The Down native said he considered throwing his hat into the ring for the Derry job before deciding against it. He’ll share a sideline with the man he calls a “very good friend” later this evening at Find Insurance Celtic Park

Antrim boss Mark Doran said he was close to throwing his hat into the ring to succeed outgoing Derry manager Paddy Tally last autumn before deciding against it.

Ciaran Meenagh, someone Doran describes as a “very good friend”, ended up being the clear choice having already worked with Derry when he took over as interim manager following Rory Gallagher’s departure in 2023.

Doran took over from Andy McEntee and the Ulster SFC draw as pitted Antrim against Derry this evening.

Friendships will be put on hold for 70 minutes and Doran insists Derry have the best man for the job.

“It just didn’t feel right at the time. Make no mistake in my eyes Derry have the best man for the job,” stated Doran.

“It was close enough but it just didn’t feel right and you have to go with your gut and that’s just it.

“I think Derry now, at last, have got the right man in and the best man for the job and a man I know very well.”

“We know what we’re facing and, in my eyes, they’re still one of the best teams in Ireland.

“Again, it’s no coincidence they’re now starting to go well and they’re probably the most unluckiest team in Ireland winning five games and not getting promoted.

“I know how highly the Down boys rated Ciaran and I know what a good coach he is and I know, look at the end of the day it’s not me against him.

“It’ll be Antrim against Derry, but Ciaran would be a very good friend but I know Derry definitely have the right man but I know the size of the task ahead of us.”

He added: “If you ask a hundred people in a room I think there’d be 99 of them saying Derry will win.

“Derry are one of the top teams in Ireland and I do think they’re the unluckiest team but all we look to do is try and give the best version of ourselves and it’s a serious opportunity for Antrim because there are good players in Antrim.

“But it is a building project and we’re trying to take one step at a time. Small gains but look at the end of the day you’re hoping Antrim boys can seize the opportunity because it is a brilliant opportunity to go into Celtic Park.

“It probably will take us to have our best 70 odd minutes and maybe Derry to have an off day but look that’s why we all love football. There’s always that hope isn’t there?”

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A federal judge has blocked a $6.2 billion merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna until an antitrust lawsuit is resolved.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley made the ruling late Friday afternoon, finding that eight attorneys general and DirecTV were likely to prevail in their legal bid to stop the merger.

The deal, announced last year and approved by the Federal Communications Commission, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, most of them local affiliates of one of the “Big Four” national networks: ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, had already issued an emergency order blocking the deal for three weeks. On April 7, he heard arguments over whether that block should be extended until a lawsuit brought by attorneys general in eight states and DirecTV is resolved.

The attorneys general, all Democrats, and DirecTV contend the merger will lead to higher prices for consumers, stifle local journalism and that the deal runs afoul of federal laws designed to protect against monopolies.

Nexstar’s attorneys told the court the deal has already been reviewed and cleared by the FCC and the Department of Justice. They said the FCC order commits the company to expand local journalism and programming, not shrink it.

The merger needed the approval of the Republican Trump administration’s FCC because the government had to waive rules that limit how many local stations one company can own. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in March that the company had agreed to divest itself of six stations.

In his emergency temporary restraining order, the judge noted that the merger would make Nexstar the owner of two or even three of the “Big Four” local affiliates in 31 local television markets. Once that occurs, Nunley wrote, multichannel video programming distributors such as DirecTV would have to comply with Nexstar’s demands for higher broadcast fees or risk leaving subscribers potentially unable to watch things like Sunday NFL football games.

It opens up more opportunities for buyers, but one broker has issued a note of caution

A major mortgage provider has announced it will now lend up to six times income, not just to first-time buyers, but also to home movers and those remortgaging. But with inflation rising and the public coffers under strain, potentially resulting in more tax hikes, a mortgage broker has warned that now may not be the time for households to put further pressure on themselves.

Leeds Building Society has extended its Income Plus range to home movers and remortgagers, not just first-time buyers (FTBs). They, too, will now be able to borrow up to six times loan-to-income (LTI) rather than 5.5 times LTI.

Leeds is now offering up to six times LTI to FTBs, home movers and remortgages with a minimum household income of £75,000. It will also lend up to 5.5 times LTI to home movers and remortgagers with a minimum household income of £50,000 and FTBs with a minimum household income of £30,000.

Leeds will go as high as 95% loan-to-value (LTV) for FTBs and up to 90% LTV for home movers and remortgagers. The product will be available for new builds and self-employed applicants and will be available on a five-year fixed rate term.

