Why have world leaders started calling Islamic State 'Daesh'?
Following the attacks in Paris on Friday night, French President François Hollande said the killings were an “act of war” waged by “a terrorist army, a jihadist army, by Daesh, against France.”
He did not use the term Islamic State, but rather Daesh - an Arabic term which the group itself has banned (under threat of mutilation), and one which could become increasingly relevant in a critical battle of words and symbols against Islamic State.
"It’s a hard three letters to absorb" - Actor Charlie Sheen reveals he is HIV-positive
Actor Charlie Sheen has revealed he is HIV-positive in an TV interview with Today.
The star told host Matt Lauer that he was diagnosed four years ago when he was very ill and thought he in fact had a brain tumour.
“It’s a hard three letters to absorb. It’s a turning point in one’s life,” he said. "I am here to admit I am HIV-positive and I have to put a stop to the onslaught and barrage of attacks and sub-truths that are threatening the health of so many others."
ESB restoring power but 25,000 homes still cut off
ESB Networks say they have restored electricity to 20,000 customers who lost power due to Storm Barney.
Currently 25,000 customers remain without power.
The southern half of the country is worst affected as the storm crosses the country with gale force winds with gusts of up to 125 kilometres per hour.
The areas worst affected include Portlaoise, Kilkenny, Ennis, Athlone, Naas, Wicklow, North Wexford, Tullamore, Mullingar and Celbridge.
The Oxford English Dictionary’s ‘Word of 2015’ is an emoji
Hot on the tails of GIF, selfie, and vape, the Oxford University Press’ lexicographers have made their decision on the word of 2015, and for the first time ever it is a pictograph, taking the form of the ‘Face with Tears of Joy’ emoji.
'I saw the gunman's foot directly beside us' - Irish survivor of Paris attacks speaks out
An Irish survivor of the Paris attacks says she thought she was going to die last Friday.
Katie Healy and her boyfriend David Nolan were in the Bataclan Theatre in the French capital.
Mr Nolan was shot but survived, and he shielded Ms Healy from the shots as the two 'played dead' on the ground while the massacre took place around them.
The two were enjoying a night out at the Eagles of Death Metal concert when three gunmen entered the hall, opened fire, and detonated suicide bombs, killing 89 people.
"Someone walked in behind us through the doors where we were pretty much in their target and people were getting shot around us", she told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk.
