Former world champion Graeme Swann insists England’s Saturday showdown with Ashes rivals Australia has taken on must-win status following the rain-hit start to their Twenty20 title defence. Taking a point off Scotland, Swann smiled, was akin to dodging a bullet given England’s woeful record against associate nations in tournaments. On a serious note, however, Swann said: ‘The big thing the washout does is make this game against Australia an absolute must-win. ‘In last year’s 50-over World Cup, we were slipping back into being slightly cautious and it just wasn't the same, sort of playing yourself in for a few balls. ‘On paper, this England team are the strongest in the World Cup, but only if they take that brave option, and really look to dominate the opposition.

Support local journalismLocal news, sports and entertainment when you want it. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the best local news, sports and entertainment coverage.

They will take part in a strike from 7am on Thursday to 7am on Saturday over pay and staff retention. Striking junior doctors will travel to Stormont for a rally in the afternoon. It follows a 48-hour strike from May 22-24 and will affect hospitals and GP surgeries across the region. They said that when the ballot for the industrial action was launched, junior doctors along with all health service staff had not received a pay award for 2023/24. “This pay award involves an average pay increase of 9.07% for junior doctors in Northern Ireland, with those in their first year receiving a 10.68% uplift,” they added.

Members of Tullamore Women's Shed taking part in a memorial walk for Ashing Murphy. The facility was one of 14 women's groups across Offaly to be awarded funding today (Wednesday). Welcome funding boost for 14 Offaly women's groupsA total of 14 women's groups across Offaly have received news of a welcome funding boost, which was announced today (Wednesday) by Minister for Rural Affairs, Heather Humphreys. The grants - ranging from just over €2,000 to €1,000 - were awarded to 500 women's groups nationally as part of The Local Enhancement Programme 2024. The programme allocated €6 million in capital supports for community groups and organisations around Ireland, with funding of €1 million being ring-fenced for women’s groups.

The family is fearful she will not survive long enough to make the top of the waiting list for a vital peg feeding tube. As M.L.D is so rare, the neurologist was surprised by the results and her family was unaware of the disease and prognosis. Her parents John and Veronica told the Herald: "Maebhe was diagnosed with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy on November 6th, 2023. Most urgently, she requires an operation to insert a peg for feeding and medication. Two-year-old Maebhe Gorman has spent the last number of weeks in and out of hospital due to issues with the ng tube.

When he took over Leinster in 2015, Leo Cullen committed to doing things ‘The Leinster Way’. Nine years on, the club’s recruitment suggests the definition of what he meant has shifted. During the Stuart Lancaster years, the province were known for being a swashbuckling, all-court team backboned by homegrown players from an academy that was fuelling Irish rugby. Unfortunately for those of a blue persuasion, they also grew to be known as a team who couldn’t get over the line when it mattered most.

Holidaymakers face a possible Aer Lingus strike in late June or early July as pilots vote on industrial action in a row with the airline. Ialpa confirmed that it was recommending that pilots “vote in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action”. The vote threatens uncertainty for Irish holidaymakers and overseas tourists as Aer Lingus flies millions of passengers between this country, Europe and North America every summer. Ialpa says it wants pay increases to take account of cost-of-living hikes and to bring Aer Lingus pilots’ pay into line with other airlines. [ Aer Lingus pilots reject Labour Court terms on pay deal ]Aer Lingus branded the ballot unnecessary, warning it would disrupt passengers and other workers.

WH Smith's expansion into travel hubs across the country is more than offsetting a continued decline in its high street business. The group told shareholders it remained on track to hit full-year forecasts despite a slowdown in sales growth in third quarter, as strong growth in the travel division was tempered by falling sales on the high street. In the UK, WH Smith said growth had slowed 'as we annualise the strong recovery in passenger numbers in 2023'. WH Smith has been bolstering its presence across transport hubs and hospitals, both of which have high footfall levels. Across some of its high-street stores, WH Smith has introduced Toys R Us concession sections.

SINGER-songwriter Kathleen Keenan. Photo: Ray RyanOvercoming adversity to make it in the music worldKathleen’s dream has come true with her first album launchBy Patrick FlahertyShe may not be a native of Co Galway, but someone who has fully embraced the sham lifestyle of Tuam and is eager to become the next local superstar is singer-songwriter Kathleen Keenan. The Clare-woman, who is a member of the Travelling community, is slowly trying to build a name for herself in the Irish country music scene. Having worked with the likes of Daniel O’Donnell and local song hero Padraig Stevens, she has plenty of big stars praising her talents. Speaking to The Tuam Herald in the lead up to the launch of her first album, Beautiful Angels, the 32-year-old spoke about her humble beginnings and how they helped shape her love of all things musical.

Anderson, IN (46016)TodayScattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..TonightScattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Leaving cert students (from left) Sarah Daly, Kelsey Scully and Sophie Williams after English paper one at Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillThe first of this year’s Leaving Cert exams was accessible and included universal themes, with English paper one students guided through the paper by specific prompts, teachers have said. Kate Barry, a teacher at Loreto Secondary School in Cork, said the higher level paper gave students a lot of direction, compared to previous years. Ms Daly, meanwhile, said that the compositions revisited themes from previous papers, which would have advantaged those who used past papers. On the ordinary level paper, Ms Daly said that it focused on the theme of challenges and was well within student capabilities.

Preparing for start of the Junior Cycle exams in Marian College, Ballsbridge, Dublin, on Wednesday. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillJunior cycle students faced a challenging start to the exams, with the two-hour English paper examining a wide range of topics and skills, teachers have said. “But the course is much bigger than the old Junior Cert, so it is difficult to cover topics in a lot of depth. “Very specific questions around costumes illustrating character traits were challenging, but then balanced out with broader, student-friendly, relationship questions,” she said. The imagery question in the studied poetry section could have led to confusion among some students due to the film terminology employed,” she said.

The race for the six seats up for grabs in the Boyle Municipal District will come to a conclusion this weekend, with voters taking to the polling stations to select at least three new councillors for the area. Of the six current councillors, only three are seeking re-election: Councillors Tom Crosby, Valerie Byrne, and Liam Callaghan. The remaining three — councillors Joe Murphy, John Cummins, and Micheal Mulligan — have all decided not to go forward again for another term for a variety of reasons. Overall, there are six women running for one of the 18 seats on Roscommon County Council and, of these, four are based in the Boyle area: Sitting councillor Byrne (Independent), with new faces Leah Cull (SF), Dympna Daly Finn (FG), and Angela Beirne (SF). At the moment, the Boyle Municipal District is represented by two Fianna Fáil councillors, two Independent councillors, one Sinn Féin councillor, and one Fine Gael councillor, but how that balance of power plays out in the next term will be in the hands of voters.

Anderson, IN (46016)TodayCloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..TonightThunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.

Eurovision organisers confirm ‘independent expert’ to analyse 2024 competitionBy Ellie Iorizzo, PA Los Angeles CorrespondentThe 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is set to be reviewed by an “independent expert” following a year mired in controversy. The national broadcaster for Israel later claimed its delegation faced “an unprecedented display of hatred” from other countries and their entrants during the competition. Joost Klein performing Europapa for Netherlands at the Second Semi-Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Photo by Martin MeissnerThe Israeli delegation were criticised by contestants including Ireland’s Bambie Thug, who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views. They accused the Israeli broadcaster of a rule break over inciting “violence” and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about what action would be taken.