Simone Magill, the head coach of Northern Ireland and the striker for Birmingham City, has revealed her pregnancy.
On Wednesday, the 31-year-old announced the news to her Birmingham team-mates on social media along with her husband, Mark.
According to Magill, “something says the upcoming year will be the best one yet,” she wrote on Instagram.
For the remainder of the season, Magill won’t play in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, which will start in March.
Birmingham City, the WSL2 club, has stated that Magill will continue to receive “light training” while working for the team and that the team’s medical and performance staff will assist her “throughout her pregnancy and beyond.”
She would “make an amazing parent,” according to Amy Merricks, Birmingham head coach for Magill.
We’re looking forward to supporting her throughout her pregnancy, and we’re excited to welcome a Bluenose baby, according to Merricks.
Si is supposed to remain as close to the environment as possible.
We look forward to supporting her as she continues to stay focused and play a crucial role in this season.
Due to a hip problem, Magill missed Northern Ireland’s Nations League play-off defeat against Iceland at the end of October and last played for Birmingham in September.
She was named captain by Tanya Oxtoby in October 2024 after winning her first of her 95 NI caps as a teenager in 2010.
Northern Ireland captain and Birmingham City striker Simone Magill has announced she is pregnant.
The 31-year-old shared the news with her Birmingham team-mates on Wednesday and announced it on social media along with her husband, Mark.
“Something tells me next year is going to be the best one yet,” Magill posted on Instagram.
Magill will not feature for Birmingham for the rest of the season or for Northern Ireland in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, which begin in March.
WSL2 club Birmingham City say Magill will continue “light training” with the team and that the club’s medical and performance staff will support her “throughout her pregnancy and beyond”.
Amy Merricks, Magill’s head coach at Birmingham, said she would “make an amazing parent”.
“We’re looking forward to supporting her on this journey through her pregnancy and as her baby comes into the world, we’re excited to have a Bluenose baby,” Merricks said.
“We want to keep Si in and around the environment as much as possible.
“She wants to remain sharp and play a critical part in this season and we’re looking forward to supporting her with her journey.”
Magill missed Northern Ireland’s Nations League play-off defeat by Iceland at the end of October and last played for Birmingham in September because of a hip issue.
She won the first of her 95 NI caps as a teenager in 2010 and was named captain by Tanya Oxtoby in October 2024.
Palestinians are turning to soup kitchens to feed their families as Gaza is gripped by a crippling food crisis because Israel is limiting the entry of aid trucks, despite the new ceasefire agreement.
Gemma Collins’ life wasn’t always so glamorous; her ex-boyfriend Rami Hawash even gave her a daily allowance to leave her job and pursue fame.
3 images to be seen
Rami and her husband Gemma Collins have a raunchy post in Gemma Collins.
Gemma Collins has revealed how much Rami Hawash, her fiancé, has supported her over the years by paying her to leave her “normal” job. 44-year-old TOWIE icon rose to fame in 2011 as a result of her participation in the popular reality TV program.
She has lived her life in the spotlight for years and is busy planning her future with fiancé Rami. However, things were not always as glamorous for Gemma.
The TV star met Rami before entering the limelight, when she had a very different career. Gemma decided to reveal all in a gushing social media post as she thanked her fiancé for his support over the years as they prepare for a new TV chapter together.
READ MORE: Gemma Collins teases plan to quit the UK along with her family in major life updateREAD MORE: Jedward star reveals paranormal gift which worsened after undergoing surgery
“My FOREVER LOVE,” she declared. “Our own show our exciting journey everything has come to us at the right time. Years ago when I met Rami I was selling cars! I then gave it all up for £50 a day but it was the best risk I took, and wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Gemma continued, “Rami would always tell me that I would be successful and that I would get money for my hair-make-up outfit.”
He would give me £100 each morning to travel to filming, Gemma continued. He gave me some support. Gemma’s post received the following comments: “So happy you have found your forever love and that he supports and cherishes you.”
Another person commented, “That’s lovely Gemma xx.” “Love this Gemma, you two are lovely together, xxx,” another user said. Gemma and Rami rekindled their romance in 2011, then again in 2014, and they got married that year.
They soon split – but reconciled in 2021. Gemma and Rami got engaged once more and are busy preparing for a wedding. While they haven’t set a date, Gemma told the Mirror she is eying up 2026.
She stated, “Absolutely it will be 2026.” The year I spoke with my astrologer is the one to get married. It would actually appeal to me to be very mythical. Fairies would be nice to me. You know the movie Maleficent? I’m obsessed with it. I believe a woodland setting would be appealing. Boho-like but magically both.
Rami is already a father to a son named Tristan, whom Gemma affectionately refers to as a stepson and frequently shares photos and videos of her doting on him online. Over the weekend, Gemma teased a big move for her and her family.
She had enjoyed going to a friend’s 40th birthday party and had taken her step-mother Rami Hawash’s son to the dentist. Gemma shared a life update that might surprise viewers as one of the highlights of her weekend.
Continue reading the article.
