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Michael O’Neill wants ‘realism from media’ to aid Northern Ireland tournament hopes

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Northern Ireland have two unconfirmed friendlies in June before the Nations League starts in September. The manager is confident his emerging talents are going in the right direction

Michael O’Neill has asked for some ‘realism from the media’ after being asked what it will take to get Northern Ireland back to a major tournament.

Italy ended their 2026 World Cup dream in the play-off semi-final in Bergamo last week, which meant they faced Wales in a meaningless friendly in Cardiff.

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The teams played out a 1-1 draw – all while Italy were knocked out by Bosnia – their third World Cup play-off exit in a row.

When asked what’s needed for his young Northern Ireland team to take the next step, O’Neill said: “Hopefully a bit of realism from the media.

“I mean we were drawn in a group with Germany and we had a play-off against Italy, so I think we’ve got to be realistic where we are,” he explained to BBC. “We’re a small nation, we’re not blessed with a squad of Premier League players.

“I think we’re punching above our weight, we gave a really good account of ourselves in the qualification.

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“When we saw the team at full strength in the games against Slovakia and against Germany we saw what we were capable of…so just give the team a bit of time to breathe, give it time to develop and I’m sure we’ll keep progressing.”

Northern Ireland have two unconfirmed friendlies in June before the Nations League starts in September. The manager is confident his emerging talents are going in the right direction.

“When you’ve got players at this stage of their career you’ve got to be careful with them, you’ve got to handle them the right way and they’ve got to be patient as well,” he added.

“I think we’ve done that extremely well and I think the coaching staff have been brilliant with the players. They’re learning all the time and that’s all we can do, continue to work.

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“I think this team, given the age profile of the player and given the fact that there’s only probably one or two players that may drop off in the next period of time and the lead up into obviously the qualification for Euro 2028, we’ve got the Nations League and we’ve got friendlies in June to help us develop and continue and be ready for that competition when it comes around.”

Jamie Donley raised hopes of a first Northern Ireland victory against Wales since Noel Brotherston’s winner at Ninian Park 46 years ago.

But Sorba Thomas secured a share of the spoils with an equaliser straight after the interval, extending Wales’ unbeaten run against their visitors to 10 games – five wins and five draws.

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UEFA had insisted Thursday’s beaten play-off semi-finalists – Wales had lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Ireland to Italy – met each other in a match ridiculed by many as a waste of time.

Unsurprisingly, there were empty seats for a fixture that had been officially declared a sell-out weeks ago.

In the event, it was a decent contest but one that inevitably lacked the edge and jeopardy of a more meaningful affair.

Both sides made inevitable changes from Thursday but perhaps not as many as might have been expected.

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Wales made five alterations with Thomas, Ben Cabango, Josh Sheehan and Lewis Koumas included and Cardiff’s Joel Colwill getting his first senior international start on his home ground.

Harry Wilson took the armband with Ethan Ampadu among the substitutes.

Northern Ireland gave Patrick Kelly his first start in midfield as Ciaron Brown and Eoin Toal came into the defence and Conor Hazard replaced Pierce Charles in goal.

The two nations last met at Euro 2016 when an unfortunate Gareth McAuley own goal settled the tie in Wales’ favour.

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Northern Ireland were almost punished by another lapse inside seven minutes after Koumas seized on Isaac Price’s wayward pass and warmed the hands of Hazard.

Price was more productive at the other end, flashing a cross into the corridor of uncertainty that evaded everyone, before the visitors struck after 22 minutes.

Donley headed Justin Devenny’s centre on to a post and the rebound fell straight to him.

The Spurs forward currently on loan at Oxford poked home his second international goal and might have added another with a sweeter connection from Kelly’s cross.

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Northern Ireland’s attacks carried far greater danger and Price, just 10 yards inside the Wales half and having spotted Karl Darlow off his line, tried an audacious attempt that the Wales goalkeeper just about got to safety.

Hazard remained mostly untroubled with Colwill’s header blocked and Wilson sending a free-kick wide from 30 yards.

But Wales levelled within seconds of the restart, with half-time substitute Charles’ first task to pick the ball out of the Northern Ireland net.

David Brooks drove at the visitors’ defence and Thomas reacted quickest to the loose ball to claim his second Wales goal from close range.

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Charles did keep out a curling Wilson free-kick and Darlow provided an excellent stop from Brown’s close-range header.

