Photograph: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty ImagesIt is Lent, Ramadan, the Chinese Year of the Horse. Very unusually, Lent and Ramadan both have their first full day today. Ramadan, officially, began at sundown last evening, as confirmed by moon spotters in Saudi Arabia, home to Mecca. This official start of Ramadan is determined by sightings of the waning crescent moon, which shifts annually. These symbolic animals represent restraint and painstaking calculations ... such as go with finding out when Lent, Ramadan and even the Chinese new year begin.

The 1995 Westmeath minor side are funding their own anniversary celebration on March 14 in Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar. Memories of 1995 to be relivedMinor heroes plan anniversary celebrationIt’s now over 30 years since Westmeath won their only All-Ireland minor football title - a success which proved a major turning point in the county’s history. People from other counties might question the importance attached to an All-Ireland minor title. The 1995 Leinster final trilogy against Laois became the stuff of legend and Westmeath brought huge support to the two replays played in Tullamore. Kenny McKinley, centre back on that 1995 team said there was a terrific bond among the players and the relationship has endured over three decades.

Helen Flanagan has showed off her slim physique in a striped bikini as she addressed her mum guilt in a new holiday video with her children. Both the mother and daughter duo appeared to have the best time together as they captured their holiday memories for the clip. The video also showed Helen at her laptop as she booked more trips for 2026, before revealing she was planning on taking her children on individual holidays to spend one-on-one time with them. Helen said individual getaways would help with her 'guilt' and allow her to be 'fully present' while she poke fun at her love life. The Daily Mail contacted representatives for Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair for comment at the time.

£800 penalty for Hull fly-tipper after dumping waste in laybyThe man was caught on video leaving carpet and bags of waste near a litter binView Image Carpet and rubbish bags were dumped next to a waste bin in a layby on the A1079 Hull to York road, near Walkington (Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)A man from Hull was asked to pay an £800 fixed penalty notice after he was caught on CCTV dumping waste in a layby on the A1079. The fly-tipper was seen on video to pull into the layby on the Hull to York road, near Walkington, in a van and then leave carpet and several bags of waste next to a litter bin provided by East Riding Council. ‌The driver of the van admitted the offence in an interview with officers and was issued with the £800 fixed penalty notice for the illegal deposit of waste on land, earlier this month. This fixed penalty was subsequently paid. ‌East Riding of Yorkshire Council said litter bins in laybys are provided for litter only, not for large items of rubbish.

Former Reading and Stoke striker Dave Kitson has revealed himself as The Secret Footballer, saying his anonymous exposes into the modern game “stopped being fun” when Gary Speed died. Kitson, who also played for Cambridge, Sheffield United and Portsmouth, said: “I am The Secret Footballer. “The worst thing that happened was when I wrote a column about mental health called Sometimes There’s Darkness Behind the Light. I said there was a mental health epidemic and I predicted it was only a matter of time before someone took their own life. That’s when the Secret Footballer stopped being fun.”

Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok allow even minor stars to promote brands in exchange for free products or experiences. She, a Hollywood actress, and he, a reality star, have a combined net worth of £19 million – yet seem unable to resist a freebie. Recently they accepted a £1,350 ceiling light in return for an Instagram post, when they could easily have bought it themselves. Even their honeymoon was thought to be a PR stayA surprising entry, but the rate at which these Hollywood actors accept free products is remarkable. As an ambassador for Marks and Spencer, Binky also shows off her free food and clothing in numerous Instagram posts.

The driver of a school bus which crashed in Co Armagh on Tuesday has died, police have confirmed. The bus was carrying 40 pupils from St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook, but none of them were seriously injured. A spokesperson said: “The driver of the vehicle sadly passed away at the scene. St Paul’s High School, Daithi Murray, said students were making their way home on school transport when the incident occurred. He encouraged pupils “if they feel well enough” to attend school on Wednesday and that “staff will signpost them to the support services available”.

