Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Image: PA Wire/PA Images) The UK Government is “not minded to fund the North correctly”, Mary Lou McDonald claimed as she defended Sinn Fein’s record in the power-sharing Executive. Ms McDonald made the remarks as she seeks to lead Sinn Fein to victory in the Republic of Ireland’s General Election on Friday, and become the country’s Taoiseach. The Sinn Fein leader was responding to questioning on how the party could stand over pledges on housing delivery on the Republic of Ireland, given under supply in Northern Ireland . READ MORE: Simon Harris says ‘all to play for’ in Irish General Election despite Fine Gael polling slide READ MORE: Mary Lou McDonald tells students their best years will be in a united Ireland The housing portfolio north of the border is held by Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey. Ms McDonald said Ms Hargey had set out a “hugely ambitious, transformational plan”. However, she added: “The Tories, sadly, who unfortunately hold the purse strings, and now the successor government, under (Sir) Keir Starmer, are not minded to fund the North correctly. That’s at the root of the problem.” Ms McDonald said the picture of the public service in Northern Ireland is generally “not good”, adding that to compare the two jurisdictions is like comparing apples and oranges. Speaking on RTE’s Six One News, she added: “North of the border, there is not the capacity to raise or vary taxes. You are looking at an entirely different scenario and I regret that deeply. I’m a united Irelander, but sadly, at this point in time, our country is partitioned.” Ms McDonald said First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other Sinn Fein members of the Executive “aim high” when making demands from the UK Government, adding that they are “constantly putting pressure on the Treasury”. She said: “It’s a matter of great frustration to me as a Republican and a united Irelander, that on the one hand the British government, the system, insists that it remain and hold jurisdiction in the North, and yet it won’t fund the place correctly.” Ms McDonald said Sinn Fein has “delivered in spades in very challenging circumstances” in the multi-party power-sharing arrangement. She argued that this showed Sinn Fein’s ability to “hold things together”. Asked about complaints that Northern Ireland’s health service is not provided adequate funding by the Sinn Fein Finance Minister, Ms McDonald said Caoimhe Archibald can not do a “loaves and fishes job”. She added: “She’s a brilliant, brilliant woman and a brilliant minister but she does not have the power of miracles, unfortunately.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow BelfastLive Facebook Twitter Comment More On Conservative Party Sinn Fein Republic of Ireland Politics Stormont Michelle O'Neilllooks set to give Leyla Harding a tear-jerking send-off after dropping hints about her tragic fate. Leyla, played by the brilliant Roxy Shahidi since 2008, has been at the heart of it all - from drug scandals to illicit love and even surviving being shot by psycho Meena Jutla. In October, it was reported that Leyla was leaving the soap in an epic plot twist that's sure to have fans reeling. The actress, who's been smashing it with stints in Dancing on Ice and Drama Queens on , is reportedly ready for fresh challenges after growing up on set. A source told to The Sun: "Roxy has adored her time on the soap and has made so many happy memories since first joining when she was just 17. "The cast have become like family to her, and she has grown so much as an actress. But now, she feels it's the perfect time to spread her wings and try something new." And now, enthusiasts reckon the show's given a mammoth hint about how Leyla'll bow out, and it's not looking good. Things are intense over in the Dales, with Leyla recently getting stuck into Brenda Walker's (Lesley Dunlop) wedding bash plans, marrying Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell), reports . Last week's episode saw Brenda pushing for fireworks at the wedding, only to be dissuaded by Leyla, while Noah Dingle also made an appearance to sort out an electrical issue for Eric. Now, fans are speculating that these mentions of sparks and flames could be foreshadowing Leyla's dramatic exit from the village. Taking to social media, one viewer wondered: "With all the talk of electricity, fire and fireworks, I wonder if it's a hint, to do with Leyla's exit? " Another fan agreed, saying: "I've been thinking this too, so sad she's leaving! " A third worried: "Oh god I hope not [sick face emoji] but perhaps it will be a big stunt or something."
