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Sunday World
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Comedian Peter McGann on how Irish comedy has come a long way from gags about the ‘gas Irish'
Wicklow-born Peter says: 'The Irishness of Tommy Tiernan is brilliant but in a really good way, like it's from the earth Viral comedian Peter McGann says Irish comedy has come a long way since bad jokes about the stereotypical drunken Irishman. Naming Tommy Tiernan and D'Unbelievables as some of the country's finest funnymen ever, Peter said mindless gags about the 'gas Irish' and the 'locked Paddy' have mostly been wiped from the comedy stage. Wicklow-born Peter says: 'The Irishness of Tommy Tiernan is brilliant but in a really good way, like it's from the earth. 'I think people learned the wrong lessons from Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt. 'Like you know the jokes, 'do you remember this used to happen in school?' And everyone's like, ha-ha. Or 'remember fizzy seven up, ha-ha', that's not funny. 'I think that even Tommy railed against the Irish aren't we gas. 'Or the, 'I came home, I was so drunk, I put the rashers in the toaster. Tommy he was making fun of that, like kind of back slap kind of thing, he was so right.' Peter is the latest guest on this week's episode of the culinary podcast, Under the Grill, with Kevin Dundon and Caoimhe Young. The Dublin-based dad-of-one continues: 'I loved Tommy Tiernan in the early years. 'To this day I'll catch myself and think 'jeez, that sounds like something Tommy would say', just in how it is phrased, not how funny it is. 'I do get inspiration from other comedians; I like the League of Gentlemen, and I've watched that a million times. 'It's stuff that I just soaked into me as a kid, and then it's kind of coming out unconsciously. There's very few of us really that comedy just comes to us completely, naturally.' Peter picked a delicious seafood chowder – served in a bowl made from sourdough – for chef Kevin Dundon to cook up in the podcast kitchen. Peter says: 'I haven't had it in years, but I feasted on seafood chowder every second day on what I now remember it as the best summer of my life. 'I was in college in Galway that summer, I was chasing a girl who is now my wife, and there used to be a stall in Galway selling seafood chowder in a bread bowl. I love fish, any kind of fish and a good chowder is heaven.' Peter has had a string of acting roles, with his latest being in Sky's Small Town, Big Story with Mad Men star Christina Hendricks, and created and directed by Chris O'Dowd. Peter, who plays a schoolteacher who is having an affair, says: 'It was a beautifully shot series, and I loved working on it. I can only hope there will be another series. 'I feel like TV shows these days there can be like five years between a season on all the big ones. So, who knows?.' In Small Town, Big Story a Hollywood production rolls into a small Irish town and throws the spotlight on a secret that's been kept hidden since the eve of the millennium. 'Chris O'Dowd was bang on. I got to know him on the shoot, and he was just gentle, and like such a good leader as well. He got everyone's blood pumping to make something good. 'It was a passion project for him, and I think it came off on the screen. He had a vision, and it works.' Watch Under the Grill on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Caoimhe Young, Kevin Dundon, and Peter McGann Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 15th 2025
The Hill
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Senate passes Trump tax bill
The Big Story Senate Republicans voted Tuesday to push through a major package to advance President Trump's tax agenda, after leaders worked throughout the weekend and a 27-hour marathon voting session to win the support of holdouts. © Greg Nash Vice President Vance cast the tiebreaking vote as Senate Republicans delivered a huge legislative victory for Trump by passing his One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation appeared to be on the cusp of failing on the floor after Senate GOP leaders spent hours trying to hash out a compromise with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an independent-minded Republican who worried the legislation's deep cuts to Medicaid and federal food assistance funding would hurt her home state. Murkowski told reporters after the final vote that it was an 'agonizing' process. 'Rather than taking the deliberative approach to good legislating, we rushed to get a product out. This is important. I want to make sure that we're able to keep in place the tax cuts from the 2017 [Tax Cuts and] Jobs Act,' she said, explaining her support for the bill and why it was hard for her to come around to voting yes. The sprawling package faces challenges in the House due to deeper cuts to federal Medicaid spending, an accelerated phaseout of clean-energy tax breaks and changes to a deal to raise the cap on state and local tax deductions. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) held a call Monday afternoon to assuage GOP colleagues concerned about the Medicaid cuts. The Hill's Alex Bolton has more here. Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter, I'm Aris Folley — covering the intersection of Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond: Judge rejects Apple's bid to dismiss DOJ antitrust case A federal judge on Monday rejected Apple's request to dismiss the Department of Justice's (DOJ) antitrust case against the iPhone maker in an early win for the agency. Tesla shares slump in early trading as Musk-Trump feud reignites Tesla stock tumbled Tuesday as founder Elon Musk continues to feud with President Trump over the pending GOP spending package. Chocolate sold at supermarkets in 8 states, DC recalled over risk of 'serious' allergic reaction Chocolate candies that were sold in multiple states are being recalled over the potential presence of an undeclared milk allergen, which could cause a 'serious or life-threatening' reaction to people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk. Tax Watch House conservatives threaten revolt over Trump bill A handful of hardline House conservatives are threatening to tank a Wednesday procedural vote for the party's 'big, beautiful bill,' a revolt that would bring the lower chamber to a screeching halt and potentially derail GOP leadership's plan of clearing the legislation by July 4. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the group, both announced Tuesday that they will vote against a procedural rule — which sets parameters for debate — for the megabill because of their opposition to several parts of the sprawling package. Republicans can only afford to lose three votes and still clear the procedural hurdle, assuming full attendance and all Democrats voting 'no.' Harris said other members are considering joining their effort against the rule. 'That's exactly why a group of us are not gonna vote to advance the bill until we iron out some of the deficit problems with the bills,' Harris said on Fox News when asked about Elon Musk's criticism of the bill. 'Look, Mr. Musk is right, we cannot sustain these deficits, he understands finances, he understands debts and deficits, and we have to make further progress. And I believe the Freedom Caucus will take the lead in making that further progress.' The Hill's Mychael Schnell has more here. Tax Watch is a regular feature focused on the fight over tax reform and extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts this year. Email a tip {{if !contains( Report')} {/if}}{{if !contains( Report')} {/if}} The Ticker Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: In Other News Branch out with more stories from the day: Wall Street is split as Tesla and tech drop while most other US stocks climb NEW YORK (AP) — A mixed day of trading left the U.S. stock market split on Tuesday as Wall Street's … Good to Know Business and economic news we've flagged from other outlets: What Others are Reading Top stories on The Hill right now: What made the cut in Senate's nearly 1,000-page policy megabill? Senate Republicans on Tuesday jammed through a major package advancing President Trump's tax priorities, paid for by a host of cuts to the social safety net, including Medicaid and food assistance. The bill also slashes green energy and includes changes to student loan programs. Read more Senate megabill marks biggest Medicaid cuts in history Senate Republicans on Tuesday passed the largest cuts to Medicaid since the program began in the 1960s, a move that would erode the social safety net and cause a spike in the number of uninsured Americans over the next decade. Read more What People Think Opinion related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!
The Hill
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Kennedy appoints some vaccine critics to ACIP panel
The Big Story Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his picks to replace the members of the vaccine advisory panel he fired this week, with several vaccine and COVID-19 skeptics making the cut. © AP To replace the 17 members he unceremoniously fired on Monday, Kennedy announced eight new members, representing a significant downsizing of the panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine guidance. Kennedy in a post on social platform X said the new members will meet as scheduled on June 25 to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine. They will review safety and efficacy data for the current schedule as well, he said. 'The slate includes highly credentialed scientists, leading public-health experts, and some of America's most accomplished physicians. All of these individuals are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense,' he added. The newly announced members are: Joseph R. Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Robert W. Malone, Cody Meissner, James Pagano, Vicky Pebsworth and Michael A. Ross. Kennedy on Tuesday said none of the new ACIP members will be 'ideological anti-vaxxers' but some of the new members are well-known COVID-19 contrarians and are known for spreading vaccine misinformation. Malone, who claims to be the inventor of mRNA vaccines despite what those who've worked with him say, became a fixture of conservative media during the pandemic. He promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for treating the coronavirus, and repeatedly claimed the COVID shots did not work. Kulldorff was one the leading authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, which pushed the argument of 'herd immunity,' along with Meissner and current NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Cramer: GOP has no 'stomach' for Medicare changes in Trump megabill Senate Republicans appear less likely to try to make changes to Medicare Advantage as part of their massive tax and spending bill, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said Wednesday. Cramer raised the idea of targeting Medicare Advantage for additional savings last week after a closed-door caucus meeting, saying the program is ideal for reform because it is rife with waste, fraud and abuse. The House-passed bill would cut more … Lawmakers urge Trump administration to clamp down on illicit GLP-1 sales A bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers is calling on the Trump administration to address the continued sale of illicit, compounded GLP-1 