However, in line with the story of the first-half, Japan almost made it 2-0 before the break when Ayase Ueda cracked the Three Lions' backline before rattling Pickford's bar. ‌England ultimately suffered a 1-0 loss at full time, despite their best efforts, as their potential at this summer's tournament is thrown into question. Injuries take tollDespite selecting an initial 35-man squad for the pair of friendlies with Uruguay and Japan, Tuchel was reduced to just 25 for the latter through a wealth of injury issues. On top of Kane's omission from the matchday squad to face Japan, Jordan Henderson returned to Brentford prematurely for an undisclosed reason. Kane, Saka and Rice instrumental to success this summerIf Tuesday's clash with Japan proves anything, it's that England may have an over-reliance on Kane, Saka and Rice this summer.

President Catherine Connolly has appointed her Council of State nearly six months after taking office as Uachtarán na hÉireann. The President of Ireland can call upon the Council of State to “aid and counsel the President”. However, the Constitution permits the president to appoint additional members to the Council of State. She served as a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) from 2020 to 2025. In a statement, President Connolly thanked the seven new members of the Council of State for agreeing to serve.

Photograph: Majid Saeedi/Getty ImagesUS president Donald Trump on Tuesday again criticised European allies for their refusal to assist in the Iran war, arguing they should “go get your own oil” from the Strait of Hormuz or buy from the US as global oil and fuel supplies have become strained during the conflict. In a further indication that he was not linking the opening of the strait to ending the war, Trump said US allies will have to get involved in the fight for fuel in the strategic waterway without Washington’s assistance. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have pledged to target US companies in the Middle East in retaliation for attacks on Iran. Trump also hinted it might be possible to declare victory without removing Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Some analysts interpreted his comments as a prelude to a possible unilateral decision to end the war.

The mission is the first crewed test flight in Nasa’s Artemis programme, the flagship US effort to begin regular flights to the moon, at an estimated cost of at least $93 billion (€81 billion) since 2012. Nasa is relying on an array of companies in its moon programme, hoping to stimulate a commercial lunar market in the future, the value of which is hard to estimate, analysts say. The Artemis II mission will pose a greater test of Nasa’s Orion capsule and SLS, which conducted a similar uncrewed mission in 2022. Thereafter, another launch window, determined largely by orbital mechanics between Earth and the moon, opens on April 30th. News media gather to view Nasa's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Tottenham Supporters' Trust issue damning statement after Roberto De Zerbi appointmentTottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust have issued a statement following the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as head coach, expressing serious concerns over his past comments about Mason GreenwoodView 2 Images Tottenham Hotspur appointing Roberto De Zerbi is not receiving universal approval from Spurs fans (Image: Franco Arland, Getty Images)The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust claims that the club's decision to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach raises serious, far-reaching concerns. They highlight comments the former Marseille coach made last year about Mason Greenwood, who the French club signed from Manchester United weeks after appointing De Zerbi. It began: "We note the Club's announcement of the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi to the Manager role. De Zerbi's comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters." ‌View 2 Images Roberto De Zerbi coached Mason Greenwood at Marseille (Image: Jean Catuffe, Getty Images)JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

Aer Lingus denies Tom O’Riordan’s allegations and has stated that no passengers or crew were exposed to any safety risk. If the airline did not comply, O’Riordan said in his statement, he would “immediately” go on hunger strike and commence a protest action, the witness said. O’Riordan also wanted Aer Lingus to enter into a “written agreement to truthfully and honestly engage with others who’ve suffered from fume-related issues and injuries”, Byrne said. I haven’t had someone go on hunger strike in a grievance hearing before,” she said. “It was the Aer Lingus social media team who were gathering all the information,” Byrne said.

Eurovision to launch first ever Asian song contest this yearBy Casey Cooper-Fiske, Press Association Senior Entertainment ReporterEurovision is set to launch its first ever song contest in Asia with the grand final set to be held in Thailand later this year. Martin Green, Eurovision Song Contest director, said: “As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent. “Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being united by music.”Each country will host its own national selection show to choose its participating artist. “Eurovision Song Contest Asia embodies exactly that, and we are proud to welcome it home, marking a new chapter for Thailand’s global presence.”The Asian contest will come as part of a partnership between the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Voxovation, an entertainment company behind Eurovision, and S2O Productions, an Asian production company. The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will see its grand final take place on May 16, where the UK will be represented by YouTuber Look Mum No Computer.

Westmeath lands another €1 million lotto winA second Westmeath player has won €1 million within the space of a week in a National Lottery draw. The successful person matched all six numbers in Monday’s 9pm Daily Million draw to win the top prize. The winning Daily Million numbers for Monday’s, March 30, 9pm draw were 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 31 and the bonus number was 18. National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan said, “this latest Daily Million win comes days after another Westmeath player scooped €1 million in the Lotto Plus One draw. "We’re urging all our Midlands Daily Million players to check their tickets very carefully today, as someone is now holding a ticket worth €1 million.

