Peter Osborne

School meals to increase by almost 20% The cost of a school dinner for primary and special school pupils will go up by 50p from £2.50 to £3.00.

That is a significant increase to add daily to costs around uniforms and sports gear.

School meals to increase by almost 20% - BBC News

Terrific evening celebrating #GRW2025 in Newry thanks to @nmdcouncil - well done the musicians, dancers, speakers, the organisers and especially the more than 100 community folk who do the work we were celebrating. And the brilliant @barrabest - you were a ray of sunshine!

That is a heck of a win for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant. Augurs well for the season.

Our Chair, @peterosborne.bsky.social, is the keynote speaker at Newry, Mourne & Down District Council's Celebration of Good Relations Event on Thursday 16 October. He has been involved in a number of key civil & peace building developments in Northern Ireland.
www.newrymournedown.org/council-to-c...

Fabulous day advocating for Integration today at @sdlp.bsky.social conference with @peterosborne.bsky.social representing the @iefni.bsky.social and @integratedalumni.bsky.social. Lots of powerful conversations and laughs were had.

The Centre for Cross Border Cooperation: Unlocking opportunities across borders - agendaNi For over 25 years, the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation has been shaping opportunities for government, business, and communities by breaking down barriers across these islands, writes Anthony Soare...

Excellent piece about @CCBSCrossBorder by @agendani - strengthening relationships across all of these islands.

www.agendani.com/the-centre-f...

Nothing like the #RyderCup. Come on #TeamEurope thrive on the noise and pressure. Bring it home to where the sport started.

Dickie Bird obituary: Without playing for England, son of Barnsley became one of cricket's most famous figures Dickie Bird, who has died aged 92, did not play cricket for England, yet his status as a legend of the game is in no doubt, writes BBC chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt.

Sorry to read this. Dickie Bird was such a character.

Dickie Bird obituary: Without playing for England, son of Barnsley became one of cricket's most famous figures - BBC Sport

Well done to all the team @CCBSCrossBorder for another terrific annual conference. Thanks to them and all sponsors and speakers including Ministers. On to the next event bringing mutual benefit to people.

Full house at the annual @CCBSCrossBorder conference. Big conversations about the challenges of working across the border. #CCBCconf

Defiant nuns flee Austrian care home for their abandoned convent in the Alps Sisters Bernadette, Regina and Rita needed a locksmith to get back into their convent, defying Church leaders.

Whatever the rights or wrongs don't you love it when older people rebel like this.

share.google/zmINEixG2rPu...

Defiant nuns flee Austrian care home for their abandoned convent in the Alps - BBC News

Brian McDermott: Police appeal over 1973 murder of east Belfast boy Police say they are "acutely aware" of the pain Brian McDermott's family have faced as no-one has been convicted of the killing.

Glad to see this renewed appeal and attention. Someone must know something even so many years on.

Brian McDermott: Police appeal over 1973 murder of east Belfast boy

Bayeux Tapestry: French voice fears over artwork's move to London The precious medieval work is to be displayed in London next year - but the French art world is strongly opposed.

Must see.

Bayeux Tapestry: French voice fears over artwork's move to London - BBC News share.google/UZKLBhG7cdxb...

Photograph of two people sitting at a glass table with a laptop and some sheets of paper. The course is aimed at community and voluntary groups and individuals thinking about, or starting, a cross-border project.

Cross-border project partnerships, planning and networking. We have a free online 'guided' ​course with cross-border expert @anthonysoares.bsky.social for individuals and community & voluntary groups interested in 'Getting Started with Cross Border Collaboration'.
crossborder.ie/what-we-do/p...

In the Heat of the Night. What a terrific movie on BBC iPlayer now. Fifth time watching and Poitier and Steigar get better and better.

Very sorry to hear that Martin Smyth has passed away. Found him generous and kind; willing to listen and led with empathy. Condolences to his family and friends.

Fresh call for UK-wide smacking ban as NSPCC says more young adults believe it's wrong Health experts have urged a smacking ban across the UK, with doctors and psychiatrists saying research shows the "detrimental effects of physical punishment".

No justifiable reason for smacking a child. Sooner NI and England introduce legislation the better. Seems that 82% of under 24s agree.

Fresh call for UK-wide smacking ban as NSPCC says more young adults believe it's wrong

Watch the London skyline appear from the glass elevator at the top of one of Battersea Power Station's massive chimneys.

Good luck to everyone receiving results today. As we all know it's never the end of the journey, whatever the results. Hope it goes as well as expected or hoped though.

Schools targeted in 'simply untrue' online campaign A social media post claimed that schools were getting children to write Valentine's Day cards to adult refugees.

While social media can be a source of good, at times it beggars belief that falsehoods like this are invented and shared. Dreadful.

Schools targeted in 'simply untrue' online campaign

New hotel at corner of Donegall Pass and Botanic Avenue gets OK Developer says they hope it will be a catalyst in "transformation of the Shaftesbury Square area”

Looks like something positive for this part of Belfast.

New hotel at corner of Donegall Pass and Botanic Avenue gets OK

Starbucks tells customers in South Korea not to bring printers or PCs Customers have been bringing in printers and multiple computers as they work from cafes.

Blimey. Is this a thing? Folk bringing desktops and printers to cafes?

Starbucks tells customers in South Korea not to bring printers or PCs - BBC News share.google/JpyMJejzPcJh...

Ray Brooks, voice of Mr Benn, dies aged 86 He also starred in ground-breaking drama Cathy Come Home, as well as primetime shows Big Deal and EastEnders.

Oh no. Mr Benn's voice has gone to the costume shop in the sky. People of my age will remember him well and with fondness.

Ray Brooks, voice of Mr Benn, dies aged 86 - BBC News share.google/H6aZipBdQ532...

Almost half of people arrested in north for last summer’s race riots had been reported for domestic abuse 48% figure for north is higher than UK average, investigative website reveals

Startling...or not?

Almost half of people arrested in north for last summer’s race riots had been reported for domestic abuse

Our kayaking in the Atlantic was cancelled today, so visited the #DarkHedges instead. Not quite the same thrill.

Excellent #Mela launch for what is now the largest intercultural festival on the island of Ireland, north or south. Well done as ever @artsekta @nisha_tandon

Delighted to be down at #belfastpride today with @NIPolicingBoard - huge numbers and what a positive experience. It's events like these that make you realise how far we have come.

Top UN court says countries can sue each other over climate change The decision from the world's highest court has been welcomed by developing nations at most risk from climate change.

Wow. Extraordinary judgement though may be too complex to be meaningful.
Top UN court says countries can sue each other over climate change - BBC News share.google/9aNdRUB80rzf...

Pilot journey begins for NI's first driverless bus The driverless electric shuttle bus will cover a one mile route for commuters and tourists.

Excellent. It is the future of public transportation and taxis, and eventually private driving. Sooner the better.

If only the real #F1 was as entertaining as #F1TheMovie