products, warning that consumers may be accessing these drugs without knowing the product could be fraudulent. North Carolina Reps. Brad Knott (R) and Deborah Ross (D) wrote to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and … What to know about the new 'Nimbus' COVID variant The World Health Organization (WHO) is keeping an eye on a new COVID-19 variant called NB.1.8.1, or 'Nimbus,' that has spread across Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific. Nimbus is a descendant of the Omicron variant of the virus and was first identified in late January. Its spike mutations appear to make it more transmissible than other COVID-19 variants, according to the WHO. Spike mutations … Around the Nation Local and state headlines on health care: What We're Reading Health news we've flagged from other outlets: What Others are Reading Most read stories on The Hill right now: Hegseth takes fire from Republicans at heated Senate hearing Republican senators came out firing during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee … Read more Where the 'No Kings' anti-Trump military parade protests are planned Organizers with the 'No Kings' movement are planning some 1,500 demonstrations across the country to protest the upcoming military parade … Read more What People Think Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Trump's pulled NASA nomination
The Big Story The aerospace community was caught off guard this week by President Trump's withdrawal of tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's NASA nomination. © AP Photo/John Raoux, File Announced days before the Senate's likely confirmation of Isaacman, the withdrawal sparked a swirl of rumors and concerns, as budget cuts loom and NASA stretches into its sixth month without a leader. Trump, in a social media post over the weekend, offered few details but said his decision was made after a 'thorough review of prior associations.' One space policy executive called the reasoning 'complete bulls—.' 'That's like the worst excuse in the world,' said the executive, who was granted anonymity to speak freely about the withdrawal. Isaacman's nomination had already advanced through the Senate Commerce Committee in a 19-9 vote and was expected to hit the full floor this week. 'I was frankly gobsmacked,' Mark Whittington, an author who studies space, politics and policy, told The Hill. 'Jared Isaacman is well regarded by just about everybody.' Rumors quickly circulated over the weekend that the decision might have something to do with Isaacman's ally, Elon Musk, who stepped down from his role leading Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last week. Two sources close to the White House suggested Isaacman's ties to Musk may have also contributed to his removal as the pick to lead NASA. Musk, the sources said, rubbed many people in the administration the wrong way. And with his official departure from government, Isaacman lost a strong ally in the White House. Isaacman worked alongside Musk at SpaceX to fund the company's first private spacewalk, and he was one of four astronauts aboard the Polaris Dawn flight last year. 'It was a real bummer,' Isaacman said on the 'All In' podcast about the decision. 'It was certainly disappointing. But the president needs to have his person that he counts on to fulfill the agenda.' 'I'm not … [playing] dumb on this. I had a pretty good idea,' he added. 'I don't think the timing was much of a coincidence that there were other changes going on the same day, and it was obviously a little bit of a disappointment.' Musk, in a series of posts criticizing Trump on Thursday, signaled his frustrations with the decision by reposting the president's initial nomination announcement in December. Attached to the repost, he wrote, 'This is what he said about Jared.' Read more in a full report at Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter, we're Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: Musk backs call to impeach Trump, replace him with Vance Tech billionaire Elon Musk backed a call to impeach President Trump on Thursday, one of the latest swipes at the president by the billionaire in an ongoing war of words between the former allies. 'President vs Elon. Who wins? My money's on Elon. Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him,' Ian Miles Cheong, a Malaysia-based right-wing writer, said in a Thursday afternoon post on Musk's social platform … Lawmakers sit back to watch Trump-Musk blowup drama Members of Congress are sitting back and watching the show. The bromance that's captivated Washington for months — President Trump and Elon Musk — blew up on Thursday, a breakup between the world's most powerful man and richest person that is leaving the White House's legislative agenda hanging in the balance. The implosion played out in public: Trump — in his first remarks since Musk trashed the 'big, beautiful bill' … Senate proposes alternative to AI moratorium in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' Senate Commerce Committee Republicans are proposing an alternative to a controversial provision in President Trump's tax and spending bill about states' regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) after concerns arose from some GOP members. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee unveiled its proposed text for Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' Thursday. The new text altered the House … Bannon: Musk should be 'deported from the country immediately' MAGA insider and former White House adviser Steve Bannon called on President Trump to investigate Elon Musk's immigration status and deport the South African tech billionaire after the bitter implosion of the president's relationship with Musk on Thursday. 