Latest news with #MichaelGallagher
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Smithville High School 2025 graduates honored for their leadership
Smithville High School honored 87 graduates in its class of 2025 during a commencement ceremony Sunday at the Wilbur Berkey Fieldhouse. This year's valedictorian is Ethan Numer, and the salutatorian is Michael Gallagher. Both were recognized during the ceremony for their academic achievements. Principal Andy Bratcher said class members made a strong impression during their time at Smithville, especially in their leadership as seniors. 'This was a fun class,' Bratcher said. 'They stepped up and led our building well. When I challenged them as juniors to take that role, they surpassed what I thought they could do. This is a good group, and it's hard to see them go.' Friends, family, and faculty gathered in the gym to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments and wish them well in the next chapter of their lives. This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Valedictorian Ethan Numer leads Smithville High class of 2025
ITV News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Government asked to detail risk of naming civil servants' in Omagh inquiry after proposed redaction
The Government has been asked to urgently inform the Omagh Bombing Inquiry if any civil servants have been put at risk because their names are on documents given to the probe. The inquiry has been sitting in Belfast to hear a government application for the identities of junior civil servants to be blanked emerged that 700 documents containing up to 8000 pages can't be disclosed to other participants due to issues surrounding redactions. The public inquiry was set up by the previous government to examine whether the explosion could have been prevented by the UK authorities. The Real IRA bomb in the Co Tyrone town in August 1998 killed 29 people, including a woman who was pregnant with twins, in the worst single atrocity in the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Bereaved families and their legal representatives have expressed their opposition to any redactions as they believe it may block getting the answers they want. Michael Gallagher, who's son Aiden was killed in the 1998 said: "The Secretary of State is a core participant as I am, and this is an independent public inquiry. That means independent of government. "So he should be assisting the inquiry, as should the other core participants like ourselves and not redacting and restricting the information to the families. "This was really a fight for the truth and the truth is always worth fighting for." Counsel for the inquiry Paul Greaney KC said redactions are slowing the legal process down: "The need to resolve the issues of redaction has, as an objective fact, placed a brake on the work of disclosure of the inquiry." A barrister for the Secretary of State had argued that unredacted names of junior civil servants put some in danger of attack by dissident republicans. Counsel for the inquiry is objecting to blanket redactions, but says it must be informed if anyone is at risk"And they must tell us immediately, by which we mean early next week at the latest, if there is any such case. "And identifying which document any such person is named so that the issue can be addressed." The PSNI made submissions suggesting that the names of suspects in the bombing and other linked attacks who were never charged be redacted, but police didn't make a formal application. Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull said that can be dealt with on a case by case basis. After a ruling on the redaction issue is heard, the inquiry will return to Omagh next month to hear opening statements from core participants.
Sharjah 24
24-02-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Saud Al Mazrouei wins Most Innovative Leader of the Year
The Stevie Awards, one of the most prestigious globally, honoured Al Mazrouei in recognition of his excellence in leading strategic projects that promote sustainable economic development. His expertise in managing Sharjah free zones has helped attract more than 15,000 companies from 160 countries, reinforcing their status as top investment hubs in the region and beyond. Al Mazrouei was selected from a pool of more than 1,100 nominees representing 13 countries. The awards ceremony, held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah under the patronage of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce, featured a distinguished judging panel composed of global business and economic experts. The judging process involved a detailed and detailed set of criteria to evaluate the creativity and real-world impact of leadership practices implemented by institutions and individuals, ensuring that only those with the highest standards of excellence and innovation were chosen as winners. Al Mazrouei received the honour from Michael Gallagher, Executive Chairman of the Stevie Awards in the presence of senior government officials, private sector representatives, and members of the press. Outstanding achievement His Excellency Saud Salim Al Mazrouei emphasised that winning the Stevie Awards is a testament to the collective efforts of the teams at both HFZA and SAIF Zone. 'This prestigious recognition will further reinforce our commitment to adopting cutting-edge practices, fostering innovation, and striving for excellence in managing the two free zones. From creating a model investment environment to delivering world-class services that streamline business operations, the free zones have set a benchmark for global competitiveness,' Al Mazrouei said. 'This achievement would not have been possible had it not been for the wise vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his ongoing support for the development of the Emirate's free zones.' Leading global destination His Excellency noted that HFZA and SAIF Zone achieved significant milestones last year, attracting more than 1,600 companies from across the globe. 