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The Evening Fix... now with added terrible (and expensive) rooms for rent
Here are the things we learned, loved and shared today.
HERE ARE THE things we learned, loved and shared today as we round off the day in three easy steps.
THINGS WE LEARNED
#STRIKE: The union which represents almost half of the staff at Bus Éireann has called an all-out strike lasting indefinitely beginning on Sunday. Bus Éireann said that any strike action will be ‘illegal and unofficial’ as the company has not received seven days notice from the union, but the secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union said workers were ‘aware of the consequences’.
#FOUND: Ariel Castro has appeared in court charged with rape and kidnapping after three women missing for around ten years were found alive at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, earlier this week. The prosecutor said the women were beaten repeatedly and sexually assaulted, and that Castro used them “in whatever self-gratifying, self-serving way he saw fit”. Bail for the 52-year-old former school bus driver was set at $8 million.
#GARDAÍ: A report by the Garda Ombudsman claims that Gardaí delayed an investigation into alleged collusion by members of the force with a known drug dealer. The Ombudsman said its probe took more than four years to complete because of the difficulties in obtaining evidence from Gardaí. Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said he is concerned about the claims.
#PRIORY HALL: The Supreme Court has adjourned until October a decision on whether Dublin City Council must continue to pay the accommodation costs of the former residents of Priory Hall. The five judges questioned why the Council had pushed ahead with today’s appeal, despite ongoing mediation talks between both sides. Accommodation for the former residents has been guaranteed until at least November – but it is unclear what will happen after that.
#ARREARS: The Troika has said that Ireland’s banks have had a “disappointingly slow start” to dealing with the mortgage arrears crisis. In its tenth review of Ireland since the bailout, the Troika said Ireland’s economic activity has been weaker than anticipated and more efforts are needed to address the high unemployment levels.
#MANCHESTER UNITED: David Moyes has been confirmed as the new manager of Manchester United, a day after Alex Ferguson announced he will retire at the end of the season. Moyes, who will be the eighth Scot to take over the Old Trafford hotseat, will sign a six-year deal at the club.
THINGS WE LOVED
This little guy is the newest arrival at Dublin Zoo – and he’s so new, that he doesn’t even have a name yet. The baby Southern White Rhinoceros calf is pictured in the Africa Savanna Rhino Habitat at the zoo today with his mother Ashanti. (Julien Behal/PA Wire)
- In June 1832, a ship from Ireland docked in Philadelphia, carrying dozens of young men eager to begin working in their new home. Just weeks later however, at least 57 of the men were believed to have died during a cholera outbreak and were buried in a mass grave. Now however, a team of researchers who have been excavating the grave believe that some of the men may have been killed. The New York Times has the full story.
- Injuries. Nudity. Selfies. Here are 8 of the most obnoxious trends on Instagram.
- Think where you’re living is bad? The Worst Room blog puts together some of the crappest and tiniest rooms for rent in New York City. Marvel at the tiny windowless and furniture-less room in the East Village, up for rent for $1,600 for month! Gaze in awe at the person trying to get some sucker to pay $600 per month for a top bunk in Brooklyn! Feel slightly better about your own living situation when you see the tiniest bedroom ever (helpfully described as a “loft bed setup with workstation”) up for rent for $1,900!
THINGS WE SHARED
- The writer/illustrator behind Hyperbole and a Half (which is kind of a blog, kind of a web comic) has written this sad and funny post describing what it was like for her to have depression – and how everything changed when she spotted something tiny and vaguely ridiculous underneath her fridge (seriously, just read it).
- Don’t know about you, but when we asked people to our debs, it was a lot more straightforward than this. Ha ha ha, who are we kidding – it was awkward and embarrassing and would have been a hell of a lot easier if we’d just had a sense of humour about the whole thing. Anyway: the most elaborate asking-someone-to-prom video you’re going to see today. Possibly ever.
(Video: VPCProduction/YouTube)
