Heavy rain across Ireland; Orange and Yellow weather warnings issued

Heavy rain across Ireland; Orange and Yellow weather warnings issued

Ireland is set to see heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours, with the risk of localised flooding prompting multiple weather warnings across the country. Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange rain warning for: Wicklow Waterford A Status Yellow rain warning is in place for: Carlow Dublin Kildare Kilkenny Laois Louth Wexford Monaghan Tipperary … Read more

Dublin City Council to seek Re-Turn funding as ‘scavengers’ empty bins across the city

Dublin City Council to seek Re-Turn funding as ‘scavengers’ empty bins across the city

Dublin City Council is set to approach Re-Turn for financial support to cover rising street-cleaning costs, after reports that people searching for refundable bottles and cans are emptying public bins across Dublin. The issue was highlighted by Richard Shakespeare, who said so-called “scavengers” are pulling rubbish from bins in search of items eligible for the … Read more

India updates baggage rules: duty-free limit raised to ₹75,000 from February 2, 2026

India updates baggage rules: duty-free limit raised to ₹75,000 from February 2, 2026

India has rolled out new baggage rules, replacing decades-old regulations, with a major boost to duty-free allowances for arriving passengers. The updated rules came into effect from midnight on February 2, 2026. Under the revised policy, the duty-free baggage allowance for passengers bringing imported goods into India has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. Who … Read more

Union Budget announcements offer fresh hope to the NRI community

Union Budget announcements offer fresh hope to the NRI community

India’s latest Union Budget has brought a wave of optimism among Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), with a series of tax-friendly measures aimed at easing compliance, encouraging investment, and strengthening ties with the global Indian community. Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the budget places strong emphasis on simplified compliance, trust-based taxation, and global mobility. … Read more

Measles cases rise across Europe; HSE urges caution and vaccination before travel

Measles cases rise across Europe; HSE urges caution and vaccination before travel

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to people in Ireland amid a rise in measles cases across several European countries, urging travellers to take preventive measures before heading abroad. Health officials said particular caution is needed during the holiday season, as large numbers of people are travelling to popular tourist destinations across … Read more

Ireland needs 6,500 GPs and 4,400 nurses as population and patient numbers surge

Ireland needs 6,500 GPs and 4,400 nurses as population and patient numbers surge

Ireland is facing a serious shortage of family doctors and nurses, with healthcare staffing failing to keep pace with population growth and rising patient needs, according to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). ICGP Medical Director Dr Diarmuid Quinlan said that while the number of GPs has increased by 10%, the population has grown … Read more

Is your child into cricket? Swords Cricket Club launches junior training sessions

Is your child into cricket? Swords Cricket Club launches junior training sessions

Swords Cricket Club is rolling out special cricket coaching for children under 13, aimed at introducing young players to the game in a fun, structured way. Junior indoor cricket – key details Who: Children under 13 When: Every Saturday, from February 7 to March 14 Time: 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm Sessions: 6 indoor sessions … Read more

Storm Chandra floods Ireland as Taoiseach Simon Harris announces emergency aid for victims

Storm Chandra floods Ireland as Taoiseach Simon Harris announces emergency aid for victims

Relief efforts are being stepped up across Ireland after Storm Chandra caused severe flooding and widespread disruption, particularly in the east and south-east of the country. Taoiseach Simon Harris has announced enhanced emergency financial assistance for those affected, saying the scale of damage requires a stronger response. Although Harris is currently on an official visit … Read more

Expired IRP holders allowed to travel as Ireland extends concession until February 28, 2026

Expired IRP holders allowed to travel as Ireland extends concession until February 28, 2026

Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has extended a key travel concession for foreign residents, offering relief to thousands affected by delays in renewing their residence permits. Under the updated announcement, holders of expired Irish Residence Permits (IRP) can continue to travel abroad and return to Ireland using a Travel Confirmation Notice until February 28, 2026. … Read more

Bluetongue disease detected in Ireland as China bans Irish beef imports

Bluetongue disease detected in Ireland as China bans Irish beef imports

China has suspended imports of Irish beef after cases of bluetongue disease were confirmed in cattle in Ireland. The outbreak was first detected in Wexford last week, with three additional herds now testing positive for the virus. In the initial herd, seven cattle were infected. Officials confirmed that none of the animals showed clinical signs … Read more

Eurostat study highlights Europe’s housing crisis as young people spend up to 80% of wages on rent

Eurostat study highlights Europe’s housing crisis as young people spend up to 80% of wages on rent

A new study by Eurostat has revealed the scale of Europe’s housing crisis, showing that many young people are spending up to 80% of their income on rent. According to the findings, 10% of people aged 15–29 across the European Union are considered overburdened by housing costs, meaning a large share of their income goes … Read more

Irish supermarkets cut Kerrygold butter prices from today

Irish supermarkets cut Kerrygold butter prices from today

Some of Ireland’s biggest supermarket chains have reduced the price of Kerrygold butter, offering welcome relief to shoppers facing ongoing grocery inflation. SuperValu, Centra and Tesco have all confirmed price cuts on Kerrygold products from today. A pound of Kerrygold butter is now 50 cent cheaper, dropping from €5.49 to €4.99, while half-pound packs have … Read more

Food prices in Ireland rise 3.9% over past year, CSO figures show

Food prices in Ireland rise 3.9% over past year, CSO figures show

Food prices in Ireland increased by 3.9% in the 12 months to January 2026, according to new inflation figures published today by the Central Statistics Office. The CSO released its flash estimates from the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which allows inflation comparisons across the euro area. The data also shows food prices … Read more

Storm Chandra flooding made three times more likely by climate change, researchers warn

Storm Chandra flooding made three times more likely by climate change, researchers warn

Flooding like that seen across Ireland during Storm Chandra has become almost three times more likely due to climate change, according to new research by Met Éireann and the ICARUS Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University. The researchers carried out a “super-rapid” analysis of rainfall linked to Storm Chandra. While the one-day rainfall from the … Read more