-
‘Like being in prison’: the ship crews stuck in Gulf since February
Up to 20,000 seafarers, mostly from India and the Philippines, remain trapped in the Gulf as the US-led war on Iran drags into its sixth month, with Iran effectively blockading the strait of Hormuz. The danger of their situation was underscored this week when the Minoan Pioneer, a Greek-owned bulk carrier, was hit by an…
-
The two movies John Cleese will always regret turning down: “Of course, I was wrong”
John Cleese has reflected on two film roles he declined and later regretted: parts in *The Bonfire of the Vanities* and *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*. His comments illustrate how decisions made over concerns about directors or exhaustion can look different in hindsight, even for an established performer. Cleese rejected the role ultimately played by Bruce Willis…
-
‘Watch The Odyssey for free online’: scam targets film fans with fake streaming sites
Fraudsters are exploiting demand for The Odyssey, the summer’s most anticipated cinema release, by setting up fake streaming websites that lure fans looking to watch it online for free. Victims who sign up are asked for personal and bank details supposedly to activate a “free trial”, but no film exists on the site and their…
-
DPD temporary workers may have missed out on sick pay and pensions, internal documents show
Internal documents from DPD suggest that thousands of temporary workers may have missed out on statutory sick pay and pension contributions, raising concerns that recruitment agencies supplying staff to the courier firm could be breaching employment law. The records indicate that DPD’s payments to these agencies did not factor in the cost of such entitlements,…
-
How luxury homeowners are winning from Albo’s tax reforms – even as prices go down: ‘$30,000 a week’
An article examines how Australian homeowners at the luxury end of the property market are benefiting financially from tax reforms introduced under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government, despite falling prices in that segment. The report highlights how existing settings around negative gearing and capital gains tax continue to favour wealthy property owners, raising questions about…
-
Madden NFL 27 release countdown: Exact date and time
Madden NFL 27 is heading towards its full release, with EA Sports confirming the exact launch times across various editions and access tiers. The countdown matters for fans eager to start playing as early as possible, as different purchase options and membership tiers unlock the game at different points. The full launch takes place on…
-
Blame game as Brussels builds ‘Europe’s largest frying pan’ instead of shady square
A redevelopment scheme for Schuman Square, the traffic roundabout at the heart of Brussels’ EU quarter, has fallen far short of its ambitions, leaving a bare concrete expanse rather than the green, shaded meeting place that was promised. The centrepiece of the design, a steel canopy with a grass roof intended to shelter EU officials,…
-
Christian Brother-turned Priest’s shock admission to Sunday Mass-goers sees livestream suddenly cut out before emotional parishioners react en masse in front of plain-clothes gardaí
A priest in Ireland stunned his congregation during a Sunday Mass by making a shock personal admission, with the church’s livestream abruptly cutting out shortly afterwards. Parishioners reacted emotionally to the revelation in real time, and the presence of plain-clothes gardaí (Irish police) at the service has added to speculation about the seriousness of the…