Deripaska's alleged control of Aughinish Alumina, climate records shattered, and environmental concerns dominate Irish news

Despite international sanctions aimed at curbing his influence, Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska is believed to retain control over the metals giant Rusal, which owns the Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick, according to a confidential report by Swedish authorities. This assertion raises questions about the effectiveness of sanctions in limiting his global business activities.

Meanwhile, Ireland experienced its hottest May day on record, a phenomenon researchers at Maynooth University attribute directly to man-made global warming. The significant margin by which the previous record was broken underscores the accelerating impact of climate change on regional weather patterns.

Adding to environmental concerns, the European Commission has highlighted that peat cutting is occurring across parts of Ireland without the required planning permissions, environmental assessments, or enforcement measures. This practice raises ecological alarms, particularly in sensitive habitats.

In a separate development, a turf war is emerging between supermarket chains Lidl and Supervalu concerning planning permissions for new store locations. Additionally, The Irish Times is capturing the experiences of students and career consultants on the third day of the State exams.