Thursday 15 October 2026Lunchtime (Europe/Dublin)
DailyBotThe lunchtime paper
Lunchtime edition
15 stories
Russia and Ukraine have resumed energy strikes despite Trump's warnings, with Moscow sending drone swarms at central Ukrainian infrastructure as Kyiv restarts strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Europe live: Elon Musk suggests the US government was behind Starlink restrictions in Ukraine, after Zelenskyy said he felt betrayed following Trump's diesel deal with Russia.
Explainer: what is Starshield, SpaceX's military-grade Starlink system, and how do Musk's SpaceX and the Pentagon control the service Ukraine relies on.
Zelenskyy says he feels betrayed by Trump over Starlink access, accusing the US president of picking the other side after four years of war.
Analysis: the Starlink restrictions will only worsen Ukraine's death toll, hitting Kyiv's air defences more than its strikes on oil refineries; Zelenskyy must hope US intel holds.
Revealed: Serbian ruler Aleksandar Vucic personally intervened to push plans for the controversial $500m Trump Tower in Belgrade, which sparked protests and a criminal inquiry.
A Pakistan school roof collapse in Peshawar has left at least 27 students dead, with rescuers searching for dozens still unaccounted for.
Albania's prime minister Edi Rama vows not to resign over student-led protests after three days of clashes in Tirana.
Albanian student protests turned violent as tens of thousands marched over education costs and corruption, with a government building and two banks set on fire.
Yemenis are stockpiling food as Houthi advances cut off basic supplies, with residents expecting war to reach the city soon.
Brazil's congress approves a constitutional amendment cutting the work week to 40 hours and banning six-day weeks, a win for Lula ahead of the runoff.
Indonesia is fighting fire with dry ice dispersed by plane over South Sumatra as toxic haze spreads across the region.
LGBTQ+ people are going into hiding in Senegal as hundreds are arrested; HRW reports at least 320 detained for acts against nature after the law was toughened.
The tech market sell-off is deepening amid fears over US inflation and AI debt, with chip makers and investors like Samsung and SoftBank plunging.
Key US voters say the economy is getting worse ahead of the midterms, with nearly 61% believing the country is in recession, a Harris poll finds.
17 stories
Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape and child sexual abuse; the former DUP leader was found guilty in June of 18 offences against two women when they were children.
The Waterford family were murdered by a gang in an arson attack over a 20,000 euro drug debt, with violent dealers the chief suspects in the petrol bombing.
A union leader warns of a long and difficult dispute if no breakthrough comes, as the Taoiseach hopes behind-the-scenes work leads to negotiations avoiding further strikes.
The EU's top court has upheld the Dublin Airport passenger cap, ruling regulators must take the 32 million a year limit into account when allocating airline slots.
Review: Dylan McGrath's latest dining proposition is simple, compelling and worthy of praise, an expertly executed offering.
A profile of James Talarico, the Democratic candidate derided by Trump who belongs to no traditional political archetype, silencing conspiracy theorists in a fascinating race.
Many loyalists are desperate to leave the UDA, and the only thing stopping some is the exit charge, waived for finding religion, so the UDA has reportedly been spying on churches.
Ann-Marie O'Shea on going from the English girl in Ireland to feeling Irish in London, and how her grandmother's seaweed remedies inspired her OMALY skincare business.
Garda social media accounts promoting cryptocurrency were hacked; the @GardaInfo account on X, with almost 300,000 followers, is no longer available under that username.
Sally Rooney's books will no longer be available in the UK over her support for Palestine Action, with Faber blaming UK antiterrorism legislation for stopping distribution.
The Metropolitan Police has been ordered to reopen its inquiry into the handling of Graham Linehan's arrest over social media posts about transgender issues.
A woman was allegedly tortured for 13 hours, drugged and had her head shaved, a Dublin bail hearing was told, with the victim heard screaming for help from a car boot.
Look inside: an A1 energy rated Victorian in Ranelagh where two eras meet, with bespoke design features and a mezzanine overlooking the kitchen.
Advice: whether you inherit your sister-in-law's share of the family home depends on the wording of the will and succession law.
Ireland is richer and spending more than 30 years ago, but a consumer sentiment survey finds the optimism of 1996 has dissipated.
More than 150 schools received a bomb threat email on the same day as the public sector strike; Dublin and Kildare schools operated as normal on garda advice.
People don't leave jobs, they leave bad managers: effective leadership depends less on who sounds like a leader than on the behaviours they demonstrate.
13 stories
Jeffrey Donaldson's victim says her childhood was stolen from her: what happened took away my ability to trust people.
The DUP has issued a statement after the Donaldson sentencing: today justice has been done for his vile and disgusting crimes.
Flags erected in response to Irish language street signs came with a warning from stocky men with a ladder that no-one wants Irish signs either, a resident says.
The first female British soldier to work with the SAS in the north breaks her silence on surveillance of IRA and INLA members as a teenager with 14th Intelligence Company.
The Republic outstrips Northern Ireland significantly in health, education, living standards and general wellbeing, a comparison finds.
Northern Ireland doctors announce fresh strike dates, with resident doctors, consultants and SAS doctors angry at the lack of a credible pay offer.
A man was driven to a green in Newtownards before being shot in the calf; police say there is no justification for this criminal brutality.
Newton Emerson: why can't unionism just tell its hardline fringe to get lost? Drumcree's most significant impact is likely to be a fall in the overall unionist vote.
