Through SME PRIME, the Foundation connects high schools with local manufacturers to deliver hands-on, career-ready learning experiences. Tailored to meet the needs of local manufacturers, SME PRIME aligns with 45 industry-recognized credentials and certifications. For more information about the SME Education Foundation and the SME PRIME program, visit smeef.org. About the SME Education FoundationAs the philanthropic arm of SME, the SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares, and supports the next generation of manufacturing talent. Visit smeef.org and follow the SME Education Foundation on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Elsewhere in the UK, a number of flood alerts and flood warnings are in place in the aftermath of Storm Goretti. (PA Graphics)A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for South West England on Thursday, meaning there could be further flooding in the region. The Environment Agency has in place three flood warnings for England, meaning flooding is expected, along with 40 flood alerts where flooding is possible. On Monday, the UK Government said the wintry weather had triggered its cold weather payments scheme, which means pensioners and low-income households automatically receive £25 for every seven-consecutive-day period of very cold weather. Minister for pensions Torsten Bell said: ”As temperatures plunge, cold weather payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households.

A driver who was nearly three times over the limit when he smashed into a scooter rider from behind has avoided prison. Craig Churches, was caught on his own dashcam accelerating towards a red light before a learner rider off his bike. The victim was seriously injured in the crash in December 2024 and is still recovering more than a year later. Footage from Churches' dashcam showed the 33-year-old driving on the A4 Bath Road while listening to music. Churches was later charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above the legal limit and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Farmers prepare to take part in a protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal in Athlone on Friday, a day after EU states approved the treaty despite opposition from Ireland and France. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/AFP via Getty ImagesI hope some Irish MEPs change their minds and decide to support the Mercosur deal when it comes to the upcoming vote in the European Parliament. Because the trade deal between Europe and Latin America runs counter to that US ‘divide and conquer’ strategy, we should give it our support. It made explicit what they wanted to do: have hegemony over the whole western hemisphere, undermine the European Union and ignore climate change and human rights. It seems clear Taoiseach Micheál Martin had changed his own mind in recent weeks and decided we should support the Mercosur deal in the end.

Blanka Tachscherer (35) experienced her first culture shock in Ireland upon moving to Ireland, when she walked out of Shannon Airport for the first time. “Even though they call Cork a city, it is smaller than a city would be in Hungary.”Tachscherer grew up in a small town just outside of Budapest. “My mum used to tell me that before 1990 they didn’t have oranges or bananas as they didn’t sell them in the shops. I watched a movie about leprechauns when I was a child. While it is about the same price as it would be in Ireland, they get seen a lot faster.

Sinéad Ryan's qualification was obtained outside of Ireland, meaning to complete her registration with the Teaching Council in Ireland she has to fulfil the Irish language requirement. Photograph: Brian ArthurSinéad Ryan has 15 years experience as a qualified primary schoolteacher working in England and Dubai, but if she wants to pursue teaching in Ireland, it could cost her up to almost €4,000. About eight years ago, she moved home to Limerick from Dubai and returned to teaching English and adult education teaching, but wished to teach primary level. Sinéad Ryan says the Irish teaching exams are 'geared towards just passing, it’s not actually geared towards creating people who will speak Irish for the rest of their life.' She explained that until she passes all four modules, her Teaching Council registration is considered to be conditional.

Michael Carrick is set to be announced as the Man United interim manager today, with former England No 2 Steve Holland his assistant. Carrick will replace Ruben Amorim, who was sacked after 14 months in charge following a 1-1 draw at Leeds and a series of outbursts seemingly aimed at club officials. While he was part of arguably the most successful England team over a prolonged period, his tenure also saw a point of alleged controversy with Ben White around the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Woodgate, meanwhile, worked with Carrick during the new United interim boss's time in charge at Championship club Middlesbrough. Alongside Holland and Woodgate on Carrick's Man United staff is Evans.

Olivia KelleherA new library at the University of Galway is set to be named after “bright, kind, loving, and caring” Cork doctor Karen Guinee (23), who was murdered a week before her graduation. "The Dr Karen Guinee Library will serve as a living tribute to Karen. President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, paid tribute to the Guinee family, and the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation. “We are honouring Dr Karen Guinee not because of the tragedy that occurred, but because of the life she lived. By naming the University of Galway Library after her, we acknowledge her aspirations, her compassion and her deep commitment to helping others.

