An island nation divided across a republic and Northern Ireland, shaping European politics and sport
Two early‑season heatwaves have broken June temperature records across western Europe, pushing many locations above 40°C, triggering red alerts, disrupting transport and power, and causing dozens of deaths in France and other countries. Scientists have said human‑caused warming has made this event far more likely and night‑time temperatures have remained unusually high.
Sooryavanshi remains in India's plans for the Ireland and England T20 tours, following a standout IPL season where he was MVP with 776 runs. He has yet to debut for India, with India suffering a 2-0 loss to Ireland in Belfast. Debut chances now hinge on selection for England series.
Australia pushes Ireland to the limit in a 31-33 Nations Championship clash in Sydney, with Ben Donaldson missing a late kick as the hosts show ambition and skill but fail to seal the win.
Harry Brook has signalled willingness to captain England in all formats, describing it as a privilege and acknowledging the demanding nature of the role. He has committed to England cricket and rejected overseas franchise leagues, amid speculation about the next Test captain after Ben Stokes’s retirement.
The statutory inquiry into grooming gangs is examining Bradford and Keighley, with front-line workers recalling early warning signs. Police say hundreds have been jailed over non-recent cases, but advocates argue accountability must extend beyond courts to communities and services.
Ireland has beaten Australia before and aims to start the Nations Championship strongly with matches against Japan and New Zealand on the horizon. Joe Schmidt bows out to Les Kiss with Australia eyeing a home World Cup in 2027 as Andy Farrell seeks a return victory in Sydney.
The England men’s and women’s rugby teams are under scrutiny after a mixed Six Nations. The women have extended a winning run and face Ireland next, while the men’s setup is undergoing a formal review with no coaching changes announced yet.
Bulgaria has won the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with Dara's 'Bangaranga' on 17 May; Israel's Noam Bettan has finished second with 'Michelle', taking 343 points to Bulgaria's 516. The final has followed weeks of protests, five broadcaster boycotts and tightened voting rules after concerns about disproportionate promotion.
Irish celebrities and sports figures have joined a campaign urging the Republic of Ireland to boycott UEFA Nations League matches against Israel, amid claims of genocide in Gaza and breaches of UEFA/FIFA rules. The open letter to the FAI, backed by prominent signatories, argues humanitarian concerns should take precedence over sport. Ireland is set to host Israel on October 4 at Aviva Stadium, with a September 27 neutral-site Israeli home match planned.
Five countries have withdrawn from Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation in the Gaza war, leaving 35 participating nations. Ireland has sparked controversy by showing a Father Ted episode during the final; the Eurovision voting process faces scrutiny after a NYT report alleging a state-backed campaign to boost Israel. Eurovision chief Green says efforts are ongoing to bring back missing broadcasters; new limits on voting have been introduced.
EU ambassadors have launched the formal process to open the first negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, and the Cyprus presidency has prepared intergovernmental conferences for June 15. Hungary has signalled a breakthrough on minority rights with Kyiv, and German proposals for an "associate member" status for Ukraine are shaping rival views of how fast accession can proceed.
Yves Sakila has died after being restrained by security guards on Dublin’s Henry Street on May 15. Video shows multiple guards pinning him to the ground for about five minutes. Police are investigating all circumstances; Prime Minister Micheál Martin has called for a thorough inquiry and the Congolese community mourns an unintended outcome of a purported theft investigation.
A persistent heat dome has driven unprecedented May temperatures across western Europe this week, with the UK and France having broken May records (Kew Gardens provisionally 35.1°C). Ambulance services have reported record call volumes, amber heat-health alerts have been issued, thunderstorms and fires have followed the heat, and officials are urging caution around open water.
Ireland is moving to pass a law limiting goods from Israeli-occupied West Bank settlements to a goods-only ban by mid-July, in line with government aims. The measure has faced opposition from business lobbyists and some politicians who prefer expanding the ban to services. Prime Minister Micheál Martin has signalled that widening to services would be unworkable, keeping the focus on goods.
A pan-European heatwave has shattered May temperature records in the UK and France, with London and Kew Gardens reaching 35C while minimum temperatures stay above 20C for consecutive nights. Met Office warnings are in place as authorities warn of heat-related health impacts and potential storms across parts of England.
