: Vape maker Chill Brands lost nearly a third of its value after Rishi Sunak announced a ban on disposablesShares in London-listed vaping firms took a kicking yesterday after Rishi Sunak announced a ban on disposables. Vape maker Chill Brands lost nearly a third of its value, with shares dropping 30 per cent, wiping £4.6million off its value and leaving it with a market capitalisation of just over £12million. The Prime Minister laid out plans that he hopes will stamp out the growing number of youngsters taking up the habit. Recent data suggests that the number of children vaping has tripled in the past three years with 9 per cent of 11-to-15-year-olds using the devices. Chill Brands maintained that its products, equipped with recharging ports, should not be classified as disposable.
Source:Daily Mail
January 30, 2024 09:30 UTC
World Wetlands Day set to be marked in Ballydangan with unique event
World Wetlands Day set to be marked in Ballydangan with unique eventWorld Wetlands Day on Friday next, February 2, will be marked in Ballydangan in South Roscommon with a special educational event. 'Farmers of Ballydangan Bog' community gathering takes place from 2pm to 4pm on Ballydangan bog. During the event attendees will hear from local farmers and community groups protecting nature in the area. These include the FarmPEAT Project, the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project, and the Uí Máine Kingdom Project who are highlighting the uniqueness of the karst landscape in South Roscommon. It will be an unique opportunity to learn about the area's landscape, and build new connections with the area and each other.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 22:43 UTC
Irish Rail announces reduced capacity on some local services tomorrow
Irish Rail announces reduced capacity on some local services tomorrowIrish Rail has announced that a number of trains serving Ballinasloe, Athlone, Clara and Tullamore will be operating at reduced capacity tomorrow (Tuesday, January 30). The company said multiple trains across its network would have lower capacity on Tuesday due to "operational issues". The local services affected by the reduced capacity tomorrow are as follows:06:50 - Tullamore to Galway (also serving Clara, Athlone and Ballinasloe)09:30 - Galway to Dublin Heuston (serving Ballinasloe, Athlone, Clara and Tullamore)19:35 - Dublin Heuston to Galway (serving Tullamore, Clara, Athlone and Ballinasloe).
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 20:30 UTC
Madeira leader officially steps down amid corruption probe. Here's what he had to say
For his part, Barreto revealed that he has accepted the resignation, but that it has no immediate effect for the time being. More:Funchal mayor detained on corruption charges, Madeira president is also being investigated“I’m considering the best time for it to take effect. We’ll look at the interests of the region and then make a decision accordingly,” he explained. For the outgoing leader of the executive, it is crucial to analyze the “fundamental interests of the region,” in addition to the political and media situation. “We cannot have a situation of economic and social instability here that brings regression to the development of the region.
Source:The Herald
January 29, 2024 19:29 UTC
FG set to add another candidate in Athlone area
Flashback to the Fine Gael convention in Athlone before Christmas. Pictured from left to right is Cllr Tom Farrell, Senator Aisling Dolan, Alan Shaw, Minister Peter Burke, Cllr John Dolan, Ruairi Keyes and Senator Michéal Carrigy. Fine Gael set to add another candidate in Athlone areaFine Gael looks set to add a second candidate to fight out the local elections in the Athlone area as early as tomorrow (Tuesday). Ruairi Keyes from Athlone town also considered running at convention, but pulled out on the night. The party said there are “no plans currently” to add a candidate in Moate, where sitting Cllr Tom Farrell is the standard-bearer.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 17:13 UTC
Portiuncula to hold Remembrance Service
Portiuncula to hold Remembrance ServicePortiuncula University Hospital is inviting parents and their families who have experienced bereavement through the death of a child or who have lost a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, still birth or after birth, to a remembrance service which will take place in the hospital on Monday, 12 February. Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery at the hospital said, “This service offers parents who have experienced bereavement an opportunity to reflect on their grief journey through symbol, music and prayer. Parents who have attended this service in the past have shared with us that they have found it to be a time of healing and comfort.”The service will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, 12 February in the hospital Chapel and families are welcome to join other families for light refreshments afterwards.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 17:01 UTC
AI to be used in early warning system for flood-prone areas
Grassland under water in the Shannon Callows near Athlone last NovemberAI to be used in early warning system for flood-prone areasAthlone was one of four areas around the county which was studied by Ireland's centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence in the development of a sophisticated early warning system for communities at risk of severe flooding. As well as conducting studies in Athlone as part of the project, CeADAR also examined ares of Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim; Midleton in Cork and Limerick City. The overall project is being jointly funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Enterprise Ireland. The development of an early warning system for flood-prone communities comes at a time when flooding in Ireland is predicted to worsen due to climate change, with increasing concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions leading to more intense precipitation events during winter, worse floods in historically vulnerable areas as well as in areas that never flooded previously. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that extreme flooding events resulting from climate changes could cost the State around €500 million a year by the end of the decade.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 15:21 UTC
Flynn to mark career milestone in style
Flynn to mark career milestone in styleTullamore man Glen Flynn will soon celebrate thirty-five years in music. To mark that special milestone, Glen will host a midweek break in the Tullamore Court Hotel from February 13th to 15th. The occasion will see Glen joined by a host of friends who are among the social dancing scene’s top names, including; John Molloy, Noel Briody, Checkers, Liam Mannering and Maria, Matt Leavy, and Eddie Quinn. He has also appeared on many TV shows like Opry an Iuir, The Late Late Show, Glor Tire and many more over the course of his career. February’s midweek event is already close to being sold-out, with many fans travelling to Tullamore from Ireland and the UK.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2024 13:41 UTC
DUP set for crunch party meeting as powersharing deal speculation intensifies
By David Young, PAThe DUP is set for a crunch meeting on Monday as its party leader briefs senior members on UK government proposals aimed at ending Stormont’s powersharing impasse. It appears the DUP is approaching the moment to make a final call on the UK government’s proposed measures. The invitation said the gathering, at a yet undisclosed location in Northern Ireland, would see party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson provide a “detailed update on the current political situation”. On Sunday Sinn Féin called on the DUP to step off the “endless merry-go-round” of its Stormont boycott and return to powersharing. There’s nothing more to talk about.”On Friday, senior DUP MLA and former party leader Edwin Poots criticised some other unionists who have accused his party of being “traitors”.
Source:The Herald
January 29, 2024 10:43 UTC
HTFP Jobs: News Reporters and Sub-Editors, London
Applications are invited for the editorial training scheme (news reporters and sub-editors) run by the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, MailOnline and Mail+. We are looking for budding journalists with broad interests who want to work for Britain's most successful newspaper group. Previous graduates of the training scheme now hold senior positions at the Mail’s titles. There will be three weeks of intensive in-house training for reporters and four weeks for sub-editors, during which the trainees are introduced to Mail style. It is followed by four months' placement – on a regional daily paper, the Scottish Daily Mail in Glasgow or the Irish Daily Mail in Dublin - after which the trainees will join the Mail newsroom.
Source:Daily Mail
January 29, 2024 10:39 UTC