A total of 91 employees will be laid off from the closing Wakefield facility, according to the WARN notice. An Ireland-based packaging company is set to close a Massachusetts facility and lay off more than 90 employees this spring, according to state officials. Based in Dublin, Smurfit Westrock produces paper-based packaging for consumer goods, making products for brands such as Ben & Jerry's, Asahi Beer, Papa Johns and e.l.f. Smurfit Westrock was formed in 2024 when European-based company Smurfit Kappa merged with U.S.-based entity WestRock. A total of 91 employees will be laid off from the closing Wakefield facility, according to the WARN notice.

It is an extension of the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Act, passed by the Assembly in 2022, which covered the death of a child under 18, or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. It is estimated that more than 9,000 people each year in Northern Ireland are affected by a miscarriage, either experienced by them or their partner. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said Northern Ireland would become the only region in the UK or Ireland to provide paid bereavement leave and pay to parents who suffered pregnancy loss through miscarriage. The regulations would also make parental bereavement leave and pay a day-one right for workers, abolishing the qualifying period of 26 weeks of continuous employment. “These new rights allow women who experience miscarriage and their partner to take up to two weeks of paid leave to grieve and to support each other during a very difficult time.

Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd to make FOUR key signings in summer transfer windowManchester United are looking to invest once again in the summer with midfield a priority as Rio Ferdinand cites the need for four new transfers at Old TraffordView 2 Images Rio Ferdinand insists Man Utd don't need "a huge revamp" (Image: Getty Images)Rio Ferdinand has called on Manchester United to land four new signings in the summer transfer window - with two of those being midfielders. The club have confirmed the departure of Casemiro once his contract expires whilst Manuel Ugarte could also be moved on. Ferdinand said on his podcast: "If United go and get four players in the next window and two of those are starters, then I think that’s a realistic transfer window. ‌United landed Benjamin Sesko in the summer for north of £70m and he's come good after a slow start. ‌"I think Elliot Anderson is the right type not only of player but character, I think he’d be a good addition to the squad.

West Lothian police hunt masked perpetrators after rural housebreaking incidentBoth suspects were described as wearing balaclavasSouth East Longridge CroftsDetectives are appealing for information following a housebreaking in a rural area of Bathgate. ‌Around 5.45pm on Monday, 23 March, 2026, entry was forced to a property on South East Longridge Crofts by two men. ‌A number of items are believed to have been stolen, including jewellery worth a five-figure sum. ‌Detective Constable Daniel McLaughlin said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and I would ask that anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and saw something suspicious contact police. Article continues belowAlternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Unapproved salary rates could be paid to HSE staff over an “extended period of time”, while potential “irregularities” in the wider organisation may not be identified and acted upon, a new audit has found. “Fraud risk within payroll processes is heightened and inherently a high risk, as the large sums involved make it a significant target for theft and fraud.”It found that the HSE does not incorporate a fraud risk assessment in its approach to fraud risk management while there is no “risk and controls matrix” of the payroll process. “There is no programme within HSE payroll tailored to the fraud risk response expected from staff and aligned to HR and other procedures,” it said. The audit concluded that the level of assurance that may be given to management on the adequacy and effectiveness of the governance, risk management and internal control system in this area was “limited”. In response to the audit, the HSE said payroll is one of the largest and most complex payment systems in the State, and it is "proactively responding to the highlighted risks".

Sir, – There is a growing sense among residents across south Dublin that we are watching something precious slip away, our natural and coastal environment, replaced by dense, poorly integrated developments that risk repeating the very planning failures we were supposed to have learned from. While the need for housing is undeniable, the form and location of that housing matter just as much as the quantity. It risks becoming yet another example of how planning decisions, when not properly aligned with long-term community needs, can fundamentally alter the character of an area. At the same time, we continue to see underutilised and derelict buildings across Dublin city centre, particularly in areas such as the IFSC and inner city commercial districts. We know what happens when planning runs ahead of infrastructure, when quantity overrides quality and when natural assets are treated as expendable.

Noa Lang health update after Liverpool horror injury as Galatasaray doctor makes statementGalatasaray forward Noa Lang underwent surgery on a serious finger injury after colliding with advertising boards during the Champions League match at AnfieldView 2 Images Noa Lang of Galatasaray underwent surgery after suffering a finger injury during the defeat to Liverpool (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)Galatasaray winger Noa Lang will escape having his finger amputated despite sustaining a severe injury against Liverpool. ‌In a statement, Galatasaray club doctor Yener Ince explained: “I want to talk about the condition of our two players who were injured in the Champions League Round of 16 match against Liverpool. “Our player Noa Lang has suffered a serious injury to the first finger of his right hand. PSG handed injury blow ahead of Liverpool Champions League tie as statement released READ MORE :“Currently, there appear to be no problems, but the Galatasaray medical team is monitoring him. ‌View 2 Images Galatasaray have provided an update on Noa Lang's health (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)After the match, Liverpool and UEFA officials were seen examining the advertising hoarding where the incident took place.

