Angela Rippon hit out at TV bosses for 'going woke' - claiming broadcasters have been in decline since the 'magical' seventies. On Monday (January 26), she joined Eamonn Holmes and Ellie Costello on the pair's GB News breakfast programme. From there, Eamonn and Ellie proceeded to ask the veteran star about the industry's evolution over the years. Eamonn, 66, opined: 'I think TV started to dip off slightly after the 70s, I think they were my heyday. 'We have an incredible variety to an incredible access of different kinds of television programmes being proved by how many channels?

Sir, – In March 2020 the Covid outbreak saw employees being sent home from their workplaces for what was expected to be a relatively short period. Half a decade later a large number still haven’t gone back full-time. Blended or hybrid working now seems to be the new norm. With new legislation, workers have a right to request remote working, but it is at the employers’ discretion to agree to such a request. Remote work does not need to be carried out from Irish homes, it can be undertaken from any country in the world, where workers can be employed on lower salaries.

It was the delivery of a visionary energy project which showed that our fragile new State could stand on its own two feet. Ireland’s first government put everything it had behind a plan from a young Irish engineer to electrify the country with power from the river Shannon. We thought we were on the cusp of a similar revolution three years ago when the Shannon Estuary taskforce report was launched at Ardnacrusha. It committed us to having 2 gigawatts (GW) of Atlantic offshore wind power in development by 2030 and 30GW installed by 2050, setting up the midwest as a clean industrial centre and guaranteeing our prosperity for the next hundred years. Some politicians here sold the false promise that floating offshore wind could take off immediately.

Photograph: Chris MaddaloniThe Government is set to reject a recommendation from an Oireachtas committee to have a “formal legal review” before Irish troops are sent abroad on peacekeeping missions once the triple lock is abolished. The Cabinet is likely this morning to approve plans to push ahead with the abolition of the triple lock, which requires UN approval before Irish troops are sent abroad on peacekeeping missions. But Opposition parties and pro-neutrality campaigners argue the abolition of the triple lock will lead to erosion of the Republic’s long-standing policy of military neutrality. Removal of the triple lock was included in the programme for government agreed last year between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Cabinet will also approve plans for this year’s programme of St Patrick’s Day visits abroad.

Photograph: Chris MaddaloniThe Government’s budget watchdog will renew its warnings about the rate of public spending increases today when it will tell the Oireachtas budget oversight committee that future budgets will become more, not less, dependent on rising corporation tax revenues to continue planned spending increases. “Given the economy is already performing well, it does not need support from fast increases in Government spending. “Running surpluses is dependent on corporation tax receipts continuing to grow. After several delays, the Coalition submitted a revised medium-term fiscal plan late last year. It has said that large spending increases may prove to be unsustainable and create an overreliance on corporation tax receipts, which may not continue.

So, despite Northampton being coached by Ian McGeechan and studded with British & Irish Lions who had helped win a series in South Africa the previous summer, Connacht won 43-13, Willie Ruane (now Connacht Rugby chief executive) finishing off the scoring with a long-range try. Various politicians, including future taoiseach Enda Kenny and former international Jim Glennon, joined the Friends of Connacht march which delivered a petition to the IRFU offices. Connacht memorably won the 2016 Pro12 and have provided plenty of internationals since, including Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen. They were reinforced when reading Paul Hayward’s deep dive in The Observer into Welsh rugby, which is “riven by panic and bitterness” and “in a doom loop”. Rugby and rowing join forces in world record attemptOn March 21st, a group of former Irish rugby players and rowers will attempt a mixed 24-hour world record for over-40s.

John Small speaking at the launch of ‘Are You in The Guaranteed Irish Club’ community reward programme. Photograph: Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileChanging times for John Small, now that he’s no longer tangled up in blue. Dublin’s John Small and Derry’s Dan Higgins. “They have a good team, a good squad and I think they’re going to be very competitive. Dublin's Paddy Small.

