500 Jobs under threat at the Westmeath Factory

There are worries that up to five hundred jobs are going to be lost at a car parts factory in Co Westmeath. The workers at the Iralco plant in Collinstown have been told that the company is to go into voluntary liquidation. In a statement Iralco’s board of directors said the company, which manufactures parts for some of Europe’s top car makers, had been in financial trouble for some time. This is the third major job losses in the midlands in recent weeks, coming on top of the loss of 66 jobs in Kimball Electronics in Longford and 100 at Nexans in Athlone.

Asians Were Deported

Five Asians were ordered by the Boroko District Court to leave the country for illegally residing and not complying with the Immigration Act. Juntas Amak, 41, Meli Anak Ngaoh, 48, Laihi Rin Drus, 48 and Chris Awak, 39, all from Sarawak province, Malaysia, were forced to leave last Friday to their country after paying a total of K12,000 in court fines. They were convicted after been found guilty of living illegally from last July 7 to March 24 this year. Meanwhile a woman from Makati city in metro Manila is also making preparations to leave PNG after paying a court fine of K3,000 for residing illegally from August 5, 2005 to November 6 last year.

Typhoid, Malaria Hit School

There has been a typhoid and malaria outbreak reported at the Magarima High School in Southern Highlands province. This was due to students using contaminated water from a nearby creek for drinking, cooking and washing, causing many students to contract typhoid and other water-borne diseases. John Maiben, a teacher of the school told The National that 10 students affected with typhoid are now under treatment. The highschool has around 400 boarding students. Mr. Maiben said the students used a nearby creek as water tanks because at the school their water tanks were too old and rusting away so could not hold rainwater, and that’s how the disease spread.

Strengthen the Alliance

Seoul, Korea

Concerns that the command change would damage the alliance and weaken Seoul’s security, Gen.Burwell Bell, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, dismissed Korean conservatives. The Gen. yesterday reaffirmed that Korea’s recovery of wartime operational control of its armed forces from the U.S. military will help strengthen the bilateral alliance. The transfer wartime operational control will begin on April 17, 2012. “For the security of both nations, the ROK-U.S. Alliance will grow even stronger, and will continue to deliver throughout this time period.”

R.J. Rockwell

Two Kids Poisoned in Trinidad

Two children were poisoned by their father last night by eating a meal of stewed meat and dumplings laced with poison.  The father commited suicide right after feeding his children.  Both kids were rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope after being noticed in their home. 

Tragic Accident

Family and friends grieve the loss of friend, son and brother.  14 year old Patrick Ryan-Corr from Dublin, Ireland died yesterday in the hospital, after being struck by lightning on Saturday.  People are saying that Patrick was a very funny, happy and friendly.   

Argentina: Olympic flame

Although the path of the Olympic flame through Buenos Aires, Argentina yesterday was surrounded by protesters against China clashing with those supporting China, it was relatively peaceful, compared with other places the flame has recently visited. Other than high winds that caused the flame to flicker and several protesters who tried to throw water balloons to extinguish the flame, there were no major problems. The excited crowds threw confetti on the path and businesses took a half day off.

United Arab Emirates from Seattle: Olympic boycott

The Olympic flame is again making its traditional voyage around the world. This time, however, it is followed by demonstrations opposing China’s domination of Tibet. The European Union leaders and the U.S. House of representatives both want China to begin negotiations with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, in order to end Tibetan repression. Although some world leaders are considering boycotting the opening ceremonies in protest of the repression, the Dalai Lama does not agree. He wants China to know, “We are not against you. And I’m not seeking separation.”

 

Legal Support for the Disabled

Seoul, Korea

Beginning today, people with mental and physical disabilities will relieve more government support and protection. Yesterday, The Ministry for Health, Welfare, and Family affairs, announced that translators for sign language, voice and written letters, and other alternative communication-enhancing devices must be supported at events organized by public institutions, when given a week notice. This plan is projected to continue through 2015. Followed by Hong Kong, Korea is the second nation in Asia to go forward with such an ordinance.

R.J. Rockwell

Changes in The New Zealand Crusaders

The New Zealand Crusaders rugby team is switching things up. Ruben Thorn returns as captain, and rookie George Whitelock made his debut game on Saturday. Four Players are out because of injury, and the newly returned captain has some problem with his calf. Two players missed a practice, so they have to stand down for a game.