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Pret A Manger’s new “Pick Your Pair” meal deal—two items for £4.99—is rolling out across Britain, offering value and variety to lunchtime shoppers, but Northern Ireland is left out, missing perks like Club Pret too. While Pret expands its Irish footprint with strong local interest, regional decisions reflect unique supply chains and business strategies. Once resistant to meal deals, the brand now...

An ancient 1300 letter from French King Philip IV to Scottish knight William Wallace, one of only two known personal documents tied to the legendary hero, is set to tour England before returning to Scotland in 2028. Discovered in the Tower of London in the 1830s and held by National Records of Scotland since 2012, the rare artifact will be displayed at The National Archives in Kew starting 2027 —...

England’s bowlers delivered a masterclass on day one, dismantling Pakistan for just 133 as Josh Tongue starred with four wickets and Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer added three each. Overcast skies and floodlights aided the pacers’ movement, while Pakistan’s top order collapsed — four batsmen dismissed for single digits, including debutant Saim Ayub and captain Babar Azam. Saud Shakeel’s gritty 43...

England’s bowlers delivered a masterclass on day one, dismantling Pakistan for just 133 as Josh Tongue starred with four wickets and Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer added three each. Overcast skies and floodlights aided the pacers’ movement, while Pakistan’s top order collapsed — four batsmen dismissed for single digits, including debutant Saim Ayub and captain Babar Azam. Saud Shakeel’s gritty 43...

Uganda’s military chief has pulled the nation from Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, citing refusal to participate without King Charles III’s approval — a move that signals escalating tension between the Sussexes and the Royal Household. The General, son of Uganda’s president and known for controversial social media posts, declared he’s shutting down support for what he calls “that Harry-Meghan nonse...

Sinn Féin is unveiling a bold tax plan to scrap the USC on the first €40k of income, positioning it as a lifeline for workers and a stinging rebuke to the government’s fiscal priorities — which they say left ordinary people and disabled citizens behind while showering developers and banks with cash. Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty accuses the government of worsening hardship last year, while Taoi...

Former Irish President Mary McAleese steps down from her role leading the push to merge the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie Association, saying integration won’t happen under current leadership — a statement that sparked backlash. GAA president Jarlath Burns called her remarks “offensive,” defending the progress made, including nine female members on his management committee, and arguing that full equality...

A devastating crash on the A8 near Edinburgh Airport claimed the life of beloved 58-year-old Linda Patterson, who was driving one of four vehicles involved. Her family mourns her as a radiant, joyful force in their lives — a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose warmth and humor touched everyone. Police have charged three individuals in connection with the collision, set to appear in court Wedn...

Zelensky’s fury grows as he accuses the world of doing too little to stop Russia’s relentless bombardment of Ukraine, with Kyiv enduring some of its worst attacks since the invasion began. Civilians pay the price daily — last month alone saw over 400 killed and 2,600 wounded, bringing the war’s toll to more than 16,800 dead and 51,000 injured. Survivors describe living in terror, caught between bl...

Patients of disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel are furious as NHS Tayside’s chief executive admits logbooks were destroyed — a move victims say proves the board’s lack of honesty. Once suspended in 2013, Eljamel allegedly harmed up to 200 people, sparking a public inquiry. CEO Nicky Connor apologized for the loss of records and acknowledged systemic failures, though she denies personal blame since she...

Air traffic control crashed nationwide on Tuesday, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers as flights were canceled, diverted, and delayed across major hubs like Heathrow and Gatwick. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander apologized to passengers, blaming a four-hour technical outage at Swanwick—though she admitted it may have been preventable. Nats, the control provider, also took full respons...

Energy prices are skyrocketing as Bord Gáis Energy hikes gas and electricity bills starting October 9th—electricity up 9% (€15/month), gas up 11-12% (€11-12/month), and dual fuel customers facing over €26 extra monthly, totaling more than €300 a year. The company blames rising network costs, volatile wholesale markets, inflation, and global conflicts—and insists this is their first increase in fou...

Gaelic games integration is hitting a major snag—money’s the problem. GAA president Jarlath Burns admits financial hurdles in equally funding male and female teams are stalling progress, while Dr. Mary McAleese, who led the Integration Committee, has stepped down, citing conflicting messaging. Grassroots pressure is mounting, with Oireachtas Sports Committee head Alan Kelly questioning whether GAA...

