Yvonne Murray

in New York

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 5: The view south to the skyline of Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Tower is shrouded by a thick layer of smoke from Canadian wildfires as seen from the 80th floor of the Empire State Building on August 5, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by

US has air pollution problem but nobody seems to notice

After the adoption of the Clean Air Act in 1970, America's air improved steadily. Now, campaigners warn of a slide backwards, due to a toxic mix of wildfires, extreme heat and politics. Yvonne Murray looks back at her own experience of living with pollution in China, as New York's air deteriorates.

Analysis and Comment • 31 Aug

Volodymyr Zelensky laughs alongside and US President Donald Trump whoo gestures in the Oval Office

Trump-Zelensky meeting more cordial than last encounter

A smile, a handshake, even a momentary arm around the shoulder kicked off a far more cordial meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, writes Yvonne Murray.

Analysis and Comment • 19 Aug

Alaska summit of presidential pageantry ends in no deal

A summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the war in Ukraine was billed as "high-stakes", and yet it ended with no deal, writes Yvonne Murray.

Analysis and Comment • 16 Aug

The blue domes of an orthodox church in Anchorage, Alaska

Ghosts of Russian imperialism haunt Alaska summit

From the onion domes of the Orthodox churches to the local penchant for potato dumplings, resonances of Russia's imperial past are not hard to find, writes Yvonne Murray from Anchorage in Alaska.

Analysis and Comment • 15 Aug

Picture of a Sylvanian families toy display

Sylvanian toymaker drops lawsuit against Irish woman

A Japanese toymaker has dropped its lawsuit against the Irish creator behind the hugely popular 'Sylvanian Drama' accounts on social media.

Ireland • 12 Aug

Picture of Irish woman Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, who died in the US

No evidence of violence in Irish woman's death on boat

Police investigating the death of Carlow woman Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra on board a boat in Long Island, New York, have said a post-mortem examination did not show evidence of violence.

US • 07 Aug

Palestinians carry aid in northwestern Gaza

Gaza war expansion risks 'catastrophic consequences' - UN

A top UN official has warned that expanding Israeli military operations inside Gaza risks "catastrophic consequences," as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly considered total occupation of the Palestinian territory.

Middle East • 06 Aug

GAZA CITY, GAZA - AUGUST 01: Palestinians, including children gather with cooking pots to receive hot meals distributed by a charitable organization in the Al-Ansar area of western Gaza City on August 1, 2025. The food distribution comes amid severe hunge

Mood shifts on Israel-Gaza, but will it bring change?

France, the UK and Canada announced they would recognise the State of Palestine as pressure around the world over starvation in Gaza mounts, but will the shift in mood bring change?

Analysis and Comment • 02 Aug

Private Sean Rooney is pictured in an army uniform with a blue beret in front of a tank with UNIFIL markings

Mother of Seán Rooney says Lebanon trial 'not justice'

The mother of slain Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney has criticised the Lebanese trial that convicted and sentenced those involved in his killing this week.

Ireland • 31 Jul

UN welcomes sentencing in Seán Rooney murder case

Both the UN and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has welcomed the conviction and sentencing in the case of the killing of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon in 2022.

Ireland • 29 Jul