The Government will not oppose proposed legislation to ban “toxic” online recommender algorithms which promote “masculinist” mindsets, eating disorders, and self-harm for young people on social media. People Before Profit (PBP) introduced a new bill in the Dáil to ban video-sharing platforms and social media websites from using recommender systems for users under the age of 18. It would also ban the recommender algorithms from being automatically turned on for adult users. He said the bill would tackle “the use of the social media algorithms to drive toxic, self-harm, misogynistic content at young people”. “All of the accounts that did not seek out ' manosphere' content were fed it within two minutes.

US president Donald Trump will stop in Shannon Airport on Thursday as he returns from the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. Mr Trump, who on Wednesday stepped back on his threat to slap tariffs on European allies who opposed his ambitions to annex Greenland, will be in Ireland for a short time this afternoon as plane refuels.

Legally Blonde prequel series announces release date and season two renewalBy Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment ReporterThe Legally Blonde prequel series, titled Elle, is set to premiere this summer – and has already been confirmed for a second season. The Prime Video series will follow Elle Woods, the main character of the 2001 cult classic Legally Blonde, during her high school years, before the events of the hit film took place. Elle is said to follow the character in high school, as viewers learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the young woman from the first Legally Blonde film. Witherspoon starred in the Legally Blonde film franchise (Ian West/PA) Photo by Ian WestLegally Blonde – starring Witherspoon, Matthew Davis, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge and Selma Blair – became a pop culture classic after its release. The majority of the cast returned for the 2003 sequel Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde – where postgraduate Elle travels to Washington DC with the intention of persuading politicians to ban animal testing.

US president Donald Trump has retreated from his demand that the US must own Greenland. Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/ AFP via Getty ImagesThe United States and Denmark are reported to be considering a deal on Greenland which is modelled on the agreement surrounding the UK’s sovereign military bases in Cyprus. Two unidentified officials told the New York Times that discussions in Brussels have focused on granting US sovereignty over military bases on Greenland rather than the entire island. During the hostilities, most Greek Cypriots left the north while Turkish Cypriots relocated there to become the majority community. Despite fitful reunification negotiations and European Union membership in 2004, Cyprus remains divided with the British bases intact.

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The couple, who were both from Formiga in Minas Gerais province, split within days of Bruna coming to Cork in November 2022. In texts Bruna had told Miller that she had walked on eggshells during the time they were apart as she feared he would end his life. The jury heard that Miller even went to the hospital where Bruna worked on Christmas Day 2022 looking for her. The evidence was that Bruna had gone dancing with friends at Oyster Tavern in Cork city on New Year’s Eve 2022. Following the murder a vigil was held at The Lough in Cork city.

Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.

The Bridgerton costume designers on how they reinvented period romanceBy Lara Owen, PAAs Bridgerton returns to our screens, Lady Whistledown’s gossip is one hook of the historical romance, but the show’s fashion has become another central obsession. When it comes to Regency-era costuming, Bridgerton is constantly trying to make its clothes feel new yet timely. “I think Colin Firth made the men’s period full-sleeve shirt iconic for the Mr Darcy moment,” says Bridgerton’s men’s associate designer, Dougie Hawkes. “We’ve been, since season one, trying to perfect the men’s shirt in its betrayal within Bridgerton, and I think we finally got there this season,” Hawkes says. For the first time, Bridgerton properly ventures below stairs – into kitchens, corridors and servants’ quarters – asking its costume designers to make two worlds coexist.

Westmeath chef jailed for encouraging teenage girls to send sexually explicit images and videosA Mullingar chef who encouraged teenage girls in the United States to make and send him sexually explicit videos and images has been jailed for two years. Using that Facebook profile, the man had obtained sexually explicit images of teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 16. The court previously heard how Mr Clavin suffered from low self-esteem due to weight problems. He had set up the false social media profile to connect with other people and often ended up chatting with teenage girls in America. Judge Johnson noted that Mr Clavin had suffered mental health and body image issues, but had made significant efforts at rehabilitation through forensic psychotherapy.

Mr Harris was asked in the Irish parliament whether Ireland can rule out taking part in the group. “Anything Putin is considering joining with the word ‘peace’ in it does not sit well,” Mr Harris told the Dail during Leaders’ Questions on Thursday. “What the Taoiseach (Micheal Martin) is doing on behalf of the Government by not turning up at the signing ceremony today is entirely responsible. Mr Harris was responding to questions from the Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. He said that while several European countries had ruled out signing up to the board, the Irish government had not.

Lando Norris has the taste for another F1 world championship titleBy Philip Duncan, Press Association F1 CorrespondentLando Norris said it is “absolutely the goal” to successfully defend his maiden Formula One world championship. Norris became the 11th British driver to take the F1 crown after he saw off Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri at December’s finale in Abu Dhabi. However, when asked if he is ready to secure back-to-back titles, Norris said: “It is absolutely the goal. McLaren driver Lando Norris celebrates winning the title after finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December (PA) Photo by David Davies“I love Formula One, I also love being away from it. And McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained: “We plan to start testing either on day two or day three.

In 2025, Inland Fisheries Ireland said it would co-operate with any Garda investigation. Photograph: IFIAn official report on complaints by a whistleblower into issues at a State fisheries agency was referred to the Garda Commissioner by the Department of Environment, records sent to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee show. The documents indicate that the report on the protected disclosure found, in part, that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) had knowingly allowed an individual to produce invalid insurance documentation to An Garda Síochána. On March 4th, gardaí wrote to department secretary general Oonagh Buckley seeking clarification as to whether the RSM Ireland report had been sent to the commissioner as a complaint for the purpose of criminal investigation. Members of the Public Accounts Committee have been investigating several issues involving the agency that were set out in a special report last October by the State’s main auditor, the Comptroller and Auditor General.

A cocaine-loving driver who had no licence or insurance has admitting killing a mother in a car crash before fleeing the scene. Scott fled the scene before emergency services arrived and found Ms Laybourne with serious injuries, Newcastle Crown Court heard. The mother, from Hebburn, was rushed to hospital, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, she passed away the following day. Scott, of Chasedale Crescent, Blyth, pleaded guilty to causing her death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured and causing serious injury to another woman by dangerous driving. However, he denied charges in relation to causing death while over the limit for drugs.

* IMPACTS...The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages. Expect power outages and tree damage due to the ice. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Have an emergency kit ready in case of power outages. Take a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing.

Eva OsborneThe Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) has announced a commitment of up to €75 million to a new Gore Street Capital (GSC) fund. The fund will invest in battery energy storage projects aimed at supporting Ireland’s energy grid by supporting renewable integration and improving energy security. GSC will acquire primarily greenfield battery energy storage projects from developers; procure and construct the projects; and then own and operate the assets for a period in line with the GSEU fund’s 10-year life. Speaking on the announcement, Tánaiste Simon Harris TD: “I very much welcome today’s announcement of ISIF’s commitment of €75 million to a new Gore Street Capital (GSC) fund aiming to invest in battery energy storage projects which will bolster Ireland’s energy grid. "Backing battery energy storage to enable a stronger energy grid in Ireland is a way in which ISIF can support Ireland’s journey to net zero, in line with the Government’s Climate Action Plan.”