SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s main presidential election candidates kicked off their campaigns Sunday in their political strongholds ahead of what is expected to be a tight October election.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke to more than 10,000 supporters at the Vila Euclides Stadium outside the city of Sao Paulo — where he rose to political fame 47 years ago as a metalworkers union leader during the country’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship.
Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, one of the sons of former conservative President Jair Bolsonaro, gathered with thousands of voters on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. His father, under house arrest following his conviction for an attempted coup, did not attend.
Sunday was the first day candidates were allowed to campaign in Brazil.
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Lula warns against foreign interference
Brazil’s president once again said he does not want foreign interference in the country’s elections. His allies have accused the U.S. government of seeking to boost Bolsonaro’s bid with measures such as raising tariffs on Brazilian exports and revoking the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington.
In comments about Brazil’s vast reserves of rare minerals, Lula said “no one (abroad) will tap our minerals. We are going to tap them for the benefit of the Brazilian people.”
Both candidates appeal to women voters
Lula, who seeks his fourth nonconsecutive term, and Bolsonaro each sought to appeal to women voters, who account for nearly 53% of Brazil’s 158 million eligible voters, according to the country’s electoral court.
“Men need to learn from childhood that they are no better than women. We need to be equal,” said Lula, as first lady Rosângela da Silva stood by his side and nodded. She was one of the event’s main speakers in Sao Bernardo do Campo, where Lula lived a large part of his life.
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Lula said he will launch his platform within 10 days, with more details to come about his policies to benefit women, including education initiatives and policies to prevent and punish violence against women.
Bolsonaro, with his mother and wife by his side, told supporters he would work to fight violence against women.
Bolsonaro seeks to distinguish himself from his father
In his speech Bolsonaro vowed to fight crime and to remove what he described as left-wing “ideology” from Brazilian schools. Every student “has the right to dream of being Elon Musk someday,” he said.
Before his appearance on Copacabana beach, Bolsonaro, 45, said during a live broadcast that he has received 1,800 death threats, without offering evidence. The lawmaker noted that he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
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His father was attacked by a man with a knife as he campaigned for the presidency in 2018, suffering internal bleeding and intestinal injuries.
Jair Bolsonaro chose his son to stand against Lula as the Liberal Party’s candidate. The younger Bolsonaro’s campaign has faced headwinds since its start, with moderate political parties keeping their distance.
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The 45-year-old lawmaker, who bears a physical resemblance to his father, clearly sought to establish his own identity.
“I know I look like him. But it is hard to compare Pelé’s son with Pelé,” he said, referring to the three-time World Cup-winning soccer player who died in 2022.
Police say the collision likely took place after the driver fell asleep.
Tim Hanlon and Ruth Suter Chief Live News Reporter
11:01, 16 Aug 2026
Twelve people have died with dozens more injured after a tourist bus crashed in Hungary.
The bus, from Poland, crashed on the M3 motorway 87 miles east of Hungary’s capital, Budapest, at around 1am on Sunday. Police say the collision likely took place after the driver fell asleep.
The vehicle had been travelling eastbound near the town of Mezokeresztes when it overturned. Emergency services tried to lift the rear axle of the 24-tonne bus to remove passengers trapped underneath before cranes arrived to move the whole vehicle, according to local reports.
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The driver has since been taken into custody. A total of 35 people were rescued from the coach, however, it is understood there were others who were trapped underneath.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar confirmed that at least 12 people had died in the accident. As reported in the Mirror, he offered his condolences to the families of the victims and thanked rescue workers who were dispatched to the scene.
He wrote: “12 people lost their lives and at least ten were seriously injured during the night, when a Polish coach overturned into a ditch on the M3 motorway.”
There were 47 people travelling on the bus according to Hungarian Interior Minister Gábor Pósfai, with some of those people who had been rescued seriously injured.
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A statement from him read: “In the bus accident overnight on the M3 motorway, a bus with Polish license plate overturned. The police and firefighters went to the scene, as well as civilian assistance arrived to move the injured vehicle. According to current information in the accident, 12 people were killed. There were 47 people travelling on the bus, some of them were seriously injured. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims and thank you for the work of those involved in the rescue. The driver of the vehicle who suffered the accident has been taken into custody.”
