Author: David Pike

The Government is committed to putting in place a “robust regime” to protect elections from “malign or hidden interference” and regulate online political advertising, the Department of Housing has said.But it accepted the legal powers to implement this commitment were not yet in place, including for Friday’s general election.The powers will allow An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Electoral Commission) to order social media platforms to take down misinformation, disinformation or material damaging to elections and also enable…

Production company behind ‘Poor Things’ and ‘Normal People’ sees profits slip After-tax profits at the multi-awarding winning production company behind the screen adaptations of Sally Rooney’s Normal People fell by 49% to €2.32m during 2023. The €2.32m profit for the Dublin-headquartered Element Pictures last year resulted in accumulated profits rising from €7.99m to €10.32m.The company’s cash funds last year increased more than three fold, from €857,129 to €3.3m.Last year, the conveyor belt of quality drama from…

Clearer weather is forecast as Storm Conall moves on to the Netherlands. Transport was disrupted on Wednesday as heavy rainfall battered southern parts of the country. A yellow warning has been issued for fog across parts of western and southern England and along the Welsh border until 11am on Thursday. The weather is now returning to a “typical end of November”, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said. ⚠️ Yellow weather warning UPDATED 📷 Fog across…

The ghost of Tony Gregory canvasses Dublin’s north-inner city during election time. Among some of the candidates there are fervent expressions of a wish to emulate him. And there is always the question of who is coming in his wake, who is the strong voice to represent one of the most disadvantaged enclaves in the State. Gary Gannon is knocking on doors in Summerhill, across the road from the Primary Care Health Centre. He has…

Prisoners denied dignity while receiving NHS care, watchdog finds Health Services Safety Investigation Body reveals difficulties inmates have when they leave jail for treatment A female inmate remained handcuffed to a male prison officer while she had a mammogram, in an example of prisoners being denied their dignity while receiving NHS care, a watchdog has revealed. The incident is highlighted in a report by the Health Services Safety Investigation Body (HSSIB) into the difficulties prisoners…

Ninety further victims have been identified by detectives investigating Mohamed Al Fayed and the sex abuse scandal. The new claims relate to allegations of rape and sexual assault and span nearly 40 years between 1977 and 2014, with the youngest victim-survivor aged just 13 at the time of the alleged attack. A total of 150 complainants came forward following the airing of a BBC documentary, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, in September, the Metropolitan Police…

President-elect Donald Trump said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had “agreed to stop migration through Mexico”. In a post on his Truth Social account on Wednesday evening, Mr Trump said this was “effectively closing our Southern Border.” He called it a “very productive conversation!”. The Mexican president confirmed that she spoke with Trump, calling it an “excellent conversation”. The announcement comes two days after Mr Trump threatened to impose sweeping new tariffs on Canada and Mexico…

The Green Party leader has blamed a lack of action from Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien for a greater reliance on hotels to accommodate asylum seekers. Roderic O’Gorman claimed up to 15 large hotels would not have been required to house those seeking international protection if Mr O’Brien had fulfilled its responsibility. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr O’Gorman said he hopes his party will grow its number of seats and return to Government as no…

Singer Paloma Faith said the public’s donations for her charity clothes sale for Gaza and Lebanon “gives me hope that good people do exist”. The Only Love Can Hurt Like This star sold her clothes, bags and accessories, including a Halloween outfit she shared with Alan Carr, a Dolce and Gabbana denim jacket donated by rapper Eve, and silky pyjamas to raise money for Oxfam’s Gaza-Lebanon appeal. Paloma Faith sells her clothes to raise money…

President-elect Donald Trump said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had “agreed to stop migration through Mexico”. In a post on his Truth Social account on Wednesday evening, Mr Trump said this was “effectively closing our Southern Border.” He called it a “very productive conversation!”. Trump says Mexican president has ‘agreed to stop migration’ The Mexican president confirmed that she spoke with Trump, calling it an “excellent conversation”. I told him the caravans are not reaching the…

Electric car targets under review as backlash grows There is a growing row between the government and the car industry over electric vehicle sales targets which companies say are too high for current consumer demand. The government has said it will launch a consultation on the targets but said it will stick to a deadline to phase-out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. The move comes after Stellantis, the owner of Vauxhall,…

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon makes much of the news today bringing an end to a year of fighting. The deal, brokered by France and the US, came into effect at 04:00 local time on Wednesday. Thousands of Lebanese civilians have started returning to their homes in the south, but Israel warns it is not yet safe to return to certain areas.

Britain is set to be battered by another storm – Storm Conall, which will bring heavy rain to south-east England and endanger areas already dealing with flooding from Storm Bert. As of Wednesday morning, there were 99 flood warnings in England, including a severe “danger to life” notice for the River Nene in Northamptonshire, as well as four in Wales.

The upcoming assisted dying bill vote makes the UK news – in print and online – as MPs prepare for Friday’s vote. MPs will get their first chance to debate and vote on Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in principle on Friday. Leadbeater said she expected the vote to be “very close”.

