YOU’VE probably got your Christmas tree by now, and I hope it’s a real tree grown in Ireland and not a plastic, made-in-China, job.

MUNSTER has a new political representative in Europe — although the province’s MEPs like Brian Crowley, Kathy Sinnott and Colm Burke needn’t worry about fresh competition for their seats just yet.

SIX-TIME winner Lance Armstrong lost the Tour de France yellow jersey after another dramatic day of climbing which handed Germany’s Jens Voigt the race lead for only the second time in his career.