Capital city of Ireland; a global hub at the heart of the island
Macklemore has announced a short "Free Palestine" tour, saying three European dates have sold out and that proceeds will go to Palestinian aid groups. The shows will run in Dublin on Oct. 26, Paris on Oct. 29 and London on Oct. 30; additional US dates and guest artists will be announced. He made the move after being removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour earlier in September.
U2 has announced Carnaval de Luz, their 16th studio album, to be released on 13 November. The album features Dolly Parton on the final track Torn, described as a tender country duet. The Edge and Bono describe the project as a messy, provocative collection; the album includes collaborations with Martin Garrix and Ryan Tedder. Parton’s involvement marks her final vocal performance. The band previously released two EPs this year and has toured extensively.
Portugal has secured a 4-2 win over Denmark as Ronaldo sits on the bench; Portugal leads Group A4 with nine points. Germany, under Klopp, beats Serbia 2-0 in Munich as Wirtz and Bischof score. Netherlands draw with Greece; Ireland thumps Israel 3-0 amid security concerns.
Liverpool city region has begun bringing bus services back under public control, starting in St Helens. Fares stay capped at £2, and the network aims to increase frequency, improve evening and weekend services, and better connect hospitals and rail links.
A new Oasis documentary charts their 2025 reunion tour, showing Liam and Noel Gallagher reconciling and delivering a stadium-scale return. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern capture rehearsals, the Cardiff comeback, and fan ecstasy, while exploring why the music endures across generations.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has published an essay calling for a deliberate slowdown in frontier AI development and has committed Anthropic to embed third‑party evaluators with employee‑level access. OpenAI’s Sam Altman and xAI’s Elon Musk have publicly backed the proposal, markets and lawmakers are reacting, and President Donald Trump has rejected a slowdown.
US President Donald Trump is visiting Ireland for a two-day trip that includes meetings with Irish leaders and a stop at his Doonbeg resort to watch the Irish Open. Protests are planned, security is unprecedented, and Dublin’s Phoenix Park will host high-level talks amid a tense political and economic backdrop.
The White House is facing renewed scrutiny over Natalie Harp, Trump’s close aide known as the “human printer,” as reports of her role and gifts surface during the Irish visit. Independent reporting shows Harp’s proximity to the president has sparked internal tensions and renewed questions about media access and internal communications.
Associated British Foods says Primark has acquired a Sheffield warehouse and will offer home delivery in Great Britain in the future, expanding beyond its established click-and-collect model. Primark sales are dipping year-on-year, with UK performance modestly positive while continental Europe weakens. A demerger plan to list Primark separately is targeted for end-2027.
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary has defended previously controversial remarks that compared rival airlines to rapists, saying he has not trivialised rape and will not apologise. The comments have drawn condemnation from victims’ groups and politicians in Ireland and the UK, ahead of Ryanair’s AGM.
Oasis has revealed a 2027 world tour spanning the UK, Europe, and the US, with 11 Manchester shows and five Celtic Park dates in Glasgow. Richard Ashcroft will be the special guest on all dates. The news follows their 2025 reunion tour and a wave of teasers and drone displays ahead of the official announcement.
During a two-day visit to Ireland this weekend President Donald Trump has said he would "love to see" a united Ireland and called reunification "going to happen eventually." His remarks have prompted rebuttals from UK and unionist politicians, sparked protests in Dublin and renewed debate over the Good Friday Agreement's border-poll provisions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would “love to see” a united Ireland and that reunification “will happen eventually,” remarks made in Dublin during a visit that has provoked mixed reactions across political camps. He added that unification would be a “fantastic” development and that the UK would have a say in the process. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has urged calm, while British and Northern Irish politicians have offered varied responses.
Houthi advances along Yemen’s coast and the capture of Mocha put Bab el-Mandeb at risk. The United States faces political pressure as it weighs whether to intervene, while Saudi Arabia seeks to protect Red Sea shipping amid Iran-linked disruptions.
Iraq has closed border crossings with Iran after a Saudi pipeline attack allegedly launched from Iraqi soil. Officials say drone launchers were found near border crossings, and authorities are tightening intelligence operations and reassigning border duties as investigations proceed.
Burnham is expected to meet Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York as the UK‑US relationship navigates past earlier criticisms. He has held two official calls with Trump since taking office, and Parliament allies say the ties go beyond any one president or prime minister.
Ukraine has carried out long-range drone strikes on multiple Russian oil refineries this week while Russia has launched large drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, killing civilians and damaging infrastructure. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Kyiv to stop targeting diesel facilities as U.S. diesel prices hit record highs, and Russian officials report dozens of intercepted drones and refinery damage.