‌The scheme location and designLocation: approximately 7.4m from the junction with Higher Compton RoadType: flat-top road humpWidth: 7.3mLength: 6.0mHeight: 100mm‌Why a flat-top road hump? ‌Where to view the proposalPlans and further details are available via Plymouth City Council’s traffic and road safety schemes page and through Plymouth Highways. Responses should quote reference Amd.2026.2137355 Pearn Road and be sent to: - Post: Service Director for Street Services (Plymouth Highways), Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ - Email: trafficmanagementinbox@plymouth.gov.ukQuestions readers are askingWhere exactly will the hump go? Write to Plymouth Highways at the postal address above or email trafficmanagementinbox@plymouth.gov.uk, including the reference Amd.2026.2137355 Pearn Road and your grounds. Article continues belowResidents and businesses in the PL3 5JF area can check the council’s website for the plans and submit any comments on the proposed traffic calming measure by the published deadline.

Livvy Dunne has once again been included in the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue for 2026. It is the fourth consecutive year that Dunne, who is dating Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, has appeared in the Swimsuit edition for Sports Illustrated. Last year, Dunne earned the highly-coveted cover shot for the 2025 issue after being photographed in Bermuda. The accolade for Dunne comes just weeks after she announced a shock move into acting by landing a role in the highly-anticipated Baywatch reboot. Dunne, who is making her acting debut, has been cast in a recurring role as a junior lifeguard in the Baywatch reboot.

Crystal Palace are continuing to sound out Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as he considers his next move. Tottenham have also considered Iraola, who is out of contract in the summer. That is understood to be a huge pull on the heartstrings of Iraola who made over 400 appearances for the club. He is poised to give an answer over the next fortnight about where he sees his future as the clubs plan ahead. The former Dortmund and West Ham coach held talks with Tottenham recently prior to them appointing Igor Tudor.

The local authorities with the highest percentage of vacant homes were Leitrim, Donegal, Mayo and Roscommon, according to CSO figures. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish TimesMore than 70,000 vacant homes were recorded across the State at the end of 2024, with rural vacancy rates more than twice those of urban areas, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). There was, however, a considerable variation in the rate of vacancy across the State, with a rural vacancy rate of 5.4 per cent and an urban vacancy rate of 2.2 at the end of 2024. The local authorities with the highest percentage of vacant homes were Leitrim (7.8), Donegal (6.3), Mayo (6.0) and Roscommon (5.6). Older homes were more likely to be vacant, with more than 80 per cent of vacant homes built before 2000.

Mel Schilling was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 and has undergone treatment for the last two years. Photograph: Hoda Davaine/Getty ImagesMarried At First Sight (Mafs) relationship coach Mel Schilling has died aged 54 “surrounded by love”, her family has announced. Her family said in a statement following her death: “To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. Channel 4 paid tribute to the relationship coach, in a statement shared on Instagram, describing Schilling as someone who “radiated joy, warmth and optimism”. “Over many years, many of us have been privileged to work with Mel on Married At First Sight, and her loss today will come as a tremendous sadness to all who knew her.

A science teacher who exchanged over 2,000 flirty emails with a 15-year-old schoolgirl, including fantasising about them meeting in a sauna, has been banned from the classroom for life. The science teacher also said 'I'm glad you aren't with him any more lol,' in reference to Pupil A's ex-boyfriend. It interviewed Mr Mohammed in the course of this, and he acknowledged that the timing and content of some of his emails had been inappropriate. The one allegation that Mr Mohammed disputed was that his correspondence with Pupil A had been sexually motivated. It made a recommendation to the Education Secretary that Mr Mohammed should be banned from teaching for life.

As war in the Middle East rumbles on, there is a need for sustainable solutions amid the energy crisisIt's week four of the energy crisis, meaning this column has no choice. Week four of writing about it. There’s little else to talk about when energy is so vital for our lives. Our health services need it to run vital machines, our offices need it to keep the lights on, and homes need it to stay connected in our increasingly digital age. Not to mention it keeps food from going spoiled in the fridge.