As it currently stands, the Legacy Act offers immunity from prosecution to anyone accused of crimes during the Troubles in Northern Ireland if they provide information to a truth recovery body. While the Legacy Act was approved in 2023, it was not enacted. Speaking in the Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the 2023 Legacy Act “fundamentally failed” because it was incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations. Following his comments, MPs voted on a Government remedial order to update the legislation. Northern Ireland MP and DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: “I believe he is bringing this remedial order in wrongly.

Former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik has fumed that he was the victim of a 'cynical smear campaign' over the death of grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. However, earlier this week a toxicology report revealed that Naroditsky died from an accidental overdose after a cocktail of addictive drugs were found in his system. And following the release of the toxicology report, Kramnik has issued a furious response to those who suggested his cheating allegations had played a part. Over the course of the year before Naroditsky died, he was repeatedly accused of cheating in online chess games by Kramnik. 'There was nothing more important to Daniel than his dignity and his name as a chess player,' the mother said.

Reasons to cheerThe newbies:Munster lock Edwin Edogbo and Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak are the two uncapped players named in the 37-man squad. Edogbo was superb off the bench against Castres last week and Doak has been pivotal to his province’s revival this season. Tom Stewart’s return in place of Gus McCarthy is purely a nod to his displays with Ulster. Read More Edogbo and Doak biggest winners as injuries play hand in Ireland Six Nations squadOutside looking inIain Henderson:The Ulster captain and second row is 33 now and 14 years on from the first of his 85 caps. Behind Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher at Leinster, he’s now in the XVs group and has Tom Stewart in the queue ahead for Ireland.

Cereals and grains are promoted by dietitians, doctors and wellness influencers for their robust nutrition profile and health benefits. But, scientists are warning of the hidden health risks posed by these foods, saying they could be laced with toxins that threaten health. While eating the food, they may also suffer from coughing, caused by breathing in fungal spores on the food. 'Severe mycotoxin contamination makes the food unsuitable for human and animal countries.' In cases where mycotoxin levels exceed the recommended threshold, the researchers said manufacturers detoxify the grains using manual sorting to remove damaged grains.

The league with the most Republican support is Major League Baseball, with 53.7% of players backing Trump's party from a sample of 434. It's also the league where the most players have been open in their support of Trump. Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl winner Harrison Butker has repeatedly endorsed the President, as has his teammate James Winchester. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones also went out of his way to shake Trump's hand before the Super Bowl last February in New Orleans, too. Harris won about 60% of the vote with black women at the polls and the majority of WNBA players are black.

Ireland’s 37-man Six Nations squad was along expected lines as head coach Andy Farrell deals with a mounting injury crisis ahead of the tournament opener in Paris in a fortnight. With 10 players listed as unavailable, Farrell has been forced to make a couple of tweaks, which meant some were breathing a sigh of relief that they made the cut, and others had to make do with a place in the Ireland XV squad for the game against England ‘A’ at Thomond Park on February 6.

Maura Higgins set pulses racing in a black PVC co-ord as she roamed around New York City on Wednesday. The reality star mingled with some of the biggest A-listers at the prestigious ceremony in The Beverly Hilton. Taking to Instagram, the reality star revealed that Snoop stopped her while walking the red carpet for a photo together documenting their unexpected crossover. The reality star styled her bobbed brunette tresses in voluminous curls and accessorised with a dazzling diamond necklace. But it was Love Island star Maura, who has soon become viewers favourites as she had an explosing row during a heated roundtable with outspoken actor Michael Rappaport, 55.

Cork accountancy and taxation firm O'Connor Pyne has been acquired by the UK professional services firm AAB as it continues its expansion across Ireland with plans for a significant presence across Munster. Based in Ballincollig, O'Connor Pyne employs 65 people, led by senior partners Conor Pyne, Tomas O’Connor and Oriel Lawton. The addition of O’Connor Pyne will boost AAB’s business in Ireland to €20m, with the company employing more than 200 people here. “Bringing O’Connor Pyne into AAB is an important milestone in the continued development of our business in Ireland," Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive of AAB, said. "O’Connor Pyne is a highly respected firm with a strong client focus and a culture that closely aligns with our own.

