Ulster – currently second in the pool, three points back on leaders Stade – are determined to go after this one. Stade Francais's Charles Laloi and Juan Martin Scelzo celebrate a late penalty during the Challenge Cup game against Exerter last weekend. ULSTER: J Stockdale, R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, Z Ward, J Murphy, N Doak; A Bell, T Stewart, T O’Toole, I Henderson (capt), H Sheridan, D McCann, N Timoney, B WardReplacements: R Herring, E O’Sullivan, S Wilson, M Dalton, S Reffell, C McKee, J Flannery, J Postlethwaite. STADE FRANCAIS: M Ibo, C Laloi, J Ward (capt), T Vili, L Etien, Z Henry, P Abadie; J Iscaro, A Garcia Albo, G Melikidze, P-H Azagoh, J Botha, J-M Scelzo, M Hirigoyen, Y Tanga. Replacements: L Peyresblanques, Y Lux, S Abramishvili, S Turagacoke, T Halaifonua, T Motassi, L Foursans-Bourdette, S Ezeala.

Traditionally, millions of “snowbirds” seek to escape the bitter Canadian winter by flying south. Instead, more Canadians seeking warmth are heading for Cuba (up 1.2pc), Mexico (up 5.1pc) and Costa Rica (up 14.5pc). On Tuesday he dismissed the trade pact between the US, Canada and Mexico as “irrelevant”. OAG analyst John Grant said: “Has the US perhaps lost one of its most valuable winter markets to other destinations? End-of-year statistics for Canada are not available, but in the first nine months of 2025, Canadian visitor numbers were 22pc down year-on-year.

High Court ReportersA convicted murderer who strangled his former girlfriend to death in the grounds of a Co Clare church has gone to court seeking to be let out of prison. Raymond Donovan claims his jail term has expired because he says his life sentence is limited to 20 years' imprisonment. However, Donovan submits that while his appeal was unsuccessful, "as my conviction was not overturned, the Court of Criminal Appeal substituted my sentence of life imprisonment to one of 20 years". In statements to gardaí, Donovan said he loved Ms Walsh and did not mean to kill her. Supt Joseph McKeown, who led the investigation, said Ms Walsh was "brutally killed in a vicious and cowardly attack".

These days, he is the site lead for Microsoft Ireland, and the corporate vice-president of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre. That was, he says “incredible experience” but when a recruiter called about a potential job at Microsoft, O’Connor was intrigued. James O'Connor at the Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre in Sandyford, Co Dublin. This is the most strategic hub internationally for Microsoft,” O’Connor says. By the end of the year, Microsoft Ireland had also trimmed jobs, cutting back 250 roles.

New health labels for alcohol, which were to include cancer warnings, were due to take effect in May 2026. Photograph: iStockConcerns about a delay in bringing in health warning labels on alcohol products prompted temperance organisations in 11 other countries to contact the Government. Now records released under the Freedom of Information Act show that indications the Government was set to delay the health labels led to concern among non-governmental organisations in several other countries. In response, the Government said the decision to delay health labelling until September 2028 “followed concerns raised about the impact of their implementation in the current global trading environment”. Alcohol Change Australia expressed a hope that Ireland bringing in health labelling would set “a strong example for other countries to adopt, including Australia”.

The state of chassis in the world overhangs everyday politics here, as it does everywhere. This week, two major stories dominated – the protests in Iran and the American threats to Greenland. If Trump does proceed to take control of Greenland and smashes the western alliance, it will be the biggest story since 1989 – and maybe longer. For Ireland, the prospect of a definitive break between the EU and the US over Greenland is a horror show. Meanwhile, protesters against the regime in Tehran look to Trump, not in fear, but in hope for salvation.

With the February 1 deadline fast approaching, now is a great time to consider the essential dos and don’ts of the CAO application process for 2026. The 100-page document goes through each and every important step of the CAO application process in great detail. The 2026 CAO handbook, available on CAO.ie, is an invaluable 100-page document that goes through each and every important step of the CAO application process in great detail. The CAO contacts all applicants by email, and when it sends emails, it sends them to the address you registered on your CAO application. Key dates for CAO applicantsFebruary 1, 5pm: Closing date for 2026 CAO applications.

A married mother-of-three who masqueraded as a qualified driving instructor has been convicted of fraud - despite helping almost 50 learners to pass their tests. However she faced up to three years jail after being caught charging over £6,000 for driving lessons when she had not passed all the relevant tutoring exams herself. The office administrator originally operated within the law as a trainee instructor and had even hired her own vehicle to teach students. It warns they are 'a danger to learner drivers and other road users' and could be punished by imprisonment. 'If any learner driver or their parent is concerned about whether a driving instructor is operating illegally, they can report this to us.

