Daniel McDonnell: Irish defiance is destroyed by familiar errors and ‘six minutes of madness’

Kinga Howard on Unsplash discusses the frequency of nighttime awakenings, known as nocturia, and the normal range of waking up to urinate based on age. As we age, our circadian rhythms change, leading to earlier bedtimes and waking up in the early morning hours. For adults over 65, waking up two or three times a night is considered normal, but if sleep disruptions are affecting daily life or causing fatigue, it's advised to see a...

Scotland's best and worst areas for pest infestations have been revealed, with Glasgow experiencing a doubling of reports, making it the worst in the country. Factors such as reduced bin collection frequency, cuts to cleaning teams, and substandard housing have contributed to the surge in rodents, cockroaches, and bedbugs. Glasgow City Council has seen a rise in pest reports, with a particular focus on rats causing injuries to residents. Full Article

President-elect Donald Trump appeared remotely for a sentencing hearing in front of New York State Judge Juan Merchan in a criminal case involving hush money paid to a porn star. Despite being convicted in 2024, Trump made history by taking the oath of office as the first presidential convicted felon, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath following a Supreme Court ruling granting immunity from prosecution for actions taken in office. This immunity also...

Vasyl Fedoryn, a dog breeder in Co Cork, pleaded guilty to nine animal welfare offences after dogs and pups were found in deplorable conditions, resulting in some having to be euthanised. Inspector Caroline Faherty described the dogs as being kept in dark sheds without light or bedding, leading to malnourishment and feral behavior. Despite Fedoryn's lack of previous convictions, the judge warned that he may still face jail time due to the severity of the...

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, among other tech leaders, attended Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, seated on the platform in the US Capitol Rotunda. The presence of these billionaire CEOs, who donated to Trump's inaugural committee, raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the concentration of power among the ultra-wealthy in the new administration, as highlighted by outgoing President Joe Biden. The governors who attended were relegated to...

As Donald Trump prepares for a return to the world stage, all eyes are on Washington DC and the President's family and close allies. Ines Knauss, the elusive 53-year-old sister of Melania Trump, has not been photographed in 20 years but has been a rock for Melania and her son Barron during Trump's political rise. Described as quiet and under-the-radar, Ines has been praised for her artistic talents and close bond with Melania, despite her...