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Michail Antonio spoke to his West Ham team-mates via a video call from his hospital bed before they beat Wolves 2-1 on Monday night. Jarrod Bowen held Antonio’s number nine shirt aloft after scoring the winner in support of the Hammers striker, who is recovering after a horror car crash on Saturday. Boss Julen Lopetegui said: “He is not in his best moment but he kept his humour. It was a special moment for us. “I think we have a lot of reason to win matches but this was one reason more. He’s alive so we are happy.” MA9 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fXwtdSQWYE — West Ham United (@WestHam) December 9, 2024 West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9′ shirts while warming up and walking out before kick-off. The shirts will be signed by the players, including Antonio, and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK. Tomas Soucek headed West Ham into the lead and held up nine fingers to a TV camera. The Czech midfielder told Sky Sports: “He’s been here since I came here. He is really my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him. "He was here since I came and he's really my favourite" Tomáš Souček on dedicating his goal to Michail Antonio ❤️ pic.twitter.com/smNy26wmuX — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024 “I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us.” Matt Doherty equalised for Wolves, and boss Gary O’Neil felt they should have had two penalties for fouls on Goncalo Guedes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, both of which were checked by VAR. But Bowen’s winner – O’Neil believed there was a foul in the build-up – condemned Wolves to a 10th defeat of the season and a third in a row. While under-pressure Lopetegui may have earned a stay of execution, O’Neil’s future as Wolves manager is now in serious doubt. “A lot of things went against us but ultimately we have not found a way to turn the game in our favour,” he said. “But the players showed they are still fighting for me, for the fans and the group. “Where does this leave me? In the same place I was. I’m aware of the noise. But if anyone expected this to be easy – I’m happy to be judged on results but it should be done in context. “Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it.” There was an acrimonious end to the match as captains Bowen and Mario Lemina scuffled after the final whistle, with the Wolves midfielder angrily shoving people including one of his own coaches, Shaun Derry. “I just went to shake his hand after the game,” Bowen said. “He didn’t want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say ‘well done’ after the game. “I know it’s difficult when you lose. I’ve been on the end of that situation.” O’Neil added: “Mario is calm now. He’s a passionate guy and something was said that upset him. “The instinct of the staff was to make sure he didn’t get into trouble, but he took some calming down.”
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From launching a war on disinformation to being a trailblazer for equal cancer treatment options and giving new freedom to those living with a disability, Australia has said "thanks" to this year's most remarkable mature citizens. or signup to continue reading Standing tall among state winners of the in November, were their Senior counterparts including celebrity scientist , former AFL health physician Dr Peter Brukner and women's cancer specialist Associate Professor Penelope Blomfield. The latter spoke with ACM's following her Tasmanian award and admitted she wasn't very good at retirement. The 65-year-old has dedicated her life to improving the quality and longevity of life for women affected by gynaecological cancers and has remained a beacon of the advancement of medical research. "I made sure that whether a woman was in the public system or in the private system, they got prompt access and best care irrespective of what system they were in," she said. Read more about . Inspired by the efforts of a disadvantaged friend, Peter and Marilyn Ralston and vision impaired and founded Canberra's first chapter of the Achilles Running Club. Together, they have helped pair volunteer guides with people with disability so they can enjoy the health benefits of running and walking. Read more about the . Michael Foley, 84, has dedicated most of his life to giving back by donating his time to better other peoples , community and helping seniors in his community. He was named NT's Senior Australian of the Year, as a "proud example of the value seniors bring to our society",said Mark Fraser, National Australia Day Council CEO. Read more about . Charles Jackson OAM has used his multiple languages, skills and educational opportunities to bridge cultural divides and improve the lives of others and has been honoured with the SA Senior Australian of the Year award. Among the roles he's held are a services coordinator, cultural awareness teacher, marriage celebrant and NDIS officer. He was the first in Australia to become a JP in 1978. He is a knowledge holder for Flinders Ranges Nation and is working towards getting Wilpena Pound on the World Heritage List. Mr Jackson's new business, Urndu, helps the Aboriginal community through offering culturally appropriate training and giving support and resources for people with disabilities or age-related impairments. "The way that we live, the way that we walk, the way that we talk and, and how we communicate... that's where respect comes from," he said. Popular scientist, author and media personality Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been named NSW Senior Australian of the Year for his ongoing efforts to educate the public about science. "At the moment I have five full time jobs and I'm about to start a sixth," he said. He works for the University of Sydney and the ABC, is a highly sought after corporate and public speaker, has a new TV show in development and is currently working on another book. As for that soon to be added sixth job, it could be an absolute game changer. Trying to counteract the spread of disinformation has long been a key goal for Dr Karl. It was a baby's death from whooping cough due to vaccine disinformation that convinced him to walk away from a job in paediatric medicine to pursue a career in the media as a science educator. Fed up with constantly seeing disinformation shared on his