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BEAMING Micheal Martin declared he has a “clear route back to government” as Fianna Fail aim to become the most popular party in the country. But as the count continued late into the night, Fianna Fail , Fine Gael and Sinn Fein are looking at a photo finish in the General Election . And a defiant Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald declared: “Two-party politics is now gone. It’s ­consigned to the dustbin of history .” Some vote counts are expected to drag on into Monday due to the tight results. The three big parties are each claiming they could hit 40 seats. The Social Democrats look to be the standout performers among the smaller parties, with sources telling The Irish Sun they believe they could double their six TDs. Labour are also confident of gains and are already being eyed up by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael as potential coalition partners to replace the Greens, who have been decimated in the polls. A delighted Mr Martin arrived at the count centre in Cork South Central, which he won easily, flanked by his family . He told reporters there was a “clear route back to government”. And Fianna Fail were tonight confirmed as taking 21.1 per cent of the first preference vote, with Fine Gael at 20.7 and Sinn Fein in third at 19.7 per cent. An earlier exit poll on Friday night had put Fianna Fail at just 19.5 per cent — with Sinn Fein ­marginally out in front. Mr Martin admitted: “When I saw the exit poll, I was ­disappointed, I said to myself ‘What the hell?’ “In the current situation, one or two per cent is massive and particularly in a multi-party situation with lots of independents and so on. “It looks like now we will exceed the exit poll, and we could be the largest party in the popular vote.” But asked if he would consider partnering with Sinn Fein, he said: “I have made it clear throughout this campaign that we don’t expect to align with their policies. “We will align with protecting the economic model we have in this country , a pro-European disposition and home ownership.” The results are a hammer blow to Sinn Fein’s hopes of forming a government. But Ms McDonald said she will reach out to the leaders of left-wing parties such as Labour and the Soc Dems to try and form a coalition. Speaking at the RDS count centre in Dublin , she said: “I think it’s fair to say that we have now confirmed that we have broken the political mould her in this state. “Two-party politics is now gone. It’s consigned to the dustbin of history and that in itself is very significant.” And asked if she believes the numbers are there for Sinn Fein to form a coalition of the left, Ms McDonald said: “I am looking to bring about a government of change and I am going to go and look at all formulations. “The bottom line is the idea of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for another five years in our strong opinion is not a good outcome for Irish society. "Obviously I want to talk to other parties of the left and those we share significant policy objectives with. I’m going to do that first and hear their mind and thinking. Be very clear — we will be very actively pursuing entrance into government.” Taoiseach Simon Harris , elected on the first count in Wicklow tonight, was boisterous about the results and claimed Fine Gael would top the poll in at least ten constituencies across the country. But he would not be drawn on coalition options, saying he was “optimistic and excited” for the weeks ahead when government formation talks will commence. “It looks like now we will exceed the exit poll, and we could be the largest party in the popular vote.” Mr Harris said: “I think anybody who makes any projection on who is going to be the largest party or the construct of the next government they are a braver person than I am. "Our electoral system dictates that there will be many, many transfers that will go for hours, if not days, before we know the final composition of the Dail. “What I am very confident about is that my party will have a very significant role to play in the years ahead and I am cautiously optimistic and excited about what the weeks ahead hold.” The results so far mean that a return of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in coalition with another small party or group of Independents is likely to be the make-up of Ireland’s next government. Ex-Green Party leader Eamon Ryan encouraged smaller parties to consider going into coalition, despite the Greens suffering a near wipeout of their 12 seats following their term in government. Mr Ryan said: “I would still advise any party if you have the opportunity to go in to government and represent your electorate and all the people — I think it is the right thing to do.” The Social Democrats look set to the be the biggest of the small parties. Leader Holly Cairns retained her seat , despite having to limit her canvassing due to being pregnant. “The bottom line is the idea of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for another five years in our strong opinion is not a good outcome for Irish society." Ms Cairns gave birth to a baby girl on polling day, meaning she didn’t even get to vote. Deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan — — who will ease back into his seat in Dublin Bay North — has stepped into her role temporarily. He told us the party will speak to Labour about a possible left alliance before considering coalition talks with any of the three big parties. He said: “We certainly intend talking to the Labour Party and other parties over the coming days.” Labour leader Ivana Bacik — who will easily retain her seat in Dublin Bay South — wants to unite with the Soc Dems and the Greens to form a left block to enter coalition negotiations on a stronger footing. She said: “We must have a critical mass of numbers to deliver on the mission of change that we have. “We want a left block on a ­common platform to come together to deliver on the change we want.” Meanwhile, the political establishment has tonight played down gang boss Gerry Hutch’s chances of becoming a TD, with the Taoiseach arguing: “It’s not nailed on.” But as The Monk continued to hoover up transfers, Mary Lou McDonald became the first person elected in Dublin Central on the third count. The Monk was boosted by 218 votes in transfers from Mary Lou McDonald with the gang boss securing the highest portion of the Sinn Fein leader’s spare ballots. It now appears to be a fight between Hutch and Labour’s Marie Sherlock for the fourth and final seat in the constituency. And on a day of huge political shocks , some of the biggest names were in danger of being dumped out of the Dail — including Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and almost EVERY Green Party TD. But Dublin Central was the ­constituency to watch as the scale of support for Hutch became clear from the first tallies. The gangland kingpin landed a whopping 3,098 first preference votes — putting him fourth in the poll with Ms Sherlock chasing behind with 2,465 votes. Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe and Social Democrat Gary Gannon both look set to retain their seats after big turnouts. But incumbent Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan faces the chop, with former MEP Clare Daly also failing to make an impact in the constituency after deciding to run here at the last minute. Transfers will decide who wins the final seat between The Monk and Labour’s hopeful, with Hutch expected to receive transfers from right-wing Independent Malachy Steenson, while Sherlock will pick up votes from the Greens, People Before Profit and the Soc Dems. And with the final seat looking likely to go down to the wire, ­Taoiseach Simon Harris insisted the mobster’s audacious Dail run could still end in failure. He said: “In relation to Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, I always buy into the very basic tenant of democracy that the people are sovereign. "Whoever the people choose to elect is entirely a matter for them. But I remain to be ­convinced that he will be a TD. “I think there is a long way to go and as I talk to people on the ground in Dublin Central, and as I read the mood music, I don’t think he’s nailed on at all.” And Ms McDonald — who topped the poll — said the last seat was going to be a “battle royal”. Speaking about the dramatic Dublin Central race , Ms McDonald said: “It’s a ­hat-trick for me in topping the poll in the constituency and I’m proud of that achievement. The last seat is in the ­balance. I think it’s going to be a battle royal .” “We must have a critical mass of numbers to deliver on the mission of change that we have." Pressed on whether she was surprised by Hutch’s 3,000 first preference votes, the Sinn Fein leader said: “Nothing in politics surprises me, I’m around far too long.” Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe said people will have to reflect on why The Monk ­performed as well as he has. Speaking at the RDS count centre, the outgoing Public Expenditure Minister said: “His performance was always possible in this election. I think it is worth noting that the vast majority of people in Dublin Central have not voted for him. “The vast majority of voters in Dublin Central have chosen to put their votes behind other candidates and we will have to reflect later why he performed like he did.” Soc Dem’s Gannon said Hutch’s solid vote shows how badly ­working class communities have been treated for years. He added: “When people are in a dark place they’ll search for very strange options and that’s what happened here. That’s a plague on all of our houses, it’s a reflection of politics as a whole.” And Clare Daly said “the ­political establishment should take note” of the mega Monk vote. She added: “I don’t see him being a national parliamentarian or a legislator per se, which is part of the job, but if elected he could, if the will was there, really keep a focus on an area that has been left behind and is crying out.” “I think there is a long way to go and as I talk to people on the ground in Dublin Central, and as I read the mood music, I don’t think he’s nailed on at all.” Legendary director Jim Sheridan said he was “shocked” at the strong backing that The Monk received after filming him on the campaign trail for a documentary . Speaking at the count centre in the RDS, the My Left Foot director said he was “totally surprised” at the level of support Hutch received from voters. He said: “I was thinking of