Photo: Lorraine TeevanFáilte Ireland funding available for Regenerative Tourism ProjectsLocal businesses and community enterprises are being urged to seize a unique opportunity to secure funding for tourism projects through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme (2023-2026). The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) is fast approaching, with applications closing on June 30 2024 at 12 noon. Ms Hensey confirmed that “as funding is limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis, early submission is essential. The EU Just Transition Fund is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Ireland’s Midlands and build a greener future.”Categories for Funding:1. Interested applicants can submit their EOI through Fáilte Ireland’s website at www.failteireland.ie.

A family feud has seen the billionaire brothers who bought Asda go their separate ways. The London buyout company yesterday announced it will become Asda's majority owner, while Mohsin Issa still holds 22.5 per cent. Parting of the ways: Tycoons Zuber (left) and Mohsin Issa swooped on Asda in 2021Zuber's exit drives a wedge between the Blackburn-based brothers, who have a combined net worth of more than £5billion. Since the brothers took over in 2021, the supermarket chain has been loaded with billions of pounds of debt. The brothers have denied a family feud, with Mohsin yesterday seeking to dispel rumours of sibling infighting.

Using an interactive map, readers will be able to easily click through to see the most up-to-date results for the local electoral area. Voters went to the polls in the local and European elections on FridayThe Irish Independent will be the essential destination for rolling election coverage of the local and European elections, including updates from reporters at every count centre in the country. The coverage starts on Saturday with boxes opening at 9am so that count staff can begin the mammoth task of separating local votes from those cast in the European elections. Our live blog will bring together tallies as the morning develops, with the first counts in the local elections likely to land in the early evening. As the political trends are revealed, the likely fallout from the election will be analysed online and in the Sunday Independent and Irish Independent in print.

GAA preview: Leinster and Munster Hurling championships come to a headKenneth FoxBoth the Leinster and Munster Hurling championships take centre stage this weekend as we wait to see who will be crowned provincial champions. In Munster, All-Ireland champions Limerick go up against Clare in the Munster hurling final. Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship FinalDublin vs Kilkenny, 6pm, Croke Park, RTÉ Two. TG4 Women's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Group 1 Round 1Armagh vs Meath, 2pm, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, Armagh. Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship FinalClare vs Limerick, 4pm, FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, RTÉ Two.

It's explainer timeCitizens across the EU are currently voting in the European Parliament elections to choose direct representatives for the supranational legislative body. HOW LAWS ARE MADEOnly the European Commission can formally propose new laws, either on its own initiative or after requests by other EU institutions or citizens. EU leaders also propose the President of the European Commission, who then has to secure majority backing in the Parliament. The European Council also appoints the European Commission, and other key officials such as the European Central Bank chief and the head of diplomacy. Regulations apply directly to all member states, while directives require countries to achieve specified objectives and allow flexibility in implementation methods.

This year’s higher-level geography paper was fair, topical and gave students plenty of opportunity to shine, teachers have said. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillThis year’s higher-level geography paper was fair, topical and gave students plenty of opportunity to shine, teachers have said. Edmond Hussey, ASTI subject representative and a teacher at CBC Cork, said that the paper offered students good choice. Ms Astin said that elective five, which focused on migration and migration policy, was particularly topical. Leaving Cert geography, higher level, part twoMr Hussey said that the ordinary level paper was very manageable.

Robbie Keane to step down as Maccabi Tel Aviv managerKenneth FoxRobbie Keane is to leave Maccabi Tel Aviv after one season in charge. The former Republic of Ireland captain managed them to the Israeli title and League Cup, but has been criticised for working in Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As the Irish Examiner reports, he has not now offered an explanation for his decision to step down. "Robbie and his staff faithfully fulfilled their duties under difficult circumstances for which I am and will always be grateful. "Robbie, the club and fans will always be connected through the challenging and successful 2023/24 campaign.”

Pitbull terrier shot by gardaí after attacking people in CorkA pitbull terrier has been shot by gardaí after attacking residents in Cork. A man and woman were taken to Cork University Hospital to be treated for injuries after the attack which happened at about 5.20pm on Thursday in Ballyphehane. Gardaí said they engaged with the owner of the dog. After failed attempts to sedate the animal, it was shot by the Garda armed response unit and then euthanised by a vet. The incident comes after a young woman was killed in a dog attack in Co Limerick earlier this week.

