Premier League leaders Arsenal have "a point to prove" when they face Liverpool, manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday as the North London club look to maintain their commanding advantage at the summit. It's a massive game against the champions... We have a point to prove, we're going to have our crowd creating an amazing atmosphere," Arteta told reporters ahead of Thursday's clash. Arteta banking on Emirates Stadium crowdArteta is banking on Arsenal's faithful to provide the crucial edge against Liverpool. We need them tomorrow," Arteta said. Liverpool manager Arne Slot at the final whistle at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completely scraps management return plan after Man Utd twistManchester United are in talks to bring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back to the club for another spell as interim manager, having sacked Ruben Amorim earlier this weekOle Gunnar Solskjaer was planning to continue his break from management until Manchester United came calling. Solskjaer, 52, has emerged as a leading contender to temporarily replace Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford dugout. Following his dismissal, Solskjaer didn't have plans to make an imminent to return to management. Should Manchester United appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? ‌View Image Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be joined by ex-assistant Michael Carrick (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)In 2014, Solskjaer confirmed that he'd be willing to return to United.

The Crystal Palace defender remains a target for the Reds after a proposed move to Anfield fell through at the close of the summer transfer window. ‌However, with his contract at Palace set to expire in a few months, Liverpool could face stiff competition for his signature come summer. A January transfer - Palace's last opportunity to command a fee for the England defender - has been suggested. "So could they sign him now in a bid not dissimilar to the situation that we saw with Trent Alexander-Arnold? He went to Real Madrid with four weeks of the transfer window before his contract ran out, but that qualified him for the Club World Cup.

Mercosur trade dealIt now seems certain that the Mercosur trade deal between the EU and several South American countries will finally be signed off this week, with grudging Irish acceptance. Ireland, along with France, has been among the most strident opponents of the trade deal, but compromises negotiated by the EU Commission look like being enough to force the deal through. Minister for agriculture Martin Heydon on Wednesday said he is opposed to Ireland supporting the EU-Mercosur trade deal. A French farmer drives his tractor to block a main road during a protest against the Mercosur trade deal with South American nations in Portet-sur-Garonne, southwestern France. He admitted that a rail line would enable both housing and employment growth throughout east Cork, but until the administration’s policy changed, he could not deliver it.

However, something more fundamental is at work here, relating to Ireland’s economic model and its geopolitical position between the US and the EU. Seen in this context, the reasons for increasing defence spending become more obvious. Likewise, RTÉ noted the EU’s €800bn remilitarisation plans had given a "boost" to Irish tech firms moving into the sector. The Government and media commentators often claim neutrality and defence spending are separate issues, but this fails to recognise the forces at play or is wilfully misleading. Instead, the interests of the Irish public are conflated with the interests of FDI companies due to our economic dependency.

In this new unfamiliar context, Irish policymakers must be willing to take potentially far-reaching decisions regarding Ireland’s security. We propose that the Government should expedite the drafting of a national security strategy to coordinate and harmonise existing sectoral security strategies and to communicate the state of Ireland’s security environment. The Government should then examine how to increase public awareness to foster a shared understanding of the threats to Ireland’s security. What’s more, given Ireland’s non-aligned status, it’s not clear who, if anyone, would come to the country’s aid in a time of need. Irish leaders should see this as an opportunity to signal to European peers that the country is taking its responsibilities to defend both Irish and EU security seriously.

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Looking ahead to proposals for the 2028–2034 CAP period, processors warned further redistribution of CAP payments away from commercial and active farmers threatens the viability of their industry. Under the proposals, CAP payments would be reduced by 25% on amounts between €20,000 and €50,000, rising to a 75% reduction on payments above €75,000, with a hard cap of €100,000 per farmer. “While the objective of targeting support is sound, a 25% reduction kicking in at just €20,000 will disproportionately impact Ireland’s most productive full-time family farms, including larger suckler-to-beef operations and larger-scale sheep farms,” MII said. MII said CAP proposals on simplification, enhancing farmer resilience and fostering generational renewal were welcome. Under current proposals, EU member states could allocate up to 25% of the EU contribution as a coupled payment on a per-animal basis.

