The Irish Press - News from Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Drogheda, Galyway, Ireland and the world

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Thursday stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Western Balkans, committing £45 million ($57 million) to shoring up security in the region.

Rishi Sunak said Thursday he had pencilled in later this year for a general election, as he and his main political rival to be Britain's next leader effectively kicked off campaigning.

Caroline Garcia guided France into a United Cup semi-final against Iga Swiatek's Poland on Thursday, winning a tough singles rubber and backing up in the mixed doubles to send Norway packing.

Andrey Rublev survived a huge scare on his 2024 seasonal singles debut Thursday as the world number five was forced to dig deep to battle past British qualifier Liam Broady 6-4, 7-6 (10/8) at the Hong Kong Open.

German emissions were at their lowest point in around 70 years, as Europe's largest economy managed to reduce its dependence on coal faster than expected, a study published Thursday showed.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma said his team's seven-wicket win inside two days over South Africa in the second Test at Newlands on Thursday had shown their ability to play anywhere in the world.

Iran observed a day of mourning Thursday for the at least 84 people killed when twin blasts ripped through a crowd commemorating the slain Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani.

Sales of new cars in Germany increased in 2023, official data showed Thursday, but an end to government subsidy programmes saw electric vehicles lose ground on fossil-fuel models.

Britain's main opposition leader Keir Starmer said on Thursday that a much anticipated general election this year will offer the UK the chance to "get our future back".

India beat South Africa by seven wickets despite a stunning century by Aiden Markram on the second day of the second Test at Newlands on Thursday and level the series.

French energy giant TotalEnergies on Thursday said it had launched a review of its land acquisition practices for controversial $10-billion projects in Uganda and Tanzania slammed by environmentalists.

Rafael Nadal's comeback from injury gathered pace on Thursday as he cruised into the Brisbane International quarter-finals with an aggressive 6-1, 6-2 drubbing of Australian Jason Kubler.

Rafael Nadal continued his impressive comeback by overpowering wildcard Jason Kubler 6-1, 6-2 to move into the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International on Thursday.

Aiden Markram hit a thrilling century for South Africa but India moved closer to a series-levelling win on the second morning of the Test at Newlands on Thursday.

Russia's latest massive strikes against major Ukrainian cities aim at wearing out both the population and air defences, experts say, as Kyiv urges Western allies to provide more weapons.

Israeli bombing killed dozens of people overnight in Gaza, the health ministry of the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said Thursday, as regional tensions have surged over the almost three-months-old war.

Thousands of Japanese rescuers on Thursday battled rubble and blocked roads as hopes faded for dozens listed as missing three days after a devastating earthquake that killed at least 81.

French energy giant TotalEnergies on Thursday said it had launched a land acquisition assessment for controversial $10-billion projects in Uganda and Tanzania slammed by environmentalists.

Pakistan captured the key wickets of Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja before rain washed out the second day's play in the third Test in Sydney on Thursday.

Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko ended Karolina Pliskova's title defence when she downed the Czech star 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to book a quarter-final against Victoria Azarenka at the Brisbane International on Thursday.

Pilots on a Japan Airlines plane that burst into flames just after all 379 passengers and crew escaped had no "visual contact" with the other aircraft in the collision, the airline said Thursday.

Pakistan captured the key wickets of Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja before rain washed out the second day's play in the third Test in Sydney on Thursday.

Zion Williamson and C.J. McCollum combined for 51 points as the New Orleans Pelicans upset the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves 117-106 in the NBA on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head Thursday to the Middle East as fears mount that Israel's war in Gaza will spread across the region, following deadly blasts in Iran and the killing of a Hamas leader in Lebanon.

Kyiv's mobile air defences have enough ammunition to withstand a few more powerful attacks, but then will need more Western aid, a senior military commander said Wednesday.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina still grieves the assassination of her father -- the country's founder -- nearly 50 years ago, and her government ensures the nation grieves with her.

Pakistan claimed the key wickets of openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja to restrict Australia to 116-2 at tea on the second day of the third Test in Sydney on Thursday.

More than 50 people were reported missing Thursday as Japanese rescuers battled to reach hundreds still cut off from help three days after a devastating earthquake left at least 78 dead.

Bangladesh's election on Sunday will be a "sham" designed to cement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's rule, exiled opposition leader Tarique Rahman has told AFP in an exclusive interview defending his party's boycott.

Asian markets continued their disappointing start to the year Thursday, tracking another loss on Wall Street after minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting dampened hopes for an early interest rate cut.

A new immersive Elvis Presley show will open in central London later this year, bringing the king of rock 'n' roll back to life with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), organisers said Thursday.

The Dakar Rally roars into life on Friday in Saudi Arabia with Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah seeking a sixth title and third in a row in the mythic motorsport marathon.