Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 9h

The latest Red List report warns that melting sea ice and deforestation are driving species to the brink. Three Arctic seal species face extinction, and more than half of the world’s birds are in decline due to habitat loss.

More on #VMNews

1 4 2

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 11h

Halloween shoppers in the US are in for a fright this year, as costs for the annual “trick or treat” tradition rise. Retailers blame Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports for the spike in prices.

More on #VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 21h

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 100% tariff on China in a row over export controls on rare earth minerals. The move is being seen as an escalation of the ongoing trade dispute between the two superpowers.

More on #VMNews

2

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 22h

French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister, only days after his resignation, tasking him with forming a government and producing a budget. The move is seen as Macron’s last chance to revive his second term amid economic strain and rising debt.

#VMNews

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 23h

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has acknowledged a “clear failure” over Jim Gavin’s failed presidential candidacy, telling party members he is “deeply sorry” for how events unfolded. He said Fianna Fáil will introduce new procedures for future nominations.

More on #VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 23h

The Molly Malone statue in Dublin has re-opened after being blocked off for essential maintenance. Dublin City Council says the work was needed due to extra wear and tear from visitors touching the bronze fishmonger.

More on #VMNews

1 2

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

Thousands of Palestinians have been returning to the rubble of their former homes in Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to hold. The Israeli military says it will continue to operate defensively.

More on #VMNews

2 1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has accused Fine Gael of negative campaigning, urging Heather Humphreys to distance herself from remarks made by former Minister Ivan Yates. Both candidates were canvassing in the south east today.

More on #VMNews

2

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

ICYMI: Budget 2026 includes a VAT cut on apartment sales from 13.5% to 9%. Gavan Reilly says it’s “a bailout to an industry which is already profitable, at a time when everyone else has been told to suck it up.”

📺Catch up on #TheGroupChat on Virgin Media Play.

1 8 9

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

Spain is under a red alert as torrential rain from Storm Alice batters the Murcia region. Up to 100 people have been evacuated from Cartagena, with authorities closely monitoring the storm. It comes nearly a year after deadly floods hit Valencia.

More on #VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

Donald Trump has congratulated the Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner after she dedicated the award to him and Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement. The White House earlier accused the Nobel Committee of “placing politics over peace” for awarding the prize to her over Trump.

#VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is pushing back against criticism of #Budget2026 after ESRI findings suggested households will lose 2% of disposable income. He denies this, saying differences in measurement methods may explain the figures.

More on #VMNews

1 1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

Aid agencies are urging all crossings into Gaza to open immediately to deliver vital food and medical supplies, as the latest truce between Israel and Hamas takes effect. UNICEF says over 1,300 trucks are ready, but UN officials say the aid surge hasn’t begun.

More on #VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 1d

US President Donald Trump is due to travel to Israel to officially sign the Gaza truce hoped to end the two-year war. The US-backed deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect yesterday and the hostage and prisoner release phase is set for the weekend.

More on #VMNews

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 2d

After Jim Gavin’s dramatic exit from the presidential race, The Group Chat dive into the “savage” and “cut and thrust” world of Irish presidential elections and whether the vetting process for candidates is thorough enough.

📺 Watch the full discussion ➡️ https://youtu.be/VJsFATViWJw

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 2d

The nationwide walk encourages individuals, families, and communities to take part in solidarity with those living with MND.

Funds raised go towards nursing care, counselling, and equipment for patients.

[2/2]

#VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 2d

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) has launched its annual ‘Walk While You Can’ event, scheduled for October 25th, 2025.

🧵 [1/2]

1 2

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 2d

🗣️ "It’s probably never going to be more important to have eyes on Gaza than it is in the next 12 months."

The Group Chat discuss the importance of keeping public attention on Gaza to ensure that the ceasefire deal is followed through on.

📺 10pm | Virgin Media One & Play

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 2d

A 45-year-old woman has gone on trial charged with the murders of two men whose bodies were found on an island on the Cavan-Meath border in 2014.

Ruth Lawrence, originally from Clontarf in Dublin, denies the murders of Eoin O’Connor and Anthony Keegan.

#VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 2d

After two years of conflict in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal.

The Group Chat discuss whether, once the dust settles, those responsible for war crimes will ever face justice and be held to account.

📺 Tonight at 10pm | Virgin Media One & Virgin Media Play

1 3 7

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 3d

Both presidential candidates have faced fresh scrutiny on the campaign trail.

Catherine Connolly TD has defended using a taxpayer-funded allowance for a 2018 visit to Syria, while Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys is responding to questions about a property declaration.

#VMNews

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 3d

As the Israeli cabinet discusses the proposed ceasefire plan with Hamas, News Correspondent Blake Sifton outlines the expected timeline for hostage releases and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from population centres in Gaza.

#VMNews

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 3d

Joining him are Dublin band The Script, fellow American country musician Ty Myers, and country trio The Castellows.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am Friday 17th October.

🧵 [2/2]

#VMNews

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 3d

Luke Combs is set to make history as the first country music star to headline Slane Castle on 18 July 2026, as part of his 'My Kinda Saturday Night Tour'.

🧵 [1/2]

1

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · 3d

The average home price stands at €426,000, with one in five properties selling for 20% or more above the asking price.

Inflation remains at 5.7% nationwide, while housing completions have reached their highest level since the Celtic Tiger era.

[2/2]

#VMNews