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Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund are considering a summer move for new Ireland cap Jake O'Brien. The Cork-born defender is attracting interest from around Europe after a breakthrough season with Lyon in Ligue 1, and the Irish Independent understands that he is now on Dortmund's radar. Speculation around Mats Hummels' future has led to Dortmund being linked with several centre halves and the 6ft 6inch O'Brien has been identified as a player of potential. While O'Brien has only completed one season in France after a permanent switch from Crystal Palace, Lyon rebuffed interest in January. He made an impressive Irish bow off the bench for the second half of the 2-1 victory over Hungary earlier this week.

One of the world's biggest trading houses has posted a slump in profits in yet another sign that the boom in the commodity markets is fading. The war in Ukraine dealt a major shock to commodity markets and put major pressure on food, fuel and fertiliser prices. The FTSE 100 group's commodity trading business was hit as the volatility that traders thrive on began to peter out. Oil prices dipped last year after hefty increases in 2022 in the aftermath of Russia's invasion, with oil trading at about $82 a barrel on average, against $100 in 2022. 'In the near term, supply chain disruptions continue to persist, including due to threats in the Red Sea, and commodity markets remain vulnerable to sudden shocks and price spikes,' he said.

Fact Check: Devouring the Claim That Kim Kardashian Once Flew From LA to Paris Just to Eat CheesecakeClaim:Reality TV star Kim Kardashian once flew from Los Angeles to Paris specifically to eat a special kind of cheesecake from a particular hotel. "[Eating] is my favorite thing to do when I'm in Paris," Kardashian told Talley. I don't like cheesecake and the cheesecake at Hotel Costes was … Oh, I'm so jealous that I'm not there right now. The claim that Kardashian flew to Paris for a specific cheesecake from a particular hotel is a mixture of truths and falsehoods. "Kim Kardashian Flew to Paris and Back for a Piece of Cheesecake."

Christina Fitzharris Midlands LGBT+ Project Manager and Lucas Cross, Midlands LGBT+ Community Development WorkerMore than half LGBT+ people considered leaving midlands because of their identityA groundbreaking study commissioned by Midlands LGBT+ Project has provided new insights into the lived experiences of the LGBT community in the Midlands. The research, titled 'LGBT+ Life in the Midlands' highlights both the progress made and the ongoing challenges faced by LGBT individuals in the region. Midlands LGBT+ Project, established in February 2021, is a dedicated support and advocacy service for LGBT+ adults in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, and Kildare. It can be uncomfortable at times but it’s important to still be yourself.”Christina Fitzharris, Midlands LGBT+ Project manager, stated: "This research is a crucial step towards understanding the unique experiences of LGBT+ individuals in the Midlands. The Midlands LGBT+ Project organises various activities, including monthly social groups, peer support sessions, pride and awareness events, and support for parents of LGBT+ youth.

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch will meet ‘Czech Sphinx’ Daniel Kretinsky as he presses on with his £3.6bn swoop for Royal Mail. Badenoch is to hold talks with the tycoon who is on the verge of becoming the first foreign owner of the 500-year-old firm. Business secretary Kemi BadenochRoyal Mail’s parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) accepted an offer from the billionaire’s investment firm EP Group last month after he made a series of commitments, which include promises on jobs and the UK-wide six-day service. He has also agreed not to split up Royal Mail’s parent company IDS, which includes European parcels business GLS, for at least three years and to maintain the universal service obligation (USO) and the Royal Mail headquarters in the UK for five years. Last week Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that regulators should look ‘very carefully’ at the five-year undertakings made by the billionaire.

For a protracted period of time, Ireland has continued to fail to provide accommodation for all asylum seekers. So today is the people’s day, please come out and vote.”In south Dublin, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said there is no “anti-government sentiment” among the Irish public. “We’ll see if that’s reflected in the count in the end.”Across the island, millions of residents are eligible to vote in local elections. In total, there are 166 electoral areas in Ireland and each of them elects a number of councillors. Even then, Ireland uses a system of proportional representation which allows voters to rank every candidate in each race by order of preference.