Varadkar says Ireland, US relationship ‘stronger and deeper than ever’
Speaking at the event, Mr Varadkar said: “A hundred years of official diplomatic relations have woven a relationship that is stronger and deeper than ever.”In his remarks, he also celebrated the countries’ long-standing, two-way trade relations, emphasising that he was “proud” Ireland was one of the top 10 investors in the US. Mr Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett arrive for a St Patrick’s Day Reception hosted by the Irish Embassy at the official residence of the Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, in Washington, DC (Niall Carson/PA)On Friday, Mr Varadkar will meet US vice president Kamala Harris before a bilateral with Mr Biden at the White House. He will also meet the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson at Capitol Hill. On Sunday, The Taoiseach will also gift Mr Biden a bowl of shamrock as part of an annual tradition to mark St Patrick’s Day. He said that the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala in Boston.
Source:The Herald
March 15, 2024 13:17 UTC
Petrol to rise by 15c a litre and diesel by 12c as four hikes on the way as drivers ‘being punished’
The four rises are likely to add around 15c to the cost per litre of petrol and around 12c to a litre of diesel. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar yesterday said there would be no wavering from the planned excise duty hikes. There will be similar rises in August when excise duty levels on petrol, diesel and green diesel are fully restored. Consumers’ Association of Ireland chairman Michael Kilcoyne claimed the multiple rises in the cost of motor fuel were going to hurt drivers. Kevin McPartlan, of Fuels for Ireland, said the UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt had extended an reduction in excise duty for 12 months.
Source:Irish Independent
March 15, 2024 12:08 UTC
Mohammed Kudus bags brace as five-star West Ham ease to Europa League last eight
Mohammed Kudus bags brace as five-star West Ham ease to Europa League last eightBy PA Sport StaffDavid Moyes took the handbrake off West Ham and watched them race into the last eight of the Europa League with a 5-0 win over Freiburg. Despite some indifferent domestic form, West Ham – last season’s Europa Conference League winners – seem to come alive on these European nights. Two years ago, at the same stage of the same competition, they memorably overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Spanish Europa League specialists Sevilla. Freiburg still posed a threat, though, with Roland Sallai firing across goal and wide just to let West Ham know the tie was still very much in the balance at half-time. The rest had clearly done Kudus good, as he promptly collected Bowen’s lay-off and dispatched a low drive from 20 yards to complete West Ham’s five-star display.
Source:Irish Independent
March 15, 2024 10:54 UTC
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Gardaí arrest 10 men over suspected drug smuggling in west Cork
Gardaí arrest 10 men over suspected drug smuggling in west CorkGardaí have arrested 10 men in Co Cork under organised crime legislation. The men range in age from their mid-20s to mid-50s. The Irish Examiner reports that the arrests were triggered by a suspected drug smuggling operation onto a remote pier in west Cork. The suspects, who were arrested at various locations near Skibbereen, were being held on Thursday night in Garda stations in Cork for questioning about the alleged activity. Gardaí said they would not make any further comment on the operation.
Source:Irish Independent
March 15, 2024 10:34 UTC
HTFP Jobs: News Sub-Editor, Glasgow
Wanted: A News Sub-editor with a flair for sparkling headlines, the ability to craft crisply written copy and the ambition to build a career on Scotland’s leading daily newspaper. You must be fast, accurate, endlessly creative and able to keep a cool head under pressure. The ideal candidate will have national newspaper experience and be able to demonstrate proficiency in sub-editing to a high standard.
Source:Daily Mail
March 15, 2024 10:16 UTC
England summon Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon as Kalvin Phillips left out
England summon Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon as Kalvin Phillips left outBy George Sessions, PAJarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon have received their first England call-ups but there was no place for Kalvin Phillips in Gareth Southgate’s last squad before making his Euro 2024 selection. Kalvin Phillips has been left out by England (Zac Goodwin/PA) Photo by Zac GoodwinPhillips has been dropped after a torrid run of form since he joined West Ham on loan in January. England boss Gareth Southgate said: “Well, I think he knows exactly what we think of him. Southgate added: “He’s good with the ball, shows good composure, good mentality. He was very close in November and he’s continued his form,” Southgate explained.
