Poha, Mitzy, Peanut, Millie, Minnie and Leo. Alison with her six rescue dogs, Poha, Mitzy, Millie, Minnie, Peanut and Leo. I can’t understand the level of animal cruelty in this country, and why puppy farms are still being licensed when we have so many rescue dogs looking for homes. There is also no dedicated animal welfare unit, and there are not enough tough sentences being handed down in the courts to deter people from animal cruelty. Submissions for the animal welfare consultation process should be relayed as follows:Email: animalwelfareconsultation@agriculture.gov.ieWebsite: hereThe closing date for submissions is 5pm Friday January 2, 2026

Slot glad Hugo Ekitike stayed on feet despite missed chance to claim penaltyBy Carl Markham, Press AssociationLiverpool head coach Arne Slot was left to rue striker Hugo Ekitike’s determination to remain on his feet and not try to win a penalty in a goalless draw with Leeds but insisted he would never encourage his players to make the most of contact. Asked whether the first-half incident was a penalty the Dutchman, who insisted in August his team were the “most honest in the Premier League”, said: “No, because he stayed on his feet. “If he had fallen down it would probably have been a penalty but this season so many times when we were fouled we did not get a penalty. “I think I am not wrong in that we only had one penalty this season, for the team with most ball possession it is surprising. “It was clear there would be several periods where we had to suffer but we didn’t allow them clear-cut chances.

Talking can change everything, as Melanie Blumenthal, 39, has found. When the person is in a manic state, it’s really deceptive,” says Melanie. I tried everything.”Fortunately for Heston, Melanie knew she had to step in. No, there were some moments I was really, really scared. “In the first six months [after his diagnosis] I was really scared for Heston because I was seeing there was this loneliness and it’s hard to see the person that you love in pain,” she says.

I wouldn’t change it for the world now, to be honest. We just want to try and make the most of it,” he noted ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Scotstown. So does Kilbride feel the sacrifices made by players at this time of year ensure that closer bonds form? “When we won it in 2013, we won the semi-final and final by a point. “We know the next day is going to be extremely tough against Scotstown.

Harrowing new video has emerged showing flames spreading across the ceiling of a Swiss bar with young revellers losing crucial seconds by filming the blaze instead of fleeing. Some can be seen frantically trying to extinguish the inferno, but within seconds it took hold, erupting into a deadly fireball that engulfs the packed bar. He recalled: 'I tried to grab this person who was really heavy, but there was no tension in their arm. Images show the moment before a deadly New Year's Eve blaze a Swiss ski resort bar killed at least 40 people. Ferdinand's brother is in a coma in hospital, among the injured, but is expected to make a recovery, he said.

New York City ushered in the New Year with a new mayor, as Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office at midnight on January 1st. Video: Reuters

Leinster have made nine changes to their starting team for Saturday's clash with Connacht from the side which defeated Munster last weekend. There are two changes at centre with Hugh Cooney and Charlie Tector coming in for Rieko Ioane and Robbie Henshaw while on the wing, Joshua Kenny replaces James Lowe. Sam Prendergast will start at out-half in place of Harry Byrne.

Should you book your holiday destination according to your star sign? This woman says you should try itHoroscopes and natal charts are trending, in a bid to thwart travel-destination ditheringClarisse MonahanClarisse Monahan Today at 06:30We’ve all been to cities or towns that feel right and others that don’t, but the reason felt unclear at the time, right?

‘I used to feel lost but then I discovered the secret to a more joyful life’ – author Gavin OattesThe author and keynote speaker says we need to ‘embrace the chaos’ and shift our thinkingAuthor and keynote speaker Gavin OattesFilomena Kaguako Today at 06:30For those inclined towards personal growth or professional development, the start of the new year often calls for setting bigger goals, reassessing dreams, and meticulously planning out what steps are needed to achieve various aspirations. For others, it is the only possible time in the year that can ever inspire a conversation around change.

His cousins said they would take their chances, but they were sent to Auschwitz by the Nazis in 1942. In 1997, Blair came calling to appoint him to “Mo’s team” – Mo Mowlam, then the UK government’s Northern Ireland secretary. “When you call people invaders, you are calling them the enemy. Language can have a very damaging effect on relations in the community.”I don’t think we will weaken the position of Reform by doing a ‘me too’ on their approach. I don’t think we will weaken the position of Reform by doing a ‘me too’ on their approach.

The number of homeless children is up from 5,274 in October and 4,658 in November 2025The number of homeless people in the State continues to climb, having reached almost 17,000 people – including 5,321 children – a new record high described as “heartbreaking” by one organisation working with destitute families. The number of homeless children is up from 5,274 in October and from 4,658 in November 2025. It represents an 11.8 per cent increase since November 2024 when there were 15,199 people homeless. Of the more than 5,000 homeless children, 3,939 (74 per cent) were in Dublin. Roughan McNamara, head of media and communication with Focus Ireland, said a situation where 5,321 children were beginning 2026 from emergency accommodation was “heartbreaking”.

The colour of the walls in your home is something that many budding interior designers spend hours deliberating over. If you want to boost your creativity and problem–solving skills, Professor Beattie advises choosing muted green paints. 'Neutral colours (whites, greys, beiges) are low in visual stimulation, which helps reduce sensory overload and stress,' Professor Beattie explained. 'A red–accented study might feel “dynamic” initially, but it could backfire when you start on tasks requiring calm focus and clear thinking,' Professor Beattie said. Instead, red might be a good option for the bedroom, with studies showing this colour can increase desire.

George Clooney fired back at Donald Trump after he mocked the actor for obtaining French citizenship. The Oscar winner, 64, shared his response after the President penned a lengthy post on New Year's Eve about the actor and his wife, human rights attorney Amal Clooney. Trump previously called Clooney an 'average guy' who 'complained constantly about common sense in politics' after the longtime Democrat and his wife secured French citizenship. In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, Clooney said: 'I totally agree with the current president. Then, Trump referred to Clooney as 'average' and said the actor makes 'totally mediocre' films.

Victoria Jones, the daughter of the actor Tommy Lee Jones, has been found dead in a San Francisco hotel. A spokesperson for the San Francisco fire department confirmed the news, telling media outlets that paramedics had been called to the Fairmont hotel at 2.52am. Jones is the second child of Tommy Lee Jones and his first wife, Kimberlea Cloughley. When promoting The Three Burials, Tommy Lee Jones said of his daughter: “She’s a good actress, has her SAG card, speaks impeccable Spanish. Tommy Lee Jones (79), won an Oscar and Golden Globe for his role in The Fugitive and has also acted in films such as JFK, Lincoln, In the Valley of Elah and No Country for Old Men.

Department staff also dealt with missing persons, serious injuries, arrests, mental health issues and victims of crime. Photograph: Sam Boal/CollinsLast year saw the highest number of deaths of Irish citizens overseas reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). More than 20 per cent of consular cases it handled involved a death of an Irish citizen overseas, figures for 2025 show. Helen McEntee said staff continued to advocate for Irish citizens and dependents who have not yet been able to leave Gaza. She said the DFA “continues to provide assistance to Irish citizens and dependents caught in crises overseas.