The European Union aims to stop air travel from the southern African region amid rising concern about a new Covid-19 variant detected in South Africa, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said he expects a decision later today on the European Union's proposal to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant.

Six countries have been added to the UK's red list after scientists there said they are worried about a new variant of coronavirus.

Fashion retailer Penneys is to create 700 new jobs as part of a €250m capital investment and redevelopment programme.

Munster's United Rugby Championship clash against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday looks poised to be cancelled due to the discovery of a new Covid-19 variant in South Africa.

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, 21-year-old Ciarán Beahan from Lucan, Co Dublin can complete a Rubik's Cube.

Discussions around the likely introduction of masks for some primary school children are likely to get under way today.

Israel has identified a case of a Covid-19 variant with a large number of mutations first detected in South Africa, the health ministry said.

Booster vaccines for the over 50s will be brought forward to the middle of December, Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid has said.

Status Yellow wind warnings will come into effect for several counties later today, as Storm Arwen is expected to brings gusts of up to 110km/h.

The finishing touches are being put on tonight's Late Late Toy Show, with host Ryan Tubridy and the team promising a "wild" night inspired by Disney's The Lion King.

A Siberian mining region began three days of mourning today after officials said 52 people died in a coal mine accident and a rescue effort ended in tragedy.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told UK counterpart Priti Patel this morning that he was cancelling planned weekend talks with her, in protest at a letter made public by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the migrant crisis.

UK Brexit Minister David Frost will meet European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefcovic in London today to discuss potential changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

A murder investigation has begun following the discovery of a man's body at his home in Balbriggan in Dublin yesterday evening.

The HSE said it is preparing a preliminary plan for administering Covid-19 vaccines for those aged 5-11, after the European Medicines Agency today approved use of the Pfizer vaccine for children.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is "deeply concerned" about the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant, which has been identified in a number of countries in southern Africa and in Hong Kong.

The Department of Education has sent letters to primary schools to be distributed to parents, with further information on the antigen testing programme for pupils, which begins on Monday.

The Republic of Ireland battled back for a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia at Tallaght Stadium.

Katie Harrington's daily house hunting routine will be familiar to thousands of others in the same boat around the country: open the property search app of choice, scroll and hope.