Main PointsIran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead following missile strikes by the US and Israel against Iran. It says that shortly before the bombing, the CIA had zeroed in on the location of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Then the agency learned that a meeting of top Iranian officials would take place Saturday morning at a leadership compound in the heart of Tehran. A leadership council has been formed in Iran to assume duties following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mourners in Tehran take to the streets following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Public lacks confidence in security measures as we prepare to host EU presidency, poll revealsGovernment figures have conceded that Ireland will likely need to rely on support from neighbouring countriesThe Sunday Independent / Ireland Thinks PollCónal Thomas Today at 06:30The public has expressed an overwhelming lack of confidence in the Government’s preparedness for security ahead of Ireland holding the presidency of the EU Council later this year.

Photograph: Joe O'ShaughnessyDoon House: Drawingroom. Photograph: Joe O'ShaughnessyDoon House: Robert and Ann Jocelyn in the library. Photograph: Joe O'ShaughnessyDoon House: The diningroom. Photograph: Joe O'ShaughnessyDoon House: The family tree on the wall on the upper landing. Photograph: Joe O'ShaughnessyDoon House: The sauna in the kelp house, by the shore.

The Central Bank highlighted geopolitical tensions, stock market volatility and the disruption from AI as big risks to the financial system. Photograph: Alan BetsonWhat are the risks to the financial system? The latest report and accompanying statement from the bank makes for fairly grim reading. “Operational risks remain very high for the financial sector, given current geopolitical tensions, advancing digitalisation and increasingly complex operating models,” it said. “Relative to last year, asset valuation and market risks are judged to have increased, as have the risks associated with data, models and AI,” the bank added.

'I moved to Wales from England and here are 5 reasons I'm never going back'Although I was born in England, Wales is my home, and I never plan on leaving. This St David's Day, I'm outlining the five reasons I fell in love with the Land of SongView 2 Images What are you doing for St David's Day? (Stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)I first moved to Wales back in 2004. More than 10 years later, I'm still here and I'm never leaving. Certainly, friendly rivalries emerge during the Six Nations, but in my experience Welsh people are amongst the warmest, most friendly folk I've ever come across.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns during day two of the GAA Annual Congress at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SportsfileGAA president Jarlath Burns has said a “line was crossed” by protesters against the Association’s sponsorship links with Allianz who interrupted Congress on the fifth floor of the Hogan Stand earlier today. The protesters, carrying banners and flags and chanting “Allianz Out”, had been part of a rally outside the main entrance to the Hogan Stand, but about 20 breached security and made it up to the Hogan Suite where Congress was taking place.

It was no surprise that Lavin, the hurdles specialist and a two-time world indoor finalist, again continued her domestic dominance, powering to her eighth national indoor title in 8.07. Sarah Lavin of Emerald AC, Limerick, crosses the finish line to win the women's 60m hurdles during day one of the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Sophie Becker of Raheny Shamrock AC, Dublin, left, on her way winning the women's 200m during day one of the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. She looks primed to claim her sixth national senior indoor title, her third over 400m, on Sunday. Adam Nolan of St Laurence O'Toole AC, Carlow, on his way to winning the men's 60m hurdles during day one of the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.

URC: Connacht 15 Glasgow Warriors 10Connacht delivered their biggest win of the season, unexpectedly taking the scalp of URC league leaders Glasgow Warriors at Dexcom Stadium. A minute before the sinbin was completed, Rowe bagged his second unconverted try, extending the lead to 10-3. Scoring sequence: 25 mins Gilbert pen 3-0; Half-time 3-0; 62: Rowe try 3-5; 67: Rowe try 3-10; 74: Murphy try, Gilbert con 10-10; 80: Jansen try 15-10. Connacht: S Gilbert; S Jennings, H West, C Forde, F Treacy; J Ioane, C Blade; D Buckley, D Tierney-Martin, S Illo; D O’Connor, J Joyce; P Boyle (capt), S O’Brien, S Jansen. Replacements: A Hastings for Yule (18 mins); S Talakai for Walker, A Craig for Oguntibeju, S Vailanu for Fraser and G Hiddleston for Stephen (all 48 mins), J Oliver for Afshare (69 mins), M Duncan for Vailanu (70 mins).

Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, People Before Profit, and the Green Party all called for an emergency €400 payment for disabled people.

Or the Texas workhorse?”Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general and Republican US Senate candidate. Texas Republican senator John Cornyn arrives at a polling station in Austin, Texas. Jasmine Crockett, a Democratic firebrand from the Dallas area, is seeking to unseat John Cornyn in the Senate race. Photograph: Eric Lee/The New York TimesState representative James Talarico, a Democrat from Texas and US Senate candidate. The myth of the bluing of Texas has been around for almost as long as John Cornyn.

Nicknamed ‘le Frigo Irlandais’ in France, where his barnstorming and eye-catching displays seem to have caught the eye, Stuart McCloskey is having a moment. I just had a good angle on him.”HERO STATUS: Ireland's Stuart McCloskey with his wife Hannah after the Twickenham tour de force. These things don't last forever.”It’s ten years since he got that lesson. All told, of the 119 Tests Ireland played between then and last week, McCloskey has appeared in just 26. McCloskey was simply giving an honest response to a question that has been put to him time and again down the years.

Donald Trump announcing that the US attack on Iran had begun. It has also shown no compunction about killing untold numbers of its own people to cling to power. There is, however, a reason why previous US presidents over the past five decades have avoided calling for regime change. What complicates the calculations of those who claim confidently to know their way around the Middle East’s political labyrinth is whether Donald Trump means what he says. These, alarmingly, are the very qualities that Donald Trump has so far failed to show in any sphere during his second term in office.

Fiona Nicole Mee (36) is a journalist from Mullingar, Co Westmeath and works in Abu Dhabi. "On the last one I saw a plume of white smoke and then a bit of black smoke. Another Irish woman living in Dubai has described hearing the sounds of the explosions as Iranian missiles targeted nearby US military facilities in the UAE. "From where we are in our apartment, we could see a big polume of smoke in the direction towards the airport in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “Yes and no,” he said when asked whether he feels safe anymore living in Abu Dhabi.

‌The ongoing situation in Iran and the Middle East has lead to multiple regional airspace closures over Dubai. ‌Airlines serving the Middle East cancelled or diverted a large number of flights on Saturday in the wake of US and Israeli airstrikes against on Iran. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air were among carriers to scale back their schedules to destinations in the Middle East, citing safety concerns. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them. ‌View 3 Images A projectile falls over Dubai on February 28 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)"If booked directly with Emirates, please contact us.

Two taken to hospital after collision on the A1 in NorthumberlandEmergency services were called to a crash near Causey Park Bridge in MorpethView Image (Stock Photo) Ambulance crews attended the scene (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)Two people have been taken to hospital following a collision on the A1 in Northumberland. Shortly after 6pm this evening emergency services were called to a crash near Causey Park Bridge in Morpeth. ‌North East Ambulance Service dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene and transported two people to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH), in Cramlington, for further treatment. ‌Traffic was diverted while emergency services attended the incident. One patient was treated and discharged on scene and two patients were taken to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) for further treatment."