Jeremy Hunt will be taking a keener interest than normal when Natwest kicks off the bank reporting season next week. A repeat of the fervour that surrounded Margaret Thatcher's privatisation programme of the 1980s – including British Gas and British Telecom – looks highly unlikely, however. Natwest – or Royal Bank of Scotland as it was previously known – has lurched from crisis to crisis since taxpayers bailed it out to the tune of £45billion during the financial crisis of 2007-09. But Natwest shares continue to languish, and missteps such as the Nigel Farage debanking scandal have done little to help. So generating any enthusiasm among a weary public to take part in a share sale may prove tricky.

A Rambling House event will take place on Sunday, February 11th in The Three Counties Function Room, Cloonfad. The Rambling House was a traditional place where locals entertained themselves in Ireland with stories, song and dance, long before modern technology came along. A Rambling House event is being held in Cloonfad. Following a similar Rambling House event recently in Ballintubber Vladyslav Morhulets commented: Having visited this event in Ballintubber, which was organised to support people who may suffer from loneliness, I realised once more how important it is to have your community and your people around. I want to say thank you to Anthony Waldron who invited and brought myself there.

Robert Badinter, who spearheaded the drive to abolish France’s death penalty, campaigned against anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, and led a European body dealing with the legal fallout of Yugoslavia’s break-up, has died. A famed lawyer and thinker, Mr Badinter was best-known for his sustained push to end capital punishment. As a lawyer, Mr Badinter later pursued a notorious Holocaust denier in court. Mr Macron will preside over a special national homage to Mr Badinter, the president’s office said. In his statement, Mr Macron honoured the memory of a “wise man of the republic” who “after having experienced the tragedy of the century, embodied the most beautiful part of hope”.

Urgent Public Health Alert – possible exposure to measlesThe HSE Public Health team are currently carrying out public health actions following a confirmed case of measles in the Dublin and Midlands region. Be aware of signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days from the time of possible exposure. The best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination. We are not asking people to avoid the bus route or any restaurant. Issued by the Department of Public Health – HSE Dublin and Midlands

Britain's Prince Harry settles phone hacking claim against Mirror GroupBy Jess Glass, PA Law EditorBritain's Prince Harry has settled the remaining parts of his phone hacking claim against the publisher of the Daily Mirror, the High Court in London has heard. Harry (39) sued Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) for damages, claiming journalists at its publications were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called “blagging” – gaining information by deception – and use of private investigators for unlawful activities. In December, a judge ruled that phone hacking became “widespread and habitual” at MGN titles in the late 1990s and was practised “even to some extent” during the Leveson Inquiry into press standards in 2011. Thirty-three articles in Harry’s claim were examined during the trial last year, with 15 articles found to have been the product of unlawful information gathering. A further 115 articles were in his claim, which may have been the subject of a further trial.

Anderson, IN (46016)TodayPartly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Thunder possible. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Thunder possible. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.

Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile‘Luck was a factor, and we got it,’ admits DolanWestmeath enjoyed a huge slice of luck in last Sunday’s Allianz Football League Division 3 game against Clare at TEG Cusack Park. Westmeath manager Dessie Dolan felt the correct call was made, though subsequent footage suggests the visitors can feel unlucky. And being honest, luck was a factor today and we got it.”Reflecting on the Clare game, Dolan felt the strong breeze was a major factor, while a lack of composure in the first half proved frustrating. It gave them good momentum then, they got a couple of really good scores,” he observed. We created great opportunities, there were two or three more goal opportunities, and we came away with nothing.

Modern Morals: My husband wants to call our firstborn son after his dad — but I hate the name. ‘I told him it was a great idea but now, on reflection, I really don’t like the idea of it. I just don’t like the name and I never have’You could suggest that you still use the name, but as your child’s second name. He decided almost instantly that he wanted to name our son after his father. It’s his brother’s and grandfather’s name too, so I suppose he feels like he’s preserving his family’s legacy.

