Swansea give Ireland Adam Idah boost but Stoke boss unhappy with Bosun Lawal call-up
Ireland’s World Cup play-off plans will get a major boost this weekend as Adam Idah is in line to make his return from injury and prove his fitness in time for that clash in Prague. Stoke City, however, have expressed their concerns about their man Bosun Lawal being called up despite his injury woes while Czechia also had a dose of good news on the injury front as attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc made his return to the team with Lyon on Thursday night after a month out.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 19:40 UTC
What is invasive meningococcal disease and will the UK outbreak reach Ireland?
There has been an “unprecedented” outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), with a total of 27 confirmed cases, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Six are confirmed to be group B meningococcal disease. What is invasive meningococcal disease? To date in 2026, there have been 12 cases of meningococcal disease reported in Ireland, with no deaths. Last year, there were 60 meningococcal cases reported in Ireland, of which 38 were Serogroup B cases.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 19:38 UTC
Norway’s crown princess breaks silence on Epstein links: ‘I was manipulated and fooled’
Norway’s crown princess, Mette-Marit, has conceded she was “gullible” to be friends with Jeffrey Epstein but insisted she did not know the financier was a convicted sexual criminal until 2019, the year he died. And also for being manipulated and fooled,” said Mette-Marit, seated alongside her husband, crown prince Haakon. Norway’s Marius Borg Hoiby and crown princess Mette-Marit. Eight years earlier, in one of more than 100 messages to Epstein, she wrote: “Googled u after last email. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 19:37 UTC
Letters to the Editor: Water scarcity in one of the wettest parts of Ireland
Just recently, I read a newspaper report that West Cork has water scarcity issues. For instance, since July 2025, residents in Adrigole on the Beara Peninsula have been left without water on 15 occasions. That is true, as women and girls are disproportionately affected by the Gender Recognition Act. The conference brought together speakers from Ireland and abroad — experts and commentators who addressed the various impacts of the Gender Recognition Act on Irish society. The first legal proceedings that began the long road to the passing of the 2015 Gender Recognition Act came in 1997.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 19:30 UTC
Council blocks plans for ‘homeless family hub’ at historical Dublin house amid 97 public objections
United Rugby ChampionshipGlasgow Warriors v Leinster: Team news, TV details and all you need to know for top of the table URC clashLeinster travel to face Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun looking for a rare away win in the URC.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 19:22 UTC
Manager who held talks over Man Utd interim role announces imminent exit
Athletic have endured a difficult season and sit 10th in La Liga with 10 league games remaining and Valverde has therefore called time on his role. However, he was one of the candidates shortlisted by Manchester United to become interim manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021. He was considered alongside Mauricio Pochettino, who was at Paris Saint-Germain, while Carrick was embarking on his first caretaker spell with United. FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Article continues belowContent cannot be displayed without consentJoin our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 20, 2026 19:14 UTC
Why Thomas Tuchel's Big Brother approach to building his England squad could prove vital to World Cup preparations, writes IAN LADYMAN
Thomas Tuchel says he and his coaching staff ‘broke our heads’ when thinking of ways to approach the final international break before the World Cup. In terms of the nine or ten who will then be sent home, Tuchel says they know who they are. ‘It felt at the time, when we looked at it, a bit messy and this solution felt the least messy,’ Tuchel explained. ‘I think the structure right now gives us exactly that.’Friday was a strange day to be on England duty. The B Squad – if that’s what it is – has four training sessions and a game to make an impression.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 19:08 UTC
Margot Robbie suffers a rare fashion faux pas as she steps out for a business meeting
Margot Robbie is a fashion icon known for her glamorous and creative approach to dressing, but the star missed a beat during an outing in Los Angeles on Thursday. Robbie, who paired the vest and slack set with a tight black camisole, didn't seem too perturbed by the rippled fabric, which is considered a fashion faux pas. Top London bars and restaurants have shunned Robbie's gin - which contains oyster shells - over fears of a 'fatal' reaction to shellfish. But the London establishments have rejected the gin due to allergen concerns, as the bottle contains a 'warning: contains molluscs' label. The distilling process of gin removes most of the shellfish proteins, but some can still remain when it is made with oysters.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 19:04 UTC
It's a brutal message for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw when they can't make this extended squad, writes JACK GAUGHAN
