Parents and educators have sounded the alarm over the repurposing of early intervention classes for pre-school children into autism classes in recent years. At least 25 early intervention classes open in 2020 have since been ‘redesignated’ as primary school autism classes. Since 2023, 11 early intervention classes have been closed or repurposed into autism classes. Early intervention classes reclassified as autism classesIn Cork, seven of the early intervention classes attached to primary schools that were open in 2020 have since been reclassified as autism classes. 'Alarming' re-designationBridgette Farrell, whose child attended an early intervention class, described the closure or repurposing of early intervention classes as “alarming”.

Darren Fletcher sends warning to next Man Utd boss about Ruben Amorim challengeDarren Fletcher is set to hand over the reigns at Manchester United to an interim boss and admits they will have to undo the style embedded by Ruben Amorim, which has little room for tweakingView 2 Images Ruben Amorim's style failed to take Man Utd forward (Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Manchester United's caretaker boss Darren Fletcher admits the man who replaces him will have to undo a way of playing that's "difficult to adapt from" as the team move on from Ruben Amorim's style. ‌Amorim was a devout defender of his system, often suggesting that was not the reason for his team's poor form. The club will appoint an interim for the remainder of the season before landing a permanent boss in the summer. The Scot said: "They are experienced players, they are talented players and, as I said, I challenge them to regroup and it’s over to them. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

Sunday Brunch viewers brutally demanded that the programme should be axed after the recent instalment of the Channel 4 show - insisting that 'it's time to knock it on its head'. The latest episode saw Simon Rimmer, 62, and Tim Lovejoy, 57, return to the studio to chat to some famous faces while cooking up some delicious plates. One said on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Struggling for guests Sunday Brunch. Tim and Simon sat down to chat with Nick alongside the likes of singer KT Tunstall, actress Tracy-Ann Oberman and comedian Rachel Parris. Over the years Tim Lovejoy, Simon Rimmer and Miquita Oliver have been the hosts.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell rejected 'unprecedented action', saying it was a pretext to rein in the Fed’s independence. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty ImagesUS prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell over a $2.5 billion renovation of the US central bank’s headquarters, sharply escalating the Trump administration’s attacks on the Fed. “This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings,” Mr Powell said. During their investigations, prosecutors sometimes notify subjects before they seek an indictment in order to give them a chance to testify, justice department guidelines show. Mr Trump has already attempted to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud, which are under investigation.

Bobby Hill has fallen victim to a deplorable AI-generated photo that falsely shows him smoking a meth pipe. The faked image of the Collingwood star has cropped up on social media, with some footy fans being taken in and believing it is genuine. The publication of the fake photo has come at a particularly sensitive time for Hill. During that period, Hill shared an emotional post about missing his sons, marking the first public sign of the family breakdown. West Australian product Hill, one of the most dynamic forwards in the competition, is contracted until 2030.

The CCPC's Annual Mergers and Acquisitions Report 2025, provides details of the mergers and acquisitions notified to, and reviewed by, the CCPC throughout the year. In 2025, 90 mergers were notified to the CCPC, up from 82 in 2024, and from 68 in 2023. In 2025, the CCPC made 58 determinations (approximately 64%) under the CCPC’s Simplified Merger Notification Procedure. “One key element of a merger review regime is the need to ensure efficiency. In 2025 the CCPC established a standalone Mergers Division, ensuring senior resourcing and a sharper focus on merger review.

Izaak Joshua Michell faces arrest in Texas after Hays County Crime Stoppers put him on a Most Wanted poster with a $1,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Other sources claim Michell has also been seen in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and more recently in Byron Bay. Hays County Deputy Mark Andrews confirmed an arrest warrant had been issued. Hays County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading directly to his arrest or indictment. Crime Stoppers is urging anyone with information about Michell’s whereabouts to contact Hays County Crime Stoppers anonymously online via its official channels.

