Donald Trump is “unafraid to use military force on Iran” the White House said on Monday as the Iranian regime still faces widespread unrest across the country. Speaking to Fox News, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said that although diplomacy remained Trump’s “first option”, he was “unafraid to use the lethal force and might of the United States military if and when he deems that necessary”. In recent weeks, the Iranian regime has confronted its largest protest movement since 2009, which its leadership has sought to downplay, attributing the unrest to “American-Zionist terrorism”. The Iranian regime has since responded with a harsh crackdown including mass arrests, internet blackouts and public warnings that participation in the demonstrations could carry the death penalty. Last Friday, Mr Trump reiterated his threats, saying: “I tell the Iranian leaders, ‘You’d better not start shooting, because we’ll start shooting too.’”© The Guardian

Leinster duo Porter and McCarthy to miss Six Nations openerKenneth FoxLeinster's and Ireland's depth will both be tested over the next few weeks, as props Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy are out due to injury. Porter could be absent for a couple of months after suffering a calf injury in training, while McCarthy suffered a foot injury during Leinster's win over La Rochelle last weekend. The New Zealander also said fellow international Paddy McCarthy's foot injury "didn't look great." The prop sustained what the province describe as a "significant foot injury". "We're hoping for the best, but it really didn't look too great to be honest, and Ports the same.

By Bairbre Holmes, Press AssociationThe Government has announced a new plan to address barriers affecting data centres, particularly around energy use. Leap aims to attract investment in “energy-intensive sectors” including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and data centres to Ireland. Data centres only employ around 21,000 people in Ireland, while consuming 22 per cent of the country’s metered electricity. Under this policy new data centres connecting to the grid must provide their own power, rather than relying solely on the national grid. And 80 per cent of it must come from new renewable energy projects in Ireland and will feed back into the national grid.

She knew Miller from Brazil and that Bruna was her best friend and first cousin. Bruna Fonseca had been in a relationship with Mr Pacheco in Brazil. Bruna told her that her finger was cut when Miller tried to snatch the knife back but he did not mean to cut her. She said she was scared when the friend told her that Bruna may have been killed. I asked him if you killed my cousin, how you killed my cousin?

Bishop Fintan was warmly welcomed by Mr. Cathal McCarthy (Principal), Ms. Siobhán O’Regan (Deputy Principal), Mr. Cathal McCarthy (Chairperson), Fr. Myles McSweeney (Co-PP and Moderator of the Family of Parishes), Caoimhe Sheedy and Matt Murphy (two sixth class pupils). Bishop Fintan then led the pupils in an action prayer and imparted his blessing. The pastoral visit continued with Bishop Fintan visiting the Summerhill campus of the school. Scoil Mhuire agus Bharra opened as a co-educational primary school in Bantry on the 1st September 2024 following the amalgamation of St. Finbarr’s BNS and Our Lady of Mercy NS.

Bosses in the semi-State sector are being rewarded with huge pay increases while “ordinary people are brushed aside and taken for granted,” Sinn Féin has told the Taoiseach on the Dáil’s first day back after the Christmas recess. As revealed in the Irish Independent, there is to be a €35,000 pay increase for the chief of CIE, a €60,000 annual rise for the head of the National Stud, a €50,000 pay bump for the chief executive of Bus Eireann, and a €75,000 hike for the head of Iarnród Eireann.

Aspergillosis and asthma: If you’re going from one chest infection to another, it’s worth having the testsTom Bermingham was a keen gardener and exposure to dust from gardening and home renovations saw him ultimately diagnosed with a little known chronic fungal diseaseTom Bermingham at home in Wexford. Photo: Patrick BrowneLouise Lawless Today at 06:30In 2021, Wexford local Tom Bermingham intended to save the seeds of his decaying sunflowers for replanting next season.

Taoiseach and McDonald clash over top salaries, including €75k hike for Irish Rail chiefBy Rebecca Black, Press AssociationThe Taoiseach and Opposition leader Mary Lou McDonald have clashed over salary increases for the heads of semi-state bodies at the first Leaders’ Questions of 2026. Ms McDonald said the head of CIE received an increase of €35,000, while there was a €50,000 hike for the chief of Bus Éireann, and a €75,000 hike for the chief of Iarnród Éireann. She said it has also been reported that a pay increase has been sought for the RTÉ Director General, to bring their salary close to €300,000. Ms McDonald said “1.4 million workers in this state earn less than €45,000”, describing their “disbelief” to see those pay hikes. “No big pay hike for them, no.