One thing that Thomas Tuchel’s extraordinarily large squad does do is send messages to those not fortunate enough to have made the 35-man party. The make-up and thinking behind this camp gives England’s manager some breathing space, leaving the question marks over some stellar names hanging, and yet Friday morning’s roll call felt brutal to a few – notably Trent Alexander-Arnold and to a lesser extent, Luke Shaw. Two separate injuries during a frustrating debut campaign with Real Madrid has made Tuchel’s decision to omit Alexander-Arnold an easier one as well. If someone with Alexander-Arnold’s standing in the game is left kicking his heels in a squad, Tuchel may think it’s best not to call on him at all. ‘It's a tough decision, and Trent is a big name - a huge talent with an impressive career,’ the German said.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 19:03 UTC
Thomas Tuchel's Phil Foden dilemma, the player he 'just loves too much' and how all could hinge on Reece James: Daily Mail Sport experts predict the England World Cup squad Three Lions boss WILL take
I think he should go to the World Cup, but I suspect he will not once the final squad is whittled down. Tuchel likes John Stones and the recall of Harry Maguire would suggest he will be going to the World Cup. Oliver's World Cup squad predictionGoalkeepers: Pickford, Ramsdale, HendersonDefenders: James, Livramento, Guehi, Konsa, Maguire, Stones, O'Reilly, Hall. Tom's World Cup squad predictionGoalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, SteeleDefenders: Guehi, James, Hall, Konsa, Livramento, Maguire, O'Reilly, Spence, StonesMidfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Henderson, Mainoo, Rice, Rogers. Forwards: Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Gordon, Kane, Madueke, Palmer, Rashford, Saka.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 18:58 UTC
Preston midfielder gets 3-game ban for kicking water bottle that hit Norwich fan
Anderson, IN (46016)TodaySome clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..TonightA clear sky. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Source:The Herald
March 20, 2026 18:54 UTC
US considering ‘winding down’ war against Iran, Donald Trump claims despite more US troops being deployed to Middle East
However, Mr Vance still hasn’t decided whether he will run, the outlet’s sources also said. The vice-president has publicly voiced his support for Mr Trump’s war with Iran. “I know what you’re trying to do,” Mr Vance said Monday, when confronted about his previous statements on American interventionism. “We get along very well on this,” Mr Trump told reporters last week. This comes after Politico reported that Mr Vance privately expressed scepticism about the US attacking Iran before Mr Trump made his final decision.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 18:51 UTC
Interior designer Sara Cosgrove's recipe for the perfect kitchen
Open-plan living has transformed how Irish homes and families function, and kitchen design is evolving with it. Handleless cabinetry, open shelving and oversized statement islands may look impressive in images, but they do not always suit everyday use, according to interior designer Sara Cosgrove. Shelf lighting, Kube Interiors. The latest ovens and hobs such as the Neff design, pictured, are helping reshape our kitchens, says Sara Cosgrove. “Another innovation that meaningfully improves kitchen functionality is a vented hob, such as the Neff vented hob.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 18:50 UTC
Jude Bellingham unveils England's World Cup kits alongside Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford after working way back into Thomas Tuchel's plans
Jude Bellingham was one of the five players chosen to unveil England's kit for the upcoming World Cup in North America, alongside captain Harry Kane, Nottingham Forest's Elliott Anderson, Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford, and No 1 Jordan Pickford. The video was accompanied by a poem written for the occasion, paying tribute to 'this little place that we call home.' Jude Bellingham was front and centre for England's launch of their World Cup kit on FridayAlongside the Real Madrid star were Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, and Elliot Anderson in the launch video'For this beautiful game brings home... Although injury saw him passed over for one subsequent call-up, Bellingham was then pointedly omitted from the camp last autumn. Tuchel called up Bellingham yet again on Friday despite the star in the thick of recovery from a hamstring injury.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 18:41 UTC
Dublin Business School ordered to pay lecturer €104,000 by Labour Court
In her findings, deputy Labour Court chairwoman Katie Connolly said that following his dismissal Amir Sajad Esmaeily secured two part-time, temporary, lecturing roles, at a lower rate of pay than his Dublin Business School payThe Labour Court has ordered the Dublin Business School (DBS) to pay €104,000 compensation to a lecturer after he was unfairly dismissed for logging into his college email account from Iran. At a previous hearing in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Esmaeily said his dismissal had a devastating effect on him. However, at the WRC and subsequently at the Labour Court, Accountancy & Business College (Ireland) Limited, trading as Dublin Business School, conceded the dismissal was unfair. He then successfully appealed the amount of the award to the Labour Court, where it was almost doubled to €104,000. In her findings, deputy Labour Court chairwoman Katie Connolly said that following his dismissal Esmaeily secured two part-time, temporary lecturing roles, at a lower rate of pay.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 18:40 UTC