There is "nothing honest" about Fianna Fáil's approach to housing, the Sinn Fein housing spokesman has said. Eoin Ó Broin was speaking after Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said that he could not release last month's homelessness figures ahead of next Friday's election date. Homelessness figures are released on the last Friday of the month at around 2pm. That means that this month's will be released in the middle of voting, after many people have already cast their ballot. Asked on Thursday if he would release the figures on Thursday, Mr O'Brien said this was not possible, but denied it was due to a lack of transparency. "I couldn't, because the figures have to be independently verified. They're not just figures that I settle on there. They're figures that are independently verified, independently published. "And it will be done like every single other month, at exactly the same time on the last Friday of the month. No change on that whatsoever, and completely transparent." Mr Ó Broin hit out at those comments, saying that the widespread expectation is that the figures will hit new record highs, something which had become standard under the current government. "I think people know that Darragh O'Brien is the Minister for homelessness. Darragh O'Brien has been minister for four and a half years, and homelessness has increased to levels people never thought imaginable. "So while I think it would be better if we published them on Thursday, I think most people are expecting the numbers will rise. "We will have more adults, more children, more pensioners, more singles, and more families in emergency accommodation than ever before. "Why? Because Darragh O'Brien has consistently missed his social housing targets, targets that were too low in the first place and isn't delivering a sufficient volume affordable homes." Mr Ó Broin said that even those figures which are published only take in those in emergency accommodation. We've never had a full picture of homelessness in Ireland because this government, like its predecessor, has consistently refused to publish figures for all people in emergency accommodation settings. "They don't publish, for example, women and children in Tusla accommodation. They don't publish figures for men and women in hostels not funded by the state. But yes, I think it would be the right thing for them to do to publish the figures earlier. "I think the entire position of Fianna Fail in particular in housing is dishonest, but there's not a snowball's chance in hell that Darryl Brown will publish those figures before polls open on Friday. Why? Because he knows the figures are going up." The number of people living in emergency accommodation reached a record of 14,760 in September, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing. The figures include 10,199 adults and 4,561 children. These numbers mark a 1.9% increase on the previous month, where a total of 14,486 people were homeless.
Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. A pepper grinder, really? Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. To build a fire Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. The place for a ladle is on the pot The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. Up your birdwatching with this feeder The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax's Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. Printing old-fashioned photos via Bluetooth Fujifilm's Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Houseplants don't get much easier than this The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you've got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. Making your own (plant-based) milk If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses "smart" technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. The perfect temperature for 350,000-plus wines For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Casting light on the grill after dark This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good's 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on what's happeningSoutheastern Grocers gives customers extra jingle in their pockets with over $50,000 in free groceries
Teledyne Technologies Stock: Analyst Estimates & RatingsInfluencer Breckie Hill reposted TikTok videos that “confirmed” Barry Keoghan cheated on Sabrina Carpenter with her, further fueling the rumor mill. The 21-year-old’s suspicious social media activity comes after the popular gossip Instagram account DeuxMoi posted a blind item that hinted the Irish actor had been unfaithful to his pop star girlfriend. “On the closing night of her biggest tour to date in LA, he was busy getting very cozy at San Vincente Bungalows with a blonde, semi-famous LA based influencer (who’s particularly big on tiktok),” it read. “I snooped around a bit out of curiosity and apparently he and his pop star girlfriend called it quits very suddenly less than a week before her final shows in LA after she found out he had been chatting with said influencer behind her back for months in a not-innocent-at-all way.” The person who submitted the blind item then further alleged that the unnamed influencer had “gone to find” Keoghan in the UK when he was filming there, as she was “eager to keep him company.” According to the item, the influencer had allegedly been “running her mouth a lot” and the “Bring Them Down” star was not “doing much to stop her.” Although the influencer was not named, several internet sleuths narrowed down their guesses to Hill since she matched the descriptions, including being blond, living in LA and boasting 4.3 million TikTok followers. She also reposted a video that showed photos she previously shared that seemingly hinted at the affair. One of the images featured Hill drinking a margarita while on a mystery date on Nov. 18, and she wrote over it, “kinda salty,” which some believe was a direct reference to Keoghan’s hit film, “Saltburn.” The influencer also posted via Snapchat that she went that night to Boa Steakhouse in Santa Monica, Calif., a short drive to the San Vicente Bungalows, the place mentioned in the DeuxMoi blind item. The final clue, though, was Hill sipping on a drink called “blackberry smash,” which sleuths believe was yet another reference — this time to Keoghan’s first name. The social media star also reposted a second TikTok video that flat-out says in the caption, “Trouble in paradise, it has been confirmed Barry cheated on Sabrina with TikTok Influencer @Breckie Hill. “When Sabrina was wrapping up her last show dates in California on her Short N Sweet Tour. Instead of attending the show Barry was seen out in public with the influencer.” Page Six has reached out to Hill for comment but did not hear back. Keoghan’s rep also did not immediately return our request. On Tuesday, an insider told People that the “Calm with Horses” actor was back on the market after dating Carpenter, 25, for a year. They “decided to take a break,” the source said. “They are both young and career-focused.” Page Six has reached out to Carpenter’s rep for comment on the cheating rumors but did not immediately hear back. Meanwhile, the internet is buzzing over the allegations, including gymnast Olivia Dunne, who has had a longstanding feud with Hill. The Louisiana State University athlete, 22, shared a TikTok video Tuesday that said over it, “When her true colors are finally revealed in the national media.” She also added in her comments section that she “loves” Carpenter and that her video was aimed at “who homewrecked [sic]” the “Espresso” singer’s relationship.
Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair
Game-changing holiday gifts for building fires, printing photos, watching birds and moreFantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Players to start or sit for the rest of Week 14Democrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump's inaugurationJammu, Dec 7: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, today conducted inspection of Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels in Jammu. He visited Gujjar & Bakerwal Girls Hostel Wazarat Road and Gujjar and Bakerwal Boys Hostel Wazarat Road to take stock of their functioning and the facilities available for the inmate students. He checked the water facilities, menu, classrooms, library services, recreation Hall for students, etc. He also ascertained about teaching modules and schedules. Javed Rana directed that the students should be provided with all the facilities for their overall development. During his visit, the Minister instructed, Director Tribal Affairs, Ghulam Rasool to closely monitor and improve functioning of all hostels across Jammu and Kashmir. While interacting with the staff, Javed Rana enquired about the performance of the students and asked the staff to provide full assistance to students to prepare them for competitive examinations. During his visit, he also instructed the tutors to improve writing skills in students. He said that writing skills at the primary level plays a crucial role in shaping a young student’s educational path, helping them excel academically and unlock future opportunities. Maintaining that development goes beyond simply meeting school requirements, Javed Rana said that it is about enabling children to articulate their ideas, engage in meaningful discussions, and tap into their creative potential. The Minister also instructed the Director Tribal Affairs to organise seminars, debates and other co-curricular activities for the overall development of the students. He said that teachers should make optimum use of their time and resources for the benefit of the student community.
