Your Tuesday lunchtime news catch-up

Millions set aside for Germanwings crash costs, 90 percent of teachers need training, Catholic weddings declining and Dunphy claims McCarthy is a flop. Some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime

Tue, 31 Mar, 2015 - 01:00

Robert McNamara

NEW DEVELOPMENT

Insurers set aside $300m for Germanwings Alps crash claims

Lufthansa says its insurers are setting aside $300m (€276.45m) to deal with possible costs resulting from the French Alps crash in which 150 people died.

IRELAND

Teachers need training, survey shows, but impasse with Minister continues

90% percent of English teachers say they need extra training for the new Junior Cycle course.

28% of weddings are civil ceremonies, as number of Catholic services fall

Nearly three out of 10 weddings last year were civil marriages.

SPORT

Dunphy: James McCarthy is ‘a terrible flop’

Pundit Eamon Dunphy was sharply critical of the Republic of Ireland’s James McCarthy on RTE radio show Game On last night.

Newcastle profits provoke questions

Newcastle have emerged as one of the most profitable clubs in the Barclays Premier League after announcing record profits of £18.7million last season.

EXAMVIRAL

WATCH: Republic of Telly send up Conor McGregor and Irish Water in new video

Republic of Telly hit a high note last night as they decided to take the mickey out of popular UFC fighter Conor McGregor.

Quiz: Are you a cat or a dog person?

This quiz will leave you in no doubt as to whether you're a puppy person or a feline friend.

WORLD

LATEST: 15 bodies in Kashmir floods

MOST READ: Bride guilty of shooting niece dead at wedding in US

A western Pennsylvania newlywed has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment in the shooting death of her niece hours after the ceremony.

BUSINESS

Black-market criminals 'laughing in our face' says retail group

Organised crime and the black economy are costing the retail sector millions of euro a week, a retail group has warned.

'Highest ever' volume of hotel sales achieved in Q1 this year

The first three months of this year saw the highest quarterly volume of hotel sales ever achieved in Ireland, according to figures released today.

LIFESTYLE

BDSM: The dangers and delights of games people play

Rita de Brún sought the views of some therapists as she looked at the dark world of sadomasochism and BDSM

Top ten tips and recipes for cooking for a crowd

Cooking for a communion or confirmation party? Not sure where to begin? The trick lies in planning ahead. If you do, you will not have to spend all your time in the kitchen on the big day when you should be mixing with guests.

SHOWBIZ