TOPIC

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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

TikTok

TikTok adds 500 UK jobs in expansion as US fate remains uncertain

A new 135,000 sq ft office is set to open in early 2026, as the ByteDance subsidiary expands in Europe amid looming US sell-or-ban deadline.

10 Jun 2025 - 4:59PM

US-China relations

US avoids currency manipulator label for China, but slams lack of transparency

6 Jun 2025 - 6:42AMvideocam

Tourism

UK, Irish castle stays on rise as travellers enjoy ‘living like royalty’

3 Jun 2025 - 4:15PM

Israel-Gaza war

Greta Thunberg joins aid ship to Gaza aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade

Climate campaigner said the mission is ‘not even near as dangerous as the silence of the world in the face of the live-streamed genocide’.

2 Jun 2025 - 10:26AM

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg during a press conference with the crew of the Madleen. Photo: EPA-EFE

Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for May 30 – June 1

Bid farewell to Stockton, enjoy the Hong Kong Whisky Festival, and celebrate The Savory Project’s anniversary with Native’s unique cocktails.

28 May 2025 - 6:45PM

Shein

Shein risks fines over breaches of EU consumer law

Chinese-founded e-commerce platform is working with regulators to address their concerns, a company spokesperson said.

27 May 2025 - 11:52AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Gone, soon forgotten: Mexican TikTok influencer’s murder reveals femicide crisis

Mexico had 852 femicides in 2023, the fourth highest rate per capita in Latin America, according to a UN report.

17 May 2025 - 9:10AM

Mexican social media influencer Valeria Marquez was shot to death during a live stream in the beauty salon where she worked on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Fame and celebrity

Meet Graham Norton’s husband, Scottish documentarian Jonathan ‘Jono’ McLeod

Before settling down with McLeod, talk show host Norton dated RuPaul’s Drag Race star Tina Burner and fashion consultant Trevor Patterson, who alleged Norton put his dogs before their relationship.

6 May 2025 - 6:00PM

European Union

EU fines TikTok €530 million for China data transfer

TikTok has been in the crosshairs of Western government for years over fears of China using personal data for espionage or propaganda.

2 May 2025 - 7:49PMvideocam

TikTok

TikTok confirms plans to build €1 billion data centre in Finland

Nordic countries have become attractive destinations for data centres as the colder temperatures reduce energy costs.

1 May 2025 - 1:00PM

China-EU relations

EU’s ‘trade bazooka’ was meant for China. Could the US be hit instead?

Bloc turns some of the weapons it had trained on Beijing towards Washington for potential use in the erstwhile allies’ worsening trade war.

17 Apr 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump has threatened untold consequences if Europe dares retaliate against his tariffs, leading some to observe that the bloc’s experiences with China last year may have provided an unlikely dry run for dealing with the two-time American president. Photo: Getty Images

Architecture and design

A cherished Irish tradition is dying out. New school aims to fix that

At the Donegal Thatching School, master thatchers teach their skills to help preserve Ireland’s long tradition of thatched-roofed cottages.

10 Apr 2025 - 7:55AM

Celebrity Families

Meet Peggy Gallagher, mother of prickly Oasis pair Noel and Liam Gallagher

Ireland-born Peggy raised her 3 sons away from their abusive father in a council house in Manchester, where she still lives – for her 80th birthday, her wish was for Liam and Noel to make up.

8 Apr 2025 - 6:00PM

Apple

Apple stores see rush of iPhone shoppers ahead of US tariffs

The atmosphere feels like the busy holiday season, store employees say, as panicked customers splurge on Apple products.

8 Apr 2025 - 5:06PMvideocam

The Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York. Photo: EPA-EFE

China-EU relations

EU frets over flood of Chinese imports as Trump stokes tariff war

Advocates for easier trade with Beijing, including Spain, face off against Poland and others backing protections against Chinese imports.

