During April we celebrate International Dark Sky Week from 13th – 20th of the month. The seasonal variations in brightness, from the long dark winter months to the long bright summer days, provided a reliable anchor against which flowers grew and insects flourished, simultaneously providing the foundations for the behaviour of all other life. From one day to the next the changes in the duration of light and dark were imperceptible. Within a day, the changes from light to dark were moderated only by passing clouds and perhaps the odd eclipse here and there lasting but a few minutes. Our eyes evolved to this slow pace of change.

Photograph: iStockThe threat of strike action from hauliers continues to be on hold following a “positive” meeting on Friday with Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien. One would be an enhanced diesel rebate scheme, or another round of the Licensed Haulage Support Scheme (LHSS) which was set up in 2023 to ease pressures caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. After O’Brien attends a meeting with European colleagues next week, the IRHA is due to meet the Minister again. Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien. “I certainly am of view that, coupled with a right to remote and flexible work, that we should definitely be trialing free public transport so that people who want to and people who aren’t able to get into work, will be able to do so cheaply by public transport,” he saidAhern said free public transport had been trialled in parts of Australia, and was also being considered by New York.

I go to a secondary school in Cork, where AI is encouraged, specifically in the arts subjects, such as art and music. I was outraged, but I know that there truly isn’t anything I can do to stop this inhumane practice. I have voiced my opinion to several teachers about my worries about the rise of AI use among students in my school, but this is absurd. AI replacing teachers altogether? There is nothing an AI can teach that a teacher can’t, and seeing them rely upon it is both disappointing and wrong.

Leinster find it impossible to escape their Champions Cup history at this time of year, so maybe it’s no coincidence that Leo Cullen’s men decided to embrace the past ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup round of 16 tie at home to Edinburgh. Josh van der Flier, a history buff who loves listening to podcasts on the subject, actually felt guilty that he hadn’t visited before. Van der Flier played all six of their pool games that season before succumbing to injury. “There was a lot of good stuff, I thought,” said van der Flier. Jacques Nienaber’s introduction of a blitz ‘D’ has been a source of constant debate, all the more so with the lack of success in the Champions Cup on the back of it.

Kolli put Julien Stephan’s side ahead in the 26th minute and Smyth struck shortly after the hour. Imran Louza pulled a goal back with a superb 85th-minute free-kick, but the visitors were unable to find an equaliser. At the other end, goalkeeper Joe Walsh pushed away Luca Kjerrumgaard’s left-footed shot, and Watford seemed to be growing into the game before Kolli opened the scoring. Again, the excellent Vale delivered a left-footed cross from the right which was directed back across goal by Smyth, but this time Kolli was denied by Selvik. QPR were unlucky early in the second half when striker Richard Kone’s header from Rhys Norrington-Davies’ cross bounced off Smyth and whizzed wide.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot refuted the suggestion in some quarters that he is perceived as the 'bad guy' in Mo Salah's departure. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PAFA Cup quarter-final: Manchester City v Liverpool, Saturday, 12.45pm – Live TNT Sports 1Arne Slot has said he has no regrets over his treatment of Mohamed Salah and claimed it was entirely the forward’s decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The Liverpool head coach declined to divulge why or when Salah decided to leave the club as he faced the media on Friday for the first time since the Egypt international’s announcement. Slot believes it should be left to Salah to explain the reasons for exiting 12 months before his contract is due to expire. “But that’s in general at the moment, isn’t it?” he said of his own standing among many Liverpool fans after this season’s disappointments.

Shelbourne 2 Dundalk 3Zeno Ibsen Rossi of Shelbourne reacts after scoring an own goal during their Premier Division defeat to Dundalk at Tolka Park in Dublin. Zeno Ibsen Rossi of Shelbourne reacts after scoring an own goal during their Premier Division defeat to Dundalk at Tolka Park in Dublin. The defender’s whipped cross fell straight to the feet of Ibsen Rossi who made no mistake to hit the net. Shelbourne: Speel; Bone (Norris 46), Ibsen Rossi, Ledwidge; Kelly (Freitas 72), McInroy, Henry-Francis, Lundgren (Jarvis 46), Caffrey (Gannon 46); Wood, Martin (Boyd 82). Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, O’Keefe, Animasahun, T Wilson; Burns (Warren 89), Buckley; McDaid (Kenny 65), Groome (Tracey 79), Horgan; Arubi.

