Arsenal were travelling upwards towards the light, beyond that ceiling of second place that has been their fate for the past three seasons. ‘Home is where the heat is,’ a slogan on the big screen said, and the expectation was Liverpool would move meekly aside. Instead, Liverpool blocked Arsenal’s path to the eight-point lead at the top that victory would have given Mikel Arteta’s team. They could not force a winner and the game ended in the anti-climax of a goalless draw. Arsenal dominated play.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said there are 'too many people on trolleys in Cork and Galway in particular'. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins photosCork and Galway hospitals have “persistent difficulty” with overcrowding and are behind the other hospitals in improving the situation, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said. Cork University Hospital (CUH) had the highest number of patients on trolleys at 55, followed by Galway University Hospital at 51. That’s a management problem and it’s not okay.”She said Cork and Galway are “further behind” other hospitals, but they “have certainly come a distance”. A spokeswoman for Galway hospital said it regrets that any patient might have to wait on a trolley and acknowledged it is a “patient safety issue”.

Photograph: Getty Images/iStockphotoAIB is planning to launch a “new, next generation” app for customers in the second half of this year, marking the biggest overhaul of its mobile offering in more than a decade. “I’m really pleased with the shape it’s taking,” chief executive Colin Hunt said in an interview with The Irish Times. Last Friday, thousands of customers with android devices were unable to use its mobile app and online banking for hours as the bank dealt with a technical issue. Zippay, the planned new integrated mobile payments service being launched by AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB “in early 2026”, will be integrated into AIB’s existing app, as its launch is scheduled to take place in advance of the bank’s new app. The Irish Government is also preparing advice for households to keep small amounts of cash in case of emergencies.

Offaly TD Carol Nolan. Government's Mercosur stance "looks more like political strategy than principled support" - NolanIndependent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, has welcomed confirmation that Ireland will vote against the Mercosur trade deal - but said there was "a growing impression that this is more of a strategic political retreat in the face of Government infighting rather than principled support for the concerns of farmers". Earlier today (Thursday) it emerged that Ireland will vote against the Mercosur free trade agreement between the European Union and a number of South American countries. "That is why this no vote looks more like avoiding political mutiny rather than endorsing the massive and sustained opposition to Mercosur." A national protest rally against the Mercosur trade deal is planned for Athlone this Saturday and organisers said today that it will be going ahead.

Shanghai is not Cork and Cork is not Shanghai. The Chinese city is the newest of Cork's six twinned cities, having joined the likes of Rennes and Coventry in 2005. For instance, Shanghai has very close ties with Cork City, which is also your home town — and in fact Cork City is the first sister city between our two countries. Mr Martin, for his part, said he was impressed by the city's growth in the two decades since he first visited. Mr Martin did not, however, follow the local propensity to throw up the peace sign in photos, much to the disappointment of the travelling press.

‌It leaves Arsenal six points clear at the top of the table, while Liverpool remain in the Champions League places, two points above Brentford. View 3 Images Conor Bradley went closest to scoring for Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)‌Who was man-of-the-match between Arsenal and Liverpool? View 3 Images Viktor Gyokeres had another tricky evening vs Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)Another injury for the GunnersArsenal - particularly their defence - have not had the best luck with injuries this season. Arsenal could have extended their lead over Pep Guardiola's side to eight points, while Liverpool could have cut the gap to third-placed Aston Villa. Liverpool did not show enough ambition for victory, while Arsenal struggled to create any real chances of note.

Rasmus Hojlund makes anger known after controversial decision as footage sharedRasmus Hojlund was on target in Napoli's 2-2 draw with Hellas Verona, but the Manchester United loanee's goal was controversially ruled out for an alleged handball in the build-up to the strikeView 3 Images Rasmus Hojlund had a goal ruled out against Verona (Image: Getty Images)Rasmus Hojlund has voiced his anger on social media following his disallowed goal during Napoli's 2-2 stalemate with Hellas Verona on Wednesday. The Manchester United loanee found the net with a stretched finish, but the strike was overturned after replays appeared to show the ball making contact with his arm during the build-up. ‌Expressing his disappointment on Instagram, Hojlund posted clips of the controversial moment and commented: "Didn't even touch the ball with the hand. ‌View 3 Images Rasmus Hojlund message on his Instagram stories (Image: )Conte acknowledged his team's underwhelming first-half display, whilst commending their resilience as the match unfolded. View 3 Images Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund (Image: Getty Images)‌Hojlund has netted six times and provided two assists in 14 Serie A outings this campaign, though he couldn't add to his tally on this occasion after having a goal disallowed.

