TOPIC

/ location

Ireland

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Ireland. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Dublin

Head of State

President Michael D. Higgins

Head of Government

Taoiseach Simon Harris

Batches of four-wheel all-terrain vehicles and electric off-road motorcycles are rolling off production lines in China for delivery to European and American markets. Photo: Getty Images

China-EU relations

EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

Late-night meeting ends with instruction to officials to engage with Beijing while preparing tools to defend Europe’s economy.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:23PMvideocam

Crime

Belfast stabbing victim ‘improving’ and may soon wake from coma

12 Jun 2026 - 2:39AM

Protests around the world

Belfast reeling as street violence and online ‘hit lists’ terrify minorities

11 Jun 2026 - 7:20PM

Protests around the world

Police fire water cannon in Belfast as stabbing sparks second night of unrest

Masked crowds clash with riot police as a Sudanese man is charged in a brutal knife attack that has left the city reeling.

11 Jun 2026 - 1:36PM

Police attempt to disperse protesters on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Britain

Protesters torch buildings and vehicles, block roads over Belfast stabbing

A suspect from Sudan has been arrested for the brutal attack that was captured in a graphic video.

10 Jun 2026 - 8:12AM

China’s private sector

Microsoft cuts hundreds of mainland cloud jobs, as China, US tighten data laws

The firm is laying off some employees at its cloud unit amid ongoing restrictions on cross-border data flows between the two countries.

9 Jun 2026 - 4:58PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Thaddea Graham, who plays Susie in Margo’s Got Money Troubles

The young actress, who has been in Doctor Who and Sex Education, is also starring in a BBC audio drama with Lena Headey.

4 Jun 2026 - 6:00PM

Thaddea Graham plays Susie in Margo’s Got Money Troubles, alongside Nick Offerman. Photos: @thaddeagraham/Instagram, Handout

Music

Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision contest, beating out Israel for top spot

The usually good-natured competition has faced a boycott by five countries over the Gaza conflict.

17 May 2026 - 8:59AM

France

France lifts cruise lockdown after outbreak scare, as stomach bug blamed

Authorities rule out a link to the deadly hantavirus as asymptomatic passengers are cleared to disembark in Bordeaux.

14 May 2026 - 12:28PM

Britain

Hantavirus outbreak: UK to isolate cruise ship passengers in ex-Covid hospital

There are around 24 British passengers and crew, as well as two people from Ireland, on board the MV Hondius.

10 May 2026 - 1:15AM

Passengers on the MV Hondius, scan the horizon with binoculars during their voyage to Spain’s port of Tenerife on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

The big shift in Xi Jinping’s travel plans and what it means for China

Data analysis by the SCMP reveals a changing dynamic in Beijing towards high-level diplomatic meetings.

1 May 2026 - 6:02AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Xi-Trump summit unlikely to revive Chinese investment in US, report warns

Rhodium Group report says Chinese investment in America has ‘fallen significantly’ from 2016 peak.

30 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing, seeking new ties amid rising geopolitical tensions.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:58AM

Hong Kong society

Gloomy weather can’t take shine off Hong Kong Sevens for visiting rugby fans

Rugby tournament kicks off 50th anniversary edition with spectators in party mood.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:20PMvideocam

The Hong Kong Sevens got under way on Friday at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Karma Lo

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:45PM

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Xinhua

European Union

Ireland police remove farmers, blockades protesting against fuel price rises

The protests have led to blockades at Ireland’s only oil refinery and prevented tanker trucks from delivering fuel to petrol stations.

13 Apr 2026 - 1:52AM

Britain

IRA bomb victims drop civil court claim against Gerry Adams

The case was discontinued on the last day of a two-week trial, after what the claimants’ lawyers called an ‘extraordinary series of events’.

21 Mar 2026 - 1:41AM

European Union

Letters | Ireland is a predictable partner in unsettling times

Readers discuss Ireland’s ties to Hong Kong and the country’s global appeal, the war in Iran, and the value of attracting international students.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

People watch the annual St Patrick’s Day parade through the city centre of Dublin, Ireland, on March 17. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

HSBC launches US$2.5 billion AT1 bond issue in Hong Kong after market standstill

Lender’s AT1 bond sale is the first since Iran conflict froze the market, with Hong Kong’s stability making it the natural venue: analyst.

19 Mar 2026 - 2:04PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Dónal Finn, who plays James Moriarty in Young Sherlock

The rising Irish star, who had a lead role as Mat Cauthon in The Wheel of Time, once worked at a supermarket to pay to go to drama school auditions.

14 Mar 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Britain

Northern Ireland’s Gerry Adams, 77, in UK court for trial over IRA bombings

Adams has always denied being an IRA member, although he has ‌long faced accusations that he was involved in its killing campaign.

10 Mar 2026 - 2:51AM

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams arrives on Monday at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, where a civil claim is being brought against him. Photo: via AP

Extreme weather

Record-breaking? El Nino may return in 2026, making planet even hotter

However, scientists say there’s a risk of 2026 being ‘the warmest year on record even without El Nino, due to the global warming trend’.

3 Mar 2026 - 2:28AMvideocam

A waste picker drinks water while working at a rubbish dump on the outskirts of Jammu, India, during a heatwave in 2024. Photo: AP

US-China trade war

After Trump’s tariff setback, will US firms rush to stockpile Chinese goods?

Front-loading expected but not at levels seen ahead of last year’s sweeping “Liberation Day” duties, analysts say.