MUSICHistoric Everett Theatre: 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. For more information visit edmondscenterforthearts.org. All shows will be staged by the professional theater company at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett. Flight Patterns: The Art and Motion of Winged Life will be on view from January 14 through June 22, 2026.

Vicky Pattison taking Strictly tour ‘very seriously’By Jenny Garnsworthy, Press AssociationStrictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison has said she is taking her role in the show’s upcoming live tour “very seriously” and is planning on making it the “absolute best show that I can”. Pattison said of taking part in the tour: “It’s a moment, quite frankly, that I never, ever thought would be mine. His sentiments were echoed by former Olympian Aikines-Aryeetey, who said: “Strictly is a celebration and this tour feels like that. This tour is going to be amazing.”But former Chelsea footballer Hasselbaink admitted he was experiencing some nerves ahead of the tour. But with the tour, I am so nervous.”Strictly cast members (Michael Wharley/PA)Musical theatre star Williams, who competed on Strictly in 2023, will also join the tour as a special guest.

Mikel Arteta proud of Arsenal’s ‘hunger’ after win over Inter MilanBy Philip Duncan, Press Association, MilanMikel Arteta hailed the “hunger, desire and ambition” of his Arsenal players after they secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a statement 3-1 victory against Inter Milan at San Siro. And a point against Kazakhstan side Kairat at the Emirates next week will ensure top spot in the group as they chase their first Champions League title. For Inter, the defeat leaves them staring at the probability of a play-off tie to reach the next stage. We knew the Champions League journey would be difficult. Arsenal deserved to win tonight because they seized the opportunity, and they were stronger than us.”

Connacht have signed veteran South African loosehead prop Francois Van Wyk from Bath. Van Wyk featured 28 times for Bath last season, helping them to the Gallagher Premiership title, and has remained an ever-present member of the matchday 23 this season. Of his new move, Van Wyk said: "I'm really looking forward to the move to Connacht in the summer. Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster added: “We’re confident Francois can be a real asset to the group next season. "He plays an important role in a very successful Bath team, and we’re looking forward to him bringing those learnings from across his career.”

George Hamilton addresses the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at the House of Commons on Wednesday. Photograph: UK Parliament/PALoyalist paramilitaries were often behaving as “community workers by day and terrorists by night”, former Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable George Hamilton has told a Westminster committee. Mr Hamilton, who led the PSNI from 2014 to 2019, said loyalist communities must be empowered to resist the influence of paramilitaries in their neighbourhoods who ruled by fear and intimidation. Mr Hamilton and Mr Orde both said the costs attached to legacy investigations and any subsequent legal claims must be completely separated from today’s PSNI. “The funding needs to be completely separated out from policing because it’s just a constant suck on money,” Mr Hamilton said.

Liverpool target Micky van de Ven to give Tottenham huge summer transfer dilemmaLiverpool will move on to other targets now that Marc Guehi has joined Manchester City and their admiration for Tottenham's Micky van de Ven has now come to lightView 3 Images Liverpool are admirers of Tottenham's Micky van de Ven (Image: Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)Micky van de Ven is attracting admiring glances from Liverpool, who now look likely to enter the transfer market for defensive reinforcements in the summer after missing out on Marc Guehi. The Premier League champions have looked fragile defensively this season and were always expected to rekindle their interest in Guehi. And it has now emerged that Liverpool are 'developing a keen interest' in Van de Ven ahead of the summer in news that will come as a blow to Tottenham. Van de Ven is contracted until 2029 but his stance on penning fresh terms, coupled with Liverpool's need for a quality central defender, could test Tottenham's resolve in the summer, the report adds. ‌View 3 Images Liverpool will move on to other targets after missing out on Marc Guehi (Image: Getty Images)The talented 24-year-old has stood out since joining Spurs from Wolfsburg back in the summer of 2023.

A 45-year-old man accused of having over €70,000 worth of drugs stashed in a commercial storage unit at Monahan Road, Cork, in 2024 confessed to the crime on Wednesday. Andrzej Jasiniecki, who resides at an apartment at Hewitt Hall, Blackpool, Cork, signed a plea of guilty to five counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act.