SPECIAL REPORT: Reclaiming Affordability: Winning the Cost War with the Right Solutions
Today, Independent Women released “Reclaiming Affordability: Winning the Cost War with the Right Solutions,” a new special report on affordability that unpacks policy solutions to address the rising cost of living. The report proposes free-market solutions, including deregulation, pro-growth tax reform, and price transparency to increase supply, reduce costs, and restore the American Dream. By incorporating legislative solutions throughout the report, it provides a thorough and practical roadmap for policymakers, demonstrating concrete steps Congress can take right now to turn these policy solutions into reality. Read and learn more about “Reclaiming Affordability: Winning the Cost War with the Right Solutions” here. Direct media inquiries and booking requests to [email protected]###www.independentwomen.comIndependent Women’s trusted experts, analysis, and data enable us to drive informed conversations to build support for better policy solutions.
Source:Irish Independent
March 17, 2026 20:55 UTC
Being in Sinn Féin not the same as being in the IRA, Gerry Adams tells court
Gerry Adams has told the high court that opponents of Sinn Féin have repeatedly sought to conflate the political party he led with the IRA, as he denied ever being a member of the Irish Republican Army. Adams, who entered the witness box wearing a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, said in his witness statement: “To be clear, membership of the political party, Sinn Féin, does not equate to membership of the IRA. “Sinn Féin is a political party that seeks a whole range of political objectives, including an end to partition and Irish unity. Throughout my life, opponents of Sinn Féin have repeatedly sought to conflate Sinn Féin with the IRA. As I have always stated, Sinn Féin and the IRA are separate organisations.” Adams wished the judge, Mr Justice Swift, “a very happy St Patrick’s Day” after entering the witness box on Tuesday.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 17, 2026 20:54 UTC
Martin was left with two choices as Trump recited an increasingly cranky litany of complaints
The St Patrick’s Day sitdown in the Oval Office was delayed by almost an hour, reflecting the chaos of an administration dealing with unfolding events. He had two choices as Trump recited an increasingly cranky litany of complaints which slowly but surely concentrated on Starmer, who must have choked on his cornflakes if he was watching on from Westminster. Nor did Martin elect to enlighten Trump to the fact that Ireland’s president is a woman. Neither of these events were likely to enhance Trump’s morning mood and the scheduled 10.45 Oval Office meeting was delayed by a full hour. The Oval Office meeting had opened with misty-eyed reminisces about Ireland’s key players in America’s political evolution and happy forecasts about the Irish Open at Doonbeg.
Source:The Irish Times
March 17, 2026 20:52 UTC
Tutor quits UCC radiography course over lack of time students work with patients
A practice tutor for radiography students training in Cork has quit in protest at funding shortages with claims students sit in libraries instead of working with patients. Radiographer Michelle Mossop has been a practice tutor for nine years while working in the Mercy University Hospital. He has been engaging with the HSE on behalf of Siptu and the practice tutors national committee at the WRC. In one example, he said: “At present we have students who should be working 'clinical hours' studying in the library instead. We note and welcome the government funding for additional radiography training places on a multi-annual basis."
Source:Irish Examiner
March 17, 2026 20:47 UTC
Chelsea to make huge Roman Abramovich payment after Premier League sanction
Chelsea to make huge Roman Abramovich payment after Premier League sanctionThe former Chelsea owner could receive the remaining funds from £150million held back from the club's 2022 sale after a number of punishmentsView 2 Images Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich could be entitled to more money (Image: Getty Images)Roman Abramovich could be in line for another substantial financial windfall from the sale of Chelsea in 2022. The club were slapped with a suspended transfer embargo on first-team activity and a nine-month ban on recruiting academy players for violating Premier League financial regulations in relation to seven transfers. Ashley Cole makes Arsenal WhatsApp revelation 20 years after Chelsea betrayal READ MORE :Chelsea self-reported the financial breaches in each case following the new ownership's takeover from Abramovich. In a statement prior to the sale, Abramovich said there would be a 'charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated'. View 2 Images Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 17, 2026 20:46 UTC
Ireland chosen as the main hub for settling disputes between US and European firms
Ireland has been selected as the European base for a new international arbitration hub aimed at resolving commercial disputes between US and European companies. The initiative will see the establishment of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) Ireland in Dublin – a new Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea) hub for international commercial arbitration. It will include an advisory board and a panel of Irish arbitrators available to handle cross-border disputes, it said. Ms McCormack said the new Dublin-based hub would support businesses managing disputes across multiple jurisdictions. “We are pleased to establish ICDR-Ireland to support businesses navigating cross-border disputes across Emea and around the world,” she said.
