Connect with us

NewsBeat

Wales v France winners and losers as Dewi Lake fights back but coaches are lambs to slaughter

Published

on

Wales Online

It was another bitterly disappointing day for Welsh rugby

It was another dark weekend in Welsh rugby as Wales suffered a heavy 54-12 defeat to France at the Principality Stadium.

Advertisement

It was one way traffic as Wales were yet again ruthlessly put to the sword by a France side who look well placed to win the Grand Slam. To make matters worse it felt like a home game for France with a crowd of just 57,744 in attendance.

Here are your winners and losers. Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Winners

Aaron Wainwright

The Dragons No 8 was Wales’ best player yet again.

Wainwright made 14 carries and 11 tackles in a spirited display. The explosive No 8 was the only Wales backrower to consistently get over the gainline and is a high quality player operating in a weak team.

Advertisement

If Wales are to stand any chance against Scotland then Wainwright will be central to their efforts.

His move to Leicester Tigers for the 2026/27 season could take his game to a new level.

Eddie James

The 23-year-old had a tough time against England in round one but he was much better against France. James gave Wales some go forward in the second-half while he put in a strong defensive shift.

There was enough about the Scarlets centre to suggest he can kick on as an international centre. But his long-term position at Test level is arguably at inside centre.

Advertisement

There is an argument to suggest Wales currently cannot afford the luxury of a ball player at 12 and need someone to get them over the gainline in the same manner Jamie Roberts used to do in years gone by.

James could be that man.

Dewi Lake and Wales’ set-piece

You wouldn’t have thought it if you just went by the scoreline but Wales’ set-piece was actually pretty good against France.

Advertisement

The lineout malfunctioned badly eight days prior at Twickenham but it was faultless at the Principality Stadium.

Dewi Lake came in for some huge criticism for Wales’ lineout woes in the defeat to England but he was much better this time around.

The scrum was also solid enough.

Losers

WRU

It was a record low for Wales as far as the attendance, with the 57,744 crowd the lowest for a Six Nations match in Cardiff outside of the Covid pandemic.

Advertisement

A drop off in attendance will inevitably hit the WRU’s back pocket and the effects of that will be felt throughout the game, especially at professional level.

The current situation is the direct result of years of underinvestment into the pathway and the four professional teams.

Plans to cut the number of professional clubs from four to three are controversial but there does need to be radical change.

Huge investment needs to be put into the pathway.

Advertisement

Adam Beard

The 30-year-old has been a tremendous servant to the national side and is heavily respected by both players and coaches.

There is a reason Montpellier are paying the former Ospreys lock big money. But this was arguably his poorest performance in a Wales shirt.

Beard missed a tackle he should have made on Théo Attissogbe in the lead up to the first France try.

But after Dafydd Jenkins had done so well to win a turnover Beard inexplicably kicked directly into a French player, resulting in Matthieu Jalibert touching down on the stroke of half-time to take the game away from Wales.

Advertisement

He needs to bounce back quickly.

Wales’ half-backs

Wales lost the kicking game hands down, with both Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards not accurate enough in this regard.

Edwards has not had a good start to the Six Nations and while he is a talented player with a high ceiling he has been exposed defensively over the past couple of weeks.

Advertisement

Yes, it is very difficult playing behind a pack who are getting a tuning but Wales need more direction from their half-backs.

Wales coaching team

It was always going to be an extremely difficult task to improve performances after inheriting a team who were at such a low ebb, but things really aren’t going well.

Tandy has not been helped by the fact he has not got a specialist defence coach and he will have to wait until the summer to get one.

But Wales have conceded 42 tries so far under Tandy and 302 points in just six matches.

Advertisement

The harsh reality is Wales currently don’t have the same calibre of players that were present in the first Warren Gatland era, while the system underpinning the national side is no longer good enough.

Tandy and his backroom staff are lambs to the slaughter and the fact there are currently so many inexperienced temporary appointments is not helping.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NewsBeat

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 now hundreds cheaper as new Unpacked launch nears

Published

on

Daily Record

Amazon has knocked 20% off select Samsung Galaxy smartphones ahead of the Galaxy S26 Unpacked event on February 25

Samsung is preparing to launch its latest Galaxy smartphones later this month and retailers have already begun cutting prices on existing models. In anticipation of Galaxy Unpacked, Amazon is offering 20% off select models including the Samsung Galaxy S25.