Source:Irish Independent
March 15, 2024 07:28 UTC
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European markets lose momentum amid sticky US inflation
Meanwhile, European Central Bank policymakers continued to line up behind a June interest rate cut but on Thursday offered contrasting views on the timing and pace of further moves. Packaging group Smurfit Kappa advanced again, closing up 1.5 per cent at €40.80, while food group Kerry closed 0.4 per cent higher at €81.64. European bond yields rose, with Germany’s 10-year yield, considered a benchmark for the euro zone, touching its highest level since March 1st. Shares of Robinhood Markets advanced 6.5 per cent after the trading app operator said its assets under custody rose 16 per cent in February. Aerospace and defence company RTX gained 1.6 per cent after Wells Fargo upgraded its rating to “overweight” from “equal weight”.
Source:The Irish Times
March 15, 2024 06:57 UTC
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Teen pregnancy increases risk of early death: study
They analyzed the rate of premature mortality from 12 years of age onward in association with the number of teen pregnancies. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, included the age and nature of the teen pregnancy (ie, birth, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy contrasted with induced abortion), as well as the cause of death. Those who had a teen pregnancy before 16 years of age had the highest incidence rate of premature death. Among those with a teen pregnancy, noninjury-related premature mortality was more common than either unintentional or intentional deaths from injury. Dr. Joel Ray from the University of Toronto said: “This cohort study suggests that teen pregnancy may be a readily identifiable marker for subsequent risk of premature mortality in early adulthood.
Source:Irish Independent
March 14, 2024 22:01 UTC
Energy firms refuse to give customers new smart meter displays
Homes across the UK are being left unable to track their energy use, as their suppliers refuse to issue them with replacement in-home displays for their smart meters. Cost of living: Smart meter displays allow users to track their energy usageWhile the smart meter will still be providing readings to the supplier, it means customers without an in-home display are not able to track their energy use in real time. A British Gas spokesperson said: 'We know that smart energy monitors provide a valuable service. Eon said that their in-home displays were 'outside of the 12-month warranty period for replacements'. Another reader supplied by Octopus Energy got in touch to say his smart meter display was not working.
Source:Daily Mail
March 14, 2024 21:50 UTC
Gardaí at scene of ongoing incident in Tralee after alleged assault of woman
Man arrested after woman (20s) seriously assaulted in TraleeMichael BoltonGardaí have arrested a man after a woman was seriously assaulted in Tralee, Co Kerry. The incident happened at around 9.30am on Thursday at a home on Maine Street in Tralee. The woman, who is aged in her 20s, was taken to University Hospital Kerry to be treated for her injuries. A man was arrested and is being questioned at a Garda station in the Kerry division. The scene is currently being examined and investigations are ongoing, gardaí said.
Source:Irish Independent
March 14, 2024 21:25 UTC
Ireland to face New Zealand and Australia during autumn series
Former Ireland boss Schmidt will bring the Wallabies to the Aviva Stadium for the series finale on Saturday, November 30. The game against Australia has been arranged as part of the Irish Rugby Football Union’s 150th year celebrations. Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt will return to Dublin as head coach of Australia (Adam Davy/PA)“There is an added dimension to this year’s autumn series, with a fourth match against Australia set to mark the IRFU’s 150th celebrations. “We look forward to testing ourselves against some of the most exciting teams in the world, with whom Ireland has such strong traditions and rivalries. Series fixturesIreland v New Zealand, Friday, November 8, 8.10pm – Aviva Stadium, DublinIreland v Argentina, Friday, November 15, 8.10pm – Aviva Stadium, DublinIreland v Fiji, Saturday, November 23, 3.10pm – Aviva Stadium, DublinIreland v Australia, Saturday, November 30, 3.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Source:The Herald
March 14, 2024 20:20 UTC
New festival to take place in Offaly next month
New festival to take place in Offaly next monthAn exciting new festival looking at art in the landscape is coming to Offaly at the start of April. The Festival of Change is a collaboration between Offaly County Council, Mayo County Council and Visual Artists Ireland and is funded through the Arts Council’s Invitation to Collaboration Scheme. The festival will be based on two sites in the respective counties: the Tir Saile Sculpture Trail in Mayo, and Lough Boora Sculpture Park in Offaly. The Festival of Change in Offaly takes place on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6. All festival events are free, but booking is required.
Source:Irish Independent
March 14, 2024 20:12 UTC
Finn Wolfhard feels 'really excited' about his debut album
Finn Wolfhard is "really excited" to release his debut solo album in 2025. "But I’m in the midst of finding a label and putting out a solo album under my name. So that’ll come out next year, and I’m really excited about it. Speaking about his music ambitions, Finn told Kerrang! As long as someone can hear it and relate to it, that’s really all that I care about.
Source:Irish Independent
March 14, 2024 19:59 UTC