Wilson fired just wide from 18 yards as Wales probed for a winner, but Northern Ireland almost snatched it the death as Callum Marshall’s header cleared the crossbar.

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Zelensky says failure of US envoys to visit Kyiv is ‘disrespectful’

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Zelensky says failure of US envoys to visit Kyiv is 'disrespectful'

In the end, he added, both Kyiv and Moscow will “have to acknowledge one of two things: either we find a solution and end this war, or we all equally take responsibility for admitting that we didn’t find a solution and continue to kill one another – something we do quite efficiently and professionally.”

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Man sees the funny side after hot air balloon carrying 13 people lands in his garden | News US

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Man sees the funny side after hot air balloon carrying 13 people lands in his garden | News US

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A California resident was stunned after finding a hot air balloon with 13 passengers onboard in his backyard this weekend.

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Homeowner Hunter Perrin filmed the bright blue balloon and its passengers in the aftermath of the bizarre incident.

Hunter and Jenna Perrin told NBC LA that the pilot had to make an emergency landing because wind gusts had died down, leading the balloon to hover and then run out of fuel.

The occupants of the basket had to disembark so the balloon could be refuelled and flown out from the backyard and onto the street, where it could be taken away.

Footage from the street shows the mammoth effort to pack away the hot air balloon after it took about two hours to move the aircraft from the backyard.

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Luckily, no one was injured in the incident, and the property suffered no damage.

The passengers didn’t seem fazed by the incident (Picture: AP)
Hot air balloon crash lands in Hunter and Jenna Perrin's backyard in Temecula, California on April 18.
Hunter captured the bizarre sight on his security cameras and phone (Picture: AP)

It’s not the first time a hot air balloon has caused chaos in a residential neighbourhood.

Last August, residents in Bedford watched as a hot air balloon attempted to land on their street.

The aircraft was just a couple of metres away from the rooftops of homes on Bower Street, about to crash between parked cars, telegraph poles and wires.

Luckily, a dogwalker saw the balloon in distress as he was out with his partner.

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Sam Coldham used a guide rope to bring the balloon to the ground.

It is understood that the balloon was attempting to land in nearby Russell Park, but ‘lost momentum’ because of the wind.

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How safe are hot air balloons?

Hot air balloon excursions have grown in popularity in recent years, but so have incidents.

While relatively rare, when they do take place, they can result in serious injuries or fatalities, with the majority occurring during the landing phase.

In the UK, deadly crashes do not happen often, but they are not entirely unheard of.

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A study carried out between 1976 and 2004 found that 98 incidents had happened, with two fatalities and 50 serious injuries, according to a report on ScienceDirect. 

Sian caught the moment Sam used a guide rope to bring the balloon to the ground.

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She said: ‘I think the conditions were really still with not a lot of wind, so it lost momentum I think.

‘The guys said my partner, Sam, saved their bacon. It was very, very close to a real disaster.’

The British Balloon and Airship Club confirmed the balloon ‘landed without incident’, adding that no one was injured.

Emma Firman, who also filmed the landing, said it ‘was the most incredible scene’ as she thought it was ‘going to hit the roof tops, then the cars and wires’.

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Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Pep Guardiola responds to Man City loanee’s transfer message

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Manchester Evening News

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola responded to defender Vitor Reis’ desire to return to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed a decision will be made on centre-back Vitor Reis at the end of the season after the defender insisted his goal is to return to the Etihad Stadium in the summer. The 20-year-old joined City from Brazilian club Palmeiras in January 2025 and made three appearances for the Blues last season.

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However, in a bid to improve his development, City loaned Reis to affiliate club Girona. The 20-year-old has become a regular for the Spanish team and has only missed two La Liga matches this season, both due to suspension.

While Reis has been away from the Etihad Stadium, City have invested in their defence with the January arrival of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace while Abdukodir Khusanov has impressed for the Blues in recent weeks. But with John Stones set to depart in the summer and Nathan Ake potentially departing, the makeup of the City backline will change.

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Reis wants to be part of that and has said as much this week. Guardiola, speaking ahead of the Premier League trip to Burnley on Wednesday, said of the youngster: “From my info he has been unbelievable. The reason he went there, at that young age, was because he did not have much options to play here.

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“He has grown up as a player. He has faced the best strikers in Spain and it is not easy to deal with. He grew a lot so he is happy. The decisions will be made at the end of the season.”

