Syrian says he feels welcome after opening new shop following arson attack
Syrian says he feels welcome after opening new shop following arson attackRebecca Black, PAA Belfast businessman whose former premises were burnt out has said he feels comfortable and welcomed in his new shop. Ahmad Alkhamran moved to the city from Syria eight years ago and initially worked as a taxi driver before setting up a grocery shop. A spray-painted message on the shutters of the shop from an attack which was left before a devastating arson attack, read “local houses an shops only”. Opening the doors on Saturday, he was serving Arabic coffee and selling groceries and spices to what he termed a warm welcome. I worked during the day to get the shop ready and at night in my taxi for money for the shop,” he said.
Source:Irish Independent
March 14, 2024 01:08 UTC
Kilbeggan man appointed to key role with commercial vehicles firm
Willie Daniels has been appointed as Head of Bus and Coach for Harris Group's Irish and UK operations. Kilbeggan man appointed to key role with commercial vehicles firmWillie Daniels, from Kilbeggan, has been appointed to an important role with Harris Group, the Irish commercial vehicle distribution and retail firm. The company today announced Mr Daniels' appointment as 'Head of Bus and Coach' for its Irish and UK operations. Commenting on his appointment, Mr Daniels said: "I am absolutely delighted to join a leading company like Harris Group. Commenting on Mr Daniels' appointment, CEO of Harris Group, Denise Harris, said: "We are thrilled to have Willie Daniels join our team at a time of change in the industry.
Source:Irish Independent
March 13, 2024 23:17 UTC
Louth Senator calls for diplomatic measures to bring home Dundalk mother’s sons from Egypt
Dundalk mother Mandy Kelly is facing another Christmas without her two young sons Zayn and Kareem Mohamed after they were abducted by their father in March 2022Louth Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has called for "all possible" diplomatic measures to be explored to bring home the young children of Dundalk mother Mandy Kelly who are being held in Egypt against her wishes. Ms Kelly's two sons, five year-old Zayn Mohamed and his three year-old brother Kareem, are in Egypt, where they are being held by their father, her now estranged husband, Ramy Gamal Maamoun Mohamed, since the family went on holiday to Cairo in March 2022. Speaking the the Seanad last week, Senator McGreehan said: "I want to raise an issue concerning Mandy Kelly, a Dundalk-based mammy whose children Zayn and Kareem were abducted two years ago by her Egyptian husband while on holiday. They are being held against their mother's will and against the judgment of the Irish courts. Senator McGreehan concluded by calling for the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to meet with Mandy Kelly.
Source:Irish Independent
March 13, 2024 23:13 UTC
More migrants entering Republic from Northern Ireland, Leo Varadkar says
More migrants entering Republic from Northern Ireland, Leo Varadkar saysBy Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Washington DCIreland can take steps to strengthen its borders, the Taoiseach has said. The Irish Government has said it cannot guarantee accommodation to asylum seekers amid increasing numbers of arrivals. Leo Varadkar said it is “very evident” that rising numbers have been seen across Europe and the US due to “push factors” of poverty, climate change and war. The Taoiseach said there are many ways for people to come the country legally through work permits and work visas. We’re not dissuading or discouraging genuine refugees from coming to Ireland if they needed protection.
Source:Irish Independent
March 13, 2024 23:09 UTC
Herald: FC Goa look to consolidate position at home
14 Mar 2024| 06:56am ISTFC Goa look to consolidate position at homeTeam HeraldPANJIM: FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will play their respective last matches before the upcoming international break in the Indian Super Leaguea when they lock horns at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday, at 7.30 pm. They have tasted victories against Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters FC in their previous two clashes, taking them to 21 points, i.e. FC Goa still can sustaain pressure at the top and try to challenge for the League Winners Shield, especially after finding some stability in remaining unbeaten in their previous three games. FC Goa looked in imperious touch against Punjab FC amidst their 3-3 draw on Monday, though. With the three shots that Punjab FC had on target, it was impossible for any goalkeeper to stop them,” FC Goa Head Coach Manolo Marquez reflected ahead of the clash against Bengaluru FC.
Source:The Herald
March 13, 2024 21:15 UTC
Electric car drive slams brakes on profitability at Porsche
The luxury sports car maker, which is majority owned by Volkswagen, warned that profitability will be hit this year, with margins set to drop as low as 15 per cent. The firm is pushing forward with producing its hybrid 911 car, which is set to be released this summer. Porsche, which is majority owned by Volkswagen, warned profitability will be hit this year, with margins set to drop as low as 15%The new line-up of models also includes an upgraded version of the electric Taycan. ‘Porsche will focus on brand and pricing in future, but to do this, the product range needed to be renewed. This is now happening – but the full impact on pricing and profitability will take time,’ they said.
Source:Daily Mail
March 13, 2024 20:43 UTC
Ireland’s culture minister says she feels ‘revulsion’ at deaths in Gaza
Catherine Martin appealed to the US, a country with “strong ties” to Israel, to “join us in the pursuit of peace”. Several Irish artists boycotted the arts festival for its ties to the US Army over its support for Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday Ms Martin took part in a SXSW panel discussion on the Basic Income For The Arts pilot in Ireland. In her preprepared remarks for the SXSW panel on Wednesday, she said she was “taking a stand for the concerns” of the Irish people and Irish artists. “Politicians stepping away from these public engagements where we can raise the horrific plight of Gaza is not an option.
