Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has said frustration among contractors and hauliers over the cost of fuel is reaching breaking point, with many calling for potential road blockades, including at Dublin Airport and along the M50. “People are not talking about protest for the sake of it - they are talking about survival, If action is not taken, this will escalate,” he said. The Dáil voted last week on an emergency financial resolution to reduce excise duty on petrol by 15c and on diesel by 20c, as well as 3c on green diesel. "This is no longer just a haulage issue – it is a farming issue, a food price issue and a national economic issue,” he added. Mr Mullooly suggested the scrapping of excise duty on green diesel, warning that it was essential if contractors are to remain viable in the weeks ahead.

“I think they liked him, yes,” Rosemary Hope says of her parents when we meet near her home in Kansas City. In Cold Blood was published in January of 1966 to sensational reviews and public appetite. It’s a sparse, simple country town with a dignified memorial to the Clutter family in the community park. The arrival of a huge cattle slaughterhouse in 1980, which stretched across plains near Garden City, Kansas, saw the town change rapidly. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of In Cold Blood as a stand-alone book.

Saturday's Round 16 EY Hockey League fixtures delivered plenty of drama across all four divisions, with title races tightening and relegation battles intensifying heading into the final weeks of the season. Corinthian hammered C of I 6–0, compounding their relegation worries further — the best they can hope for now is a relegation playoff. Pembroke Wanderers continued their fine form with a 3–1 victory over YMCA. In the Men's EYHL2, Portrane ran riot against Bray winning 7–0, as Cork Harlequins and Instonians also kept their promotion pushes firmly on track. Women's EYHL 2: Trinity Ladies 2, University of Galway 0; Avoca 4, Belfast Harlequins 0; Monkstown 6, Lisnagarvey 0; UCC 4, Cork Harlequins 0.

McDonald's said the setup shown in the video is unusual and not reflective of how its US locations operate. The company emphasized that customers are still typically served through traditional methods, including in-store ordering, drive-thru lanes and digital platforms. Governor Gavin Newsom raised the minimum fast food wages to $20-an-hour in April 2024, prompting reports at the time of multiple chains slashing over 10,000 positions. 'In some cases, it removes the very thing that made the experience work in the first place.' Most customers aren’t thinking about labor costs - they’re just asking if what they’re getting is worth what they’re paying.

The Nineties trends that are back this season – and how to wear themBy Lara Owen, PAIf your feeds have felt like a time capsule recently, you’re not imagining it. The slip dressFew pieces capture Nineties minimalism quite like the slip dress. Long associated with Bessette-Kennedy – most famously on her wedding day – it has re-emerged as a key silhouette this season. Whether worn with slim trousers or blue denim, the white shirt remains one of the most versatile pieces from the Nineties. Without straps or excess hardware, they align perfectly with the Nineties’ minimalist focus on clean, uninterrupted lines.

Israeli forces also killed two people in the occupied West Bank in two separate incidents, Palestinian health officials said. Israel, along with the U.S., is also now engaged in a conflictwith Iran, while Israeli forces have also invaded southern Lebanon in a new campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah. WEST BANK VIOLENCEIn the Israeli-occupied West Bank, health officials said Israeli forces had shot and killed a 22-year-old man near the city of Hebron on Monday. Later, the Palestinian health ministry confirmed the driver's death, adding that the army had taken away his body. Settlers have killed at least five Palestinians in the West Bank since the conflict began on February 28, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

Limerick's Gandy Malou-Mamel made basketball history Sunday, becoming the first Irish woman to advance the final four of the elite NCAA tournament. The ninth NCAA tourney meeting between the Huskies and the Irish was their first with a spot in the Final Four on the line. At 6' 7", Malou-Mamel is still making her way with the Huskies but the coaching team has articulated their excitement at the Irish prospect. “I think him and his son were checking my height and how fast it took me to get from one baseline to the other baseline. I’m not sure how fast I was but I was fast for my height,” she explained.

