EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know with your morning cup of coffee.
1. #COLORADO: As US President Barack Obama prepares to visit the site of Friday’s movie massacre in Aurora, the 12 victims of the tragedy have been named. The youngest person to die was six-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan. Meanwhile, police have disarmed suspect James Holmes’ booby-trapped apartment after spending hours on Saturday removing highly-dangerous materials, including chemicals and rigged explosives. Authorities have also dismissed reports that there was a second person involved in the shootings.
2. #QUINNS: Peter Darragh Quinn, the nephew of bankrupt businessman Seán Quinn, is still on the run. The 38-year-old continues to evade arrest and it is believed he has travelled to Northern Ireland or Britain, outside the jurisdiction of the issued arrest warrant. It is unlikely a European Arrest Warrant will be put in place as the contempt of court charges are a civil matter – not a criminal one.
3. #HEALTHCARE: The Sunday Independent has seen a confidential report which describes the Health Service Executive as an organisation blighted by “inertia”, with “unrealistic” plans for cost cuts that could put lives at risk. The group of experts also found that just 10 per cent of financial management staff have formal qualifications.
4. #ONE YEAR ON: Norway remembers the 77 victims of the Utoya and Oslo massacres today, the one year anniversary of the horrific events that shocked the nation on 22 July 2011. BBC News reports that church services and a concert will be held across the country. Confessed killer Anders Behring Breivik faces sentencing next month.
5. #BEIJING: Ten people have died in Beijing as the worst rain in more than six decades pounded China’s capital. Over 30,000 people were evacuated from their homes as the deluges interrupted road, rail and air travel and cut off Internet and mobile phone access.
6. #CHILD BENEFIT: Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has told the Sunday Times that she plans to tax the child benefit payments of parents earning more than €100,000. She said the matter has been discussed by an advisory group and Revenue.
7. #MURDOCH: Rupert Murdoch has resigned as a director of News International, the British arm of his media giant, fuelling rumours that he wants to sell off his UK newspapers. However, the Guardian reports that he said he remains “committed” to his role as chairman.
8. #TRAGIC: The stepson of singer Usher, Kile Glover, has died from severe injuries received in a boating accident two weeks ago. The 11-year-old lost his battle on Saturday morning when he was taken off life support machine reports E! Online.
9. #DAY OF SPORT: The Olympic Games don’t start until Friday but there is a major day of sport lined up on this summer Sunday. In GAA, Down take on Donegal in the Ulster Football Championship final, while Croke Park plays host to old rivals Dublin and Meath in the Leinster Football Championship showdown. On the other side of the Irish Sea, Ireland still has an interest at The Open with Graeme McDowell sitting just four shots off the leader Adam Scott going into the final round. And that’s not all…the Tour de France comes to a close today with a win all-but-sealed for British cyclist Bradley Wiggins. Sports fans, good luck getting off that couch.
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