Normally priced at £799, the 128GB model is now available for £639.20 – a discount of £159.80. The same offer applies to the more advanced Galaxy S25 Ultra, which has dropped from £1,249 to £999.20, slashing £249.80 off the 256GB version.

Advertisement

Additional deals include the Galaxy S25 Edge at £874.71 (was £1,099) and Galaxy Z Flip 7 at £839.20 (was £1,049). Amazon has set a February 24 deadline for these offers, but it says they ‘may be withdrawn or amended without notice’.

READ MORE:

These price cuts arrive ahead of Samsung’s annual Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, where the firm is anticipated to reveal its Galaxy S26 lineup. Tech fan can register their interest at Samsung.com ahead of the 6pm GMT livestream.

Registration provides a £30 voucher for selected Galaxy products, double storage when pre-ordering from the new range, and an opportunity to win a £500 Samsung voucher. Leading up to the event, the S25 range has seen significant price reductions at multiple retailers, including Sky Mobile, reports the Express.

Advertisement

Amazon’s Samsung Galaxy S25 deal

Content Image

£799

£639.20

Amazon

Get the deal here

Amazon customers can get a 20% discount on the Samsung Galaxy S25, saving more than £150

Advertisement

Sky is now offering £432 off the Galaxy S25 Ultra for customers preferring monthly payments, reducing the cost from £43 to £31. The standard Galaxy S25 is available for £26, with models also requiring a £12 upfront payment.

One downside here is that it only includes a 100MB data allowance, which many users will burn through within minutes. Bigger data packages are available for an extra charge, including 50GB for an additional £12.

David Snelling, Technology Editor at the Daily Express, gave the Galaxy S25 Ultra a 4.5-star rating in his full review last year. He called it a ‘spectacularly good smartphone’.

“Samsung has done it again and produced another spectacularly good smartphone,” he said. “The Galaxy S25 Ultra looks great, features a stunning 6.9-inch screen, brilliant camera, long battery life, and that supremely quick Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.

Advertisement

“It also gets all of those Galaxy AI upgrades that can organise your life, retouch your photos, chat to you like a human and bring live football scores straight to the home screen. It’s all clever stuff, but for some, it might just be a bit too smart.”

David continued: “There’s so much Artificial Intelligence now included it can all feel slightly overwhelming and only power users (and true AI geeks) are going to get close to scratching the surface of what this device can really do. That doesn’t make this a bad phone.

“In fact, it’s very good. It just feels like all of Samsung’s development is going into the software rather than boosting the hardware.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Omar Benguit: New evidence claims man was framed for murder of foreign student

Published

on

Omar Benguit: New evidence claims man was framed for murder of foreign student

New evidence claims a man who has served 23 years in prison for murder may have been wrongly convicted following claims that police pressured witnesses to lie.

Allegations that witnesses, including drug addicts, were pushed to give false statements have been made as part of a BBC Panorama investigation into the case of Omar Benguit.

Benguit was convicted in January 2005 of murdering South Korean language student Jong-Ok Shin, known as Oki, in Bournemouth three years earlier.

The broadcaster claims that 13 prosecution witnesses say they were pushed to embellish their statements or lie in court, and that there is CCTV evidence that may cast doubt on an account given by a key witness.

Advertisement

A woman known as ‘BB’ said she went to a garage before picking up Benguit, and two other men, and driving to a crack den on the night of the killing, but police could not find CCTV images to back up the claims, the BBC reports.

There are other CCTV images of an unidentified man who could be Benguit using a phone box at a different location, the broadcaster said, which would suggest he did not go to the crack den.

Dorset Police has said its investigation was “thorough, detailed and very complex”, and that Benguit has already had two appeals against his conviction rejected.

Benguit was convicted in January 2005 of murdering South Korean language student Jong-Ok Shin, known as Oki, in Bournemouth three years earlier

Advertisement
Benguit was convicted in January 2005 of murdering South Korean language student Jong-Ok Shin, known as Oki, in Bournemouth three years earlier (Dorset Police)

Benguit was convicted at his third trial in January 2005. He appealed his conviction in July that year, but this was rejected by appeal judges.

His lawyers then applied to legal review body, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in May 2010, after which his case was again referred to the Court of Appeal.

The court upheld his conviction in 2014.

A second application has since been made to the CCRC, which reviews potential miscarriages of justice, and this is currently being assessed.

