The Front Pages
The main headlines on the front pages of some of the national broadsheets today read:
“Scientists create artificial life by building synthetic DNA†– The Irish Times.
“Ronan’s split from Yvonne shocks fans†– The Irish Independent.
“HSE recalls 457 patients to rule out hepatitis C infection from surgeon†– The Irish Examiner.
Yvonne Keating is on the market fellas. Out of nowhere, without a warning, Ronan Keating has packed his bags and left his wife of 12 years with whom he has fathered three children.
We’re more intrigued in why he has left, rather than actually concerned. The rumours on the reasons for the singer’s separation will follow in the tabloids section but for now we’re going with what The Irish Independent’s publication of the announcement.
The statement was made last night on Ronan’s website, which is published in The Indo;
“With great sadness, Ronan and Yvonne Keating today announce their separation.
“It is amicable and they will continue to work together in order to provide the best for their children.â€
Moving on to the world of artificial life forms and it is reported in The Irish Times today, from an original report in Science Express, that a new “synthetic cell†has been created from scratch in California.
To sift through the scientific jargon in the article for you, it means that the breakthrough will open up the opportunity to produce made-to-order designer bugs which will be able to produce fuel or new medicines.
The scientists associated with the development are having a canary about the startling accomplishment in the labs and a new “meaning of life†view has been taken up by the controversial Craig Venter, who led and funded the research.
Meanwhile back on Irish soil, there will be 457 former hospital patients having an uncomfortable weekend following the news that a surgeon who worked in the west and north-west has been diagnosed with the hepatitis C virus.
The Irish Examiner tells us that the patients will be notified by Monday to undergo a blood test in order to eradicate fears that any of the patients may have contracted the virus between 2004 and 2008. The surgeon had worked in hospitals in Mayo, Galway and Donegal during that time.
Letters will be sent out by the HSE today, asking the patients to attend a GP or a dedicated HSE west clinic to have a single blood test taken.
