Seven Days

A glance at the week that was

Marraige move

Argentina has its own nuptial news this week, with the country’s senate backing a bill to legalise gay marriage. The move makes it the first country in Latin America to allow marriage between same-sex couples. The new law, which will also allow same-sex couples to adopt children, was passed with a margin of six votes despite strong opposition from the Catholic Church.

Back to Bristol

Former US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin may be coming to a hat shop near you, following the news that her daughter Bristol is to wed. The younger Palin rocked her mother’s 2008 campaign when it emerged she was pregnant outside of wedlock. A swift announcement that she was engaged to the child’s father, Levi Johnston, followed, though the engagement was later called off. Since then Johnston has publicly criticised his one-time future mother-in-law, yet now apparently seeks reconciliation after Bristol’s announcement to US Weekly – before she even told her mother — that the couple are engaged again.

We now know

Gerry Ryan was the most searched name on Google.ie in the first six months of this year; other popular search items include Glee and World Cup 2010.

Primary teachers in Ireland are among the best-paid in the world.

A woman’s body shape may affect her memory. US researchers found that carrying excess weight, particularly on the hips, harms the brains of older women.

The Numbers

500,000

The number of people who have visited the Science Gallery in its first two years, making it one of the most popular free attractions in the country.

€150mThe amount the now-bankrupt former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán FitzPatrick owes creditors.

120,000The number of people expected to emigrate from Ireland by the end of next year.

"Today is history; tomorrow is a mystery" - Senator Ivor Callely, speaking before the Seanad committee investigating his expense claims