Photograph: iStockFianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has said he is disappointed with the Government’s decision to vote against the Mercosur trade deal between the EU and a group of South American countries. If that comes to pass, the Irish vote against the deal will be symbolic. What is the Mercosur trade deal? The programme for government codifies Ireland’s opposition to the deal, committing the Coalition to “work with like-minded EU countries” in opposing Mercosur. Farming organisations also said Ireland’s stance on Mercosur is the right decision and called for continued opposition to Mercosur.

Cold air arriving from the north and east has pushed aside the Atlantic’s usual mild influence, and Ireland feels briefly, unmistakably wintry. Picture: Eddie O'HareWhen cold was the normFor centuries, cold shaped everyday life across Europe, including Ireland. Why cold still feels differentIreland today is not accustomed to persistent cold. The cold feels intrusive. Cold air arriving from the north and east has pushed aside the Atlantic’s usual mild influence, and Ireland feels briefly, unmistakably wintry.

Total UK footfall was down 2.9% over the month year on year, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic. Source: BRCOverall, total UK footfall over the year was down 0.8% compared with 2024, while “Golden Quarter” visitors over the three months to December fell by 2.2%. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “It was a disappointing December for retailers as footfall declined across all shopping locations, as well as in the major cities. “Last month’s figures capped a challenging year, with total shopper traffic down in 2025. “And while UK footfall fell year on year, it was the second strongest among G7 markets in December – a sign of resilience in a tough trading climate.”

China controls the Pacific, Russia gets Eastern Europe, and America has the run of the western hemisphere from pole to pole and western Europe. In the case of America, certainly, it’s becoming hard not to think of Imperial Rome. Read more:Indeed, domestically, America feels rather analogous with Imperial Rome as well. We are, in a way, somewhat like Ancient Greece was to Ancient Rome. We either stand with other democratic nations, or we side with Imperial America.

Storm Goretti has brought the 'worst snowfall' in a decade to Britain with flights at major airports grounded, roads blocked and rail lines closed. Meanwhile, much of the rest of Britain including the Home Counties has been on alert for heavy snow. More than 65,000 properties were left in the dark without power on Thursday evening, the National Grid said - most in southwest England. Weather warnings have been issued for snow, wind, rain and ice across the country, ahead of likely 'disruption and dangerous travelling conditions'. Dozens of schools across the Midlands and Wales announced they will be closed on Friday where the amber weather warning has been issued.

Kirsty, a 36-year-old mother of one, was murdered by Keith Byrne in a hotel room in Salou, Spain, in July 2023. Her mother, Jackie Gough, said that while there was some unease about the relationship in the months before her death, they never believed their daughter’s life was in danger. When asked about the trial process earlier this year in the Spanish city of Tarragona, Mr Ward said he found it “dreadful”. “We have not gained anything by what has happened,” Mr Ward added. Kirsty’s mother Jackie Ward gave evidence during the trial in April.

Syrian-born Ahmed Al Ahmed declared his love for Trump on arrival to the United States as he was flanked by FBI agents on landing in Los Angeles. On his arrival to the US he was asked if he'd like to meet Trump and he enthusiastically replied: 'I wish. Mr Ahmed was shot multiple times before he disarmed one of the alleged Bondi gunmen on that fateful December 14 evening. I didn't shoot him because I was doing it as humility, to stop him from killing more innocent human beings,' Mr Ahmed said. 'My target was just to take the gun from him and to stop him from killing a human being, life, and not killing innocent people,' he told CBS.

Compounding matters is Storm Goretti blowing in, with up to 20 millimetres of rain forecast which could fall as snow. Clifford said: “I’ve called a second inspection because there’s still a bit of a bone to it and there are areas of concern. Exeter passed an inspection on on Thursday morning but called a precautionary 8am check ahead of racing on Friday. In Ireland the rescheduled Grade One card at Naas must pass a 7.30am inspection ahead of racing on Friday. Meanwhile, the British Horseracing Authority has announced an extra meeting will be staged at Chelmsford on Sunday on the all-weather.