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Sunday World
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Ireland's top country stars thrilled to gather for President Higgins' last garden party
It was the final summer garden party of his 14-year presidency. In the final summer garden party of his 14-year presidency, Michael D Higgins chose this week's event in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin a tribute to the stars of the Irish country music scene. And Sabina Higgins was determined to make it an unforgettable evening of entertainment, springing from her seat and encouraging the crowd to join her as she danced the night away like a teenager to the music of singers such as Claudia Buckley. 'I never thought a young country girl from Athenry in Co Galway would ever be up at the Áras to sing for the president,' Claudia tells Magazine+ . Claudia Buckley with President Higgins and Sabina News in 90 Seconds - Saturday July 12 'It was an honour beyond all honours and something that I'll remember for the rest of my life. And the fact that Sabina got up and waved to the audience, 'C'mon, let's have some fun!'… that was so cool. 'I hadn't met President Higgins and Sabina before, so I didn't know what they were going to be like. I didn't know if they would just sit there and be stoical. 'But Sabina is some craic. She jumped up and soon had the floor packed with dancers, with herself in the middle of them. And she gave me the thumbs up. You could see that she was ready to party and she was having a ball.' Among the new young stars of Irish country music, Claudia is a daughter of one of the genre's biggest entertainers Jimmy Buckley, who was watching from the audience with his wife, Clarice. President Higgins and Sabina greets guests 'It was a very proud moment for Clarice and myself watching Claudia singing for President Higgins and Sabina. As a parent it doesn't get any better than that,' Jimmy says. 'This is my second visit to the Áras because he has hosted country music artists before and he has been so good to the Arts in general. 'For Michael D, as the president, to honour our sector of the music business is a wonderful honour. Not every president or head of state of a country would do that. 'He's a man of the people and he appreciates and understands our genre, and he pointed out the contribution our music has made to Ireland in general. He acknowledged that and it was a lovely thing to do. 'We will miss Michael D when he's gone. There is nothing you couldn't admire about the man. He's definitely our most popular president ever. I hope people will take the time to elect somebody of the same calibre. Class is very hard to find if you compare him with statesmen from other places.' The attendance included the Queen of Country Philomena Begley, known affectionately as Philly, who is an idol to the young generation of entertainers. 'Me and Philly sat for a while after the event and she threw her arms around me and said, 'I've never been so proud of someone,'' Claudia reveals. President Higgins and Sabina with a guest 'And the biggest compliment she could have paid me was when she said, 'I see my younger self in you and I really think you are going to go far.' That just meant the world to me. 'Philly is from the same generation as President Higgins and you could see how much he admired her when they shared a big hug at the event. 'You could also see that he's a big fan of Brendan Shine as well and he was singing along when Brendan was performing. He knew all the words to Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down.' Brendan Shine says that 'long before he became president, Michael D was a great supporter of our music. Maybe the higher echelons of music in Ireland might look down on the kind of thing we do, but not Michael D. 'He is someone who can see the value in what we do and I think that's a wonderful thing. He has the common touch and he understands and appreciates the culture that country music has brought to Ireland. 'I was very touched by his attitude. It's great that no matter what genre you're in, someone like the President of Ireland would give you a little bit of encouragement.' Brendan performed at the country concert with his daughter, Emily. 'It was a great honour to sing for the president and to be on that stage and in those beautiful surroundings is something we'll carry to the grave with us,' he says. 'It was a great boost for all the artists — the younger ones and those that have gone before them.' The attendance, which included Ben Dolan, the McDonald family, Foster & Allen, Trudi Lalor, Johnny Carroll, Mike Denver and Michael English, also featured live performances from Derek Ryan, Cliona Hagan, Patrick Feeney, Sean Keane and Sandy Kelly. 'To hear the President of Ireland mention your name and to know your name, even before you go on stage was a big thing in my head,' says Sandy, who has recorded with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson in her glittering career. 'Like I said on stage, he is my favourite president. He is so clued in to what we're doing and he values and respects us and that's huge for us coming from a president. 'Everyone, young and old, loves Michael D. My grandson Frank was with me and was so delighted when the president stopped for a photo with him. I absolutely adore Michael D, and the same with Sabina, and I will miss them terribly.' President Higgins told how he got to know many of the bands as a student in Galway when he used to book them for gigs. 'I was president of the students' union in Galway back in 1965,' he recalled. 'One of the things the president could do was hire the band to play for the students in Seapoint in Salthill, so I got to know all of them. 'And meeting all those musicians was great and they said that time if you played Seapoint you were 'on the road'. 'Thankfully the music lasted longer than Seapoint.'
