Author: LEN Editor

Maybe Happy Ending, a rom-com about a pair of androids falling in love, took home the Tony Award for best new musical on Sunday. Its star, Darren Criss, had won the leading actor in a musical award just minutes before. He also hosted the Tonys pre-show. The best new play trophy at Sunday’s Tony Awards went to Purpose, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ drawing-room drama about an accomplished black family exposing hypocrisy and pressures during a snowed-in gathering. It caps a remarkable year for Jacobs-Jenkins, who in addition to winning back-to-back Tonys — his Appropriate won best play revival in 2024 — earned…

Seven former members of the Defence Forces who have returned from fighting in Ukraine are receiving counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the “horrors” they witnessed. The charity One (Organisation for National Ex-Service Personnel) has confirmed it is providing support services to these veterans, who experienced “appalling stuff” while battling Russian forces on and near the Ukrainian frontlines. The seven men range in age from their mid-20s to late 40s. The charity stated it is aware of additional veterans who have returned from Ukraine but have not yet sought assistance. One is also aware that other former Defence…

A national screening programme to help babies with hip dysplasia avoid surgery remains unimplemented, eight years after its recommendation. The HSE disbanded the steering group that made the recommendations this year, without implementing any of them. Up to 100 children per year require invasive hip surgery due to late diagnosis, according to estimates. In 2017, a steering group advocated for a national screening programme to prevent unnecessary surgeries. Hiqa, the health watchdog, expressed concern last year about the lack of action on this recommendation. The watchdog stated: “Current practice is, therefore, not supported by the governance, end-to-end care, quality assurance,…

Alcohol consumption in Ireland experienced a significant decline last year, falling by 4.5%, according to a report by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI). DIGI is advocating for reductions in excise duties as a result.The industry group argues that the data demonstrates Irish alcohol consumption is now comparable to the European average, yet excise rates remain the second highest on the continent.Economist Anthony Foley’s report indicates that the average Irish adult consumed 9.5 liters of pure alcohol last year, a decrease from 9.9 liters in 2023. All four major alcohol categories – beer, spirits, wine, and cider – saw…

Anna McGuinness, a promising young jockey claiming 7lb, secured her second victory while sporting the celebrated colours of JP McManus. News Source : Irish Examiner

Alvaro Morata’s penalty miss ultimately proved decisive in the penalty shootout. News Source : Irish Examiner

After winning the toss on Saturday evening and electing to play with the breeze, which enabled Patrick Collins to pump his puckouts down on top of Brian Hayes, there were stages in the first half when Collins looked like he was hitting the ball up against a brick wall constructed by Kyle Hayes. Hayes won four Cork puckouts in the first quarter. He looked like he was going to dominate the match on his own. Hayes’ direct opponent Shane Barrett had to wait until the 15th minute for his first possession but Barrett gradually began to get a foothold in…

The Spanish player mounted an impressive comeback, overcoming a two-set deficit to ultimately secure victory in a decisive super tie-break. News Source : Irish Examiner

Israeli fire reportedly killed at least 12 people and injured others as they approached aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip. These points are operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization backed by Israel and the US, according to Palestinian health officials and witnesses on Sunday. The Israeli military stated that warning shots were fired at individuals who approached their forces. Recent weeks have seen repeated shootings near these new aid hubs, destinations for thousands of Palestinians desperate for food after 20 months of conflict. According to Gaza hospital officials, witnesses claim Israeli troops have opened fire in…

Two Donegal priests celebrated their Golden Jubilee on the same weekend. Fr. Francis McLoone from Killymard parish, near Donegal Town, and Fr. Kieran McAteer of Ballybofey, both commemorated 50 years of priesthood with special events in their respective parishes. For the past two decades, Fr. McLoone has served as the parish priest of Killymard. Prior to that, he was an administrator at St. Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny. Fr. McAteer also has strong connections to St. Eunan’s, having served as an administrator and curate there. Additionally, he spent several years as a missionary in Peru, contributing to his priesthood’s global outreach.…