EU announces sanctions on Iran after deadly crackdown on protests
The European Union has announced sanctions on 15 Iranian officials, including top commanders of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, over Tehran’sdeadly crackdown on nationwide protests. Six Iranian organisations, including bodies responsible for monitoring online content in Iran, were also included on the sanctions list. But the move by Europe will put new pressure on Iran as its economy already struggles under the weight of international sanctions. “This will put them on the same footing with al Qeida, Hamas, Daesh,” the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas said, using an Arabic acronym for the so-called Islamic State group. “The designation of a state military arm, of an official pillar of the Iranian state as a terrorist organisation is one step short of cutting diplomatic ties,” she said.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 29, 2026 22:46 UTC
Aryna Sabalenka powers to fourth straight Australian Open final
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina to reach her fourth consecutive Australian Open final. Sabalenka is yet to drop a set, and she said: “I cannot believe that, that’s an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet. Svitolina, who was supported from courtside by husband Gael Monfils, could probably have done without the hindrance that umpire Louise Azemar Engzell called against Sabalenka at the start of the fourth game. Aryna Sabalenka struck 29 winners (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP)Engzell ruled that Sabalenka, who is known for her loud grunting, had called out after she had hit the ball, giving the point to Svitolina. Sabalenka called for a video review but the original decision stood and, fuelled by apparent rage, the four-time grand slam singles champion promptly broke serve.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 29, 2026 22:43 UTC
Amy Childs says battling stress made her lose 'a little more weight than I wanted' as she embarks on a fitness mission ahead of her wedding
Amy Childs has told of how battling stress made her lose 'a little more weight than I wanted' as she embarks on a fitness mission. The Only Way Is Essex star, 35, sparked concern last year and has since vowed to gain some muscle ahead of her wedding. The mother-of-four previously revealed that training incorrectly and dropping two stone meant she had lost muscle. Addressing her weight loss and cruel trolling she's received as a result in an emotional interview with OK! She's very emotional – she thinks she's going to have another heart attack.'
Source:Daily Mail
January 29, 2026 22:30 UTC
Real Health: ‘If I need energy I use green foods, if I need comfort I go for red ingredients’ - Chef Eunice Power
How do we make cooking fun and less of a chore? What Irish dishes are easy and achievable? And what are the chef pro-tips for creating delicious food? Eunice Power, chef, entrepreneur and author of My Irish Kitchen Table, joins me on this week’s episode of The Real Health Podcast. She explained, “I went to Shannon, did hotel management, loved that whole hospitality piece.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2026 22:28 UTC
Trump ‘asks Putin not to target Kyiv for one week’ as temperatures plunge
US president Donald Trump said he has asked Russian president Vladimir Putin not to target the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv for one week as the region experiences freezing temperatures. “I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this … extraordinary cold,” Mr Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. He added that Mr Putin has “agreed to that” but there was no confirmation from Russia. The Republican president added that he was pleased that Mr Putin has agreed to the pause. You’re not going to get that’,” Mr Trump said of his request to Mr Putin.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 29, 2026 22:16 UTC
Trump faces shutdown threat over immigration enforcement surge
Senate Democrats have threatened to block legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other US agencies amid growing concerns over immigration enforcement activities. The move potentially brings the government a step closer to a partial shutdown if Republicans and the White House do not agree to new restrictions on President Donald Trump’s enforcement surge. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Wednesday that Democrats will not provide needed votes until US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “reined in and overhauled”. During the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, Mr Schumer said Democrats are asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants. Mr Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 29, 2026 22:16 UTC
Leaders need to rethink ‘intelligence’ in an increasingly ruptured world
According to standard IQ tests we’re getting better at academic book smarts but worse when it comes to creativity. When it comes to existing employees today, emotional intelligence tests are used to help individuals better understand themselves and others when working in teams and leading others. But, as the use of AI grows, have we forgotten an important and essential part of human intelligence? Sternberg identifies three distinct types of intelligence: analytical (componential), creative (experiential) and practical (contextual) in his Triarchic Theory of Intelligence. He thinks traditional IQ tests too narrowly measure only the first type and that practical intelligence and creativity are equally important when measuring an individual’s overall intelligence.
Source:The Irish Times
January 29, 2026 22:04 UTC
Less GDP for more homes: a trade the Government would happily make
New home completions came in at 36,284 for 2025, which was up 20 per cent on the previous year and ahead of expectations. Photograph: iStockWould the Government trade some of its impressive GDP (gross domestic product) performance for a more pronounced rise in new home completions? The Irish economy grew by 12.6 per cent in GDP terms last year, according to preliminary estimates. The bulge in 2025 was down to the front-loading of exports into the US to avoid tariffs, something that will unwind next year, resulting in much lower GDP growth. GDP fell by 0.6 per cent in the final quarter of 2025 “as these export patterns normalised”, AIB chief economist David McNamara noted.