Leeds Building Society director of mortgage distribution, Martese Carton, said: “We’ve supported members into homeownership for over 150 years, but our research shows that a significant number of recent first-time buyers expect to outgrow their homes far sooner than anticipated.

“The increasing price gap between first and second properties presents a real affordability challenge. Many households need just one additional bedroom, yet the step up in price can be substantial and difficult to bridge under standard income multiples.

“By expanding our Income Plus range, we’re aiming to give next steppers greater borrowing flexibility where it’s affordable to do so, supporting more sustainable home moves and helping keep the housing market flowing.”

But one broker has warned that borrowers need to tread carefully when it comes to maxing out what they can borrow.

Martin Rayner, director at Compton Financial Services, a mortgage broker, said: “This is the latest example of a lender pushing affordability further, which can be great for some borrowers, but does have its risks.”

Martin said the ability to borrow more could make a real difference in pricier areas of the country, but that people need to ask themselves whether they are happy to be locked in for five years.

He added: “Yes, greater flexibility around what they can borrow will help some buyers, especially in more expensive and sought-after areas. But moving to six times income, combined with today’s higher mortgage rates due to the war in the Middle East, means significantly larger monthly repayments.

“And there’s the small matter that you are locked in for five years at a far higher rate than you could have secured just two months ago. People really do need to go into a product like this ‘eyes wide open’.

“They need to understand that early redemption charges will be payable if they need to exit the mortgage for whatever reason. Also, if the war in the Middle East ends and rates start falling again, they will have to watch on from the sidelines for the foreseeable future, as they will be locked into a far higher rate.

“I would recommend people think very carefully about this. Just because you can access six times income doesn’t mean you should — a lower mortgage may be far more sustainable.”

Martin also cautioned that people who are spending the absolute maximum on their mortgage can be vulnerable if taxes and other household costs rise, even slightly.

He said: “Borrowers need to consider what the next five years might look like, as they will have to live with these repayments for that whole period of time. What if the Labour government increases taxes or energy bills skyrocket? Very quickly the headroom in your finances could be gone and that mortgage payment could start to feel unaffordable.

“Six times income sounds great, but your finances could be hit for six if you are impacted by costs that you cannot control. This isn’t just about getting the mortgage, it’s about being able to live with it comfortably. There’s no doubt this product will be an absolute blessing for some, but seeking advice from a broker and properly considering potential lifestyle changes with products like this has never been more important.”

Gabriel Bannigan has battled an entensive injury list since taking over as Monaghan manager ahead of the 2025 campaign and one of his key players doesn’t know when he’ll be fit to return to action

Ryan McAnespie has been down this road before. Too many times. Itching to get back to action, but not knowing exactly when that will be.

Tomorrow’s game against Cavan will come too soon. McAnepsie isn’t prepared to tempt fate.

When asked about his fitness after tweaking his hamstring against Dublin back in February, McAnespie was coy about putting a time frame on his comeback.

“I suppose there’s the… I can’t even know what number of hamstring injury this is now,” said McAnespie.

“We haven’t really put a date in terms of return. It’s more so how I’m feeling, you only really know when you get back fully trained and what way it is. We’ll have to take it from there.

“At the minute I’m just tipping over with the rehab and see how it goes, but there’s no date.

“I don’t want to put a date on it. This last year I’ve been trying to put dates on it, and even in club football to get back for this date or get back for that date.

“It just doesn’t work out that way, you just have to give it the time it needs. It’s more so how it feels. Hopefully over the next few weeks we’ll see a big improvement with it.”

A mainstay of Monaghan teams for the last decade, the Emyvale clubman has endured a frustrating 24 months of injury woes.

It is something Gabriel Bannigan is familiar with at this stage having rarely been able to name close to a first-choice team since taking over as Monaghan boss from Vinny Corey ahead of the 2025 season.

McAnespie is hopeful of being able to aid the Farney cause at some point in the near future.

“It’s frustrating surely. You get back and then you’re back for a couple of weeks and then it just goes again,” added McAnespie.

“It’s something that I’ve learned to get on with. I suppose you can’t really moan about it either. You don’t really have time to.

“It’s frustrating especially when you get to the stage of the year, the Championship and all that. It’s the time of year you want to be playing football. Hopefully, I’ll make some sort of appearance this year in the Championship.”

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President Donald Trump tore into NATO on Friday during a speech at a rally in Arizona, alleging that the longstanding U.S.-led alliance had belatedly offered to help America clear the Strait of Hormuz, the vital oil-shipping lane that’s been reopened for the time being as negotiations continue surrounding the Iran war.

