The Government isn't "ruling anything in or out" in terms of supporting households struggling with energy costs as a result of the war in Iran, a spokesperson has said. Mr Harris said any actions taken or considered by the coalition would need to be done “with eyes wide open”. I know that’s frustrating for people, I really do, but this is a conflict that is a week old,” Mr Harris said in Brussels. Option for EU supportsThe spokesperson for the Government said it would not be “ruling anything in or out” in terms of possible supports if the war in Iran is prolonged. Asked if it was the Coalition’s preference for EU-level supports rather than direct Government assistance, the spokesperson said: “There’s an option for both.

March 09, 2026 17:25 UTC

Two major royals raise eyebrows by skipping Commonwealth Day service two years in a rowThe Royal Family, including King Charles and the Princess of Wales, gathered together for one of the biggest events in the royal calendar - the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster AbbeyView 3 Images The royals line up to sing the National Anthem at the start of the Commonwealth Day service (Image: PA)The Royal Family have been out in force for the annual Commonwealth Day service - but two major members of the family were missing. ‌The annual service is a celebration of the 56 nations that make up the Commonwealth with fellow working royals Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also at the lively ceremony. ‌Princess Beatrice and Eugenie's real reason for Commonwealth Day absence amid scandal READ MORE :Disgraced Andrew hides as his team take Queen's corgi for walk ahead of major royal event READ MORE :View 3 Images The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who did not attend the Commonwealth Day service today. Last year, the pair weren't there as Sophie carried out a string of engagements in New York City to mark International Women's Day, while Commonwealth Day fell on Edward's 61st birthday last year. It's because neither princess has attended a Commonwealth Day service in the past - with the event restricted to working royals only.

March 09, 2026 17:14 UTC

UFC icon Daniel Cormier has gone viral online after sharing his bizarre theory about 'voluptuous' 17-year-old girls on live TV. 'If I could go back, with my first wife, very voluptuous as a 17-year-old... that turns into fat. UFC icon Daniel Cormier (right) left presenter Laura Sanko (left) stunned after going on a bizarre rant about 17-year-old girlsDaniel Cormier and the UFC Weigh-In Show have officially gone off the rails ‼️“Laura is the idea of what the young high school guy doesn’t get. Cormier was previously married to a woman named Robin, before later tying the knot with current wife Salina in 2017. Cormier is one of the most successful UFC fighters in history after becoming heavyweight champion while also holding the light heavyweight title in 2018.

March 09, 2026 17:13 UTC

Even in retirement, former Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein sounds less like a penitent banker than an irreverent trader between deals. Reflecting on his own working-class upbringing, he notes that “people from my neighbourhood didn’t have doctors to sign letters attesting to their obscure disabilities, such as bone spurs”. No great diplomat, Blankfein and Goldman became a lightning rod for criticism during the 2008-09 global financial crisis, when an outraged public failed to see the humour after Blankfein quipped that the bank was “doing God’s work”. Blankfein remains unapologetic, remarking that the 9/11 terrorist attacks brought “the rare crisis that no one blamed on us”. Bloomberg’s Matt Levine, himself a Goldman alumnus, relished the candour: no ritual contrition, just missed profit.

March 09, 2026 17:09 UTC

‌Smoke Control Areas, which dictate the types of solid fuel permissible for burning in log burners, fireplaces and chimneys within specific regions of England, could potentially face even tighter restrictions under these proposals. ‌Ministers have stated that the consultation will strive to limit the effects of these changes on individuals who rely on wood burning, whilst respecting traditional celebrations like Bonfire Night and Diwali. The World Health Organisation considers PM2.5 the most harmful pollutant to human health (air pollution is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths every year, World Health Organisation (WHO) 2025). Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, whose nine year old daughter died from an asthma attack connected to air pollution in 2013, welcomed the new PM2.5 target as a "win". Cleaner air is achievable, and the solid fuel industry has long been committed to playing its part."

March 09, 2026 17:01 UTC





The Northern Ireland Executive in Stormont is already heavily reliant on the rest of the UK to keep it afloat. North of the Border, the Northern Ireland Executive has also been spending substantially more than the resources allocated to it. However, the level of transfers from London to Northern Ireland is exceptionally large, and greater than to other UK regions. So the transfer from London to cover public pay rises will fall short of what they cost. If, as seems more likely, it doesn’t, the dysfunctional Northern Ireland Executive will have to implement a serious austerity programme over the coming years.

