Thursday 22 October 2026Lunchtime (Europe/Dublin)
DailyBotThe lunchtime paper
Lunchtime edition
14 stories
Russia has bombarded Kyiv with missiles hours after agreeing to resume talks with Ukraine; experts say Russia is trying to destroy energy infrastructure before winter and that US 'appeasement and flattery' will not achieve peace.
'Pure arrogance': anger in Finland as Google illegally felled 250,000 trees for a datacentre; the company has been ordered to stop work at two sites in a country at the forefront of tech firms' latest push.
Some US diplomats have been told to leave Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks; similar withdrawals are reported in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain over fears of a return to conflict with Iran after the US midterms.
Europe live blog: Macron has condemned 'seditious acts' by the 'ultra-left' and says he will seek to ban some protests; the French government will show 'absolute' determination to stop the riots, he says.
Macron has accused Trump and other foreign leaders of 'stupid comments' about the France unrest; the leaders were criticised for spreading misleading information as France prepares for further protests this weekend.
Europe's far right is seizing on the protest violence to push an authoritarian anti-immigration agenda; nationalist leaders are framing the unrest as a consequence of failed liberal governance and open borders.
The US military failed to notify UK police of a drink-driving allegation against an airman based in England; British authorities were unable to investigate Christopher Mooty, who went on to commit another offence.
Websites across the world have been hit by millions of attempts to exploit the PHP code flaw; the problem in the language underpinning 70% of websites has led governments and companies to pull sites offline while they patch it.
Explainer: What is PHP, and how bad is the computer language flaw causing website shutdowns globally? An estimated 70% of websites use the open-source language.
Marine life in the Gulf of Mexico has still not fully recovered from the 2010 BP oil spill; a new study reveals dramatic population drops in fish, cephalopods and more after the Deepwater Horizon spill.
Ilhan Omar says US agents seized 17 items in a raid designed to 'freak' her out; in her first interview since the pre-dawn raid, the Democrat denies immigration fraud and says she has a legal right to sit in Congress.
'Man, I loved that': Trump cheered a South Carolina rally attender who hit a protester; the president was reportedly heckled at least nine times during the campaign event for Darline Graham.
US politics live: a Vivek Ramaswamy campaign ad for Ohio is 'shameful, disgusting', Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace says - 'This ad is going to go down as the most shameful, disgusting, offensive ad this election season.'
Meta has struck a deal with Zuckerberg to help him foot a billionaire tax bill; the chief executive agrees to remain in California for eight years even if the state brings in a one-off wealth tax.
23 stories
The new EU sanctions package does not propose to target Aughinish Alumina exports; measures cutting the Limerick refinery's exports to Russia are not included in the draft of the next round of sanctions targeting Moscow.
Investigation: how raw materials from Aughinish Alumina in Limerick enter Russia's weapons supply chain - alumina made in Aughinish is exported to smelters that sell aluminium to a trader supplying Russian arms manufacturers.
Storm Austen: orange warnings have been issued as Ireland braces for torrential rain and wind; Met Eireann upgraded its warnings as the outlook for the coming days deteriorates.
The Central Bank has fined the Irish-based unit of crypto giant Coinbase EUR 3.3m; Coinbase Global is the largest crypto exchange in the US and the world's biggest custodian of Bitcoin.
BMW cars, Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex watches have been seized by gardai investigating a charitable body; jewellery worth EUR 40,000 was also seized in searches of the Dublin-based organisation.
The US and Israel are drawing up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the midterm elections; Donald Trump has repeatedly cancelled plans for a return to major combat.
The Paralympic gold medallist behind a possible major upset in a Trump stronghold: Democrat Josh Turek is mounting an unexpected challenge in Iowa, a traditional Republican bastion.
Restaurant review of The Universal: a little bit of sauce would go a long way in this Michelin-listed Galway pub; provenance is very strong and the food is good, but some tweaks would enhance the experience.
Joanne McNally is every Irish woman's best friend, and the begrudgers won't make a dent in her - a brilliant comic who deserves every opportunity coming her way.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has removed a consent video labelled 'inappropriate and demeaning' to grandparents; Jim O'Callaghan says the video 'does not represent the views of the Government'.
Ireland is looking to increase troop numbers in Bosnia and Kosovo after the Lebanon mission ends; the Lebanon mission is due to wind down early next year, ending five decades of Ireland's presence in the region.
