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

Crime

Alleged Irish crime boss charged in Dublin after extradition from Dubai

Daniel Kinahan remanded in custody over charges of directing an international crime group following handover by UAE authorities.

10 Aug 2026 - 8:49AM

Artificial intelligence

Outside In | Why Asia need not match West’s fear over data centre buildout

9 Aug 2026 - 8:40PMvideocam

Britain

As I see it | How ‘evil’ was the British Empire? Centuries of theft and destruction

5 Aug 2026 - 5:30AM

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Nordic nations

European heatwaves drive summer tourists to cooler north

The concept of ‘coolcations’ – holidays in a cooler clime – has been gathering pace in recent years and appears to have exploded in 2026.

26 Jul 2026 - 12:54PM

A tourist takes photos of Mount Nuolja, overlooking Abisko in northern Sweden, on August 26, 2021. Photo: AFP

Middle East

EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements

EU foreign policy chief insists measures target West Bank settlements rather than Israel itself.

14 Jul 2026 - 2:12PM

Hungary

Man jailed for killing US tourist in Hungary during ‘intimate encounter’

After his arrest in 2024, the man claimed Michalski’s death had been an accident. But police said he had attempted to cover up his crime.

10 Jul 2026 - 5:36AM

Ukraine war

‘Night of horror’: Russian missile and drone barrage kills 21 in Ukraine capital

Kyiv declares a day of mourning after massive bombardment, which Moscow says is retaliation for strikes on civil infrastructure.

2 Jul 2026 - 11:28PMvideocam

A crater from overnight Russian missile and drone strikes in Kyiv. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia

Malaysian doctor in Australia remanded over 33 child sex offence charges

The court heard that the alleged offences, involving ‘eight, possibly nine victims’, had been captured on hidden cameras in consulting rooms.

25 Jun 2026 - 12:09PM

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

Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye and suffered deep head and back wounds in a brutal attack that sparked violent unrest in Northern Ireland.

12 Jun 2026 - 2:39AM

Police attempt to disperse protesters in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Protests around the world

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

UK minister says violence in Northern Ireland is ‘racist thuggery’ as ethnic minorities are targeted.

11 Jun 2026 - 7:20PM

Masked rioters clash with police blocking their way to a hotel housing asylum seekers in Glengormley, north of Belfast, on Wednesday night. Photo: AFP

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

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambique President Daniel Chapo. Photo: Xinhua

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

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

Former Irish republican leader Gerry Adams arrives for a press conference in Belfast on Friday. Photo: AFP

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

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Ireland

Alleged Irish crime boss charged in Dublin after extradition from Dubai

Daniel Kinahan remanded in custody over charges of directing an international crime group following handover by UAE authorities.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | Why Asia need not match West’s fear over data centre buildout

As I see it | How ‘evil’ was the British Empire? Centuries of theft and destruction

European heatwaves drive summer tourists to cooler north

The concept of ‘coolcations’ – holidays in a cooler clime – has been gathering pace in recent years and appears to have exploded in 2026.

EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements

EU foreign policy chief insists measures target West Bank settlements rather than Israel itself.

Man jailed for killing US tourist in Hungary during ‘intimate encounter’

After his arrest in 2024, the man claimed Michalski’s death had been an accident. But police said he had attempted to cover up his crime.

‘Night of horror’: Russian missile and drone barrage kills 21 in Ukraine capital

Kyiv declares a day of mourning after massive bombardment, which Moscow says is retaliation for strikes on civil infrastructure.

Malaysian doctor in Australia remanded over 33 child sex offence charges

The court heard that the alleged offences, involving ‘eight, possibly nine victims’, had been captured on hidden cameras in consulting rooms.

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

Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye and suffered deep head and back wounds in a brutal attack that sparked violent unrest in Northern Ireland.

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

UK minister says violence in Northern Ireland is ‘racist thuggery’ as ethnic minorities are targeted.

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’.

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.

Outside In | Why Asia need not match West’s fear over data centre buildout