The Republic of Ireland now know that a win away to Wales tomorrow guarantees them at least a World Cup play-off spot.

Latest German police say no explosives were found on a diverted London-bound Easyjet plane.

From the meandering canals of Amsterdam to downing cheap bottles of wine on the sizzling Croatian coast — Kevin O’Neill explains the time-honoured allure of interrailing across mainland Europe.

Bianca Bosker says Slovenia’s once-sleepy capital Ljubljana has been reinvigorated in recent years with an influx of chefs, artists and musicians bringing magic back to the intimate city which is like a ‘fairy tale’

Wayne Rooney accepts the England captaincy no longer comes with a guaranteed starting spot after Gareth Southgate made the bold decision to drop him for tonight’s clash with Slovenia.

Danny Willett surprised himself with a brilliant start to the defence of his Omega European Masters title.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will not concern himself with whatever issues are facing rival boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea when the two men go head-to-head again this afternoon.

Football, penguins, lego and more.

A daring duo from Trinity College have won this year’s Jailbreak challenge — the annual charity race requiring students get to a secret location in Slovenia without spending a cent of their own money.

There was just one piece missing from the jigsaw of the new college of European Commissioners following the resignation of the Slovenian candidate yesterday evening.

The 60th annual Cork International Choral Festival took place at the weekend, with approximately 5,000 participants — the largest number it has ever had. Here are the results.

Derry’s year as the UK’s City of Culture will reach its theatrical apogee on September 20 with The Conquest of Happiness, a large-scale open-air show in the city’s Ebrington Square, directed by Haris Pasovic.

A court in Slovenia has sentenced former prime minister Janez Jansa to two years in prison for seeking bribes from a Finnish arms dealer while in office.

Clashes broke out in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana as angry demonstrators tried to push through a police cordon to storm parliament and police used water cannon and tear gas to repel them.

Clashes broke out tonight in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana as angry demonstrators tried to push through a police cordon to storm parliament.

Two British people are among those being treated in hospital after a hot air balloon crash in Slovenia.

Olimpija Ljubljana 2 Bohemians 0

AS well as finalising his own team’s preparation with training at the ŠRC Stoice Stadium, Pat Fenlon was busy last night doing his homework on Slovenian opponents Olimpija Ljubljana ahead of tonight’s Europa League second round first-leg tie (7pm, Irish time).

Slovenia 0 Italy 1

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has left Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli and Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi out of the Azzurri squad for their upcoming games against Slovenia and Ukraine.

ROAD deaths in Dublin have dropped by 70% over the past 10 years, but while the city is the safest for pedestrians, it is the most dangerous one in Europe for cyclists.

DIVERS pulled seven bodies out of the Sava River and fought strong currents in Slovenia yesterday to search for five other people still missing after two canoes were crushed running over a dam in south-eastern Slovenia.

Up to 13 people are feared dead after trying to canoe over a dam in Slovenia.

Seven bodies have been recovered from a river in south-east Slovenia after a boating accident, police said today.

NATO ambassadors discussed escalating tensions between alliance hopeful Georgia and Russia yesterday ahead of a meeting with Moscow’s NATO envoy.

European Union finance ministers meet today to talk about reforming social welfare systems with Europe’s workers facing a growing burden from the pensions and health care costs of older people.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern today travels to Slovenia for a two-day meeting of his EU counterparts.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern began a three-day trip to EU member countries yesterday, which is generally seen as the start of his campaign to become the president of the European Union next year.

Former Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek, a popular politician who helped lead the country to independence in 1991 and later to European Union and Nato membership, died today, his office said. He was 57.

Slovenia, the former Yugoslav country of 2 million, took over the European Union presidency today, becoming the face and the voice of the 27-nation bloc of 500 million people for the next six months.

Fears are growing tonight for up to 500 jobs under threat at the home of world renowned Waterford Crystal.

NEXT week’s G-8 summit will probably be the last such meeting for Presidents George W Bush and Vladimir Putin.

THE Irish arm of Hermes SoftLab — the Slovenian- based software engineering and IT services provider — proved to be the company’s best performing division last year, with a sales increase of 28% recorded.

LEE TRAVEL is promoting a week-long tour in Poland, with a Cork departure on July 15, titled “Follow in the Footsteps of Pope John Paul II”.

European Union chiefs are expected in Ljubljana today to welcome ex-Yugoslav country Slovenia into the euro club.

TESTS are expected to confirm this morning that a woman’s body found at Medjugorje is that of missing Irish pilgrim Winnie Brady.

The Government is planning to buy property housing three of its embassies abroad in a €20m initiative next year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is assisting the family of an Irish woman who has gone missing in Medugorje.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern is to visit five European capitals in 48 hours as part of a whirlwind United Nations mission, it emerged today.

THE 29 Irish athletes who will fly out to Slovenia for the third European Transplant and Dialysis Games today are all hoping to do far better than the country’s Olympic squad.