On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Anton Savage could be forgiven for initially harbouring hopes for a party political ding-dong during his discussion on Government plans to ban social media for under-16s. Newly installed in the dawn slot, Savage could be forgiven for initially harbouring hopes for a party political ding-dong during his discussion on Government plans to ban social media for under-16s. Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney dismisses the mooted measure, saying it doesn’t tackle social media companies for their responsibility in creating the “cesspit” of harmful online content. Savage then turns to Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, who far from rebutting Gibney seems sympathetic to her position: “I’m agnostic on the ban, if I’m honest.”Hearing this, Savage is incredulous. The toxic impact of social media again comes under the spotlight on Inside Sport (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays).

Rather than committing to the substantial cost of a full-time executive whose salary, benefits, and long-term overhead can weigh heavily on budgets, companies are increasingly embracing fractional talent. Fractional hires also mean considerable cost savings as businesses pay only for a specific time period, rather than a full annual salary. “Companies have reported seeing up to 60% reductions in labour costs by using fractional executives compared to full-time hires. Workers in these sectors will have frequently operated as freelancers, with lengthy experience of fractional working over full-time roles. Fractional hires have proven their worth, particularly within firms planning to expand into new markets.

There were 363.5 million passenger journeys made on public transport last year, up 6pc and almost 20 million higher than the previous annual total, new figures from the National Transport Authority show. The journeys were across the Transport for Ireland network, which includes Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link servicesDublin Bus accounted for 164 million passenger trips in 2025, the highest volume of any operator. Bus Éireann carried 53.6 million passengers on its services nationwide. Town bus services in Carlow, Kilkenny and Portlaoise carried 1.2 million passengers. “These figures clearly show that our continued investment in public transport is delivering real benefits for people and communities across Ireland,” said Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien.

Photo Credit: The Farm FCDenver, Colo. – As today’s youth soccer scene increasingly gets more pressurized and results driven, The Farm FC is taking a different approach to development. I got a really big insight into the operations of club soccer and the youth game.”Throughout his time in youth soccer, he started to notice not much attention was being placed on the individual. The Farm FC started off this core idea and it’s only grown since its inception. As the Farm FC prepares to continue developing youth players around Colorado, the future is exciting for Colorado Soccer. “I know whatever we do next will be human first and it will be fun.”Learn more about The Farm FC here.

Anthony Albanese has addressed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 'extraordinary fall from grace' just hours after the former Duke of York was sensationally arrested. Australia's Prime Minister was asked about the unprecedented arrest during an interview with the Guardian's Australian Politics podcast on Friday. 'But, of course, there's the bigger issue as well when it comes to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. 'But it's quite an extraordinary fall from grace I must say from someone who had such an esteemed position. After Andrew was released from police custody, photographs showed him returning to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate.

Troy Parrott interview: ‘I want to have more big moments like that, hopefully starting in March’Ireland striker on family, Mourinho, his future, and the belief that more memories like Budapest will comeTroy Parrott celebrates scoring his hat-trick in the World Cup 2026 Group F qualifier win over Hungary at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, last November. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileMiguel Delaney ©UK Independent Yesterday at 16:00It might have been a moment that caused any Irish person watching to lose capacity for rational thought, and was already the kind of high-stakes circumstance where intensity of emotion overrides everything else, but there was none of that for the man at the centre.

A group of teens have been captured going on a rampage through a UK city centre launching eggs at bus drivers and shoppers. Footage shows the moment the group run up to a bus as its doors open to launch eggs at the driver inside. Neil Evans, bus driver for 33 years, has also witnessed an increase in antisocial behaviour, saying that 'society has changed'. Bus driver Bryan Cook recently called police after he was threatened with a knife, while driving the 72 bus to Chelmsley Wood. The British Transport Police has recorded an increase of 24 per cent in antisocial behaviour in 2024/25, rising to 40,034 incidents.

Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/APDonald Trump has said the next 10 days will decide if the US strikes Iran or agrees a nuclear deal with the Islamic republic, as Washington steps up the deployment of a large military force to the Middle East. Trump said the US assault “totally decimated [Iran’s] nuclear potential”. Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPAThe military build-up has continued as the US held two rounds of indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear programme. Trump has been threatening to attack Iran since it brutally cracked down on mass anti-regime protests last month, killing thousands of people. Israel degraded Iran’s military capabilities during that war, but Tehran is thought to have been rebuilding its missile capacity.

