Government offering to pay higher salaries to attract leading academics fleeing Donald Trump's education threats
The initiative aims to take advantage of the 'brain drain' from the US where Donald Trump's regime is threatening dozens of colleges and universities.
Higher Education Minister James Lawless will today seek cabinet approval for a 'Global Talent Initiative' which aims to pump millions of euro into bringing academics to Ireland.
He would deploy a hit squad of academic talent scouts, or 'talent attaches' around the world, with a focus on recruiting in the areas of research and innovation, medical technology, renewables and food technology.
The initiative would seek to attract global talent with attractive packages, including pay, with the Government agreeing to contribute up to half of salaries offered by third-level institutions.
It comes as Mr Trump strips billions of dollars in research grants from educational institutions. The US government is seeking to dictate what subjects and topics are taught, and to influence hiring decisions.
Education Minister Helen McEntee will also tell her cabinet colleagues today that students will face less Leaving Cert stress and pressure from September.
Insisting she is delivering meaningful reform, Ms McEntee said more than 70,000 students will benefit from changes to 'reduce the pressure on students that come from final exams'.
But the Irish Independent understands the initial moves for the next academic year only involve the provision of sample papers for students' better understanding of what they will be faced with, allied to better supports for teachers and schools.
Last month, Ms McEntee invited teacher unions the ASTI and TUI to join intensive engagement regarding what further supports could be provided for schools and teachers in the senior cycle.
She is offering new arrangements for teachers to secure permanent contracts earlier; a reconfiguration of the Croke Park Agreement hours for extra flexibility; and additional posts of responsibility in schools.
The package also contains confirmation on how the local-bargaining clause of the Public Sector Agreement can be satisfied by post-primary teachers in return for salary increases under the agreement. The unions will now ballot their members on this package with results expected early next month.
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RTÉ News
43 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Govt expected to approve rent legislation this week
It is expected that emergency legislation to extend rent controls nationwide will be approved by Cabinet this week and will then be debated in the Dáil. Currently, Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) cover around 83% of the country. There had been fears that those outside rent controls could face rent hikes ahead of broader reforms of the sector coming into force from March next year. The Government indicated that emergency legislation would be brought forward ahead of the summer recess to address the problem. However, the opposition had pounced on the fact that the proposed law was not listed on the Dáil schedule for the coming week. It is now understood that the emergency legislation will go to the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Once approved by the Government, it will be added to the Dáil order paper to be debated this week and passed quickly. Sinn Féin has accused the Government of scrambling around to produce legislation. Government's rent plan 'not botched' - Byrne The Government's rent reform plan is "not botched", Minister of State Thomas Byrne has said, adding that legislation to extend RPZs will be introduced "very quickly". However, Mr Byrne added: "The vast majority of tenancies around the country and certainly in high-pressure areas are already under Rent Pressure Zones and they're not going to be affected." Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics, he added that for such individuals, the RPZ "basically continues indefinitely while they're in the tenancy". "There's no point worrying," he said and added "the vast majority of people don't have to worry". Mr Byrne said there is a need to ensure that private sector investment in conjunction with State investment "has a path forward". Speaking on the same programme, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said "rents are going to go up" for the 20% of people renting outside of RPZ areas. "There's a risk that they'll be put out of their tenancies and their rents could go up," she said. "We need this legislation very, very quickly," she added. Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness told The Week in Politics the Government's policy has "changed every day over the last six (days)". "We have an absolute shambles here," he said, adding the plan has been marked by "confusion, U-turns, backtracking". He also noted that the legislation was to be brought forward next week, adding "we don't even know if that's the case".