Edinburgh Reporter
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Thirtieth anniversary marked with commemoration at the Botanics
Scotland marked the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica on Friday with a solemn commemoration at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). The event, organised by genocide education charity Beyond Srebrenica, honoured the memory of more than 8,300 Bosniak men and boys murdered in Srebrenica in July 1995 and reflect on the broader Bosnian war that claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced more than 2 million people – including thousands who sought refuge in the UK. The youngest of the victims was two days old. Sabina Kadić-Mackenzie, chair of Beyond Srebrenica and survivor of the war in Bosnia, said: 'This tree carries deep symbolic meaning – and chilling parallels to the human experience of war and genocide Like so many Bosnians, it found a way to survive despite everything that was done to erase it. 'On the 30th anniversary of the genocide, we remember not just the loss and horror – but the endurance, and the hope it takes to recover from the rubble of war. This tree now thrives in Scotland, just as so many of us Bosnians have. Its roots now touch Scottish soil, linking our two nations in remembrance and in hope. 'The spruce stands as a living memorial to both environmental and human resilience – and Scotland's quiet but enduring connection to Bosnia's story.' During the ceremony, guests tied white ribbons to the tree – a quiet act of solidarity and remembrance. Sabina, who is a survivor of the war, continued: 'This Spruce is more than a tree. It is a living memorial to all that we lost, and all that we refused to let be destroyed. It stands as a symbol of our survival, and of the profound connection between Bosnia and Scotland forged in the most painful of times. 'The tree stands now not only as a symbol of ecological resilience but also as a quiet testament to the resilience and grace of the Bosnian people who, like it, endured immense suffering yet refused to disappear.' Speaking at the ceremony, Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: 'Rare and resilient, this tree is now listed as endangered. It survives in only a handful of shrinking mountain refuges in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Its story mirrors that of this region – scarred by war, threatened by change, but still standing. 'Today, the tree grows far from its homeland, in botanic gardens and conservation sites across Europe – thanks to the work of organisations like the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. But like memory, it cannot thrive without care. As we protect these rare trees, let us also protect the truth.' The commemorative event was hosted by Beyond Srebrenica, a Scotland-based organisation working to ensure that the memory of the genocide endures and its lessons are never forgotten. 11th July 2025 Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland. Elsa (11) and Olive (8) Kadic-Mackenzie , at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, pictured as white ribbons are tied to a group of Picea omorika tree, a rare and ancient conifer native to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pic Phil Wilkinson / Beyond Srebrenica 11th July 2025 Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland. Elsa (11) and Olive (8) Kadic-Mackenzie , at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, pictured as white ribbons are tied to a group of Picea omorika tree, a rare and ancient conifer native to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pic Phil Wilkinson 11th July 2025 Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland. Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie with daughters Elsa (11) and Olive (8) at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, pictured as white ribbons are tied to a group of Picea omorika tree, a rare and ancient conifer native to Bosnia and Herzegovina. They joined charity Beyond Srebrenica and members of the Bosnian community to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bosnian Genocide in Srebrenica. 11 July is the UN international day of remembrance and reflection for the victims of the genocide. Pic Phil Wilkinson / Beyond Srebrenica Like this: Like Related
The Advertiser
27-06-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Companionship and free eggs: Unusual pets are chicken the right boxes
Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
13-yr-old girl killed in bomb blast in Kaliganj
Kaliganj (Nadia): A 13-year-old girl standing outside her home with her mother was killed in a crude bomb blast in Molandi area of Kaliganj's Bara Chandghar village on Monday. Tamanna's mother, Sabina Yasmin, said a Trinamool Congress victory procession was passing by the house — before counting of bypoll votes had ended — when socket bombs were hurled in their direction. Witnesses said one of the bombs exploded near Tamanna, a Class 4 student and daughter of a CPM supporter, killing her on the spot. Aktar Sk, who was named by Sabina in her FIR, was arrested and police have launched a manhunt for other suspects. Krishnanagar SP Amarnath K, along with senior police officers, went to the spot and spoke to Sabina. "Prima facie, it appears that bomb splinters could have led to the death. One FIR-named accused has been arrested. We have identified more suspects," he told reporters. "There was a clash in this spot in 2023 in which the local OC was hurt," the SP added. Sabina said: "My daughter never leaves my side. She does not even go out to play. She sleeps with her head on my hand. She was holding my hand today when there was a sudden loud noise. My daughter was thrown to one side while I fell to the other. When I got up, one side of me was burning. Then I saw Tamanna lying there." