Behold: the LEO – a conceptual eVTOL that actually looks likely to make it to production for consumer use.
Along with Blade Runner styling, gullwing doors and a frankly terrifying see-through floor, the LEO will likely have a fully-shrouded, DARPA-funded Electric Jet Aircraft propulsion system enabling autonomous piloting, one-hour flight times, and top speeds up to 400km/h.
Unlike more ungainly peers, it has a relatively compact 3x6m footprint and so can be parked on a kerb or in a two-car garage.
One of the best loved Irish bands of the late ’80s/’90s, Power Of Dreams have reformed with a terrific new album Auslander (the German word for outsider) making waves.
Singer Craig Walker (top right) writes:
“A new studio album was something we had talked about doing over the years but the timing and problems of us all living in different countries, meant it never happened. When everything closed in March 2020, suddenly those hurdles of geography and time no longer mattered.
It was a window of opportunity that was too good to pass up. I’d been putting songs to one side over the years, as they were obviously Power of Dreams songs.
“The reaction from fans has been great since we started releasing the singles last year. ‘America’ and ‘Across The Shannon’ topped the iTunes indie charts, then ‘Hurricane’ was used in the TV show Made in Chelsea and now ‘Do It’ has been doing really well on radio and the fans love it. We have received numerous messages from lifelong fans of the band thanking us for doing a new album. We believe the new album will satisfy long time followers of the band and hopefully introduce a new audience to our music.”
The new single Best Days is a heartfelt tribute by Craig to original guitarist Robbie Callan, who sadly passed away last New Year’s Eve, and who was as lovely a guy as he was a brilliant musician.
In honour of Robbie, here (above) is an old video of a performance of All Because on the Jo Maxi TV show on RTÉ in 1988 (that’s him on lead guitar in the black leather jacket). We were cousins too, and I dedicate this post to his memory.
Boxer Kellie Harrington, who was denied a civic reception over covid safety concerns, is Shanebombed by junior minister for Sport Jack Chambers as she returns from Tokyo.
From top: Daft report for the second quarter of 2021; Cian O’Callaghan
This morning.
The latest report from Daft.ie shows that on average rents in Dublin increased in the second quarter of this year by around 0.5% with a national increase of 5.6%.
Cian O Callaghan – Social Democrat housing spokesman – whose party wishes to see a freeze on rent increases, said:
“Today’s report reveals the abject failure of this government to tackle the rental crisis. Rents climbed by an average annual rate of 5.6pc in the second quarter of this year, but the rates of increase were even higher in many areas.
For instance, rents in Kerry, Leitrim and Roscommon surged by more than 16pc while rents in Donegal, Cavan, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Waterford all increased by more than 14pc.
“The unprecedented nature of this crisis is evident in the fact that it is now cheaper to repay a mortgage than pay rent in nearly every region of the country. In fact, the only two places where a mortgage for a three-bed home is more expensive than rent is in Dublin 4 and Dublin 6.”
How best to watch a meteor shower? Well, later this week, the annual Perseid Meteor Shower will hit its peak. So what next for the avid skywatcher? To wit:
Lionel Messi has reportedly agreed to sign with French club PSG on a free transfer.
Via Sports Illustrated:
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner will also join an attack that features one of the world’s preeminent rising stars in Kylian Mbappé, the 22-year-old French sensation who is entering the last year of his contract with the club and has been hesitant to sign a long-term extension.
It’s unclear whether Messi’s arrival makes it more difficult for Mbappé to do that from a club finances point of view, or whether it makes it a more attractive option for the player, to continue at the club while playing alongside the Argentine great. Neymar is already signed through 2025.
