Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the council of the European Union will cost the State over €293 million, with €125 million being allocated to An Garda Síochána alone. Ireland will hold the EU presidency from July until December 2026, and for six months will have an opportunity to lead the policy agenda of the EU. Over […]
Continue ReadingThe UN Security Council meets for an emergency meeting over Israel’s controversial recognition of the East African Republic of Somaliland as an independent state. December 28, 2025, 05:08December 28, 2025, 05:08 Ahead of the meeting scheduled for Monday in New York, 21 predominantly Muslim countries warned in a joint statement of “serious consequences” of Israel’s […]
Continue ReadingHuge plumes of ash and smoke were filmed erupting from Mount Etna, Sicily on 27 December as skiers used the slopes below. Scientists at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia said volcanic activity at the site, which frequently erupts, had intensified, with craters continuously emitting ash. In response, scientists issued a red Volcano Observatory […]
Continue ReadingThe UK is to impose visa restrictions against people arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo after its government failed to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. Ministers say the DRC has not made changes required under the toughening up of the UK’s asylum rules announced in November. […]
Continue ReadingDecember 27, 2025, 5:04 p.mDecember 27, 2025, 5:11 p.m Strong winds and lots of snow: Storm Johannes is keeping Scandidavia on its toes.Image: keystone Winter storm Johannes has cut off power to thousands of households in Sweden and Norway. The frosty weather also led to numerous traffic disruptions and problems with ferry journeys, as the […]
Continue ReadingImage: watson/imago analysis The US President is vulnerable – and the signs of dementia have become obvious. December 27, 2025, 5:33 p.mDecember 27, 2025, 5:33 p.m follow me The man has been impeached twice and indicted four times, convicted of 34 felonies, and civil courts have convicted him of sexual harassment and business fraud. He […]
Continue ReadingA 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck some 32 km (20 miles) off Taiwan’s northeastern coastal city of Yilan late on Saturday, the island’s weather administration said. The quake shook buildings in the capital Taipei and had a depth of 73 km (45 miles), it added. Damage assessment was underway, the National Fire Agency said. Taiwan lies […]
Continue ReadingUkraine’s anti-corruption agency said security services were preventing officers from raiding the parliament on Saturday, as investigators said some MPs were implicated in a new graft probe. Ukraine was embroiled in a string of corruption scandals that led to the resignation of the chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky. They also revealed a $100 […]
Continue ReadingUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to consult European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders before he meets President Donald Trump for peace talks in the US on Sunday. “Security must be ensured by the world’s strongest powers, and we will be discussing this in particular today and tomorrow with European […]
Continue ReadingThe neighbors renewed a commitment to stop violent clashes along their border, after an October truce for which President Donald Trump claimed credit unraveled.
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