St Patrick’s Athletic 4 Sligo Rovers 1Anto Breslin of St Patrick's Athletic is lifted by Ryan Edmondson after scoring his side's third goal at Richmond Park against Sligo RoversSt Patrick’s Athletic registered their title credentials as they powered to the top of the Premier Division table in coming from behind to blow Sligo Rovers away at Richmond Park. St Pat’s lost possession in midfield to Seb Quirk, who promptly found Archie Meekison in space on the left. Sargeant then excelled to parry away a drive by Jay McClelland before St Pat’s were deservedly level on 12 minutes. Anto Breslin of St Patrick's Athletic celebrates with his team after scoring his side's first goal against Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park in Dublin. Sligo Rovers: Sergeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Fitzgerald; McHugh (McDonagh, h-t), McManus (Patton, 64); Nolan (Lynch, 79), Quirk, Meekison; Traore.

A US F-15E fighter has been shot down over Iran, prompting a frantic US search and rescue effort for its two-strong crew, in the first such incident since the start of the war. One crew member from the downed F-15 fighter jet in southern Iran has been rescued, two US officials told CBS News. US officials familiar with the situation later confirmed off the record that an F-15E had been brought down and the Pentagon was scrambling to find the crew. Overnight, the US Central Command, which is leading the attack on Iran, had denied Iranian claims that another F-35 jet had been downed over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. An F-35 fighter reportedly had to make an emergency landing at a US airbase in the Middle East after sustaining damage from the ground.

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Arne Slot makes 'probably impossible' admission over replacing Mo Salah at LiverpoolLiverpool will be left with a huge void in their squad when Mohamed Salah leaves the club at the end of the season and Arne Slot has called on other players to step upView 3 Images Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season (Image: Getty)Arne Slot has admitted that finding a single player to replace Mohamed Salah is "probably impossible" and that Liverpool will instead turn to last summer's recruits to step up when he leaves. Salah will walk away from Liverpool after nine years this summer, leaving a huge hole that needs filling. ‌Even in a difficult campaign, Salah has contributed 10 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season. And Liverpool fans will miss his trademark of cutting inside from the right wing to curl into the net with his left foot. So you try to make the team as best as possible, and that's why replacing Mo on a one-on-one is probably impossible.

Maria Steen closer to making ballot after Independent Ireland back her campaignJames CoxIndependent Ireland has announced it will sign the nomination papers for Independent candidate for president Maria Steen, bringing her very close to enough support to get on the ballot. Ms Steen, who campaigned for a no vote in the marriage equality referendum, says claims she's "anti-gay people" are "untrue". Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae (right) endorses Independent presidential candidate Maria Steen (centre) at Leinster House in Dublin. Nominations close on Wednesday, and it is understood Ms Steen met Independent Ireland TDs on Monday to request their support. Ms Steen will now be working against a tight deadline to receive three or more nominations before Wednesday.

Susan VerneyBirr woman to captain Irish team at World Cup eventKevin O'NeillIt's not every day an Offaly native captains an Irish international team at a World Cup. But that's exactly what will happen at the end of April when Birr's Susan Verney leads a 23-strong panel into the Roller Derby World Cup in Orléans, France. Susan, who is now based in Dublin and represents a club team there, said that the Irish roller derby scene is “constantly growing”, despite it receiving no funding from governmental bodies. While it's still an unknown sport to many people, it's a massive honour for me to lead an Irish squad into a World Cup. While encouraging people to get involved in the sport because of its “inclusivity”, Susan said she cannot wait to pull on the green jersey at the World Cup.

Heartlands Care Centre in Clonbrusk. New Athlone nursing unit and hospice opensAll residents have now successfully relocated to Athlone's new community nursing unit in Clonbrusk, it was confirmed today (Friday), marking a significant milestone in local healthcare provision. The transfer of residents and staff from St Vincent's Care Centre in the town to the Heartlands Care Centre facility was completed a week later than initially anticipated. The modern community nursing unit provides 48 beds and will also serve as the new home of the South Westmeath Hospice. Local councillor and chairperson of the HSE's Dublin and Midlands Regional Health Forum, Cllr Frankie Keena, welcomed the opening of the Heartlands Care Centre.

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