A goalkeeper in France's top football league appeared to fake an injury to allow his Muslim team-mates to break their Ramadan fast, with such intervals currently banned by the sport's bosses. They could then be seen taking on food and water to break their fast. Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony Lopes pretended to be injured during a Ligue 1 match so his Muslim teammates could break their fast during Ramadan. Football clubs are also altering their training schedules to accommodate for Muslim stars who are observing Ramadan. One of the five pillars of Islam is that during Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours to show their devotion to their religion.

EirGrid has been warning of a narrowing gap in the Republic between electricity demand and supplies for the last 10 years. The State company believes that demand will grow strongly up to 2030 and ease over the following five years. EirGrid has been warning of a narrowing gap in the Republic between electricity demand and supplies for the last 10 years. Those new power plants will be in addition to existing capacity and new facilities already in planning or under construction. EirGrid says that future capacity auctions, the process used to attract investment in new power plants, should result in power companies building new electricity plants.

Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast will leave the province at the end of the current season and join up in a similar role at Bath with ex-Munster heads coach Johann van Graan. Now he's on the move again, linking up with van Graan who has frequently been linked with a return back to his native South Africa. In that eventuality, Prendergast would be seen by Bath's hieraqrchy as a viable option to replace van Graan as head coach. “My family and I have absolutely loved our time back home since we returned to Munster in 2022," Prendergast says. “On behalf of the coaching team, I want to wish Mike and his family every success for the future.”

Transdev has lost out in a tender process to operate the Luas service, after running the tram system for 22 years. Photograph: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ieLuas operator Transdev has lost out on the €1.75 billion Luas contract after 22 years of running the service, branding it “very disappointing news” to staff. State agency Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) began to seek a new operator for the contract in 2023 to operate and maintain the Luas service. [ Pretax losses at Luas operator Transdev reduce by 61%Opens in new window ]Its €1.75 billion price tag covers the cost of all those elements, including rolling stock overhauls, expensive work that must be done every four years. “This is clearly very disappointing news for our company,” Transdev told staff.

Construction in the Sandyford district of Dublin: the industry requires tens of thousands of new employees to meet State goals. Just yesterday, Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers, announced a new unit in his department tasked with simplifying regulations to speed infrastructure delivery. But a report published today points to a key risk – tens of thousands of new construction workers need to be found to deliver housing, infrastructure and climate change projects. The report, from Property Industry Ireland (PII), a part of Ibec, follows on from other studies underlining the need for a big increase in construction employment. The need to attract more females into the construction workforce is one clear requirement.

David RaleighGardaí recovered more than €1.54 million worth of drugs in a major operation targeting the activities of a drug gang in Limerick on Wednesday night. At around 5pm, Gardaí stopped a car travelling in the Caherdavin area, situated on the outskirts of the city. During a search of the vehicle, Gardaí recovered an estimated €70,000 worth of cocaine. During the course of these searches, gardaí recovered 35kg of suspected cannabis worth an estimated €700,000 and 11kg of suspected cocaine worth an estimated €770,000Gardaí arrested a 26-year-old man as part of the drugs probe. The largest ever drug seizure in the region occurred at Foynes Port, west Co Limerick, on December 19th, 2023.

Stormzy, a singer — as in a singing man from the singing world, is announcing plans for an acting career. Meryl Streep is classically trained as an opera singer — hence her own vocals in Mamma Mia. But it’s the ones who casually maintain a stellar singing career in tandem with the acting that get to me the most. The “issue” is that actors work harder on their voices than most singers do. If this acting turns sour for young Buckley, we singers are in deep trouble.

Northumberland school bully who made his victim's life 'hell' still hasn't changed his waysJayson Miller subjected a man he bullied at school to two attacks in a week, including kicking him in the head and hitting him with a bike seatView Image Jayson MillerA bully who made his victim's life "hell" while they were at school subjected him to "horrific" violence years later as adults. Jayson Miller assaulted the other man twice in a week, including battering him with a bike seat and kicking him in the head. ‌The court heard the victim had known Miller, 22, for several years. Mia Nath, prosecuting, said: "Despite not falling out with (the victim), the defendant bullied him throughout his time at school and, in his words, made his life hell." Miller shouted at him and pulled down a balaclava and the victim told him to go away.

