Racegoers hoping for sunshine and good luck ahead of Grand National
Racegoers hoping for sunshine and good luck ahead of Grand NationalBy Eleanor Barlow, Press AssociationRacegoers are hoping for sunshine and good luck ahead of this year’s English Grand National. Crowds arrived at Aintree racecourse in Merseyside on Saturday before the world-famous steeplechase, due to take place at 4pm. But animal rights organisations called for the event to be boycotted as the winner of the second race on Friday, Gold Dancer, died after crossing the finish line. A racegoer holds on to her hat at Aintree racecourse (Peter Byrne/PA) Photo by Peter ByrneFor many, the day was not all about the horses. “If I get drunk and I’m cold I’m going to be miserable and I’m not going to want to do anything so I’ve brought my coat for safety,” she said.
Source:Irish Independent
April 11, 2026 13:15 UTC
Solution needed today as fuel protests continue to escalate
A solution is needed today as fuel protests continue to escalate, Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has insisted. Speaking this afternoon Deputy Kerrane claimed that "every time Micheál Martin opened his mouth this week, more people joined the ongoing fuel protests. Rather than de-escalating the situation, he and Government have added fuel to the fire all week." And so, we need a solution today. “We need an announcement today that will end the protests and allow protesters to go home to their families," said Deputy Kerrane.
Source:The Herald
April 11, 2026 13:08 UTC
Roberto De Zerbi rips up Igor Tudor and Thomas Frank rule and takes shining to six players
Spurs have spent ten days working alongside their new head coach ahead of their Premier League clash away at Sunderland. De Zerbi is said to have taken this approach to minimise the risk of injury. The Daily Mail reports that De Zerbi has also extended training sessions beyond what they were under Tudor and Frank, with ball work being a constant throughout. "We have very big players, young players, [Lucas] Bergvall, Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons. Article continues below"I think I'm lucky because I have a big confidence in my players, in their qualities.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 11, 2026 12:51 UTC
Richard Curran: Ireland is sleep-walking into future energy crises by refusing to plan beyond ideology
Richard Curran: Ireland is sleep-walking into future energy crises by refusing to plan beyond ideologyThe catastrophe of the Iran war and the homegrown chaos of this week has once again laid bare the urgent need to reduce our vulnerability to the never-ending cycle of energy shocksCartoon by Graeme KeyesRichard Curran Today at 06:30Imagine a small country that produces no oil. And in the middle of a global oil crisis, its own citizens end up turning away ships loaded with fuel, only for it to be delivered somewhere else.
Source:Irish Independent
April 11, 2026 12:42 UTC
Closure confirmed of Conwy bookies where it was a 'pleasure losing money'
William Hill in Rhos on Sea, Conwy, is closing next month. The closures represent roughly 15% of Evoke’s retail estate, which includes 14 William Hill bookies in North Wales. Details of all the shops affected have not yet been disclosed but Evoke confirmed the Rhos on Sea store is among the early casualties. Even if you don’t, it’s the kind of place where it’s a pleasure losing money! Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox“I could go to the William Hill in Llandudno but parking can be difficult.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 11, 2026 12:41 UTC
I was on Coronation Street - one incredible star always stood out to me on set but there's a reason I'd never go back, even if bosses begged me
Coronation Street star Steven Arnold - best known for playing Ashley Peacock - has said that he will never return to the show, even if he's begged by bosses. Steven played butcher Ashley on Corrie from 1995 to 2010 before being brutally killed in the show's 50th anniversary special in the tram crash. The Corrie star said: 'He'll always have a special place in my heart as I played him for such a long time. There's elements that you miss but you can still put him in characters that you play here and there.' The soap star took to X with a video, thanking fans for following along throughout her time on the ITV show.
Source:Daily Mail
April 11, 2026 12:41 UTC
Business implicated in the methanol poisonings that killed two Aussie backpackers claims it's been cleared
Best friends Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, died while holidaying in Vang Vieng, north of the Laotian capital, Vientiane, in November 2024. The Melbourne teens were among six foreign tourists staying at Nana Backpacker's Hostel who died after consuming methanol-laced drinks during happy hour. The owner's niece Keo Sinorlai told The Age on Saturday that tests had cleared the business in relation to the incident. 'I know people died in Vang Vieng. The Vang Vieng distributor for Tiger stated the brand was available in many places.
