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PARIS: Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen set the fastest time in qualifying for the men’s 1500 metres freestyle on Saturday, and then set his sights on a world record and a second Paris gold. Wiffen became the first Irishman to win a gold medal in swimming with his victory in the 800m freestyle on Tuesday and his time of 14:40.34 was 2.22 quicker than Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri. “I’m not gonna lie. I felt like I was carrying a bit of fatigue. I haven’t really slept properly since the 800,” said Wiffen. “(At) The start I was a bit uncomfortable and then I…

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PARIS – Daniel Wiffen is not used to the fame that comes with becoming an Olympic champion after he became the first Irishman to win a gold in the pool but the 23-year-old is not one to shy away from posing for selfies in the athletes’ village in Paris. Wiffen set an Olympic record to claim the 800 metres freestyle on Tuesday and he is well set for a double at La Defense Arena after he topped the 1,500m freestyle heats on Saturday. The unassuming but confident Irishman said it would “mean everything” if he came away with two golds,…

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meetings in Qatar, Lebanon and Israel this week aimed to drive de-escalation Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary pushed calls for peace and stability on a visit to the Middle East the joint visit demonstrates UK’s commitment to keeping the UK safe at home and secure abroad Defence Secretary John Healey visited Israel today to push for an immediate ceasefire and drive de-escalation in the Middle East, following joint Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary visits to the region this week. The meeting in Tel Aviv with Israeli Defence Minister Gallant follows a call that John Healey had with the Palestinian Authority…

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Andrea De Domenico was speaking from Jerusalem in his final briefing to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York as the Israeli authorities have not renewed his visa. Reflecting on his time in the region, Mr. De Domenico recalled that the UN Secretary-General had previously said that Gaza was becoming a graveyard for children and “unfortunately he was right, and this is what Gaza became.” He said the international community “has to answer the question of how much human suffering can be tolerated in the name of security”. ‘Systematic dehumanisation of civilians’ Mr. De Domenico said that over the past…

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The government has accepted advice from the JCVI for an autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme this year. Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said:  We are committed to protecting those most vulnerable from COVID and have accepted the independent advice from the JCVI for the autumn 2024 vaccination programme.  We will also continue to offer COVID vaccination to frontline NHS and social care workers and those working in care homes for older people this autumn. I encourage anyone invited for a vaccine to get one as soon as possible to protect yourself and reduce pressure on the NHS during winter, helping…

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Permits have been issued to 89 vessels to recreationally target BFT using rod and line, on a catch and release basis, following a resurgence of the species in England’s waters. Legislation came into force in June 2024 enabling UK fisheries administrations to launch permitting regimes for the recreational angling of BFT in their waters. The new English fishery will bring social and economic benefits to the recreational fishing sector and coastal communities. Vessel owners are legally required to report BFT fishing trips to the MMO and data from the fishery in England will be used to improve monitoring of BFT…

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Sports Mole previews Monday’s League of Ireland Premier clash between Shelbourne and Derry City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups. In a match which is set to have massive ramifications on the race for the league title, Shelbourne will host Derry City at Tolka Park on Monday night in the League of Ireland. The Shels come into this clash following a pair of European adventures, whereas the Candystripes are fresh from a handsome success on the domestic scene. Match preview © Imago Performing admirably in the 2023 edition of the League of Ireland Premier, Shelbourne secured a spot in…

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WHO’s Dr Gauden Galea said that the impacts are far-reaching including domestic violence, accidents and mental health issues. He called on countries to implement effective policies to reduce drinking. How much are Europeans drinking? The numbers tell a sobering story: men in the region drink nearly four times more than women and 470 million people drinkers according to latest data. Two out of every three adults drink, one in 10 has an alcohol use disorder and almost six per cent live with alcohol dependence. Yet only 12 out of 53 countries have made progress in reducing consumption by 10 per…

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The report on Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan, released on Tuesday, documented a staggering 2,168 grave violations against 1,913 children in 2022 and 2023 – a significant increase compared to the previous reporting period. The most prevalent violations included killing and maiming (1,525 cases), recruitment and use of children in combat (277 cases), and sexual violence (153 cases). In addition, 33 children were abducted, 118 schools and hospitals attacked, and there were 62 incidents of denial of humanitarian access to children in need. The situation worsened dramatically following the outbreak of hostilities between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the…

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Mr. Guterres spoke that morning with the country’s acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri. Concern for the region “During the conversation, the Secretary-General expressed his deep concern regarding the ongoing situation in the region,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during his daily briefing in New York “He reiterated his public message urging all parties to work towards de-escalation.” Fears of ‘dangerous escalation’ On Wednesday the Secretary-General warned that an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, the previous day that killed a senior Hezbollah commander, as well as the killing of a top Hamas leader in an attack in Iran’s capital, Tehran, “represent…

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