Latest news with #Maclean
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Stay inside warning after fire in derelict building
People were told to stay inside after a fire broke out at a derelict commercial building in Burnley. Eight fire crews were called to the incident, where they used a drone unit to tackle the fire, on Holmes Street at around 14:30 BST on Saturday, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said. There are no reports of any injuries, but resident Rachel Maclean told the BBC that Aldi, next to the building, was evacuated. Expressing concern about the incident, Ms Maclean said: "There are kids in and out (of the derelict building) all the time and local homeless people do stay in there." Ms Maclean said that her family were advised to stay indoors. The cause of the fire is under investigation. In a video shared on social media, Liam Wilson, group manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We've worked tremendously hard over the afternoon, firstly, doing the firefighting operation but also working with partners to minimise the impact to the local community and the surrounding buildings and premises." He said they were "extremely grateful for the support of the community". A LFRS spokesperson said that, by 21:00 BST on Saturday, six fire crews and the aerial appliances remained. They said four crews remained on scene on Sunday, with Oxford Road and Holmes Street remaining closed to vehicles throughout the day. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
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Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Scotsman
Tour guide hits back at 'gibberish' spoken about Gaelic Scotland
For Coinneach Maclean, it is time to set the Gaelic record straight. Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A new book is seeking to redress the 'gibberish' shared with tourists about Gaelic history and culture on their travels through Scotland. Coinneach Maclean, of Skye, who trained as a tour guide after retirement, said he wrote Travels in Another Country, A Guide to Gaelic Scotland to counter the 'distortion and invention' surrounding the Gaels, their traditions and stories which are routinely made up, embellished and shared with visitors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The book journeys through Gaelic speaking areas, past and present, and uses place names, archive material, songs and poetry to illustrate the landscape, the stories and the characters which deeply defined the places through time. He said a lack of understanding of Gaelic culture among tour guides meant that vast chunks of history were often either missed out - or manufactured. Mr Maclean said: 'Often because guides cannot get a grip on Gaelic culture in Scotland, what happens is that people, rather than talk about the landscape in the period that Gaels were there, talk about monuments, Bronze Age monuments, so about 2,000 years of Gaelic history in Scotland is just ignored.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said one of the 'worst offenders' was the Isle of Skye, given the many tales surrounding some of its most popular attractions such as the Fairy Pools, Fairy Glen and the now-magical waters that flow under the Sligachan bridge that used to connect the island to the mainland. Mr Maclean said there had been 'so much invention' that visitors may be unable to separate 'fact from fiction'. Mr Maclean, who trained in archaeology and latterly worked in the heritage sector, said: 'Skye is one of the worst offenders. In 1979 they replaced the old Telford Bridge and it now sits in the landscape as a feature. People have had to invent a tale about the waters underneath the bridge. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'You see people there dipping their heads into the pools because if you do that, come out and let the sun and the wind dry your face, your beauty will be retained eternally. Where did that come from? 'Of course it is utter gibberish. There are no associations with anything at that location other than droving in the 1820s and 1830s.' Stories and the new folklore surrounding the bridge have then escalated to include a potion - or maybe even tears - being added to the water by the supposed lover of Cù Chulainn ('Culann's hound'), best described as a Gaelic mythological demigod. Some believe the Cuillins, where he is said to have hunted, were named after him. Mr Maclean added: 'It gets worse and worse and worse. After creating the nonsense in the first place, you have to add yet further information to justify why the waters have become so important in preserving the beauty of people. It goes on and on and on." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Maclean said the Fairy Pools on Skye only became known as such in the past 20 years or so. When he was growing up, all the stories around the Glenbrittle beauty spot, now a major tourist draw, were related to the last clan battle between the Macleods and the Macdonalds in the early 1600s. He added: 'A book written in the early 1900s writes of four locations where fairies could be seen on the isle of Skye - none of them were the Fairy Glen or the Fairy Pool. No reference is made to them. 'You say that to people and they say 'don't let the truth get in the way of a good story.' 'There are many many traditions associated with those locations but what happens is that people overlay it with this stupid glop which has no reference and no connection with the culture and traditions of the Gaelic people. The Gaelic narrative has been obliterated.'