They said: “Officers in Benidorm have arrested two British men aged 37 and 51 for simulating a kidnap with the aim of making some quick cash. Our investigation began after a tip-off from Interpol about the possible abduction of a British national in the resort. Officers contacted British consular officials so they could provide the images they’d received from the tipster . “This happened as a large number of officers from Benidorm Police Station were called on to try to locate the ‘kidnap location’. Last April police arrested a British woman accused of masterminding the bungled robbery and kidnap near Benidorm of a wealthy former partner with the help of her ex-husband.

Similarities between Caribbean and Irish accents noted in a widely shared reel has made a Cork TD an unexpected star of Jamaican social media. One commenter on X said: “I looked at the screen with intensity because I was certain I could hear Jamaican (I’m Jamaican) … but saw this white gentleman … soooooo confused”. Another added: “I’ve seen a lot of videos surfacing that show similarities between the Cork accent and Jamaican accent. “The Cork accent is the greatest in the world, probably followed closely by the Jamaican one,” he said. “The northside of Cork has a distinct accent and as a proud Norrie, I’m delighted to see it’s gone global.”

While their trip focused on their philanthropic efforts, eagle-eyed royal watchers noticed a glaring missing detail of Meghan’s appearance. Meghan’s engagement ring has been tweaked several times since she had Harry announced their plans to get married in 2017. In 2019, the same year their first child Archie was born, Meghan’s ring underwent its first upgrade, replacing the gold band with a diamond pavé band. Expert Neil Dutta, of engagement ring specialists Angelic Diamonds, said: "We saw another subtle yet impactful change to Meghan's ring. "The most recent iteration of Meghan's engagement ring glimpsed in the Netflix trailer, showcases what appears to be an emerald-cut centre stone," the expert noted.

Research from the ESRI found a link between short absences of just one or two days at age 13 and lower Leaving Cert grades. Emer Smyth, a co-author of the ESRI report, said school absence can lead to “later inequality”. “The findings highlight the urgency of addressing school absence, especially given the higher levels apparent since the pandemic,” Prof Smyth said. Photo: PAEducation Minister Hildegarde Naughton said regular school attendance plays a role in well-being, confidence and future opportunities, as well as academic success. “TESS school-based services continue to work directly with children, young people and parents to support regular school attendance.”

Bruno Fernandes 'unfair' slander at Man Utd blasted by his manager – 'Very emotional'Bruno Fernandes has been repeatedly castigated for being too emotional, but one figure believes this criticism of the Manchester United ace is out of order. View 2 Images Bruno Fernandes has often been criticised for being too emotional (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)Portugal boss Roberto Martinez believes Bruno Fernandes' contributions at Manchester United have been underappreciated. ‌Despite registering 104 goals and 99 assists across 316 appearances for United, Fernandes has frequently been a focal point for criticism. Premier League's quickest players and where Benjamin Sesko ranks after Man Utd goal vs Everton READ MORE :Man Utd taking Kobbie Mainoo transfer risk as latest contract stance emerges READ MORE :FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Article continues belowJoin our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.

However, connections are hopeful the Irish Champion Hurdle heroine can correct the record this time, sitting second in the reformed betting behind Dan Skelton’s The New Lion following the news Constitution Hill will embark on a Flat career. Eddie O’Leary of owners Gigginstown House Stud said: “We were going to the Champion Hurdle regardless whether Constitution Hill was there or not and there will still be plenty of others to beat. It is still to be decided if Lossiemouth will head to the two-mile hurdling championship or seek a third-straight Mares’ Hurdle success following her reversal at the hands of Brighterdaysahead at Leopardstown. “We know the New course really suited Poniros with his stamina when he won the Triumph Hurdle last year and this time we’ll be on the Old course for the Champion Hurdle. “Don’t forget Poniros has that smart juvenile form in the book and we know he’s a good horse.”

Liverpool sent Real Madrid transfer instruction to secure Alexis Mac Allister perfect partnerFormer Chelsea star Gus Poyet has told Liverpool which Real Madrid star would be perfect for them heading into the summer transfer windowView 2 Images Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister after the win over Nottingham Forest (Image: (James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images))Federico Valverde was once compared to Steven Gerrard – and now Liverpool have been told to sign the Real Madrid star. The midfielder has been a star for the La Liga giants since joining them from Club Atletico Penarol back in the summer of 2017. ‌During his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, Valverde has won three La Ligas, two Champions Leagues and one Copa del Rey. “It would be difficult for Liverpool to prise Valverde away from Real Madrid; he came through their second team and has risen through the ranks to become the brilliant player that he is now. Trent Alexander-Arnold slammed by Spanish media as Real Madrid reality sets in READ MORE :FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE!