Young science stars from Offaly light up ESB Science Blast in Limerick
Shinrone NS pupils pictured last week at the ESB Science Blast in Limerick. Young science stars from Offaly light up ESB Science Blast in LimerickShinrone NS in Offaly was among a group of 106 primary schools around the country which recently took part in the sixth annual ESB Science Blast in Limerick. The Science Blast event is the RDS Foundation’s flagship Science and Technology Programme. "In developing ESB Science Blast we wanted an event that would be informative, inclusive and, above all, a really fun and engaging learning experience. Following the Limerick dates, ESB Science Blast will also take place in Belfast on June 4 next.
Source:Irish Independent
May 29, 2024 01:34 UTC
Study finds Ireland's young teens have fewer friends than teenagers a decade ago
Ireland’s 13-year-olds have fewer friends and more problems interacting with peers, according to new research. A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows, however, that they are also getting on better with their parents. It draws on data from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study, comparing 13-year-olds in 2011/12 and 2021/22. Young people reported having smaller friendship groups than previously, with 53% having three or fewer close friends compared with 41% some 10 years previously. In addition, mothers are more likely to report that 13-year-olds have problems interacting with peers.
Source:Irish Examiner
May 29, 2024 00:30 UTC
Toyota bets on alternative-fuel engines as electric car sales wane
Toyota has not been as quick as other carmakers to move towards electric vehicles but does offer some options in the category for customers. Emboldened by robust hybrid car sales, Toyota and its partners say fuel-burning engines have a role to play even as the industry shifts to battery electric cars in a global push to decarbonize. Last year, Mr Sato vowed Toyota would sell 1.5 million battery electric cars annually by 2026, and 3.5 million by 2030. Despite the detailed plans to develop new engines, Toyota said it remains committed to EVs. “It’s more about business feasibility, whether it makes economic sense,” Tetsuo Fujiniki, Subaru’s chief technology officer, said.
Source:Irish Examiner
May 28, 2024 23:34 UTC
Social Protection Minister ‘not thinking of introducing national service’
Humphreys ‘not thinking of introducing national service’Gráinne Ní Aodha, PAMinister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said she is not considering implementing a form of compulsory national service as has been promised by the Tories in the UK. The unemployment rate is around 4.4 per cent, but rises to around 8 per cent for young people. “The youth unemployment rate is at 8.8 per cent, which is down from 12 per cent pre-Covid,” she said on Tuesday. We’ll either help you upskill, we’ll retrain you, we’ll introduce you to apprenticeship schemes, we’ll give you the back to work help extra pay when you engage. Employers across multiple sectors and representatives of Ibec attended the launch of the charter in Accenture’s Dublin office.
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 23:12 UTC
Celtic youth star joins three teammates in Ireland training camp
He will then transition back to the under-21s for friendlies against Croatia and England. Andrew Moran, Bosun Lawal & Josh Keeley will all train with the Men’s Senior Team before linking up with Jim Crawford’s Ireland U21 squad ahead of their upcoming fixtures 🙌🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/wKB75SGnlk — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 28, 2024The midfielder spent the 2023/34 campaign on-loan at Fleetwood Town which seen him prosper by playing 46 times in all competitions despite the Cod Army being relegated down to English League Two. READ MORE: James Forrest eager to emulate Celtic form with Scotland after call-upHere is the Ireland squad in full:Goalkeepers - Kelleher, Travers, O'Leary, HarringtonDefenders - Coleman, Doherty, Duffy, O'Shea, O'Brien, Omobamidele, Scales, Brady, StevensMidfielders - Cullen, Azaz, Knight, McGrath, O'Dowda, Smallbone, Sykes, JohnstonForwards - Szmodics, Idah, Parrott, Obafemi, Cannon
Source:The Herald
May 28, 2024 22:36 UTC
ALEX BRUMMER: Copper displaces diamonds as Anglo American puts De Beers up for sale
Diamonds have been the core of Anglo American since the modern company was created by Ernest Oppenheimer nearly a century ago. The allure of diamonds has been surpassed by the work-a-place copper – a metal less regarded than more decorative rivals such as platinum, silver and gold. Copper mania has left De Beers and diamonds as an orphan asset in a mining world where metals are the real stars. The challenge for De Beers is how to preserve the rarity and cache of mined diamonds. In contrast to the struggles of diamonds the allure of copper, amid surging global demand, has never been greater.
Source:Daily Mail
May 28, 2024 21:37 UTC
Minister defends Government’s policies despite emissions targets projections
Minister defends Government’s policies despite emissions targets projectionsBy Cate McCurry, PAMinister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan has defended the Government’s climate policies, saying it can meet its emission targets despite a report stating that Ireland will not reduce greenhouse gases emissions as set out under law. Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment and Communications Eamon Ryan said that while it is a “real challenge” to meet the targets, he is “absolutely convinced” Ireland will reduce carbon emissions. Under Ireland’s 2021 Climate Act, it has set a target for a 51 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 when compared with 2018. We know the European Commission and others are the saying we need to meet a 90 per cent reduction by 2040. “It’s not going to meet the climate targets required under the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and it’s not going to meet the climate targets necessary under the (2021 Climate) Act either.
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 21:30 UTC
Taoiseach visits Cloghan and Ferbane to canvass for local election candidate
Cllr John Clendennen, European election candidate Nina Carberry, Taoiseach Simon Harris, local election candidate Hughie Egan and Cllr Neil Feighery. Taoiseach visits Cloghan and Ferbane to canvass for local election candidateAn Taoiseach Simon Harris and European election candidate Nina Carberry visited both Cloghan and Ferbane on Friday last, in order to put their political weight behind Fine Gael's local election candidate Hughie Egan. He assured those present that if they supported Hughie their votes would not be lost as they were supporting a dedicated and approachable candidate. From Cloghan, Mr Harris did a canvass of the Main Street in Ferbane accompanied by Hughie starting from Gleeson's public house. The Taoiseach also responded to issues in rural Ireland and the now regulatory environment affecting agriculture.