March 09, 2026 17:01 UTC

Women in Ireland are more than twice as likely to be working in part-time employment than men, according to new statistics. A release themed on the landscape of men and women in Ireland in 2026 by the Central Statistics Office notes that of the women working in Ireland, 29% were working part-time, as opposed to 13% of men. The data suggests that many women are choosing to work part-time having started a family, with men remaining full-time at work while following the same life-path. The new release by the CSO is the latest from its Women and Men Hub, first established in March 2024 to provide “a comprehensive one-stop-shop for equality data related to women and men in Ireland”. Separately, as of November 2025, 27% of Government ministers in Ireland were women, while women accounted for 43% of Ireland’s elected members of the European Parliament.

March 09, 2026 16:57 UTC

Jax died at 31 weeks in his mother’s womb as a result of careless driving causing a collision. Coroner John Leckey agreed that 31 people died as he believed Avril Monaghan’s twin babies, Eimear and Evelyn, were “living, healthy babies, though unborn”. Under Irish law, unless birth had happened, it could not be an officially recorded death, but a stillbirth. This leaves people whose babies were 398g or who were 22 weeks and six days still unable to register a stillbirth. Speaking about unborn babies and their right to be recognised as people who can be victims of a third party’s crime is likely to worry pro-choice people that this is a ploy to roll back abortion rights.

March 09, 2026 16:57 UTC

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has a big decision to make ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to face Galatasaray, with Rio Ngumoha emerging as a wild card he cannot ignore for much longer. The big quality Liverpool have been lacking in their team all season has been pace, with Mohamed Salah losing a yard or three from what he once had and the exit of Luis Diaz last summer removing more attacking speed.

March 09, 2026 16:30 UTC

A woman has died, and three people have been hospitalised following a single-car collision in Co Sligo in the early hours of Monday. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the incident on the N15 at Grellagh, Castlegal at around 3.30am. The woman in her 50s, who was a passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has since been taken to the mortuary at Sligo University Hospital where an autopsy will take place in due course. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

March 09, 2026 16:26 UTC

Connacht prop Billy Bohan has been recalled to the Ireland squad ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations showdown with Scotland after Jeremy Loughman was ruled out of the Triple Crown decider on Monday. Uncapped Bohan was a surprise call-up in Andy Farrell’s initial squad for the championship at the end of January as Ireland were forced to delve deep into the loosehead prop resources with Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle all ruled out through injury.

March 09, 2026 16:19 UTC

Irish citizens are now trapped in Dubai by travel bans linked to civil disputes that are preventing them from fleeing the Middle East war, a legal organisation has warned. Detained in Dubai, which provides legal assistance to people in the UAE, said it was concerned about Irish citizens who now cannot leave the country due to “trivial bans”. Detained in Dubai said it had received a surge of calls from residents frightened by the situation and desperate for the option to return home. “People are calling us in tears,” Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said. “But in the UAE these disputes can result in travel bans that effectively trap people in the country until the matter is resolved.

March 09, 2026 16:19 UTC

There is to be another Government charter flight from the Middle East on Wednesday. The announcement was made despite Foreign Minister Helen McEntee signalling that last weekend’s delayed evacuation from Muscat in Oman would be the last.

March 09, 2026 16:19 UTC

Manchester City star Rodri has managed to avoid a ban despite claiming referees 'did not want' Pep Guardiola's side to win. The FA have now come to a conclusion on the punishment he will face. The Regulatory Commission imposed an £80,000 fine and warning as to future conduct following a hearing, and its written reasons for these sanctions can be seen below." The written reasons also explained why Rodri will now not face a ban. Pep Guardiola's side are still in the Champions League and FA Cup, while they have also booked themselves a spot in the Carabao Cup final.

March 09, 2026 16:00 UTC

Liverpool training footage leaves Tim Sherwood fuming on live TV - 'That was nonsense'Tim Sherwood couldn't believe what he had watched when Sky Sports broadcasted Liverpool's open training session at their Kirkby facility ahead of the trip to GalatasarayView 2 Images Liverpool took their final training session before travelling to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray (Image: Getty Images)Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has slammed footage of Liverpool's open training session ahead of their Champions League last 16 tie against Galatasaray. ‌On Monday, Slot took training in front of the media ahead of their Champions League clash. As part of the session, Sky Sports News broadcasted part of training, with one particular moment appearing to leave Sherwood speechless. View 2 Images Mohamed Salah was spotted throwing medicine balls with Dominik Szoboszlai during Liverpool's open training session (Image: PA)He remarked: "What was that? ‌Federico Chiesa was a notable absent from Liverpool's open training session.

March 09, 2026 15:53 UTC