social media feeds, he is putting together a team to develop an AI chatbot in a bid to change minds. Dr Karl will work with AI experts and psychologists to develop the technology. Read more about . Out of a factory workshop in Perth, more than 61,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in 81 developing countries and remote Australian First Nation communities thanks to Christian Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett. The 84-year-old co-founded along with the Rotary Club of Scarborough in 1996 and is this year's WA Senior Australian of the Year. "The wheelchairs mean the little kids can get off the ground, go to the village school to get an education and they can grow up and get a job and then contribute to their communities," said Olly. Read more about . Once on the verge of "obese", Peter Brukner wants to use his newfound accolade - VIC Senior Australian of the Year - to tell everyone to eat better. As a sports medicine physician for AFL clubs and team manager of the Sydney Olympics, somehow the kilos slowly crept on due to following (like many Australians, he said) the wrong nutrition advice. "We've been told for 30 or 40 years now to stop eating fat and I think that was probably the wrong emphasis," Dr Brukner said. "Ever since we've started doing that, we've just got fatter and sicker... Now, people are increasingly understanding that it wasn't necessarily fat that was a problem, [it] was more sugar and processed foods." Read more about . has spent most of her adulthood working to improve the lives and experiences of others especially families in crisis and those who face homelessness. Last year, at the age of 90 the long-time social worker proved learning is for life when she received her PhD after completing her thesis on the generational impacts of homelessness. This year at 91, she has been named the Australian Senior of the Year for Queensland. Dr Herbert stopped working in social work at 81 - a time when most people are well into retirement, so she could concentrate on writing her thesis. At her PhD graduation from the University of Queensland' s she was an inspiration for all the other graduates. Read more about The state and territory award recipients will join together for the national awards to be presented in Canberra on the eve of Australia Day, January 25, 2025. ACM, publisher of this masthead, is official media partner of the . DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
Kids are getting ruder, teachers say. And new research backs that upWyden legislation would mandate FCC cybersecurity rules for telecomsRuben Amorim was NOT anywhere near Man United's first choice and his team looks lost: IAN LADYMAN on how the new manager has talked the talk... but still has a team looking very bad
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NoneALTOONA, Pa. — After UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was gunned down on a New York sidewalk, police searched for the masked gunman with dogs, drones and scuba divers. Officers used the city's muscular surveillance system. Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door-to-door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later, those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian's instincts. A Pennsylvania McDonald's customer noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos that New York police had publicized. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, was arrested Monday in the killing of Brian Thompson, who headed one of the United States’ largest medical insurance companies. He remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. He's expected to be extradited to New York eventually. It’s unclear whether Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday's arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.” Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after the McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Police in Altoona, about 233 miles (375 kilometers) west of New York City, were soon summoned. They arrived to find Mangione sitting at a table in the back of the restaurant, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers' request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said at a news conference in Hollidaysburg. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a Manhattan news conference that Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America." A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Pennsylvania prosecutor Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was found with a passport and $10,000 in cash — $2,000 of it in foreign currency. Mangione disputed the amount. Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a midtown Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson’s body. The words mimic a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry. From surveillance video, New York investigators gathered that the shooter fled by bike into Central Park, emerged, then took a taxi to a northern Manhattan bus terminal. Once in Pennsylvania, he went from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, “trying to stay low-profile” by avoiding cameras, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Mangione was valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, where his 2016 graduation speech lauded his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things.” He went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Luigi Nicholas Mangione worked for a time for the car-buying website TrueCar and left in 2023, CEO Jantoon Reigersman said by email. From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of Honolulu tourist mecca Waikiki. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back," Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. Although the gunman obscured his face during the shooting, he left a trail of evidence in New York, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza, a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper. In the days after the shooting, the NYPD collected hundreds of hours of surveillance video and released multiple clips and still images in hopes of enlisting the public’s eyes to help find a suspect. “This combination of old-school detective work and new-age technology is what led to this result today,” Tisch said at the New York news conference. ___
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