'They should initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien, and he should be deported … {{if !contains( Report')} {/if}}{{if !contains( Report')} {/if}} The Refresh News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: Crypto Corner Stablecoin issuer Circle goes public Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington. Stablecoin issuer Circle made its stock market debut Thursday. Circle's shares opened at $69, well above the initial listing price of $31. Its stock surged to nearly $100 before settling around $83 at the close of trading. 'It's a momentous day for Circle, it's a momentous day for the industry, and it's a momentous day, I think, for the future of the financial system and the U.S. dollar,' Circle President Heath Tarbert told The Hill. The stablecoin issuer's initial public offering (IPO) comes as the crypto industry has received a much warmer reception in Washington under President Trump and a GOP-led Congress. The administration and Republican lawmakers have made crypto legislation, including a bill estabilshing a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, a key priority. Tarbert underscored Thursday that Circle has long planned to go public but described the shift in Washington as 'welcome news.' 'I think it certainly has aided in the investor base being even more supportive,' he added. In Other News Branch out with other reads on The Hill: 5 takeaways from the explosive Trump-Musk divorce The feud between President Trump and Elon Musk grew exponentially more bitter on Thursday. The two exchanged volleys of insults that reached their pinnacle — or nadir, depending upon one's perspective — when Musk alleged that files on the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein were being kept secret to protect Trump. The fissure between the two men now yawns wide, less than a week after Musk officially left his position spearheading … What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Live updates: Musk retaliates against Trump, claiming he is in Epstein files, backs impeachment A fight between President Trump and Elon Musk that broke into the open over the 'big, beautiful bill' earlier in the week escalated quickly … Read more Noem ending TSA Quiet Skies traveler surveillance program Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday she is ending the Transportation Safety Administration's (TSA) 'Quiet … Read more You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AG Pam Bondi sold more than $1 million in Trump Media stock the day sweeping tariffs were announced
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during her confirmation hearing on Jan. 15, 2025. (Photo by) Attorney General Pam Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of shares of Trump Media the same day that President Donald Trump unveiled bruising new tariffs that caused the stock market to plummet, according to records obtained Wednesday by ProPublica. Trump Media, which runs the social media platform Truth Social, fell 13% in the following days, before rebounding. Trump's 'Liberation Day' press conference from the White House Rose Garden unveiling the tariffs came after the market closed on April 2. Bondi's disclosure forms showing her Trump Media sales say the transactions were made on April 2 but do not disclose whether they occurred before or after the market closed. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Trades by government officials informed by nonpublic information learned through work could violate the law. But cases against government officials are legally challenging, and in recent years judges have largely narrowed what constitutes illegal insider trading. It's unclear from the public record whether Bondi as attorney general would have known in advance any nonpublic details about the tariffs Trump was announcing that day. Trump, of course, publicly announced his plans to institute dramatic tariffs during the election campaign. But during the first weeks of his term, the market seemed to assume his campaign promises were bluster. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to questions about the trades. The disclosure forms do not include the specific amount of stocks sold or their worth but instead provide a rough range. The documents do not say exactly what time she sold the shares or at what price. The company's stock price closed on April 2 at $18.76 and opened the next morning, after the press conference, at $17.92 before falling more in the days ahead. In addition to selling between $1 million and $5 million worth of Trump Media shares, Bondi's disclosure form shows she also sold between $250,000 and $500,000 worth of warrants in Trump Media, which typically give a holder the right to purchase the shares. Bondi's ownership of Trump Media shares has previously been disclosed. Before she became attorney general, Bondi was a consultant for Digital World Acquisition Corp., the special purpose acquisition company that merged with Trump Media to take the president's social media company public. As part of her ethics agreement, Bondi had pledged to sell her stake of Trump Media within 90 days of her confirmation, a deadline that would have allowed her until early May to sell the shares. On April 1, Trump Media filed a disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission with details about holdings of various top shareholders, including Trump and Bondi. The purpose of the filing is unclear, as is whether it relates to Bondi's sales the next day. It appeared to reregister for sale shares held by several of the company's top shareholders. Alex Mierjeski contributed research. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
