Latest news with #Spanish-led
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Gerry Hutch will ‘have to testify' & take the stand if alleged money laundering case proceeds, Spanish courts insist
GERRY 'The Monk' Hutch must take the stand in court if the case against him proceeds — Spanish authorities have told us. The 62-year-old Dubliner remains under investigation for alleged money laundering offences but he has yet to reappear in a Lanzarote court since Advertisement 4 Gerry Hutch is likely to appear in court in Spain Credit: Gary Ashe 4 The probe is centred on the alleged use of cash from criminal activities to buy properties and vehicles Credit: JUAN MATEOS 4 It is also assisted by the Gardai by sharing information and evidence Credit: PA:Press Association There was a series of raids in Advertisement Spanish authorities branded Hutch as 'an alleged leader of an international gang of criminals' and he was held in He was granted bail of €100,000 and returned to Ireland ahead of his bid for a Dail seat in In an update given to They told us: 'Mr Hutch is still under investigation. He has not reappeared at this time. 'If the case goes forward and is not dismissed, he will have to testify at the Advertisement We also understand that Hutch is 'likely' to be summoned to appear to testify in any preliminary investigation phase hearing if it is scheduled. The Spanish-led probe is centred on the Hutch Organised Crime Group's alleged use of cash from criminal activities to buy properties and vehicles in The investigation — which saw eight others also lifted — has been ongoing for more than two years, with Gerry Hutch returns to Ireland to make run for Dail official After the arrests, authorities in Spain said: 'They are being probed as alleged perpetrators of money laundering crimes committed within a criminal organisation.' In an interview last year, Hutch claimed the probe was being orchestrated by the Gardai to prevent him standing in the election. Advertisement He denied any wrongdoing when he returned back to BACK HOME FOR DAIL RUN Hutch ran for a Irish director The My Left Foot director was following Hutch with a camera crew as part of a documentary he is making about the election and the gang boss. 'If the case goes forward and is not dismissed, he will have to testify at the trial hearing if one is scheduled. The probe is ongoing, and its contents are not public.' Spokesman for the Canary Islands' High Court of Justice Speaking at the count centre in the Advertisement He said: 'I was thinking of just doing a small documentary about the election – that's all. I never thought he'd get in or have a chance.' RAGS TO RICHES & FAME GERRY 'The Monk' Hutch could soon become a Netflix star if Jim Sheridan gets his way. A trailer on the life story of the gangster, made by the award-winning producer and director, was sent to the global network for consideration earlier this year. Both Netflix and Sky have indicated to Sheridan they are interested in The Monk's rags-to-riches life story. The director has made a trailer on the proposed real-life story and it is being sent to them. Earlier this year a source told us: 'Gerry gave Jim his full co-operation and has given him several hours of taped interviews. Some of the stuff he spoke about is incredible. 'However, some clips may have to be refilmed because they are now outdated and have been overtaken by (recent) events. 'There will be huge public interest in his story and what he has to say. 'Both Netflix and Sky are now considering it.' Asked why he thinks people backed The Monk at the polls, Jim said: 'I just think it is anger at their position. Years and years of drugs and nothing happening in that community. 'Like some people are trying to help but there has never been, like since Tony Gregory, a cohesive attitude towards it or a focused attitude. 'Sheriff Street, I think that was the one thing they got wrong because it's like a blocked artery down there. 'It's crazy and it's in the shadow of all these IFSC and it's not really a real community. It's just one street now and you would just wish that something good was developed for it.' Advertisement DPP DECISION TO COME Hutch refused to rule out running for public office again after failing in his attempt to win a Dail seat last year. He has since continued to live between Ireland and Lanzarote. Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions is weighing up organised crime charges against him here in Ireland. Hutch walked free from the Special Criminal Court in April 2023, left, after he was acquitted of murdering the 34-year-old 4 Hutch ran for a Dail seat last year and just fell short in Dublin Central Credit: Reuters Advertisement
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eurostar rivals given ‘green signal' for cross-Channel trains: What could it mean for passengers?