just doing a small documentary about the election — that’s all. I never thought he’d get in or have a chance and I don’t know if he will still, but he has a chance.” Asked why he thought people backed The Monk at the polls, Sheridan said: “It is anger at their position. Years of drugs and nothing happening in that community. “Some people are trying to help but there has never been anyone since Independent Tony Gregory who provided a cohesive attitude towards the many problems.” The Monk’s shock election performance resulted in the Green’s Neasa Hourigan losing her seat with her party facing a total wipeout after a dismal display. The Greens had 12 TDs in the outgoing Dail, but have failed to avoid the tradition of smaller coalition parties being hammered in the polls after their stint in Government. Voters have turfed out the Greens with the party now facing an agonising wait to see if they can even return one TD to the next Dail. Leader Roderic O’Gorman, who is in a fight for the fifth seat in Dublin West, admitted it was a difficult day for his party. Speaking at the count centre in Ongar, he said: “We got a mandate in 2020 and that was a mandate to go into Government to act on climate and to support families and children all over the country. “We worked hard over four and a half years. We now have our lowest carbon emissions in the last 30 years. We’ve invested in public transport and we’ve halved the cost of childcare .” Ex-Green leader Eamon Ryan denied that the devastating result would spell the end for the party. He said: “No matter what the result today, there will be a strong Green Party in Ireland .” And Health Minister Stephen ­Donnelly looks to be one of the biggest names in politics that could lose his seat in the election with the Fianna Fail TD suffering a bitter defeat in Wicklow. The redraw of constituencies resulted in Wicklow becoming a four seater with Taoiseach Simon Harris topping the poll and looking likely to bring in a running mate in Edward Timmons. Asked about this blow to the party, leader Micheal Martin said: “He is still in the hunt and could potentially benefit from transfers from Simon Harris. We always felt that would be competitive.”Trump Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth’s mother apologized to her son immediately after sending him an emotional email in 2018 accusing him of mistreating his ex-wife in the midst of their difficult divorce, according to an email viewed Saturday by Breitbart News. In the follow-up email, sent on May 1, 2018, Penelope Hegseth apologized for sending an email the evening before out of emotion and frustration, saying she should know better. She added that the divorce had been difficult and frustrating for her and that she had felt desperate. She also added that she knew he loved the children he shared with his ex-wife and that he wanted to be in their lives, and that she wanted to support that. The email had a completely different tone than the one she wrote the evening before, which was published by the New York Times on Friday against her wishes. In the initial email she sent on April 30, 2018, she berated her son about his treatment of his ex-wife Samantha, the mother of three of her grandchildren, and whom Hegseth was married to from 2010 to 2017. Hegseth’s mother forwarded that email to Samantha, which somehow made it to the Times. When Hegseth’s mother was told by the Times that they would publish the email, she told them in a phone interview that she had sent her son an immediate follow-up email apologizing for what she had written. She also told the Times that she had fired off the email “in anger, with emotion” at a time when her son and his now ex-wife were going through a very difficult divorce. She also defended her son to the Times and disavowed what she had said in her email about his character and treatment of women. She told the paper, “It is not true. It has never been true,” adding, “I know my son. He is a good father, husband.” She also called publishing the email’s contents “disgusting.” Nonetheless, LaFraniere ran with the story, even promoting it on her X account and letting readers know that it was a “gift” or free article and not behind a paywall. LaFraniere — who was part of the Times’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Russia collusion hoax — was personally biased against Hegseth, according to a New York Times source. The source said, “She said that Pete Hegseth can’t be SECDEF and that she’s going to see to it. I kind of looked at her like she was crazy and wondered how she was going to see to it, but now I guess I don’t have to wonder anymore.” According to a source close to Hegseth, several media outlets were aware of the original email but had opted not to publish its contents. The source said she did not send her follow-up email to the Times because she did not trust them, and that she would trust Breitbart News with it instead. Author and combat veteran Sean Parnell blasted LaFraniere for publishing the email, calling it “despicably low” and “sickening.” He wrote on X: The New York Times is publishing a 6 year old private email between a mother & her son. This is despicably low on so many levels. Families have issues. All the time. To make those issues public for the sole