Source:Daily Mail
April 11, 2026 12:26 UTC
Midlands region omitted from Government's new industrial site strategy
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael TD, Peter Burke. Midlands region omitted from Government's new industrial site strategyA major Government announcement last week, of a plan to invest in the development of key sites across the country for the creation of large-scale manufacturing jobs, has bypassed the entire Midlands region. The development of the sites is being led by the Department of Enterprise and IDA Ireland in collaboration with various State agencies and utility providers and will require a “whole-of-Government approach” with that process already underway. “By preparing these sites in advance, we reduce risk and accelerate decision-making for investors thereby enhancing Ireland’s FDI Value Proposition” added the Minister. No mention is made in the press statement of any plans to develop a Next Generation Site by the Department of Enterise and IDA Ireland at any location in the Midlands region.
Source:Irish Independent
April 11, 2026 12:23 UTC
Eoin O’Malley: Haughey’s snub to protesters 60 years ago did him no harm, but a repeat could prove risky for this government
Tanya Sweeney: I’ll never be a size 8 again, and I don’t care how I look naked – my desire to move more and eat well is now finally rooted in health, not looks
Source:Irish Independent
April 11, 2026 12:01 UTC
Russia and White House doing all they can to prop up Viktor Orbán
Desperation this week forced Trump to dispatch Vance to attempt to prop up Orbán’s faltering campaign for re-election. For Orbán — the prototype autocratic Western leader — is in trouble, and both Russia and the Trump White House are doing all they can to ensure he maintains his iron grip on power. For Orbán, the prototype autocratic Western leader, is in trouble, and both Russia and the Trump White House are doing all they can to ensure he maintains his iron grip on power. One vignette last year involving the Taoiseach reflected the general view among most other EU states. As if Ukraine, attempting to join the EU and under daily attack from Russia, was going to invade another EU country.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 11, 2026 12:00 UTC
US and Iran peace talks begin in Pakistan, media reports
US vice president JD Vance arrives in Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials in Islamabad on April 11th. Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AFP via Getty ImagesPeace talks between the US and Iran have now begun, according to CBS and Reuters news agencies. Earlier on Saturday, Vance held talks with Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, the White House said. A view of the media centre ahead of US-Iran peace talks, in Islamabad. US vice president JD Vance gestures as he disembarks from Air Force Two after arriving for talks with Iranian officials.
Source:The Irish Times
April 11, 2026 11:56 UTC
Man Utd have major issue in summer transfer market after Antoine Semenyo snub
But there was plenty of competition for the winger in December, with United, Liverpool and Tottenham all vying for his signature. United splashed over £200million in the summer to sign Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens and held talks with Semenyo's representatives in December. FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! While Semenyo's fee was fixed in the form of a release clause, United's dealings with Brentford to sign Mbeumo last summer demonstrated the issue. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 11, 2026 11:42 UTC
Thunderstorm, wind and rain warnings in place for several counties on Saturday
Status yellow wind warnings have been issued for much of the west coast on Saturday. Photograph: Alan BetsonA status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford from 12pm until 8pm on Saturday. A status yellow wind and rain warning has also been issued for Cork and Kerry from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday. A status yellow wind alert has been issued for counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and is due to expire at 2pm today. Cloudy conditions with scattered showers will be prominent across the western half of the country throughout the day.
Source:The Irish Times
April 11, 2026 11:41 UTC
Timber play towers planned in Pier Gardens rejuvenation get permission
Timber play towers planned in Pier Gardens rejuvenation get permissionIt will replace the former crazy golf section of Pier GardensView 2 Images A design impression for the play tower area in Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes (Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)Planning permission has been granted for interlinked kids' play towers that will feature in the revamping of Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes. Construction work on the rejuvenation of the green space began in February, with Pier Gardens closed to the public ever since. Permission has now been granted for a series of interlinked play towers, which will replace the former crazy golf section of Pier Gardens. The timber play structure will consist of three play towers. The overall transformation of Pier Gardens is expected to take 15 months, meaning it should reopen for Summer 2027.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 11, 2026 11:04 UTC