Photograph: Chris MaddaloniIreland and France have agreed to significantly increase security co-operation, including the sharing of classified intelligence and the joint procurement of military equipment, according to a new framework agreement. The France-Ireland Joint Strategic Framework 2026-2030 outlines planned co-operation in economic, cultural and environmental spheres while emphasising the need for increased collaboration on defence. The Government has also committed in principle to purchasing a €500 million military radar system from as yet unnamed French companies. There will be increased joint training exercises involving the two countries’ militaries and an emphasis on educational exchanges for troops. The agreement will see increasingly frequent meetings between the two countries’ defence ministers and the secretaries general of the departments of defence.

Resident on 'most potholed' road in UK hears cars 'rattle' down streetStroud locals have even put up their own signs to alert driversView 6 Images Pat SwiftA man is living on one of the most potholed roads in Britain, with over 150 potholes on the street outside his house. This comes after the long spell of wet weather, which led to an increase in potholes on roads across Gloucestershire. View 6 Images Pat Swift (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)‌"Hopefully people see them and slow down a bit and take a bit more care," Mr Swift added. Gloucestershire County Council said its highway teams are working "flat out right now" to fix potholes across the region. “So far this financial year, we’ve carried out more than 56,000 minor road repairs – most of them potholes.

Neil McManus says it's imperative that Antrim stay in Division 1B and has identified the Saffrons' remaining ties against Dublin and Down as their biggest fixtures in years. The former Antrim forward conceded that he isn't expecting Davy Fitzgerald's side to beat Dublin at Corrigan Park in Belfast this Sunday. "I don't think there's anything more important at the minute for Antrim GAA than Antrim to stay up," said McManus. These few games are some of the biggest games we've had for a long time." I don't think Davy has that same level of depth available to him at the minute and I think Dublin have progressed as well in those three seasons.

Jurgen Klopp could return to management in summer with Liverpool icon 'on verge of Red Bull exit'Jurgen Klopp has been out of the dugout since his shock Liverpool departure two years agoView Image Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool and football management in 2024 but speculation about a return continues (Image: Getty Images)Red Bull will not stand in the way of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp if he wants to return to football management, according to reports. ‌Klopp's remit sees him oversee football operations across the Red Bull football network, spanning Leipzig and Salzburg to New York and Bragantino in Brazil. "I don't miss standing in the rain, two-and-a-half [to] three hours; I don't miss going to press conferences three times a week, and having 12 interviews a week. I don't miss that; I don't." "Before joining Red Bull, Jürgen could have coached the United States or England.

NASA has revealed new details about last month's rare medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS). According to the astronaut, NASA determined that an early, carefully coordinated return was the safest option, not an emergency, allowing the crew access to advanced medical imaging unavailable on the space station. Crew-11, which also included Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui, splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California, on January 15. While NASA has not provided details about the medical emergency, Fincke dropped a hint during Crew-11's first public appearance after returning to Earth. While the astronaut did not elaborate on the medical emergency, the fact that an ultrasound was used suggests two likely reasons.

Scott Penny has welcomed the return of some experienced faces from injury lay-offs as Leinster resume their United Rugby Championship campaign with a trip to Cardiff tomorrow evening (Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off 7pm). Weeks like these where we don’t have our full complement of players, I think the young lads can really look to these lads for leadership on the pitch,” Penny remarked. “I don’t think Cardiff are reflecting the Welsh international team at all. They’re really well-coached, great attack, really physical. We know what they’re all about and they’ve been like this over the last few years,” Penny continued of their upcoming opponents.

Athlone native Professor Neil Rowan. TUS Professor named only TU representative on new National Science Advice ForumLocal professor Neil Rowan has spoken of his delight at being selected for a prestigious role on the newly formed National Advice Forum. Prof Rowan said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the new National Science Advice Forum for Ireland. Minister Lawless said: “I am delighted to appoint the first members of the Science Advice Forum. He holds fellowships to several professional bodies including Institute of Food Science and Technology.

