Latest news with #Drinkwater
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kerry Group Novel of the Year winner announced at Listowel Writers' Week
The Dublin born writer was announced the winner at the opening night of the festival at the Listowel Arms Hotel. Williams' book is set in 1960s Ireland and explores traumatic themes of childhood and Church and State. Now in its 31st year, the award remains one of the most esteemed literary honours in Ireland that celebrates outstanding Irish fiction with a prize fund of €22,000 – €20,000 of which is awarded to the winner with €500 for each shortlisted author. The prize is sponsored by Kerry Group, whose long-standing partnership continues to elevate and honour Irish literary excellence at what is Ireland's oldest literary and arts festival. This year's adjudicators were acclaimed authors Carol Drinkwater and Paul McVeigh who reviewed over 50 submitted novels before selecting the winner from a powerful shortlist that included Christine Dwyer Hickey, Joseph O'Connor, Colm Tóibín, and Donal Ryan. Ms Drinkwater called Niall's writing 'exciting' and 'exquisite' and that reading his sentences is like sitting in a magnificent cathedral and listening to a great soprano singing. 'It's like notes reaching to the rafters and returning to me, to nestle in my heart. It is a novel full of compassion. The characters are so vulnerable, they tear you apart,' she said. 'It has been several weeks since we chose Niall's novel as our winner. Still, I sit at my desk and picture myself in that doctor's surgery. I hear the child crying; I can smell the newly washed nappies; I long for these people, that father and daughter, to be given the miracle they so crave… This is the third time I've judged this prize and each time I'm reminded of the richness of Irish fiction today. Ireland truly is a treasure chest of brilliant modern novelists' Ms Drinkwater added. Mr McVeigh said that judging this year's prize was no small task due to the quality of entries which is testament to an extraordinary time in Irish literature. 'Any of the shortlisted books could have won but, in the end, Time of the Child by Niall Williams rose to the top. I don't remember the last time I read a book that made me stop, so frequently, unable to continue until I had savoured a sentence. He is an extraordinary writer and a worthy winner of the Irish Novel of the Year,' he said. Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Kerry Group, praised the continued partnership with Listowel Writers' Week and said every year the calibre of writing reminds us why Ireland continues to lead on the global literary stage. ADVERTISEMENT 'We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Niall Williams on this well-deserved recognition,' Ms Keogh said. The prize night at Listowel Writers' Week and literary festival is an exciting occasion as it marks the official start of a major celebration of literature that runs until 1st June. The super weekend features events with acclaimed writers, panels, workshops, and performances across Listowel. For more information and updates, visit Time of the Child (2024) is published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Will Amorim rest key figures in the Premier League?
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath have been discussing whether Ruben Amorim will rest players before Manchester United's Europa League semi-final against Athletic competition is the club's last shot at securing European football for next season, given they have been knocked out of the FA Cup and are currently 14th in the Premier on The Devils' Advocate podcast, Drinkwater said: "Athletic Bilbao are going to be so tough to play against."One thing we can say is that we should have fresh players. Ruben Amorim is not going to play a full-strength team in the Premier League - because why would he?"However, McGrath does not believe that is the correct way to approach the game, saying: "I understand resting players for the Europa League, but we don't play [Bilbao] until 1 May. That is a long time to wait."I think he would be risking it all for the Europa League if he does that - and if it doesn't come off, he is risking his legacy."Drinkwater responded: "He isn't going to rest the players that are going to be playing in the semi-final every week between now and then. There is still going to be the odd one playing here and there just to keep them match fit."Ruben Amorim's legacy at this club will be lifting that Europa League trophy at the end of this season and taking Manchester United into the Champions League next season."Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Mills urges Maine people not to support budget veto effort