The court heard that Ryanair was strictly obliged under EU regulations to close its check-in 40 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Jonathan Murphy told Judge Deirdre Browne in the Circuit Civil Court that he had turned up “only two minutes late” at the airline’s check-in at Brussels Airport, on November 20th 2024, to find the desk had already closed. In his appeal to the Circuit Court, Mr Murphy claimed Ryanair had wrongly failed to facilitate him at the Brussels airport. This strict EU regulation was in place to facilitate the generation of the passenger manifest, passenger baggage reconciliation, fuel and other checks by the flight crew. As a result of this he had to pay a manual check-in fee at an office in Brussels airport at least two minutes’ walk from the check-in desk.

The offender is identifiable in open court because there is no traditional victim, the court heardA man has pleaded guilty to possession of child sex abuse material at Tralee District Court. The material was described in court as a Category 3 offence, with Category 1 being the most severe. “It was viewed with that seriousness by the DPP that he would face judge and jury if he didn’t plead guilty?” said Judge David Waters. The Kerry man’s guilty plea comes in the same week that social media platform X’s controversial AI tool Grok hit global controversy. Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats described Elon Musk as “a dirty little slimeball” for what had taken place with Grok.

Former One Direction star Harry Styles has announced he will release his first album in four years. The 31-year-old singer will release his fourth record Kiss All The Time. The album, which is executive produced by Kid Harpoon, is now available to pre-order from the singer's website. Rumours of a new album began when posters were put up around cities, including New York and Manchester, bearing the phrase "We Belong Together". Styles' solo career was launched after he and fellow One Direction members Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson went on hiatus in 2016, almost a year after Zayn Malik left the group.

The family of a 28-year-old man with diabetes who died days after he was seen by a doctor has settled a High Court action against a Limerick medical centre over his death. Daniel’s mother, Inga Ammonsen, of Garryowen, Co Limerick, had sued Park Lodge Medical Centre, Dublin Road, Rhebogue, Limerick, over her son’s death. Counsel said Daniel’s mother had phoned the practice on February 17, 2021, saying her son was unwell. Counsel said it was their case the medical practice was aware of Daniel’s diabetes diagnosis and diabetes ketoacidosis is a well-known issue for diabetics which can cause fatal injuries. There was also, it was contended, an alleged failure to ensure close monitoring of Daniel’s glucose levels.

Eileen Burke, Hospital Manager at Midland Regional Hospital PortlaoiseNew manager appointed to lead Midlands hospitalMidland Regional Hospital Portlaoise has announced the appointment of Eileen Burke as the new Hospital Manager. Eileen Burke, Hospital Manager at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Hospital Manager at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. “Since joining Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, I have been warmly welcomed by staff and witnessed first-hand their dedication and the challenges they face every day. Carole Broadbank, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, HSE Midlands welcoming Eileen to the new role said: “We are delighted to welcome Eileen as Hospital Manager of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Her experience and vision will play a key role in ensuring Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise continues to provide exceptional care for our patients and service users.”

Lee Worrell, coordinator of The Hare's Corner biodiversity initiative which is open for applications in nine counties, including Offaly, this year. Deadline extended for 'Hare's Corner' biodiversity project in OffalyOffaly landowners, schools, and community groups have been given an extra week to apply for a biodiversity project which can help support the creation of wildlife ponds, mini-woodlands, hedgerows or mini-orchards on their land. 'The Hare's Corner' is the name of the biodiversity initiative developed by the nonprofit organisation Burrenbeo Trust. Last year, a successful collaboration between Offaly County Council and the Burrenbeo Trust saw a total of 212 'Hare's Corner' biodiversity habitats being created across the county. Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer at Offaly County Council, added: "We are delighted to partner with 'The Hare’s Corner' project for another year."

Lila Moss paid a loving tribute to her mother, Kate Moss, as the supermodel celebrated her 52nd birthday on Friday. Sharing the photo on Instagram, Lila captioned the post: 'Happy birthday mummy!!! Following Lila's post several celebrities flocked to the comment section to wish the supermodel a happy birthday. Lila Moss paid tribute to her mother Kate with a sweet childhood throwback snap on Friday as the supermodel celebrated her 52nd birthdaySharing the photo on Instagram, Lila captioned the post: 'Happy birthday mummy!!! Emmanuelle Alt commented a series of love-heart emojis, while Meg Mathews wrote: 'happy birthday', alongside a birthday cake emoji.