“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is nearly over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would like some help,” Trump told the crowd at a Turning Point Action event in Phoenix.

“I told them I would have liked your help two months ago, but now I really don’t want your help anymore, because they were absolutely useless when we needed them,” Trump continued. “But actually we never needed them. They needed us.”

“If it teaches us any one thing, we have to rely on ourselves,” the president said elsewhere in his remarks. “We can’t rely on outside countries and outside sources.”

Earlier Friday, both sides in the Iran conflict announced that the strait was being reopened, though some of the details clashed.

Iran said the strait is open for all commercial vessels for the duration of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in the regional conflict, while President Trump wrote on social media on Friday that the strait is “fully open,” a status not “tied, in any way, to Lebanon.” The U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports will continue, Trump wrote, until “OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.”

The Republican also claimed Friday that Iran had agreed to give up its enriched uranium, which the country strongly denied.

“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help,” Trump added in the flurry of online updates. “I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL.”

The Independent has contacted NATO for comment.

NATO and other U.S. allies previously refused to join in the American blockade on Iranian ports. They have kept their distance overall from the growing conflict, though the U.K. has allowed U.S. forces to use British bases for defensive purposes.

On Friday, the president thanked other U.S. allies, praising the “terrific” leaders of Pakistan, which has facilitated talks between Washington and Tehran.

He also praised U.S. allies in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, countries which have faced attacks from Iran on U.S. bases and vital domestic energy infrastructure as part of the conflict.

“It took courage for them,” Trump said.

At the Arizona event, the president repeated his regular (and oft-disputed) claim that he has ended numerous wars while in office, arguing that diplomatic developments in Iran had once again upped his tally of successful peace deals.

“It may be a little early to say this, but if we add Iran and Lebanon, that will be 10 wars ended and many, many millions of lives saved,” the Republican said.

“Iran was the bully of the Middle East,” Trump said during another portion of the speech. “They’re not the bully anymore.”

In his remarks, the president also hailed the “great partnership” with Venezuela that has occurred since the U.S. attacked the country, ousting and arresting president Nicolas Maduro.

The president also hinted at further diplomatic developments to come in Cuba, which is reeling from a catastrophic energy crisis as Washington blocks oil shipments from the island’s longtime patron Venezuela.

Trump said a “new dawn for Cuba” was on its way, and that people should “watch what happens.”

The U.S. State Department has reportedly met in Havana with top Cuban officials, including the influential grandson of de facto Cuban leader Raúl Castro.

A motorcyclist “lost control” before crashing into a safety barrier along a Cambridgeshire road, an inquest into his death has heard. Emergency services were called to a crash on the A1307 near Swavesey at around 5.10pm on August 29, 2025.

The crash involved a grey Porsche 911 and motorcycle. The motorcyclist, 35-year-old Christopher Millard from Warboys, died after the crash.

Coroner Elizabeth Gray told the court today (Friday, April 17) at Vantage House in Huntingdon, that a post-mortem concluded that Chris died of “multiple traumatic injuries due to a road traffic collision”.

A CT scan revealed that Chris suffered “severe blunt trauma to the head”, as well as fractures including to his spine. A police report read out to the court stated that Chris and the driver of the Porsche were travelling westbound on the A1307 on the day of the crash.

The court heard how Chris’s motorcycle “attempted to overtake” the Porsche, and crashed into the front of the car. Chris then “lost control” and crashed into a safety barrier. Witness statements read out stated that they believe Chris was travelling at around 90mph, with the Porsche travelling at a “slower speed”.

One witness said the Porsche and motorbike were being driven “aggressively”, and when they were travelling next to each other, they were “closer than normal”. The court heard that there were no defects with either the Porsche or motorbike, and the Porsche driver and Chris were “not under the influence”.

In her conclusion, Coroner Gray said that both vehicles were travelling at “high speeds” in the lead up to the crash. However, she said Chris “lost control” of the motorbike before crashing into the barrier, but it was an “unknown reason” why he lost control.

Coroner Gray added that he may have “misjudged” the speed of the Porsche or the distance when overtaking the vehicle. Before the inquest was heard, Chris’s partner shared a few words about the 35-year-old.

She said Chris was a “shadow of a person” when she first met him, but he had “built his life up”. She added that he was “happy” and they had planned to marry. She said: “It’s really sad his life was cut short”.

