I think it’s sensible to spend money on things that last a long time. I sometimes regret spending money on shoes, especially boots, because I tend to wear them out really quickly, so they don’t last. What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? I bought a memoir by Simone de Beauvoir and while I haven’t yet started reading it, I feel pretty certain that it will be good value for money. I’m of the view that books are almost always good value, once you can pair the right person with the right book.

Humanity is about to learn if we have moved closer to self–destruction as the Doomsday Clock is updated. However, experts have told the Daily Mail they now expect the Doomsday Clock to move even closer to midnight. The Daily Mail will also be covering the announcement as it arrives on Tuesday, but until then, here's everything you need to know about the Doomsday Clock. Last year the Doomsday Clock, which reflects how close we are to destruction, moved to 89 seconds to midnight. When it changes again on Tuesday, experts predict it will move forward againHow do experts think the Doomsday Clock will change?

‘Use more of your electricity first thing in the morning and last thing at night’ – Harrison Gardner of RTÉ’s ‘Build Your Own Home’ on how to slash your energy bills

15 years ago, Nissan rocked the world when it introduced the Nissan Leaf, the first truly popular all-electric car. It was the first electric car, incidentally, to win the prestigious European Car Of The Year award, and for several years would be the best-selling electric car in the world. Now that we have taken stock, now that we have absorbed the achievement, it’s time to consider the new Nissan Leaf. The original Leaf was a hatchback, but this new one has subtly altered its physique, so that it’s now more of an SUV. The Nissan Leaf can recharge, from a fast public charging point, at up to 150kW.

Slash your energy bills by 'never' leaving 3 common 'energy-draining' devices on standbyHomeowners could be unaware that certain devices can be 'energy-draining' even when not in useView 4 Images Household equipment left in standby mode "quietly drains energy and increases your electricity bills" (Image: nicholasellinas via Getty Images)As energy bills remain stubbornly high, homeowners are seeking ways to lower their energy costs. Household appliances left in standby mode "quietly drain energy and increase your electricity bills", according to experts from the Energy Advice Helpline. Satellite boxesMany people don't know how much these common household devices can impact their bills. View 4 Images Desktop computers can drain energy when on standby (Image: Getty)‌2. While leaving these machines on standby might offer convenience for quick logins, it could be silently inflating your energy bills.

Netflix fans have been left gripped by a 'dynamic and exciting' period drama hailed as 'an absolute must-see' - with pirates, love triangles and heaps of action. The eight-part television series Sandokan, based on Emilio Salgari's Sandokan novels, hit Italian network Rai 1 in December last year. Elsewhere, Netflix's new murder mystery Seven Dials rocketed up the charts - but fans had a major complaint. Joined by Scotland Yard's Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman), these sleuths uncover dark secrets linking the death to the elusive Seven Dials society. A third branded the series as 'terrible' and argued that Seven Dials contained a 'creaky script and boring tropes'.

John Burns: If Elon Musk wants to get back at Michael O’Leary, there’s a simple wayRyanair chiefs rejection of Starlink wifi may return to haunt him if it works for rivals'It's unfair on chimps': Michael O'Leary responds to Elon Musk's online tauntsJohn Burns Yesterday at 06:30Elon Musk did the impossible last week: he got everyone in Ireland rooting for Michael O’Leary.

Lidl NFL Division 1: Galway 0-16 Meath 0-8Kate Slevin scored seven points as Galway made a winning return to the Lidl NFL Division 1 with an eight point victory over Meath in Grangegoggen, Kells. Slevin was in fine form throughout with Galway very much in control for large parts of the game. Scorers for Meath: E Duggan 0-3 (1f), R Casserly, M Byrne, M Thynne, N Gallogly, O Finnegan (1f) 0-1 each. MEATH: R Murray; Á Sheridan, M.K. Lynch, O Gore; Ó Smith, S Wall, K Bermingham; O Sheehy, N Gallogly; M Thynne, C Smyth, M Farrelly; E Duggan, R Casserly, M Byrne.

COUPLES already living in Carrigtwohill who are hankering after a detached home are among the early birds making enquiries about Lencrew, a well-maintained 1970s bungalow on quite an enviable site. lAdrianna Hegarty of Hegarty Properties is selling the four-bed home and she says bungalows always generate interest because so few are being built. The site size means further expansion is possible, subject to planning consent. Carrigtwohill has good connectivity thanks to a regular light rail service and good road routes to Cork City and it’s a strong employment base. VERDICT: The secluded setting and site size make this an attractive proposition for families.

Neither the recent ministerial incumbent Simon Harris, nor his predecessor Micheál Martin, nor secretary general at the Department of Defence Jacqui McCrum, have any background whatsoever in matters of defence, at any level... none! We need a huge investment in defence. We have to become part of a European defence. That it would now oppose any move that would assist An Garda Síochána in the fight against serious organised crime, or the threat from foreign or domestic terrorism, is truly astonishing. It is long past time that this self-serving, bullying lobby was confronted — one sustained in Ireland alone by EU subsidies of over €1.3bn each year.

‘Use more of your electricity first thing in the morning and last thing at night’ – Harrison Gardner of RTÉ’s ‘Build Your Own Home’ on how to slash your energy bills

While environmental narratives commonly frame the rise of second-hand fashion, the reality is that sustainability is often not the primary motivator. The convenience of digital shopping expands access far beyond urban charity shoppers — now global, digitally native consumers participate in second-hand fashion. Research from PwC shows that 40% of Gen Z and 28% of Millennials have already bought second-hand fashion, compared to much lower percentages in older age groups. But sustainability undeniably plays a role in how second-hand fashion is marketed. In reframing the narrative around second-hand fashion, it becomes clear that the market’s explosive growth is not driven primarily by a collective mission to save the environment.

Screening is vital, as around 40% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland have never been screened. Sarah Ann Brenner, a nurse and midwife, has been working there since 2024 to support GP services. Cervical cancer screening started in November that year. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month around the world with a renewed focus on this preventable disease. Ireland is “on target” to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, the HSE said.

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 3Michael Carrick masterminded another bombshell result as caretaker Manchester United manager to keep the Premier League race very much in the balance. “We’re gonna win the league’ chanted the United fans as some called for Carrick to get Ruben Amorim’s old job on a permanent basis. Bryan Mbuemo and Patrick Dorgu scored the potentially pivotal goals earlier as United came from behind after conceding a Lisandro Martinez own goal. Timber appeared to beat Martinez to the loose ball, but it ultimately spun into the goal off the United defender’s boot. Manchester United: Lammens 8, Dalot 6, Maguire 6, Martinez 6, Shaw 6, Casemiro 6, Mainoo 6, Amad 6 (Mazraoui, 88) Fernandes 6, Dorgu 7 (Sesko81), Mbeumo 7 (Cunha 68).

Pandemic-era “chronic” school absenteeism shows little sign of improvement, as 35% of children attending the most disadvantaged schools are missing at least a month of school. Schools in poorer areas and special schools are experiencing higher rates of school absences than mainstream schools in more affluent locations, new analysis shows. A report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), in partnership with Tusla Education Support Service, found that 30% of primary schools experienced a rise in “chronic absences” between 2022/23 and 2023/24. Pooled data from all primary schools indicated that 46.7% of all absences were due to illness. Key measures taken include issuing attendance grants to all schools in December to “promote and support regular school attendance”.