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.
Tales from the Tabs
The Sun has a huge spread on the Ronan Keating break-up and, of course, they go straight for the jugular.
The tabloid claims that Ronan’s wife, Yvonne, threw him out and has accused her husband of cheating with a dancer while on tour with Boyzone.
The report even goes as far to say that the 36-year-old former model “threw him out, with all his clothes, on the doorstepâ€, according to the newspaper’s source.
The Sun’s insider added, “She was screaming at him and accusing him of cheating on her.â€
Another high-profile star who has been getting a telling-off is American sexpot actress Megan Fox.
The Daily Star reports that Megan has been booted from the third Transformers movie.
It is claimed that 24-year-old temptress had a sizzling row with director Michael Bay around the release of the second movie last year. However, Bay had said that he was looking forward to working with foxy Megan in the third part.
The Sports Pages
Colin Hart’s boxing column in The Sun details his belief that Wayne McCullough’s forced withdrawal from Prizefighter is a “blessing for boxingâ€.
Northern Ireland fighter McCullough, who has been based in Las Vegas for many years now, was set to enter the ring at the age of 39 on Saturday week in the super-bantamweight competition but has been forced to withdraw due to a hand injury.
Hart is of the opinion that McCullough is past his best, which does make sense, and that “veterans like him should be saved from themselvesâ€.
The decision from the British Boxing Board of Control to grant the ‘Pocket Rocket’ a license caused disquiet amongst officials and boxing enthusiasts who genuinely feared for the safety of McCullough.
In Premier League football transfer news, there could may an interesting swing deal between Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, is hot the heels of Ashley Young and a cash bid of £16 million with either Robbie Keane or Jermaine Jenas heading to Villa Park is a prospect, as reported in The Daily Star.
Villa manager, Martin O’Neill, has been told by the boardroom that he must sell players before he makes any purchases and this could be the ideal opportunity to freshen up his squad and get a cash injection.
James Milner is still a transfer target for Manchester City and if O’Neill was to lose two key midfielders, then a deal involving the likes of Jenas would be appropriate to requirements.