Irish activists have disrupted a Dublin friendly between Ireland and Qatar by throwing tennis balls on the pitch to protest upcoming Nations League games against Israel. The protests have intensified pressure on the Football Association of Ireland to boycott the Israel fixtures, with dates set for September and October. Ireland’s coach and players have called for peaceful protest while insisting the matches will go ahead.
The United States has proposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from about 59–60 countries, citing failures to curb goods made with forced labour. The EU has negotiated a digital trade deal with South Korea and is preparing new industrial measures to reduce single‑supplier dependence. China has tightened controls on outbound investment and is hosting a steady stream of foreign leaders.
The UK government has announced plans to bar under‑16s from major social platforms and to restrict risky features, including livestreaming, stranger‑to‑stranger chats and romantic AI chatbots for under‑18s. Ministers say the measures will start next spring; critics warn the ban is rushed, risks driving children to unregulated services and could face legal challenges.
Multiple reports confirm that Israeli officials have advanced plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, including thousands of new homes and infrastructure. The push is led by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and could reshape settlement footprint, raising tensions with Palestinians and drawing international condemnation.
Robbie Keane is a leading contender to become Celtic's manager, prompting protests from pro-Palestinian supporters who highlight his decision to stay in Israel during the Gaza conflict. Graffiti and banners outside Celtic Park, plus statements from supporter groups, reflect a divide in the fan base as talks with Dermot Desmond continue.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged Iran to refrain from interference and pushed Hezbollah toward diplomacy, saying the conflict with Israel requires a negotiated settlement. Israeli strikes continue across Lebanon as a US-brokered truce process unfolds amid ongoing clashes and casualties.
Maureen Beattie has been cast as Lear in a new Pitlochry Festival Theatre production adapted and directed by Finn den Hertog. The show, staged by artistic director Alan Cumming, has opened a run from 4 July to 1 August 2026 and reframes King Lear as a matriarchal tragedy performed by a largely Scottish company.
Labour lawmakers have signed a letter urging Britain to end trade with illegal West Bank settlements, arguing that sanctions are needed as the E1 project proceeds and the situation worsens for Palestinians. The move follows a wave of international warnings and UK actions under Prime Minister Starmer.
The European Union has proposed a broad new sanctions package targeting Russia’s economy, including a visa ban for ex-combatants, a price cap on oil, and restrictions on banks, crypto platforms and third-country traders. The measures, announced by Ursula von der Leyen, aim to choke Moscow’s war economy while extending pressure on energy revenues and military supply chains.
South Korea has beaten the Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara as Oh Hyeon-gyu seals victory after Hwang In-beom’s equaliser, with Son Heung-min’s side top of Group A alongside Mexico.
EU member states have approved a migration pact that empowers deportation hubs in third countries and tighter border controls; critics warn this could undermine asylum rights while proponents say it will speed removals and deter irregular migration.
The Football Association of Ireland has moved an October 4 Nations League match against Israel away from Aviva Stadium due to operational challenges amid protests over Gaza war casualties. A September 27 home fixture for Israel is also expected to be staged at a neutral venue. The federation says the change aims to protect the delivery of the match, with both sides set to meet at neutral sites.
Australia has reached 200-plus in the Women’s T20 World Cup, posting 219-1 and defeating the Netherlands by 98 runs. India has defeated Pakistan by 64 runs, with Deepti Sharma taking 5-10 and Smriti Mandhana scoring a half-century. Bangladesh records a late chase against the Netherlands. New Zealand fights to stay alive in the tournament after a dramatic finish against Ireland.
Carney has visited Ireland ahead of the G7 in France, emphasising a vision of dense, ad hoc coalitions between Canada, Ireland and Europe as the post-Cold War order shifts. He has celebrated roots in Aughagower while outlining a push to diversify trade and strengthen ties beyond the United States.
Tech CEOs including Anthropic's Dario Amodei, OpenAI's Sam Altman and DeepMind's Demis Hassabis have met with G7 leaders at a closed lunch in Évian to press the U.S. to lead an international coalition on frontier-AI rules and structured access. The meeting has followed U.S. export controls that forced Anthropic to cut global access to its newest models.
The EU- Israel row has intensified after reports that EU foreign policy chief Kallas likened Gaza and West Bank policies to South Africa’s apartheid system. Sa’ar has severed contacts until a retracting statement is issued. The EU says dialogue remains open as divisions over settlements and sanctions persist.