‌Plymouth buses and parking issuesI have a reply for Cllr Stephens. Just to let him know, I won’t be catching a bus, to avoid the abuse and swearing from schoolchildren. A proper Prime Minister would defend the realm and its people. A proper Prime Minister would respond to questions about his decisions. A proper Prime Minister would appoint Ministers capable of doing the job as defined by the stated manifesto.

Second-level teachers are to consider calls for escalating industrial action in the autumn to secure a 6 per cent pay rise to compensate for losses in earning power over recent years. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) warned that larger pay increases may be sought if inflation continues to rise as a result of the war in the Gulf and Middle East. The motion suggests escalating industrial action from September to pursue these increases. He said “if inflation rockets, that motion may look conservative” and emergency motions around pay could come up at the conference. Another motion due to be debated at next week’s conference will demand that wage rises for teachers must match increases in the cost of living.

The government is being urged to provide free sanitary products across all secondary schools in an aim to combat period poverty. Lord Mayor of County Cork, Mary Linehan Foley, said that in this "day and age, we shouldn't even have to be asking for this." However, Ms Linehan Foley said a recent student council meeting in one of her local secondary schools showed an "overwhelming amount of requests for free period products." In my opinion, they're going through enough nowadays without having the extra stress or strain of worrying or ringing parents, or trying to get period products for them when they find themselves in that position. A recently published Programme for Government, 'Securing Ireland's Future', from the Department of Education, provides a commitment to provide free period products in schools and to ensure that no student is held back due to period poverty.

New accounts for Apple’s main Irish subsidiary show that it paid $22.78bn, or almost €20bn, in corporation tax last year. Combined, the three firms account for 46pc of all tax paid under that heading. The group accounts for AOIL do not disclose corporate tax paid in Ireland but state that a rate of 12.5pc would have resulted in a bill of $10.1bn. The corporation tax bill also includes a $1.4bn charge related to Pillar 2 international tax reforms, which have increased the rate for very large firms. A note attached to the accounts state that the corporation tax included in the financial statements “do not include US level corporate taxes borne by Apple Inc”.

February data indicates mortgage demand 'remains robust, with first-time buyers continuing to drive activity across the market', says BFI. Photograph: iStockThe value of mortgage approvals reached almost €1.2 billion in February, an increase of more than 10 per cent compared with the same period last year. It was also the highest February value since the data series began in 2011. The value of mortgage approvals rose by 24.4 per cent month-on-month and by 10.1 per cent year-on-year, reflecting the steady of increase of house prices over that period. BPFI chief executive Brian Hayes said: “First-time buyers continue to dominate the market, accounting for almost two-thirds of approvals valued at €765 million, the highest February first-time buyer levels on record.

Video: Trump's taunt exposes a PM without a plan: 'Go get your own oil' line sparks questions over how Government will deal with global fuel crisis - as Keir Starmer to give update todayBritain's last known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East is due to arrive within 48 hours amid alarm over shortages within a week. The consignment on the Libyan-flagged Maetiga vessel is expected to reach the UK from Saudi Arabia on Thursday, according to data providers Kpler and Vortexa. No other tankers bound for the UK have made it through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked in response to the US-Israeli strikes. The UK is currently sourcing at least half its jet fuel from the Middle East amid a fall in domestic refining and a halt on Russian imports since the Ukraine invasion in 2022. Keir Starmer is holding another emergency Cobra meeting today, with Brits starting to feel the impact of the turmoil in their pockets.

Private medical facility to help 'reduce pressure' on NHS approved for Parc MenaiEmpty office set to house 'suite of modern consultation and medical rooms' afer it was initiially rejected by Cyngor Gwynedd plannersView Image The proposed Llys Castan building at Parc Menai (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd plans)A proposal for a medical outpatient unit which applicants claimed could help "reduce pressure" on NHS services has been permitted by planners after initially being refused. Cyngor Gwynedd agreed to a resubmitted application over the change of use of an existing B1 office unit into mixed use consisting of a medical outpatient unit (use class D1) and office space (class B1) at Parc Menai, near Bangor. The plans were submitted by Dr Dylan Parry-Jones of Gorwel Specialist Medical Centre through the agent Sion Roberts of Cadnant Planning. ‌They said the facility could provide specialist services, such as cardiology and dermatology, reduce pressure on services, improve patient access and create employment opportunities. ‌The ground floor would also see "a suite of modern consultation/ medical rooms" along with storage and waiting rooms.