A blizzard with hurricane-force winds brought much of the US East Coast to a standstill today, dumping as much as three feet of snow, stranding tens of thousands of travellers and shutting down Washington and New York City.

Following his semi-final victory and a favourable draw 2014 Consolation winner Midtown Raffa will likely head the market for next weekend’s final of the Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park.

The HSE has been forced to remove from its website details of state payments to thousands of primary care health professionals.

MUNSTER SHC SEMI-FINAL:

“This is a set-up from start to finish,” a judge said as he dismissed a compensation case taken by six people arising out of alleged injuries from a car crash in Macroom in 2009.

We, the undersigned, call on Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter and all Oireachtas members to support amending the Courts Bill 2013 to regulate the admission of the counselling notes of the child witness in a sexual violence criminal case.

Some 92% of Irish businesses are expecting to increase or maintain employment this year, according to the results of a survey released today.

Irish exporters are confident exports will increase next year despite concerns about their ability to get credit and the health of Ireland’s main trading partners.

An explosion that killed one employee and seriously injured another at a chemical plant was described as one of the worst in the history of the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland.

EXPORTERS remain confident about their prospects in 2012, but most also have major concerns about business conditions here.

AS your special investigation (August 31) makes clear, the sex trade is thriving in Ireland and Irish men are paying to have sex with trafficked women.

FIVE men became involved in a “violent row” after a car-ramming incident in broad daylight at a busy city roundabout, a court has heard.

Dublin: Patrick Burke, director of Irish Life Investment Managers, has been elected chairman of the European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP), which represents national pension funds in 26 European countries.

HOMELESS charity Simon worked with at least 4,500 people who were homeless or at serious risk of homelessness in 2009, it has said.

THE Irish diplomatic corps yesterday honoured the army of international volunteers who work with the homeless in Ireland.

TWO dentists have started High Court proceedings aimed at preventing the HSE from implementing changes to the scheme which allows medical cardholders avail of dental treatments free of charge.

Two dentists have commenced High Court proceedings aimed at preventing the HSE from implementing changes to the scheme which allows medical card holders avail of dental treatments free of charge.

TRADE union group IMPACT is to blame for most of the delays, inefficiency and dysfunctional nature of the new centralised system for medical card services, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

A mother of four who bludgeoned her husband to death and whose children appealed for her not to be jailed for the crime, has been given a five-year suspended sentence at the Central Criminal Court.

A mother of four who killed her husband by bludgeoning him over the head with a hammer 23 times is to be sentenced for his manslaughter today.

SIMON Community centres around the country – which provide aid to the homeless – are facing growing pressure on their services, with the Cork Simon revealing they are full to capacity every night.

A mother-of-four accused of murdering her husband in Co Laois two years ago told gardaí that he assaulted her on their wedding night, and the abuse continued throughout their 32-year marriage.

THERE are public fears that more people will end up homeless as a result of the recession, according to an opinion poll.

THE HSE has warned pharmacies breaching their contracts to stop breaking the law or face legal challenge.

PHARMACISTS claim their dispute with the HSE is “snowballing out of control” after only half of the 80 people forced to queue for medicine at a HSE dispensary in Donegal went home with drugs.

The bitter row over pharmacy fees escalated tonight as health chiefs warned protesting pharmacists they could face court action if they fail to adhere to State contracts.

SOME pharmacists still participating in the State’s drug schemes were warning patients that they could be waiting days for their medication as they were overwhelmed.

PATIENTS must not be used as pawns by any party in a commercial dispute, patient advocate Stephen McMahon told over 1,000 pharmacists attending an emergency meeting over government fee cuts.

CHARITABLE spirits from across the country pledged food and money to the Capuchin friary where 700 people this week queued for basic food supplies.

The Simon Communities of Ireland today urged the Government to honour its commitments to "protect poor and vulnerable people" in its April 7 emergency Budget.

AS MUCH as €30 billion has been wiped off the value of Irish pension funds over the past year and a half, according to the Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF), representing the biggest losses ever recorded.

IRISH firms expect prices to fall this year for the first time since WWII.

The Simon Communities of Ireland have expressed disappointment at today’s Budget announcement, and said the measures it contains will disproportionately impact on the poor and those on low incomes.

A CHARITY working for the homeless has urged the Government to take advantage of the recession by buying some of the thousands of vacant houses and apartments left unsold in the property slump.

The Government should buy up thousands of homes left empty in the property slump to reduce homelessness, a leading charity said today.

SWIFT Government action is needed to ease growing pressure on private pensions due to the meltdown on global stock markets.

WE must ensure the poor and vulnerable are protected as well as our financial institutions, a homeless charity has urged as demand for its services soared in recent months.

The Simon Community is to announce details today of a new campaign to highlight the problem of homelessness.

CONSUMERS should be able to draw down part of their pension before retirement to fund needs such as the purchase of a house.

ALMOST €8 billion has been wiped off the value of Irish pension funds so far this year, prompting workers to consider holding off on retirement.

The Pensions Board has today reminded employees, and those soon looking for a job, not to forget the importance of a good pension.

A 25-YEAR-OLD starting a pension today will have to work for 50 years just to guarantee half of their current salary on retirement.

Nine out of 10 homeless people suffer from poor health, it emerged today.