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

South Korea's presidential office confirmed Thursday that six of its citizens have been captive in North Korea for years, after President Lee Jae Myung appeared unaware of their plight during a briefing with foreign media.

Experts appointed by the Trump administration's vaccine-skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr are expected to review newborn hepatitis B vaccines on Thursday, considering whether to delay the shots despite opposition from many doctors.

A majority of citizens across nine EU countries see a high risk of war breaking out between the bloc's members and Russia, according to a survey by polling group Cluster 17 published Thursday in the French international affairs journal Le Grand Continent.

Jamal Murray poured in 52 points to propel Denver to a 135-120 NBA victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday as the Nuggets continued to thrive on the road.

French President Emmanuel Macron told Xi Jinping that France and China must overcome their "differences", as the two leaders met in Beijing on Thursday.

AFP Sport assesses how the 2025 Formula One drivers' title can be won at the season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend:

Like a ghost in the night, Bilal Shorba, the artist they call the "Syrian Banksy", slipped through the rubble of Daraya to paint his murals, praying that Bashar al-Assad's gunners wouldn't spot him.

Forecasts of fresh rain on Thursday raised fears of more damage in flood-hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka, after earlier deluges killed more than 1,500 people in four countries.

Japan's Yuki Tsunoda said that it was "incredibly tough" to lose his Red Bull seat for next season but has vowed to return to the Formula One grid.

Under a scorching sun, Nur Apsyah waited in line with hundreds of others, hoping to secure some of the food aid in short supply in Indonesia's flood-hit Sumatra.

Staring at a pile of freshly cut beechwood, forestry manager Johannes Brodowski wonders if he is looking at the future of Germany's chemicals industry.

Tom Latham scored his 14th Test century as New Zealand stretched their lead to 297 over the West Indies at tea on day three of the first match in Christchurch on Thursday.

Asian markets struggled to maintain their early momentum Thursday, even after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.

Organisers of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics have unveiled the Games' official motto: "Believe. Belong. Become".

As the United States deploys more military forces and carries out airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean, Venezuelans in South Florida are divided over what President Donald Trump's next moves should be.

Lando Norris will battle his own nerves as much as his rivals' speed as he bids to end Max Verstappen's four-year reign as F1 world champion in Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Formula One season comes to a gripping climax on Sunday with a three-way title fight in Abu Dhabi.

Organizing a World Cup is never simple. But when the host is Donald Trump, it's even more complicated.

French President Emmanuel Macron met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, where he is expected to push the Chinese leader to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, and discuss trade relations.

President Vladimir Putin is set to begin a two-day visit to India on Thursday, seeking to deepen defence ties even as New Delhi faces growing US pressure to stop buying Russian oil.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday brings together the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for what he will hail as his latest peace triumph despite ongoing violence on the ground.

Atop one of Egypt's Sinai mountains, near where the three Abrahamic faiths say God spoke with Moses, another unmistakable sound rings out: the incessant drilling of construction work.

Fans of Nintendo's "Metroid" science-fiction saga have reason to celebrate Thursday as the latest instalment in the series is released after an eight-year wait and a bumpy road through development.

The countdown to the first 48-team World Cup begins in earnest on Friday as the draw for the 2026 finals takes place in Washington, with Donald Trump set to dominate much of the attention.

Skipper Scott Barrett on Thursday said the All Blacks had no fear of potentially meeting South Africa in the 2027 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals but admitted they must peak at the right time.

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, when he is expected to put pressure on the Chinese leader to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, as well as discuss trade relations.

Democrats in the US Congress released photos and videos Wednesday showing the luxury island home where convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein allegedly forced underage girls into sex with powerful men.

Tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads and Facebook ahead of the country's world-first youth social media ban.

New Zealand built a healthy 164-run lead over the West Indies, but lost the key wicket of Kane Williamson as they went to lunch at 100-2 on day three of the first Test in Christchurch on Thursday.

A US woman who accused Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her at an NBA basketball game has dropped her lawsuit against the Irish mixed martial arts fighter.

Tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads and Facebook ahead of the country's world-first social media ban.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes Russia's Vladimir Putin wants to end the Ukraine war despite inconclusive talks in Moscow, as US officials prepared for a follow-up meeting with Kyiv's top negotiator.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot conceded his side have lost their fear factor during a miserable run as Sunderland emerged with a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday.

Enzo Maresca slammed lacklustre Chelsea after their Premier League title challenge suffered a huge setback in a shock 3-1 defeat at lowly Leeds on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta fears Arsenal's mounting injury problems will hamper their bid to win the Premier League title after Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera limped off in Wednesday's 2-0 win against Brentford.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes Vladimir Putin wants to end the Ukraine war, despite talks between the Russian president and American negotiators ending without a deal.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a reset of Joe Biden's fuel-economy standards, arguing it will lower US car prices -- but critics warned it would worsen climate change and leave drivers paying more at the pump.

Mikel Merino maintained his emergence as Arsenal's unlikely goal king as the "unbelievable" makeshift striker inspired the Premier League leaders' 2-0 win against Brentford on Wednesday.

A doctor who supplied "Friends" star Matthew Perry with ketamine in the months before he fatally overdosed, musing to a fellow physician over "how much this moron will pay" for the drug, was jailed in California on Wednesday.