Source:The Herald
March 13, 2024 19:12 UTC
Ireland referred to European court over turf cutting
Ireland referred to European court over turf cuttingIreland has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to protect sites designated for raised bog and blanket bog habitats from turf cutting. The move could ultimately result in greater restrictions on turf cutting on bogs in the region. It said: “These sites in Ireland continue to be degraded through drainage and turf cutting activities, and insufficient action is being taken to restore the sites.”The issue has been ongoing since 2011. Ireland hosts some of the most unique active raised bog sites in the EU as well as large areas of still active blanket bog. Ireland must redouble its efforts to move turf cutting machines away from these sites before the damage done makes restoration impossible.”
Source:Irish Independent
March 13, 2024 17:27 UTC
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Comprehensive new AI rules embraced by EU
The European Union has moved a step closer to enacting the most comprehensive guardrails on the fast-developing world of artificial intelligence (AI). Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday endorsed a provisional agreement on AI rules, the world’s first legislation on a technology used in banking, internet-connected devices, smart homes and cars. It would also place the first restrictions on generative AI tools, which captured the world’s attention last year with the popularity of ChatGPT. As talks reached the final stretch last year, the French and German governments pushed back against some of the strictest ideas for regulating generative AI, arguing that the rules will hurt European start-ups such as France’s Mistral AI and Germany’s Aleph Alpha. In practice, the office will be the key enforcer, with the ability to request information from companies developing generative AI and possibly ban a system from operating in the bloc.
Source:The Irish Times
March 13, 2024 17:12 UTC
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Resident sought €50,000 to withdraw objection to south Dublin housing development
A new block of 77 apartments built by Red Rock on Elmpark Green as seen from residential area Bellevue Park Avenue. Photograph: Laura HuttonA local resident sought a payment of €50,000 in “consultancy” fees from a developer in exchange for withdrawing a planning objection to the expansion of a new apartment development in south Dublin. Red Rock Developments is seeking to add an extra floor to a 77-apartment development at Elmpark Green on Merrion Road. Mr Sheeran said he had not sought “go-away money” from the developer to drop his planning objection. “That’s it, quid pro quo.”A spokeswoman for Red Rock Developments said the company “cannot comment on this matter at this time”.
Source:The Irish Times
March 13, 2024 16:41 UTC
‘Challenging’ for Fine Gael to hold all local and European seats, Varadkar says
‘Challenging’ for Fine Gael to hold all local and European seats, Varadkar saysBy Cillian Sherlock, PA in BostonIt will be “challenging” for Fine Gael to hold all of its local and European seats in upcoming elections, party leader Leo Varadkar has said. Speaking during a trip to the US, Taoiseach Mr Varadkar said it would be “hard to achieve” the same number of seats as in 2019. It also received approximately 25 per cent of the vote in the local elections across the country. Even though it was not said much at the time, we had an extremely good local and European elections last time.”He added: “It’s going to be challenging to hold what we have, but of course that’s the objective. “But we’re very good candidates at European and local level, and I think they have a very good chance.”
Source:Irish Independent
March 13, 2024 15:47 UTC
Bonus points ‘promote positive rugby’ – Six Nations boss says format set to stay
Bonus points ‘promote positive rugby’ – Six Nations boss says format set to stayBy Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby CorrespondentSix Nations chief executive Tom Harrison insists bonus points are unlikely to be abandoned if it transpires that Ireland win this year’s tournament despite claiming fewer victories than England. Ireland are in the driving seat and could retain their title even if they lose or draw against Scotland and England topple France, because they have already accumulated four bonus points. It would be the first time since bonus points were introduced in 2017 that the team finishing top had collected fewer victories than the side in second, but Harrison has indicated the format is here to stay. When asked about whether a rethink would be needed if the Six Nations was won in that way, Harrison replied: “Yes, if we think bonus points are a problem. “But remember why bonus points are there – bonus points are there to promote positive rugby.
Source:Irish Independent
March 13, 2024 15:47 UTC
Impact of pandemic still felt
PREVIOUS winner of Glór Tíre, Galway’s Emma Donoghue, has released a new single. Impact of pandemic still feltCountry music continues to fight for its share of the marketEvery strand of the entertainment scene was hit badly when Covid 19 struck the world like a sheet of lightning in 2020. Yet, while some sectors of the music business have survived and are even prospering again, other areas, notably the Country music circuit and the nightclub scene, are still struggling. The Country scene has recovered spasmodically, but it has rarely reached the heady heights that it had, especially in Ireland in pre-Covid times. Strangely, the situation is somewhat reversed on the international Country scene.
Source:The Herald
March 13, 2024 10:03 UTC
Ari Aster's Eddington Will Star Joaquin Phoenix & Emma Stone
Little is known about, including the size of Emma's role. Variety reports the film will chronicle a New Mexico sheriff in a small town gunning for more. As for who will appear in the film, here's the cast in order of A24's announcement:
Source:The Irish Daily Star
March 13, 2024 09:53 UTC
Removal of Copco No. 1 dam is underway
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Source:The Herald
March 13, 2024 09:15 UTC