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Tragic homeless crisis gripping UK city as hard-up rough sleepers fend off Spice addicts & fake beggars in £120 trainers
HUDDLED outside a luxury department store, a homeless man puffs on a suspicious-looking cigarette while young families hurry past. It's an increasingly common sight on the streets of the northern city - the epicentre of a 53 per cent rise in homelessness in the North East over the past year. Advertisement 15 Shoppers in Newcastle city centre have been struck by a rise in the number of homeless people on the streets Credit: NNP 15 Locals say antisocial behaviour in their beloved city has become out of control Credit: NNP 15 Drug users leave spice and needles strewn on the floor outside upmarket shops Credit: NNP 15 A discarded spoon of cooked-up heroin in an underground car park in the city centre Credit: NNP Concerned locals claim the heart of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, once a bustling shopping hotspot, has been 'taken over' by beggars high on Spice. Rough sleepers now camp outside department store Fenwick, famed for its luxurious designer brands, while vagrants on pavements sell friendship bracelets or sit before signs, one of which reads: "I am very hungry. God bless you." While many homeless people have fallen on genuine hard times, locals claim a growing number are fraudsters, or so-called 'professional beggars', who have homes to go to at the end of the day. Others are said to be more aggressive, attacking members of the public while high on drugs. Advertisement READ MORE FEATURES This week the Government announced it is scrapping the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act by spring next year, meaning rough sleeping will no longer be a crime - a decision welcomed by homeless charities across the UK. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called the act "cruel and outdated" and insisted Labour will instead target organised begging by gangs. On a busy midweek morning, among shoppers and workers grabbing a coffee, we count up to 10 homeless people on the main high street in Newcastle, a stretch less than a quarter of a mile. In an underground car park right in the city centre, a stone's throw from Marks & Spencer, Five Guys, TK Maxx and Flannels, we find a discarded heroin spoon next to a drain. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive It sits beside a water bottle, and contains residue which appears to be the class A drug. Nicole Harry, 40, a retail worker from Mayor calls for 'purge' of homeless people via sick method then doubles down on shock statement despite backlash "I often offer to buy beggars food from Greggs but if they refuse I don't give them money, as you don't know who is genuine. "I've seen one person get off the bus in £120 Nike trainers, put dirty trousers on over their jeans and set up shop begging on the street. Advertisement "It's a tough issue because you want to help those who need it, but you know some are on drugs or are just after cash. "You can understand why they're on drugs, I think a lot of people would in their situation. Sometimes you can tell they have taken something. "My son will often chat to them and give them his lunch and many keep to themselves." Violence 15 One woman living on the streets told us she didn't feel safe as narcotics are rife amongst the homeless Credit: NNP Advertisement Caroline, who didn't want to give her surname, has lived on the streets for four months after escaping an abusive relationship. The 40-year-old says narcotics are rife amongst the homeless community with many turning to zombie drug spice and heroin for comfort. "Spice, heroin and alcohol are the main offenders," she explains, while curled up in her sleeping bag. "It's getting really bad, a lot of people take them and now everyone thinks all homeless people are on drugs, so no one wants to help us. Advertisement "They become extremely violent because they're on drugs. I've seen one of them run up to a stranger and punch them in the face. I've seen one person get off the bus in £120 Nike trainers, put dirty trousers on over their jeans and set up shop begging on the street Nicole Harry, retail worker "It's a volatile environment. They always come up to me and ask if I have drugs. Any money they get, they waste getting high. "I have seen people sitting with a crack pipe, they don't care. "I don't feel safe as a woman on the streets. I have taken so much abuse off strangers, I have been spat on, and people have hurled abuse at me. Advertisement "I'm homeless because I left an abusive relationships and I can't get a home. I don't take drugs, I'm just trying to get some help." According to charity Shelter, the North East had the largest annual increase in homelessness in the country in 2024. The number rocketed from 1,500 to 2,300 in the space of just one year. Within the region, the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne contains the highest number of homeless people - an estimated 335 - followed by Sunderland (309) and Durham (306). Advertisement Drug poisoning 15 Homelessness and anti-social behaviour are on the rise in Newcastle Credit: NNP 15 Locals say Newcastle city centre no longer feels safe Credit: NNP The North East has also experienced its largest number of drug-poisoning deaths for 11 years. In 2024, 174 died per million, compared to an average of 91 in England. Advertisement Juliet Saunders, CEO of Feeding Families, a food bank in the region, says a "perfect storm" of conditions have led to the sharp rise in homelessness. She tells us: "We had to put a special provision in place for rough sleepers last year as it was clear there had been a huge increase. We had to put a special provision in place for rough sleepers last year as it was clear there had been a huge increase Juliet Saunders, CEO of Feeding Families "We started getting other charities contacting us because the normal food boxes we provide were no good to people who haven't got a home. "People were taking the boxes and throwing away the pasta and sauce because it was no use to them. Advertisement "The homeless obviously have no access to cooking facilities, so they'd discard anything that needed a microwave or oven. "We decided to distribute a rough sleeper's pack containing foods that do not need to be cooked. "We gave out 2,000 of these last year. They are essentially survival packs. What people need to survive in extreme circumstances are carbs and sugar. Violence against rough sleepers CRISIS reveal people living on the street are nearly 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence 15 times more likely to have suffered verbal abuse in the past year 8 in 10 have suffered some sort of violence or abuse 35 per cent - more than one in three - have been deliberately hit or kicked or experienced a form of violence while homeless 34 per cent - more than a third - have had something thrown at them 9 per cent - nearly a tenth - have been urinated on Nearly half of homeless people (48 per cent) have been intimidated or threatened with violence Nearly six out of 10 (59 per cent) have been verbally abused or harrassed while homeless "The packs contain crisps, chocolate, cereal bars, nuts, pepperoni, noodles and mints. Often the homeless have access to hot water, but nothing more." Advertisement Juliet adds: "A perfect storm has created the huge rise in homelessness. I am not surprised there was a 53 per cent rise last year. "There is a shortage of housing in this region. If you aren't in the council housing system and you have to go to a private landlord, there can be competition. You are unlikely to be chosen over someone who has a job. "I also think more relationships are breaking down. When I was at school, it was quite rare for someone to get divorced, but now that's very commonplace. 15 A homeless man struggling to stand in Newcastle Credit: NNP Advertisement 15 Retiree Brian Naylor says some beggars can be very intimidating and 'get right in your face' Credit: NNP 15 Student Tom Wilkinson, 18, says the homeless problem is "really sad" Credit: NNP "When a couple separate, another home needs to be found for one partner, and sometimes that partner can end up sleeping rough. "Mental health is a big issue for all sorts of reasons, which also contributes. Advertisement "There's not enough support available and it's a vicious circle. "Once you're homeless, it's very difficult to find a job and get out of that situation." Back in Newcastle another local, who didn't want to be named, says there are begging 'turf wars' plaguing the streets. "It's a massive issue, there are loads where I live in the city centre and they leave needles on the floor after shooting up," they tell us. Advertisement "They all congregate at certain times when they have been moved on from somewhere else. "There are one or two genuine homeless people but the rest are drug addicts who have taken over. "There are begging turf wars, I see them take shifts. They can be intimidating, I used to smoke and they will come up and ask for a drag of your cigarette. There are begging turf wars, I see them take shifts. They can be intimidating, I used to smoke and they will come up and ask for a drag of your cigarette Local resident "I have lived here for 40 years and it never goes away." Advertisement Brian Naylor, 70, a retired construction worker from Newcastle says some beggars can be intimidating. "There are more beggars in the city centre but they're not necessarily homeless. They just want money," he says. "They get right in your face asking for money, it can be intimidating for people. "There are some beggars who are really hostile. It's hard to know who is genuine." Advertisement Tom Wilkinson, 18, a sports student at Northumbria University adds: "People can be intimidated by them begging, it just depends on if they are intoxicated. "I've seen homeless people on the high street but it's a problem across the country. It's really sad. "It doesn't bother me but there should be more help for the homeless in Newcastle." Dott, 61, a support worker who didn't want to give her surname, says she too has noticed a recent increase in the number of rough sleepers in the city. Advertisement "There are a lot of homeless on the high street. They often hang around outside of Greggs and it can put people off going in those shops," she says. "You can tell that some of them are on drugs. It must be really hard for those who have hit hard times and are genuinely on the streets." Property crisis 15 Police say they work 'tirelessly' to ensure the city is a safe place to visit Credit: NNP 15 Fundraiser Christopher Clark says there's 'simply not enough homes' in the area Credit: NNP Advertisement Christopher Clark, 54, a fundraiser from Newcastle says a lack of available housing is a significant factor contributing to the growing number of homeless. "I spotted some homeless people on the high street today and did think to myself there had been an increase," he admits. "I can understand why they turn to drugs, a lot of them are in pain and have experienced trauma. "We simply don't have enough housing in this country, it is an issue with more people coming into the country and mass immigration. Advertisement "We don't have enough homes for the country and now we are housing other people. Homelessness help HERE is some useful information if you are homeless or know someone who is experiencing homelessness. FIRST CONTACT If you or someone you know is sleeping rough you can use the alert Streelink service to help connect them with outreach services: FOOD You can find free food stations via: The Pavement - for food and soup runs: Homeless Link - for day centres: The Trussell Trust - for food banks: Food