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski wrote in a post on X that a “tragic bus accident involving Polish tourists” had occurred in Hungary and that his ministry was in contact with Hungarian authorities.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed his “deep sorrow” over the accident. He said: “I join the families and loved ones of the victims in prayer and deep sympathy.”
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“It is difficult to find words that could adequately express what Taylor and his family mean to our club.”
18:21, 16 Aug 2026Updated 18:24, 16 Aug 2026
A GAA club has led tributes to their much loved former player following his death.
Taylor Hill passed away in hospital on Saturday, August 15, bringing much sadness to his family, friends and teammates in the Banbridge area. He has been described as a talented gaelic football player with his club saying they were “incredibly fortunate” to have him as a player.
A notice on Funeral Times said: “Treasured son of Anna and Rory, adored brother of Cathal, Conál and Ollie also a cherished grandson of Kenny and Patricia McGrath and George and Geraldine Hill. Funeral arrangements later.
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“Family flowers only please, donations for the benefit of the Intensive Care Unit, Craigavon Area Hospital via www.milnefuneralservices.co.uk/donate 028 406 24999.“Very deeply regretted and sadly missed by his Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends and the entire family circle. St. Padre Pio pray for him.”
A book of condolences was opened at Clann na Banna CLG in memory or Taylor, with the Co Down club paying tribute to the “much loved” former player saying that club activities would be suspended.
It paid tribute to Taylor on social media saying: “It is with profound sadness and the heaviest of hearts that Clann na Banna mourns the passing of our much loved senior player and clubman, Taylor Hill.
“It is difficult to find words that could adequately express what Taylor and his family mean to our club.
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“Taylor was a valued member of our Senior Men’s team, a teammate and a friend, and a kind and much loved young man who was so well thought of by everyone who knew him. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had him as part of the Clann.”
It continued: “Our hearts are with Rory and Anna, Cathal, Conál and Ollie, his grandparents Patricia and Kenny McGrath, Geordie and Geraldine Hill, all his aunts, uncles and cousins, the entire McGrath and Hill families, Taylor’s teammates and friends, and everyone who was fortunate enough to know and love him.
“At times like this, football becomes completely insignificant and what matters is being there for one another. In the days, weeks and months ahead, we ask our members to keep Taylor’s family close, to look after his teammates and friends, and above all, to look after each other.
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“Taylor was deeply loved, and he will always have his place in the story of our club. Rest easy, Taylor. Always one of our own. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”
Taylor’s place of work, Alternative Heat LTD paid tribute to the young man saying: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the very sad news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Taylor Hill.
“Taylor was a much-loved member of the Alternative Heat family. He was kind, funny, unassuming and simply a pleasure to be around. He had a quiet nature, but a wonderful sense of humour, and those who worked alongside him will remember the laughter and the good times shared with him.
“Taylor made a lasting impression on so many people. He was a talented GAA player and had a passion for the things he loved, but to us, he was first and foremost a valued colleague and a friend. His absence will be felt deeply across our team.
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“Our thoughts, love and deepest condolences are with Taylor’s parents, Rory and Anna, his brothers Cathal, Conál and Ollie, and all of his wider family, friends and Clann na Banna teammates. We cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak they are experiencing. We hope, in some small way, that knowing how loved Taylor was, how highly regarded he was by those around him, and how many happy memories he leaves behind will bring them some comfort in the days ahead.
“Rest easy, Taylor. You will always be remembered with great affection by everyone at Alternative Heat, we feel incredibly fortunate to have known you.”
In full: US top Middle East commander visits deployed aircraft carrier, and other Mideast news
Adm. Brad Cooper, the top US military commander in the Middle East, visited the USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea during a 10-day tour in the region that concluded on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said.
Israel said its strikes in southern Lebanon, which killed at least 11 people, targeted two Hezbollah commanders. And a Hamas delegation is in Cairo on Sunday for Gaza ceasefire-related talks with Egyptian officials.
Here’s a look at the latest developments on Sunday in the Iran war and the wider Middle East:
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Holly Bancroft16 August 2026 18:09
Foreign ministers of several countries condemn Israel’s rejection of Gaza peace plan
The foreign ministers of eight countries have issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s rejection of the Gaza peace plan and their rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The statement released on Sunday is from the foreign ministers of the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
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It blames Israel for actions that “fundamentally undermine collective efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace”. It adds: “This rejection confirms that Israel now bears the responsibility for obstructing efforts to achieve peace in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory.”
