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

Like most others his age, Uriel Balas was just excited to celebrate his 26th birthday with friends, having saved up for his ticket to Israel's much-anticipated Supernova music festival.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti on Friday called up Jorginho and Federico Chiesa as the European champions face two key Euro 2024 qualifiers.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was hoping on Friday that his "stubborn" nature will help dull the pain of a hamstring injury as he plots a path to the World Cup final.

Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has taken a big risk allying with Catalan separatists, opening up a breach in Spanish society and even within his own political family.

It will be a woman's world at the upcoming Grammys, with SZA scooping the most chances for gold ahead of the star-studded music gala with nine, as pop's superstars including Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish dominated across the categories.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will deliver its verdict on the doping case involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva in January 2024, it said on Friday.

South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen said the team will take their "must-win mindset" into the World Cup semi-final against five-time winners Australia.

The arrest in Brazil this week of two people accused of planning "terrorist attacks" has put a spotlight on alleged South American operations by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which Israel says orchestrated the plot.

Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott on Friday said the "future is bright" for his team after enjoying their most successful World Cup.

The Beatles' latest release "Now And Then" on Friday became the legendary band's first UK number one single in 54 years, with Paul McCartney calling it "a very emotional moment."

Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the 66th annual Grammy Awards, which will be handed out on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles.

It will be a woman's world at this season's Grammys, with SZA scooping the most chances for gold on music's biggest night with nine, as pop's superstars including Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish dominated across the categories.

The US arm of China's largest bank said it was hit by a ransomware attack, forcing clients to reroute trades and disrupting the US Treasury market.

Pop's superstar women including Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish on Friday dominated the nominations for the 66th annual Grammy Awards, the music world's top prizes, as SZA scooped the most chances at gold with nine.

Andy Murray has split from coach Ivan Lendl for a third time after a gruelling season for the former world number one.

Rassie van der Dussen hit an unbeaten 76 to lead South Africa to a comfortable five-wicket win over Afghanistan in their last World Cup group game on Friday as their opponents were eliminated from the semi-final race.

A top-selling biography of billionaire Elon Musk is being adapted into a film with prolific US director Darren Aronofsky already attached, production company A24 said Friday.

Palestinians said deadly salvos on Friday hit hospitals and a school where desperate civilians in Gaza City have sought refuge from intense combat that has sent many thousands fleeing.

Mikel Arteta has warned Aaron Ramsdale not to rush any decision over his future after the goalkeeper was told he could not be promised a place at Euro 2024 if he remains on the bench at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta has warned Aaron Ramsdale not to rush any decision over his future after the goalkeeper was told he could not be promised a place at Euro 2024 if he remains on the bench at Arsenal.

Mauricio Pochettino said it is "impossible" for Chelsea to think of themselves as underdogs as he prepares for the daunting task of taking on Premier League champions Manchester City.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admitted Friday he is "not happy" with Marcus Rashford's form but remains convinced the England forward will get back to his best this season.

Wall Street indices bounced but European stock markets fell Friday as investors digested warnings by central bank chiefs that the battle against inflation was not over.

Less than 10 months before the Paralympic Games in Paris, the route the torch relay will cover was unveiled on Friday, with a departure from the spiritual home of disabled sport at Stoke Mandeville in England.

Defender Pepe and midfielder Matheus Nunes return to the Portugal squad, named on Friday for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Iceland next week.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first meeting in nearly a year next week on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco, officials from the rival superpowers said Friday.

England batsman Dawid Malan said Friday young teammate Harry Brook has been placed "under so much pressure" at the World Cup but backed him to play "100 games across all formats".

Ange Postecoglou has revealed that Tottenham are expected to be without James Maddison and Micky van de Ven until 2024.

British bank NatWest on Friday said it had axed almost £7.6 million ($9.3 million) worth of potential payouts for Alison Rose, its former chief executive who resigned over the lender's treatment of arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage.

Palestinians said a deadly strike on Friday hit Gaza's largest hospital compound as medical facilities sheltering tens of thousands were caught in intense combat between Israel and Hamas.

Bayer Leverkusen full-back Alejandro Grimaldo has been rewarded for his outstanding start to the season with a call-up to the Spain squad for their final Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Cyprus and Georgia this month.

Kaja Juvan helped Slovenia seal its berth in the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals on Friday with a straight sets demolition of Kazakhstan's Anna Danilina.