€11,000 reward offered for information on dog stabbing
A reward of €11,000 has been offered for information on the fatal stabbing of a pet dog named Marvin in Cork city last weekend.
The Animal Rights Action Network donated €5,000 to the fund, which was set up by the Neil Prendeville Show on RedFM with an original target of €5,000.
The fund aims to reward those who come forward with information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible for the attack on the Jack Russell.
John Carmody of the Animal Rights Action Network said that the attack is just the latest in a series of violent attacks on animals.
Anger over shooting death of black man in St Louis
Police shot and killed a black man in St Louis on Wednesday in a killing that drew angry crowds ten days after protesters marked the anniversary of the police shooting of an unarmed teen in nearby Ferguson.
St Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said the shooting took place as officers were attempting to execute a search warrant, and one suspect pointed a gun at officers who then fired at him, killing him.
Dozens of people gathered near the scene protesting the police use of deadly force, according to local media.
Alcohol consumption linked to cancer - RCSI
The President of the Royal College of Physicians has said mandatory health warnings on alcohol products are needed to help people make informed choices.
Professor Frank Murray, who is also a liver specialist at Beaumont Hospital, said a substantial number of people in Ireland drink in a way that is harmful to their health.
He said that people should be aware that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Professor Murray also said alcohol consumption is associated with seven types of cancers, including breast cancer in women as well as cancer of the liver, oesophagus, and the colon.
Concern over new law to tackle sham marriages
The Migrants Rights Centre of Ireland has expressed concern over the introduction of new legislation to prevent so-called marriages of convenience.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, MRCI Director Edel McGinley said the new measures would lead to ethnic profiling and will impact on people's human rights, in particular the right to privacy.
Ms McGinley said there are no safeguards or right of appeal contained in the new measures.
Under the new laws, registrars now have the right to investigate an application made by a couple to marry and can ultimately refuse to issue a marriage registration form. Ms McGinley said it is also unfair to ask registrars to do this.
And she said there needs to be comprehensive training in cultural sensitivities in relation to this issue.
Japanese rocket to resupply ISS
A Japanese rocket blasted off this afternoon carrying emergency supplies in an unmanned cargo vessel bound for the International Space Station.
The H-IIB rocket lifted off from the southern island of Tanegashima at 12.50pm Irish time after the launch was postponed twice due to weather conditions, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.
About 15 minutes later the rocket released the 5.5-tonne cargo vessel called "Kounotori" (stork in Japanese), which contains supplies including food, water, clothing and tools necessary for experiments in space.
"It was released successfully and we will check if it now can go into its scheduled orbit," said an official of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a launch partner.
The mission should reach the International Space Station, where Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui is staying, on 24 August.
Sri Lankan leader calls for unity
General election victor Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on Sri Lankans to unite as he sets about the task of forming a national unity government that will seek to heal the divisions of the past.
In his first major statement since his United National Party (UNP) foiled ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa's comeback bid, Mr Wickremesinghe struck a note of reconciliation.
"I want everyone to come together now. Think of the country, think of the people," he told reporters on the lawn of his official residence.
"We can achieve unity, progress in this country if we work together."
Concern over clashes on Afghanistan-Pakistan border
Afghanistan has summoned Pakistan's ambassador to explain fighting between the two countries' security forces that killed up to eight Afghan border police, the latest blow in ties that took a plunge this month during a surging Taliban offensive.
Cooperation between the turbulent neighbours both battling fierce militant insurgencies is seen as key to peace in Afghanistan, since Pakistan is widely believed to wield considerable influence over the Taliban and allied militants.
In the meeting with Ambassador Syed Abrar Hussain, Afghanistan's foreign ministry expressed serious objections tothe heavy artillery firing in the border province of Kunar, the ministry said in a statement late last night.
"Continuation of such movements by the Pakistan military ... will have adverse effects on bilateral relations," Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister said.
