Zen, a Shar Pei puppy is carried by her owner on a chilly day in Bucharest (Photo: AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
HERE ARE THE things we learned, loved and shared today.
THINGS WE LEARNED
#DONE DEAL: It’s official: there’s a bank debt deal. Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed that the promissory note payments have been scrapped and replaced with new long-term Government bonds – the first of which will be paid in 2038. Here’s what happened:
- Here’s Enda Kenny’s speech to the Dáil in full announcing the arrangement.
- The deficit will be reduced by about €1 billion per annum, with the final payment on the bonds due in 2053.
- Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin held a press conference – and Noonan explained why Ireland never asked for a debt write down.
- Confused about what exactly happened last night and why IBRC had to be liquidated? Here’s an explainer on what it was all about.
- Meanwhile a union representing IBRC employees has called on Michael Noonan to guarantee the jobs of the 800 or so workers.
#TROIKA: The Troika is happy with how Ireland is getting on with the bailout programme, but warned that unemployment remains “stubbornly high”. Here’s what they had to say in the ninth review of Ireland’s progress.
#INDUSTRIAL ACTION: Firefighters who are members of SIPTU are to ballot for industrial action in response to proposed cuts to fire services.
#APPEAL: Gardaí have appealed for help in identifying the body of a man taken from the River Corrib in Galway.
#FARM DEATH: The death of a teenage boy on a family farm near Skibbereen in Cork is being investigated by the Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority.
THINGS WE LOVED
Brrr. Shirtless South Korean Marines and their US counterparts run on a snow covered field during joint military winter exercises in Pyeongchang, east of Seoul, today.
- The first camera phone picture was taken in 1997 and – in a foreshadowing of what was to come – was of the photographer’s daughter. That, and other facts, are contained in this visual history of the photograph.
- Do you know who your TDs are? If so, well done for being politically engaged. If you’re not sure however, put your street name into this website (usefully called WhoIsMyTD.Com) and find out. And then hassle them about all of your issues.
- Ireland’s Eurovision entry is going to be one of these five songs. You’re welcome.
THINGS WE SHARED
- Slate’s succinct piece on how to stay private on Facebook in one easy step.
- Filmmaker Matthew Johnston is leaving Dublin after living in the city for five years. He made this poignant video of all the things that he is going to miss when he goes.
- It is the 100th birthday of Grand Central Station in New York City. A group of actors decided to celebrate by staging a surprise light show in the giant windows of the station using just flashlights and camera flashes. Here’s how it went down:
(Video: ImprovEverywhere/YouTube)
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