Advertisement

A CCRC spokesperson said: “Mr Benguit first applied to the CCRC in May 2010. Following a review, the CCRC referred the conviction in December 2012.

“The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2014.

“A second application has been received and a review into this application is ongoing.

“It would be inappropriate for us to discuss the case or make any further comment while the application is being reviewed.”

Advertisement

Dorset Police said concerns over Benguit’s conviction are a matter for the CCRC and the Court of Appeal.

Benguit was convicted at his third trial in January 2005 and has had several appeals rejected

Benguit was convicted at his third trial in January 2005 and has had several appeals rejected (Social media)

A spokesperson said: “Our investigation into Oki’s murder was thorough, detailed and very complex.

“We submitted our evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which considered there to be sufficient evidence to charge Omar Benguit with Oki’s murder and proceeded with the prosecution.

Advertisement

“Omar Benguit was unanimously convicted in January 2005 by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of the murder of Jong-Ok Shin. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

“Benguit appealed against his conviction, but this appeal was dismissed in July 2005 by judges at the Court of Appeal.

“The case was reviewed by the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC) and referred to the Court of Appeal for a second time on the basis of the reliability of a prosecution witness and the suggestion of a possible alternative suspect.

“The appeal was dismissed in April 2014.

Advertisement

“This case has been through a series of reviews and any matter surrounding concerns regarding this conviction is ultimately a matter for the CCRC and the Court of Appeal.

“Dorset Police would follow the direction and instigate investigations if directed by the courts and responsible authorities.

“As always, our thoughts are with Oki’s family and friends who remain devastated by their loss.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Jury in Natalie McNally murder trial sworn in as Judge issues warning over case

Published

on

Ipso logo

Stephen McCullagh, who is 35 and from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has been accused of and has denied murdering Ms McNally.

A jury was today (Monday) sworn to preside in a trial concerning the murder of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally.

The 32-year old – who was 15 weeks pregnant – was killed in her Silverwood Green home in December 2022.

Stephen McCullagh, who is 35 and from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has been accused of and has denied murdering Ms McNally.

Advertisement

The trial process commenced at Belfast Crown Court today when a jury consisting of six men and six women was sworn.

Addressing the 12 jurors, Mr Justice Kinney said Ms McNally was murdered in her home on the evening of December 18, 2022.

As her family sat in the public gallery, they heard the Judge tell the jurors that she studied law at Queen’s University and worked for Translink.

The senior judge said the man accused of her murder worked part-time in the Belfast Telegraph.

Mr Justice Kinney said McCullagh was known as a YouTuber who used the profile ‘VoteSaxon’ and who was primarily known for reviewing Dr Who products and merchandise.

The 12 jurors heard the trial is expected to last five weeks and were told by the Judge: “Part of the evidence in the case will involve being shown photographs of the murder scene.

“It is not anticipated you will be shown any photographs which will involve the deceased.”

Advertisement

The Crown is due to open its case against McCullagh on Tuesday morning and before they left court for the day, Mr Justice Kinney warned the jurors not to carry out any research on the case or discuss it with anyone else.

He said: “Your task will be to decide the case only on the evidence you will see and hear in this court and nothing else.”

Want to see more from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

England survive Italy scare to reach T20 World Cup Super Eights

Published

on

England survive Italy scare to reach T20 World Cup Super Eights

Both teams are unchanged. Italy captain Wayne Madsen, who dislocated his shoulder against Scotland, is still unavailable but may return for the final group game against West Indies.

England Salt, Buttler (wk), Bethell, Banton, Brook (c), Curran, Jacks, Overton, Dawson, Archer, Rashid.

Italy J Mosca, A Mosca, Smuts, H Manenti (c), B Manenti, Campopiano, Stewart, Meade (wk), Jaspreet, Kalugamage, Hasan.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Cllr Barbara Brodigan loses scrutiny role on North Yorkshire Council

Published

on

Cllr Barbara Brodigan loses scrutiny role on North Yorkshire Council

Liberal Democrat councillor Barbara Brodigan has been replaced as the chair of the children and families overview and scrutiny committee in a reshuffle prompted by the loss of the Conservatives and Independents group’s majority on the authority.

Councillors voted for Councillor Caroline Goodrick, a member of the Tory-led controlling group, to replace her.

