Your Thursday lunchtime news catch-up

Sepp Blatter has been called to stand down as FIFA president to avoid damaging the branding, Labour TD Michael McNamara is to vote against the support of the Aer Lingus sale, McIlroy has suffered a nightmare start at the Irish Open and George Clooney and David Beckham have reportedly landed on our shores for the Irish Open. Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

Thu, 28 May, 2015 - 01:00

Greg Murphy

TOP STORY

Blatter 'living in a fantasy world'

Blatter 'living in a fantasy world' | http://t.co/Euqirp21dr (GM) pic.twitter.com/ENrJZ5jOdI
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) May 28, 2015

IRELAND

Labour TD to vote against Aer Lingus 'gamble'

A Labour TD has said he cannot vote to support the sale of Aer Lingus in the Dáil this afternoon.

MOST READ: Dusseldorf the first new route as IAG grows Cork Airport services

SPORT

Early struggles for McIlroy at Irish Open

World number one and tournament host Rory McIlroy suffered a nightmare start to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down on Thursday.

PADDY HEANEY: New position needed on line-ups

Gaelic football has moved on, but the media and GAA officialdom are clinging to a past that has long since ceased to exist.

WORLD

Elephant numbers 'down by a half'

Conservationists say the elephant population in Mozambique has dropped nearly 50% in the last five years because of poaching, but cite good news from Uganda, where the elephant population is increasing.

MOST READ: Death toll rises above 1,400 as temperatures reach 47C in India

Eating onions, lying in the shade and crowding into rivers, Indians are doing whatever they can to stay cool amid a brutal heatwave that has killed more than 1,400 in the past month.

ANALYSIS

VICTORIA WHITE: We should look the other way when companies tell us how to vote

THE Irish people have beaten off an army of bishops carrying croziers by saying ‘Yes’ in the same-sex marriage referendum. For the first time, they have made up their own minds.

EXAMVIRAL

VIDEO: The terrifying moment flood waters burst into a Texas home

Texas is having a tough time of it as heavy rain led to widespread flooding and damage over the Memorial Day weekend.

MOST READ: VIDEO: This bad ass military boat is being built in Cork

This military boat which is being billed as the future of coastal patrol and protection is being built in Cork.

TECHNOW

There's a dual screen smartwatch on the way with a build in projector! http://t.co/QElgeM3VnN (PSR) #technews pic.twitter.com/aKSAS1iriq
— Irish Examiner Lifestyle (@IELifestyle_) May 28, 2015

MOST READ: There's a dual screen smartwatch on the way with a build in projector!

Smartwatches are nice and all but sometimes you'll find youself wishing for a bigger screen for those all-important notifications. Lenovo might have you covered with the Magic View.

BUSINESS

Greeks optimistic about bailout deal by Sunday

Greece has said it aims to clinch a deal with its creditors that will allow it to receive the desperately needed final instalment of its international bailout plan and keep it from defaulting on its debts.

MOST READ: Nama holdings in Cork, Limerick and Galway revealed

New figures suggest Nama is less exposed to rural property developments outside of the big cities than once thought.

LIFESTYLE

MOST READ: Support is available for gay Irish people and spouses in straight marriages

Hundreds of Irish gay men and women are in straight marriages, as they feel obliged to hide their sexuality. Caomhan Keane went along to support groups, formed this year, for these men and women - and their spouses.

SHOWBIZ