We make new year’s resolutions in the almost certain knowledge that they will fall foul of the predictable unpredictability of living. By contrast, predicting the future is the staple diet, or at least the objective goal, of science and the scientific method. It has led to some of the most spectacular successes which of themselves have driven the development of astronomy and space science. For example, as we enter 2024 we know how gravity works today. One space mission that is really novel and due for launch in 2024 is led by Kyoto University and is a joint mission between the Japanese Space Agency and Nasa.

Gardaí treating fire at former pub in Dublin as arsonRebecca Black, PAUpdated: 11.30amGardaí are appealing for information after a former pub in Dublin was burned amid speculation it was going to be used to house refugees. The blaze broke out at a vacant property in Thorncastle Street, Ringsend in the early hours of Sunday. The alarm was raised shortly before 2am and the fire was brought under control by units from Dublin Fire Brigade. Gardaí are treating the incident as arson and have established an incident room at Irishtown Garda station. Anyone with information should contact the Gardaí.”He added: “The premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families.”

As a new year dawns Indian native and parish priest of Oran and Kilbride Fr Pravin Dhason will not only be celebrating his 10th anniversary of being ordanined a priest but will be doing so after becoming an Irish citizen just prior to Christmas. “My parishioners will have a fellow Irish citizen as their parish priest,” he remarked. Recalling his earlier years in County Roscommon he said: “Initially, I was appointed as curate in Roscommon Town by Bishop Doran. This tenure lasted for three years.” He then became parish priest of Oran and later of Kilbride. After my ordination, I served as the assistant parish priest in three different parishes.

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Independent Tullamore Councillor, Sean O'Brien, surveys some of the sewage which was discharged on the streets around the Convent View area of the town on Friday night and Saturday morning last after heavy rainfall. Action needed on Convent Road sewage and flooding issuesIndependent Councillor Sean O' Brien has called for action after more flooding occurred in the Convent View areas of Tullamore town over the weekend, which left sewage strewn on footpaths and on the road. "This issue with flooding and overflowing sewers on Convent View and adjacent to Callary St. simply has to be addressed by Uisce Eireann(Irish Water) immediately. On Saturday morning the residents in Convent View, Callary St., Kearney Park, Connolly Park and Putttaughaun area had to contend with flooding and overflowing sewers. Sewage was strewn on the footpaths and on the road and sewage was flowing into the Canal" claimed Cllr O' Brien.

Mikel Arteta laments ‘painful’ defeat as Arsenal title challenge suffers blowBy Mark Mann-Bryans, PAMikel Arteta lamented a “painful and sad” day as Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge suffered another setback with defeat at Fulham. The Gunners now sit fourth in the table after a 2-1 loss at Craven Cottage only added to a home defeat to West Ham on Thursday. Asked for his view on the game, Arteta said: “Painful and a sad day. “We had the chance to be top of the table after 20 games with the consistency that we’ve shown. We haven’t managed well enough to earn the right to win the game.

Rafa Márquez returned to take over the B team, Xavi Hernández came home, this time as coach, and Deco arrived again, the former midfielder turned sporting director. When Davids arrived in January 2004, Barcelona were seventh, 15 points behind Real Madrid. In Laporta’s first season as president, things were crumbling, no way out of the crisis. His arrival freed Xavi and liberated Ronaldinho and by the end Barcelona had overhauled Madrid, defeating them 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu. “It would be a loan until the end of the season, just like we did years ago with Davids.” Even then, Xavi said: “It’s very difficult.

By Rebecca Black, PASinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald said her party is aiming to be in government in Ireland, both north and south of the border, in 2024. Irish voters are set to go to the polls in June for European and local government elections, but there is speculation the next general election will be held towards the end of the year. At the last general election in January 2020, Sinn Féin finished with 37 seats – but Fianna Fáil (38 seats) and Fine Gael (35 seats) were able to combine with the Green Party to form a coalition to govern. “Sinn Féin will make housing the number one priority of a new government – not only in words but in actions and in results. Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill (PA)“It’s decision time for the DUP.

Kenneth FoxWith 2023 coming to an end, cities and towns across the country are ringing in the new year in style whether it is with a concert and fireworks or something more low-key. DublinThis year, Dublin New Year's Festival has gone big across four days and in multiple venues around the capital. A family-friendly celebration at Dublin Castle has all the fun of the midnight countdown, but with an earlier finishing time. NYF Dublin, Dublin City Castle. Ring in 2024 with New Year’s Festival Dublin, Ireland’s Biggest New Year’s Celebration.

A Stormont financial package – including funding for pay increases for public sector workers – was detailed during political talks in December for a resurrected Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. However, devolved government remains collapsed after almost two years while the DUP continue protest action over unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned of a funding gap (Liam McBurney/PA)Mr Kelly urged Secretary of State Mr Heaton-Harris to intervene to deliver pay awards for public sector workers. He added: “The service is being slowly strangled by a Government that is using policing, and other cash-strapped public services, as a political bargaining chip to restart the Northern Ireland executive and assembly which has been ‘mothballed’ for almost two years. “The PSNI is funded from the Northern Ireland Executive block grant via the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Taoiseach has downplayed the possibility of Paschal Donohoe leaving government to head the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Leo Varadkar said he anticipated that current IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva would seek another term, so the issue of the public expenditure minister replacing her may not arise. Mr Donohoe is president of the Eurogroup of finance ministers and recent speculation has linked him with the IMF role, as Ms Georgieva’s first term draws to an end next year. At his end-of-2023 media briefing, Mr Varadkar was asked what Mr Donohoe moving to the IMF would mean for his cabinet, and Fine Gael in the minister’s Dublin Central constituency. “But my anticipation is that Kristalina Georgieva will seek a second term, in which case that issue will not arise.”Mr Donohoe has been guarded when questioned about it in recent weeks.

What topped a poll of the most enjoyable films of 2023? By Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment ReporterA concert film from Taylor Swift has topped a poll of the most enjoyed movies of 2023. Vue International said the film, which featured Swift performing during the US leg of her high-grossing tour, topped ratings from its cinemagoers after feedback surveys completed after their visit this year. To calculate the most enjoyable films, Vue International received more than 67,000 ratings across different films and sorted them by ranking those with more than 250 ratings by the percent of customers who gave it the full five points out of five. Notably absent was Barbie, the highest grossing film of 2023, and its rival Oppenheimer.

The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...SUNDAY MIRRORArsenal could field loan offers for Reiss Nelson next month - even though the homegrown winger wants to stay at the Emirates. THE SUN ON SUNDAYArsenal are reportedly open to letting Takehiro Tomiyasu leave on loan next month. DAILY STAR ON SUNDAYErik ten Hag will recommend Jonny Evans is given a new one-year deal at Manchester United. Ryan Kent has reportedly submitted a transfer request at Fenerbahce just six months after his move to Turkey. SUNDAY MAILRaging Barry Robson read the riot act to his Aberdeen players and apologised to the fans after their sorry St Mirren showing.

Understandably, there is concern about unqualified people giving what might amount to nutritional advice in a domain such as infant health where it is important that people have good information at their disposal. For this reason, the marketing and sale of infant formula is highly regulated. Instead, we have policy pushing in the opposite direction – regulations prohibit consumers getting value scheme points for infant formula, putting it in the esteemed company of cigarettes and lottery tickets. So, we know what the WHO doesn’t want, but it’s worth looking at what it does want when it comes to infant feeding. I met a woman at a wedding this summer who, when I mentioned I had recently published some research on infant feeding, started berating herself for “merely” combination feeding (combining breastfeeding and formula).