Mercosur and IrelandSir, – Cliff Taylor makes a strong argument that the Mercosur trade deal should have been supported by Ireland, (“Mercosur is good for Ireland – the politicians just won’t admit it,” January 10th). I recall in the recent past that restaurants prohibited dogs other than guide dogs or assistance dogs, for hygiene reasons, has something changed? When he persisted, I said I’d consent to an interview if the Editor of The Irish Times was interviewed first on my channel Counterpoint. It is why Eoin Linehan’s book Vandalising Ireland is attacked in The Irish Times. When I told your journalist that giving an interview to The Irish Times was not important to me, I meant it, what he heard was a whistle past the graveyard.

Jack Harrison is today set to fly to Italy to complete a loan move from Leeds to Serie A strugglers Fiorentina. The clubs have been working on an agreement that would see Harrison spend the rest of the campaign in Italy, with Fiorentina holding an option to buy him outright at the end of the campaign. The 29-year-old has been with Leeds since the 2018-19 campaign, though he spent the last two years with Everton. Though they have improved recently, the Viola remain in the relegation zone, three points adrift of safety. Manor Solomon, who spent last season on loan at Leeds, has already joined the club during this window and featured in the 1-1 draw with AC Milan last weekend.

Vernon Kay has revealed that he confronted his pal Paddy McGuinness over his dramatic weight-loss transformation, accusing him of faking the incredible 'glow up' snaps. Paddy, 52, stunned fans at the weekend as he revealed his astonishingly ripped new physique in before-and-after photos, after taking on the 75-day fitness challenge, 75 Hard. But fellow Bolton star Vernon, 51, admitted on Monday to having his doubts over his friend's efforts after seeing the jaw-dropping photos. 'I thoroughly enjoyed taking on the Hard 75 challenge, and now I’m on the lookout for the next one! The viral fitness challenge involves hitting the gym twice a day and drinking large quantities of water in order to optimise fitness levels in just two and a half months.

Photograph: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images“For what I have done, the nation will call me a traitor”: the words reputedly spoken by Czech leader Emil Hácha after he signed away Czechoslovakia’s independence in 1939. Hácha was the epitome of coerced compromise, later viewed as collaboration, the fate of many liberal politicians in the 1930s. Hácha’s compromise (or surrender) was the starting point of a recent tour I attended of Prague’s second World War sites. By the time he was seen – some time in the early hours of March 15th – Hácha was dehydrated and exhausted. The German dictator had separately sped to the Czech capital to proclaim the country’s new protectorate status as a fait accompli.

Michael Carrick believes Kobbie Mainoo is a talented player Manchester United should 'build around' as he prepares to take over as interim manager at Old Trafford. But Carrick, who played at Old Trafford for 12 years during his playing career, believes Mainoo is the type of talent Manchester United should build around. Asked by Ferdinand where he would play Mainoo in Manchester United's team, Carrick said: 'He's more of an attacker. I think he's got a massive future. From what he told Ferdinand in September, Carrick will do his best to fit both Mainoo and Fernandes in Manchester United's midfield.

Five child asylum seekers who went missing from Tusla care in 2024 have still not been located and returned to care. Some 22 of these young people went missing in 2025, while another five went missing in 2024. “Children missing from care who are unaccounted for are predominantly a phenomenon involving Separated Children Seeking International Protection,” Ms Foley told Mr Tóibín. Of the eight children missing from “mainstream” care on December 4, seven were missing for three days or fewer, while the other child was missing for more than two weeks. “There are eight children missing from mainstream care and 28 missing who are unaccompanied minors seeking international protection.

Coming up for public auction on Monday, the 16th of March next is a 70-acre chunk of the Golden Vale, close to the aptly named village of Golden in South Tipperary. Alternative aerial view of the 70-acre farm at Cloghleigh, Golden, Co. Tipperary. “It’s a lovely block of land on the roadside between the villages of New Inn and Golden,” says selling agent John Fitzgerald of Clonmel-based Sherry Fitzgerald Pollard Fitzgerald. “It’s in a strong area for farming,” adds John. There’s also a lot of beef farming and tillage and, of course, there’s a lot of activity in the equine sector too.”View of 70-acre Cloghleigh Golden farm with Knockmealdowns in background.