Liverpool defender ruled out of Nottingham Forest clash as one player ready to startLiverpool boss Arne Slot has delivered a fitness update for the Premier League visit to Nottingham Forest on SundayView Image Jeremie Frimpong has not played for Liverpool since going off injured against Qarabag in the Champions League last month (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)Jeremie Frimpong will remain absent for Liverpool's Premier League clash at Nottingham Forest this weekend - but Reds boss Arne Slot has declared Joe Gomez now ready to start. ‌Frimpong has been missing since suffering a groin problem during the opening stages of the Champions League win at home to Qarabag three weeks ago. Asked whether Gomez is now ready to start after two successive appearances from the bench, Slot replied: "Yeah, I think he is. Liverpool were thumped 3-0 at home by Forest back in November at the start of a harrowing week in which they were beaten 4-1 by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League several days later. "We didn’t need yesterday to know how difficult it is to win a Premier League game.

Alexander Isak can still rescue Liverpool season and one player is proofLiverpool will be hopeful Alexander Isak can follow in the footsteps of one former player as he overcomes his serious injuryView Image Alexander Isak of Liverpool (Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)A big-money Liverpool striker summer signing, their debut season halted by a broken leg, now facing a race against time to regain fitness and contribute during the closing weeks with Champions League hopes and a top-four finish very much in the balance. ‌After all, the tortuous journey of Alexander Isak this campaign has already been travelled by Djibril Cisse who, in the summer of 2004, made a club record £14.5million move from French side Auxerre. Speaking on Thursday, the Liverpool boss believes Isak is capable of reproducing that form on his return to action, which is most likely to come after next month's international break. The striker will therefore hope there is still much to play for, with the Reds aiming to have secured quarter-final berths in both the Champions League and FA Cup in time for his return. And there could yet come a defining moment for Isak as reward for persevering throughout a difficult season.

On A Wet Friday morning in late October 2010, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Aonghus O’Donnell stood in the newest wing of Cork University Hospital (CUH). Friends Cian O'Donnell and Killian Down at Cork University Hospital. Cian O’Donnell and Killian Down during their recent visit to Cork University Hospital. A small plaque underneath reads: “In memory of our colleague and friend Aonghus O’Donnell”. Killian Down and Cian O'Donnell at Cork University Hospital.

‘I was only a baby and you took my life away’ – family speak out after man who abused his five children and locked them away for days without food jailed for 20 years

In a surprise move that delighted fans globally, the chart-topping band unveiled a standalone, six-track EP entitled U2 – Days of Ash. Harking back to their campaigning days, the new songs chronicle recent injustices, from recent global conflicts to recent shootings in America. In response to the release, Renee’s partner, Becca Good, said: “Renee didn’t just believe in kindness; she lived it, fully and fiercely. Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agentNews in 90 Seconds, Thursday, February 19Tribute is also paid to Palestinian activist and English teacher Awdah Hathaleen. Today also heralds the release of online magazine Propaganda, entitled U2 – Days of Ash: Six Postcards from the Present… Wish We Weren’t Here.

Austin Odibei (49) was found in possession of 15 files of child sexual abuse material. Photograph: Collins CourtsA man found in possession of 15 files of child sexual abuse material has been given an 18 month sentence which was suspended for three years. Austin Odibei (49) with an address at Milford Manor Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), known in law as child pornography, in April 2019. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that when this material is backed up to the cloud, monitoring systems make the notification. Five of these files were placed in “category one” child sexually explicit with the remaining eight classified as “category two” child sexual exposure.

However, Ms Vinall didn't realise the full ramifications until she entered into a contract to buy a house at Box Hill in Sydney's northwest. The matter eventually landed before Justice David Hammerschlag, who demanded Westpac CEO Anthony Miller appear at Monday's court session. 'I regard the refusal of the bank to fix the problem as legally unjustifiable and short on commercial morality,' Justice Hammerschlag said. The judge also said the letter sent to Ms Vinall about the reduced interest rate was 'at best ambiguous, and at worst likely to mislead'. 'Westpac complies with mandatory credit reporting obligations under law, which require missed repayments to be reported to credit agencies,' a Westpac spokesperson said in a statement.