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

Farmers take part in a protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, in the town of Athlone, Ireland, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

European Union

‘Sell out’: Irish farmers out in force against EU-Mercosur trade deal

Farmers fear the deal will result in an influx of an extra 99,000 tonnes of cheap beef from South America, disrupting Irish agriculture.

10 Jan 2026 - 10:40PM

US-Venezuela conflict

China’s Xi makes veiled swipe at US over ‘hegemony’ eroding global order

5 Jan 2026 - 10:25PMvideocam

China food security

Opinion | Be a potato: the lesson of the resilient staple resonates as 2026 approaches

31 Dec 2025 - 9:04AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart

Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.

12 Dec 2025 - 3:03AMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) meets with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, in Beijing on Monday. Photo: DPA

China-EU relations

Temu’s EU headquarters raided over Chinese subsidy concerns

The raid comes amid increasing concern within the European Union over cheap imports from China.

11 Dec 2025 - 3:51AM

Ukraine war

Drones spotted near Zelensky’s flight path to Dublin spark security alert

Report says enquiries are trying to determine whether the drones took off from land or an undetected ship.

5 Dec 2025 - 11:32AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

5 Dec 2025 - 2:21PM

A person waves Israel’s national flag while watching Israeli singer Yuval Raphael perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Zelensky reinforces European support as he eyes Trump talks on US deal

Ukrainian president met Macron in Paris to sound out allies on the US blueprint for peace, which was drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe.

2 Dec 2025 - 3:04PM

Thailand

As more chaos plagues Miss Universe pageant, is the ‘drama’ all for show?

In the latest controversy, former Miss Universe CEO Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip is accused of fleeing to Mexico to avoid her legal problems.

25 Nov 2025 - 7:51PMvideocam

Climate change

‘Important steps’: what Cop30 deal means for climate unity and Global South

Despite the limited outcome, the summit also reveals how developing nations can still influence the global transition, analysts say.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:29PM

A fire truck is seen submerged in floodwaters in Songkhla province, southern Thailand, on Monday. The Cop30 summit set a goal of scaling up global climate finance to at least US$1.3 trillion per year by 2035. Photo: AP

Obituaries

Paul Costelloe, personal designer to Princess Diana, dies at 80

The Irish designer worked with the British royal from 1983 until her death in Paris in 1997.

23 Nov 2025 - 2:53AM

Designer Paul Costelloe poses for a photograph on the day of his catwalk show during London Fashion Week in September 2023/ Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Ireland business chamber welcomes Chinese investment despite US, EU pressures

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO says country welcomes business ties ‘within EU rules’, notes existing partnerships in tech and pharmaceuticals.

22 Nov 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

Halloween

Letters | Did you know? Halloween has Irish origins

Readers discuss Halloween traditions that came from Ireland, South Korea as a US ally, and British flags.

31 Oct 2025 - 11:30AM

Collecting

They collected Monets and jewels. My things fitted in a single red vanity case

PostMag writer Fionnuala McHugh has lived a life free of clutter – and feels all the better for it.

30 Oct 2025 - 7:00AM

Writer Fionnuala McHugh interviewed art collector Paul Mellon in his home in 1992, surrounded by many of the world’s greatest paintings. She found it suffocating. Illustration: Hannah Robinson

European Union

Catherine Connolly wins Ireland’s presidential election in landslide

The left-wing politician’s victory was marred, however, by a record number of spoiled votes.

26 Oct 2025 - 9:15AM

Irish president-elect Catherine Connolly arrives at Dublin Castle on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Fame and celebrity

Meet Anthony Boyle, who plays Arthur Guinness in Netflix’s House of Guinness

After getting expelled at 16 then acting in ‘the worst productions you’ve ever seen’, he got his big break in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, going on to appear in Derry Girls.

19 Oct 2025 - 6:00AM

Start-ups

Australian AI healthcare start-up eyes Hong Kong, Singapore markets

The six-year-old firm plans to build a team of about 15 to 20 people in Hong Kong and Singapore by the end of next year.

6 Oct 2025 - 12:00PM

Germany

Germany slams Israel boycott, Eurovision ‘brings nations together’

Spain and others will boycott the world’s largest live televised music event in May if Israel participates over the ongoing assault on Gaza.

20 Sep 2025 - 7:26PM

China-EU relations

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

17 Sep 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

Britain

Ex-British soldier on trial for 1972 Bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland

The ex-paratrooper, named ‘Soldier F’, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at the trial in Belfast.

16 Sep 2025 - 9:03AM

China-EU relations

Why younger Europeans can see their futures in China, despite the obstacles

As China ramps up its search for foreign tech expertise, a new generation of talent finds its perspectives on the country are changing.

26 Sep 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Louis Koo’s action star journey, Hungry Ghost Festival: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a look at Louis Koo’s career to a San Francisco restaurant’s Hong Kong roots, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

4 Sep 2025 - 4:22PM

Hong Kong actor and singer Louis Koo in a still from the action thriller Paradox (2017).

E-commerce

Shein hit with US$175 million fine by French watchdog over cookies

Authorities accuse the fast-fashion retailer of placing cookies on users’ computers even when they opt out.

