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BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Eva Gore-Booth: The overlooked sister of Constance Markievicz
Constance Markievicz, also known as Countess Markievicz, has been solidified as an extremely important figure in Irish history. An Irish revolutionary nationalist politician, suffragist, and socialist, Markievicz was the first woman elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Advertisement She was a founding member of Fianna Éireann, Cumann na mBan, and the Irish Citizen Army. She also took part in the Easter Rising in 1916, and sexism worked in her favour as she was spared execution just for being a woman. She is well-known to most Irish people, and is seen as a leading figure in the fight for Irish independence and social reform. Constance's younger sister Eva Gore-Booth is not half as well-known as her. But her achievements are impressive too. The EPIC Irish Emigration Museum said Gore-Booth is "an icon of suffrage, trade unionism, nationalism and LGBTQ+ defiance". Advertisement So, who was Eva Gore-Booth? Compared to Constance, who is reported to have been wiley, strong-willed and vocal, Eva was quieter, graceful, and empathetic. According to their governess, Eva was 'always so delicate' and often let her older sister overshadow her. EPIC said Gore-Booth was by no means a passive person, despite not minding blending quietly into the background. "She was deeply passionate, a fact that is probably most evident in her poetry and she was a fierce campaigner for women's rights, worker's rights and animal rights throughout her life." Advertisement Gore-Booth is said to have fell in love with folk-telling and Irish lore, and became a poet when Constance left for France to study art. "Eva herself travelled, although her home was still in Sligo," EPIC said. "That was until she met English suffragist and social justice campaigner Esther Roper. Whilst travelling in 1896, Gore-Booth fell ill and moved to Bordighera in Italy to recover. "It was here that she met Esther Roper, who was also recovering from an illness. The two fell hopelessly in love." Advertisement This is where Gore-Booth's status as an icon of LGBTQ+ defiance starts. In a time where being gay was a punishable crime, Eva Gore-Booth and Esther Roper defied societal norms by being openly devoted to each other. "Gore-Booth returned to Sligo and Roper to Manchester in 1897. They were barely apart for a few months when Gore-Booth uprooted her aristocratic life to live in Manchester with Roper," EPIC said. The museum said Gore-Booth's queer relationship had no effect on her relationship with Constance. Advertisement Eva and Constance. Photo: Lissadell House "Constance was very fond of Roper too, writing that 'Esther is wonderful, and the more one knowns her, the more one loves her'. "Roper and Gore-Booth came from completely different worlds. Roper's parents were working-class Irish immigrants, her father was a factory hand who moved to England during the industrial revolution. "Roper was a highly intelligent child and became the first woman to graduate from the University of Manchester. "Her compassion for working class women and her activism for the causes of suffrage and labour rights further inspired Gore-Booth to become involved in those social causes herself." Women's suffrage, Irish independence, and death During her brief return to Sligo, Eva Gore-Booth called the first women's suffrage meeting in a local hall in December 1896. Though the meeting was scoffed at by new outlets at the time, EPIC said Eva was far from deterred from supporting the cause of suffrage. An article in Vanity Fair stated how the 'three pretty daughters of Sir Henry Gore-Booth are creating a little excitement… supported by a few devoted yokels', never anticipating how the Gore-Booth sisters would create much more than a 'little excitement' in society. "Esther Roper lit the fire in Eva Gore-Booth that ignited a life-long devotion to social causes. Eva's poetry is often politically charged, poems like The Anti-Suffragist being a short but particularly scathing commentary on those who turn a blind-eye to injustice," EPIC said. "Though Eva was living abroad, she never forgot her ties to the Ireland, being outspoken in favour of Irish Independence. "When Constance Markeivicz was captured in 1916, Gore-Booth and Roper smuggled themselves into a Dublin on lock-down to visit her in Kilmainham Gaol. "Following her release from Aylesbury Prison, the couple met her and brought her back to their London home at 33 Fitzroy Square, which became known as a hub of Irish Nationalism in London." In the 1920s, it was found that Eva Gore-Booth had terminal colon cancer. She begged Roper to keep it from Constance and it was Roper's brother and Roper herself that cared for Eva in her final days. "She passed in 1926, the news coming as a shock to Constance, who was too bereft to attend the funeral," EPIC said. "She herself died a year later in 1927, arguably of a broken heart, though not before writing in a letter to a friend that she was 'so glad that Eva and [Esther] were together. So thankful that her love was with Eva until the end'. "Esther Roper died in 1938 and is buried with Eva Gore-Booth in London. The inscription on their headstone is 'Life with Love is God'."