Liberal Democrat leaders claim Conservative and Labour councillors worked together to remove Cllr Brodigan from the role after she had asked the scrutiny committee to examine the council’s controversial home-to-school transport policy change.

Advertisement

Cllr Brodigan has held the position since 2022 and Liberal Democrats say chairs of scrutiny committees usually stay in the role for a full council term.

Councillor Peter Lacey, leader of the Lib Dem group, said: “We see this as a cynical political move.

“Barbara has done an excellent job in holding the council to account and listening to the concerns of parents and residents.

“If there is blame for a loss of trust between the council and parents over home-to-school transport, it does not lie with Barbara but with members on the Tory and Labour benches who have voted to get rid of her.”

Advertisement

Cllr Brodigan, councillor for the Ure Bank and Spa division in Ripon, added: “We accept that the policy battle is, for now, lost, but it is unthinkable that some children still don’t know if they’ll have the company of their peer group as they make what is probably their most significant transition in their education journey.

“Equally concerning to them and their parents will be the possibility that they will be expected to make unsuitable and potentially hazardous journeys to school.”

In response, Councillor Carl Les, leader of the authority, said: “As ever, the Lib Dems are spouting nonsense to suit their narrative — they see conspiracies everywhere.”

Cllr Les said there had previously been “numerous” changes of committee chairs during the course of a council.

Advertisement

He added: “This is a change that has come about because of one councillor leaving the Conservative group and going, we know not where, so changes had to be made.

“I reached out to all the group leaders and asked for their thoughts and then reacted appropriately.

“This is nothing to do with the individual. This is to do with the fact that we believe that the children and families scrutiny committee is a very important one — it’s the only one which is attended by two executive members — and so we decided that it was a good time to make a change.”

Labour spokesperson, Councillor John Ritchie, said it was “completely untrue” that his group had worked with the Conservatives to remove the committee chair.

Advertisement

“They’re imagining conspiracies that simply don’t exist,” he added.

The council has faced criticism over a change to home-to-school transport, which has seen children only allowed free transport to their catchment school if it is also their nearest school.

Parents say the change is causing a host of issues, including financial hardship and disruption to peer groups, but council chiefs say the move was necessary to cut an annual school transport bill of more than £50m.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Four symptoms of virus six times as contagious as Covid after outbreak

Published

on

Daily Record

Parents have been urged to look out for red flag signs of the dangerous disease

As cases of measles rise sharply in the UK and with experts predicting another spike this spring, pharmacist Niamh McMillan has explained the symptoms to look out for and how to protect yourself against this potentially dangerous virus.

A “big measles outbreak” is affecting unvaccinated children under the age of 10, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed. It said the outbreak in schools and nurseries in north-east London had left some children requiring hospital treatment.

Advertisement

The agency had previously reported 34 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Enfield from January 1 to February 9. More than 60 suspected cases of measles have been reported by seven schools and a nursery in Enfield, the Sunday Times reports.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can spread very easily among people who are not fully vaccinated. While many people recover, the illness can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation and, in rare cases, long-term disability or death.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: “Our latest data shows we are now seeing a big measles outbreak in north-east London, mostly affecting unvaccinated children under 10 in schools and nurseries, with some being hospitalised. Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to long-term complications and tragically death, but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV vaccine.

Advertisement

“If your child has missed any of their doses it’s important to catch up as soon as possible, giving them vital protection against this highly contagious disease, but also helping to protect more vulnerable children around them who are too young or unable to have the vaccine due to a health condition.

“With Easter holidays fast approaching, it is a timely reminder to families travelling overseas to ensure all family members, especially children, are vaccinated, as measles is widespread in some countries with close links to the UK and there are ongoing outbreaks in parts of Europe.”

Global health officials announced earlier this year the UK is no longer considered to have eliminated measles.

Advertisement

Measles is one of the most infectious known diseases. It is approximately six times more infectious than Covid-19.

Niamh McMillan, Superdrug’s Pharmacy Superintendent, said: “Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, which can have serious health consequences, especially for young children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. Early detection and vaccination are key to protecting yourself and others from this potentially dangerous illness.”

“The measles virus spreads through respiratory droplets, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can live in the air for up to two hours, making it easy for the disease to spread, especially in crowded environments, such as public transport and office settings.”

