I was keen to enter the workforce and found myself babysitting from the age of 14 or so. I shop in the same supermarket every week and will pay special attention to offers. I buy into it with great commitment and belief, and I expect to see the effects overnight, which never happens. The only thing I invest in is time with friends and loved ones! What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
Referee Johnny Murphy shows a red card to Loughrea’s Cullen Killeen against Slaughtneil. As a GAA community we have very little stomach for that kind of enforcement. If the rules cannot apply in the first minute or the last minute, what is a good time for the rules to kick in? What is the difference between a red card infringement in the first minute or the 41st minute? Whatever we say about respect for the rules, as a GAA community we have no stomach for that kind of enforcement.
We are now in the middle of awards season derby. This weekend it was the Golden Globes, hosted by Nikki Glaser, who returned as host after a stellar job last year. These ceremonies are long – so what were the moments of the night worth talking about? Of course, we have to begin with Jessie Buckley’s well-deserved win for Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet. She is now considered the clear front runner for the Oscar, and will probably end up standing in front of several other podiums during the awards season.
Regulator Ofcom has announced it has launched an investigation into the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. Alliance party leader Naomi Long described X as “toxic and vile” while SDLP leader Claire Hanna called the platform a “cesspit”. All, including the First Minister, have active accounts on X. Ms O’Neill said X had been “woefully inadequate” in dealing with the problems arising from use of the Grok AI tool. She said: “Frankly, me leaving X or not leaving X will make absolutely no difference to Elon Musk or his moral compass.
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell: https://t.co/5dfrkByGyX pic.twitter.com/O4ecNaYaGH — Federal Reserve (@federalreserve) January 12, 2026These tend to carry less risk than other investments, such as stocks and shares, and often outperform financial markets during periods of turbulence. Gold prices have shot up by about 70% over the past year, strengthening against broader economic and political uncertainty. The latest rush to the precious metal came after US central bank chairman Jerome Powell said it was being threatened with a criminal indictment over his testimony about renovations at Federal Reserve office buildings. It represents a significant escalation in President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Federal Reserve and its decisions not to cut interest rates as quickly as he would prefer. Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said Wall Street has been “rattled by what’s being viewed as another assault on the independence of the US Federal Reserve”.
Irish beef exports to China are set to resume. Reopening of Chinese market for Irish beef welcomed by Westmeath MinisterIt was announced today that Irish beef exports to China are set to resume. The Chinese market had been closed for Irish beef producers since September 2024, following the discovery of a case of BSE in a cow in Ireland. The General Administration of Customs in China has now confirmed the reopening of access to the Chinese market for beef produced in Ireland. Also welcoming the news Barry Cowen, the Midlands North West MEP from Offaly, noted that Irish beef exports were already performing strongly, with overall exports up 7% year on year.
A man who recklessly infected a woman with HIV after he stopped his treatment and did not tell her about his diagnosis has been jailed for four-and-a-half years. Luke Davis, 31, was convicted last October of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a woman who described contracting the sexually-transmitted infection as a 'life sentence'. His victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, discovered she was HIV positive in 2021 after a routine screening. Judge Martin Jackson said Davis chose not to tell the woman about his diagnosis for 'entirely selfish reasons'. 'To me, it's a life sentence as I will never be, or see myself, as the same.'
Rayan Ait-Nouri could make Man City return in Carabao Cup semi-finalBy Andy Hampson, Press AssociationRayan Ait-Nouri could return for Manchester City in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Newcastle on Tuesday. The Algeria left-back is now back in Manchester after his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations ended on Saturday. The 24-year-old will be assessed in training but, after a return journey complicated by a missed flight connection, City will not take an unnecessary risk. Pep Guardiola is preparing for another semi-final (Mike Egertpn/PA) Photo by Mike EgertonManager Pep Guardiola said: “We will see after training. “Rayan Ait-Nouri has come back from AFCON but unfortunately lost the connection so arrived a little bit late.
China has agreed to drop its ban on Irish beef imports, the Government has confirmed. The news follows Taoiseach Micheál Martin's trip to China last week during which President Xi Jinping told Mr Martin the ban would be reviewed. In a joint statement, Mr Martin and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon welcomed the reopening of the Chinese market for Irish beef following an announcement by the General Administration of Customs in China (GACC). “This reflects a culmination of intensive political, diplomatic and official engagement since the market was temporarily suspended in September 2024." "The reopening of the Chinese market further underlines the strength of these systems and Ireland’s long-standing commitment to safe, sustainable, and high-quality agri-food production.
Lucy, who goes by @lucyinmanchester on TikTok, shared her experience of how different mornings Down Under are compared to the UK. While most days in Britain begin with a battle through the rush hour with a cup of coffee, Australians are practicing a different way of life. '6am in Australia and 6am in the UK are two very different things,' Lucy revealed in a video. 'This is everyone getting in the water doing open water swimming club,' Lucy added, zooming in to show a large group of people wearing swim caps and wading into the sea. Aside from how Australian's tackle mornings, Brits have noticed other differences to life Down Under compared to the UK.
A mother and her two children who were killed during a blaze at their home on Boxing Day died from 'exposure to the combustion products of fire', an inquest has heard. Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, known as Nu, and her children, Eve, seven, and four-year-old Ohner, were killed when the fire destroyed their home in Brimscombe, near Stroud, Gloucestershire. Police officer Tom Shearman attempted to rescue his family but was forced back by the severity of the flames. 'It was established that only one of the four occupants had managed to escape the cottage alive, Tom Shearman. No members of the Shearman family attended the brief hearing, which lasted fewer than 10 minutes.
Almost 30,000 people attended the EU–Mercosur trade deal protest in Athlone on Saturday, organisers have said. Organised by Independent Ireland, the protest was supported by a range of farming organisations, community groups and political representatives. While Garda sources placed attendance at around 27,000, stewards on the ground estimated the total number of participants to be closer to 30,000, Independent Ireland said. Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice described the day as a turning point. Rural Ireland stood shoulder to shoulder in Athlone.” Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly said the protest marked the start of a wider campaign to block the deal in the European Parliament.
Children’s bank accounts – from Christmas gifts to confirmation earnings, here’s how to help your children manage their moneyJanuary often sees children have more money in their pockets than usual, so we asked parents how they manage cash with kidsWhen children first come into money, where should you instruct them to store it? Photo: Getty. Saoirse Hanley Today at 06:30Financially, being a teenager is an exciting time. You might have your first part-time job, or a bit of cash from babysitting. You’re likely to have your first experience of shopping, buying cinema tickets, or going for meals with friends.
Jessie Buckley was having the night of her life at the Golden Globes after sweeping the board in the major categories - but she was still thinking about her baby girl. Jessie, 36, who was awarded the Best Actress - Drama gong, welcomed her daughter last year with her rarely-seen husband Freddie Sorensen. Speaking in December, Jessie later revealed she had welcomed a baby girl, whose name she has not disclosed, on The New York Times Modern Love podcast. Jessie Buckley was having the night of her life at the Golden Globes after sweeping the board in the major categories - but she was still thinking about her baby girl. When discussing the arrival of her daughter, Jessie revealed that Hamnet, in which she plays a grieving mother, brought out a maternal side to her that she hadn't realised was so strong.
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