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 21:27 UTC
‘Famous’ sea creatures spotted swimming alongside boat off Ireland, photos show
World ‘Famous’ sea creatures spotted swimming alongside boat off Ireland, photos showA pair of “famous” orcas, the last surviving members of their community, were recently spotted off the coast of Ireland. Photo from K. Mitch Hodge, UnSplashA famous duo recently made a splash off the coast of Ireland. The duo, who are around 60 years old, are believed to be the last surviving members of the West Coast Community of orcas, which lives around Ireland and the U.K. Given the pair’s age, “it’s always a relief when reports of the pair come through,” according to HWDT. In recent years, they’ve been spotted a number of times around Ireland, including at least 33 times in 2022.
Source:The Herald
May 28, 2024 18:30 UTC
Bjorn Ulvaeus says it is ‘hard to grasp’ the legacy of Abba
Bjorn Ulvaeus says it is ‘hard to grasp’ the legacy of AbbaBy Laura Harding, Deputy Entertainment EditorAbba star Bjorn Ulvaeus has said it is “hard to grasp” the legacy that the band’s music has. The musician was joined by bandmate Benny Andersson to reflect on the Swedish group’s lasting impact as their show Abba Voyage marked two years in London. Avatars of Ulvaeus, Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad perform all their biggest hits to full houses in a specially made arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Reflecting on the band’s impact, Ulvaeus said: “It’s very very hard to grasp emotionally that we wrote these little songs and it gave rise to this and the millions of people we have touched. Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson at the Abba Arena on the second anniversary of Abba Voyage (Tom Bradley)Ulvaeus said: “Back in ’79 I don’t think we ever thought about being listened to in 10 years’ time.
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 17:09 UTC
Carol Vorderman on her new LBC Radio gig: ‘I’m absolutely loving the freedom’
Carol Vorderman on her new LBC Radio gig: ‘I’m absolutely loving the freedom’By Kerri Ann-Roper, head of entertainment and featuresTV and radio presenter Carol Vorderman has criticised the BBC and its social media guidelines, saying “the people at the top of the BBC – Conservatives – are trying to restrict what people do in their private lives”. “It’s not just me, and it’s ironic, isn’t it, that I’m the only one that’s been sacked?”The BBC said in a statement at the time: “Carol has been a presenter on BBC Radio Wales since 2018. A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC published its new social media guidance last September which strike a balance between the BBC’s commitment to impartiality and freedom of expression. Speaking about LBC Radio, Vorderman told Radio Times: “I’m absolutely loving the freedom. The full interview is in this week’s Radio Times magazine.
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 16:55 UTC
Fall in anti-immigrant protests in Dublin, but aggression increasing
Fall in anti-immigrant protests in Dublin, but aggression increasingJames CoxThere has been a fall in anti-immigrant protests in Dublin, Garda Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis has said. Assistant Commissioner Willis, the senior Garda in charge of policing in Dublin city, made the remarks at Monday's Joint Policing Committee meeting. In contrast, there were 73 anti-immigration protests in the first six weeks of 2023 alone. Speaking to Newstalk, Councillor for Dublin North Inner City Ray McAdam said the increase in aggression is noticeable, not just at demonstrations. "It doesn't necessarily have to be in respect of anti-immigration protests, but just in general the level of aggression when people have strongly held views on any issue."
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 16:55 UTC
Thibaut Courtois not included in Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad
Thibaut Courtois not included in Belgium’s Euro 2024 squadBy PA Sport StaffReal Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has not been included in Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad. The 32-year-old has been injured for the majority of the season with a knee problem which required surgery. And he has been true to his word, instead including Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels, Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels. There is strong Premier League representation in the squad with Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, joined by Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans, Leicester defender Wout Faes and Fulham utility player Timothy Castagne. Belgium, who went out at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Slovakia on June 17th.
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 16:31 UTC
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Possible sanctions on Israel discussed in ‘real way’ for first time at EU meeting
A meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on Monday discussed the possibility of placing sanctions on Israel if its government continued to disregard the order of the United Nations court. “For the first time at an EU meeting in a real way I have seen significant discussion on sanctions,” he said. He said he would raise the matter at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers to seek a statement backing the United Nations court. The Irish, Spanish and Norwegian foreign ministers say recognition of a Palestinian state will offer a reset in the Middle East peace process. Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian foreign affairs minister, said the ongoing war in Gaza was a “low point” in the history of the Middle East.
Source:The Irish Times
May 28, 2024 13:27 UTC
Cristiano Ronaldo sets Saudi Pro League goalscoring record
Cristiano Ronaldo sets Saudi Pro League goalscoring recordBy PA Sport StaffCristiano Ronaldo added yet another record to his collection as he set a new high for goals scored in a Saudi Pro League season. The 39-year-old struck twice in Al-Nassr’s 4-2 victory over Al-Ittihad at Al Awal Park to take his total to 35, eclipsing Abderrazak Hamdallah’s 34 from 2018-19. Ronaldo, who had seen a 10th-minute effort ruled out for offside, equalled the record in first-half stoppage time when he controlled Mohammed Al-Fatil’s long ball and fired home to open the scoring in his club’s final fixture of the campaign. The Portugal international was through on goal once again 20 minutes after the restart but was brought down by Suwailem Al-Menhali, who was sent off. However, he had to wait just four minutes longer to claim his 35th of the season when he headed home from a corner before he was substituted.
Source:Irish Independent
May 28, 2024 09:13 UTC