In a video obtained by The Townsville Bulletin, an argument had erupted in the stands between Mr Rocci and another spectator. Mr Rocci can be seen walking away from his seat before turning around and confronting the other fan. She later claimed that a Townsville fan had been ‘targeting players’, including her team-mates Cayla George and Hayley Peters, during the WNBL semi-finals series. Rocci claimed that the heated confrontation between her father and a Townsville fan came about because the fan was allegedly shouting abuse at the players. She added that the Townsville fan had looked at her.

The Irish attend an average of five funerals a year, and people in Kerry go to the most. The chances of mourners attending those funerals believing in ghosts is also significant, a survey by website Rip.ie reveals. While on average, Irish people attended five funerals in the past year, that figure varies from a low of three in Dublin to more than six in Kerry and Limerick. Richie Kelly, Head of RIP.ie from the Irish Times Group, said the findings should provide some food for thought. Most funerals in Ireland take place over three days, and 84% of people believe this is about the right time.

It took almost eight weeks of a hunger strike outside the Dáil for survivors of industrial and reformatory schools to be listened to, and for their grievances to be addressed. The Government said it would provide financial assistance, priority access for social housing and a range of healthcare supports to survivors of residential abuse in industrial schools. For the Ryan Report in 2009 had already set out vivid and deeply disturbing accounts of the incidence of historical abuse of children. All of this happened in Irish residential institutions – particularly industrial schools and reformatories, run by religious orders – as spelled out by Martin. But it is also deeply troubling that it took the selfless heroism of survivors to force the State to treat it as such.

It’s hugely helpful.”Safe deploymentAs a leading tech business globally, it’s understandable that Cisco was an early adopter of AI technology. What’s more interesting is that safe deployment has been at the heart of its use of AI from the start. Cisco was early in safe and appropriate adoption of AI technology,” says Griffin. “We carry out things like responsible AI assessments on technology workloads – that includes any tools we would use. Popplewell says that by focusing on putting the employee experience first, Heineken Ireland is able to find the best ways to use AI.

Clare will vote against extending the inter-county season by two weeks, while Limerick’s Congress delegation have been given free rein to decide on the day. Requiring 60% approval, the motion drawn up by the sub-committee Jarlath Burns put together appears destined for failure. Limerick officials on Wednesday confirmed to the Irish Examiner that their delegation will decide on the day after hearing all arguments for and against the motion. Premier CEO Murtagh Brennan says they are doing so “out of respect” for club players in the county. In principle, we’re fully in agreement with the amateur status review motions, we’d like to support that, but we would need more information.”

Ireland used 27 players in the first three rounds of last season’s Six Nations, and 23 were in the starting XVs. Despite there also being no fallow week, 10 players started all three games, four of them playing all 240 minutes. 2023 World Cup, first three roundsTotal players used: 29. 2025 Six Nations, first three roundsTotal players used: 27. 2026 Six Nations, first three roundsTotal players used: 30.

The construction sector has approximately 54,400 fewer workers than at its 2007 peak. Photograph: Getty ImagesThe Irish construction sector will need to add between 95,000 and 110,000 additional workers to meet Government housing targets, according to an industry report. Property Industry Ireland (PII), the Ibec trade association representing the property sector, has published a new skills report examining the future workforce requirements for housing and critical infrastructure. The sector, which employs more than 177,600 workers, has approximately 54,400 fewer workers than at its 2007 peak, a deficit exacerbated by the exodus of talent following the 2008 financial crash. “The sector is currently exporting trained talent to international markets where project returns are higher,” it said.

Brits often seek out sunny destinations that offer plenty of rays and high temperatures - but which is the sunniest? The results were compiled into the Holiday Happiness Index by holiday site BookRetreats.com, and the best spot for sunshine has been revealed. Located in the United Arab Emirates, holidaymakers can bask in between eight to 10 hours of sunshine a day. As for other sunny destinations, Cairo placed second and boasts 3,477 hours of sunshine a year - totally to 300 days of sunlight each year. Elsewhere, Lisbon, Delhi, Athens, Santiago and Madrid made the top ten sunny destinations.