Top Stories

Chatbots are replacing therapists with little scientific evidence behind them

Experts warn that chatbots shouldn’t take the place of therapy, write Alex Janin and Andrea Petersen, The Wall Street Journal.

How grief, sport and friendship shaped a thriving Dublin gym

Three State is now profitable, nine months after Josh Percival launched his first gym with school friend Andrew Porter, the Ireland rugby international. It is now eyeing more growth.

Former construction directors fear “irreparable” reputational damage from contractor lawsuit

Two former directors of collapsed marine engineering firm L&M Keating say a lawsuit could leave them professionally damaged and personally exposed to liabilities of over €20m.

How Bezos learned to love Trump—and win more contracts for Blue Origin

Space company has booked rapid growth under this administration, after founder spent president’s first term being "hated", write Dana Mattioli, Josh Dawsey, and Shane Shifflett, The Wall Street Journal.

“You just can’t stand still in this space anymore”: Why Mediahuis made a move for Image

The magazine founded by Kevin and Rose Kelly in 1975 has become a different proposition half a century later, with a lively digital presence and an events business strong enough to persuade Mediahuis to part with almost €2m.

“We needed to be that grown-up company that’s taken seriously”

Jac Dunne, a veteran of financial services, came in as CEO of Dimply to bring the fintech to the next level. She explains her plan to secure key customers ahead of a series A funding round.

A finance mega-merger in China leaves a question mark over a quiet Irish subsidiary

Guotai Haitong Securities was formed last year but the long-running business model of Haitong’s Irish subsidiary “is no longer the group’s strategy for operations in Ireland”.

Trump made $1bn on crypto deals while his fans lost a fortune

Roughly two-thirds of investors in the president’s memecoin are currently in the red, write Vicky Ge Huang, Amrith Ramkumar and David Uberti, The Wall Street Journal.

Top Voices

Brexit, Burnham, Farage: Dan O’Brien on the future of Irish-British relations

Beyond Andy Burnham's expected premiership, a Reform-Conservative coalition would walk away from the Windsor Framework, reviving the border dilemma faced by Ireland since Brexit.

John Looby: The easy allure of nationalist nonsense

In departing remarks, Warren Buffett marvelled at the success of the US over its 250-year history and cited a secret sauce unique to Uncle Sam. But as America celebrates its anniversary this weekend, such nationalism is proving itself to be lazy of thought and bloody of effect.

Shadow fleets, front companies and crypto: The sanctions evasion threat to Ireland

As Ireland takes on the EU presidency, the Government’s financial crime assessment finds the country's critical sectors are not immune from bad actors and clandestine operations attempting to evade EU sanctions.

The capital turns first: What Dublin’s house price fall could mean for Ireland 

House prices fell in Dublin in the second quarter of this year. The question is whether it is a blip, a Dublin-specific adjustment, or the first sign of something larger.

Ian Kehoe: Customers haven’t disappeared. But many retailers have

New figures from PwC show that one in four insolvencies in the first half of this year were in the retail sector. The majority were smaller retailers, many of whom are struggling with rising costs, changing consumer patterns, and the hollowing out of town centres.

From a Cork farm to the world’s largest meat company: Rewinding the week that was

Jerry O’Callaghan left religious life, travelled to India, fell in love in Brazil and eventually became chair of JBS, the $96bn food giant. He reflects on an unlikely journey and shares lessons for businesses in Ireland.

Paul Flynn: Success made Dublin feared. Struggle has made them relatable

Winning used to be routine for Dublin. Now it feels important again. Paul Flynn explains why Sunday's upset over Donegal has transformed how the team—and the public—view every result.

Succession and shadows: Brett Igoe on how Leinster should plan for life after Leo Cullen

The trophies are already secured. The lasting verdict on Cullen's reign may depend on whether Leinster can emerge from his shadow without suffering the effects of authority decay.