At the time of the crash, Cambridgeshire Police arrested a 46-year-old man from South Cambridgeshire on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was then released on bail.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the man arrested had his “bail cancelled” and there was “no further police action” needed.

Theatre should always provoke emotion in an audience but thus far, via various incarnations, the only ones Samuel Beckett’s play has stirred up in me have been confusion, annoyance, apathy and worst of all boredom.

At best I’ve been underwhelmed, at worst left totally baffled as to why it is regularly cited as a classic.

Matthew Kelly as Estragon and George Costigan, Vladimir, in Waiting for Godot (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)

So it was with some trepidation that I approached the Octagon.

As the tramps Vladimir and Estragon, George Costigan and Matthew Kelly deliver something of an acting masterclass as two ageing gentlemen of the road awaiting the arrival of the mysterious Godot.

Who he is and what they expect from him is never revealed, but they feel compelled to return to the same spot every day in the hope he will turn up.

Theirs is a bleak existence, it is a life without purpose. So they bicker, they jest, they tease and they insult each other – basically to pass the time.

Matthew Kelly as Estragon and George Costigan, Vladimir, in Waiting for Godot (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)

Of the pair, Costigan’s Vladimir is the more optimistic, certainly the more energised. He has a wicked twinkle in his eye at times, dreaming up ways of keeping his road companion amused. But old age has left him with a dodgy prostate and in his quieter moments he’s prone to reflect on the purpose of it all.

Matthew Kelly as Estragon in Waiting for Godot (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)

Matthew Kelly’s Estragon is the more world weary. His boots hurt him, he craves sleep and his memory is failing him. He’s the more childlike of the two; a shrunken bear of a man prone to tantrums and also wondering what is the point.

In real life the actors have been friends for years and that closeness adds an extra dimension to their performance. And it’s here the secret to Waiting for Godot lies. These two central characters hold the piece together. It’s their relationship which is essential to the piece.

It was a joy to watch two such accomplished actors go about their craft. Their timing, their physical comedy and their ability to instantly shift from bravado to bewilderment was riveting; a hat swapping scene was worthy of the greats of the silent cinema.

In previous productions I’ve seen, the pair have simply come across as a nihilistic version of the Chuckle Brothers. But in this world bereft of hope, you could sense the love the two characters share for each other. They are both flawed, failing and cast adrift by an uncaring world and unable to cope without one another.

George Costigan, Vladimir, and Matthew Kelly as Estragon with Pozzo played by Gbolahan Obisesan in Waiting for Godot (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)

Into the pair’s miserable world comes Pozzo, played by Gbolahan Obisesan. He’s a riot of colour in a monochrome landscape; a loud, swaggering bully of a character dragging his slave Lucky behind him.

Honestly. I still don’t really know what he symbolises or why he’s there; other than to give Vladimir and Estragon something to talk about.

But it’s a very strong performance; his return in the second half having suddenly become blind, perhaps indicating that even the mighty can fall.

Michael Hodgson as Lucky in Waiting for Godot (Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic)

Michael Hodgson as Lucky was genuinely unnerving. A giant rope around his neck leaving painful looking sores, his posture and primeval yelps proved really disturbing. Then his lengthy, surreal monologue, as well as being a real feat of memory, just added to the other worldliness of it all.

The simple stage setting, with some great lighting, helped to build the claustrophobic atmosphere of Vladimir’s and Estragon’s bleak world.

Without wishing to attract the ire of Beckett scholars, I still think there’s an element of Emperor’s New Clothes about the whole thing.

But as far as this production was concerned, it was a privilege to witness the performances of Messrs Corrigan and Kelly. That ladies and gentlemen is how to act, how to hold an audience, how to move an audience – and all in a play in which nothing really happens.

Until May 2. Details from www.octagonbolton.co.uk

Lefties, part of the Inditex group which owns Zara, Bershka and Stradivarius, will open a flagship store at the Metrocentre later this year.

The store will be one of the brand’s first three in Britain and its only branch in the North East.

Ben Cox, director of the asset managers of Metrocentre, said: “We’re proud to confirm that Lefties are the latest exciting new entrant to commit to Metrocentre.

“As one of the first Lefties stores in the UK, this is another major endorsement of Metrocentre as a key location for international brands investing in UK retail.

“Lefties’ trend-savvy offer will be a compelling addition to our retail mix, and this signing, once again, reflects the dominance and appeal of our scheme to both national and international retailers.