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Explainer-French PM aims to soften opposition to his budget to avert new crisis
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou leaves following the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor PARIS (Reuters) -French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has to convince opposition Socialist lawmakers in the coming months to tolerate his 44 billion euro budget squeeze or he faces the risk of being toppled. Bayrou is bringing his 2026 budget to a fractured parliament where hard-left and far-right parties threaten no-confidence motions against him unless he makes major revisions. If he can convince the Socialists at least to abstain from backing such motions, Bayrou's minority government could get the budget through, however, meaning he must rewrite the legislation enough for them to stomach it. Politicians will be heading off for the summer break, with parliament in recess until Sept. 22, effectively giving Bayrou two months to try to soften the Socialists' resistance to his plans. BAYROU'S PROPOSAL Bayrou aims to reduce France's budget deficit, the biggest in the euro zone, from 5.4% to the European Union's 3% GDP limit by 2029. His 43.8 billion euro ($51 billion) package freezes most non-defence spending and eliminates two public holidays. Nearly 21 billion euros comes from limiting social and local government spending growth, with no inflation adjustments for public sector wages or welfare benefits. Another 10 billion euros targets high earners through a "solidarity" tax, restricts pensioner tax breaks, and cracks down on fraud. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? While politicians debate the budget over their summer break, unions are considering strike action - the hard-line CGT is in favour while the moderate CFDT has not ruled it out. The September return from the summer recess promises to be particularly tense as parties stake out positions. Bayrou must finalise his budget bill by Oct. 1 when it is to be sent to lawmakers. Without a majority, he will likely at some point invoke article 49.3 of the constitution to adopt the budget without a vote, triggering inevitable no-confidence motions. His survival would depend on the Socialists' abstention. SOCIALIST DEMANDS Socialists demand a total budget revision, arguing that the spending freeze burdens average workers and pensioners while treating the wealthy with a light touch. They have criticised Bayrou's 4 billion euro tax increase on high earners as grossly insufficient. Bayrou has signalled a willingness to adapt, but he faces constraints from allies who think France's tax burden is already excessive. The Socialists are also against plans not to replace some retiring public workers and the scrapping of two public holidays. IF BAYROU FALLS Should Bayrou fail to placate the Socialists and fall, President Emmanuel Macron would have to find a new prime minister, as happened with Bayrou's conservative predecessor Michel Barnierin December. This would leave budget legislation in limbo during the formation of a new government, which could drag on in the absence of figures palatable to at least some parties. Alternatively, Macron could call snap legislative elections again, plunging France even deeper into political uncertainty. ($1 = 0.8592 euros) (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Explainer-French PM aims to soften opposition to his budget to avert new crisis
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou leaves following the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor PARIS - French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has to convince opposition Socialist lawmakers in the coming months to tolerate his 44 billion euro budget squeeze or he faces the risk of being toppled. Bayrou is bringing his 2026 budget to a fractured parliament where hard-left and far-right parties threaten no-confidence motions against him unless he makes major revisions. If he can convince the Socialists at least to abstain from backing such motions, Bayrou's minority government could get the budget through, however, meaning he must rewrite the legislation enough for them to stomach it. Politicians will be heading off for the summer break, with parliament in recess until Sept. 22, effectively giving Bayrou two months to try to soften the Socialists' resistance to his plans. BAYROU'S PROPOSAL Bayrou aims to reduce France's budget deficit, the biggest in the euro zone, from 5.4% to the European Union's 3% GDP limit by 2029. His 43.8 billion euro ($51 billion) package freezes most non-defence spending and eliminates two public holidays. Nearly 21 billion euros comes from limiting social and local government spending growth, with no inflation adjustments for public sector wages or welfare benefits. Another 10 billion euros targets high earners through a "solidarity" tax, restricts pensioner tax breaks, and cracks down on fraud. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore Who is UNC3886, the group that attacked S'pore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital While politicians debate the budget over their summer break, unions are considering strike action - the hard-line CGT is in favour while the moderate CFDT has not ruled it out. The September return from the summer recess promises to be particularly tense as parties stake out positions. Bayrou must finalise his budget bill by Oct. 1 when it is to be sent to lawmakers. Without a majority, he will likely at some point invoke article 49.3 of the constitution to adopt the budget without a vote, triggering inevitable no-confidence motions. His survival would depend on the Socialists' abstention. SOCIALIST DEMANDS Socialists demand a total budget revision, arguing that the spending freeze burdens average workers and pensioners while treating the wealthy with a light touch. They have criticised Bayrou's 4 billion euro tax increase on high earners as grossly insufficient. Bayrou has signalled a willingness to adapt, but he faces constraints from allies who think France's tax burden is already excessive. The Socialists are also against plans not to replace some retiring public workers and the scrapping of two public holidays. IF BAYROU FALLS Should Bayrou fail to placate the Socialists and fall, President Emmanuel Macron would have to find a new prime minister, as happened with Bayrou's conservative predecessor Michel Barnier in December. This would leave budget legislation in limbo during the formation of a new government, which could drag on in the absence of figures palatable to at least some parties. Alternatively, Macron could call snap legislative elections again, plunging France even deeper into political uncertainty. REUTERS
Local Spain
5 days ago
- Business
- Local Spain
Tourist magnet Barcelona to cut cruise ship capacity
The city of Barcelona and the port authority signed an agreement to reduce the number of cruise ship terminals from seven to five by 2030, cutting traveller capacity from 37,000 to 31,000. Spain's second-largest city hosts one of the world's busiest ports for cruise traffic, having received 3.65 million such passengers in 2024, according to Barcelona's Tourism Observatory. Cruise passenger numbers grew by 20 percent between 2018 and 2024, Barcelona's Socialist mayor Jaume Collboni said in a statement. "For the first time in history, limits are being set on the growth of cruise ships in the city," Collboni added. The demolition of three existing cruise terminals and the construction of a new one will cost €185 million ($215 million), adding to previous investments since a first protocol was signed in 2018. Tourism has helped drive the dynamic Spanish economy, making it the world's second most-visited country with a record 94 million foreign visitors last year. But the boom has fuelled anger about unaffordable housing and concern that mass visitor numbers are changing the fabric of neighbourhoods, sparking protests in tourism hotspots. With its Mediterranean beaches and world-famous cultural landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia basilica, Barcelona is on the front line of mass tourism, receiving millions of visitors every year. It announced last year a plan to scrap around 10,000 tourist rental apartments by 2028 in an attempt to ease local discontent. Elsewhere in Europe, the popular Italian city of Venice introduced a charge for day visitors last year, while Greece is implementing a tax on cruise ships docking at its islands.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Tourist magnet Barcelona to cut cruise ship capacity
Spain's second-largest city hosts one of the world's busiest ports for cruise trafficCruise passenger numbers grew by 20 percent between 2018 and 2024BARCELONA: Barcelona unveiled on Thursday a plan to reduce the number of cruise passengers arriving at its port, part of a wider trend to combat overtourism in Europe's most popular city of Barcelona and the port authority signed an agreement to reduce the number of cruise ship terminals from seven to five by 2030, cutting traveler capacity from 37,000 to 31, second-largest city hosts one of the world's busiest ports for cruise traffic, having received 3.65 million such passengers in 2024, according to Barcelona's Tourism passenger numbers grew by 20 percent between 2018 and 2024, Barcelona's Socialist mayor Jaume Collboni said in a statement.'For the first time in history, limits are being set on the growth of cruise ships in the city,' Collboni demolition of three existing cruise terminals and the construction of a new one will cost 185 million euros ($215 million), adding to previous investments since a first protocol was signed in has helped drive the dynamic Spanish economy, making it the world's second most-visited country with a record 94 million foreign visitors last the boom has fueled anger about unaffordable housing and concern that mass visitor numbers are changing the fabric of neighborhoods, sparking protests in tourism its Mediterranean beaches and world-famous cultural landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia basilica, Barcelona is on the front line of mass tourism, receiving millions of visitors every announced last year a plan to scrap around 10,000 tourist rental apartments by 2028 in an attempt to ease local in Europe, the popular Italian city of Venice introduced a charge for day visitors last year, while Greece is implementing a tax on cruise ships docking at its islands.