For nearly three decades, Eurostar has been the only rail operator running through the Channel Tunnel, connecting the UK with mainland Europe. But recent shifts in regulation and burgeoning demand for lower-carbon travel options have boosted interest from competitors. Companies from the UK and Europe are eagerly eyeing a share of the market, but starting services hasn't been easy. Expensive trains, limited space for them to be serviced, maintained, and stored, and Eurostar's dominance have conspired to maintain the monopoly. But things are starting to change. A new report commissioned by the Office of Road and Rail has ruled that Eurostar must provide access to new operators at Temple Mills depot. It also demanded that HS1, the high-speed rail link between London and the Tunnel, reduce its fees from almost €30 per mile. Currently these are the highest fees in Europe. As each barrier comes down, excitement for new cross-Channel options rises. Several companies are confident their bids will be a success and claim that increased competition will ultimately mean lower prices for passengers. While the Channel Tunnel has been open to competitors since 2010, no other operator has attempted to challenge Eurostars' dominance. But recent regulatory shifts and legal challenges have seen interest accelerate, with several companies vying to provide new services. The Virgin Group is one such company and has stated a desire to launch cross-channel train services by 2029. Discussions are already underway for a fleet of trains to operate the service. Competing for access to the 'Chunnel' is a Spanish-led consortium known as Evolyn. The company wants to launch high-speed services between London and Paris and has indicated it has reached an agreement with Alstom to purchase 12 high-speed trains for the service. Also throwing its hat in the ring is a start-up called Gemini Trains. led by Lord Tony Berkeley, a British aristocrat and former Eurotunnel engineer. Gemini has applied for an operator's license to service Paris, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Geneva with a fleet of 10 trains by 2029. Other operators have previously expressed an interest in open access to the Channel Tunnel. Deutsche Bahn showcased a high-speed train at London's St Pancras in 2010, signaling its intent to connect London with destinations in Germany, such as Frankfurt and Cologne. However, it has not yet officially joined the bidding war for services. Related Eurotunnel operator offers cash to attract new cross-channel services Irony of history: How Channel Tunnel breakthrough miner Graham Fagg became a Brexiteer New destinations and cheaper tickets: How Channel Tunnel rail travel might change in the future Since the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994, Eurostar has held a monopoly on rail services between the UK and Europe. Although there's been nothing stopping new operators from venturing into the market, barriers to entry have been high. For a start, trains must be long enough to align with tunnel evacuation points, and there are various technical requirements that not many manufacturers can meet. The cost of acquiring new trains that comply with these requirements, estimated at €35 - €60 million per train, has deterred competitors from getting involved. In order to operate a cross-channel service, operators also need a depot. London's St Pancras International and the Temple Mills maintenance depot are under Eurostar's control, and it has frequently argued that Temple Mills is already at capacity. However, a new report, commissioned by the UK's Office of Road and Rail (ORR) and conducted by independent consultants IPEX, suggests this is not necessarily true. In its report, IPEX stated that there is 'some' capacity at Temple Mills for more trains to be serviced, maintained, and stored. It says that some of the capacity can be accessed immediately, without any changes, but that the rest will be delivered through investment. Virgin Group applauded the findings of the report, saying that claims suggesting Temple Mills was at capacity have been blocking Virgin's bid for cross-Channel services. 'Finally a green signal for competition,' a spokesperson for Virgin says. 'There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge.' However, Eurostar argues that the report effectively validates its claim that the depot is at capacity. A spokesperson said, 'It confirms what Eurostar has said all along: the Temple Mills depot is effectively almost full today for major maintenance work and would require investment to meet the growing demands of international rail.' Eurostar notes that the options in the report could create some capacity, but this would not be enough to accommodate any single additional operator. Related Combined air-rail tickets: How to fly, ride and explore Europe on one booking Eurostar and SkyTeam join up to offer plane to train journeys in a single booking from 2025 The European tube: Inside the project to launch a continent-wide rail system Increased competition on the Eurotunnel services is widely considered to bring benefits to passengers. In any market, more competition tends to lead to lower prices, better services and more choice, and the cross-Channel rail market is no different. Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink (the company that operates the Channel Tunnel), told the BBC that through competition, 'the market will be more dynamic, all operators will improve their offer.' 'I love Eurostar's service, but competition keeps everyone on their toes,' says Mark Smith, also known as the Man in Seat 61. 'The extra capacity this will bring has been shown to lower prices. It's definitely good news for travellers.' While prices for Eurotunnel service may fall as competition hots up, having more choice is crucial to the attractiveness of rail options. Being able to travel directly to London from cities in Germany, Switzerland and beyond is a good first step in making rail a workable alternative to air travel and encouraging passengers to switcht to this lower carbon form of transportation. Smith further notes that there could be more connections in the UK too, as Gemini Trains has touted services from Ebbsfleet in Kent. 'Eurostar doesn't want to do that,' he says. 'Let's also hope competitors will consider easier bike access and allowing dogs.'