27 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

US-China trade war

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

26 Feb 2026 - 10:55AM

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Editorial | Food poisoning cases in Hong Kong must prompt swift mitigation efforts

Amid the latest spate of illnesses, the city needs to adopt proactive and transparent strategies to ensure that customers can dine safely.

19 Feb 2026 - 6:45AM

A diner eats fresh oysters at a food court in Causeway Bay on February 14. Photo: Nora Tam

Fame and celebrity

Hollywood shaken by Brad Pitt-Tom Cruise fight video made with Chinese AI

The viral clip was generated with a two-line prompt on Seedance 2.0, a platform owned by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:51AM

Brad Pitt (left) and Tom Cruise attend a film premiere in London in June 2025. Photo: TNS

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

‘Drastic increase’ in food poisoning cases in Hong Kong linked to raw oysters

Centre for Health Protection has received 20 reports of norovirus-related food poisoning affecting 57 people since January 18.

11 Feb 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Jeffrey Epstein

Belfast university cuts ties with former US senator over Epstein links

University says it is no longer appropriate to be linked to George Mitchell, whose name appears in files released by the US Justice Department.

3 Feb 2026 - 2:08PM

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Ireland

EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

Late-night meeting ends with instruction to officials to engage with Beijing while preparing tools to defend Europe’s economy.

Belfast stabbing victim ‘improving’ and may soon wake from coma

Belfast reeling as street violence and online ‘hit lists’ terrify minorities

Police fire water cannon in Belfast as stabbing sparks second night of unrest

Masked crowds clash with riot police as a Sudanese man is charged in a brutal knife attack that has left the city reeling.

Protesters torch buildings and vehicles, block roads over Belfast stabbing

A suspect from Sudan has been arrested for the brutal attack that was captured in a graphic video.

Microsoft cuts hundreds of mainland cloud jobs, as China, US tighten data laws

The firm is laying off some employees at its cloud unit amid ongoing restrictions on cross-border data flows between the two countries.

Meet Thaddea Graham, who plays Susie in Margo’s Got Money Troubles

The young actress, who has been in Doctor Who and Sex Education, is also starring in a BBC audio drama with Lena Headey.

Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision contest, beating out Israel for top spot

The usually good-natured competition has faced a boycott by five countries over the Gaza conflict.

France lifts cruise lockdown after outbreak scare, as stomach bug blamed

Authorities rule out a link to the deadly hantavirus as asymptomatic passengers are cleared to disembark in Bordeaux.

Hantavirus outbreak: UK to isolate cruise ship passengers in ex-Covid hospital

There are around 24 British passengers and crew, as well as two people from Ireland, on board the MV Hondius.

The big shift in Xi Jinping’s travel plans and what it means for China

Data analysis by the SCMP reveals a changing dynamic in Beijing towards high-level diplomatic meetings.

Xi-Trump summit unlikely to revive Chinese investment in US, report warns

Rhodium Group report says Chinese investment in America has ‘fallen significantly’ from 2016 peak.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing, seeking new ties amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Gloomy weather can’t take shine off Hong Kong Sevens for visiting rugby fans

Rugby tournament kicks off 50th anniversary edition with spectators in party mood.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

Ireland police remove farmers, blockades protesting against fuel price rises

The protests have led to blockades at Ireland’s only oil refinery and prevented tanker trucks from delivering fuel to petrol stations.

IRA bomb victims drop civil court claim against Gerry Adams

The case was discontinued on the last day of a two-week trial, after what the claimants’ lawyers called an ‘extraordinary series of events’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | Ireland is a predictable partner in unsettling times

Readers discuss Ireland’s ties to Hong Kong and the country’s global appeal, the war in Iran, and the value of attracting international students.

HSBC launches US$2.5 billion AT1 bond issue in Hong Kong after market standstill

Lender’s AT1 bond sale is the first since Iran conflict froze the market, with Hong Kong’s stability making it the natural venue: analyst.

Meet Dónal Finn, who plays James Moriarty in Young Sherlock

The rising Irish star, who had a lead role as Mat Cauthon in The Wheel of Time, once worked at a supermarket to pay to go to drama school auditions.

Northern Ireland’s Gerry Adams, 77, in UK court for trial over IRA bombings

Adams has always denied being an IRA member, although he has ‌long faced accusations that he was involved in its killing campaign.

Record-breaking? El Nino may return in 2026, making planet even hotter

However, scientists say there’s a risk of 2026 being ‘the warmest year on record even without El Nino, due to the global warming trend’.

After Trump’s tariff setback, will US firms rush to stockpile Chinese goods?

Front-loading expected but not at levels seen ahead of last year’s sweeping “Liberation Day” duties, analysts say.

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

Editorial | Food poisoning cases in Hong Kong must prompt swift mitigation efforts

Amid the latest spate of illnesses, the city needs to adopt proactive and transparent strategies to ensure that customers can dine safely.

Hollywood shaken by Brad Pitt-Tom Cruise fight video made with Chinese AI

The viral clip was generated with a two-line prompt on Seedance 2.0, a platform owned by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok.

‘Drastic increase’ in food poisoning cases in Hong Kong linked to raw oysters

Centre for Health Protection has received 20 reports of norovirus-related food poisoning affecting 57 people since January 18.

Belfast university cuts ties with former US senator over Epstein links

University says it is no longer appropriate to be linked to George Mitchell, whose name appears in files released by the US Justice Department.

Letters | Ireland is a predictable partner in unsettling times