The 58-year-old remembers admitting to not knowing anything about laptops in her first job interview to work in laptop support. “I found myself in an office with like-minded people who came to Ireland wanting to gain independence in a different country. They decided to stay in Ireland over moving to Portugal as they had good jobs and Aidan has little Portuguese. “I started to research a lot about children’s education and I don’t know if our education system is the wisest. “I’ve always felt at home here.”We would like to hear from people who have moved to Ireland.

“I used to be a lot more tolerant of public transport here but it gets on my nerves now after being in a place that’s much better. But the thing he misses most since moving home is the friends he made in Taiwan Celts GAA clubs, who felt like family. Conway sought out the local GAA team almost immediately on moving to Taipei in 2018. Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan. Conway hasn’t closed the door on returning to Taipei but says it wouldn’t be to go back teaching English.

Referee not picked for Premier League duty after Pep Guardiola's Man City complaintsPep Guardiola was left unhappy with the refereeing team during Manchester City's victory over Wolves when his side were denied a penalty for handballView 3 Images Pep Guardiola was annoyed with the penalty decision (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)Referee Farai Hallam will not officiate in the Premier League this weekend. PGMOL don't appoint referees who made their Premier League debuts to officiate in matches in the next round of fixtures. Tom Kirk made his debut as a Premier League referee in early December and didn't appear on the pitch again in the top-flight until a month later. City moved within four points of the Premier League leaders with 15 matches still to play. Article continues belowThey host Galatasaray in a crucial Champions League match at the Etihad Stadium, before travelling to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and facing Newcastle United in the second-leg of their League Cup semi-final.

“We have concluded the mother of all deals,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on X on Tuesday. India is similarly trying to shake its protectionist reputation and offset a 50 per cent Trump tariff, while at the same time balance its ties with Russia. “That is the name of the game.”The deal is the most ambitious trade agreement India has signed. The announcement comes weeks after India signed trade deals with New Zealand and Oman. The EU and India are also growing closer on the defence front, unveiling a new security partnership.

Photo: ReutersIndia and the European Union have finalised a long-pending landmark trade deal, both sides said on Tuesday, as they seek to hedge against fickle ties with the U.S. "Yesterday, a big agreement was signed between the European Union and India," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier. "Europe and India are making history today," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on social media. Trade between India and the EU stood at $136.5bn in the fiscal year through March 2025. An India-U.S. trade deal collapsed last year after a breakdown in communications between their two governments.

Alan Rickman ‘had so much more to give’, his widow saysBy Jenny Garnsworthy, Press AssociationAlan Rickman’s widow has said he “had so much more to give”, as she discussed a prize draw offering Harry Potter books signed by some of the film’s stars. The draw is raising money for Pancreatic Cancer UK and has been organised in memory of Rickman, who died of the disease 10 years ago. “What we’re trying to do is raise money for a breathalyser test which could provide an early diagnosis. Horton said the average life expectancy for pancreatic cancer is three months after diagnosis. Around 10,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer across the UK each year.

The Traitors winner Rachel Duffy announces death of mother AnneBy Casey Cooper-Fiske, Press Association Senior Entertainment ReporterThe Traitors winner Rachel Duffy has announced the death of her mother, Anne, who she revealed during the BBC show had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. After winning, Duffy told BBC News: “I rang my mummy this morning… I can’t wait to come home and give her a big hug and say, ‘What will we do? She’s very proud.”Following Duffy’s announcement, Dementia UK’s chief admiral nurse and chief executive Dr Hilda Hayo said: “We’re sorry to hear that Anne Duffy has died having lived with Parkinson’s and dementia. “Everyone at Dementia UK sends our condolences to Anne’s family and hope they are receiving the support they need at this difficult time. Staffed by dementia specialist admiral nurses, our helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one.

Cabinet set to approve plan to scrap triple lockJames CoxThe Cabinet is expected to approve moves to dismantle the triple lock on the deployment of Irish troops abroad. It currently requires the approval of the Government, the Dáil and the UN Security Council. It is being proposed at Cabinet this morning that the security council element be removed, given concerns about the use of the veto by both Russia and the US. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee said the plans do not impact Ireland's neutrality, despite claims to the contrary from the opposition. Speaking in the Dáil, she said: "This reinforces the proud tradition that we have as a peacekeeping country.