It is a fashion and homeware brand. (Image: LEFTIES)

“With our consistent footfall, extensive catchment, and quality retail offer, we continue to stand out as the leading destination in the region.”

The new store will open in Town Square, where the Red and Green Malls meet.

It will join Metrocentre’s growing list of fashion brands, including Urban Outfitters, Mango, and Hollister, which will open this summer.

Lefties will offer collections for women, men, teens, children, babies, and newborns, along with accessories, footwear, and homeware.

Inditex’s Bershka is also set to open its first North East store at Metrocentre later this year.

Metrocentre reported a 4.8 per cent increase in fashion category sales in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

Womenswear sales rose by 9.2 per cent during the same period.

Will you visit the new store?

Gardening expert Michael Griffiths has shared an essential five-minute lavender task do in mid to late spring if the plant is looking untidy or frost-damaged

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Throughout British gardens, lavender is only beginning to emerge from its winter dormancy, and in numerous outdoor spaces, it still appears far from its summer glory. A touch of careful attention now can make a significant difference when cultivating lavender, enabling the plants to maintain their form and appear purposeful rather than weary or woody once summer comes around.

One task that gardeners ought to undertake with their lavender now is pruning, particularly if they’ve overlooked pruning the plant in late summer last year.

Speaking on his gardening TikTok account @themichaelgriffiths, Michael explained: “If you missed pruning your lavender in late summer, or it’s looking untidy or frost-damaged, now in mid to late spring, when this new growth appears, is the perfect time to prune.”

Lavender ranks as the most under-pruned plant in Britain, with people fearful of cutting into the brown wood. With this concern in mind, Michael has demonstrated the “right way” to prune lavender during this period of the year.

The gardening expert emphasised one crucial rule to observe when undertaking this job – you can prune lavender as vigorously as you wish, provided you’re not cutting into old wood and you retain some new growth below the cutting point.

Michael observed that it’s straightforward to distinguish between the old wood, which appears brown with almost white foliage, and the new growth, which displays a bright green colour at this time of year.

The gardening expert advised that pruning should be carried out just above the old wood, ensuring that a small amount of the new growth remains intact.

For anyone who mistakenly cuts into the old wood, Michael cautioned that this section “may not regrow” and “you could lose the plant”, so when uncertain, it’s best to stay above the new growth.

It’s important to note that severely pruning your lavender may lead to reduced flowering and a postponed blooming period.

British springs tend to be briefer and cooler, meaning a plant that undergoes hard pruning in April has limited time to recover before the flowering season begins.

As the UK moves into summer, it’s worthwhile deadheading your lavender. Removing the spent flower stalks following the initial flush of blooms in late June will promote a more robust second flowering in late summer.

While not absolutely necessary, as the seed heads have their own appeal if you choose to leave them, for particular varieties it does create a marked improvement to the August display.

As many as six Russian planes were spotted near Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia

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NATO fighter jets were reportedly scrambled after six Russian planes were seen near three Baltic states.

A French crew spotted the supposed threat as Russian jets were seen over the Baltic Sea, near Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

French military then shared footage of four NATO Rafale B fighters tracking a Su-30SM fighter alongside a Russian Il-20M electronic intelligence aircraft. Analysts have suggested these aircraft may have been equipped with Kh-31P or Kh-31PM anti-radiation missiles, which is typically used to engage radar and air defence systems.

It is reported the four Rafale B fighters were deployed as part of an “enhanced Air Policing Mission”. The operations were carried out from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, the base where France is heading up NATO’s air policing efforts, The Mirror reported.

During these operations, the French Rafales reportedly used Thales Talios targeting pods.

Although mainly designed for attack missions, these systems possess long-range visual identification capabilities. This allows would be pilots to safely assess potential threats remotely. These operations are part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, which aims to guarantee the integrity of Baltic airspace.

Earlier today (April 17), there were also reports of a Russian drone breaching the airspace of a NATO country during an overnight bombardment targeting Ukraine. Romania’s Defence Ministry said its air defences identified two targets in the border area of Tulcea county during attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, one of which entered its airspace.

The ministry said in a statement: “One of the targets entered the airspace of our country, the radar contact with it being lost 16 km southeast of Chilia Veche over an uninhabited area.

We strongly condemn the actions of the Russian Federation that endanger regional security, constituting a serious violation of the norms of international law.”

A team has been sent to investigate the area following the alert, which began just after midnight local time on Friday and ended at 2.48am. Tulcea is directly across the border from the Ukrainian port of Izmail, which has been a target for Russian attacks, and is bordered by the River Danube