Some 700 roles available within Uisce Éireann over next yearUisce Éireann, Ireland's national water authority, has today announced it will be recruiting for 700 new jobs across the country. These exciting opportunities will be available in the next year, with positions ready to be filled immediately. Uisce Éireann is committed to providing ongoing training, and attractive compensation and benefits packages to ensure a secure and fulfilling work experience. “This is the largest recruitment announcement made by Uisce Éireann to date and reflects the scope and scale of the activities we are carrying out nationwide. We are looking for people with diverse skillsets to play their part in delivering transformative water services that enable their local communities to thrive.

Local singer Tolü Makay will be performing on the 'Uprising' show on Virgin Media One television tonight (Friday). Tullamore's Tolü to perform on 'Uprising' TV series tonightGifted Offaly singer Tolü Makay will be performing on TV tonight (Friday), when she appears on the fourth and final episode of the Uprising series on Virgin Media One at 9pm. In addition to Tolü, tonight's performers on Uprising will be: Imelda May, The Coronas, HamsandwicH & Shobsy, and Junior Brother. In her performance for tonight's episode, Tolü will sing her soulful track, Ocean. The first three instalments of the series are currently available to view on the Virgin Media player.

Our team to face Italy at Aviva Stadium, captained by Caelan Doris! Skipper Doris last wore the number seven jersey for his country in last summer’s 33-17 World Cup warm-up win over Italy in which he scored two tries. Jack Crowley continues at fly-half, forming a partnership with his provincial team-mate Casey, whose last two starts also came against Italy. Ireland team to face Italy: H Keenan (Leinster); C Nash (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster), S McCloskey (Ulster), J Lowe (Leinster); J Crowley (Munster), C Casey (Munster); A Porter (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), J McCarthy (Leinster), J Ryan (Leinster), R Baird (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster, capt), J Conan (Leinster). Replacements: R Kelleher (Leinster), J Loughman (Munster), T O’Toole (Ulster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Van der Flier (Leinster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster), H Byrne (Leinster), J Larmour (Leinster).

Sin-bins and blue cards in soccer – what do we know? Sin-bins have been trialled successfully at grassroots level and are now set to be tested higher up the chain. What’s this about blue cards? Two blue cards will also result in dismissal. The introduction of sin-bins and blue cards, should it reach the top level, would be one of the biggest developments in discipline in the game’s history, following on from the introduction of red and yellow cards at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Chequebook delays at AIB bank causing problems for farmersICSA Beef chair John Cleary has said he is deeply concerned about AIB Bank’s inability to issue replacement chequebooks to their customers to due to a supply issue. ICSA understands that AIB Bank is in the process of securing a new supplier for their chequebooks, and that it could take up to four weeks for the issue to be resolved. The inability to obtain replacement chequebooks not only disrupts these essential transactions but also hampers farmers' ability to conduct business efficiently. "The delivery of AIB cheque books to our customers recommences from 12th February. "Some customers may have experienced a temporary delay in the issuance of their cheque books after our previous cheque books supplier went into administration.

Blue cards for 10-minute sin-bins set to be introduced under new trialsBy PA Sport StaffBlue cards will be shown to players sin-binned in new trials to indicate they must spend 10 minutes in the technical area, the PA news agency understands. Photo by Nick PottsFull details of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) trial protocols are set to be published on Friday. The Football Association is understood to be considering the possibility of trialling sin-bins in next season’s men’s and women’s FA Cups, PA understands. Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham (Nick Potts/PA). The rule change was implemented up to step five of the National League system and tier three and below in women’s football.

Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, release party is coming to the capital. Swiftogeddon, is a night for fans to come together and worship at the altar of Taylor Swift, with deep cuts, extended mixes, fan favourites and all the hits. The Tortured Poets Department release party will be on in the Grand Social on Saturday, April 20. There’ll be several Swiftogeddon events in Dublin within the coming months, with Era’s Tour nights around the time Ms Swift plays the Aviva stadium at the end of June. “So, it goes... we didn’t expect to be writing to you again so soon, but then we didn’t expect yet another brand-new album to be announced by the phenomenon that is Ms Taylor Alison Swift,” organisers said.