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

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has challenged his players to block out an expected wall of sound on Thursday when they take on co-hosts Mexico in their World Cup opener.

SpaceX enters the final stretch Thursday before its expected trading on Wall Street as part of the biggest initial public offering in history, which could propel co-founder Elon Musk to trillionaire status.

France and Switzerland are imposing tight security for a looming G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, with a demonstration to be held Sunday in Geneva serving as their first test.

Pop diva Taylor Swift was courtside at Madison Square Garden to cheer on the New York Knicks in game four of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.

All Blacks star Damian McKenzie says the Waikato Chiefs are pumped up and ready to "rip" into the Canterbury Crusaders with a place in the Super Rugby final at stake when they meet on Friday.

South Korea captain Son Heung-min said on Wednesday his teammates were so excited about their World Cup opener against the Czech Republic he could "feel it in their eyes".

The United States launched a new wave of attacks against Iran on Wednesday night as efforts to end the three-month old war sputtered, and Tehran hit back saying it will target any ship going through the Strait of Hormuz.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said he feared for trust in France's institutions after a botched investigation into the main suspect in an 11-year-old girl's likely murder triggered public outrage.

BERLIN, DE / ACCESS Newswire / June 11, 2026 / Today at the ILA Berlin Air Show, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the INTEC Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for INTEC to support the architecture and integration of mission systems, entry into service and logistic support services for GA-ASI's Gambit Series of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The work is intended to provide sovereign capabilities to meet the growing interest in CCA in Germany.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / June 11, 2026 / The 2026 U.S. Polo Assn. Palm Beaches Marathon, a celebration of America's 250th, will introduce prize money for its top Marathon runners for the first time when the race returns to the streets of West Palm Beach on December 12-13, 2026, a move that will attract elite runners worldwide and elevate the status of Palm Beach County's most treasured road test.

Portugal beat Nigeria 2–1 in a World Cup warm-up on Wednesday, with goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao making up for an off night for Cristiano Ronaldo.

England were undeterred by a thunderstorm that delayed their final World Cup warm-up friendly as they beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Orlando on Wednesday.

Canada's culture minister on Wednesday introduced legislation that would ban children under 16 from having social media accounts and require AI chatbot services to limit production of harmful content.

The United States launched a new wave of attacks against Iran on Wednesday, with President Donald Trump vowing to "hit them hard" after talks to end the more than three-month war faltered.

The corporate titans of the tech, energy and chemicals industries are spending more than ever to influence EU decision-makers, determined to see more business-friendly policies -- and it's paying off, campaigners said Thursday.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday brushed off concerns about consumer inflation surging to a fresh three-year high in May, on the back of soaring energy prices caused by his war in Iran.

South Asian communities face "serious hazards" from intense rains this season, even though the approaching monsoon is expected to bring lower than normal rains overall, risking drought, experts warned on Thursday.

The United States on Wednesday renewed attacks against Iran, with President Donald Trump vowing to "hit them hard" after negotiations on ending the more than three-month war floundered.

The World Cup isn't only about soccer: FIFA is drawing on music stars to elevate the competition into a global cultural event, broadening its reach beyond sports fans.

Police used water cannon late Wednesday to disperse small crowds who had gathered for a second night in Northern Ireland as UK authorities blamed far-right activists for stoking anger on social media following a brutal Belfast stabbing.

Brazil star Raphinha intends to repay the faith shown in him by new coach Carlo Ancelotti at the World Cup after frequently proving to be the nemesis of the Italian during past encounters at club level.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday brushed off consumer inflation surging to a fresh three-year-high in May, with soaring energy prices caused by his war in Iran posing a key challenge to Republicans ahead of midterm elections.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino brushed off criticism over World Cup visa issues and sky-high ticket prices on Wednesday in a defiant eve-of-tournament press conference.

American 17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus edged to a second Diamond League 800m win in Oslo on Wednesday, while Letsile Tebogo stormed to victory in a 200m field which included Australian sensation Gout Gout.

French pop icon Patrick Bruel was charged with rape and sexual assault on Wednesday, after nearly two dozen women came forward to make allegations against him, some dating back to the 1990s.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday it would have been "impossible" to organise the World Cup in the United States without US President Donald Trump.

Two days before the United States' first World Cup game, coach Mauricio Pochettino only took questions from one intrepid reporter -- and it was Sesame Street's Grover.

Global stock markets mostly fell on Wednesday as fresh strikes in the Middle East, a jump in US inflation and a tech sell-off weighed on sentiment.

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday blessed a giant new tower at Barcelona's famed Sagrada Familia Basilica after celebrating mass inside what is now the world's tallest church.

Cape Town has been added to the prestigious World Marathon Majors, the elite series said on Wednesday, making it the first African race in the circuit.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the US military base at Guantanamo Bay on Wednesday, warning the communist-led island of Cuba against acquiring weapons that could threaten the United States.

Climate change-fuelled landslides wiped out nearly one in ten of the world's rarest great ape species on Indonesia's Sumatra island, scientists said Wednesday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described as "unfortunate" the case of Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States.

England's final World Cup warm-up friendly against Costa Rica was delayed on Wednesday after a heavy thunderstorm hit Orlando.

The moment Bosnia-Herzegovina eliminated Italy and sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup, emotions at a Toronto mosque turned from tense to euphoric, said Anes Dzumhur, program manager at the city's Bosnian Islamic Association.

Marcos Senesi has joined Tottenham Hotspur as Roberto De Zerbi looks to rebuild the Premier League strugglers' shaky defence.

President Donald Trump said the United States would launch fresh attacks on Iran on Wednesday, accusing Tehran's peace negotiators of "playing us for suckers."

Haiti have been forced to change their kit design just days before their World Cup opener against Scotland after FIFA banned a depiction of a war scene on the shirts.

British clothing group Frasers announced Wednesday a nearly two-billion-euro ($2.3 billion) offer to acquire outstanding shares in German men's premium apparel firm Hugo Boss.