Source:The Irish Times
January 29, 2026 21:52 UTC
Bernardo Silva fires damning title reminder to Arsenal - 'The truth is'
Bernardo Silva fires damning title reminder to Arsenal - 'The truth is'Manchester City are four points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race and Bernardo Silva says he and his team-mates won't go down without a fight against the GunnersView 2 Images Bernardo Silva says Manchester City will fight till the death in the title race (Image: TNT Sports)Bernardo Silva has warned Arsenal that Manchester City will fight them to the death in the title race. Arsenal have a four point lead over City at the top of the table, despite suffering a blip in recent weeks. Silva admits the prospect of Arsenal winning the title is a strange sensation - because it hasn't happened for so long. Will Premier League get fifth Champions League spot? Without a doubt we still have hope and ambition to fight for this Premier League."
Source:Daily Mirror
January 29, 2026 21:32 UTC
Need for legislation on services creating sexualised images for adults, TD says
Need for legislation on services creating sexualised images for adults, TD saysBy Cillian Sherlock, Press AssociationThere is a need for legislation to tackle services that generate sexualised images of adults, a Sinn Féin TD has said. Senior Government figures have insisted that there is sufficient legislation to investigate and prosecute child sexual abuse material and non-consensual sexualised images of adults that have been generated through artificial intelligence tools online. Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said this means there is a need for legislation to account for services that provide the generation of sexualised images of adults – even when there is no complainant. “The production, the circulation, the generation of child sexual abuse material – whether that’s through an AI-generated mechanism or not – that is prohibited. “When it gets to intimate image abuse, we need a complainant, and we also need for that material to have been circulated.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2026 21:31 UTC
DAA weighed cutting business jets at Dublin Airport to comply with passenger cap
DAA weighed cutting back on business jet travel at Dublin to comply with the passenger cap. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish TimesThe operator of Dublin Airport considered suspending all business jet travel as it faced the prospect of breaching its 32 million annual passenger cap. Two major business aviation operators and industry bodies said it could prove deeply damaging for foreign direct investment in Ireland. One internal email said its legal and planning team had examined whether certain flights could be excluded from passenger cap calculations. Mr Cullinane said: “The sustainable growth of Dublin Airport is vital to the Irish economy.
Source:The Irish Times
January 29, 2026 21:23 UTC
Court hears woman felt ‘paralysed and couldn’t move’ as man goes on trial accused of sexual assault in Wicklow
A man has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting a young woman following a night out in the summer of 2023. He told the jury that “sexual assault is something that is unwanted and an assault in circumstances of indecency”. The alleged sexual assault lasted between two and three minutes, with the victim stating, “it felt like an hour”. The prosecution alleges that the defendant had contact with the victim via Snapchat prior to the alleged sexual assault. The victim told the court that she only wanted to clear the air, but accepted that she may have made this threat two or three times.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2026 21:17 UTC
Single women account for a third of equity-release loans
People considering equity-release loans are strongly advised to seek financial and legal advice, and consult family members. Photo: GettySingle women accounted for one in three equity-release loans issued in Ireland last year by the main lender in the sector, Spry Finance. Half of the equity release loans went to couples and 18pc to single men. People considering equity-release loans are strongly advised by finance experts to seek financial and legal advice, and consult family members. The figures show that around 13pc of those taking out an equity release loan used it to switch mortgage provider or refinance.
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2026 21:09 UTC
Michael Moynihan: Cork’s Lord Mayor embracing AI raises serious questions about leadership
Interesting piece in yesterday’s paper. If you didn’t spit out your coffee while reading it, my congratulations. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Fergal Dennehy, told Emer Walsh of this parish that he is using artificial intelligence (AI) apps such as ChatGPT to write his speeches. He had just given a speech generated by AI at a data centre services firm when he spoke to her. Annual €130€80 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
Source:Irish Examiner
January 29, 2026 20:52 UTC
Cian Tracey: What’s on Andy Farrell’s to-do list as Ireland prepare for Six Nations with trouble on many fronts?
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell (left) and captain Caelan Doris have several issues to solve before the start of the Six Nations. Photo: SportsfileThe intermittent wind and rain in Quinta do Lago quickly dispelled any notions that the Ireland squad were about to face into a warm-weather training camp over the next week. The inclement weather is the least of Andy Farrell’s problems, however, as the Ireland head coach works his way through a considerable to-do list ahead of his side’s Six Nations opener in Paris this day next week. Here are Farrell’s main priorities:
Source:Irish Independent
January 29, 2026 20:32 UTC