Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker dies at 81 Irish actress Brenda Fricker, renowned for her Oscar-winning role in the 1989 film My Left Foot and memorable appearances in Home Alone 2 and the BBC series Casualty, has passed away at the age of 81. Her agent, Phil Belfield, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her.” He highlighted her enduring impact, noting her place in the hearts of fans and colleagues worldwide. Fricker’s career spanned decades, beginning in Dublin with early roles in television and theater. She appeared in Ireland’s first soap opera, Tolka Row, in the 1960s, followed by Coronation Street on ITV in 1977 and the play Licking Hitler by David Hare in 1978. Her breakthrough came in 1986 with the BBC medical drama Casualty, where she portrayed nurse Megan Roach. She remained a central figure in the show until 1990, returning periodically in later seasons. Her Oscar victory in 1990 for best supporting actress in My Left Foot marked a historic milestone. The film, based on the true story of Christy Brown, a man with cerebral palsy who could only control his left foot, saw Fricker playing Daniel Day-Lewis’s on-screen mother. She became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award, outshining Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts and Anjelica Huston. The role earned her global recognition and cemented her status as a cultural icon. Beyond My Left Foot, Fricker’s career included iconic roles such as the “Central Park pigeon lady” in Home Alone 2 (1992), a homeless woman befriended by Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin. She also appeared in films like So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993), Angels in the Outfield (1994), A Time to Kill (1996), and Veronica Guerin (2003). However, she later reflected on the unintended consequences of her Oscar win.#casualty #dublin #brenda_fricker #phil_belfield #my_left_foot
It’s Getting Hotter and It’s Not Stopping: Dealing with the Heat in Five of Europe’s Capitals Across Europe, unseasonable May temperatures have shattered expectations, with heat records breaking and spring feeling more like summer. A “heat dome” caused by a high-pressure weather system has trapped warmth, pushing temperatures 10 degrees Celsius above historical averages for this time of year. Scientists warn that human-driven climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, making deadly heatwaves more frequent and unpredictable. In Madrid, Paris, London, Dublin, and Berlin, residents and tourists are grappling with the sweltering conditions, sharing their experiences and concerns about the future. In Madrid, the heat has turned the city into a furnace. Tourists like Jim and Marina, who traveled from Sydney, described the temperatures as far beyond what they expected. “We brought clothes for cooler weather,” Jim said, while Marina added, “Lots of layers.” Though accustomed to heat in Australia, they were surprised by its intensity in Europe. Meanwhile, Paula and Jonathan Diamond, visiting from England, opted to stay in the shade of Madrid’s arcades rather than risk a hike with their children. “It’s better than being at home because the hotel here has air con,” Paula noted, highlighting the contrast with the UK’s even higher temperatures. In Paris, the heatwave has disrupted daily life. Darcey, a 21-year-old psychology student, described the oppressive conditions in her top-floor apartment. “It can feel so hot you’re almost scared to go outside,” she said, while her friend Gabby, an environmental geography student, recalled the irony of meeting in the Swiss Alps during a snowstorm and now facing a heatwave.#london #berlin #madrid #paris #dublin