“The best way to protect yourself and others from measles is through vaccination. The MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) provides long term immunity against the disease and is suitable for both adults and children. It’s recommended that individuals get two doses of the MMR vaccine for full protection. Superdrug’s nationwide high street clinics offer the MMR vaccination for £45 per dose.”

Advertisement

If you or your child show signs of measles, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. If measles is confirmed, then you should stay at home and avoid contact with others, in order to prevent the infection from spreading.

Niamh explains the symptoms to be aware of.

“Measles typically begins with cold-like symptoms, which can make it difficult to distinguish from other common illnesses.” Additional symptoms include:

High fever

Advertisement

“One of the earliest signs, often starting around 10-12 days after exposure to the virus. Superdrug’s Own Brand Paracetamol, £0.49 or 3p per tablet, can help bring down high fever.”

Cough, runny nose and sore throat

“The symptoms can mimic a cold and usually accompany the fever.”

White spots inside the mouth

Advertisement

“Referred to as Koplik spots which are found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek. Not everyone with measles will have these spots, which usually last for a few days.’

Rash

“The most typical symptom of measles, which usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. It usually appears three to five days after first signs of symptoms and lasts for several days. The rash can be flat or slightly raised and join together into larger patches.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Met Office issues yellow weather warning for Bolton

Published

on

Met Office issues yellow weather warning for Bolton

The Met Office says it will take effect from 6pm on Monday through to 10am on Tuesday.

Periods of rain, sleet, and snow are predicted to cover the area intermittently, increasing the risk of snow build-up and icy patches.

Higher ground, above approximately 200 metres, is expected to witness snowfall initially, but it may descend to lower levels during Monday and overnight.

By Tuesday morning, more scattered winter showers are likely to drift in from the northwest.

Advertisement

Bolton has been hit with a yellow weather warning continuing to Tuesday, February 17 (Image: Met Office)

Forecasters predict the heaviest snowfall in Bolton will occur Monday evening and overnight.

Lower-level areas could see an accumulation of 1-2cm, while locations above around 150 metres could witness 2-5cm, and areas above 300 metres may have 5-8cm.

With temperatures expected to drop below freezing, the Met Office cautions about the formation of ice on untreated surfaces, even those that might have experienced rain or sleet earlier in the day.

The agency also warns of a small risk of isolated lightning strikes.

Advertisement

Some exposed regions may experience strong winds from the north to north-west, with gusts reaching up to 50-60mph.

In terms of travel, the warning, which carries a medium likelihood and low impact status, highlights several potential local hazards.

These include extended journey times for road, bus, and train users due to the potential impact on roads and railways.

Residents are urged to exercise additional caution due to the risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Advertisement

Untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths may also develop icy patches.

People have been advised to take extra care when travelling, as snow and icy conditions could make driving difficult and cause delays.

Road users should plan their routes carefully, allow more time for their journeys, and check for any road closures or interruptions to public transport services before heading out.

Travellers are also urged to equip their cars with essentials such as warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de-icer, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger to prepare for unexpected delays.

Advertisement

The Met Office has urged the public to stay updated with the latest local forecasts, as weather warnings can change rapidly.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Strictly’s Vito Coppola says there’s ‘no words’ as he pays emotional tribute

Published

on

Manchester Evening News

The professional dancer shared a moving message as he teased that his latest Strictly partnership wasn’t ending just yet

Vito Coppola has told Ellie Goldstein their are ‘no words’ for him that would express ‘how proud’ he is of her as they completed their stint on the Strictly Come Dancing tour.

Advertisement

As fans know, the model and actress was among the celebrities to take part in the BBC One dance competition last year and was paired with professional dancer Vito, and it didn’t take long for viewers to fall in love with their partnership.

Despite being fan-favourites, Ellie and Vito’s journey came to an end following the popular programme’s Halloween special. As they spoke to Tess Daly following confirmation of their exit, Vito vowed that he and Ellie would keep dancing and they did, sharing the routines they didn’t get to do on the show on social media.

But it was back in January that the pair were properly reunited as they were among the couples taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing Live 2026 tour, which saw fans’ favourite routines being performed in arenas up and down the country, including a stop at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The show, which features the show’s judges, professional dancers – including Janette’s husband, Aljaz Skorjanec – and stars from the 2025 series gives fans of the hit BBC One dance contest to get a closer glimpse at the standout performances seen on-screen, and get their own experience of what goes on in the Strictly ballroom.