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Blaming Trinamool for her child's death, Sabina said: "They did this because we didn't vote for them." CM Mamata Banerjee immediately assured strong action against the perpetrators. In a post on X, she said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened at the death of a young girl in an explosion at Barochandgar in Krishnanagar police district. My prayers and thoughts are with the family in their hour of grief. Police shall take strong and decisive legal action against the culprits at the earliest." Bengal Police, in a statement, said: "Raids are on in full swing to arrest those responsible for this extremely unfortunate death. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family members of the deceased." Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal told mediapersons that he had asked for a report on the incident. Questioned about victory processions, he said the CEO's office was not informed of permission for such rallies, approval was sought from district police or the district magistrate. "I have already requested a report, what happened is extremely unfortunate," he added. BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya said: "TMC's celebration ends with blood on its hands. Again. From TMC's victory rally in Muslim-majority Kaliganj bypoll, bombs were hurled, and in the chaos, a little girl—Tamanna Khatun, a Class 4 student—was killed. Let that sink in. A child. Murdered. While TMC danced to the tune of their 'victory'." Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "What happened is a criminal act and will be punished. There are clear and unambiguous instructions by the state to the police that none should be spared. However, it also needs to be probed whether any overzealous person did it or there was a hidden agenda to malign Trinamool Congress."
South Wales Argus
16-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Traders at Cwmbran 'in shops' angry over short notice eviction
In May it was announced that traders operating in the 'in shops' would have to relocate. Plans to transform the building into an 'indoor adventure park' left traders without much choice or say in the matter. These traders shared their reactions to, what they say is, short notice news. Sabina Bthaba who runs Cwmbran Beauty Lounge in the shop (Image: NQ) Sabina Bthaba, 30, runs Cwmbran Beauty Lounge. She's been running her beauty salon inside the building for the past three years. Before news of the in shops closure Sabina spent money upgrading her business to a bigger space within the building. She told the Argus: 'It's really disappointing that they have done this to us. "They knew that it's going to close soon but they let me spend money around £500 to £600 in a new shop. 'I started decorating and spending money and then they told us that it's going to close down now. They said they can't do anything it's just happened.' Sabina Bthaba of Cwmbran Beauty Lounge with a customer (Image: NQ) Like other traders she was also promised help relocating however this isn't a reality anymore. Sabina said: 'They said they would relocate me somewhere in the town and provide me with a space in the town but now it's not happening.' Breakfast Café run by 40-year-old Sebastian Melo is a new business in the 'in shops.' The café specialises in Persian and Afghan cuisine and had only been operating for a few weeks before news broke out of the buildings closure. Sebastian Melo of Breakfast Café in the shop (Image: NQ) Speaking of the businesses short lived time Sebastian said: 'It's a new business we've been here one month, and it's growing very slowly and sadly we have to close this business. 'It cost more than £2000 to start up now we have no chance. 'You can imagine how hard it is to find a place and relocate all the items and kitchen stuff.' Nicole Seward of The Hungry Fork (Image: Nicole Seward) Similarly to Sebastian 26-year-old Nicole Seaward invested £7,000 in opening her food business The Hungry Fork. Sadly, just weeks after the business launched, she learnt of the in shops closure. Speaking of the ordeal Nicole said: 'I'm quite angry to be fair only because they must have known this was happening before, we were given the contract. 'Three weeks after we opened, we had a three-month contract to move out they should have said is it worth opening here.' 'I've spent £7,000 and I'm not getting a penny back.' The inside of the Hungry Fork (Image: Nicole Seaward) Nicole was also promised help relocating but this has fallen short. 'It's awful and they've promised us a space out the front in the town centre, but we've got to buy our own container or unit, so we've now got to go through a government grant to get something for us to go in and that's got to go through planning. 'All I can say is that we've been led down a complete garden path." The building itself will shut on June 28. Staff at M Cwmbran and LCP Properties both responsible for the 'in shops' have been contacted for further comment.