The ministers said that the proposed peace plan would limit weapons in conjunction with the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of an international stabilisation force.
Israel’s refusal to accept the plan “directly threatens to derail the intensive efforts of US president Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza and create the conditions for a lasting peace”.
Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is in Egypt this weekend for talks with Hamas.
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Holly Bancroft16 August 2026 18:02
Danger in Saudia Arabia’s Jazan province has passed
Saudi Arabia’s civil defense said on Sunday that the danger in Jazan province had passed, according to a post on X. It had earlier issued an alert warning of potential danger in the area.
The warning was of “potential danger” in the southern Jazan province along the border with Yemen, an area that has been targeted by Yemeni rebels recently.
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Holly Bancroft16 August 2026 17:12
Iranian parliament advances bill to criminalise interviews with ‘hostile’ media
Iran’s parliament have approved the general principals of a bill that would criminalise interviews and other communications with media deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, including US or Israeli media and outlets financed by either country, Iran’s Shargh newspaper reported on Sunday.
Osman Salari, a member of the parliament’s judicial and legal commission, said the individual provisions of the bill, which is aimed at countering foreign intelligence influence, have yet to be debated and approved.
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He told Mizan news agency that reports of the bill’s details should not yet be considered final.
It has been reported by Iranian media that the proposed bill would ban interviews or participation in discussions with “hostile” media, and violations would be punished with six months to two years in prison.
Interviews with other foreign media would require notification to the intelligence ministry, and contact with foreign embassies or other non-Iranian institutions without notification and permission would be punished with a fine and deprivation of certain social rights.
The move is not the first time Iran has criminalised cooperation with foreign entities. A law passed in 2025 after a 12-day war with Israel imposed tougher penalties for alleged cooperation with hostile states.
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Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced this month to 15 years under that law over allegations that included giving interviews to media deemed hostile and providing photographs to US and Israel-linked organisations.
Holly Bancroft16 August 2026 16:06
Iran army chief to Trump: Hormuz defenders will ‘break your legs’
Iranian army commander Major General Amir Hatami has criticised US president Donald Trump over remarks about the Strait of Hormuz, according to IRIB.
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“Joking about such remarks is a major mistake, because this is Iran, and it has defenders who will break your legs,” Hatami said.
He added that the US forces had “effectively been driven out” and no longer had permission to enter the Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz.
Hatami also said US bases would not be allowed to return to their previous status, adding that “Iran will never allow this”.
Bryony Gooch16 August 2026 15:13
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Crisis unfolds on Trump’s warship in the Middle East
Bryony Gooch16 August 2026 14:30
Iran executes man convicted of running over police during January protests
Iran executed a man convicted of deliberately driving his car into police officers during anti-government protests in the city of Karaj in January, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
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Shahram Sadeghi was accused of driving a car into police officers in Karaj on 8 January, injuring seven officers, one of whom was reportedly left in a coma for three months, according to Tasnim news agency.
The Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Sadeghi to death and confiscation of his assets for what authorities described as an “operational action” in favour of Israel, the United States and hostile groups under Iran’s espionage law.
The Supreme Court upheld the sentence and it was carried out early on Sunday, according to the judiciary.
Bryony Gooch16 August 2026 14:00
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Recap watch: Trump says Strait of Hormuz will soon be ‘called a territory of the United States’
Trump says Strait of Hormuz will soon be ‘called a territory of the United States’
Bryony Gooch16 August 2026 13:30
Recap: US Central Command chief visits aircraft carrier
Admiral Brad Cooper, the top US military commander in the Middle East, visited the USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea during a 10-day tour in the region that concluded on Saturday, US Central Command said.
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Adm. Cooper visited the USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea as reports have emerged of mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed aircraft carrier.
The Lincoln arrived in the Middle East in January and has been supporting the US war against Iran, including the blockade on Iranian ports. Its deployment has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 240 days.
Extended deployments of carriers – which can have more than 5,000 sailors and Marines on board – have raised concerns about the impact not only on the ships but on service members.
“History will record this deployment as one of the most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era,” Cooper said of the Lincoln strike group in a statement released Saturday.
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Cooper also went to Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to meet with civilian and military leaders, according to the Central Command statement.