Euronews
02-04-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Eurostar rivals given ‘green signal' for cross-Channel trains: What could it mean for passengers?
ADVERTISEMENT For nearly three decades, Eurostar has been the only rail operator running through the Channel Tunnel, connecting the UK with mainland Europe. But recent shifts in regulation and burgeoning demand for lower-carbon travel options have boosted interest from competitors. Companies from the UK and Europe are eagerly eyeing a share of the market, but starting services hasn't been easy. Expensive trains, limited space for them to be serviced, maintained, and stored, and Eurostar's dominance have conspired to maintain the monopoly. But things are starting to change. A new report commissioned by the Office of Road and Rail has ruled that Eurostar must provide access to new operators at Temple Mills depot. It also demanded that HS1, the high-speed rail link between London and the Tunnel, reduce its fees from almost €30 per mile. Currently these are the highest fees in Europe. As each barrier comes down, excitement for new cross-Channel options rises. Several companies are confident their bids will be a success and claim that increased competition will ultimately mean lower prices for passengers. Which rail operators want to run Channel Tunnel services? While the Channel Tunnel has been open to competitors since 2010, no other operator has attempted to challenge Eurostars' dominance. But recent regulatory shifts and legal challenges have seen interest accelerate, with several companies vying to provide new services. The Virgin Group is one such company and has stated a desire to launch cross-channel train services by 2029. Discussions are already underway for a fleet of trains to operate the service. Competing for access to the 'Chunnel' is a Spanish-led consortium known as Evolyn. The company wants to launch high-speed services between London and Paris and has indicated it has reached an agreement with Alstom to purchase 12 high-speed trains for the service. Also throwing its hat in the ring is a start-up called Gemini Trains. led by Lord Tony Berkeley, a British aristocrat and former Eurotunnel engineer. Gemini has applied for an operator's license to service Paris, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Geneva with a fleet of 10 trains by 2029. Other operators have previously expressed an interest in open access to the Channel Tunnel. Deutsche Bahn showcased a high-speed train at London's St Pancras in 2010, signaling its intent to connect London with destinations in Germany, such as Frankfurt and Cologne. However, it has not yet officially joined the bidding war for services. Related Eurotunnel operator offers cash to attract new cross-channel services Irony of history: How Channel Tunnel breakthrough miner Graham Fagg became a Brexiteer New destinations and cheaper tickets: How Channel Tunnel rail travel might change in the future New report brings Eurostar competition closer Since the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994, Eurostar has held a monopoly on rail services between the UK and Europe. Although there's been nothing stopping new operators from venturing into the market, barriers to entry have been high. For a start, trains must be long enough to align with tunnel evacuation points, and there are various technical requirements that not many manufacturers can meet. The cost of acquiring new trains that comply with these requirements, estimated at €35 - €60 million per train, has deterred competitors from getting involved. In order to operate a cross-channel service, operators also need a depot. London's St Pancras International and the Temple Mills maintenance depot are under Eurostar's control, and it has frequently argued that Temple Mills is already at capacity. However, a new report, commissioned by the UK's Office of Road and Rail (ORR) and conducted by independent consultants IPEX, suggests this is not necessarily true. In its report, IPEX stated that there is 'some' capacity at Temple Mills for more trains to be serviced, maintained, and stored. It says that some of the capacity can be accessed immediately, without any changes, but that the rest will be delivered through investment. Virgin Group applauded the findings of the report, saying that claims suggesting Temple Mills was at capacity have been blocking Virgin's bid for cross-Channel services. 'Finally a green signal for competition,' a spokesperson for Virgin says. 