Greetings and welcome to the Student Centre email summary. This issue includes a wide range of topics. To begin, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has demanded Israel to cease its military undertakings in Rafah and to open borders for humanitarian aid. Justine McCarthy ponders whether Israel had anticipated a nation subjected to occupancy and violence to remain passive. The Seanad informed about protesters inciting fear over immigration, some of whom previously campaigned on Covid. Other topics touched upon include the exodus from 2FM, Joe Canning’s contemplations on the repercussions of another defeat for the Tipperary hurlers, a remarkable essay by a UL student on the intelligence of fungi awarded the 2024 Mary Mulvihill accolade, a review of Dublin food truck takeaway Sumi’s Kitchen, and an insight into Temu, a Chinese competitor to Amazon that offers lower prices.
The ICJ has commanded Israel to stop its military actions in Rafah and facilitate for humanitarian relief through border crossing.
Anti-immigration demonstrators known to incite fear, including previous campaigners during Covid, exist, as per the Seanad. An enactment three years prior, aimed at protecting political figures from protests at their residences by anti-vaccine campaigners amid the Covid outbreak, will be deliberated by the Oireachtas Justice Committee for dealing with anti-immigrant protests.
The repercussions of another defeat suffered by Tipperary are too dire to ponder, according to Joe Canning. Last Sunday, he made his way to Thurles for a drive around the town, to inhale the ambience. The sight of red jerseys was overwhelming, both in the town and at the beginning of the game.
A student from UL has won the 2024 Mary Mulvihill award for her outstanding essay on the ‘wood wide web’, a subterranean fungal network that sprawls underneath the forest floor. The essay delves into the intellect of fungi, presented through striking illustrations.
Finally, a thought-provoking question as to whether Israel anticipated a country, scarred by years of occupation and violence, to not retaliate. It was a breezy Wednesday, with the gentle wind causing the birch leaves to flutter since the morning, creating frothy waves in the sea. The national flag atop State buildings seemed to be blowing pridefully.
Why are so many high profile figures, including Doireann Garrihy, the 2 Johnnies, and Jennifer Zamparelli, stepping away from 2FM? It appears the station could soon be in darkness if the departures continue.
In Dublin 4, Sumi’s Kitchen, a food truck dealing in quality Indian street food, is attracting customers in droves. This venture started in September 2023 by Pankaj and Samruddhi Adurkar is based in the car park of Ryan’s pub in Beggar’s Bush.
Temu, a Chinese online market titan rivalling Amazon, can be found selling an assortment of goods from dirt-cheap trainers to Dyson imitation hair straighteners. It’s a platform where the bizarre and mind-boggling coexist, constantly promising bargain hunters the opportunity to “shop like a billionaire”.
Samir Chopra, a philosophical counsellor, suggests in his latest book that our concerns about the future and fixation on the past could be breeding anxiety in us. Or is the world influencing our anxiety levels?
Orla Feely, UCD’s president, has condemned the “entirely unacceptable” display of hate speech and violence following the pro-Palestine demonstration on campus. She expressed her strong displeasure regarding the issue in a letter addressed to students and staff.