My shame for infecting my country with an ‘invasive species’
Worse still; I sold out my country for the 30 pieces of silver, when I imported an invasive species into Ireland. An invasive species is generally an animal or a plant brought into the country from another region of the world. But first, another example of an invasive species which was brought into Ireland for ornamental purposes is the giant hogweed. Nobody smiles; line dancers don’t look at each other; don’t look happy… in fact, they don’t ‘look’, period. I wish to place on the record my unqualified and sincere apology for inflicting the invasive species that is line-dancing into my country… ‘the country that I love’!
Source:Irish Independent
June 29, 2024 16:04 UTC
Claire's holiday with friends, one a teenage ghost
Claire's holiday with friends, one a teenage ghostThis week there’s a novel set in Nazi-occupied Vienna and another historical novel about pirate Anne Bonny. The Two Loves of Sophie Strom, Sam Taylor, Faber, €16.99In 1933, young Max, an Austrian Jew, is caught in a house fire. Thirty years on, Lou is now an established and respected academic and has long ago put the past behind her. But secrets have a way of surfacing and Lou is called as a witness in a new lawsuit against the school. The supernatural is treated the same as the everyday and ordinary, and not all ghosts here are a threat in Claire’s world.
Source:Irish Independent
June 29, 2024 14:38 UTC
Gavin James: ‘The new songs are upbeat but not all happy, thank God’
The dog companion was named so after James and his “missus” attended a Springsteen gig in Croke Park in 2016. “All my mates are over there, they’re writing songs and DJing,” he says of his recent trip to the US. I was very happy that my [credit] cards got blocked, so I didn’t end up doing any gambling. It did concern me that this song would be an indicative of, dare I say it, a more optimistic sounding Gavin James. Although I am delighted to hear that all is well in the world of Gavin James, it’s good to know that another signature song about despair and loss isn’t too far away.
Source:Irish Independent
June 29, 2024 14:04 UTC
Dr. Hill attends 80th-anniversary event for D-Day Campaign
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Source:The Herald
June 29, 2024 13:12 UTC
Editorial: Sorry outing for Joe Biden as he fails to put doubts about frailties to bed
After Thursday’s showdown between the Democratic and Republican candidates for the White House ended, President Joe Biden left knowing he had stolen several. If there were no handshakes to start, by the finish it was the hands of Biden supporters that were left wringing in despair. Biden was not as feeble or off-point as some claim, but he needed to put all doubts about frailties and fitness to bed by knocking it out of the park. Whereas former president Donald Trump managed to look strong and confident, Biden looked uncertain, infirm and shaky. The former president came out on top in what was a sorry outing for Biden.
Source:Irish Independent
June 29, 2024 11:54 UTC
Petrol Prices: 5 top tips to save money on fuel this summer
The RAC said prices for petrol and diesel in Britain are “far higher than they should be” as wholesale costs have fallen since the end of April, while retailers margins remain “persistently high”. RAC figures show retailers’ margins – the differences between what they paid for fuel and the pump price – are 14p per litre for petrol and 16p per litre for diesel. Top 5 tips to save money on fuelCheck your tyre pressure"Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is essential for vehicle efficiency. Avoid idling"An idling engine burns fuel without moving, which wastes petrol and increases wear and tear on the engine. Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle"Extra weight in a vehicle causes it to consume more fuel.
Source:The Herald
June 29, 2024 11:15 UTC
India: Monsoon Arrives In Delhi, Causes Widespread Flooding 7
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Source:The Herald
June 29, 2024 10:38 UTC
Fans flock to the Aviva for opening night of Taylor Swift’s Dublin shows
Fans flock to the Aviva for opening night of Taylor Swift’s Dublin showsGráinne Ní Aodha and Cate McCurry, PAGlitter-clad fans have flocked to the Aviva Stadium to see global pop phenomenon Taylor Swift for her opening show in Dublin. Thousands, many wearing outfits styled to the themes of Swift’s albums, were buzzing as they queued from Friday morning, despite the stadium not opening until 3pm. Around 50,000 fans are expected to descend on the Aviva for each of the three Dublin gigs, with some travelling from abroad to see the pop spectacle. Elsewhere in Dublin, businesses have got into the spirit with Taylor Swift-themed brunches, bracelet-making classes, quizzes, and spin classes featuring her music. Fans have travelled from the USA to Dublin to see the star, some of whom said they had already seen an Eras Tour performance.