'There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge.' ADVERTISEMENT However, Eurostar argues that the report effectively validates its claim that the depot is at capacity. A spokesperson said, 'It confirms what Eurostar has said all along: the Temple Mills depot is effectively almost full today for major maintenance work and would require investment to meet the growing demands of international rail.' Eurostar notes that the options in the report could create some capacity, but this would not be enough to accommodate any single additional operator. Related Combined air-rail tickets: How to fly, ride and explore Europe on one booking Eurostar and SkyTeam join up to offer plane to train journeys in a single booking from 2025 The European tube: Inside the project to launch a continent-wide rail system Will new options be good for cross-Channel passengers? Increased competition on the Eurotunnel services is widely considered to bring benefits to passengers. In any market, more competition tends to lead to lower prices, better services and more choice, and the cross-Channel rail market is no different. Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink (the company that operates the Channel Tunnel), told the BBC that through competition, 'the market will be more dynamic, all operators will improve their offer.' ADVERTISEMENT 'I love Eurostar's service, but competition keeps everyone on their toes,' says Mark Smith, also known as the Man in Seat 61. 'The extra capacity this will bring has been shown to lower prices. It's definitely good news for travellers.' While prices for Eurotunnel service may fall as competition hots up, having more choice is crucial to the attractiveness of rail options. Being able to travel directly to London from cities in Germany, Switzerland and beyond is a good first step in making rail a workable alternative to air travel and encouraging passengers to switcht to this lower carbon form of transportation. Smith further notes that there could be more connections in the UK too, as Gemini Trains has touted services from Ebbsfleet in Kent. 'Eurostar doesn't want to do that,' he says. 'Let's also hope competitors will consider easier bike access and allowing dogs.'
Jordan Times
08-03-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
Human ancestors making 'bone tech' 1.5 million years ago, say scientists
Bone tools found in Olduvai, photographed in the Pleistocene Archaeology Lab of CSIC (Photo of CSIC) PARIS — Our ancestors were making tools out of bones 1.5 million years ago, winding back the clock for this important moment in human evolution by more than a million years, a study said on Wednesday. Ancient humans -- also called hominins -- such as the robust Australopithecus are known to have used fragments of bones to dig up tubers from termite mounds. Even today our closest living relative, chimpanzees, use sticks in a similar way to dig out termites for a tasty treat. And more than 2 million years ago, hominins were using crude stone tools in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's most important prehistoric sites. But there were no known examples of anyone systematically making bone tools more than 500,000 years ago -- until now. At Olduvai, a Spanish-led team of researchers found 27 tools made out of the leg and arm bones of big mammals, mainly elephants and hippos. The discovery "sheds new light on the almost unknown world of early hominin bone technology," they wrote in a study in the journal Nature. To the untrained eye, the tools might seem like random bits of bone. But for the researchers, they are proof of the remarkable cognitive abilities of our distant ancestors, showing they were capable of choosing the appropriate material and fashioning it for their needs. "There is a clear desire to change the shape of the bone to turn them into very heavy, long tools," Francesco d'Errico, an archaeologist at France's Bordeaux University and study co-author, told AFP. The unknown hominins used rocks as hammers to shape the bones. The resulting tools ranged from 20 to 40 centimetres long, some weighing up to a kilograme. "In some cases there are even notches in the middle of the bone, possibly so they could hold it better in their hands," d'Errico said. The big, pointy tools are thought to have been used to butcher the carcasses of large animals. From axes to needles At the time, stone tools were being made in a far more rudimentary manner. Very few large stone tools have been found at Olduvai, d'Errico said, possibly because the quartz available at the site was not well-suited to the difficult job of cutting up big animals. It was the Acheulean