More cycle lanes in the transport planThe next phase of the council’s wide-ranging transport plan for the city centre is due to come into effect over the course of the year. Two-way cycle lanes will also be provided along Gardiner Street, reducing the lanes available for cars along this key thoroughfare. Buses will be rerouted away from College Green in Dublin city centre. It will be followed by the Ballymun-Finglas to city centre corridor, for which site investigations began last month. It will also improve connectivity between Tallaght and Clondalkin with a cycle scheme linking Belgard Road and Airton Road.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has multiple injury headaches ahead of the Six Nations, with Andrew Porter and Craig Casey in danger of missing the opening rounds. Porter damaged his calf in training last week and is being sent for scans, with fears growing that he could be out for up to eight weeks with the injury.

Aon’s latest Global Risk Management Survey (GRMS) suggests the turbulence of recent years is now a constant and that 2026 will ask the same questions of decision makers. While this won’t come as a surprise, the ever-evolving nature of cyber risk is the concern. Top 10 Risks in Ireland according to Aon's Global Risk Management SurveyTighter rules meet tight talent supplyOverlaying all of this is regulation and people. The world in 2026 is likely to be every bit as volatile as the last 12 months, but Irish businesses have already proved they can adapt. Supported by our talented team of risk experts, Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey brings together cross-sector insight in one place.

US president Donald Trump's administration has ramped up its pressure campaign on the US Federal Reserve, threatening to indict chair Jerome Powell over comments to Congress about a building renovation project, an action Mr Powell called a "pretext" to gain more influence over interest rates Mr Trump wants cut dramatically. Mr Tillis said he would oppose any Trump nominees to the Fed, including the coming choice of successor to Mr Powell as chair, "until this legal matter is fully resolved". No one—certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve — is above the law." "This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings. Mr Trump told NBC News Sunday that he had no knowledge of the Justice Department's actions.

Discovery (WBD) announced last October that it planned on launching TLC on free-to-air TV in the UK and Ireland in January 2026. TLC is already available on paid services, including Sky and Virgin Media, in the UK, but until now has not been on free-to-air TV. TLC will be available via Channel 12 on Freeview from Tuesday (January 13), according to RXTV. The entertainment channel will offer viewers a "bumper" line-up of content, including several multi-award-winning shows. TLC launches on Freeview on Tuesday (January 13) and will be available on Channel 12.

The generation of non-consensual nude images and child sex abuse images using artificial intelligence is a problem as old as the technology itself. But it has mostly been the purview of niche sites that use social media to promote their sordid wares. The decision by xAI, the artificial intelligence and social media business backed by Elon Musk, to simplify the process of creating and sharing such images has the potential to mainstream the practice. The controversy is another example of the whack-a-mole nature of efforts by authorities to police social media. The sharing of non-consensual intimate images and child sex abuse images is already against the law here and the Attorney General has been asked to see if the legislation in this area might be relevant.

Flights have been redirected away from Birmingham Airport following a technical fault. Arrivals were suspended after a power failure affected a radar facility operated by National Air Traffic Services (NATS). Over 20 inbound flights were cancelled or diverted and several flights were delayed by over four hours. Inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports, including East Midlands Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Arrivals at Birmingham Airport were suspended after a power failure affected a radar facility operated by National Air Traffic Services (NATS)A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said last night: 'Due to a technical issue with NATS' radar that serves Birmingham Airport, only departing flights are currently operating, with some delays.

The White Lotus star was joined by his wife Emma Hewitt, who donned a leopard print jacket over a black dress. The White Lotus narrowly beat Adolescence with six nods though, most of which came from the acting categories thanks to its all-star cast. He will compete against his co-star Ashley Walters as well as Billy Crudup, The Morning Show, Walton Goggins, The White Lotus, Jason Isaac, The White Lotus and Tramell Tillman, Severance. Also in the category is Carrie Coon, The White Lotus, Hannah Einbinder, Hacks, Catherine O'Hara, The Studio and Parker Posey, The White Lotus. He earned the Best Actor award at The Critics Choice Awards last week.