The Nex Playground, a new cube-shaped video game console, uses AI and body movements instead of controllers to encourage children to be active. Despite its niche focus, it surprisingly ranked as the third best-selling console in the US during Black Friday 2025.
New Zealand secured a dramatic four-run victory over Ireland in the Women's T20 World Cup. The win keeps New Zealand's semi-final hopes alive, while effectively eliminating Ireland from the tournament.
New Zealand secured a dramatic four-run victory over Ireland in the Women's T20 World Cup. Ireland's hopes of reaching the semi-finals were effectively ended by the loss, while New Zealand remains in contention.
European Council President Antonio Costa defended diplomatic outreach to the Kremlin, stating direct communication with Russia is necessary to support Ukraine, though peace talks are not yet feasible. The initiative revealed divisions among EU leaders.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating Oxevision, a camera and sensor system used by 40% of NHS mental health trusts to monitor patients in their bedrooms, over data protection concerns. Patients describe it as 'creepy' and 'spying,' while a bereaved mother claims it contributed to her daughter's paranoia before suicide. Oxehealth (now LIO) states the technology enhances safety and frees up staff time.
Veteran prop James Slipper and uncapped trio Declan Meredith, Lachlan Shaw, and Miles Amatosero are named in the Wallabies squad for the Nations Championship Tests in Australia. Slipper, 37, could become rugby's second most-capped player. Meredith, Shaw, and Amatosero are in line for potential debuts against Ireland on July 4.
The BCCI will allow 15-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's parents to accompany him on his maiden senior national team tour of Ireland and England to help him adjust to an adult environment. Sooryavanshi earned his first India call-up after a stellar IPL season.
An inquiry into Muckamore Abbey hospital in Northern Ireland revealed widespread abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, including physical harm, over-medication, and systematic bullying. The report made 106 recommendations to prevent recurrence.
Ireland's government has launched a new action plan to combat financial crime, specifically naming crypto-assets as an evolving threat. Measures include enhanced safeguards for digital finance and establishing industry standards for verifying crypto funds.
An inquiry into Muckamore Abbey hospital in Northern Ireland found that mistreatment of vulnerable adults, including physical abuse, neglect, and over-medication, had become 'normality'. The hospital is under the UK's largest police investigation into vulnerable adult abuse, with 124 referrals for prosecution.
The UK government is allocating £4m in emergency funding to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to cover costs incurred during recent public disorder in Belfast. The violence, sparked by shared footage of a knife attack, led to attacks on homes, businesses, and vehicles, as well as racist assaults on healthcare workers. The funding will support overtime and mutual aid, with 115 households seeking housing assistance due to the unrest.
England and Scotland have received their playoff draws for the 2027 Women's World Cup. England faces Greece and either Slovakia or Ukraine, while Scotland has a more challenging path, potentially needing to beat Sweden. Wales and Northern Ireland also face difficult routes.
England will face Greece in the first round of the 2027 Women's World Cup play-offs. The Lionesses need to win two rounds of home and away ties to qualify for the tournament in Brazil, after finishing second in their qualifying group behind Spain.
Ireland's squad for the Nations Championship has been announced, with uncapped Connacht players Billy Bohan, Sam Illo, and Sean Jansen included. Injured fly-half Jack Crowley is out, leaving Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne, and Ciaran Frawley to compete for the No. 10 position. Caelan Doris will captain the 36-man squad.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland delivered standout performances in recent World Cup matches. Messi scored a hat-trick, Mbappé set a new national scoring record for France, and Haaland netted two goals in his GWC debut.
As Ireland prepares to lead EU tech policy, its close ties to US tech giants present a conflict of interest. Sixteen of the world's top 20 tech companies have hubs in Ireland, contributing significantly to its corporate tax revenue. Critics question Ireland's ability to act as an 'honest broker' due to its economic reliance on Big Tech.
Ireland takes over the EU Council presidency with the difficult task of negotiating the bloc's next seven-year budget. Wealthier nations rejected a recent proposal for modest cuts, increasing pressure on Ireland to broker a deal amid competing demands from member states.
Ireland assumes the EU presidency with high expectations for progress on key policy files, including the bloc's next long-term budget and industrial strategy. Facing a deadline before the 2027 French presidential election, Dublin must navigate complex negotiations on issues from tech sovereignty to emissions rules.
Ireland faces a pivotal role as mediator in a major ideological dispute among EU member states over the future of the bloc's Emissions Trading System (ETS). The European Commission's review, due mid-July, will determine how the 20-year-old carbon pricing policy is reformed amidst industry pressure and differing national interests.
As Ireland prepares to assume the EU Council presidency, concerns are mounting over its military capabilities to secure summits and critical infrastructure against drone and cyber threats. Despite low defense spending and limited military assets, Dublin insists it is prepared, citing increased budget allocations and security agreements.
Ireland assumes the EU Council presidency on July 1, facing a critical juncture with a narrow window for major decisions due to the upcoming 2027 French presidential election. Dublin aims to advance key issues like EU enlargement and the next long-term budget, but political caution in Paris, influenced by far-right polling, limits negotiation time. The departure of Hungary's former PM Orbán has created new momentum on stalled files, presenting an opportunity for progress.
England secured a four-wicket victory over Ireland in a rain-affected T20 World Cup match in Southampton. Sophie Ecclestone starred with the ball, taking 3/22, as Ireland posted 118/9. England chased the target, with Nat Sciver-Brunt scoring 48 before retiring hurt, to maintain their winning momentum.
Lidl has opened its first pub, The Middle Ale, in Northern Ireland, a move driven by the region's strict licensing laws. The supermarket had to overcome legal hurdles, including the 'surrender principle' and the 'inadequacy' test, to obtain a license for a pub, which it passed due to recent bar closures.
UK ministers are accused of applying the definition of terrorism inconsistently, labeling Palestine Action protests as terrorism while downplaying far-right riots. This double standard is highlighted by differing legal treatments and sentencing for activists and rioters.