She shared a photo of herself lounging on a sofa after Gaurav Lamba’s birthday celebrations. She added the caption “Shattered!!!” to the photo when she uploaded it to Instagram Stories. and tomorrow fly back to Dubai.
Then, she contacted her followers to ask them where they could relocate to in the Middle East. I’m seriously considering moving my family to Dubai; if there are any lovely places to live, please let me know.
READ MORE: ‘Luxury’ advent calendar worth over £400 shoppers are bagging for under £90 with code
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, criticized President Donald Trump’s claims of Christian genocide and the threat of military action as embarrassing. She attributed this to the country’s inability to address insecurity.  ,
Falana, who spoke on Wednesday’s Politics Today episode of Channels Television, cited among other things, the government’s inability to combat crimes like kidnapping for ransom.  ,
Why have we embarrassed ourselves as a people by treating ourselves like a United States of America’s citizens? the attorney’s senior inquired.  ,
How dare you, Mr. Trump? “We can’t even challenge him,” he said. Where is the source of this slander?
Read more about Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” and his claim that there is a mass murder of Christians is carried out.
Donald Trump, US President (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP)
Trump referred to Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) last week for what he claimed was a “mass slaughter of Christians.” In the event that the West African government doesn’t quickly address the issue, he then threatened military action.  ,
“I hereby instruct our Department of War to get ready for possible action.” We’ll launch an attack that will be swift, vicious, and sweet, just like terrorist thugs attack our Christian enemies! WARNING: “Better Move Faster” The NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT Trump’s platform, Truth Social, contained some writing.  ,
The Federal Government refuted the claims, sparking a flurry of debate both domestically and internationally about Trump’s comments.
Presidents Bola Tinubu and Donald Trump are a pair.
Falana weighs in on the situation, calling on Nigeria to take action in light of the recent developments.  ,
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) stated on the current affairs program that “we as a people and for the government of Nigeria, we must now take Mr. Trump’s warning as a wake-up call.”
Amanda Anisimova “embraced the fight” to overcome Iga Swiatek in three sets and join the undefeated Elena Rybakina in the knockout stage of the WTA Finals.
In a winner-takes-all encounter, the Wimbledon and US Open finalist progressed to Friday’s semi-finals with a 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-2 win over the Polish world number two in Riyadh.
Earlier, Rybakina completed a clean sweep of the Serena Williams Group with a 6-4 6-4 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, a late replacement for the unwell Madison Keys.
Rybakina, who failed to progress past the fourth round at any of the Grand Slams in 2025, is now on a nine-match winning streak and has dropped just one set at the season-ending event so far.
The leading eight women’s players in singles and doubles are competing in Saudi Arabia, where £12m ($15.5m) in prize money will be won.
1 day ago
16 hours ago
17 hours ago
Anisimova ‘enjoys the fight’ against Swiatek
Wednesday’s meeting in Riyadh completed Swiatek and Anisimova’s 2025 trilogy, which started with the former’s stunning 6-0 6-0 triumph in the Wimbledon final, before the American exacted revenge in their US Open last-eight encounter.
In an opening set of fine margins, 2023 champion Swiatek held off four break points as tournament debutant Anisimova grew frustrated at her inability to convert her chances.
That angst continued to rise as six-time Slam champion Swiatek took control of the tie-break, wrapping up the set on her second point as she was rewarded for her resilience.
After asking the umpire to eject a vocal fan in the crowd, the Pole then missed three break points early in the second set, wasted chances the 24-year-old would later rue.
The remainder of the set went with the serve until Anisimova got her deserved break at the ideal time, her relentless pressure forcing Swiatek into a backhand error at set point down.
Swiatek saved five break points early on in the third set, but an untimely double fault on the sixth proved decisive as Anisimova held off a break-back point before a forehand winner into the corner completed a fine comeback.
“I knew it was going to be such a tough challenge, I told myself to just go for it,” fourth seed Anisimova, also 24, told Sky Sports.
Rybakina unruffled by late opponent swap
Reuters
Second alternate Alexandrova had sat on the sidelines all week but her patience proved worthwhile on Wednesday when Keys – unable to advance – withdrew just hours before her match with Rybakina.
The 30-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, received the nod after fellow Russian and first option Mirra Andreeva, who is also competing in the doubles, declared she was not fit to play.
Alexandrova started impressively but squandered three break points before returning a forehand wide to hand the first break and a 5-4 lead to Rybakina.
The big-hitting Rybakina, sporting tape on her serving shoulder, served out the first set to love before breaking early in the second courtesy of a backhand error off her opponent’s racquet.
As Alexandrova’s serve faltered, Rybakina stepped up a gear and she doubled her advantage with a brutal forehand winner on break point, only to immediately lose one of her breaks when serving for the match.
Her struggle to get over the finish line continued, forced to save two break points in her next service game, before eventually sealing victory on her second match point as Alexandrova sent a backhand long.
“Each win gives you confidence,” said Rybakina, 26. “Hopefully I can continue.”
In the doubles, 2022 champions Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens confirmed their semi-final berth with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Italian pair Paolini and Sara Errani.
