A young woman who was killed in Friday’s explosion in County Donegal will be remembered for the “ripples of love, affection and warmth” she left behind, funeral mourners have heard. The service for Jessica Gallagher, 24, took place at St Michael’s Church in Creeslough. The funeral of another victim, 49-year-old Martin McGill is taking place at the same church. The priest said he had a “beautiful, gentle soul”. Ten people were killed in the blast at a service station in the small village. An investigation is under way into the cause of the explosion but police have said it appears to have been an accident. The building complex where the blast occurred included a service station, convenience shop and residential apartments. The store, which included a post office, was the main shop serving the 400-strong village, which has been mourning an unprecedented loss of life in its community. During Ms Gallagher’s funeral Mass, Creeslough priest Father John Joe Duffy said she had a “radiant smile”. “She always brought the sun whether things were happy or difficult,” he said. Mourners were told how the fashion designer, who was to start a new job in Belfast on Monday, used Donegal tweed as a feature in her work.(BBC)…[+]

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned “the worst is yet to come” for the world economy as war in Ukraine continues and prices spiral. In its latest assessment of the global economy it said “for many people 2023 will feel like a recession”. The body, which works to stabilise the global economy, has downgraded its economic growth forecasts due to the impact of Russia’s Ukraine invasion. UK growth is set to grind to a near halt next year, growing by 0.3%. That marks a 0.2% downgrade from the IMF’s July forecast, and a sharp fall from the 3.6% rate of growth for the UK economy expected in 2022. The analysis by the influential financial institution does not, however, take into account the chancellor’s recent mini-budget. After Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled plans for huge tax cuts, the IMF criticised the government’s proposals warning that the measures are likely to fuel the cost-of-living crisis.

Lawyers for the former wife of a member of Dubai’s ruling family have lodged a request to the UN Human Rights Council. They want the council to intervene with authorities in the UAE to ensure Zeynab Javadli and her children’s safety. The request claims that Ms Javadli has faced abuse, harassment and intimidation by authorities during a bitter custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His lawyers have argued Ms Javadli is an unfit mother, which she has denied. It’s the latest case in Dubai to reveal rifts within the ruling family. “Please help me,” Ms Javadli says in a video exclusively obtained by the BBC. “My children and I are terrified and frightened for our lives and safety.” “We are effectively homeless and trapped in a hotel in Dubai, with my children unable to leave without fear that I might be arrested and have my children taken from me.”