Munster SHL: Cork 1-18 Clare 0-20A late surge in Mallow on Monday night enabled Cork secure a dramatic one-point victory over Clare in round 2 of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League. Trailing by five points with nine minutes of regulation remaining, Ben O’Connor’s side outscored the visitors 1-5 to two points. The accuracy of Cunningham got the Cork scoreboard underway in the ninth minute after Walsh was fouled. Scorers for Cork: B Cunningham (1-10, 1-0 penalty, 0-7 frees, 0-1 65), S Kingston (Douglas), B O’Sullivan and S Desmond (0-2 each), A Walsh and E Twomey (0-1 each). CORK: P O’Sullivan; D O’Sullivan, D O’Leary, S Kingston (Ballinora); T Hanley, E Twomey, C Doolan; B Keating, B O’Sullivan; J O’Connor, B Cunningham, C Darcy; S Kingston (Douglas, Capt), S Desmond, A Walsh.

Trained by Ben Pauling and owned by JP McManus, the six-year-old’s sole defeat to date came in the EBF Final at Sandown in March. “It was a lovely second run over fences,” said Pauling of the 5-2 winner. “He looks a nice work in progress for the future.”He went on: “His only defeat was in the EBF Final which is also his only race over two and a half miles, but I don’t think everything quite fell into place for him that day. He still needs another run to qualify (for the handicaps at Cheltenham) so we’ll see how we go. “He’s a lovely horse for the future and hopefully he can keep going the right way.”

Munster have confirmed South African secondrow Jean Kleyn has agreed a three-year contract with Gloucester and will join the English Premiership side this summer. In his second season with the province, Kleyn was nominated by his fellow players for Munster’s player of the season. Paying tribute to Kleyn, Munster Rugby’s general manager Ian Costello said: “Jean is an exceptional character and represents everything that is good about Munster. JK has had an immeasurable impact on Munster Rugby both on and off the pitch since joining the province 10 years ago. On Tuesday, the province confirmed the fixture will instead be played a day earlier, on Friday, March 27th at the Aviva Stadium with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Diageo is raising the price of a pint of Guinness from next month. Photograph: Bryan O’BrienThe price of a pint of Guinness will climb by around 20 cent within weeks after Diageo rolled out an increase that will take effect early next month. Publicans said the price increase would “pile yet more pressure on pubs already struggling to survive”. Diageo said it was increasing the cost of a pint of Guinness by seven cent. “This latest price increase from Diageo will put even more pressure on pubs that are already operating on extremely tight margins.

Pharmacist warns against overusing Gaviscon and indigestion medicationA pharmacist has warned people who regularly use indigestion remedies like Gaviscon and Rennies to see their GPView Image https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/pharmacist-issues-warning-anyone-who-36541276 (Image: Newscast, Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Many people rely on over-the-counter remedies, but a pharmacist has recently issued a caution regarding certain widely-used treatments. ‌A pharmacist, who goes by the name Pharmacist Anum on TikTok, has recently warned those who may be using such remedies. Excessive use of indigestion treatments, such as antacids or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can conceal serious underlying conditions whilst potentially triggering substantial adverse effects. Whilst taking the advised dosage for a short duration is perfectly acceptable, prolonged dependence interferes with natural digestive processes and may lead to reliance. Article continues below"If you've been taking Gaviscon for more than seven days, and you're still feeling uncomfortable or in pain, talk to your doctor.

The approach adopted by Glenullin in Sunday's All-Ireland Club Intermediate football final does not work under the new rules, according to former Mayo manager James Horan. Speaking on the Irish Examiner’s Gaelic football podcast, Football Review Committee member Horan praised An Ghaeltacht’s composed performance in Croke Park. “To me, a team that comes out that conservative, you are planning conservative and thinking conservative all week. I just don’t believe 15 or 20 players think that is the right way to go. It is just a disappointing way to set up and play.”

Media minister Patrick O’Donovan has refused to lay blame for the Grok controversy at the feet of X as he stated that Coimisiún na Meán, gardaí and the public all have roles to play. As minister for responsibility for the media regulator, Mr O’Donovan insisted that he could not intervene in its work. Mr O’Donovan was criticised last week for telling Virgin Media News at the Stripe Young Scientist that there had to be “individual responsibility”. There is also An Garda Síochána,” Mr O’Donovan said. There is a statutory responsibility on An Garda Síochána, and there is an individual responsibility on users.