Farmers with land that may fall under the scope of Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) are reminded to double-check updated maps for 2026. “There is an opportunity again for farmers to get an exemption from RZLT in 2026, as they did last year. Farmers must make an application to their local authority to have their lands re-zoned, based on the current agricultural economic activity on the affected land,” he said. Once farmers receive acknowledgement of their application to rezone their affected land, they can use this acknowledgement to make a return to the Revenue Commissioners for an annual exemption from this grossly unfair tax. IFA believes that hundreds of farmers around the country have land on the outskirts of towns and villages that has been zoned residential, often without the knowledge of the landowner.

The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has accused José Mourinho of gaslighting for his response to Vinícius Júnior’s allegations of racist abuse. Vinícius reported that he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid’s Champions League playoff first leg. I want to be an independent.”Mourinho then appeared to comment on previous incidents in which Vinícius has been subject to racist abuse. Focusing on Vinícius Jr’s goal celebration or the history of the club, instead of acknowledging the report, is a form of gaslighting. Vinícius had run to the referee, François Letexier, when Prestianni said something to him after celebrating the only goal of the night on 50 minutes.

Motorists have been warned of delays after a multi-vehicle collision in Cork. Commuters coming in from East Cork can expect delays as the collision has led to a heavy build-up of traffic in the area. Gardai are at the scene of the incident, which occurred this morning at approximately 7am on the N25, between J3 Cobh and J2 Little Island on the westbound side. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have advised commuters to consider a different journey route, and to drive with caution when approaching the collision. More to follow.

A report on north Kerry children’s mental health services has left families “heartbroken and angry” after finding that more than 55% of cases reviewed involved risks. The north Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) have been under review since 2023. Minister for mental health Mary Butler is expected to publish it on Wednesday evening. Hannah Ní Ghiolla Mhairtín, from Families for Reform of Camhs, said: “As families, we are heartbroken and angry at the findings of the report into North Kerry Camhs. The HSE commissioned the review after an audit of files identified concerns following the similarly critical Maskey Review of Camhs in South Kerry.

Limerick woman Aine O’Reilly was a “brilliant” nurse who spent her life putting others before herself, mourners have heard. A guard of honour of people in high-vis vests from ShannonDoc, Ms O’Reilly’s employer, was formed outside. Ms O’Reilly, 33, died in a collision on Friday night that left another driver injured, while a third fled the scene. Aine O'Reilly died following a three car crash on the N24 near Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick on February 13. Ms O’Reilly’s parents, Ann and Eugene, lit a candle at the start of the mass – and her brothers James and Conor read the first and second readings.

A young woman was taken to the hospital after a hit-and-run in Co Cavan. The single-vehicle road traffic collision occurred on L1513 Drumlark, Loreto Wood, Co. Cavan on Tuesday, shortly after 6.45pm. Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of the incident, and the woman aged in her 20s was taken to Cavan General Hospital for treatment for "non life-threatening injuries". He was removed from the scene to Cavan General Hospital where he remains in critical condition," they added. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cavan Garda Station on 049 4368800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Gardaí have seized 44 illegal bikes and scramblers during a major operation in Ballymun. According to a Garda spokesperson, searches resulted in the seizure of 44 illegal bikes and scramblers under the Roads Traffic Act 2023. 44 illegal bikes and scramblers were seized. "The vehicles seized included 18 e-scooters, 14 e-bikes, two motorbikes, three Surrons and seven mini quad bikes," they said. (All drugs seized are subject to analysis.)

A global tech sell-off has wiped billions from the fortune of Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, slashing his wealth from almost $15 billion last year to about $7.7 billion as he navigates a complex divorce. Software companies around the world have been caught in a broad market sell-off as investors worry artificial intelligence could reduce the number of workers companies need. As his company faces growing market pressure, Cannon-Brookes is also navigating a complex divorce from his ex-wife Annie after they split in July 2023. Despite the market and marriage turmoil, Cannon-Brookes insisted Atlassian was building a 'f****** great business' during a quarterly earnings investor meeting. Others think software is dead,' Cannon-Brookes told shareholders.