The association is encouraging farmers to attend this Saturday's national protest in Athlone in opposition to the trade deal. IFA urges farmers to attend major Mercosur protest in AthloneThe Irish Farmers Association (IFA) is encouraging farmers to take part in this Saturday's major national protest rally in Athlone in opposition to the EU's proposed Mercosur trade deal with countries in South America. He said there was "huge pressure" from the European Commission and certain Member States to ratify the Mercosur deal as soon as next week. Athlone Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan encouraged local communities to support Saturday's national protest rally. * For more details on Saturday's protest, see this week's Westmeath Independent and Offaly Independent

Hours and hours of research blown to bits by Donald Trump. I was going to favour you this week, and I know you’re dying for it, with a long thesis about the decline of social democracy in the world and its replacement by a nasty form of populism.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has defended the decision to allow Nestlé to make a voluntary recall of SMA infant formula rather than issuing an enforcement notice about its removal from shops. Some 18 batches of the SMA infant formula and follow-on formula products were recalled due to the possible presence of the toxin cereulide. FSAI director of audit, incidents, and investigations Michelle Minihan has defended the authority’s decision to allow Nestlé to make a voluntary recall. Ms Minihan said an enforcement issue had not been issued because the products were manufactured in other European countries. The FSAI said batches of the following products have been affected: SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, SMA Advanced Follow On Milk, SMA Comfort, SMA First Infant Milk, SMA Gold Prem 2, SMA Little Steps First Infant Milk and SMA Alfamino.

Irish inflation rose above the European Central Bank's 2% target again in December, with transport costs adding to rising price levels. New figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday found that inflation, when calculated using the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) was 2.7% in the 12 months to December 2025. Among the components of the flash inflation figures, energy prices are estimated to have fallen by 0.3% in the month, but rose by 2.4% since December 2024. Core inflation, with strips out volatile items such as energy and food, is estimated to have risen by 2.6%, the CSO added. The consumer price index (CPI) is the official measure of inflation in Ireland, while the HICP is an index of consumer prices that has been harmonised to allow for comparisons across euro area countries.

Irish chemical solutions provider Chemical Solutions Group (CSG) has announced it has agreed terms to acquire the Cork-based wastewater and effluent treatment chemicals specialist Celtic Water Care Solutions Limited for an undisclosed sum. Celtic Water Care was founded in 200 by John O’Connor. He said the acquisition of Celtic Water Care adds “further regional depth and service capability and extends CSG’s reach in industrial wastewater”. Celtic Water Care is focused exclusively on wastewater and effluent treatment and does not supply products for potable water or hygiene. This transaction will bring Celtic Water Care into the CSG group as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Older drivers will be forced to take eye tests as part of a series of road safety reforms. Almost one in four (24 per cent) of drivers killed on Britain's roads were aged 70 or older, motivating the most dramatic policy proposals in the set of reforms. While motoring groups have largely backed the measures, Age UK has suggested the eye test rule discriminates against older motorists. Caroline Abrahams, its charity director, told the Daily Mail: 'It is certainly good for our eye health as we age to have a regular eye test - every two years the NHS advises - but this doesn't automatically mean that a compulsory eye test at age 70 is appropriate. 'People can develop eye problems at any age so why confine such an approach only to those aged 70 and not to younger drivers too?

New York City ushered in the New Year with a new mayor, as Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office at midnight on January 1st. Video: Reuters

“I’m so scared, please come.”Over the next 3½ hours, Red Crescent call handlers remained in contact with her as she sheltered in the vehicle. To secure a route for an ambulance, the Red Crescent must first contact the Red Cross, which, in turn, must contact the Israel Defense Forces. Kaouther Ben Hania with the Grand Jury Prize for The Voice of Hind Rajab at the Venice International Film Festival in September. Photograph: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images“The reaction in Venice went far beyond my expectations,” says Ben Hania. “Some people tell me, ‘The film is too hard, I can’t watch it,’” Ben Hania says.

I can't imagine Ronan O’Gara is going to send a weakened team over to play against Leinster. "I think Andrew's been scrummaging really well. I think he had a reputation, but I think he's got rid of that, to be honest with you. "The way his scrummaging performance on St Stephen's Day down in Munster, I thought it was exceptional, to be honest with you. I think he's more than capable, Andrew, of doing that.

Similarly, Russia appeals to international law when it claims, spuriously, that its own actions in Ukraine are justified under exceptions to the prohibition on armed aggression — or that they are mere “operations” within its own territory, and so for different legal reasons, lawful under international law. Law enforcement operationWhat if it was just a ‘law enforcement operation’? International law isn’t deadFew will mourn the removal of Maduro, widely considered an autocrat. But international law is not “dead” just because the most powerful no longer respect it. International law is created by all states, not just the powerful few.

In both cases, the boys had access to online pornography from an early age. The most common form of sexual violence featured was sexual activity between family members (incest), while the second most common category was physical aggression and sexual assault. In 2023, France’s High Council for Equality between Women and Men found that “90% of pornographic content online features verbal, physical, and sexual violence towards women”. During these scenes of sexual violence, 95% of the time the women in the videos either respond positively or with indifference — giving the impression that women either enjoy sexual violence or, at the very least, they do not mind it. Just as children cannot walk into a shop and buy cigarettes or alcohol, they should not be able to access sexually violent content online.

The Taoiseach does not believe there is a security threat from closer ties between Irish third-level institutions and China. In an interview before Christmas, the head of the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) suggested that Chinese influence over research in Irish colleges was a security risk. Mr Martin was speaking at a Beijing hotel following a showcase for the third-level sectors of both nations attended by 12 Irish institutions. “And the arrangements are practical, are of benefit, financially and otherwise, to the Irish universities. Mr Martin said the meetings have been positive.

Chelsea have announced the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach, signing a contract until 2032. "I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club. "I was given permission to talk to one of the biggest clubs in the world, Club World Cup champions, it is an honour for me to be associated with a club like that. "Now, on this day, it looks like I am going to be the next manager of that football club.

A 45-year-old man arrested for a public order offence before the holiday period replied to a member of An Garda Síochána when charged: “F*** you, I hope you die over Christmas.”Judge Catherine Ryan was dealing with the case at Cork District Court on Monday when she read out this reply after caution which was made by Michael Butler of Churchfield Terrace East, Churchfield, Cork.

The Kinsella Family, who will be celebrated during the festival. Tullamore Tradfest to return this MarchThe highly anticipated Tullamore TradFest 2026 is set to take place this March. Running from Friday, March 27, to Sunday, March 29, the festival will bring a weekend of incredible traditional Irish music and cultural celebrations to the heart of Tullamore. With a variety of concerts, workshops, album launches, and free family entertainment, this year’s festival promises something for everyone. The evening will also celebrate the Kinsella Family, who will be inducted into the Offaly 'Hall of Fame' for 2026, honoring their long-standing contribution to Irish music.