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The Standards Commission (Sipo) in Ireland has strongly opposed government plans to give it more power in enforcing lobbying rules, arguing that the proposed changes are "completely unworkable" and pose a "high litigation risk." Sipo expressed these concerns in correspondence with the Department of Public Expenditure regarding legislation that would make Sipo responsible for handling cases where former government ministers, advisors, or public servants violate "cooling-off" periods before becoming paid lobbyists. Currently, such violations are dealt with through the court system. Sipo argued that it lacks the resources to handle this additional workload and that the proposed changes would likely lead to increased appeals, further straining its capacity. They warned that this could result in errors and damage Sipo's reputation. The Department of Public Expenditure, however, rejected Sipo's concerns, stating that treating these violations as criminal matters could discourage people […]

A serious collision between a car and a Bus Éireann Expressway bus has occurred in County Donegal, Ireland, leaving several people injured. The incident took place shortly after 9:30 am on a road between Manorcunningham and Newtowncunningham, near Magherabeg National School. Emergency services, including Gardaí (Irish police), ambulances, and the fire service, rushed to the scene. Eyewitnesses reported that the bus veered off the road and crashed through a hedge into a field following the impact with the car. The bus was carrying 13 passengers at the time of the crash. While the exact number and severity of injuries remain unknown, it has been confirmed that several people were hurt in the collision. Authorities have closed the road and put diversions in place as they investigate the cause of the crash and clear the scene. This incident has caused significant […]

In a disturbing case that highlights the inadequacy of legal protections for vulnerable workers, a Sydney cleaning company owner has been sentenced to a mere two years and nine months in prison for raping an 18-year-old employee on her very first day on the job. The perpetrator, whose identity remains protected due to legal reasons, lured the young woman into an "office party" where he plied her with alcohol before sexually assaulting her in his office. The court heard how the man repeatedly encouraged the teenager to drink, despite her stating that she had only eaten an apple that day and rarely consumed alcohol. After witnessing the victim vomit from excessive alcohol consumption, the man led her into his office, removed her clothes, and raped her. During the assault, the victim's older sister called multiple times, but the perpetrator ignored […]

Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect charged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, hails from a prominent and affluent family in Maryland. His grandfather, Nicholas Mangione, was a self-made multi-millionaire real estate developer who owned a vast portfolio of properties, including the luxurious Turf Valley Resort and Hayfields Country Club. The younger Mangione, a tech whiz and Ivy League graduate, is accused of gunning down Thompson in a brazen attack outside a Hilton hotel in New York City on December 4th. Chilling surveillance footage shows Mangione approaching Thompson on the sidewalk, pulling out a handgun equipped with a silencer, and firing multiple shots at the CEO's back before fleeing on an e-bike. Thompson was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to his wounds. After a week-long manhunt, Mangione was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, thanks to a McDonald's […]

Tragedy struck Bali's renowned Monkey Forest in Ubud on Tuesday when a massive tree suddenly collapsed, killing two tourists and injuring another. The incident occurred around midday local time as visitors were enjoying the popular sanctuary known for its playful macaque monkeys. CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment the tree came crashing down, sending terrified tourists scrambling for safety. Families with young children in strollers were among those desperately fleeing the falling debris. The once bustling pathway, filled with tourists moments before, was instantly buried under the massive tree. Two foreign nationals, one from France and the other from South Korea, were tragically killed by the falling tree. Another South Korean tourist sustained injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to local authorities, the tree collapse was caused by strong winds and heavy rain. The loud […]