Trump has reiterated that the Iran war should end this year and links the outcome to oil policy, saying the U.S. could stay and keep the oil like Venezuela if negotiations stall. He also notes that gasoline prices would drop once the conflict ends, as diplomacy stalls over the Strait of Hormuz.
Oasis has announced a new reunion tour with fixed UK ticket prices and a register-to-access sale window following CMA findings on ticketing practices. The band’s management says pricing rests with promoters, while authorities push for greater transparency to protect fans.
UEFA has announced 2028, 2029 finals across Europe. The Allianz Arena will host the 2028 Champions League final; Camp Nou will host in 2029. Barcelona continues reconstruction at Camp Nou, while Madrid’s Metropolitano hosts the 2026-27 final. Women’s final lands in Lyon in 2028 and Cardiff in 2029. London misses 2029 World Athletics and Wembley remains a historic host.
Houthi forces have seized large stretches of Yemen's Red Sea coast and islands, tightened control over the Bab al‑Mandeb shipping lane and have launched missiles, drones and ballistic rounds at Saudi cities including Riyadh and Yanbu. Saudi air defences have said they have intercepted strikes; residents have reported explosions and smoke. The advance has disrupted shipping and pushed global energy markets higher.
Nato's secretary general has pressed the UK to show a credible path to reach 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, saying yearly increments are essential. In London, ministers acknowledge the need for gradual steps, with the spending review next year likely to shape the route. The debate follows Labour and Burnham's commitment to the 3.5% goal and ongoing pressure from allies.
The DP World Tour has revised its 2027 calendar as the Ryder Cup moves Ireland-ward, prompting date shuffles for key events and a reordering of the European circuit’s calendar. Several tournaments relocate in the lead-up to the 2027 season, with Wentworth and other Rolex Series events affected along with national opens and Open Qualifying Series slots.
Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US Loop Tour after pro-Palestine remarks, prompting other acts to withdraw and drawing scrutiny of venue owners and promoters. Ed Sheeran says the decision was promoter-driven, not his, while fans and artists weigh in on free speech, sponsorship, and accountability. The tour resumes in Philadelphia with uncertainty over lineup and ticketing.
Britain seeks closer access to European markets as the EU pushes the Industrial Accelerator Act to curb China’s role in Europe’s supply chains. Britain warns against new barriers while exploring a reset with Brussels.
The Union Jack Classic has brought Kansas and Arizona State to Wembley, marking London’s first college football game at the stadium and underscoring the Big 12’s international ambitions. The event blends pageantry with sport, drawing tens of thousands of fans and international attention.
The Swedish left-wing bloc has secured a slim 176-seat majority following a tightly contested election. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned, and Magdalena Andersson is exploring coalition options with the Left Party, Greens and Centre Party. The speaker will oversee subsequent talks to form a government within a tight timeframe.
Irish public opinion has grown increasingly opposed to Ireland’s Nations League games against Israel amid ongoing protests and political pressure. The government and football authorities have faced calls to boycott, with players weighing a collective stance as matches move to neutral venues.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has ruled that Google has infringed GDPR in the processing of location data for Web & App Activity, Location History and Location Accuracy, issuing a €403 million fine and ordering compliance within six months. Google says policies have evolved since 2019. BEUC warns late enforcement harms consumer rights.
Sen. John Curtis has asked the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. over his business ties, foreign gifts and a Russian oligarch-funded wedding party. Curtis has demanded the same scrutiny for Hunter Biden and cited reporting that Umar Kremlev paid substantial costs for Trump Jr.'s Bahamas celebrations in May.
Ireland’s manager and Israel’s football federation have exchanged sharp public remarks ahead of Nations League fixtures. Ireland’s call for a boycott has grown amid protests at team hotels. Both sides insist on neutral venues as security concerns mount.
Ireland is coordinating responses to the Israel-Nations League fixtures as calls for a boycott intensify. Players have voiced concerns, and the team is preparing for matches in Debrecen, Hungary, and a behind-closed-doors game in Backa Topola, Serbia. Protests and political pressure surround the window.
Ireland has decided to proceed with Nations League fixtures against Israel in Hungary, despite internal dissent and protests. One player has withdrawn, discussions among players and officials have stretched over hours, and the team plans to wear armbands and donate match fees.
Arab states reportedly warned Israel in the weeks before Hamas’ October 7 attack. Reports say Egypt’s Abbas Kamel and UAE’s MBZ conveyed warnings of a Gaza escalation to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has denied being alerted. The new coverage references Wall Street Journal, Haaretz and Atlantic reporting and follows the political fallout.