THE “SQUEEZED middle”, as outlined in anIrish Times series this week, has been defined as an international phenomenon that has hit a broad section of society affected by inflation, wage freezes and cuts in public spending.

There are scholarships for students who achieve decent grades, excel in sport or in extra-curricular activities

There are some good, bad and ugly factors involved in assessing the merits of sexual reproduction, researchers at the Perception Lab in St Andrew’s University in Scotland have discovered, writesCLAIRE O'CONNELL 

ROAD TEST: OPEL ASTRA GTC2.0 CDTI The GTC proves that there remains some strong design pedigree at the Opel brand but the sporty Astra is up against some tasty rivals, writes Motoring EditorMICHAEL McALEER 

SMALL PRINT: When MIA “gave the finger” to America during the US Superbowl on Sunday night, the rapper and provocateur joined a long line of public figures who have offended middle America.

With the continuing fall in property prices, Ireland has a lot to offer us now – and a nice family home in Dublin is much more affordable

According to David Attenborough, wildlife cameraman Doug Allan is among the most gifted of his kind – here he tells of a life working in the wilderness and of a passion for preserving the environment

GREENCORE’S ACQUISITION and integration of British food company Uniq is progressing well, company chief executive Patrick Coveney told shareholders at Greencore’s annual general meeting in Dublin yesterday, as the company reported a strong start to the year.

RUGBY: THOSE CLAMOURING for change will be disappointed and will assuredly grumble, but the predictable decision to make just one alteration in the team to play France in Paris tomorrow makes sense in the context of a six-day turnaround. Besides, of more importance than selection issues is the performance.

Triúr’s new album is proof that imagination and passion still drive traditional music

VIGGO MORTENSEN stacks his case and suit protector neatly in the corner of the room. The precision of the movement is entirely in keeping with an angular formation of razor cheekbones and sharp suit. We probably shouldn’t be surprised the Danish-American-Argentine has this travelling thing down.

Shane Mullins’s world fell apart after a car crash seven years ago. Now that he has pieced his life back together, he tellsJOHN HEARNE , he wants to help other people face up to seemingly impossible challenges

Actor Alison Doody and ex-husband Gavin O’Reilly are selling their former home Bartra House, once the most expensive home in Dublin, writesEDEL MORGAN 

ASK THE EXPERT: JOHN SHARRY responds to readers' questions

As part of our week-long series Ireland’s Squeezed Middle,CONOR POPE presents the first of a series of survival guides: how to take control of your finances

As Irish rugby fans flock to Paris next weekend,RUADHAN MACCORMAIC takes a tour of the places in the French capital where the Irish have left their mark