purpose of tanking a nomination is evil. Period. Pete has children. They will read this. Their friends will read it. It is irresponsible as hell to even publish such a thing. Democrats don’t have to deal with this BS. It’s sickening. Parnell also slammed LaFraniere for promoting the story on her X account: She’s so proud of publishing a 6 year old private email between a mother and her son that she’s offering you a way around the NYT paywall. President Trump is right about scum like this — #EnemyOfThePeople. “It’s an understatement to say that the media is the #EnemyofthePeople . To exploit the private pain of a family during a very difficult moment is loathsome beyond belief. Especially when small children are involved. The Hegseth family doesn’t deserve these BS attacks,” he added. Megyn Kelly, podcast host and former Fox News anchor, also derided the Times for publishing the email. She posted on X: ICYMI @PeteHegseth ’s mom sent him a “you are behaving very badly” email during his divorce (she’s a good mom!) and the NYT is ALL IN on it. Next we will hear from his aunt who accused him of being late in sending his thank you cards after Christmas six years ago. The Times ‘s reporting of the private email comes after what appears to be a concerted smear campaign against Hegseth, a Washington-outsider, in an effort to sink his nomination to lead the government’s largest agency. Follow Breitbart News’s Kristina Wong on ”X” , Truth Social , or on Facebook .

More cash is set to flow for Paramount Global executives as the company said two will each receive bonuses of $1 million when the company’s sale to Skydance closes as part of a “transaction award program.” Doretha Lea, EVP, Global Public Policy and Government Relations, and Nancy Phillips, EVP, Chief People Officer are eligible for the payouts, which are contingent on the deal closing to “ensure the successful operation of the Company during the period prior to the completion of the Transactions and to promote the retention of certain key employees through the closing date,” Paramount said in an SEC filing this afternoon. The execs must obviously be working at the company when the sale goes through. Skydance’s $8 billion acquisition of Paramount from Shari Redstone is expected to close in the first half of 2025 . Last month, the company granted its trio of co-CEOs , Chris McCarthy, George Cheeks and Brian Robbins, new grants of restricted stock valued at $3 million. It also said the enhanced compensation, which previously had been set to continue only as long as they were in the Office of the CEO, would apply for the duration of their employment with Paramount in any capacity, CEO or not — so if they were demoted. The trio’s compensation was sweetened in June to reflect their new roles, including an increase in their target annual cash bonuses under the company’s short-term incentive plan by an additional 100% of their annual base salaries. Paramount has been shedding staff ahead of the merger to cut $500 million in costs. A number of board members have exited ahead of the deal’s close.( MENAFN - PR Newswire) BEIJING, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The successful launch of Macao Science-1 satellites, the first space science satellite program jointly developed by the Chinese mainland and Macao, owes much to the strong support of scientists and engineers from the mainland, Zhang Keke, chief scientist of the program and vice president of Macao University of Science and Technology, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview. "It is a successful example of leveraging the advantages of the 'one country, two systems' policy to jointly achieve technological breakthroughs," Zhang said, while revealing that on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, the Macao Science-2 satellite project has also been approved by the Macao Special Administration Regional (SAR) government. As the establishment of a "global high-precision geomagnetic constellation" has been included in the recently released national-level development program for medium- to long-term space science from 2024 to 2050, it can be expected that Macao's influence in the international space science and technology field will continue to grow in the future, said Zhang, who is also the director of the Macao Institute of Space Technology and Applications. The People's Daily reported on December 9 that the Macao Science-1 satellite science team recently released China's first WM3 4D Earth magnetic field model, which fully leverages the high-precision geomagnetic data collected by the satellite, expected to significantly improve Earth science and geomagnetic navigation. It can be applied to scientific research in Earth's deep interior, oceans, and Earth space, as well as in aerospace, maritime navigation, resource exploration, and intelligent devices. Zhang told the Global Times that the current version of the real-time Earth magnetic field model is built on the high-precision magnetic field data from the Macao Science-1 satellites and other effective geomagnetic data. As China's first self-controlled real-time Earth magnetic field model, it holds significant scientific and practical value and represents a major advancement in the scientific research and