Bryony Gooch16 August 2026 13:00
Drug abuse in Israel surges post-October 7, latest data shows
Cristiano Ronaldo reveals that he will ‘probably’ retire at the end of this season as Al-Nassr superstar plans to ‘enjoy what he’s earned’ after wedding to long-time girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that he will likely call time on his three decades in football at the end of the season in an interview about his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez.
The 41-year-old married his long-term girlfriend at their home in Portugal on August 11 – the 10-year anniversary of their first meeting – and opened up on the private ceremony speaking to Vogue.
But Ronaldo also let slip a seismic career revelation as he shared that he planned to move on from football in the near future.
‘This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,’ Ronaldo said.
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‘I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.
‘And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned – what we’ve earned. Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.’
Cristiano Ronaldo shed light on his future plans in a bombshell Vogue interview on his wedding
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The Portugal superstar tied the knot with long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez on August 11
Earlier this summer, Ronaldo appeared to wave farewell to World Cup football with Portugal’s round-of-16 exit Stateside, but with his home country one of the hosts in 2030, a jaw-dropping final bow at the age of 45 could not have been ruled out entirely.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has enjoyed a career of rare longevity in elite sport after making his debut for Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon 24 years ago.
Stints in Manchester and the Spanish capital followed, and in his thirties, Ronaldo turned out in Serie A with Juventus before a second spell at United and his eventual move three years ago to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
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In a twist of fate, Ronaldo’s revelation comes just days after a similar veiled statement from his greatest rival and nearest contemporary, Lionel Messi.
The 39-year-old Argentina legend has been mourning the tragic passing of his father Jorge, 68 this month, and shared a poignant statement which seemed to hint at his unwillingness to continue playing.
‘I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on,’ Messi wrote in his tribute on social media. ‘I only played football and now I have serious doubts that I’ll continue doing that for much longer.
‘You were by my side from the beginning, it was so close to the end. Why couldn’t you hold on that little bit longer and we could have finished together?’
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In a show of solidarity, Ronaldo was among those who replied to the post, writing: ‘A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.’
After sending Portugal into a state of feverish excitement over where the wedding would be held, Rodriguez explained to Vogue in the same interview that their decision to get married at home stemmed from the family seeing privacy as the ultimate luxury.
‘We’ve chosen to do it in the living room of our house here where we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and where we live the reality of our lives…,’ she said.
‘In 30 years’ time I want the children to think, something wonderful happened at this table – the wedding vows of our parents.
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‘When I was a little girl I dreamt of the biggest castle, the biggest carriage, the longest dress, a crown full of diamonds. And now I’m saying: no. I want something intimate, with my partner and our children, at home.’
The couple met 10 years ago in a chance encounter at the Gucci store in Madrid, during Ronaldo’s time at Real
Rodriguez shared with the publication that she had little interest in a splashy wedding due to the permanent good fortune in their lives
After their marriage the couple immediately returned to Saudi Arabia for Ronaldo to take part in Al-Nassr’s pre-season
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However, Rodriguez did promise in the interview that they would in the future have a ‘big wedding’ to celebrate with their wider family and friends – but did not elaborate further on their plans.
After meeting at the Gucci store in Madrid for the first time, the couple donned the designer to marry, calling the idea a ‘full circle’ moment.
But while the bride wore a sheer white shirt and skirt, satin shoes teamed with sparkling diamond jewellery from Chopard, Ronaldo opted to sport a comparatively casual cotton suit, t-shirt and loafters.
‘He’s not going to dress us up,’ Rodriguez explained. ‘I didn’t want us to go into a day that was so simple for us in costumes.’
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After the ceremony at home, the family then drove to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, an hour away, where a priest gave them a blessing in a private area of the site of pilgrimage.
A five-time Ballon d’Or and five-time Champions League winner, Ronaldo has won league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia and is the all-time top goalscorer in men’s international football.
The Portugal captain has spent almost four years at Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr, where he has one year remaining on his contract.
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“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview about his wedding.
“I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.
“Have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned – what we’ve earned.
“Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”
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Ronaldo is 24 goals away from scoring 1,000 senior career goals.
The players’ respective World Cup campaigns could hardly have looked more different as Messi scored eight goals and led Argentina all the way to the final, while Ronaldo’s Portugal bowed out in the round of 16.
