‘Trust is being eroded’ – consumers warned over websites openly selling ‘high-quality’ fake online reviews
‘Trust is being eroded’ – consumers warned over websites openly selling ‘high-quality’ fake online reviewsOne site offered up to 50 ‘premium quality’ recommendations for around €300Websites are openly selling fake online reviews that promise to boost a business’s ratingsMaeve McTaggart Today at 06:30Websites are openly selling fake online reviews that promise to boost a business’s ratings, even though the practice is banned and widely criticised for misleading consumers and distorting fair competition.
Source:Irish Independent
April 04, 2026 12:03 UTC
Mick Clifford: We moved on from Covid — but did we learn anything?
Covid was back in the news this week, but for some people it ever went away. It’s as if as a society there has been a reversion to the old Irish response to anything awkward or unpleasant. Sure it’s all over, best to say nothing and take plenty of no notice of what went on. This week there was a public session of the “review” of the pandemic set up by the government in 2024. It is quite obvious that the government views a proper inquiry as a potential stick with which it might be beaten.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 04, 2026 12:01 UTC
Le backlash: Emily in Paris effect divides French capital
Naomi O'Leary looks at the popularity of Netflix's Emily in Paris, and the differing views it has caused in France's capital. Lily Collins as Emily and Ashley Park as Mindy in Emily in Paris. Valerio Abate, owner of a restaurant made famous by its appearance in the series Emily in Paris, stands outside as a tourist takes a photograph. Hat sellers in Paris credit a rise in sales of the traditional beret to the Emily in Paris series. Emily in Paris has become a shorthand in Paris to refer to such issues.
Source:The Irish Times
April 04, 2026 12:01 UTC
Shona Murray: Trump is using the war in Iran to break up with Europe
Other than Iran was on the brink of obtaining nuclear weapons and Israel and the US had no choice but to intervene. “This is a true investment in your children and your grandchildren’s future,” Trump said on Wednesday. In Europe, Nato allies were bracing themselves for further “Nato-bashing” — a now commonly used term in Brussels to bat away Trump’s latest attacks on America’s most loyal countries. Outlook for US relations with Nato allies is grimIn the last few days, the long-term outlook for Nato and US relations with allies is grim. The abject humiliation of Trump’s Nato allies who have bent over backwards since the start of his second term is the norm now.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 04, 2026 12:00 UTC
Artemis II crew move closer to moon than Earth on historic mission
The Artemis II crew are now closer to the moon than the Earth, Nasa said on Saturday morning, as the four astronauts completed the third day of their flight to the moon. The crew of Artemis II talk about their experience just after completing the translunar injection burn that is leading them towards the moon. Nasa’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, carrying the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission, lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. [ Why are humans returning to the moon?Opens in new window ]The mission marks a series of historic accomplishments, including sending the first person of colour, the first woman and the first non-American on a lunar mission. “We’re all one people.” – Guardian/Agencies[ The Irish Times view on Artemis II: humans are returning to the MoonOpens in new window ]
Source:The Irish Times
April 04, 2026 11:51 UTC
Mary Regan: Key question in Dublin and Galway by‑elections is whether Sinn Féin can tap into anger over Iran war cost-of-living fallout
Mary Regan: Key question in Dublin and Galway by‑elections is whether Sinn Féin can tap into anger over Iran war cost-of-living falloutField is wide open in Dublin Central and Galway West polls next monthJanice Boylan with Mary Lou McDonaldMary Regan Today at 06:30There was a sense of deja-vu in the Aisling Hotel in Dublin on Monday night when the presence of Bertie Ahern prompted a round of applause among the Fianna Fáil faithful.
