Royal Jordanian Airlines' refund failure is another reason NOT to fly to Middle East: TONY HETHERINGTON investigates
writes: We booked to fly with Royal Jordanian Airlines, but they changed the flight times by two days so we had to claim a refund. Special holiday: But Royal Jordanian Airlines changed the flight times by two daysTony Hetherington replies: You gave me a copy of the message you received from Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJA), and it could hardly be clearer. I asked whether Royal Jordanian Airlines – which is mainly owned by Jordan's government – was in financial difficulties. Big airlines might tolerate this, but RJA is not a big airline and its losses put it in danger of liquidation. There are lots of reasons not to fly to the Middle East at the moment – and Royal Jordanian Airlines has just provided a new one.
Source:Daily Mail
February 17, 2024 23:03 UTC
Tiger Woods ‘much better’ after withdrawing from Genesis with flu-like symptoms
Tiger Woods ‘much better’ after withdrawing from Genesis with flu-like symptomsBy PA Sport StaffTiger Woods is said to be feeling “much, much better” after the 48-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational in California due to suffering flu-like symptoms. But the American could not back that up a day later as he withdrew after six holes due to illness. Rob McNamara, executive vice president of TGR Ventures, told PGATour.com Woods had started feeling flu-like symptoms on Thursday night. “He had a little bit of a fever and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy,” McNamara said. In a statement on X, the PGA Tour said: “Jordan Spieth has been disqualified from The Genesis Invitational for signing for an incorrect scorecard.
Source:Irish Independent
February 17, 2024 21:22 UTC
BBC presenter accidentally ruins surprise party in live TV blunder
BBC presenter accidentally ruins surprise party in live TV blunderBy Aisling Grace, PAA BBC presenter was left embarrassed after accidentally ruining a family surprise on live television. BBC Weather’s Kawser Quamer started chatting about her niece’s surprise birthday party before realising that she had spoiled the secret. Quamer had just finished the weather report for North West Tonight when presenter Annabel Tiffin called her over to the sofa for a casual chat at the end of the broadcast. “My niece’s surprise birthday party,” Quamer replied without realising that she had just revealed the surprise until her fellow presenter spelled it out. In a time of so much stress, just enjoy.”Viewers also reacted on X, with one person commenting: “I’ve watched this multiple times now.
Source:Irish Independent
February 17, 2024 21:13 UTC
Herald: Stalemate continues: Goa delays declaration of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as Tiger Reserve
18 Feb 2024| 06:30am ISTStalemate continues: Goa delays declaration of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as Tiger ReserveTwo crucial issues faced by Goa are still in limbo thanks to lackadaisical approach by the State government as environmentalists strongly demand that notifying Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as Tiger Reserve will help protect River Mhadei as neighbouring Karnataka is desperately trying to divert its waters. There have been several requests, but the Goa government has not declared Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve. In July 2023, the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the State government to declare Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve within three months. Dispute over Mhadei water continues unabated between Goa and KarnatakaEven after 40 years, there is no clear sign of resolution of the Mhadei river water dispute with Karnataka. He also called for an investigation into the expenditure on frequent conferences related to the Mhadei river organized in Mumbai.
Source:The Herald
February 17, 2024 21:10 UTC
Mohamed Salah scores on return as Liverpool beat Brentford to stay top
Mohamed Salah scores on return as Liverpool beat Brentford to stay topBy Robert O'Connor, PAMohamed Salah scored on his Premier League return as Liverpool eased to a 4-1 win at Brentford. Ivan Toney continued his goalscoring form since returning from his gambling ban to briefly give Brentford hope at 3-1. It was a fleeting moment of optimism, quickly extinguished when substitute Cody Gakpo stroked home Liverpool’s fourth in the closing minutes. Mohamed Salah slots home his goal in the second half. But Liverpool would have the final say, Gakpo stroking into the corner five minutes from time to cap a fine win.
Source:Irish Independent
February 17, 2024 19:03 UTC
Cymru announce squad for Republic of Ireland clash
Interim Head Coach Jon Grey has announced his Cymru squad for the upcoming friendly against the Republic of Ireland. Five players have received their first call ups to the squad, including Tianna Teisar, Olivia Francis and Mayzee Davies, who will join Grey’s side following their friendly double-header against Scotland with the WU19s. Kayleigh Barton, formerly known as Green, is named in the squad for the first time since changing her surname following her recent marriage. As well as the five new faces, Soffia Kelly, Mared Griffiths and Elena Cole will attend the camp for the first two days. The match will be shown live on BBC Wales, or fans looking to attend the match can purchase tickets through the Football Association of Ireland.
Source:The Herald
February 17, 2024 15:44 UTC
Taoiseach contests claim Ireland is ‘reliant’ on UK armed forces
The Republic of Ireland has defence forces, including a navy, but has retained a long standing position of being militarily neutral. Mr Varadkar was challenged that Ireland was in reality reliant on the UK’s armed forces in the protection of the seas and the protection of undersea cables. “I’m not aware of any particular UK intervention that’s helped us in that regard.”Mr Varadkar was further challenged that it “falls to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy in practice”. Mr Varadkar responded: “That’s exactly the point, they would be doing it to protect themselves, not us.”The Taoiseach also queried an assertion around the size of the Russian embassy in Ireland being connected with the proximity to UK territory in Northern Ireland. Mr Varadkar said there are 15 diplomats and 15 other staff at the Russian Embassy in Dublin, which he described as “big for a small country like Ireland but far from huge”.