Advertisement

And after dazzling audiences up and down the country over the past month, the Strictly Live 2026 tour was seen coming to a glittering end on Sunday night (February 15).

It was then on Monday (February 16) that Vito took to social media to pay tribute to Ellie as their time on the road together came to a close – but he also teased that their partnership isn’t ending as he shared: “To my lovely little sister ‘Cheeky’. There are no words that can describe how proud I am of you and how grateful I feel for sharing this experience with you.

“You proved yourself every single day during the series and during the tour and you inspired thousands of people not just in the UK but across the world.”

Advertisement

Alongside a video that gave a glimpse at their journey on the show, he added: “Everyone loves you because you are beautiful and fantastic!!! You are unique and special and your big brother is and will always be by your side. Love you to the sun and back (see you in few days for the other little thing we are going to do together). The one and only ‘Cheeky Team’.”

And fans were quick to share their love and support. @elliceroebuck said: “Cheeky team are the best! I loved watching you dance yesterday! You bring so much Joy and love to the dance floor. Both of you keep shining bright.” @_strictlyella_x commented: “So proud of team Cheekys journey! You guys have spread pure joy and happiness.”

@emmamcilwaine__ gushed: “Cheeky team will forever hold a place in my heart.” @reesjonesyvonne shared: “Vito, you were the perfect partner for Ellie. Your relationship is so beautiful, and we know that you’ll always be there for your little sister. Thank you both for bringing such joy.” @seachange_hypnotherapy added: “A beautiful partnership that brought out the best in you both. Cheeky Team forever!”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

TfGM strike action to end after workers secure new pay deal

Published

on

TfGM strike action to end after workers secure new pay deal

More than 200 staff involved are represented by Unite and work in essential roles including ticketing, passenger assistance and information services on the bus network.

They have agreed to a pay increase of at least 3.2 per cent backdated to April 2025, along with a one-off payment of £1,000.

For lower-paid workers, hourly rates will rise to a minimum of £15.10, amounting to pay increases of between 6.4 and 11.1 per cent.

Advertisement

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “A huge well done to Unite’s members at TfGM.

“They know that collective action works and by standing together and taking strike action they achieved this excellent pay deal.”

“This is yet another example of Unite’s unrelenting focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions paying dividends for our members.”

Staff will also receive a further pay rise of at least three per cent from April 2026.

Advertisement

The agreement includes improved standby payments, better shift patterns and new recognition and facility time arrangements.

Samantha Marshall, Unite regional officer, said: “This deal could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of our reps and members.

“As this result shows, those wanting better wages and working conditions should join Unite.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Peter Canavan leaves RTE viewers in laughter with Turkey hairline joke about son

Published

on

Belfast Live

The Tyrone legend was speaking on RTE’s League Sunday when he made the joke about his son Darragh’s trip to Australia

Peter Canavan had RTE viewers in stitches last night after cracking a joke at his son Darragh’s expense.

Advertisement

Darragh is stepping away from the Tyrone squad for several weeks, with an expected stint in Australia for the next portion of the campaign.

During League Sunday, presenter Joanne Cantwell questioned Peter about Darragh’s Australian journey.

“Malachy O’Rourke told us something that you refused to tell us Peter, your Darragh is gone to Australia for a month,” the host remarked, to which Canavan responded “That’s news to me. Malachy made it clear that he was going to Australia, I thought it was Turkey he was going to actually,” the former All-Ireland champion quipped, in a nod to the well-known Canavan hairline.

The gag drew considerable laughter from the RTE studio audience, whilst numerous social media users also found the comment highly amusing, reports the Irish Mirror.

Advertisement

“That Peter Canavan Turkey joke was a zinger, absolutely wasted on the panel!” commented one supporter, with several others echoing the sentiment.

Humour aside, Canavan’s unavailability represents a significant setback for Tyrone. The attacker scored 0-9 on Sunday as the Ulster outfit defeated Cavan to secure their opening victory of the campaign.

Whilst a mid-season break might concern most supporters, father Peter was eager to emphasise this was a pre-arranged commitment made some time ago.

“It’s been a longstanding arrangement. I think he’s ok for next week, but after that he will be away for a few league games.”

Advertisement

Tyrone are set to visit Louth next weekend, followed by a home game against Offaly on the 28th, as they aim to pave their way towards what they hope will be an elevation to Division One.

Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025