Cycle - for food services - HOUSING Councils have a duty to help people who are homeless or facing homelessness. Contact the Housing Options team from the council you have a local connection to and see if they can offer: Emergency accommodation - a place in a shelter or a hostel Longer-term accommodation including independent or social housing Visit: During times of severe cold or heat, local councils have special accommodation known as Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Find out more here: For advice, support or legal services related to housing visit You can also contact Crisis: For housing advice, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or visit: DAY CENTRES Day centres can help by providing internet access, free or cheap food, shower and laundry facilities, safe storage for belongings, phone charging and clothes, toiletries or sleeping bags. They can also help with services for benefits or immigration advice; health support; finding work; educational or social activities; hostel, night shelter or outreach referrals. Centres can be found through Homeless Link: BENEFITS Normally you can claim Universal Credit if you are sleeping on the streets or staying in a hostel. If you are in a hostel, you can claim Housing Benefit to help with rent. You do not need a fixed address or a bank account. USEFUL CONTACTS Crisis - visit: Shelter - visit: Centrepoint (for people aged 16-25) - visit: St Mungo's (Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Christchurch, Leicester, Oxford, Poole and Reading) - visit: Depaul UK (for young people) - visit: Citizen's Advice (legal advice) - visit: The Samaritans (health and wellbeing) - "There is a property crisis. I spoke to two brothers in Newcastle who were homeless and they said there was a systematic issue because they wanted to be housed together but were separated. "One of them was put in housing and he turned to drink because he was taken away from his brother. "We need to have a housing first policy where they are put in homes and then they can work on their addiction." Advertisement 'City Safe' project 15 Charities say mental health issues are also behind the homeless crisis Credit: NNP Inspector Karen Madge of Newcastle city centre's Neighbourhood Policing Team says neighbourhood officers are working tirelessly to ensure Newcastle city centre is a safe place to visit, work and live for everyone. "The City Safe project, launched last year, brings together Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council and business improvement district NE1 to work in tandem to prevent crime, reduce anti-social behaviour," she tells us. "The project will provide increased access to support services for vulnerable people. Advertisement "Working collaboratively with partners allows us to share intelligence and really get to the route of any issues. By identifying these issues early on, we can help prevent further incidents from happening. "Should anyone find themselves homeless or struggling with drug and alcohol misuse, our officers, support workers and those who can assist with housing issues, will work together. "We're committed to being there when the public need us." We simply don't have enough housing in this country, it is an issue with more people coming into the country and mass immigration Christopher Clark A Newcastle City Council spokesperson says while the city has a strong record of preventing homelessness, the combination of poverty, the rising cost of living, housing scarcity, increasing housing demand and limited supply presents a significant challenge for its housing system. Advertisement "Our anti-poverty strategy sets out our commitment to make the prevention of homelessness everybody's responsibility through the identification of the triggers to homelessness including households struggling with income and debt," they tell us. "We aim to make sure that nobody is evicted into homelessness because they cannot afford to pay their rent. "Where people are homeless, we commission a range of options for accommodation with additional support to try and ensure that any experience of homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring. "This includes a dedicated multi-disciplinary team to support physical health and substance issues (and access to mental health support) for people who might be homeless or in temporary accommodation. Advertisement "This team includes GP support, drug and alcohol workers and mental health social workers. "We want all of our residents to have a chance to live in a place that meets their needs and we offer a range of outreach support services to assist with this." 15 Some locals say it's hard shopping without getting hassled for money Credit: NNP 15 Shoppers used to love shopping in Newcastle's upmarket shops but now fear going out Credit: NNP Advertisement
Sunday World
2 hours ago
- Sunday World
Israel and Iran trade strikes for third day as nuclear talks called off
Planned talks on Iran's nuclear programme, which could provide an off-ramp, were called off Israel has unleashed air strikes across Iran for a third day and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defences to strike buildings in the heart of the country. Planned talks on Iran's nuclear programme, which could provide an off-ramp, were called off. The region braced for a protracted conflict after Israel's surprise bombardment of Iran's nuclear and military sites on Friday killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, and neither side showed any sign of backing down. Iran said Israel struck two oil refineries, raising the prospect of a broader assault on Iran's heavily sanctioned energy industry that could affect global markets. Israeli first responders work in a residential area near Tel Aviv, Israel, hit by a missile fired from Iran (Ariel Schalit/AP) The Israeli military, in a social media post, warned Iranians to evacuate arms factories, signalling what could be a further widening of the campaign. At around noon local time, explosions were heard again in the Iranian capital Tehran. US president Donald Trump has expressed full support for Israel's actions while warning Iran that it can only avoid further destruction by agreeing to a new nuclear deal. