Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton have come in for criticism for not raising human rights issues during their visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar – but what exactly are the issues?
Enda Kenny has acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s election to the UN Human Rights Council, but the government won’t say if concerns about human rights issues are being raised with leaders there or in Qatar and UAE this week.
Multibillion euro sporting events capture world attention and bring large scale benefits to a country or city – but there’s also a darker side to the festivities, writes Feargus Dunne.
Russ Finn was freed yesterday, his employers Al Jazeera have confirmed. He was held without charge after being arrested with three colleagues last Tuesday.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, 61, hands over a small but economically strong Gulf state that has punched above its weight in recent years and has become a key role player in Arab Spring uprisings.
Afgahnistan president Hamid Karzai criticised the Taliban for holding the talks at the same time as they carry out suicide attacks that kill civilians and children.
Riad Hijab, highest-ranking political figure to defect from the government, said he felt “pain in his soul” over the regime’s shelling and other attacks on rebel strongholds.
HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE called for mandatory quarantine to be introduced for people who arrive in Ireland from abroad, in a bid to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
The government has considered such a move but, to date, ruled it out.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said a mandatory quarantine period would be “disproportionate” and unworkable because of the open border with Northern Ireland.
A number of other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, have brought in mandatory quarantines where people have to stay in hotels for two weeks or more.
People arriving in Ireland must have evidence of a negative PCR test 72 hours before arrival. They are then advised to restrict their movements, while those arriving from Britain, South Africa or South America are told to self-isolate for 14 days.
Poll: Should there be mandatory quarantine for people who arrive in Ireland from abroad?
Clouds and sun, chilly; a p.m. shower
Max: 4 °C
Min: -2 °C
Chilly with times of clouds and sun
Max: 3 °C
Min: -2 °C
Partly sunny and chilly
Max: 3 °C
Min: -1 °C