Apr. 10—Gov. Janet Mills is urging Maine people not to support a proposed referendum to veto the state budget and warned that the petition drive itself could lead to a government shutdown, even if voters eventually reject the effort. Republicans disagree that collecting the signatures would force a shutdown, saying a government shutdown could be averted if Democrats work with them on a new budget bill. "There are serious negotiations that have to go on between the two sides," said Rep. Gary Drinkwater, R-Milford, the leader of the people's veto effort. "This is another tool in the tool box to put the two sides together and say, 'Let's get serious about this.'" Drinkwater took issue with the official wording of the ballot question released Wednesday by the Maine secretary of state. He said the language wrongly implies a government shutdown will follow if supporters of the question gather the necessary number of signatures to get it before voters. He and five other current and former Republican lawmakers submitted paperwork last month to the Maine Department of the Secretary of State for a people's veto referendum to block implementation of the two-year $11.3 billion state budget approved and signed into law by Mills. The application came after efforts to compromise on a supplemental budget fell apart and Democrats moved to pass a baseline two-year budget without any Republican support. Drinkwater and supporters of the people's veto have until June 18 to hand in 67,682 signatures from registered Maine voters in order to get the question on the November ballot. Handing in the signatures also would automatically halt implementation of the budget, which is scheduled to take effect at the end of June to keep the government operating into the fiscal year that begins July 1. Then, if the secretary of state reviews the petitions and certifies the question for the ballot, the budget would remain paused until voters have their say in November. DEMOCRATS SAY SHUTDOWN WOULD ENSURE Democrats, including Mills, said Wednesday that the veto effort could lead to a government shutdown even if it doesn't pass. "In the coming weeks, Maine people may be asked to sign a petition to place a people's veto on the November ballot," Mills said in a written statement. "It's important they know the facts. "Even if the question does not pass, it's mere qualification for the ballot would result in a monthslong complete shutdown of state government that would have devastating impacts on Maine people. It would risk closure of Maine schools, hospitals, nursing homes, public colleges and universities, municipal offices, and bring road construction projects to a halt." "I urge Maine people to not sign the petition for this initiative, and avoid the serious consequences it would cause," she added. A spokesperson for Mills said her administration is still evaluating the full implications if the budget were to be suspended, but that broadly speaking it could jeopardize funds that schools, public safety and local municipalities rely on. "The next opportunity for the budget to go into effect — and bring the unnecessary shutdown to an end — would not be until Maine voters reject the question at the polls in November," said Mills spokesperson Ben Goodman in an email. A spokesperson for House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, also said Wednesday that if enough signatures are gathered, a state government shutdown would begin July 1 and last at least until Election Day. Democrats have said that the budget will ensure baseline government operations can continue into the next fiscal year as lawmakers take up additional budget work to address shortfalls and policy proposals. Republicans have criticized it as unbalanced because it doesn't include funding for over $100 million in projected increases in MaineCare costs. "The budget provides property tax relief. The budget funds education," Fecteau said in a written statement. "The budget ensures Maine children, families, and seniors can access health care. I think Maine people agree that none of those things should be vetoed. Unlike the politics in D.C., we don't need this sort of chaos and uncertainty here in Maine." REPUBLICANS SAY SHUTDOWN CAN BE AVOIDED Drinkwater said a shutdown is not his intent, and that the aim of the people's veto effort is to bring the two sides back to negotiations. He said they could come up with a new budget before the start of the fiscal year on July 1, thus averting a shutdown. House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, said he would sign the petition papers in support of the veto effort and that Democrats' statements that it would lead to a government shutdown are a "false narrative." "There's nothing in this that shuts the government down," Faulkingham said. "All it does is repeal this particular budget bill that was passed." Drinkwater acknowledged there is a risk of a government shutdown, however, if Democrats do not agree to renegotiate. But he said that risk is worth it. "It is a big risk, but how much money are we risking to be in the red in this budget?" Drinkwater said. "Hundreds of millions of dollars, right? Also, Billy Bob has always said he has an open door policy. The Democrats can come sit down and talk any time they want." VETO ORGANIZER DISAGREES WITH LANGUAGE Drinkwater also took issue Wednesday with the ballot language that has been put forward by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who has announced she is running for governor in 2026. The question Bellows approved for use on the petitions, and on the ballot if it goes before voters, is: "Do you want to stop most state government operations and programs, including new and ongoing state funding for cities, towns, and schools, by rejecting the state's