Latest news with #Casey
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish businesses willing to pay more for renewables amid fears for energy future
Almost seven in 10 (68%) Irish businesses are worried about securing enough energy to meet their future needs, new research reveals, with 96% of Irish companies saying they would pay more for quicker access to renewable sources. Already, data centres consume 10% of Ireland's energy, while the attacks on Iran's oil infrastructure shows the volatility of the fossil fuel market. With significant energy demand expected to increase, business leaders in Ireland and abroad are concerned about securing sufficient reliable energy to meet their future needs, according to the EY Ireland research. Almost seven in ten (68%) Irish businesses are worried about securing enough energy to meet future needs, while more than six in 10 (62%) say that rising and unstable energy costs are already impacting profitability and competitiveness. The findings are part of the latest EY Navigating the Energy Transition report, which surveyed over 2,400 decision-makers across eight countries, including 125 respondents in Ireland. In Ireland, over 85% of businesses surveyed expect their electricity consumption to increase in the very near term, with most sectors indicating a rise of more than 10% in the next three years. This demand is expected to be driven by a range of factors, including new equipment (42%), electric vehicles (41%), technology and data centres (40%) and increased use of artificial intelligence (40%). 'A secure, stable and sufficient energy supply is no longer just a commodity for businesses, increasingly it's a competitive asset that can enable or inhibit growth and operations, particularly during periods of global energy price and supply uncertainty such as at present," said Sean Casey, EY Ireland energy sector leader. An overwhelming 96% of all businesses surveyed said that they are willing to pay more for quicker access to renewables, for example via corporate power purchase agreements, while the installation of on-premise renewable generation and storage is an increasing focus for business leaders. "Businesses are increasingly looking at on-site generation and self-sufficiency, whether via solar panels, battery storage, or the use of smart technology to optimise energy use. From a sustainability perspective, this is very welcome, however businesses say they want both green energy and energy growth, not one or the other," said Mr Casey. 'A secure, stable and sufficient energy supply is no longer just a commodity for businesses, increasingly it's a competitive asset that can enable or inhibit growth and operations, particularly during periods of global energy price and supply uncertainty such as at present," said Sean Casey, EY Ireland energy sector leader. More than 69% of businesses are planning to increase their focus on electrification, emissions reduction and energy cost management in the next three years. Sustainability remains a key strategic priority, but not at the expense of growth. 'There is clear opportunity for energy providers to reshape themselves and redefine the business energy experience to meet customers' higher expectations and greater needs," said EY Ireland customer transformation leader Richard Hepworth.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Manhunt launched after three men with links to Ireland escape from UK jail
Cops have warned the public not to approach the trio A manhunt has been launched after three men with links to Ireland escaped from a UK jail. Jason MacDonagh (34), Daniel Harty (34) and Barney Casey (24) absconded from Spring Hill Prison near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire at around 6pm on Monday. The men were described has having links to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Bristol, the West Midlands, Leicestershire, Leeds and Bradford. Thames Valley Police have warned the public not to approach the men, but anyone with information has been asked to contact police or make an online report. The trio were described as white and approximately 5ft 9in tall. MacDonagh has a medium build, ginger hair, and facial hair. He was last seen wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a white vest. Casey was described as being of small build, with black hair, a moustache and a goatee beard. He was also last seen wearing a grey tracksuit. Meanwhile, Harty is described as having a slim build, black hair and a black beard. He was last seen in a blue jacket with grey joggers. 'We are appealing to the public for any information around MacDonagh, Casey and Harty's whereabouts, or anyone who may see them to get in touch,' Police staff investigator, Claire Busby said. Harty, MacDonagh and Casey News in 90 Seconds - June 26th 'We would advise members of the public not to approach them, but call 999 instead. 'If you have any information as to where they may be, you can call 101 or make a report online, quoting 43250312586. 'Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Manhunt after burglary gang members flee prison