applications of the satellite project. Zhang added that the data collected by the Macao Science-1 satellites will grow, with algorithms undergoing continuous refinement. The team plans to release updated versions of the real-time Earth magnetic field model in the future. The study of Earth's magnetic field is key to human survival, Zhang said. The sun constantly emits high-energy particles that hurtle toward Earth at high speeds. Earth's magnetic field serves as a protective shield, shielding the planet from these particles. Without it, life as we know it would be impossible, he said. China launched the Macao Science-1 satellites on May 21, 2023, with a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the Xinhua News Agency reported. According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macao Science-1 project is the first jointly developed space science satellite program by the Chinese mainland and Macao. It is also the first scientific exploration satellite designed to study the geomagnetic field and South Atlantic Anomaly, Xinhua said. "After more than a year in orbit, the 'Macao Science-1' satellite has completed 8,000 Earth orbits, operating smoothly, collecting extensive high-precision data," Zhang said. "Scientists and engineers from countries including the US, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are using this data for research and applications in fields such as Earth's deep interior, ocean science, and Earth space science." According to the CNSA, the Macao Science-1 satellite program has signed cooperative research agreements with 18 countries including the US, the UK and France, positioning it as a "golden calling card" showcasing Macau's cutting-edge high-tech capabilities. "Due to the great success of the Macao Science-1 satellite, our team is now working on the planning of Macao Science-2," Zhang Keke shared. "If all goes well, the 'Macao Science-2' satellite is scheduled to be launched in late 2026 or early 2027." When asked why it is necessary to launch the Macao Science-2, Zhang explained, "Macao Science-1 can only conduct observations, analyses, and data measurements in low-latitude regions, but it excludes polar regions. To achieve full global coverage and to enhance measurements of Earth's magnetic field and spatial data, it is essential to launch the Macao Science-2 satellite." The Macao Science-2 program will also consist of two satellites. If successfully launched, they will form a satellite constellation with Macao Science-1 satellites. This four-satellite constellation will facilitate networked observations to deliver precise global data on Earth's magnetic field and space weather. It will be the world's first ideal constellation combining polar orbit and low-inclination satellites, offering detailed 3D observations of Earth's magnetic field and space weather. SOURCE Global Times MENAFN16122024003732001241ID1109000035 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

TORONTO — Canada's decision to deploy a drone to spy on a New Zealand training session at the Paris Olympics was "completely stupid," says FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani. "In the sense that I have no idea what the hell you're going to get out of that," said Montagliani, a former Canada Soccer president who is also president of CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. The scandal cost Canada women's coach Bev Priestman her job, with assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joe Lombardi also leaving Canada Soccer. All three are serving one-year suspensions from FIFA. "Now, listen, do clubs and countries push the envelope to try to gain an upper hand? Yeah," said Montagliani when asked about the scandal at a media roundtable Monday. "If we say no to that, we're fools. "We've all been into countries that will do anything they can, whether its fireworks the night before a match. Whatever they think that will get you three points. Because when it comes to football, a lot of countries think it's war. But for me personally I just thought it (the drone spying) was the definition of stupidity." FIFA, which runs the football competition at the Olympics, also docked the Canadian women six points at the tournament after a Canadian staffer was caught using a drone to spy on New Zealand team practices before the start of competition at the Paris Games. Canada Soccer was also fined 200,000 Swiss francs ($322,500). Canada Soccer continues to investigate just how deep a culture of spying was ingrained in the organization and has opened a disciplinary hearing into former Canada men's and women's coach John Herdman, who resigned as Toronto FC coach last month. "If any of this stuff reveals any new information whatsoever that's subject to FIFA jurisdiction, the FIFA ethics committee or discipline committee, or both, will act on it," Montagliani said. Montagliani says disciplinary issues in soccer usually fall under the national governing body. But Canada Soccer could refer the matter to FIFA if it has wider-ranging implications. --- Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Neil Davidson, The Canadian PressCybersecurity Certification Market Future Scope, Size, Share, Growing Trends & Demand, Opportunities, Key Segments And Forecast To 2030