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

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, local media said Monday, after US leader Donald Trump said he was hopeful of a deal to avert military action against the Islamic republic.

A partial US government shutdown entered its third day on Monday amid growing uncertainty over Congress finding a path to quickly bring the 2026 budget deadlock to an end.

Oil and gold prices fell as concerns eased over US monetary policy and the chances of an American attack on Iran, while stock markets pushed higher.

The Russian captain of a cargo ship that hit an anchored oil tanker in the North Sea last year was on Monday found guilty by a UK court of killing a crew member.

The Walt Disney Company on Monday reported quarterly earnings showing that streaming services gained momentum and theme-park revenue hit record levels, but the company warned of a possible slowdown in the United States.

Sri Lanka on Monday dropped Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva from their 15-man T20 World Cup squad led by Dasun Shanaka.

Ride-sharing group Uber has been told by French authorities that it owes 1.7 billion euros ($2 billion) in unpaid payroll taxes, according to a media report Monday.

The European Union must step up its efforts to secure supplies of critical raw materials by 2030 if it wants to break its dependence on foreign countries and meet its climate goals, a watchdog warned on Monday.

France is expected to adopt its 2026 budget on Monday after months of fraught negotiations if Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survives the latest in a string of no-confidence motions.

Britain's former prince Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and a career Labour politician were on Monday thrust back into the eye of the Jeffrey Epstein storm, as shocking, often intimate emails with the late sex offender rocked political and royal circles.

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are "actively looking" for a replacement for the injured Mikel Merino in the closing hours of the transfer window.

Sports federations who claim sport is separate from politics should not include armed conflicts in that definition because "war is a crime, not politics", Ukraine's Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Chile has officially backed the candidacy of its former president Michelle Bachelet to become the UN's first female secretary-general, with backing from Mexico and Brazil.

Oil prices fell and gold steadied as concerns eased over US monetary policy and the chances of an American attack on Iran, while stock markets diverged.

England captain Maro Itoje will be on the bench for his side's Six Nations opener at home to Wales on Saturday.

Two-time major winner Jon Rahm on Monday said golfers should be free to choose to play "where they want", following the latest defection from LIV Golf ahead of the Saudi-backed circuit's season opener in Riyadh this week.

Two infant formula manufacturers withdrew batches from the market on Monday after France imposed stricter limits on acceptable levels of a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Liam Rosenior has refused to put a timescale on Estevao's return to action for Chelsea after he was granted compassionate leave to travel to his native Brazil.

George Russell believes he has been handed a car ready to win the world championship as Mercedes head into a new era for Formula One as the title favourites.

Subway trains, buses and trams across Germany ground to a halt Monday in a public transport strike called by one of the country's biggest unions in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Barcelona will be without winger Raphinha for the Copa del Rey clash at second-tier Albacete on Tuesday because of a thigh strain and coach Hansi Flick said something had to "change" regarding the Brazilian's preparation.

The head of the World Health Organization said Monday that the dramatic cuts of 2025 as the United States headed for the exit created the chance to build a leaner, re-focused WHO.

European stock markets rose Monday but oil and gold prices tumbled as concerns eased over US monetary policy and the chances of an American attack on Iran.

With ice rink concerns solved just weeks before the opening faceoff, National Hockey League stars return to the Winter Olympics at Milan-Cortina for the first time since 2014.

Critics and fans welcomed South Korea's first major Grammy win for the song "Golden", from the hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters", describing it on Monday as a breakthrough for the genre.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri called on referees "to be neutral" in a furious tirade after their Premier League title bid suffered another setback following a 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

Gaza's key Rafah border crossing reopened to Palestinians on Monday, an Israeli security official said, though Egyptian state-linked media said only 50 people would be allowed to cross in each direction in the early days.

Burkina Faso winger Dango Ouattara scored the winner as 10-man Brentford dented the Premier League title hopes of Aston Villa with a shock 1-0 win at the weekend.

Liverpool have beaten off competition from Chelsea to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet for a fee of up to £60 million ($82 million), according to British media reports on Monday.

Critics and fans welcomed South Korea's first Grammy win for the song "Golden", from the hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters", describing it on Monday as a breakthrough for the genre.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Washington was negotiating with Havana's leadership to strike a deal, days after he threatened Cuba's reeling economy with a virtual oil blockade.

Donald Trump threatened legal action on Monday against the host of the 68th Grammy Awards over the comedian's comment on the US president and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.