two-year budget?" Drinkwater said the language is misleading and wrongly suggests a government shutdown will absolutely occur. "People I'm hearing from who are outside the Legislature and who are just ordinary citizens, they've said that this is not a neutral question and that it's a slanted question," he said. "Who would vote to stop government operations? It's not a bipartisan question." Drinkwater sent Bellows his own proposed language Wednesday. He said the question should be: "Shall the 2026-2027 state budget be repealed and replaced with a new budget that prioritizes streamlined spending, eliminates unnecessary expenditures, and focuses on programs and services directly benefitting Maine residents?" Bellows' office said Wednesday that the secretary of state has sole discretion over the wording and that petitioners are not consulted on the drafting of the language. She explained her wording in a letter to Drinkwater Tuesday, saying that state law requires ballot questions to be "clear, concise and direct" and that she also wanted to be sure voters were aware of the implications. "The ballot question states the immediate consequences of such rejection (of the budget): depriving state government of the funds it uses to conduct most of its programs and operations," Bellows wrote. In an email to Drinkwater Wednesday, Bellows said she does not intend to revise the question given that a 10-day deadline for drafting it has passed, but said he could appeal in court. It was not clear Wednesday evening if Drinkwater would file an appeal, which could delay the petition drive when supporters of the referendum already are under pressure to gather signatures quickly. He blamed Bellows for taking too long to finalize the language. "Perhaps if she had expedited this we would have more time to conclude the (signature-gathering) process," he said. "If the government shuts down, you can blame her." Gathering enough signatures for a people's veto to overturn a new law is more difficult than other citizen initiatives because of deadlines set out in Maine law. The deadline for a people's veto petition is 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which happened March 20. With other citizen initiatives, petitions can be circulated for 18 months from the date of issuance. 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Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Time for two defenders to move on?
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater believes it might be time for Manchester United to offload two of their players, not for a lack of talent, but as a result of the amount of time they spend injured. Speaking on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, presenter Joe McGrath mentioned Luke Shaw was back training on the grass. But Drinkwater was quick to cast doubt about whether the defender will be playing again soon. "He won't be available - it's a non-start conversation," said Drinkwater. "He should go in the summer - I am not having a go at Luke Shaw, he can't help being injured. "Phil Jones, if he was fit and available for much more of his career he would have been a fantastic defender. Often maligned despite the fact he would put his body on the line and he was a fantastic cultured defender - he would have been amazing. "Luke Shaw is the best left-back in the Premier League, but injuries are getting in the way. He's one of the players I'd look at and think he needs to go in the summer just because of the injuries. "And another name that I'm going to throw in that hat and I hate to say it because I love him and think he's brilliant - Lisandro Martinez. "If you're injured all the time, at some point you've got to say, 'we can't be having this'. "It's a shame because I love both of those players." Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Time for two defenders to move on?
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater believes it might be time for Manchester United to offload two of their players, not for a lack of talent, but as a result of the amount of time they spend on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, presenter Joe McGrath mentioned Luke Shaw was back training on the grass. But Drinkwater was quick to cast doubt about whether the defender will be playing again soon. "He won't be available - it's a non-start conversation," said Drinkwater. "He should go in the summer - I am not having a go at Luke Shaw, he can't help being injured."Phil Jones, if he was fit and available for much more of his career he would have been a fantastic defender. Often maligned despite the fact he would put his body on the line and he was a fantastic cultured defender - he would have been amazing."Luke Shaw is the best left-back in the Premier League, but injuries are getting in the way. He's one of the players I'd look at and think he needs to go in the summer just because of the injuries."And another name that I'm going to throw in that hat and I hate to say it because I love him and think he's brilliant - Lisandro Martinez."If you're injured all the time, at some point you've got to say, 'we can't be having this'."It's a shame because I love both of those players."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
