By Sarah Gill
06th Jul 2023
06th Jul 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Media Minister to meet RTÉ execs
Media Minister Catherine Martin’s meeting with members of the RTÉ board has been brought forward to today. The meeting will “discuss how RTÉ will facilitate the completion of the examination and the immediate next steps they will be taking to contribute to the restoration of trust and confidence”. Speaking in the Seanad yesterday during a debate on capping RTÉ salaries in line with government ministers, Minister Martin expressed concern about the “deeply unsatisfactory nature in which information is being provided” by the RTÉ Executive Board.
Tara Mines protest
Workers at Tara Mines in Co Meath are staging a protest at the mine over plans to temporarily close the facility and temporarily lay off 650 workers later this month. The company said financial losses at the mine have been driven by several factors including a decline in the price of zinc, high energy prices, general cost inflation and operational challenges. The Unite trade union said members had been left with no choice but to take protest action.
Earth’s average temperature
Earth’s average temperature remained at a record high on Wednesday, after two days in which the planet reached unofficial records. The average global temperature was 17.18C, according to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyser, a tool that uses satellite data and computer simulations to measure the world’s condition. That matched a record set on Tuesday of 17.18C and came after a previous record of 17.01C was set on Monday.
Threads
Mark Zuckerberg launched a direct challenge to Twitter with Threads, garnering millions of users in hours as it sought to take advantage of its rival’s much-weakened state after a series of chaotic decisions from owner Elon Musk. The app will not be launched in the EU yet due to uncertainty around the app’s use of personal data. Analysts have said Threads’ ties to Instagram might give it a built-in user base and advertising apparatus. That could siphon ad dollars from Twitter at a time when its new CEO is trying to revive its struggling business.
Yellow rain warning
A status yellow rain warning is currently in place for Cork, Galway, Kerry and Mayo. Met Éireann said there will heavy rain at times on Thursday which may cause localised flooding. Friday will see scattered heavy showers with isolated thunderstorms mainly over the western half of the country in the morning, it will be drier with sunny spells in the east.