Two people have been rescued after an aircraft ditched into the sea off Pembrokeshire following a mayday. The RNLI and coastguard coordinated a multi-agency response. Casualties were brought ashore and later transferred to hospital; both were discharged after treatment.
Conservation groups say Scotland’s marine protected areas are recovering when properly shielded from dredging and trawling. The Wester Ross MPA has shown early signs of life returning after illegal disturbance, while groups press for faster, broader protections across inshore waters.
European aviation groups have warned of ongoing border-control delays under the Entry-Exit System (EES) as passenger volumes surge. Airlines and airports are urging the European Commission to suspend the system during July–August and restore flexibility until staff and infrastructure are ready. The EU has allowed temporary suspensions in exceptional cases.
Europe has named Francesco Molinari as an assistant to Luke Donald for next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, joining Edoardo after both served as vice-captains in Rome and New York. The move underlines continuity ahead of the centenary edition, with Molinari set to bolster a familiar backroom. In other news, Bob MacIntyre opened strongly at the Travelers Championship.
The Guardian reports that Ireland has begun its rotating EU presidency with a ceremony at Dublin Castle attended by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy and top EU figures. Leaders discuss Ukraine’s EU bid on a merit-based timeline and budget priorities, with emphasis on ending the war and shaping the next EU budget.
Apple, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have raised prices on Macs, iPads and game consoles after memory and storage chip costs surged. Chipmakers are reallocating capacity to AI data centres, pushing component prices sharply higher and forcing consumer electronics makers to pass costs to buyers or absorb shrinking margins.
The Chaoyang district government has stated that a 66-year-old pilot crashed a small plane into Beijing’s Citic Tower, injuring 13 others. Authorities attribute the incident to personal reasons and say the pilot died at the scene. The event has intensified questions about airspace controls and security in China’s capital.
Nicholas Rossi has died in a Utah hospital while serving a prison sentence for two 2008 rape convictions. He was extradited from Scotland in 2024 after a decades-long case involving alleged faked deaths, multiple aliases, and Interpol notices. Authorities say he died from complications of an existing medical condition after discontinuing treatment.
Ukraine has intensified long‑range attacks on Russian oil refineries and energy facilities to curb Moscow’s war funding. The strikes have disrupted fuel supplies, slowed military deliveries, and heightened pressure on Moscow as Kyiv seeks a path to peace.
Six nations teams start the Nations Championship by facing off against southern teams in July, with Scotland playing Argentina in Córdoba and a slate of matchups that will define the tournament’s early tone. The inaugural event will be broadcast on ITV and STV in the UK, with daily live coverage.
Canada will send an act to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, making it the first new participant since Australia in 2015. The European Broadcasting Union says CBC/Radio-Canada will join as a full member, with selection details to be announced later this year. The move expands Eurovision beyond Europe, reflecting the contest’s global audience and Canadian talent.
A jury has found Riad Bouchaker guilty of multiple charges after a knife attack at Parnell Square in Dublin on 23 November 2023. The attack left a five-year-old girl with a brain injury and caused serious harm to a childcare worker; rioting followed with widespread damage and arrests.
Russian forces have launched a large overnight barrage of missiles and drones at Kyiv, killing at least 27 people, injuring dozens and damaging more than 130 buildings. President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised retaliation and has urged allies to speed delivery and licence production of air-defence missiles as the city has declared a day of mourning for Friday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a government apology for the state’s role in forced adoptions, acknowledging the pain and shame endured by mothers and survivors. The move follows a parliamentary inquiry and recent apologises from the Church of England, with protections and access to adoption records promised.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies has found that a Russian drone campaign operated across Europe from 2024 to 2026, with HAV Dolphin docked near Hull and other vessels acting as relays. The effort targeted UK and continental sites, with officials saying Moscow acted with substantial impunity and evidence points to Putin's involvement.
UBS reports 2025 global wealth rose 10.8%, fueled by stock markets and tech gains. The number of millionaires surged worldwide, led by the United States; median wealth fell in many markets, widening the rich-poor gap. Australia saw a rise in millionaires, though median wealth declined. The report highlights how assets and housing influence millionaire status and global inequality.
The UN Human Rights Council is debating Sudan’s El-Obeid crisis after warnings of a fresh siege and potential atrocities. Volker Türk has described signs from El-Obeid as a clear red alert, urging world leaders to act amid 18 months of siege-like conditions and drone strikes affecting civilians and infrastructure. A draft resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access.