BBC presenter Seema Jaswal tells harrowing story about how meningitis nearly killed her as a child - and the signs YOU need to look out for to spot it amid outbreak
BBC Sport presenter Seema Jaswal says she was gifted a 'second chance' at life after contracting meningitis - and things could have been very different. Jaswal, 41, who fronts the BBC's snooker coverage, was only 16 when she caught an aggressive case of meningitis B and was plunged into a coma. 'If you have Meningitis B, many people come out of it with something that could be long-lasting: a disability, you lose a limb, lose your sight or hearing. Babies can get the meningitis B vaccine on the NHS but children born before 2015 missed out unless they paid privately. On Wednesday morning, the National Pharmacy Association industry group revealed that there was no stock of meningitis B vaccines available for people to pay for privately.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 20:06 UTC
Nicole Scherzinger freezes on TODAY over Pussycat Dolls question
Video: Nicole Scherzinger freezes and stumbles over her words during VERY awkward interview on Today showMoment Nicole Scherzinger freezes on Today show after being confronted with a Pussycat Dolls question.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 20:01 UTC
Bori Akinola vows to work on learnings from sixth-place finish in World Championships 60m semi-final
Maeve O'Neill of Ireland, left, competing in the women's 800m heats during day one of the World Athletics Indoor Championships at Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Torun, Poland. Photo by Sam Barnes/SportsfileMark English of Ireland, centre, competing in the men's 800m heats during day one of the World Athletics Indoor Championships at Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Torun, Poland. Photo by Sam Barnes/SportsfileBori Akinola of Ireland after finishing third in his men's 60m heat during day one of the World Athletics Indoor Championships at Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Torun, Poland. Photo: Sam Barnes/SportsfileBori Akinola cut a frustrated figure after coming up short in his bid to reach the world indoor 60m final in Torun, Poland on Friday evening, the 24-year-old clocking 6.60 to finish sixth in his semi-final. Elsewhere, there were mixed fortunes for Ireland’s two athletes in the women’s 800m, Maeve O’Neill and Emma Moore.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 19:55 UTC
Man (65) jailed for 12 years for rape of niece
Michael Poole (65) was unanimously convicted by a jury of 14 counts of raping Lisa Brown on dates between 1980 and 1988. Poole, of Bowbridge, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to 27 counts of indecent assaults but denied the rape charges. On Friday, Judge Patrick McGrath jailed Poole for 12 years. The court was told the victim wished to waive her anonymity to allow for her abuser, who was 13 years her senior, to be named. Gageby told the court his client has a thalidomide birth defect, suffers from a depressive disorder and has made numerous attempts on his life.
Source:The Herald
March 20, 2026 19:48 UTC
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