Despite guaranteed game time at Girona, Reis has not lost sight of his ultimate goal – to play for City. He told Globo Esporte: “My intention, my desire, is to return to Manchester City, to play and have space.

“But, as I always say, I will focus on the day-to-day, on this end of the season, so that when the moment for that conversation comes, we can sit down calmly, with a clear mind. When I found out they were thinking about loaning me, I was a bit shocked, because it wasn’t something that crossed my mind.

“But after I understood it better and spoke to several people, I realised it would be good for me, especially for minutes, for playing more games. At my age, I need to play.

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“So I think it was a very important decision, 100 per cent correct, to come here. Here at Girona I am very happy. The people are incredible, and I believe it was a very good choice.”

Reis also explained that moving to City was a reality check for him as he took his career to the next step. “City was also a very beautiful story in my life,” he added.

“When I arrived there, it was kind of a reality check, just like it was with the national team. You arrive and see the players around you. I remember seeing my name next to guys like Rodri, Bernardo Silva… and that made me very happy.

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“It is a club that always tries to get the maximum out of players, and that helped me a lot. I learned many things with Pep, who is a surreal guy in terms of mentality and understanding of the game.”

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Town centre alarm causes concern from local workers

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Town centre alarm causes concern from local workers

Police were called to Deansgate, at the junction with Oxford Road and Knowsley Street, after an alarm sounded in one of the buildings.

Three police cars attended the scene at approximately 8.30 am, prompting concern from nearby workers and shoppers.

Officers later confirmed the incident was a false alarm, with no risk to the public.

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All police vehicles left shortly afterwards.

Despite the quick resolution, the incident attracted attention from nosy locals eager to find out what had happened.

Bolton police officers have had a number of operations to keep businesses and visitors safe from crime, working closely with retailers to combat town centre crime.

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Air ambulance says disruption to fuel supply could ‘seriously affect’ response

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Cambridgeshire Live

A spokesperson said: “Any future disruption to supply could seriously affect our ability to reach patients as quickly as possible”

A vital air ambulance service has said it is “closely monitoring” aviation fuel availability amid ongoing international conflict. The ongoing conflict between Iran and America means fuel availability and costs are proving a problem across industries.

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The East Anglian Air Ambulance, which operates in Cambridgeshire, is watching its fuel consumption due to the ongoing conflict. Matthew Jones, Chief Executive Officer at East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: “East Anglian Air Ambulance crews, based in Cambridge and Norwich, treat five patients every day.

“Operating a 24/7 helicopter service depends on a consistent and reliable supply of aviation fuel. Any disruption risks delaying our response and, ultimately, putting lives in danger.”

Mr Jones said there is “no immediate threat” to fuel availability, although the ambulance service is “closely monitoring” the situation. Mr Jones added: “As a charity, rising fuel costs are already having a significant impact, and any future disruption to supply could seriously affect our ability to reach patients as quickly as possible when every second counts.

“It is crucial that policymakers act now to protect air ambulance charities from fuel supply challenges and to ensure emergency response capability is properly safeguarded for the patients who rely on us.”

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Empty primary school could be turned into new pre-school

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Cambridgeshire Live

The 19th century school building was put on the market for £560,000 in January

A former primary school could get a new lease of life. The former Kennett Primary School on Station Road in Kennett, Newmarket, was put on the market for £560,000 in January.

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Plans have now been submitted by Colourbox Montessori School Ltd to change the former school into a pre-school. Kennett Primary School still runs as a school, but moved from its former 19th century building in November 2025.

If approved, the pre-school could accommodate up to 64 children and employ 15 new staff members. The pre-school would open from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm.

The applicant does not wish to make changes to the existing buildings or part of the exterior. The trees, boundary hedging, and soft landscaping will also be retained as part of the plans.

As part of the plans, 10 onsite car parking spaces are proposed, alongside a separate cycle storage facility. There is also already a playground on site.

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The applicant said the proposals to reuse a former primary school are “wholly appropriate”. The applicant added that the proposals will “suitably respect the character, scale and design of existing neighbouring and nearby dwellings along with the setting, character and appearance of the wider rural surroundings”.

The school building was first built in 1865 by W. Godfrey, who was lord of the manor and rector. It was also used as a school then and had an adjoining school house.