Manchester City’s 3-3 draw finds plenty of space in the UK media. It’s now the sixth game without a win – and more concerningly, City led by 3-0 into the second half.

Locally heavy rain will clear slowly eastwards across central and southern England and Wales, with skies brightening in the west. Gales possible in the southeast. Fog and frost clearing elsewhere to give a day of sunny spells and isolated showers. Tonight: A few showers affecting North Sea coasts of both England and Scotland. Dry elsewhere with clear periods and gentle winds, leading to a widespread frost with some freezing fog patches.

What’s on the front page of The Irish News?  The front page of The Irish News this morning – 27/11/2024 – reports the new maternity hospital in Belfast, initially meant to celebrate the ninth birthday of the first babies born there, remains unopened due to ongoing delays. Spiralling costs, the discovery of bacteria in the water system, and issues with gas pipework have plagued the project. A nearby planned children’s hospital also faces delays, with…

A grave in Co Monaghan has been exhumed by experts searching for Disappeared victim of the Northern Ireland Troubles Joe Lynskey. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) said a formal process would be undertaken to establish the identity of all the remains found in the grave in the village of Annyalla. Mr Lynskey, a former monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the…

What’s on the front page of the Western Mail?The front page of the Western Mail this morning – 27/11/2024 – reports the First Minister of Wales has said that the flood defences saved thousands of homes during Storm Bert. Although around 150 homes were affected, significant investments in defences since 2020, including £300 million in critical projects, have minimised the impact. However, calls for more funding from Westminster have been made, with challenges in securing…

DWP benefits news December 2024 Across the UK, millions continue to struggle as the rampant inflation of the past few years has left essentials costing more than ever before. Household bills, groceries, mortgages and rents have all hit record highs, as the country navigates the ongoing cost of living crisis. Inflation saw an unwelcome spike to 2.3 per cent in October, marking the steepest rise in two years. Experts had predicted a smaller increase from…

What’s on the front page of The National? The front page of The National this morning – 27/11/2024 – reports Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, has denied accusations of political manoeuvring after reversing his position on Winter Fuel Payments following poor polling results.Kate Forbes is set to become Scotland’s “investment champion,” promoting economic opportunities and investments in the country.Israel has reached a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah brokered by France and the US after a…

What’s on the front page of the Metro? The front page of the Metro this morning 27/11/2024 leads with the teacher from the Taylor Swift-themed dance class in which three little girls were stabbed to death. The 28-year-old was injured in the attack as she attempted to protect the girls. She was speaking at a vigil for women and girls who have lost their lives due to male violence. The top of the paper continues its coverage of…

What’s on the front page of The Guardian? The front page of The Guardian this morning 27/11/2024 – reports on the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon after almost a year of fighting. The front page calls it historic. The paper shows an image of smoke above Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday after an Israeli air strike which it calls “some of the heaviest to date on the city.” Elsewhere, comments from car production company Vauxhall also make…

What’s on the front page of The Independent? The front page of The Independent this morning – 27/11/2024 – leads with the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by France and the US. The paper says the truce will come into force from 4 am local time after pressure from the US president. The front splash has an image of the heavy Israeli bombing of Beirut yesterday and UN warnings of a humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister Keir…

The government’s net zero electric car plan features on several front pages this morning after backlash from the car industry. The papers highlight comments from car company Vauxhall which says rules designed to boost EV uptake in the UK have played a role in its decision to close its van factory in Luton.

Other domestic political topics feature on Wednesday’s front pages including Labour’s plans to help people get back to work and free school meals for primary school children.

On the international front, a ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hezbollah has started after more than a year at war.

Newport Wafer Fab: £51m invested in Newport’s semiconductor The investment has been supported by £5m of Welsh Government funding and is the latest in a long list of good news for the South Wales compound semiconductor cluster – which continues to attract international interest and recognition. Roy Shoshani, Chief Technology Officer of Vishay said: “We welcome this investment from the Welsh Government, which recognises the strategic advantage of investing in semiconductor technology. We’re excited about…

Trump’s return raises questions over future of CIA’s Russian recruitment drive Intelligence agency has been trying to entice Russians disaffected by invasion of Ukraine but president-elect is likely to want to make an ally of KremlinFor the past three years, the CIA has run an unusually bold outreach programme. It targeted Russians within the country’s government and security services, attempting to turn them into double agents.Slickly produced recruitment videos portrayed cooperation with the US secret…

Bad phone signal hinders our ticket sales, says Fringe chief She warned without greater investment and policy changes to improve the affordability of accommodation and make it less burdensome for venues to host shows, acts would continue to be discouraged from taking part in the festival. And she said its most vital elements such as street performances, which the Society manages, would be “at risk”. Wide-ranging interview In a wide-ranging interview with The Herald McCarthy,…