LAST UPDATE | 12 Aug 2025

GOOD MORNING.

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

EU leaders meet on Ukraine

 1. EU leaders have reaffirmed Ukraine’s right to “choose its own destiny” just days before US President Donald Trump is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska

India Day cancelled

2. India Day celebrations scheduled to take place in Dublin this weekend have been cancelled due to “unfortunate circumstances” related to a recent string of attacks, the Ireland India Council have confirmed 

Pennsylvania explosion

 3. At least two people died and dozens were wounded after blasts at a US Steel plant in the state of Pennsylvania yesterday

Back to school costs

4. Half of all parents are worried about back to school cost, according to a Back to School Survey released this week from children’s charity Barnardos – our readers told us about their experiences here

Protest against Israeli bonds sale 

5. A protest will take place later today outside the Taoiseach’s office in relation to the Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli State bonds

Covid enquiry

6. An ongoing independent COVID-19 enquiry examining Ireland’s response to the pandemic has found that high levels of negative impacts are emerging across several areas – including education and development, civil liberties, human rights and trust and mental health

Funeral for Gaza journalists

7. Dozens of Gazans gathered yesterday for the funeral of five Al Jazeera staff members and a sixth reporter killed in what the network has described as a “targeted assassination” by Israel outside Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital

Mayo picks new manager

8. Mayo GAA will propose Andy Moran as the new manager of the county’s senior footballers at the next meeting of the county board

Taylor Swift album

9. Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album, titled The Life of a Showgirl.

It followed 24 hours of intense speculation, with social media accounts associated with Swift hinting at a “new era” and sharing orange-themed photos – a colour long-associated with her next album