8 Apr 2025 - 2:07AMvideocam

EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional relations and Transparency, Maros Sefcovic attends a Foreign Affairs council in Trade format at the EU Council building in Luxembourg on Monday. Photo: AFP

Mergers & Acquisitions

Hutchison says it is evaluating spin-off of global telecoms business

‘From time to time, the [group] receives proposals and explores and evaluates opportunities that may be available,’ Hutchison said in a statement.

31 Mar 2025 - 10:40PM

Wellness

Meet the Irish farmer using alpacas for animal therapy for the elderly

With their ‘huge brown eyes’, camelid therapy animals ease anxiety among nursing home residents and those with special needs, farmer says.

29 Mar 2025 - 5:15PM

Hong Kong economy

Letters | Raise a glass to Ireland-Hong Kong ties

Readers discuss the relationship between the two places, protection of Victoria Harbour, and regulation of ride-hailing services.

13 Mar 2025 - 11:30AM

People attend a parade celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Central on March 15, 2015. Photo: David Wong

Donald Trump

Trump criticises Ireland on trade during St Patrick’s Day visit

US president levelled accusations against Ireland and the European Union, despite diplomatic pleasantries.

13 Mar 2025 - 10:26AM

China-EU relations

EU trade chief plans China visit amid soaring tensions with Trump

Bilateral grievances sure to be on the agenda, although problems between Europe and US could provide space for positive discussions.

27 Feb 2025 - 8:43AMvideocam

Celebrity Families

SAG Awards 2025: meet Colin Farrell’s beautiful producer sister, Claudine

Colin Farrell gave a rare shout-out to his sister Claudine at the SAG Awards on Sunday; she’s worked alongside him on everything from Daredevil and Total Recall to Alexander.

26 Feb 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Claudine Farrell and Colin Farrell at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, in 2016. Photo: WireImage

Banking & finance

HSBC to raise US$1.5 billion in perpetual convertible bonds

The bonds will be issued on Thursday and carry an interest rate of 6.95 per cent a year.

25 Feb 2025 - 4:39PM

Pedestrians walk past a lion statue outside HSBC’s Hong Kong headquarters. Photo: Elson Li

Israel-Gaza war

Israel refuses entry to 2 EU lawmakers, accuses 1 of promoting boycotts

Lynn Boylan, who chairs European Parliament EU-Palestine delegation, and French politician Rima Hassan ordered to return to Europe.

25 Feb 2025 - 11:18AMvideocam

TikTok

TikTok to expand e-commerce in more countries as US business remains in limbo

TikTok Shop is expected to enter Italy, Germany, France, Japan and Brazil this year, according to sources.

19 Feb 2025 - 7:00AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Wang Yi heads to Dublin as Ireland’s role in US-China rivalry comes into focus

Chinese foreign minister likely to press case for maintaining ties despite Ireland’s vulnerability to US policy shifts under Donald Trump.

13 Feb 2025 - 4:27PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s coming trip to Dublin has analysts speculating what Beijing’s priorities concerning Ireland are. Photo: Kyodo

Food and Drinks

Holy places Christian, Buddhist, Jewish and Sikh inspire cookbook

From Asia to Europe, Africa, US and Canada, a food writer toured the kitchens of Buddhist and Catholic monasteries, a synagogue and gurdwara.

11 Feb 2025 - 7:15AM

A Buddhist vegetarian dish at Japan’s Eihei-ji temple, one of the sacred spaces that inspred the recipes in Jody Eddy’s cookbook Elysian Kitchens. Photo: Kristin Teig

Britain

UK, Ireland start clean-up after record-breaking Storm Éowyn

Wind snapped telephone poles, toppled a wind turbine, and left one person dead and more than a million without power.

25 Jan 2025 - 8:00PM

Britain

UK, Ireland Storm Éowyn leaves hundreds of thousands without power

Many people have been advised to stay at home, with schools closed and public transport halted in some areas.

24 Jan 2025 - 8:57PMvideocam

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