4 Sep 2025 - 12:15PM

China's military weapons

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

4 Sep 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

Medicine

Trump plans hefty tax on imported drugs, risking higher US prices and shortages

US move is part of a wider effort to secure critical medical supply chains and reduce reliance on countries like China and India.

2 Sep 2025 - 2:23PMvideocam

Medicines produced in Kolkata, India. US President Donald Trump has promised to impose hefty import taxes on pharmaceuticals. Photo: AFP

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 2 over theft of HK$50,000 piece by French artist Invader

Harbour City reports missing artwork, which police later recover after arresting 40-year-old Irish man and 32-year-old Filipino woman.

27 Aug 2025 - 8:13PM

Police display the artwork officers seized when arresting the two suspects. Photo: Handout

Europe’s refugee crisis

UK’s Farage unveils plan to deport asylum seekers, warns of ‘civil disorder’

Reform UK leader proposes repealing human rights laws, as his party claims it could deport 600,000 asylum seekers if it wins power.

27 Aug 2025 - 1:40PM

Israel-Gaza war

UK rap group Kneecap defy critics with ‘Free Palestine’ chant in Paris

Liam Og O hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, was charged in the UK in May accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November.

25 Aug 2025 - 5:56AM

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Ireland

‘Sell out’: Irish farmers out in force against EU-Mercosur trade deal

Farmers fear the deal will result in an influx of an extra 99,000 tonnes of cheap beef from South America, disrupting Irish agriculture.

China’s Xi makes veiled swipe at US over ‘hegemony’ eroding global order

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Be a potato: the lesson of the resilient staple resonates as 2026 approaches

Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart

Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.

Temu’s EU headquarters raided over Chinese subsidy concerns

The raid comes amid increasing concern within the European Union over cheap imports from China.

Drones spotted near Zelensky’s flight path to Dublin spark security alert

Report says enquiries are trying to determine whether the drones took off from land or an undetected ship.

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

Zelensky reinforces European support as he eyes Trump talks on US deal

Ukrainian president met Macron in Paris to sound out allies on the US blueprint for peace, which was drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe.

As more chaos plagues Miss Universe pageant, is the ‘drama’ all for show?

In the latest controversy, former Miss Universe CEO Jakapong ‘Anne’ Jakrajutatip is accused of fleeing to Mexico to avoid her legal problems.

‘Important steps’: what Cop30 deal means for climate unity and Global South

Despite the limited outcome, the summit also reveals how developing nations can still influence the global transition, analysts say.

Paul Costelloe, personal designer to Princess Diana, dies at 80

The Irish designer worked with the British royal from 1983 until her death in Paris in 1997.

Ireland business chamber welcomes Chinese investment despite US, EU pressures

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO says country welcomes business ties ‘within EU rules’, notes existing partnerships in tech and pharmaceuticals.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Did you know? Halloween has Irish origins

Readers discuss Halloween traditions that came from Ireland, South Korea as a US ally, and British flags.

They collected Monets and jewels. My things fitted in a single red vanity case

PostMag writer Fionnuala McHugh has lived a life free of clutter – and feels all the better for it.

Catherine Connolly wins Ireland’s presidential election in landslide

The left-wing politician’s victory was marred, however, by a record number of spoiled votes.

Meet Anthony Boyle, who plays Arthur Guinness in Netflix’s House of Guinness

After getting expelled at 16 then acting in ‘the worst productions you’ve ever seen’, he got his big break in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, going on to appear in Derry Girls.

Australian AI healthcare start-up eyes Hong Kong, Singapore markets

The six-year-old firm plans to build a team of about 15 to 20 people in Hong Kong and Singapore by the end of next year.

Germany slams Israel boycott, Eurovision ‘brings nations together’

Spain and others will boycott the world’s largest live televised music event in May if Israel participates over the ongoing assault on Gaza.

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

Ex-British soldier on trial for 1972 Bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland

The ex-paratrooper, named ‘Soldier F’, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at the trial in Belfast.

Why younger Europeans can see their futures in China, despite the obstacles

As China ramps up its search for foreign tech expertise, a new generation of talent finds its perspectives on the country are changing.

Louis Koo’s action star journey, Hungry Ghost Festival: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a look at Louis Koo’s career to a San Francisco restaurant’s Hong Kong roots, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Shein hit with US$175 million fine by French watchdog over cookies

Authorities accuse the fast-fashion retailer of placing cookies on users’ computers even when they opt out.

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

Trump plans hefty tax on imported drugs, risking higher US prices and shortages

US move is part of a wider effort to secure critical medical supply chains and reduce reliance on countries like China and India.

Hong Kong police arrest 2 over theft of HK$50,000 piece by French artist Invader

Harbour City reports missing artwork, which police later recover after arresting 40-year-old Irish man and 32-year-old Filipino woman.

UK’s Farage unveils plan to deport asylum seekers, warns of ‘civil disorder’

Reform UK leader proposes repealing human rights laws, as his party claims it could deport 600,000 asylum seekers if it wins power.

UK rap group Kneecap defy critics with ‘Free Palestine’ chant in Paris

Liam Og O hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, was charged in the UK in May accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November.

Opinion | Be a potato: the lesson of the resilient staple resonates as 2026 approaches

Letters | Did you know? Halloween has Irish origins