MacDonagh, born into a traveller family, played a 'leading role' and took part in 46 of the raids. He was sentenced to 13 years. Casey was connected to 36 burglaries and was jailed for 10 years and six months. Harty took part in 22 break-ins and was jailed for 12 years. The absconding comes three weeks after prison governors expressed concern over a rule change that allows serious offenders to be transferred early to open prisons to tackle the jail overcrowding crisis. The Prison Governors' Association (PGA) protested over the change that will allow potentially dangerous criminals to be moved to open prisons up to three years before they are due to be released. MacDonagh is described by police as a white man, at around 5ft 9inches tall, of medium build and with ginger hair. Casey is a white man, at around 5ft 9inches tall, of small build and has black hair. He has slight facial hair and a moustache and goatee beard. Harty is a white man, at around 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build with black hair and a black beard. All three of the escaped prisoners were last seen wearing grey tracksuit bottoms. The three are known to frequent Bristol, the West Midlands, Leicestershire, Leeds, Bradford, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. A Thames Valley spokesman said: 'We would advise members of the public not to approach them, but call 999 instead. If you have any information as to where they may be, you can call 101 or make a report online, quoting 43250312586. 'Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.' It is the second escape this year from HMP Spring Hill. In March a man who was jailed for a life-threatening firearms offence failed to return to the jail. Brian Odour, 34, was previously granted a temporary licence of leave from the open prison, but was told he needed to return after it was revoked.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
MLB, NASCAR stars talk the legends of Bristol as racetrack transforms for historic ballgame
NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. advises the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves to watch a couple of night races at Bristol Motor Speedway before the Speedway Classic. Once at the racetrack, he recommends a walk up the banked walls to truly appreciate the half-mile bullring. MLB's Speedway Classic on Aug. 2 means either the Reds or Braves will win at Bristol before Stenhouse reaches victory lane at his favorite track. He still plans to watch as they play an MLB game on a ballpark built inside the Bristol infield. 'Hopefully, if they get one over the wall, kind of see where that ball ends up landing," Stenhouse said of the track where going over the wall usually means injuries and ambulances. "But, yeah, just a really cool venue and something that I'll be looking forward to watching.' Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, now a Fox racing analyst, said search his 1990 crash where his car disintegrated after hitting a wall to learn how challenging Bristol can be. He joined Stenhouse, former Braves centerfielder Andruw Jones, 2009 World Series champ Nick Swisher and three-time All-Star Reds first baseman and now MLB Network analyst Sean Casey in promoting the first MLB game in the state of Tennessee. Waltrip said the banking of the track has to be seen to be believed and is a big part of its intensity. 'The banking is straight up," Waltrip said. 'You can barely climb up it, and it's condensed down to a half-mile track. So you're just constantly in the corners and speeds upwards of 150 miles an hour. It's just crazy how precise and how technical you have to be to be successful there.' Trying to hit a baseball might be a bit easier than stepping into a racecar at Bristol. At those speeds, Stenhouse said he forgot to breathe for 10 laps his first time there. Bristol still has tickets available for an event that will feature a pregame concert with Tim McGraw and Pitbull. A fan zone outside the track will feature more music, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, a food truck row, pitching tunnels and batting cages and team mascots. 'It's going to be one of those special nights that goes down in history," said Jerry Caldwell, president of Bristol Motor Speedway. 'People are going to want to be there and want to be a part of it or tune in on Fox and take in this event.' Casey played in a March 2008 exhibition between the Red Sox and Dodgers at Los Angeles Coliseum that drew 115,300 for the largest crowd ever to see a baseball game. Casey said this crossover gives baseball fans a reason to check out Bristol and NASCAR fans the chance to see something different. Players like Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. will get an experience to remember. "These guys that are going to be able to have that memory of playing at Bristol, it's going to be a one of a kind thing,' Casey said. Stenhouse said he played some wiffle ball during the last stop in Bristol. NASCAR will be in Iowa with a Cup race Aug. 3, but he hopes to sneak over from his North Carolina home for a chance to hit some hard balls over the fence at Bristol — or pitch off the mound. 'I hit a wiffle ball over the fence,' Stenhouse said. "Yeah, it would be cool to get there and take the field in all at the same time.' ___