Asked in July whether his sixth World Cup would be his last, Ronaldo said he would decide “with a calm head” in a conversation with his family.
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Al-Nassr opened their Saudi Pro League title defence against Al Fateh on Saturday and Ronaldo did not play, but he watched the champions win from the stands with his family.
“We had the best week of our lives and just to see the city so alive and everyone singing with us was just the most amazing experience”
The Shamrocks at the Fleadh
From shutting down Royal Avenue, captivating Commercial Court to performing on the stage at Custom House Square, Belfast band The Shamrocks are one of the standout stories from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026.
The Irish folk band, made up of both sides of the community, was formed to bring Irish music across the globe and show off the talent we have right here in Belfast.
Having performed some of the most famous stages in the world, including the Sydney Opera House, it was pop-up gigs on the streets of their home city which they will talk about for years to come.
As the dust settled on “the best week” in their lives, The Shamrocks band member Raymond Walsh chatted to Belfast Live about their experience at Fleadh Cheoil, resonating with audiences at home and what is next for The Shamrocks.
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While working in London, Raymond came up with the concept of starting an Irish Folk music band that would feel like a “welcoming space” for all who listened and show off local talent.
He said: “I was working in London at the time on a show, and every time I left Stage Door, people would say to me ‘oh you’re from Belfast, is that safe?’
“I was always like it’s the best place on earth, and then I was like I wonder if I could create something that not only showcases the amazing talent we have in Belfast, but also the message of how far things have come in the last sort of 30 years.”
From there, The Shamrocks were born and began taking their music across the globe so that others could enjoy the power of Irish music.
Lined up to play the Fleadh Zone at Custom House Square during the festival, which Raymond said was a “dream gig”, the band decided to clear the schedule and be ready for anything the Fleadh Cheoil could throw their way.
“As the week went on, I was noticing these amazing bars and moments at places like the Haymarket, the Electric Light Station – sent out a couple of Instagram DMs and I was like ‘would you have us?’
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“So we just sort of showed up everywhere and anywhere that would have us. We were like a bad smell, Belfast couldn’t get rid of us last week,” he laughed.
“We had the best week of our lives and just to see the city so alive and everyone singing with us was just the most amazing experience.”
One of the biggest takeaways for the band from the Fleadh was being able to reach a larger audience at home and share their talents where it means most to them.
Raymond continued: “We were able to engage with local people and have them resonate with our music, with our message.
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“Belfast, for us, is our favourite place on earth – genuinely, we’re so proud to call it home.
“So finally, to be able to get in front of all these people from here, feel accepted, feel welcomed… that’s always been our dream, for the people at home to be proud of us.
“I think the Fleadh was the first time ever that we were able to look at each other and go I think people in Belfast have taken us in and are supporting us now. It was just absolutely incredible.”
Raymond said that of all the amazing moments they had during the Fleadh, the gig at Haymarket was his standout moment of the entire week.
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“As we turned that corner onto Royal Avenue and just saw the masses of crowds, we were like ‘this can’t be for us’,” he explained.
“And then we showed up and they were like ‘yeah boys, it is’. When we were singing and we saw there was a guy on top of a traffic light and people on top of food trucks and stuff like that, we were like maybe this is our Beatles rooftop moment.
“Haymarket really was up there – probably because it was such a surprise, we weren’t expecting it. We loved it.”
The Shamrocks will most definitely be back for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2027 and Raymond said no doubt things will be “bigger and better”.
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The Shamrocks at the Fleadh
If you cannot wait that long to see them perform again, they are currently preparing for their biggest show to date at The O2 Belfast on November 20 which will be their “most ambitious project ever”.
Ryanmond said: “We’re going to be basically trying to recreate the magic of the Fleadh.
“We’re going to have a massive band, there’s going to be Irish dancers. We’re going to have great support acts that we haven’t announced yet.”
The band thanked everyone who has followed their journey over the past eight years – whether you have been here from the start or are a newfound fan since the Fleadh and hope that the magic they felt performing last week is something that will remain in Belfast beyond the festival.
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“Belfast, let’s keep the message of the Fleadh going.
“Let’s keep looking after each other, let’s keep being accepting, let’s keep encouraging everyone from every culture, every background, every religion to be able to be celebrated because that’s the thing that makes this city so special.”