The triple lock Bill has passed a Dail vote amid Opposition anger; the Government narrowly won the vote on legislation removing the need for UN approval of Irish troop deployments.
Convicted gang rapists say their trial was prejudiced by allowing the woman to give evidence behind a screen; the Court of Appeal was also told the trial judge did not give a clear explanation in response to a jury question on rape laws.
France has reported its first human case of the livestock virus Shamonda; authorities say there is no risk to the general population at this stage.
There are no obvious indications that the mother who died at a Bray home had suffered violence; the bodies of Bridget 'Biddy' O'Brien and Jamie McGinn were discovered at their home in Bray.
A couple found dead at a Bray home had lost two children in a house fire; the bodies of Bridget O'Brien and Jamie McGinn were found at a residence on Old Connaught Avenue.
Bank of Ireland and PTSB have raised interest rates on products for the first time since the June ECB hike; the changes, effective from today, follow recent moves by non-banking lenders.
Financial controls are to be tightened on the hot school meals programme; the spending watchdog identified opportunities to strengthen financial controls, procurement assurance and performance monitoring.
'I had no idea that being pregnant increased your risk of getting a blood clot' - blood clots can happen to anyone, but pregnancy and birth raise the risks for women.
Workplace conflict costs millions annually - lost productivity due to conflict is valued at more than EUR 239m, with over EUR 187m in the private sector and almost EUR 52m in the public sector, an NUIG study says.
A town called Schengen: after decades of seamless travel, European border checks are back - the creeping reintroduction of checkpoints inside the Schengen area is a nuisance for the town where Luxembourg, France and Germany meet.
Who is Storm Austen named after? Englishman Austen H Nagle, a meteorologist described as a 'tough and very capable administrator'.
In the News podcast: will Jim O'Callaghan back down in the solicitors' pay dispute? With Bernice Harrison.
12 stories
Solicitor Kevin Winters has branded the 'IRA lawyers' comments 'odious, irresponsible and dangerous'; David Davis made the remarks during a legacy debate on Tuesday.
Two complaints were made against paedophile priest Edward Gallagher by a teenage boy in Maynooth three decades ago; Gallagher admitted more than 100 child sex offences earlier this month after a 'paedophile hunter' sting.
Another SF and DUP row has erupted before talks on setting a budget; Sinn Fein has rejected a DUP claim that it turned down an offer of a joint First Minister and deputy First Minister meeting with the UK Government.
PSNI figures show 20% of new trainees are from a Catholic background; Policing Board member Colin McGrath says a service serving an almost 50:50 population but attracting only 20% from one background 'is in bother'.
The PSNI is investigating a potential link between two arson incidents in north Belfast; accelerant is believed to have been poured on a car in Cuper Way.
Residents are mobilising as plans are filed for a student 'super complex' on the site of a hotel and bar in south Belfast; the 556-unit scheme on the former Wellington Park Hotel site has drawn objections from NI Water and locals.
David McCann: what Sinn Fein's new Stormont candidates tell us about its plans - the party needs to inject new energy and talent into its Stormont benches.
The legacy body has issued an appeal over the killing of an RUC man shot dead in Cookstown; John Eagleson was killed on his way to work at a cement works on the Sandholes Road in 1982.
A Queen's study reveals young men's attitudes to masculinity and violence against women; the survey questioned boys and young men aged 16-24 about masculinity and gender-based violence.
Newton Emerson: want to save rural hospitals? Start by making doctors want to live there - hospital campaign groups are right, but they may not like where their argument leads.
'It's about making life as easy as possible': meet the women changing the narrative around adapted homes - combining interior design with occupational therapy without sacrificing style.
Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill have attended a PSNI station over the Garvaghy Road protest; the Sinn Fein leader insists taking part in the protest was 'the right thing to do'.
30 stories
Carla Lockhart has refused to rule out leaving the DUP and stayed silent on confidence in Gavin Robinson; the DUP MP would not be drawn on her leader as she did not rule out leaving the party over the Drumcree dispute.
'We're hoping to be a wee bit different': a lottery winner has submitted plans for a new Belfast Christmas market this year, a planning application to turn part of the city centre into a 'Christmas village'.
Opinion: if you were wondering what Sinn Fein's so-called 'shrine to terrorism' would have looked like - as Drumcree 5: The Sequel No One Wanted became a box office hit anyway, DUP politicians pointed out Sinn Fein's ongoing failings over the A5 and Casement Park.