Source:Irish Independent
June 29, 2024 06:45 UTC
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Ardagh to halt production at two US glass factories
Ardagh will close its manufacturing plant in Texas and temporarily halt production in Washington. Photograph: iStockArdagh Group plans to close a glass bottle manufacturing plant in Texas and temporarily halt production at another site in Washington, affecting almost 500 jobs as it seeks to rein in costs amid a decline in demand. READ MOREThe downturn in glass bottle demand comes as brewers increase their focus on using aluminium cans, given they are cheaper, lighter and less expensive to transport, according to industry observers. Ardagh, which traces its roots to the long-since closed glass bottle factory in Dublin’s Ringsend, has been turned by Mr Coulson into a packaging giant through a series of debt-fuelled acquisitions. The group is targeting earnings growth for the year as a whole, amid hopes of improving demand, especially in the second half of the year.
Source:The Irish Times
June 29, 2024 06:31 UTC
Fans flock to Dublin stadium for opening night of Taylor Swift’s Irish shows
Fans are hoping the US superstar will use some words of Irish, and showed excitement at her reference to Ireland in her song Sweet Nothing. Cathy Maher, Kristyn Dunlop, and Niamh Murray from Dublin before watching Taylor Swift (Liam McBurney/PA)Amy Gallagher, from Offaly, brought her twin daughters Lucy and Emily Gallagher and her niece Isabella McCumiskey to see Swift. The Eras Tour spectacle will be the two little Swifties’ first concert. Around 50,000 fans are expected each night at Aviva Stadium (Liam McBurney/PA)Elsewhere in Dublin, businesses have gotten into the spirit with Taylor Swift-themed brunches, bracelet-making classes, quizzes, and spin classes featuring her music. On Thursday, Irish Swifties queued up to buy jumpers, hoodies and T-shirts at Dublin’s 3Arena stadium.
Source:The Herald
June 29, 2024 06:10 UTC
Ireland’s age-related spending will need highest increase in the EU, Department of Finance report shows
photo: Alamy/PAThe amount of extra public spending needed due to Ireland’s ageing population will be the highest in the EU, according to new analysis by the Department of Finance. Total age-related expenditure will increase by 6 percentage points of national income over the next three decades, from 22pc of GNI in 2022 to 28pc by 2050. The department’s assessment is that, unless there are policy changes, age-related expenditure will increase by about €16bn a year. Healthcare currently accounts for the biggest share of age-related expenditure, but will eventually be overtaken by pensions. “Although a range of pensions and healthcare reforms have been implemented, these reforms will not be sufficient to offset the fiscal pressures associated with an ageing population,” the report says.
Source:Irish Independent
June 29, 2024 04:38 UTC
Irish retail sales rise as volume declines
Retail sales in Ireland rose by 1.5% over the past 12 months, led by increases in bar sales, clothing and books. New data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for May also shows the volume of retail sales fell by 1% since May 2023, highlighting the continued impact of inflation on spending.
Source:Irish Examiner
June 29, 2024 01:17 UTC
Kerry murder trial hears second day of blood and DNA evidence
Only 21-year-old Thomas Dooley Jr faces the second charge that he intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Siobhán Dooley, the wife of the deceased man. Thomas Dooley Sr’s navy jumper had a blood stain which was found to be his own blood. Dublin Port arrestsEvidence was also given on Friday of the arrest for questioning of Thomas Dooley Jr and the teenager — both of whom are on trial for murder. The driver was Thomas Dooley Jr, the back-seat passenger was the teenager, and there was a woman who was not of interest to gardaí in the investigation. Thomas Dooley Jr and the teenager were arrested, taken to Store Street garda station and then transported to Tralee garda station.
Source:Irish Examiner
June 28, 2024 23:57 UTC
Sadness at death of former Athlone lecturer and Friary volunteer
The late Paul Blackie. (Photo: rip.ie)Sadness at death of former Athlone lecturer and Friary volunteerThere was much sadness in Athlone and beyond when news emerged of the death of Paul Blackie yesterday (Tuesday). Mr Blackie, of Lissywollen, Ballymahon Road, was a retired lecturer who worked in the Engineering section of the former Athlone Institute of Technology. He was also active in the local community, most notably as one of the key volunteers in helping to maintain the operation of the former Franciscan Friary church in Athlone. He was a highly regarded figure in the Athlone area, renowned for his kindness and thoughtfulness towards others.
Source:Irish Independent
June 28, 2024 23:44 UTC
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EU leaders take hours rather than days to re-elect Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who will be the EU’s next foreign affairs chief, and former prime minister of Portugal António Costa who will take over as president of the European Council. Ursula von der Leyen’s name was proposed for a second term as European Commission president, and despite some protests from Italy she was voted through by a majority of the 27 EU leaders. Amid talks on the Middle East, Ukraine and defence spending, the big issue was always going to be whether von der Leyen got the backing of member states for another five years. READ MOREThe well-flagged package of Von der Leyen, Kallas andCosta was hammered out by a small group of leaders representing the main political groups. There were some queries about the choice of Costa as next president, running EU leaders’ summits.
Source:The Irish Times
June 28, 2024 23:04 UTC