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Best vitamin D supplements 2026, tested by a wellness expert

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Best vitamin D supplements 2026, tested by a wellness expert

In the winter months, especially in the UK, many of us don’t get enough vitamin D – mainly because the biggest source is sunlight. This is why the NHS advises adults to take a vitamin D supplement, to support bone, skin and muscle health, while also protecting your immune system.

Whether you prefer a tablet or a spray, you might be wondering if there’s an optimal daily dose when it comes to the best vitamin D supplements. For adults, experts recommend taking 10 micrograms or 400IU (International Units). The NHS recommend taking no more than 4000IU a day.

But are there people who may need more of the supplement? “People of colour and those who may have moved from hotter countries [may need more], because their body is used to higher levels of sun exposure. It’s also really important for pregnant women, but it can benefit everyone,” explains Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, NHS GP.

Of course, vitamin D isn’t just found in sunlight – you can get some through your diet, too, with Dr Ahmed explaining that the “best sources of vitamin D come from oily fish, eggs and lots of vegetables.” While he adds that the main causes of a deficiency are: “Low sun exposure and having an unbalanced diet. People with vitamin d deficiency can get muscle aches, fatigue, low energy and weakened bone health, which can then increase the risk of fractures as a result.’

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So, what source of vitamin D is best? “Vitamin D2 is from plants, while D3 is from animals. D3 is usually preferred and recommended,” adds Dr Ahmed. Some D3 supplements are also paired with vitamin K2, which helps direct calcium into the bones and teeth rather than allowing it to build up in arteries, kidneys or soft tissues.

Before you start taking vitamin D, it’s worth speaking speak with your GP to find out which dose is right for you. Once you know the suitable dosage, below, you’ll find my guide to the best vitamin D supplements, including capsules, sprays and gummies.

Read more: The 13 best supplements you should actually take, according to experts

I tested sprays, capsules and drops (Sarah Finley/The Independent)

The best vitamin D supplements for 2026 are:

  • Best overall – Nutrition Geeks D3 / D3 + K2: £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best oral spray – BetterYou vitamin D3 4000iu + K2 oral spray: £8.49, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget option –  Dr Vegan D3 vitamin: £8.99, Drvegan.com
  • Best gummies – WUKA vitamin D3 K2 gummies for periods: £15.99, Wuka.co.uk

Read more: The best probiotics to help improve gut health, according to experts

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Full list of London Underground line closures as Tube strike begins

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Tube strikes to go ahead next week as RMT accuses TfL of refusing to negotiate to avoid walkout chaos

A strike by London Underground drivers got under way at midday on Tuesday – threatening travel disruption for commuters and visitors to the capital.

Here are all the Tube lines disrupted so far:

  • Circle line – No service on the entire line
  • Metropolitan line – No service between Baker Street and Aldgate, and minor delays on the rest of the line
  • Central line – Severe delays on the entire line
  • District line – Severe delays on the entire line
  • Jubilee line – Severe delays on the entire line
  • Piccadilly line – Severe delays between Acton Town and Heathrow Terminals / Uxbridge, and minor delays on the rest of the line
  • Victoria line – Minor delays on the entire line

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Public told call 999 if you see missing teenager from Cambridgeshire

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Cambridgeshire Live

Police are asking people to check their video doorbells and CCTV for any sightings of the missing teenager

A teenager from Cambridgeshire has gone missing and police are asking the public to call 999 if they see him. Joshua Pierce, 17, was reported missing yesterday (April 20) after last being seen leaving his house in Trinity Close, Fordham at 9am.

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The 17-year-old is described as 6’2”, of slim build, with red hair. When Joshua was last seen, he left the address on his push bike and may be cycling in the East Cambridgeshire area.

DI Emma Garwood said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Joshua’s welfare, with searches of surrounding areas taking place and set to continue.

“Please can anyone in the area check their video doorbells and CCTV from yesterday onwards for any sightings of Joshua, to try and help trace where he has gone.”

Cambridgeshire Police has urged anyone who has seen him or who has information concerning his whereabouts to call 999, quoting incident 573 of April 20.

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Why are the Tube strikes happening and how much disruption will there be?

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Why are the Tube strikes happening and how much disruption will there be?

Drivers who are members of The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have begun the first of two 24 hour walkouts this week.

They are the first walkouts in a series of six 24-hour strikes by drivers on the Tube.

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