Iceland is close to becoming the first country where no-one gives birth to a child with Down’s syndrome. Prenatal tests were introduced in the early 2000s, and the vast majority who receive a positive test have terminated their pregnancy. While…
The number of homeless people in Ireland could reach 10,000 by the middle of next year if the current rate continues, the Simon Community has warned. Spokeswoman for the homeless charity, Niamh Randall, said the homeless crisis “has been ongoing…
Around 3,000 firefighters are battling more than 60 wildfires raging across Portugal. The fires have broken out amid temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius in parts of the country. Firefighters, supported by soldiers and other officials, have been deployed in areas…
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck a remote, mountainous part of China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, killing 19 people, including six tourists, and injuring 247, the provincial government and official media said on Wednesday. The quake hit a sparsely populated area…
A French farmer who helped dozens of migrants to enter France illegally has been given a four-month suspended jail sentence after prosecutors argued that an earlier suspended fine was too lenient. Cédric Herrou was sentenced by an appeal court in…
The Department of Justice said 440 refugees have been cleared to travel from Greece to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, bringing the total number to 900. The Government pledged to take in a total of 4,000 refugees. However,…
The National Transport Authority has opened a survey asking members of the public on the possible regulation of rickshaw after safety concerns were raised. The state body has launched an online survey asking about the operation of rickshaws in Ireland,…
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald officially opened the €85 million extension of global eye health company, Bausch and Lomb, in Waterford on Monday morning. The company has announced, it will hire a further 125 people at its Waterford…
At least 54 people were reported to be injured in a train crash in Barcelona after a commuter train crashed into the platform during the morning rush hour on Friday. One person was seriously injured, 19 were injured « less seriously »…
A €2m radio telescope, I-LOFAR, at Birr Castle in Co Offaly will be officially switched on today by Minister of State for Research John Halligan. The I-LOFAR is part of a €150 million euro network across Europe and will be used…