'This recognition is more than just an award—it's a motivation to keep pushing forward, strengthening Sharjah's position as a global leader in free zones and innovative services. It also reaffirms the emirate's role as a key economic powerhouse, known for its remarkable diversification. I sincerely appreciate the Stevie Awards organising committee, the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce, and the jury for this honour. Our commitment to investors, along with our drive for innovation and excellence, will continue to guide us as we enhance our services and introduce new, forward-thinking initiatives.' Al Mazrouei added. Earlier in 2024, the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority earned three prestigious global accolades at the 11th edition of the Global Free Zones of the Year awards 2024 by fDi Intelligence, affiliated with the Financial Times. HFZA has ranked second as the best free zone globally in 2024, winning the Global Free Zone of the Year Award. In addition, HFZA received high commendations in two key categories: Highly Commended Industrial Free Zone—Middle East and Highly Commended Industrial Free Zone—Globally. Global award Established in 2002, the Stevie Awards is one of the world's leading business awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of organizations and individuals globally. It has become one of the most prestigious awards worldwide, with a jury comprising over 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and experts from various industries. The organization is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, USA. It manages several international business awards programs, including the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, which specifically cater to businesses and professionals in the MENA region. This year, the competition was fiercer than ever, with a record 1,100 nominees vying for top honours across more than 150 categories. These categories cover a broad spectrum, including achievements and innovations, institutional excellence, public relations and corporate communications, customer service and human resources, individual and organisational accomplishments, live and virtual events, social media, management and technology, sustainability, thought leadership, and many more.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Bereaved father hopes Omagh inquiry ‘the beginning of the end'
Hope has been expressed that the Omagh Bombing Inquiry will be the 'beginning of the end' for the bereaved in their pursuit of answers. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack in the Co Tyrone town, also pressed the British and Irish governments to fully co-operate with the inquiry. The inquiry will examine whether the atrocity could have been prevented. It started four weeks of commemorative hearings on Tuesday, remembering the victims and hearing from those who were injured or directly affected. Mr Gallagher campaigned for many years for an inquiry, and took the legal action which resulted in a judge in 2021 finding it was plausible there was a real prospect the bombing could have been prevented by the security services, and calling for new investigations on both sides of the Irish border. In 2023, the UK government announced there would be an independent statutory inquiry into the bombing. I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British government and the Irish government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say that's all I can do Michael Gallagher Ruairi de Burca, director-general at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, attended the first public hearing of the Omagh inquiry last July. He told the inquiry that he was present on behalf of his government to signal in the 'clearest terms, our commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of this inquiry'. Mr Gallagher said on Tuesday: 'I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British government and the Irish government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say that's all I can do. 'I'm very grateful for everybody who helped us get to this point where we can see an end.' Mr Gallagher also praised the focus on the victims in this phase of the inquiry as 'bringing humanity' to proceedings. 'It's important to be here to support the other families, the Spanish families are giving evidence this morning, it's going to be difficult,' he said. 'It brings a lot of it back, but it's hugely important to focus this week and next week and the week after on the victims. In all of this, sometimes the voice of the victims is lost because there are so many technical arguments, but this brings humanity to it.'
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bereaved father hopes Omagh inquiry ‘the beginning of the end'
Hope has been expressed that the Omagh Bombing Inquiry will be the 'beginning of the end' for the bereaved in their pursuit of answers. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 dissident republican bomb attack in the Co Tyrone town, also pressed the British and Irish governments to fully co-operate with the inquiry. The inquiry will examine whether the atrocity could have been prevented. It started four weeks of commemorative hearings on Tuesday, remembering the victims and hearing from those who were injured or directly affected. Mr Gallagher campaigned for many years for an inquiry, and took the legal action which resulted in a judge in 2021 finding it was plausible there was a real prospect the bombing could have been prevented by the security services, and calling for new investigations on both sides of the Irish border. In 2023, the UK government announced there would be an independent statutory inquiry into the bombing. Ruairi de Burca, director-general at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, attended the first public hearing of the Omagh inquiry last July. He told the inquiry that he was present on behalf of his government to signal in the 'clearest terms, our commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of this inquiry'. Mr Gallagher said on Tuesday: 'I just hope for me that this is the beginning of the end, that we do get the answers we need, that both the British government and the Irish government fully co-operate with the inquiry and as a bereaved parent I can say that's all I can do. 'I'm very grateful for everybody who helped us get to this point where we can see an end.' Mr Gallagher also praised the focus on the victims in this phase of the inquiry as 'bringing humanity' to proceedings. 'It's important to be here to support the other families, the Spanish families are giving evidence this morning, it's going to be difficult,' he said. 'It brings a lot of it back, but it's hugely important to focus this week and next week and the week after on the victims. In all of this, sometimes the voice of the victims is lost because there are so many technical arguments, but this brings humanity to it.'