Source:The Herald
February 17, 2024 14:53 UTC
Article 41.2 is an important legal safeguard
Sir, – I refer to Dr Maebh Harding’s article “False promises of original article 41.2 are an insult” (Opinion & Analysis, February 15th). She refers to the Supreme Court decision in L v L and correctly states that Article 41.2 was held not to confer a share in ownership in the family home on dependent spouses. Article 41.2 is an important legal safeguard for such mothers. It was also relied on by the Supreme Court in the groundbreaking Murphy tax case to invalidate income tax laws which discriminated against married people with spouses parenting in the home. Sir, – I read with interest the article “Electoral Commission to address uncertainty over next month’s referendums” (News, February 15th).
Source:The Irish Times
February 17, 2024 14:03 UTC
‘Accessibility and Me’
FROM left, Trish Bourke (Host), Ciara D’earth, and Islammiyah Kadejo (CEO GOCOM), who recorded and managed the broadcast. ‘Accessibility and Me’Special broadcast on GOCOM Radio on MondayGOCOM Radio will host a special broadcast titled ‘Accessibility and Me’, airing this Monday, February 19, on www.gocomradio.ie, at 6pm. The 80-minute program, hosted by Trish Bourke, sheds light on the challenges of accessibility in Galway from the unique perspective of Ciara D’earth, a resilient individual navigating life with Cerebral Palsy. Ciara, a prominent figure in the Galway community living with disability, will share her personal experiences on various facets of accessibility, including hairdressing, transportation, footpaths, restaurants, entertainment, fashion, and relationships, all while being a person who uses a wheelchair. Listeners are encouraged to tune in to GOCOM Radio on Monday to engage with this important dialogue on accessibility issues in Galway.
Source:The Herald
February 17, 2024 08:31 UTC
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HSE ‘shocked’ as St John of God says it will stop providing disability and mental health services
St John of God Community Services has been providing services to 8,000 children and adults on behalf of the State. St John of God Community Services, part of the wider St John of God Hospitaller Services Group, is funded by the HSE to provide services to 8,000 children and adults on behalf of the State. In a statement on Friday, St John of God said it had taken the decision to cease providing services by the middle of August this year. In a statement Ms Dempsey said the decision to stop providing disability and mental health community services was a “sad day” for the organisation. The closure will not affect the wider St John of God group’s 180-bed psychiatric hospital in Stillorgan, Dublin, or its dementia care facility Saint Joseph’s, Shankill.
Source:The Irish Times
February 17, 2024 06:36 UTC
Athlone Town happy with Future Ticketing partnership as new season looms
Athlone Town happy with Future Ticketing partnership as new season loomsAthlone Town supporters are embracing the benefits of digital tickets with Future Ticketing as the new season kicks off tonight (Friday). Future Ticketing is a Tullamore-based company and is a global provider of cloud ticketing and sales enabling software. With the Digital Ticketing app, Athlone fans have instant access to tickets on their own phones. Future Ticketing also has a ticketing sharing option. Future Ticketing client relationship manager Greg Walker said: "Athlone Town is just one of many Future Ticketing partners in the League of Ireland and they have all seen the benefits of moving to digital ticketing.
Source:Irish Independent
February 16, 2024 17:31 UTC
Applications for 2024 TCP Brian Swiger Memorial Scholarship Now Available
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Source:The Herald
February 16, 2024 17:12 UTC
League of Ireland preview: Will Shamrock Rovers make it five-in-a-row?
League of Ireland preview: Will Shamrock Rovers make it five-in-a-row? Michael BoltonThe Airtricity League of Ireland gets back underway on Friday night, as Stephen Bradley's side begin their quest for five consecutive league titles. Here is opening round of fixtures, and where you can watch them this weekend:Friday February 16thShamrock Rovers v Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium, RTÉ Two, 7:45. Galway United v St Patrick's Athletic, Eamon Deacy Park, LOI TV, 7:45. Bohemians v Sligo Rovers, Dalymount Park, LOI TV 7:45.
Source:Irish Independent
February 16, 2024 16:59 UTC
Electric Picnic main stage to be powered by renewable energy
Electric Picnic main stage to be powered by renewable energyMichael BoltonMusic festival Electric Picnic has announced the main stage at the festival will be connected to the grid and powered by renewable energy in 2024. This marks the first time a festival of its kind in the UK and Ireland will install mains power to reduce its carbon footprint. The grid power will ultimately reduce carbon emissions associated with powering the main stage of the festival in 2024 and reduce the need to use temporary generators. Festival Republic will submit a planning application for a substation and if successful, work will begin later this year on delivering grid power to the main stage which will mark the transition of the outdoor live sector to renewable power. The goal is to inspire other festivals to assess the feasibility of connecting their event to the national grid, as this is a long-term sustainable solution to reduce carbon emissions at festivals.
Source:Irish Independent
February 16, 2024 15:40 UTC
Two vacancies on Sinn Féin's Offaly election ticket
Teresa Bracken has announced she will not contest the local election. Two vacancies on Sinn Féin's Offaly election ticketSinn Féin is likely to be looking for two candidates to contest the local elections in Offaly. One of two already-selected candidates in the Tullamore electoral area, Teresa Bracken, withdrew from the race recently, citing “unavoidable personal circumstances”, while the party has yet to host a selection convention for the Birr/Ferbane area. Separately, another name to enter the local election race in the Birr area is well-known community activist, Martin Buckley, who is due to launch his election campaign next month and will stand as an Independent candidate. Among his campaign priorities are improving services and infrastructure, protecting and promoting our heritage and ensuring that the needs of West Offaly are identified and met.
Source:Irish Independent
February 16, 2024 15:21 UTC