An sean bhliain agus an bliain nua always instill a sense of reflection in the mind. It is a time when people think about what they have done with their lives in the year past and what they intend to do in the New Year. Free article

I spent Christmas in Australia courtesy of Murdoch University Perth, the venue for a recent conference on Race and Prejudice. As with most excursions abroad, the overall experience told me more than anything I could bring to the actual event. Free article

ROBBIE MacGABHANN ponders the merits of parachuting in celebrity candidates as the general election campaign starts to wind up in earnest Free article

Three more political prisoners have died on hunger strike in Turkey in the yearlong protest over Turkey's new maximum security prison system. Free article

Níl amhras ar bith ann ach tá tionchar mhór ag an bhean sí ar mheon na hÉireann go fóill. Is beag duine sa tír nár chuala trácht uirthi agus is iomaí scéalta scanrúla atá ann fá dtaodh di. Ní amháin go gcloistear tuairiscí ina taobh faoin tuath ach sna bailte móra is sna cathracha leis. Cuimhnítear, áfach, nach bhfuil an locht uirthi féin go bhfuil duine ar tí bás a fháil. Níl inti ach an teachtaireachtaí. Free article

The Magnificent Seven Free article