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A recent report has revealed that a massive power surge in April, which led to a widespread blackout across Spain and Portugal, was the most severe incident of its kind in Europe over the past two decades. This unprecedented event, caused by overvoltage—a condition where electrical voltage exceeds normal levels—resulted in significant disruptions, including the loss of internet and telephone connections, halted transport systems, and widespread darkness for nearly a day. The blackout also briefly affected southwestern France. Damian Cortinas, president of the association of electricity grid operators Entso-e, described the incident as uncharted territory, emphasizing that the organization’s role was not to assign blame but to analyze the event. The report, released on Friday, identified a series of cascading overvoltages as the primary cause of the outage. Overvoltage can result from network surges due to oversupply, lightning strikes, or insufficient protective equipment. Although automatic defense mechanisms were activated, they failed to prevent the system shutdown. The Spanish government has welcomed the Entso-e report, stating that it aligns with its own findings, which concluded that both the national grid provider Red Eléctrica and private electricity companies were at fault. However, Red Eléctrica and private firms have denied responsibility, with Redeia, the owner of Red Eléctrica, attributing the blackout to the failure of some coal, gas, and nuclear power plants to maintain appropriate voltage. The incident has sparked a broader political debate in Spain about the country’s energy model, with critics suggesting that the government’s heavy reliance on renewable energy and reduced nuclear capacity may have contributed to the crisis. The government has dismissed these claims, and the Entso-e report has refrained from taking sides. The blackout had far-reaching consequences, including the suspension of a Madrid Open tennis match, the shutdown of Spain’s nuclear power plants, and the halting of operations at oil refineries. Emergency services were called to rescue people trapped in elevators, and hospitals implemented emergency plans, postponing routine procedures. A final report, expected in the first quarter of next year, will delve deeper into the root causes of the overvoltage and the measures taken to control voltage in the system.

Archaeologists working at the site of the former St Mary’s mother-and-baby institution in Tuam, County Galway, have unearthed significant findings that offer a glimpse into the institution’s troubled history. The excavation, led by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT), has revealed five sets of skeletal human remains believed to predate the institution’s operation. These remains were discovered near a 19th-century boundary wall during meticulous hand excavations. Additionally, the team has recovered a variety of personal and medicinal items from the ‘institutional era,’ including shoes, spectacles, and baby glass bottles. Notably, a window frame, a pathway, two drains, and an underground vaulted structure comprising at least three chambers were also uncovered. This structure, however, is distinct from the one where human remains were found in 2017. ODAIT, in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland, continues its efforts to identify and honor the remains of children and babies believed to be buried in a mass grave at the site. The institution, which operated from 1925 to 1961 under the management of the Bon Secours Sisters and Galway County Council, gained international attention in 2014 when local historian Catherine Corless uncovered evidence of 796 death certificates for children and babies who died there, with no corresponding burial records. The ongoing excavation aims to bring closure to the families affected by this tragic chapter in Ireland’s history.

Manchán Magan, a celebrated writer and broadcaster known for his profound explorations of the Irish language, culture, and landscape, has passed away at the age of 55. His family confirmed that he died in Dublin on Thursday evening. Magan, who was born in 1970 and raised in Donnybrook, Dublin, had a prolific career that spanned books, documentaries, TV shows, and radio programs. He was a passionate advocate for the Irish language and culture, as highlighted by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who praised Magan for illuminating the richness of Ireland’s heritage. In September, Magan revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. His work included the TV series *No Béarla*, which documented his travels across Ireland speaking only Irish, and the podcast *The Almanac of Ireland*, which delved into the quirks and wonders of Irish traditions and placenames. Magan also authored several books, including *Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape* and his most recent publication, *Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun)*. Tributes poured in from across Ireland, with University College Dublin, his alma mater, calling him ‘one of Ireland’s foremost voices on language, culture, and landscape.’ Irish artist Blindboy Boatclub expressed his heartbreak, while Dee Mulrooney hailed Magan as a ‘trailblazer’ and ‘a man on a mission.’ RTÉ broadcaster Fiachna Ó Braonáin described Magan’s work as a ‘portal into enlightenment,’ emphasizing his deep love for the Irish language and his unique approach to exploring the world. Magan is survived by his wife Aisling, his mother Cróine, and his three siblings.