Yvonne Murray

in New York

Follow@yvmurray

BUSHEHR, IRAN - APRIL 28: A view of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the country's only nuclear power plant, in Bushehr, Iran on April 28, 2024. Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which is one of the nuclear facilities that is frequently mentioned in international

Watch: Iran's nuclear ambitions in focus amid tensions

RTÉ's global security reporter Yvonne Murray takes a look at Iran's secretive nuclear programme.

Middle East • 16 Jun

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the conference was called off on Friday

Two-state conference postponed - what could it achieve?

The United Nations was due to play host this week to a major high-level conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, to try to breathe life into the "two-state solution" - the international community's long held plan for Israel and Palestine to live side by side, in sovereign countries.

Analysis and Comment • 16 Jun

Washington, DC - April 8 : Environmental Protection Agency director Lee Zeldin, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and White House staff secretary Will Scharf watch as President Donald J Trump signs executive orders about coal p

Will Trump kill America's clean future?

President Trump wasted no time delivering on his campaign promises to the fossil fuel industry - rolling back US commitments on climate and clean energy, cutting federal funding to climate change science and lifting environmental regulations. What does it all mean for America's clean future?

Analysis and Comment • 01 Jun

A trickle of aid entered Gaza this week after an 80-day blockade

Israel prepares to bypass UN in Gaza as aid drips in

The UN resumed aid deliveries to Gaza this week, after Israel ordered a temporary pause in the total blockade on food, water and medical supplies that had lasted 80 days. But US-Israeli plans are already underway to sideline the UN's entire relief operation in the territory.

Analysis and Comment • 25 May

China leads in 90% of advanced technologies, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Is it too late for the US to catch up with China on tech?

China has outstripped the United States as a global leader in cutting edge science and technology research, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

US • 24 May

Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan

Superpowers eye own interests in India-Pakistan conflict

In recent years, India has grown closer to the United States and Pakistan to China, putting the two traditional south Asian foes at the heart of global superpower competition, writes Yvonne Murray.

Analysis and Comment • 10 May

Asked by RTÉ News if this was the most worried the Secretary General had been since his tenure began in 2017, his spokesperson replied 'clearly'

Guterres 'very worried' about UN budget crisis, job cuts

UN Secretary General António Guterres is "very worried" about the ability of the United Nations and its agencies to carry out their core functions in the face of a budget crisis and extensive job losses, according to his spokesperson.

World • 02 May

Mike Waltz was appointed as US ambassador to the United Nations

What does the appointment of Mike Waltz mean for the UN?

For weeks, UN officials have been on tenterhooks waiting to see who US President Donald Trump would appoint as his ambassador to the United Nations, writes Yvonne Murray.

Analysis and Comment • 02 May

China dominates global rare earths processing

Can China hold the world to ransom over rare earths?

Rare earths are critical for the production of smartphones, satellites, robots and even fighter jets. China processes nearly all of them, causing much handwringing in Washington and Brussels over fears that China has the power to hold the world to ransom. But will it use it?

Analysis and Comment • 26 Apr

Cargo ships load and unload goods at a canal steel terminal in Huai 'an, Jiangsu province, China (file pic)

Is Trump already living in China's world?

As the smoke cleared from President Trump's tariff-induced global economic explosion, one clear target emerged - China.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Apr