Gary Neville makes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Man Utd return feelings clear with Liverpool pointGary Neville has given a clear verdict on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's potential return to Manchester United following Ruben Amorim's departure from Old Trafford. View 2 Images Former Man Utd defender Gary Neville has given his verdict on a possible return to Old Trafford for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. ‌Darren Fletcher has stepped in temporarily to oversee tonight's match against Burnley, while the Red Devils are reportedly in discussion with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick over possible comebacks to the hot-seat. They put Ryan [Giggs] in charge ten years ago, then Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] took charge and you go back to the old boys. ‌View 2 Images Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are being tipped to return to Old Trafford.

Cavan-based company said outlook for unit is even stronger than previously anticipatedKingspan has decided not to proceed with a potential €6bn stock market flotation of its advanced building-systems unit. The Cavan-headquartered group said in September that it was contemplating selling 25pc of the division in a flotation in Amsterdam this year. “There is even stronger momentum on this than when we announced our intention to explore an IPO in September 2025,” it noted. The plan to float the unit had come amid the growth in the use of artificial intelligence, which is accelerating global data centre investment. Davy Stockbrokers said that given Kingspan was examining a potential IPO from a position of strength, the decision to retain full ownership has been taken as it is considered the best option for Kingspan and its shareholders.

Jose Mourinho could help Ruben Amorim land immediate return after Man Utd sackingRuben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on Monday but could be in pole position to take over at Benfica if Jose Mourinho is axed - with the ex-Sporting CP boss a legend from his playing daysView 3 Images Ruben Amorim has been linked with an instant return to management (Image: Getty Images)Following his Manchester United dismissal, Ruben Amorim could be in "pole position" to take charge at Benfica - should Jose Mourinho get the axe, it has been claimed. ‌Should Benfica decide to pull the trigger and dismiss Mourinho, Amorim could emerge as a candidate for consideration, according to The Daily Mail. Amorim achieved legendary status at Sporting after delivering their first Primeira Liga championship in 19 years during the 2020/21 campaign. It's an amazing honour to lead a Manchester United team especially as it was not in my wildest dreams that would be something which could potentially happen. Article continues belowJoin our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.

Working families across County Mayo are being pushed into financial insecurity despite being in full-time employment, as the rising costs of childcare, housing, and inflation continue to outpace wages. Cllr Barrett said that while people are working, paying tax and contributing to the economy, many are no longer able to afford basic necessities. “For a working couple or a lone parent, these costs alone can swallow most of their income,” Cllr Barrett said. These areas, Cllr Barrett said, are broadly holding their own, with stable populations, access to infrastructure and incomes close to the national average. Cllr Barrett believes that this issue is not being adequately addressed at the national level, with too much emphasis placed on headline economic growth.

Use of AI tools to produce sexual images an ‘attack on human dignity’ as regulator raises concerns with EU over GrokTaoiseach Micheál Martin says practice is ‘unacceptable’ and ‘shocking’Grok AI tool is being used to create sexually explicit images on social media site X, according to reports. Photo: GettyMaeve McTaggart Yesterday at 06:30There have been renewed calls for a ban on all AI tools that can produce sexual images of children and adults after X’s AI tool Grok was used to digitally “undress” people online.

NewsHealth Minister provides positive updates on Sligo Primary Care CentresThere has been positive news to begin the new year in relation to three primary care centres in Co Sligo following updates provided to Minister for State Frank Feighan by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley has been nominated for another prestigious award following her triumph at the Critics Choice Awards last week. Buckley is up for female actor in a leading role at the Actor Awards, formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards, for her performance in Hamnet. Meanwhile, her co-star Paul Mescal has been nominated for outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role, for playing William Shakespeare. The pair were nominated for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television, movie or limited series. The Actor Awards will stream live globally on Netflix on March 1.