Basketball Ireland’s National League Committee has ruled that the result of Saturday’s Men’s Super League semi-final will stand in Ballincollig’s favour, despite a rules breach around Irish players on the court. Ballincollig won 98-77 but after the game Éanna signed the scoresheet under protest that Ballincollig had four professionals on court for around 10 seconds before it was picked up on. The Basketball Ireland rule states a team must have two Irish players on court at all times, and that saw the Dublin side lodging a protest. Ballincollig have been notified of their responsibility for this rule being adhered to and can now get set for their Super League final clash with Killester on April 12, shown live on TG4. Meanwhile, UCC Glanmire will face Trinity Meteors in the Women’s Superleague decider after Mark Scannell’s side saw off Liffey Celtics 89-72 on Saturday night.

The Oxford English Dictionary has released its quarterly update – adding more than 500 new words, phrases, and senses to its ranks. 'Play play' tops the list, meaning 'to fool about, mess around, waste time' or 'to act frivolously or teasingly'. While new words usually relate to the present day, Philip Durkin, Deputy Chief Editor at the Oxford English Dictionary, explains that many have their roots in old English. 'Originally this word was used to describe a fantastical or idealized story or situation involving romance,' Oxford English Dictionary explained. Play play: To fool about, mess around, waste time; to act frivolously or teasingly.

Regional powers held talks on Sunday in Pakistan to discuss how to end the Middle East war, now in its fifth week. The relentless US and Israeli strikes continued on Sunday, day 30 of the war. The attack appeared to be a response to Israeli strikes on Iranian industrial plants over the last few days. Houthi rebels in Yemen said they fired a second wave of missiles and drones at southern Israel on Sunday. The first Israeli troops have now reached the Litani river, a distance of some 30km from the Israeli border in most areas.

Former England and Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has been appointed as manager of National League side Woking in a surprise move. A statement from the non-league club read: "Woking Football Club is pleased to confirm the appointment of Jermain Defoe as the club’s new Manager. "Following a detailed recruitment process, the club identified Defoe as the candidate whose values, leadership style and footballing philosophy best aligned with its long-term vision." Defoe also made 57 appearances for the England national team across 13 seasons, scoring on 20 occasions. Defoe has actually had a brief foray into management in the past, having been part of an interim coaching team at former side Rangers back in 2021.

The Government is trying to introduce a new system of spending control, to avoid the consistent budget overruns of recent years. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) has repeatedly criticised spending control in recent years. As these figures accumulate, they leave spending well ahead of target over a period of years. Ireland’s budget is in surplus, but only due to potentially volatile corporate taxes. The concern is, however, that some time over the next few years corporate taxes stop growing, or start to reverse.

‘It’s a huge amount of money’: Modern fertility medicine is a miracle – but it’s also a booming businessThe mainly private industry caters to often-vulnerable peopleInfertility affects one in six people. Photo: GettyJulia Molony Today at 06:30Since the first IVF baby was born in 1978, technological advancement of reproductive medicine has “enabled millions to have children”, noted an editorial on the fertility industry published in leading medical journal The Lancet in 2024.

Love Island: All Stars winner Samie Elishi has signed a deal to become W7 Cosmetics new brand ambassador as she distracts herself with work following her split from Ciaran Davies and amid her blossoming romance with Tyrique Hyde. Samie, who first appeared on the ninth season of Love Island in 2023, has since been growing close to fellow alum Tyrique, 26, from season ten. Indeed, according to a source close to the situation, the cracks between Samie and Ciaran appeared almost immediately after the show wrapped. 'Samie and Ciaran came out of Love Island and went to visit Wales almost instantly,' the source said. Sami Elishi is Brand Ambassador for British Beauty Brand W7 Cosmetics.

Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi have become the latest Arsenal players to depart their international squad due to injury concern. Hincapie was sent home from the Ecuador squad for "medical tests" on a knee injury after he picked up a knock in Friday's 1-1 draw with Morocco. "Martín Zubimendi has withdrawn from the Spanish national team camp due to discomfort in his right knee," Spain's statement said. Arsenal FC's medical staff have been informed of the situation." Three of Arsenal's England stars left Thomas Tuchel's camp at the weekend, returning to Arsenal for “medical assessment”.