culture, which was emerging in Africa at around the same time, that first cut stones into hand axes, also called bifaces. This invention represented a major advance, making it possible for ancient humans to properly slice or skin their prey. "The hypothesis of the study is that the bone-cutting at Olduvai is an original invention, during a moment of transition to bifaces," d'Errico said. According to this theory, the bone techniques developed at Olduvai disappeared from the planet for a million years. It would eventually reappear in places such as the area of modern-day Rome, where a lack of good big rocks spurred hominins to carve elephant bones into hand axes. It is also possible that the techniques continued throughout the years "but these bones have not been properly identified in other archaeological sites", d'Errico said. As the human line evolved, so did the sophistication of the tools we carved out of bone. For example, the first needles with eyes were made from bone in China and Siberia, only arriving in Europe around 26,000 years ago, d'Errico said. But that is another "very long story", he added.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Human ancestors making 'bone tech' 1.5 million years ago, say scientists
Our ancestors were making tools out of bones 1.5 million years ago, winding back the clock for this important moment in human evolution by more than a million years, a study said Wednesday. Ancient humans -- also called hominins -- such as the robust Australopithecus are known to have used fragments of bones to dig up tubers from termite mounds. Even today our closest living relative, chimpanzees, use sticks in a similar way to dig out termites for a tasty treat. And more than two million years ago, hominins were using crude stone tools in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's most important prehistoric sites. But there were no known examples of anyone systematically making bone tools more than 500,000 years ago -- until now. At Olduvai, a Spanish-led team of researchers found 27 tools made out of the leg and arm bones of big mammals, mainly elephants and hippos. The discovery "sheds new light on the almost unknown world of early hominin bone technology," they wrote in a study in the journal Nature. To the untrained eye, the tools might seem like random bits of bone. But for the researchers, they are proof of the remarkable cognitive abilities of our distant ancestors, showing they were capable of choosing the appropriate material and fashioning it for their needs. "There is a clear desire to change the shape of the bone to turn them into very heavy, long tools," Francesco d'Errico, an archaeologist at France's Bordeaux University and study co-author, told AFP. The unknown hominins used rocks as hammers to shape the bones. The resulting tools ranged from 20 to 40 centimetres (eight to 15 inches) long, some weighing up to a kilo. "In some cases there are even notches in the middle of the bone, possibly so they could hold it better in their hands," d'Errico said. The big, pointy tools are thought to have been used to butcher the carcasses of large animals. - From axes to needles - At the time, stone tools were being made in a far more rudimentary manner. Very few large stone tools have been found at Olduvai, d'Errico said, possibly because the quartz available at the site was not well-suited to the difficult job of cutting up big animals. It was the Acheulean culture, which was emerging in Africa at around the same time, that first cut stones into hand axes, also called bifaces. This invention represented a major advance, making it possible for ancient humans to properly slice or skin their prey. "The hypothesis of the study is that the bone-cutting at Olduvai is an original invention, during a moment of transition to bifaces," d'Errico said. According to this theory, the bone techniques developed at Olduvai disappeared from the planet for a million years. It would eventually reappear in places such as the area of modern-day Rome, where a lack of good big rocks spurred hominins to carve elephant bones into hand axes. It is also possible that the techniques continued throughout the years "but these bones have not been properly identified in other archaeological sites," d'Errico said. As the human line evolved, so did the sophistication of the tools we carved out of bone. For example, the first needles with eyes were made from bone in China and Siberia, only arriving in Europe around 26,000 years ago, d'Errico said. But that is another "very long story," he added. pcl/dl/fg