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
The Slow, Painful Death of the American Political Dynasty
So many of Andrew Cuomo's flaws were distinctive to him: The grievance and paranoia, the imperial sense of entitlement, the brazen dishonesty about his mismanagement of the Covid crisis and his history of sexual harassment. In one important way, Cuomo's defeat in Tuesday's mayoral primary was not an only-in-New York story. For all the local flavors and personal peculiarities of the former governor's downfall, it also fits into a larger national story — the extinction of some of the country's mightiest political dynasties. This is an age of angry populism and political disruption; breakneck social and technological change; and broad, deep frustration with the economic status quo. Family names that voters once found comforting now seem to have other connotations — complacency, insularity, privilege, obsolescence. To younger voters, these names may have no connotations at all. In the past few years, we have seen Democratic primary voters reject members of political dynasties once seen as nearly undefeatable, including a Kennedy in Massachusetts, a Daley in Illinois and a Graham in Florida. When Tammy Murphy, the first lady of New Jersey, attempted to swoop into a Senate seat with the help of her husband's machine, she was blown out of the race by an insurgent who embodied generational change, now-Sen. Andy Kim. On the right, Donald Trump's political movement has purged the party's most storied dynasties. Republican voters spurned members of the Bush family, Jeb and his son George P., in primary elections. The Cheney family's titanic stature in Wyoming — and a direct-to-camera appeal from Dick Cheney himself — could not save former Rep. Liz Cheney from a primary challenger in 2022. A scheme by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to install his spouse, Casey, as his successor appears to have unraveled before it began. General election voters have done their part, declining to elect a Pryor in Arkansas, a Landrieu in Louisiana, a Nunn and a Carter in Georgia, a Laxalt in Nevada, a Casey in Pennsylvania and a Clinton on the national ballot. Populism is at the core of this story. The political realignment that began during the Great Recession and accelerated in the Trump era saw the electoral ground shift and then collapse under many dynastic politicians, especially Democrats in the South. Some dynasts, like Cuomo and Hillary Clinton, have seemed fatally oblivious to — or contemptuous toward — voters' raging discontent about contracting economic opportunity and the soaring cost of living. Plenty of lower-profile dynasties live on. State legislative seats are still passed on from parent to child, family fundraising networks still help lock up sleepy congressional primaries. But Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stands out as a rare political scion in high office, a Democrat whose resilience in MAGA territory sets him apart from a generation of softer nepo babies. There are forces at work here besides populism. Small-dollar fundraising is easier than ever. The dissemination of information is faster and more chaotic than at any other time in history. The value of an inherited fundraising rolodex or a prominent name has declined as a result. Americans are also a nation of voters on the move, with millions living in places where famous local names mean nothing to them. In 2023, the American Community Survey found 7.5 million people moved from one state to another. The year before, that number was 8.2 million. There may be some lessons here ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections. First, Democratic voters are voraciously hungry for freshness and change. The Democrats thriving this year — not just Zohran Mamdani on the left, but also two centrist gubernatorial candidates, Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey — project vitality and vigor that was absent from Cuomo's hey-it's-me-again campaign. All these candidates are relatively young, relatively new to politics and were relatively unknown until recently beyond their home districts. Second, economic discontent remains the organizing force in American politics. Mamdani espoused some views, most of all on Israel, that would have disqualified him in any other mayoral race in modern times. In this election, they did not matter as much to voters as his forceful message on the cost of living. For so many New Yorkers to reject a well-known figure, even one as divisive as Cuomo, in favor of a 33-year-old socialist who made excuses for the slogan 'globalize the intifada' is an awfully emphatic display of frustration. One more lesson: No political power structure lasts forever. Republicans in particular should take note. The Clinton machine was unbeatable in Democratic politics until it wasn't. The Bush name towered over Texas until it didn't. Right now, it may be hard to imagine a day when the Trump family loses its iron grip on Republican politics. It is as unthinkable as a Cuomo losing to a socialist in Queens.
