US authorities have confirmed that Israel has launched an offensive against Iran, further escalating the already tense situation in the Middle East. This follows Iran’s announcement of successfully thwarting three Israeli drone attacks early on Friday. A US official, however, clarified that the strike was not endorsed by the White House.
In other news, the likelihood of renewed investigations into the Stardust tragedy has been amplified in light of the recent inquests affirming that the 48 fatalities in the 1981 Artane fire were victims of illegal killings. Concurrently, primary school enrollment rates are set to decrease by nearly 20%, equating to around 100,000 pupils, in the upcoming ten years, which could lead to smaller class sizes.
Prominent American comic, Conan O’Brien, has found Ireland to be an intriguing experience. Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee Chair suggests that the count of international protection applicants in Ireland may exceed 20,000 this year, going by the trend observed in Q1.
On the global front, the US has vetoed the Palestinian bid to attain full UN membership, thereby stymieing the global acceptance of a Palestinian state.
Recently, Bank of Ireland’s decision to peg the cost of fixed-rate mortgages to the property’s BER is being viewed as yet another sign of the mortgage market’s green transition, potentially leading to higher repayments for older house buyers.
We should intensify our efforts to make returning Irish emigrants feel more at home. Nowadays, the ratio of Irish-born individuals living overseas is at its lowest in nearly 200 years, an indicator of the strength of Ireland’s economy over the previous half century.
In sports news, there is a golden opportunity waiting for Liam Turner to prove his abilities for Leinster during their South African expedition. This opportunity, coming amidst the quarter and semi-finals of the Champions Cup, is due to the key players staying at UCD while Leo Cullen explores the depth of his team.
In matters of fashion and lifestyle, JW Anderson, an Irish designer based in London, has the honour of being included in Time magazine’s list of most influential personalities for the year 2024.
If you’re a podcast listener, “In the News Podcast: Stardust survivors speak after a long-awaited vindication” is a highlight in recent discussions.
Why wouldn’t you give one of our crosswords and puzzles a go?