The Orange Order is to hold a parade and rally in Portadown, with the planned march not notified to the Parades Commission.
An all-weather amphitheatre and forest park visitor hub are part of plans for Slieve Gullion, Kilbroney and Delamont parks, likely the last chance for city deal cash.
Analysis: unionism won't join the debate about constitutional change, even as figures show people in the Republic are better off.
A Co Antrim fragrance-making operation grew into a 60 million pound business last year, with Connor Martin's JAQ Group back to a 3 million pre-tax profit.
Newry and Dundalk, 20 miles apart on the Belfast-Dublin corridor, feature in a comparison of income, housing and the cost of living.
40 stories
Comment: depraved Donaldson claimed to be on a mission from God, but beneath the silver tongue trusted by the UUP and then the DUP was a brazen neck.
Exclusive: jigsaws, prayer and a tiny TV - a Maghaberry insider reveals how the disgraced politician is spending his days in prison.
Revealed: the plush Co Down home Donaldson co-owns with his wife Eleanor, where they lived until his conviction, has gone on the market.
Opinion: the only person in the world to publicly support Jeffrey Donaldson; he and Jonathan Aitken have plenty in common after decades in Westminster's corridors of power.
Jamie Bryson, serving as legal advisor to Portadown Grand Lodge through the Drumcree dispute, says marching on the Falls would be a different proposition.
NI airport ground staff used an internal system for underhand practice, with Swissport saying it took all appropriate action during its investigation.
Veteran UDA boss Jackie McDonald is to quit the loyalist leadership after decades in charge, with 'Mad Dog' Adair sneering at the retirement.
Apple season: what to cook when you have a wheelbarrow full of them.
Pub review: home comforts and high-end spirits at Robert Stewart's Spirit Grocer on the Ballyskeagh Road, Drumbeg.
Reform UK should take immediate action against racism, a senior figure says.
Opinion: Sam McBride went to hear Barack Obama this week with low expectations, from his Uncovered newsletter.
The Orange Order deserves credit for the Drumcree dispute resolution, with the former Sinn Fein president penning an open letter to the Order.
A forensic expert who reviewed a report in the Laura Marshall case branded Northern Ireland's former state pathologist a misogynistic name, a court heard.
Planning permission has been approved for an ambitious revamp of a listed south Belfast building.
How MLAs traded insults during a three-hour debate before the no-confidence votes, none of which received cross-community support.
Live coverage of the Drumcree dispute as a DUP delegation meets the PSNI chief and the party demands full transparency.
The DUP could be the biggest losers from Drumcree as a new political climate emerges, with the parading row heading back to court.
Chris Bryant rejects claims he bowed to mob rule over the Drumcree parade decision.
Claire McCollum, in the Meaning of Life series, on wellbeing, faith and the importance of friendship.
The DUP's Gavin Robinson calls on the Chief Constable to be transparent over the potential for a dissident republican gun attack on an Orangeman.
A Ballymena primary school had to pay hotel bills after anti-migrant disorder, with a review finding warning signs had been building for years.
The family of the tiger attack victim say he had experienced previous bouts of psychosis, raising concerns about his contact with mental health services.
The Orange lodge district at the centre of the Drumcree dispute has made no application to the Parades Commission.
NI designer Jonathan Anderson of Dior teams up with Ugg on a collection aiming to make Ugg the It girl shoe this autumn.
A Belfast bookshop owner says that as long as he can source and distribute Sally Rooney's books, he will continue to sell them.
An NI pensioner born without a left ear or hearing on that side has had a life-changing procedure fitting a prosthetic, and cannot express enough gratitude.
Cocaine king Dessie Enfield's hopes of running a criminal empire from his cell were dashed as wardens caught him smuggling a phone into Maghaberry Prison.
Detectives are probing whether a criminal enforcer was contracted by a local drugs gang to carry out the arson attack that killed four members of an innocent Waterford family.
A Belfast family searches for answers after their mother, who had dementia, was allegedly assaulted inside a care home; a doctor said it significantly contributed to her declining health before her death.
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, the original Derry Girl, talks therapy, loving herself, going no contact with family and moving to Barcelona.
How Eddie Coll became Northern Ireland's longest-serving prisoner under the two strikes law, and now speaks from prison.
Jail fury as an inmate's Naomi Long hate video, posted from behind bars, backfires and he is branded enemy number one by fellow inmates.
Survivors of Northern Ireland's mother-and-baby institutions say they are encouraged and hopeful after their first meeting with the chair of the long-awaited redress body.
Mystery solved, sort of: the 60,000 pound waterfall sculpture by Big Fish artist John Kindness, removed during 2015 renovations, was never reinstated.
Why Van Morrison fans need not worry: members of the Belfast star's touring band privately admit they are amazed at his stamina.
The Freedom Dad backs the Drumcree march but says a united Ireland is coming: I know that for a fact, and so does any other unionist or loyalist with an ounce of sense.
Police are at the scene of a sudden death in Coleraine.
From encouraging robust debate to appeals for civility: almost 16 months ago Speaker Edwin Poots wrote to MLAs reminding them they must give as good as they get.
A Belfast Irish dancing dress designer from the New Lodge wants to make the industry more accessible to young men from working-class backgrounds.
A Belfast man has been jailed for screaming threats about raping a PSNI officer in front of her family, with the judge warning the court will not tolerate this any more.