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
RTE Fair City star opens up on ‘serious wake up call' after his ‘physical health took serious turn for the worse'
RTE Fair City star Maclean Burke had a "serious wake up call" after his "physical health took a serious turn for the worse". The native, who is renowned for playing the well-intentioned on the hit soap opera, was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition last year. Advertisement 3 Maclean stars as Damien in Fair City Credit: RTE 3 Maclean has opened up on his serious health scare Credit: Instagram 3 Maclean has said he feels the 'best' he has in a long time Credit: Instagram was playing the lead role in the 3Olympia's panto show, Freezin, when he after the curtain closed and was rushed to hospital. After a series of tests were carried out, the star was diagnosed with a condition called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a rare condition involving the rapid breakdown of muscle. When a muscle is damaged, symptoms take a few days to develop, and sometimes those who have the condition may not notice for some time. Advertisement read more on fair city Maclean, who recently said he's " The Dubliner posted a photo of himself looking worse for wear in bed and up-to-date snaps of him looking as fit-as-a-fiddle with his top off. He wrote: "Six months ago my life drastically changed overnight, my physical health took a serious turn for the worse to the point where it was hanging in the balance for a short period of time. "This put me in the position where I had to reevaluate absolutely everything that had led me to this point and the choices I was and was not making for myself Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Exclusive "I had to acknowledge that I had not taken care of myself properly to the point where my life could have ended." Maclean explained how his mindset has completely changed due to the health scare. Fair City star opens up on partner's declining health He said: "When something like this happens you get a serious wake up call and realise that when life gives you another chance you grab hold of it with everything you've got. "And now six months later I am seeing the results of making better choices for my physical and mental health. Advertisement "This is probably the best I have felt in a very long time and I am looking forward to continuing making better choices for physical and mental health everyday." Maclean finished off his statement with a motivational message for his fans saying: "If you were lucky enough to wake up today then make it count and dance like EVERYONE is watching." 'WE MISSED YOU' The actor made sure to thank those around him who have supported him throughout his journey. He said: "Special thanks to my family and the rock that is Caitriona Nolan. Advertisement "And a big shout out to @owen_mulrane_fitness who has managed to plan my return to health." Maclean also revealed that he will be making a return to his panto show this winter saying: "And 'Polly' told me to say she can't wait to see you all in December." The 46-year-old's friends and fans all flooded his comment section with praise. Former Fair City star Rachel Pilkington said: "Good on you Mac. Not everyone finds that clarity." Advertisement Aoife commented: "Some man, delighted you're doing well." Patrick wrote: "Unreal fair play." Suzanne added: "Delighted to hear this, we missed you this year at the Panto, but glad to hear your on the mend."
