Stephen Porzio is a senior writer at JOE, having joined the website in March 2021. JOE’s principal entertainment writer, his area of expertise is movies and television. He covers new releases, streaming additions, and what’s on TV, while also regularly speaking to acclaimed actors and directors about their latest work. Stephen graduated with a BA in English and Film from UCD and an MA in journalism from DCU. He has previously had work published in Hot Press, The Times (Ireland Edition) and The Irish Sun, and is also an experienced podcaster.
Ireland starting to see stabilisation in indicators for Covid incidence, says CMO
However, he added that the trajectory of the disease remains “uncertain”. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan has said Ireland is starting to see a stabilisation in a number of important indicators of Covid incidence. He made the comments on Thursday as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of 4,163 new confirmed cases […]
5 years ago
All confirmed Omicron cases in the EU so far asymptomatic or mild, says ECDC
“So far, no severe cases or deaths have been reported among these cases.” The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that all Omicron cases confirmed in the European Union (EU) so far have been asymptomatic or mild. According to the European disease watchdog, as of Tuesday (30 November), 44 confirmed cases […]
5 years ago
CONFIRMED: Face masks recommended for children as new rules for arrivals to Ireland announced
Parents are urged to prioritise their children’s activities and to minimise indoor gatherings. The Government has approved a number of new measures centring around travel and children to help to reduce the spread of Covid-19. It comes amid concerns regarding the Omicron variant which was first detected in South Africa last week. In terms of […]
5 years ago
Public advised to avoid non-essential travel to seven southern African countries over Covid variant concern
The WHO has named the new Covid strain and classified it as a variant of concern. The public has been advised to avoid non-essential travel to seven southern African countries over concerns regarding a new Covid-19 variant. The B.1.1.529 strain was first detected in South Africa and has been named Omicron by the World Health […]
5 years ago
First case of new Covid-19 variant in Europe detected in Belgium
The variant is said to contain a “large number of mutations”. The first case of the new Covid-19 variant in Europe has been detected in Belgium. On Friday (26 November), leading Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst tweeted that one sample was confirmed as the B.1.1.529 variant. The case was confirmed in a person who had […]
5 years ago
Nearly €10 million worth of drugs seized at Dublin Port with help of detector dog Robbie
The drugs were discovered concealed within a furniture consignment. Nearly €10 million worth of drugs have been seized at Dublin Port with the help of detector dog, Robbie. As part of an investigation targeting transnational organised crime groups, a joint operation was carried out by personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime […]
5 years ago
Weather warning issued for seven counties as “snow possible” later this week
Met Éireann has said it will be staying cold over the weekend. A Status Yellow weather warning has been issued for Donegal, while Met Éireann has said that the country may see snow later in the week. The wind warning for the county will be in effect from 3pm on Friday to 6am on Saturday. […]
5 years ago
Early signs current Covid wave is “starting to level off”, says Leo Varadkar
However, The Tánaiste also said more extreme restrictions cannot be ruled out yet. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said the Government has seen early signs the current Covid-19 wave is “starting to level off”. The comments come after a new range of restrictions to combat rising Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations were announced last week. However, there […]
5 years ago
New Zealand sets date to reopen to tourists after almost two years
Good news for those that like to travel. After being one of the first countries to shut its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand has announced plans to reopen after nearly two years of restrictions. As part of the phased reopening plans, fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed to enter the country from 30 […]
5 years ago
Fianna Fáil senator calls for new Bank Holiday to celebrate The Late Late Toy Show
The senator believes it would be “a tree-mendous idea”. Fianna Fáil senator in Kildare Fiona O’Loughlin has called for a new bank holiday to coincide with The Late Late Toy Show. The call comes amid enhanced discussions in recent months over increasing the number of bank holiday days in Ireland in order to honour frontline […]
5 years ago
At least 45 dead after bus crashes in flames in Bulgaria
Truly awful news. At least 45 people have died after a bus crashed in flames on a motorway in western Bulgaria, according to the country’s officials. The incident occurred at around 2am on Tuesday on the Struma motorway about 45km from the capital Sofia. The coach was reportedly registered to North Macedonia and it is […]
5 years ago
Don’t Look Up and six more big trailers you might have missed this week
There were some notably starry trailers this week. Another week, another batch of movie and TV trailers to get excited over. JOE already covered some of the major teasers to drop over the past seven days in separate articles – including for Ozark season four, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Pam and Tommy. However, plenty […]
5 years ago
Jury finds Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges in shooting trial
The teen claimed the shootings were self-defense. US teenager Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot and killed two men and injured a third last year in Wisconsin, has been acquitted on all charges. The 18-year-old was arrested and charged following the incident in Kenosha in the summer of 2020 that occurred during a night of protests over […]
5 years ago