LAST UPDATE | 1 May

GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news you need to know as you start your day.

Gangs behind bars

1. The Irish Prison Service has seen a rise in the number of criminal groups behind bars, with 34 different gangs identified in 2025 compared to just 19 the year before.

London stabbings

2. UK police have charged a 45-year-old man with attempted murder after two Jewish men were stabbed in north London on Wednesday.

Iran air defences

3. Iran’s air defences were activated to counter small aircraft and drones last night, as the White House signalled that it will not be reined in by a congressional deadline on the Iran war.

The Giant

4. A Dublin businessman behind plans for a controversial 30-metre tall statue in the capital has said the city “needs something mega” to revive activity and attract visitors.

Don’t feed the birds

5. There’s been a major change in advice for those with bird feeders in their garden, with the public now being urged not to feed birds between May and October due to the outbreak of a disease which impacts finch species.

Trump lifts Scottish whisky tariffs

6. Donald Trump has said he will remove tariffs on Scottish whisky “in honour” of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla, as their four-day state visit to the US drew to a close.

Iran to play in World Cup

7. Fifa president Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled at a conference in Vancouver.

Britney Spears charged

8. Britney Spears has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, prosecutors outside Los Angeles yesterday said – but she could avoid jail time with a plea deal.

Kneecap album

9. Kneecap are releasing a new album today, the second from the globally acclaimed Belfast Irish-language group, and among the 14 tracks on Fenian are songs that address the band’s various conflicts with the British government, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.