Source:Irish Independent
March 17, 2026 20:30 UTC
US 'loves and admires' Ireland, JD Vance tells Taoiseach ahead of Trump meeting
Mr Martin and his wife Mary were greeted by Mr Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance at the US Naval Observatory. "Glad to have you guys," Mr Vance told them, before they were ushered inside for the breakfast. At their meeting, Mr Martin presented Mr Vance with a copy of James Joyce's Ulysses. Picture: Niall Carson/PA WireAttendees at the event with Mr Vance included Ireland’s Ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and her US counterpart, Edward Walsh. Mr Vance said most people in America know someone with a “deep connection” to Ireland.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 17, 2026 20:23 UTC
Maurice Brosnan's eight National Football League observations
We’ve rarely had a witching hour quite like the glorious spell that came last Saturday. It was as the clock ticked past 8.30pm that the first official reports emerged of heads being melted. 16-year-old Max Dowman’s goal for Arsenal in North London signalled waves of sheer bedlam. Less than three kilometres away, a near 9,000 crowd at the sold-out 3Arena were preparing to lift the roof as they built towards Pierce O'Leary’s raucous homecoming. The main event world title fight ring walk began as France national rugby union team wrestled back the Six Nations trophy.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 17, 2026 20:17 UTC
Priorities of exiled Celtic striker Čvančara called out by Czechia boss
Controversy shrouded Czechia’s squad announcement for their World Cup playoff date against Ireland, with Celtic striker Tomáš Čvančara the notable omission. Top scorer Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen is a certain starter in attack on Thursday week in Prague against the Irish. However, veteran of the domestic scene Koubek has opted for three strikers from the Czechia league to complete his attacking array. "He (Čvančara) has stated in recent weeks that the national team is not a priority for him,” the 74-year-old pointedly noted when unveiling his 25-man squad. Tomás Soucek, as captain, was ultimately held responsible for the snub by the Czechia FA, who promptly stripped him of the armband.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 17, 2026 20:11 UTC
Mason Greenwood is Champions League giants' 'favourite transfer target' this summer - and Man United could get pay-out from £43m fee
Mason Greenwood could be on the move this summer, with the Marseille forward linked with a transfer to a European giant. The 24-year-old's form has caught the eye of one club in particular, with two-time European Cup winners Juventus reportedly eyeing up a summer swoop. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marseille may be forced to sell Greenwood due to financial reasons if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. The top three teams in Ligue 1 are guaranteed Champions League football next term. If Marseille are forced to sell though, they would expect a fee of at least £43million for his services, reports the the Italian newspaper.
Source:Daily Mail
March 17, 2026 20:11 UTC
Jimmy Carr says he's 'very conscious of weight', only eats once a day, details 'unhealthy' relationship with his image and body dysmorphia in men
Jimmy Carr has revealed he 'only eats once a day' due to being 'very conscious of weight and very conscious of staying sort of trim.' When asked by Katherine about his image, he said: 'I'm pretty body conscious as it is. I think the sort of body dysmorphia sort of thing was, was always associated with women with, you know, bulimia and anorexia.' ', to which Jimmy responded: 'I sort of naturally do that like I tend to eat once a day. The star has had filler, botox, veneers and went on to discuss his painful hair transplant and what the procedure actually involves.
Source:Daily Mail
March 17, 2026 20:11 UTC
US committed to working with Ireland to safeguard ‘shared security’, says Rubio
The US government is committed to working with Ireland to safeguard “the shared security” of the two countries, its top diplomat has said. In a statement to mark St Patrick’s Day, US secretary of state Marco Rubio also acknowledged Ireland was now the fifth-largest investor in the United States. Rubio also said the United States was “committed to advancing fair trade policies that benefit us all”. The United States and Ireland enjoy close co-operation, and we remain committed to working together to safeguard our shared security and address global challenges. However Martin said it was a “two-way street” as Ireland was now the fifth-largest investor in the United States.
Source:The Irish Times
March 17, 2026 20:10 UTC
Marcus Rashford to Barcelona update as election result sparks instant agreement
Marcus Rashford to Barcelona update as election result sparks instant agreementBarcelona re-elected Joan Laporta last week and he's seen to hand Hansi Flick a new deal at the Nou Camp with Marcus Rashford looking to earn a permanent move to SpainView 2 Images Hansi Flick bought Marcus Rashford to Barcelona on loan - and could yet make his move permanent (Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is due to get a new contract just days after the club's presidential election - which could have a knock on effect for Marcus Rashford and his Camp Nou future. One of his first moves has been to confirm that the Barcelona boss will remain in his role until 2028 as he's set to sign a new deal. This year he has Barcelona sat top of the table with Rashford helping spearhead their efforts to retain their Spanish crown. Barcelona can sign him for £26million this summer, which is a relatively modest fee if they can get the player back to his top level. Marcus Rashford Barcelona transfer takes major twist as Man Utd learn election result READ MORE :Marcus Rashford transfer under threat as Barcelona identify Chelsea star as alternative READ MORE :Rashford has scored 10 times in 38 outings for the Spanish giants.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 17, 2026 20:10 UTC
BBC axe top athletics pundit and four-time Olympic champion after business goes bankrupt
There will be a notable absence during the BBC's athletics coverage this year following their decision to omit one pundit. After that, the four-time Olympic champion began to focus on his work with the Grand Slam Track league (GST) which has since encountered a myriad of issues. Speaking to BBC Sport, Olympic silver medallist Kerr said: 'Of course I'm frustrated - I'm owed a lot of money. Johnson vowed to 'save' track athletics when he launched his league in 2024, with the promise of lucrative prizes and elite billing. However, a key backer withdrew after the first event in Jamaica in 2024 and the plan quickly unravelled, with GST filing for bankruptcy at the end of 2025.
Source:Daily Mail
March 17, 2026 20:07 UTC
How St Patrick’s Day unfolded across Ireland as thousands attend parades
Main PointsTens of thousands of people are expected to attend St Patrick’s Day parades today across the country. And St Patrick’s Day in Killarney would not be St Patrick’s without the Millstreet Pipe band from the Cork border with their rousing renditions of Fáinne Geal an Lae and other tunes. The streets of Dublin were thronged on Tuesday as hundreds of thousands turned out to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Video: Enda O'DowdWaterford brings it back to the startThe first St Patrick’s Day parade was held in Waterford in 1903 and the theme of this year’s event, St Patrick’s Day: Where it all began, was reflected in the historical allusions of many of the floats, reports Libby Marchant. St Patrick’s Day is acceptable as is Paddy’s Day or even St Paddy’s Day but if you want to given an Irish person the ick you will say St Patty’s Day.
Source:The Irish Times
March 17, 2026 20:01 UTC