LUNCHTIME BULLETIN: Theresa May announces snap election in Britain

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

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IRELAND: Ireland's biggest independent postal company is promising hundreds of jobs as it launches a new pick-up service.

IRELAND: The ISPCC has expressed concern after two HIQA inspections into foster care services were released today.

IRELAND: Concerns are today being raised about the ownership of the new national maternity hospital by the Religious Sisters of Charity.

WORLD: British Prime Minister Theresa May has said Britain is to go to the polls on June 8 in a move that has stunned Westminster.

WORLD: Police have arrested two suspected radicals who were allegedly preparing an "imminent" attack in France as it prepares to vote this weekend in the first round of its presidential election.

BUSINESS: Craft brewing comes of age to be a serious exports industry, says John Daly.

SPORT: Harry Redknapp has revealed he agreed to become Birmingham’s new manager after getting "fed up" with his time out of football.

... SOME DISTRACTION

VIRAL: Let these adorable red panda triplets help ease your post-bank holiday blues!

SHOWBIZ: Broadchurch has been praised for portraying the harrowing reality of rape after the last ever episode aired on Monday night.

FEATURES: Bilingual folk-pop band Seo Linn are guided by a beating heart, as Gaeilge, writes Pet O’Connell.