Latest news with #MichaelBurke
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
Camera phones more prominent than rosary beads as thousands climb Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday
Camera phones were more prominent than rosary beads on Sunday during the annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick . But Co Mayo 's holy mountain continues to hold an allure to pilgrims, albeit diminished in comparison to Reek Sunday's past. The numbers who made the climb to the mist-shrouded summit from dawn were noticeably smaller due to factors including the much-anticipated All-Ireland Senior Football final between Donegal and Kerry taking place later in the day. Donegal people, in particular, are devotees of the annual pilgrimage, otherwise known as Garland Sunday, but many of the regulars seemingly opted to put secular matters before religious considerations this time around. [ As a teacher in my 20s, I am excited to be part of the revival of Christian faith Opens in new window ] Those who did come, wrapped in their green and yellow county colours, included Michael and Claire Burke. 'We stayed overnight and were on the way up early,' said Michael, as the couple moved to their car post descent seeking a swift getaway. 'All going well we'll be back in Ballybofey in good time to watch the game on television.' Did they say a prayer that Donegal would win? 'Of course,' Clare smiled, 'anything that would help us beat Kerry'. Unofficial estimates of the numbers who made the climb varied at between 5,000 and 7,000, a far cry from the halcyon days of the 1,600-year-old pilgrimage when attendance of 30,000 plus were common. 'There were many times back in the '60s and '70s when there would more than 30,000 participating.' Photograph: Christophe Boisvieux/ Getty Images In advance of Reek Sunday, Fr John Kenny, administrator of Westport parish, conceded the numbers would be down. 'In the course of the year there are more people climbing than ever before. But on the day itself (Reek Sunday) the numbers have declined,' he said. After returning from what he reckoned was his 85th ascent of Croagh Patrick, Martin Corcoran from Islandeady lamented the fall-off in numbers. 'It's sad what's happening,' he said. 'There were many times back in the '60s and '70s when there would more than 30,000 participating, even though the climb was in darkness because the pilgrimage then was during night hours. 'Those were the days. Things have changed awfully'. The Order of Malta, Mayo Mountain Rescue and Civil Defence noted a fall-off in injuries, which was attributed to the relatively good weather and the path to the summit being much safer due to repairs and improvements. Due to a scarcity of priests, Masses in the summit chapel were celebrated every hour rather than half-hour, from 8am to 2pm. The late Pope Francis designated 2025 as a universal Jubilee Year of Hope and, for this year, Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Knock have been designated by the Irish Catholic bishops as national pilgrimage sites. Once all three pilgrimage sites are visited, a pilgrim is eligible for a commemorative medal. In a homily on the eve of the pilgrimage at St Mary's Church in Westport, Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Apostolic Administrator of Killala, said the theme of hope was well chosen by the late pope and is emerging clearly with Pope Leo XIV. 'Hope is a constant need – for individuals, for the church and for society,' he said.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Proposed TasWater bill increases labelled 'highway robbery' in hit to homeowners and renters
A proposal to slug Tasmanians with a 35 per cent increase to their water bills over four years has been met with outrage by some already struggling with the rising cost of living. State-owned water company TasWater said on Thursday it was moving its forecast increase for the 2026–30 period forward to fund necessary upgrades to its aging water and sewerage infrastructure. It estimates the total four-year increase would equate to an extra $522 for the average household, or $787 for the average business. A family of four would pay about an extra $798, dependent on water usage. Under the proposal, the fixed water charge part of bills will drop below the current price slightly for two years before rising to new highs in the final two years. Over that time, the variable water usage charge will become a bigger part of bills and rise from $1.26 per kilolitre to $2.33 — an 84 per cent increase. A new variable sewerage charge will also be added to bills. The changes require approval from the state's economic regulator, which said it would make a final decision in May 2026 after assessing TasWater's proposal and consulting the community. Karen Duff, who lives in Sulphur Creek in the state's north-west, was dismayed by the idea of an 8.8 per cent yearly increase to her water bills for her home and business. "That's massive," she said. Pensioner Michael Burke described the proposed increase as "highway robbery". "I can't come up with $500 every quarter," he said. "This is not good. What are they doing that's making it worth that much? "It's a business, they should be able to cater for their own costs." TasWater is facing a raft of issues with its aging water and sewerage systems. In the 2023–24 financial year, it lost 24.5 per cent of its treated water. The company said it needed to make $1.7 billion worth of upgrades for its infrastructure to be up to scratch. "Unfortunately, our sewerage network is in terrible shape," TasWater's Matt Balfe said. Mr Balfe, the company's general manager of customer and community, said "it's a long legacy of underinvestment that's led to this point". TasWater is majority owned by the state's 29 local councils, with the Tasmanian government a 10 per cent shareholder. Prior to TasWater's existence, each local council was individually responsible for water management, a model which TasWater said had led to today's problems. "An inconsistent approach in quality and pricing of services was the inevitable result, which became a driver for amalgamation," TasWater's 2026–30 price and service proposal plan states. Tasmanian renter Jeremy Stingel only pays a portion of his water usage. "I think $25 is the most I've ever paid," he said. He thinks it's reasonable for TasWater to increase water bills to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades. "It's a sewerage system. You kind of want that to be as good as it can be," he said. Taylor Woodward lives in a community housing rental and doesn't have to pay water bills, but said she feels for those who do. "Are we getting sparkling water from our taps?" she asked. "What justifies that kind of increase in costs, when already we're at a place where the cost of living is outrageous and people are struggling to feed their families and keep their homes?" In response to the proposals, TasWater said it would increase its investment in the TasWater Assist program, which supports those struggling to pay through tailored payment plans and financial counselling. TasWater is also proposing changes to its pricing model by reducing fixed charges and increasing usage-based — or "variable" — pricing. "If you use less water, you will pay less," Mr Balfe said. Under the proposal, the fixed water charge would drop in financial year 2027, before starting to rise again and hit new highs in 2029 and 2030. All the while, variable usage charges would rise. The Tenants Union of Tasmania said renters would be disadvantaged. Senior solicitor Andrew Smith said under the Residential Tenancy Act, landlords may pass on the variable charge to renters if the premises are individually metered, but not the fixed rate. "Tenants are already under pressure right now. In the past five years, we've seen average rents increase by $113 per week in Tasmania," he said. "This will add, for a lot of tenants, to their cost-of-living burdens." Mr Smith said currently, renters were not eligible for concessions on their water bills. "If tenants are going to be slugged with an increase, TasWater needs to broaden access to concessions to eligible tenants that they are currently shut out from," he said.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LVMH names new chairman and CEO of LVMH Americas
This story was originally published on Fashion Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Fashion Dive newsletter. LVMH announced the appointment of Michael Burke as chairman and CEO of LVMH Americas, effective July 7, according to a statement posted on the company's LinkedIn page. Burke is responsible for 'representing and promoting the best interests of the Group in North and South America,' per the statement. No announcement was made regarding the roles of Anish Melwani, currently chairman and CEO of LVMH North America, and Davide Marcovitch, currently president of LVMH Latin America and Africa. Most recently, Burke was chairman and CEO of LVMH Fashion Group, which includes Celine, Givenchy, Kenzo, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Patou, Pucci and Rossimoda. He will now report to LVMH Group Managing Director Stéphane Bianchi. The executive shift comes as LVMH grapples with a revenue downturn. The company posted a 2% year-over-year revenue drop in Q1, following several consecutive quarters of similar declines. In addition, sales in the U.S. region were down 3% for that quarter and flat in fiscal 2024. LVMH said in its statement that Burke's appointment comes during 'a complex and evolving geopolitical period' and that his new role highlights the company's plans to further invest in the Americas in the coming years. 'Throughout our close and fruitful collaboration, Michael has perfectly incarnated the values of our Group,' LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault said in the statement. 'His outstanding leadership helped to continuously elevate the desirability and craft of the whole industry to new heights. I am convinced his long-term vision, and unique entrepreneurial spirit will be invaluable assets to the Group at this strategic time in the Americas.' Early in his career, Burke joined Groupe Arnault, the family holding company of Bernard Arnault, and was responsible for investments in the U.S. He later served as CEO of multiple LVMH-owned companies, including Christian Dior USA, Louis Vuitton North America and Fendi. In 2012 he was appointed CEO of Bulgari and then chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. Burke is also a member of the LVMH Executive Committee, chairman of the Tiffany board of directors, and a direct advisor to Arnault. LVMH has made several executive changes in 2025, including the April announcement of new CEOs at Fendi, Dior Couture and Kenzo. In March, the company appointed Damien Bertrand as deputy CEO of Louis Vuitton, Frédéric Arnault as CEO of Loro Piana, and Jean-Christophe Babin as CEO of LVMH Watches. Recommended Reading Apparel stays resilient as personal luxury goods market contracts Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Wall Street Journal
08-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
LVMH Taps Michael Burke to Lead Americas Business Amid Trade Uncertainty
Louis Vuitton owner LVMH MC 1.54%increase; green up pointing triangle named Michael Burke as chairman and chief executive of its Americas division, sharpening its focus on the region at a time when the luxury sector navigates waning demand and President Trump's tariffs. The appointment, set to bolster the group's presence in North and South America in a complex period for trade and geopolitics, reflects LVMH's ambition to further invest in the region in coming years, according to a company memo seen by The Wall Street Journal. Burke, who has already take on his new role, will report to Stephane Bianchi, LVMH's managing director.
Bloomberg
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
LVMH Names Long-Time Arnault Associate to Fix Americas Business
LVMH named Michael Burke to head its Americas operations, bringing back an old-time fixer to take on some of the biggest challenges the group has faced in the region. Burke, 68, who has worked with Chief Executive Officer Bernard Arnault since the billionaire's early days in the 1980s, will oversee operations in North and South America, reporting directly to LVMH Group Managing Director Stephane Bianchi, the luxury conglomerate said in an internal memo. He will also become the non-executive chairman of the US jeweler Tiffany & Co. that LVMH bought in 2021.