Source:Irish Independent
April 04, 2026 11:36 UTC
I fell out of love with football after Man Utd release but I've found that hunger again
Because you're that close and then to obviously be so far away, it's difficult.”FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! “I fell out in love with it, which is a tough pill to swallow because football had been my whole life forever. Ly, who has done the rounds at north-west clubs, was the top scorer in the first Baller League season with 21 goals and is now in his third year in the competition. Even in Baller League, Bilal's been there three seasons and he's done unbelievable. Baller League Season Three is available to watch live on www.youtube.com/@BallerLeagueUKArticle continues belowJoin our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 04, 2026 11:16 UTC
Man City facing nightmare fixture pile-up despite Champions League exit
Man City facing nightmare fixture pile-up despite Champions League exitManchester City could face a hectic schedule with nine games in five weeks as FA Cup progress threatens to cause Premier League fixture rescheduling chaosView 2 Images Man City could face a problematic fixture backlog (Image: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/Shutterstock)Manchester City may be out of Europe, but the Blues could still face a mounting fixture pile-up in the weeks ahead. The Blues triumphed in the Carabao Cup at Wembley and now face an FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Liverpool at the Etihad on Saturday. Should Palace advance into the last four, the already limited options for fitting in the City fixture would be trimmed even further. The Premier League confirmed this week that any fixtures requiring rescheduling on FA Cup semi-final day would be played during the week commencing April 20. The FA Cup final is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, and should City make it to Wembley, their Premier League away fixture at Bournemouth that same weekend would also require rearranging.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 04, 2026 11:12 UTC
Neymar facing 12-match ban in huge blow to World Cup hopes after shocking ref attack
Neymar facing 12-match ban in huge blow to World Cup hopes after shocking ref attackNeymar is still desperately hoping to force his way into Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the World Cup this summer, but his chances could be wiped out by a banView 3 Images Neymar is facing a ban for his post-match comments (Image: Marco Buenavista/Getty Images)Neymar's already slim chances of making the Brazil squad for this summer's World Cup could be extinguished with a ban. Neymar has not played for his country since October 2023 and was not picked by Carlo Ancelotti in his latest squad. But the former Barcelona star has not given up on reaching the World Cup in June. Santos won the game against Remo 2-0, but Neymar was still incensed by his yellow when he faced the media post-match. So I’m here again to apologise to women around the world, there are plenty of women here too.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 04, 2026 11:11 UTC
Tough at the top: Cork's big man Downey eyeing more Munster glory
But look, things are happening so fast all over the pitch, the referees do have a tough job. I'd be on the backs side of things but I think the forwards are ducking their heads in a bit much." “I think everything Ben has said is kind of hard to argue with really,” the Glen Rovers man remarks. You'll probably try to find your championship team and stuff like that then. “Gerry is a good fella to have a chat to and remind you that you're here because you enjoy it.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 04, 2026 11:05 UTC
‘Our attempt to be brave’: Will the council’s new approach to battling Dublin’s dereliction work?
Almost two years after its purchase by Dublin City Council number 30 North Frederick Street stands as a monument to urban dereliction. 30 North Frederick Street Dublin. In the coming months it will establish the Dublin City Development Corporation, a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) dedicated to city regeneration. “Middle Abbey Street and North Frederick Street will be test beds. North Frederick Street, on a straight line to O’Connell Street, is part of Dublin’s north Georgian core.
Source:The Irish Times
April 04, 2026 11:02 UTC
Is the interior trend of wall panelling coming to an end in 2026?
Secondly, it is an attack on the era-inappropriate application of period inclined panelling to a modern or even new home. Light, elegant and characterful, here panelling applied directly over paper adds a freshening originality to a period space that’s picked up in the entry door and hall wall panels. Setting pictures, mirrors and other artful objects within the frames of full height wall panels can be stunning artifice. Try just a section of wall, with a panel of gorgeous timber taken right to the ceiling to anchor key furniture. Visit a showroom with a large area of reeded wall panels on display and see if anyone reacts with a jolt of nausea or loss of balance.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 04, 2026 11:00 UTC
Millions of Brits issued home emergency callout warning
HomeServe said analysis of its recent callout data shows that Easter Monday consistently emerges as the single busiest day of the four‑day Easter bank holiday, eclipsing Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday in terms of demand. Overall, Easter Monday accounts for nearly a third (31%) of all Easter weekend callouts, compared with 26% on Good Friday, 25% on the Saturday and just 18% on Easter Sunday, based on HomeServe data covering the period from 2023 to 2025. Chris Houghton, a home expert at HomeServe, said: “Easter weekend is one of those times when homes are working harder than usual, from extra cooking to more people using bathrooms and appliances. “Often, small issues like slow drains or minor leaks go unnoticed or are put off until after the weekend. A minor leak may not seem urgent, but over a busy weekend, it can worsen quickly.
Source:The Herald
April 04, 2026 10:47 UTC
Masters 2026: The time may be now for Shane Lowry at Augusta
The thought of Rory McIlroy slipping a Green Jacket over Shane Lowry’s shoulders at Augusta National on Sunday week is an enticing prospect for all Irish golf fans five days out from the 90th Masters. Manchip, who will fly to Georgia on Sunday after three days of practice with his star pupil in Florida, has nothing but confidence in Lowry. “He's turned himself into one of the best iron players in the game of golf, an elite iron player and that is so important at Augusta. “Some people will depend on it on any given week, how good your putting is, how good you are mentally. “Rory had really won everything in the game of golf up to that, it just shows, you know, wanting something so badly.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 04, 2026 10:30 UTC