For more information about their upcoming Belfast show or to get tickets, see here
The ‘apocalyptic’ aftermath of the wildfire in Stourbridge has been revealed after the blaze left luxury properties gutted.
Workmen were seen clearing rubble from the luxury homes along Racecourse Lane this morning after Thursday’s inferno left 37 houses either destroyed or damaged.
Key roads around the street and Stourbridge Golf Club remain closed today as West Midlands Police continues its investigation.
Nineteen homes in the area, where houses average £1million, were destroyed, while 18 were left with fire damage, West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) confirmed.
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Devastating photos taken this morning show homes reduced to hollow shells, with their roofs and windows completely obliterated.
Network Rail workers were spotted examining the tracks after the fire scorched the railway embankments.
WMFS has now started to allow evacuated residents back into their homes for the first time since the blaze.
Neighbour Neil Perry raced back from work 20 miles away to help farmers stop the fire from spreading. ‘I feel sorry for the people who have lost their homes. The houses were literally exploding while we were in the fields – it was apocalyptic,’ he said.
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The scene of utter devastation following a fire that completely gutted luxury properties in Stourbridge, West Midlands
Trees are left scorched beside homes that were completely destroyed in the inferno
A home is seen completely gutted after the blaze on Thursday, with no roof or windows
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A photo taken from a distance further captures the devastation caused by the fire
‘I was in the thick of it on Thursday afternoon with the farmers trying to stop. It came over the field on Thursday and it was very quick.
‘We were throwing water along the hedgerow to stop it.
‘We could’ve lost our houses and the rest of the road, so we were quite lucky it didn’t get the whole of Worcester Road.
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‘The quick-thinking and the bravery of people made all the difference.
‘I raced back from work, I belted back because you could see the smoke 20 miles away.
‘A lot of people did a lot of good – I knew a lady who saved horses. A lot of people did things they shouldn’t be doing because of the fire, there were a lot of heroes.’
Another neighbour said: ‘When I came across the road there was a fire in the field and that fire went right across the field, and this is where the houses caught fire.
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‘There was the other fire along Racecourse Lane. They reckon it must be about 500 acres that it’s affected.
‘It was horrible. How quickly the fire was moving was horrendous. It was really fast the way it moved across the field.
‘The farmer was trying to do his best to stop it, but he hadn’t stopped it and it reached the trees by the houses.’
Andrew Jones, another local, said he was in his garden on Thursday when he started to smell smoke, initially thinking someone had lit a bonfire.
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‘Then we could hear sirens and then we got ash in our garden and the smoke got quite heavy,’ he said.
Network Rail workers at the scene after the horrifying blaze on Thursday
The scene of devastation after the fire that gutted luxury properties in Stourbridge this week
Network Rail workers at the scene after the fire in the West Midlands on Thursday
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Some properties were left with no roof after being completely destroyed in the fire
Police at the scene after 37 homes were left either obliterated or damaged
‘We saw it on Facebook after.
‘We walk along here regularly, these are probably £1.5million houses.
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‘But it doesn’t matter the value of the houses, they’ve got to live in a hotel for six months, lost all their possessions and family stuff. It’s horrible.’
Barry Guest, 83, has lived in his home on Racecourse Lane for 32 years and said the fire damaged his rear garden and firefighters had to smash down his electric gates and side door.
‘The police came and we were sat in our lounge and we weren’t aware of anything that was happening,’ he said.
‘We went outside and looked out the back and we saw the smoke. It moved across, right across Norton Road. As soon as it got by the railway embankment it came down here.
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‘We watched the smoke and the flames race across the field, and then when it reached the railway line and the embankment took light, then we knew we had a problem.
‘Then it leapt from one side of the embankment to the other.
‘Our back garden goes down to the railway embankment. It destroyed the conifer trees all along the border.
‘By the time it reached our bungalow, the only thing it managed to do was buckle the drainage pipe.
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‘By the time it reached us the fire brigade had reached it in time. But getting to it they had to dismantle the electric gates, break those.
‘If they hadn’t done that we’d have lost it.
‘When the fire chief came down the road to tell us, he said “the good news is, I’ve saved your property” and my wife burst into tears.
‘We were very lucky. It is like a warzone here. I’ve never seen anything quite as frightening as that.’
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