World

A severe early summer heatwave has swept across Europe, claiming the lives of four individuals in Spain, two in France, and two in Italy. This extreme weather has prompted health alerts, sparked wildfires, and even led to the shutdown of a nuclear reactor at a Swiss power plant. In Spain, officials reported that a wildfire in Catalonia resulted in two fatalities just a day prior, while additional heatwave-related deaths were noted in Extremadura and Cordoba. Similarly, France's energy minister confirmed two heat-linked…

A total of 16 flights connecting Dublin Airport with Paris, Biarritz, Nice, and Murcia in Spain have been canceled due to a nationwide air traffic controller strike in France, set to affect operations today and tomorrow. Graeme McQueen, a spokesperson for DAA, confirmed, "The cancellations include eight departures and eight arrivals." It's worth noting that, as of now, there are no reported cancellations for flights arriving at or departing from Cork Airport today. For travelers flying to or over mainland Europe, McQueen…

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is currently at Expo 25 in Osaka, Japan—an extraordinary global exhibition showcasing the forefront of technology and industry, anticipated to draw 28 million visitors over a six-month period. With participation from 150 countries, Ireland's multi-million euro pavilion is centered around the theme "Creativity Connects People." As the Taoiseach engages with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, the focus remains on strengthening trade ties, enhancing bilateral relations, and addressing…

A judge has determined that Sean 'Diddy' Combs will remain incarcerated for the time being. Although the music mogul was acquitted of serious charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering—crimes that could have led to a life sentence—he was found guilty of lesser offences associated with prostitution. In denying the defence's request for bail, US District Judge Arun Subramanian emphasized that prosecutors provided substantial evidence during the trial of Combs' violent actions, warranting his continued detention…

A recent international survey involving 439 mobile and online games, spearheaded by national consumer agencies such as Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), has unveiled concerning design techniques that may manipulate players, including those as young as three years old, into making decisions or purchases they might otherwise avoid. This initiative, organized by the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN), aimed to uncover potential harm to consumers arising from mobile and…

The Renewed Feud Between Trump and Musk In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk are at odds again. Recently, Trump threatened to deport Musk and cut off federal funding to his businesses in response to the billionaire’s criticism of the president’s flagship spending legislation. Interestingly, Musk was Trump’s most significant political donor during the 2024 election and held a close alliance with the president, especially in the early days of Trump's…

In a significant development, Microsoft has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 9,000 jobs. This decision marks the latest step the US technology giant is taking to manage costs more effectively. These layoffs are expected to affect around 4% of the company's total workforce, impacting various teams and operations across different countries. This initiative is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to streamline management layers and enhance operational efficiency. A…

The European Commission has set an ambitious target to achieve a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gases by 2040, measured against 1990 levels. This proposal aims to build upon the already established 2030 goal of reducing carbon emissions by 55%, which the Commission asserts that the EU is "well on track" to meet. Nevertheless, environmental organizations have voiced their concerns regarding this new target. Critics argue that it relies heavily on advancements in carbon capture and storage technologies and introduces…

Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of prostitution-related offenses, although he was acquitted of more serious charges. This came as a setback to prosecutors who had hoped for a conviction on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. Combs was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution but was cleared of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking—a partial victory for the former billionaire who has significantly influenced hip-hop culture in America. The verdict followed a…

Residents in Gaza are enduring intense Israeli gunfire and shelling as Israel's military confirms an escalation in its operations. This surge in violence occurs just days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned visit to Washington. The escalation in attacks follows a week filled with increasing calls for a ceasefire. Among the voices urging for a renewed effort to halt the conflict is US President Donald Trump, who is set to meet with Netanyahu next week. He emphasized the need for a new agreement to bring the…