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that if the Israeli strikes on Iran stop, then 'our responses will also stop'. He said the United States 'is a partner in these attacks and must take responsibility'. New explosions echoed across Tehran and were reported elsewhere in the country early on Sunday, but there was no update to a death toll put out the day before by Iran's UN ambassador, who said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded. In Israel, at least 10 people were killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service, bringing the country's total death toll to 13. Israeli security forces inspect destroyed buildings near Tel Aviv that were hit by a missile fired from Iran (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The country's main international airport and airspace remained closed for a third day. Israeli strikes targeted Iran's Defence Ministry early on Sunday after hitting air defences, military bases and sites associated with its nuclear programme. The killing of several top generals and nuclear scientists in targeted strikes indicated that Israeli intelligence has penetrated Iran at the highest levels. News in 90 Seconds - 15th June 2025 In Israel, at least six people, including a 10-year-old and a nine-year-old, were killed when a missile hit an apartment building in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. Daniel Hadad, a local police commander, said 180 people were wounded and seven are still missing. An Associated Press (AP) reporter saw streets lined with damaged and destroyed buildings, bombed out cars and shards of glass. Responders used a drone at points to look for survivors. Some people could be seen leaving the area with suitcases. The Israeli Iron Dome air defence system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Another four people, including a 13-year-old, were killed and 24 wounded when a missile struck a building in the Arab town of Tamra in northern Israel. A strike on the central city of Rehovot wounded 42. The Weizmann Institute of Science, an important centre for research in Rehovot, said 'there were a number of hits to buildings on the campus'. It said no-one was harmed. Israel has sophisticated multi-tiered air defences that are able to detect and intercept missiles fired at populated areas or key infrastructure, but officials acknowledge it is imperfect. World leaders made urgent calls to de-escalate. The attack on nuclear sites sets a 'dangerous precedent', China's foreign minister said. The region is already on edge as Israel seeks to annihilate Hamas, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza Strip, where the war is still raging after Hamas's October 7 2023 attack. Flames rise from an oil storage facility after it appeared to have been hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran (AP/Vahid Salemi) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed off such calls, saying Israel's strikes so far are 'nothing compared to what they will feel under the sway of our forces in the coming days'. Israel, the sole though undeclared nuclear-armed state in the Middle East – said it launched the attack to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The two countries have been regional adversaries for decades. Iran has always said its nuclear programme was peaceful, and the US and others have assessed it has not pursued a weapon since 2003. But it has enriched ever larger stockpiles of uranium to near weapons-grade levels in recent years and was believed to have been able to develop multiple weapons within months if it chose to do so. The UN's atomic watchdog censured Iran last week for not complying with its obligations. Mr Araghchi said Israel had targeted an oil refinery near Tehran and another in the country's Bushehr province on the Persian Gulf. Smoke rises up from an oil facility after a Saturday explosion in southern Tehran, Iran (Vahid Salemi/AP) He said Iran had also targeted 'economic' sites in Israel, without elaborating. Mr Araghchi was speaking to diplomats in his first public appearance since the initial Israeli strikes. Semi-official Iranian news agencies reported that an Israeli drone strike had caused a 'strong explosion' at an Iranian natural-gas processing plant. Israel's military did not immediately comment. The extent of damage at the South Pars natural gas field was not immediately clear. Such sites have air defence systems around them, which Israel has been targeting. An oil refinery was also damaged in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, according to the firm operating it. Bazan Group said pipelines and transmission lines between facilities were damaged, forcing some downstream facilities to be shut down. It said no-one was wounded. The Arab Gulf country of Oman, which has been mediating indirect talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, said a sixth round planned for Sunday would not take place. 'We remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon,' a senior US official said. Mr Araghchi said on Saturday that the nuclear talks were 'unjustifiable' after Israel's strikes, which he said were the 'result of the direct support by Washington'. In a post on his Truth Social account early on Sunday, Mr Trump reiterated that the US was not involved in the attacks on Iran and warned that any retaliation directed against it would bring an American response 'at levels never seen before'. 'However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!' he wrote.