Pub review of The Brass Monkey, Newry: a border boozer that has changed with the times but lost none of its charm.
'NI men aren't known for being great dressers': Jamie Dornan talks fashion industry experience and the pressure of taking on an iconic Lord of the Rings character in his upcoming film.
William is to stage a 'Children's Earthshot' at his environmental awards in Mumbai.
A Russell Brand rape accuser did not think police would believe her, a court has heard.
A former NI sports chief has pleaded not guilty to sexual offences against underage girls; Gerry Carson (84) admits two counts of stalking.
Jeffrey Donaldson rape allegations inside Westminster have been branded 'highly concerning' after an urgent question; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons described the allegations that Donaldson raped a woman inside the Houses of Parliament as 'highly concerning'.
The Met Office has issued an NI weather alert ahead of Storm Boelo's arrival, with gusts of up to 75mph forecast and potential for power cuts and transport disruption this weekend.
A former Liverpool FC employee has been jailed for his part in the Ballymena race riot, in a case a judge called 'utterly depressing'; the Co Londonderry man worked for the football club.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson on married life, her 'exciting' career and getting recognised in America - the Derry Girls star on staying grounded and what makes Irish fashion so unique.
Analysis: Stormont descends into chaos as Michelle O'Neill walks out and Emma Little-Pengelly is left unable to continue - shouting MLAs and a First Minister who left early expose divisions now impossible to conceal.
A serial NI stalker who told victims 'he had a fetish for bondage' and kept a secret diary has been jailed; he admitted sending 132 pages of graphic and sexualised messages to two women and tracking their movements for nine years.
A Sinn Fein MP is eyeing a shock Stormont switch in a high-stakes bid to make history in Strangford; Chris Hazzard's decision to enter the race is a blow to the SDLP's chances of a breakthrough.
'The crowd was solemn and still': the day two men were executed in a grim public spectacle in the centre of Belfast - crowds gathered on an early September morning in 1816.
A letter from convicted paedophile Donaldson tells of the comfort he finds in the Bible, written days before he was handed a 15-year sentence.
'Why we cling to the memory of the boy who never came home 40 years ago': the mysterious disappearance of 13-year-old Philip Cairns in a Dublin suburb on October 23, 1986 challenged the belief that children were safe in familiar surroundings.
'Opportunistic Trojan horse': a Foyle MLA has hit out at the Ebrington Square parking charges plan; tariffs are to be introduced later this year.
Individuals who wrote court character references for jailed cocaine king Joe Kearney are fighting to keep their identities secret; the Kinahan-linked drug baron was jailed earlier this month.
An unexplained aspect of police intelligence over dissidents at Drumcree may help bring understanding to the public; more on the policing of Drumcree is expected on day two of the Orange Order case.
A judge will rule next week on the Orange Order challenge over the banned Drumcree march; the High Court heard Garvaghy Road residents involved in peaceful protests should not be associated with any potential dissident gun attack on police.
Co Tyrone manufacturing firm Terex has experienced a 'notable' fall in profits; the firm employs close to 1,900 staff in Northern Ireland.
'I was 13 when Dad was murdered': Troubles investigators have reopened the murder case of a part-time RUC officer, a father of three shot dead in an early-morning attack while riding his motorbike to work.
'Get it checked': a Co Down man with stage four prostate cancer is campaigning for more men to get tested; David Johnson (59) wants to save lives by turning his illness into something positive.
Police are appealing for information after a car was torched in the Shankill area overnight; the PSNI believes the latest incident may be linked to an attack earlier this week.
A 'horrendously nasty' weedkiller attack on a south Belfast community garden has caused EUR 8k damage; the group supports struggling students and low-income families by providing fresh food.
A EUR 67m Ryanair hub subsidy 'would not eliminate the significant cost difference' between NI and competing nations; the public subsidy would still not fully close the gap for the EUR 400m maintenance hub.
Diesel emissions are not properly tested in MOT tests, a court has found after an environmental challenge over deadly air pollution; the Department for Infrastructure failed to properly test diesel emissions.
Champion boxers provided character references for a 'gentleman' death driver; Martin Olali was jailed last week for causing the death of Richard Boyle in a hit-and-run in west Belfast five years ago.