Dublin’s launching a bold new five-year crackdown on illegal parking, spending 51 million euros to overhaul enforcement with smarter, zone-based tactics. Instead of clamping, the city’s shifting focus to towing and fines, dividing the urban landscape into six zones — each with its own parking officer, especially during peak hours. Zones one through four prioritize complaint-driven patrols, while t...

A 62-year-old man with a staggering 57 prior convictions has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for violent and sexual assaults on hospital staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital — including throwing objects, making lewd gestures, grabbing nurses, and spitting. His actions, which occurred last October and triggered fear among healthcare workers, led to a guilty plea that spared victims from court...

Erling Haaland’s Champions League clash with Porto turned wild when Porto’s Pablo Rosario allegedly grabbed his backside in stoppage time — a moment Haaland found “a little interesting” and that’s now sparking debate. The game was already electric, with pre-match tunnel brawls and heated moments like Marc Guehi’s alleged elbow on Gabri Veiga, which could’ve left City down to 10 men. Despite the ch...

The Parlour in south Belfast is roaring back with a full renovation, fresh menu, live music every night, and wood-fired pizzas — all under the new slogan “Where Good Times Pour.” After four months off, this historic pub is reimagined as a welcoming public house for students, young professionals, and weekend crowds alike. Local art and community partnerships add flair, with reopening kicking off Fr...

Derry’s iconic Halloween is hitting its 40th anniversary—and tensions are rising as the city council pushes ahead with plans, even hiring a new creative lead to steer the ship. Over 500 performers are set to take part, but friction is brewing between council officials and local carnival artists, whose exact grievances remain unclear. With the event drawing crowds from across the region and the art...

LIV Golf’s bankruptcy filing sparks a major reset as they secure new backing from BC Partners and a $50M lifeline from Saudi Arabia’s PIF, aiming to relaunch “LIV 2.0” in 2027. Rory McIlroy sees it as a potential win for golf: with contracts possibly voided, top players may return to the DP World Tour — already strengthened by its PGA Tour alliance — boosting global competition and excitement acro...

Downing Street demands a swift police review of how authorities handled recent anti-migrant protests, especially the Dover clash, questioning whether intelligence was fully leveraged and tactics were adequate. The PM’s team urges law enforcement to consider if more arrests — particularly of masked protesters — could have been made, despite police citing only damage to property as an investigation...

A stolen car from the family of heart transplant survivor Daithí Mac Gabhann has sparked outrage and concern in west Belfast, as the vehicle’s theft adds another layer of stress to an already difficult chapter. The 24-year-old accused, Brandon Lee O’Neill, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges including aggravated vehicle taking and property damage. His defense recently sought to have three of th...

The Irish News dominates UK regional media in H1 2026, soaring ahead with a 4% year-over-year surge in combined print and digital circulation—making it the only UK paper to grow overall. Digital subscriptions skyrocketed 32.4% in just six months, fueled by trusted journalism and reader loyalty. Editor Chris Sherrard credits his team for delivering stories that matter, while outpacing Aberdeen Pres...

Andy Burnham’s surprising pivot on Scottish independence could signal a seismic shift in UK politics — but don’t get too excited. The Prime Minister hinted that another referendum might be possible if Scotland’s public clearly demands it, drawing a parallel to Northern Ireland’s border poll under the Good Friday Agreement. While Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney hailed it as historic progress...

A heart transplant recipient’s stolen Christmas car—packed with gifts and his wheelchair—is at the center of a shocking theft that left a 24-year-old man pleading guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and theft. The Skoda Kodiaq, taken from Daithi MacGabhann’s Belfast home on Dec. 17, 2025, was later found at the Kennedy Centre, with damage to other vehicles and a PlayStation 5 stolen. ONeill, who i...

Energy bills are about to jump—Bord Gáis Energy’s October 9 hike could cost typical households €317 a year, with electricity up 8.8% and gas 9.3%. Blamed on global conflicts and rising network costs, it’s their first gas price increase in four years—and while they tout the lowest standing charge, financial support options exist. Compounding the pain: despite a small drop in the PSO levy, overall c...