Montreal Gazette
07-05-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
‘A major investment': New Montreal video-game studio to hire up to 300 people
By A new video-game studio is set to open in Montreal, adding 200 to 300 jobs to a sector that in recent years has seen a slump after massive pandemic-era investments dried up. The studio will be U.S.-based Iwot Games's first and will be tasked with adapting Wheel of Time, a fantasy book and TV series, into a role-playing video game. One of the largest centres in the world for video-game development, Montreal counts more than 250 gaming studios that employ around 15,000 people, according to investment agency Montréal International. The industry is in large part fuelled by international investments, often from U.S. companies. A COVID-era boom saw international investments supported by the investment agency soar to $635 million in 2021 but diminish in each subsequent year to date. In 2024, the agency reported just $75 million injected into the industry. 'I hope (the announcement) will bring oxygen and some optimism to people,' said Stéphane D'Astous, who Iwot Games named Tuesday as its director of studio operations. 'I think we're almost through this fog.' The studio is the company's first, as is the game it will be developing. D'Astous described Wheel of Time as an expansive series created by Robert Jordan that features more than 2,800 characters across 15 novels and a TV show on Amazon Prime that's now in its third season. The 200 to 300 positions won't be filled right off the bat, he said, but at least 50 new hires are expected during the next 12 months. Once the video game enters its production phase, he said the company would complete hiring, creating full-time permanent positions that will remain after the game is developed. The scale of the investment isn't yet known, D'Astous said, but will be 'in the tens of millions of dollars.' 'It's a major investment, one of the bigger ones we've seen recently,' said Mark Maclean, Montréal International's senior director for Americas and Asia. 'It will be a good year for the video-game industry in Montreal,' he said, adding that he expects between two and four more 'significant announcements' of new investments before the end of 2025. He agreed with D'Astous that the post-pandemic slump in gaming industry investments was ending, attributing it to a 'correction' that followed a worldwide boom. 'Everyone was in the basement playing video games' during the pandemic, he said, prompting gaming companies to fork massive amounts of money into production. Though the slowdown resulted in some layoffs, Maclean said Montreal wasn't hit as hard as other places. The city is an attractive choice for companies looking to open a studio, he said, offering both tax advantages and a significant talent pool. D'Astous, who has previously opened other Montreal gaming studios, is an example of that talent, Maclean said. But without the tax incentives, he said companies may opt to open studios elsewhere. For would-be investors, decisions consider 'a mix of talent and cost.' The tax credit is a major attraction, D'Astous said. 'It gives a good incentive for foreign investors and local investors.' In March 2024, Quebec announced it would reduce its tax credit for video-game salaries to 27.5 per cent from 37.5 per cent. In November, gaming studio Behaviour Interactive CEO Rémi Racine said the decision had the company reconsidering its future in the city. He also criticized provincial language laws aiming to protect the French language as unfriendly to video-game workers coming from abroad, who he said represent a quarter of the studio's staff. But Maclean said neither French nor reductions to the subsidy program have affected investments. 'We haven't seen it.'
Vancouver Sun
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
What is a throne speech? Why King Charles will deliver just Canada's third one by a reigning monarch
King Charles will visit Canada to deliver the throne speech on May 27. This will be the first time a reigning monarch delivers the speech in Canada since 1977. Article content Article content The visit will mark the King's 20th trip to Canada. The last visit was in May 2022. Queen Camilla will also be in attendance. Article content According to the Government of Canada, the speech is read every time a new session of Parliament is opened. It introduces the government's direction and goals with a layout of how they plan to achieve them. In Canada, it is usually read by the Governor General, who is the representative of the monarch. Article content Article content Article content Queen Elizabeth II addressed Canada twice over her 70-year-long reign as monarch. The first time was on Oct. 14, 1957. It was the Queen's first visit to Canada as the reigning monarch and the first time a monarch opened Parliament in Canada. Although, her visit was short, only four days. The speech was televised as then prime minister John Diefenbaker wanted the event to be shared across the country. Article content According to the Diefenbakers Canada Centre website, it was the first time that cameras had appeared in the House of Commons. Maclean's reported at the time that the National Film Board brought in strong lights for the filming of a documentary about the tour and blew all the fuses in the House of Commons, leading to a power outage for about five minutes. Article content 'CBC technicians wept when power was restored, with 55 seconds to go,' before the Queen's speech, Maclean's reported. Article content Article content Article content Article content The second time Queen Elizabeth II addressed Canada, and the most recent throne speech given by a monarch occurred on Oct. 18, 1977. Article content This address was a part of the Silver Jubilee tour, in honour of the monarch's 25th anniversary as Queen. Article content The event occurred while then prime minister Pierre Trudeau was in office, at a time when some of the members of Parliament were supporting the elimination of the monarchy. The Queen's visit was five days long, limited by Ottawa as much of the government did not want to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. According to Journalist Michael Jackson's book: The Crown and Canadian Federalism, the government 'grudgingly' agreed and 'arranged a short visit to Ottawa.'
