Europe

NATO secretary general Mark Rutte stands next to NATO's Supreme Allied Commander at a press conference

NATO to beef up eastern flank following drone incursion

NATO has announced plans to beef up the defence of Europe's eastern flank, two days after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace in the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Europe • 3 hrs

Netherlands follows RTÉ with Israel Eurovision warning

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has announced it will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna if Israel is included in the competition.

Eurovision • 8 hrs

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives her annual State of the Union address

EU chief delivers combative speech amid mounting pressure

On the eve of the first State of the European Union speech of her second term, those close to Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged it was a critical moment.

Analysis and Comment • 13 hrs

Shines Killybegs demonstrates fish preparation on a counter

Concerns new EU regulation will increase cost of fish

The fishing industry is concerned that additional EU regulatory measures due to come into force next year are not practical and will make fish more expensive for consumers.

Ireland • 9 hrs

Irish Eurovision stars back RTÉ over Israel stance

Past Irish Eurovision participants have spoken out in support of RTÉ's position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 contest if Israel is allowed to compete.

Eurovision • 3 hrs

MEPs call on EU to consider recognising Palestinian state

MEPs have voted in favour of calling on the EU to consider recognising the state of Palestine - but have stopped short of agreeing to describe what is happening in Gaza as "genocide" and a "man-made famine".

Europe • 11 Sep

The French parliamentary commission also recommended adopting a 'digital curfew' for 15- to 18-year-olds

France examining social media ban for children under 15

A French parliamentary commission probing the psychological effects of TikTok recommends banning social media for children under 15 and adopting a "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds, according to a report

World • 11 Sep

Murphy elected president of ECA for second time

Tony Murphy, Ireland's member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA), has been elected president of the court for a second time, with a fresh three-year term beginning 1 October.

Europe • 11 Sep

Police and army inspect damage to a house destroyed by debris from a shot down Russian drone in the village of Wyryki-Wola, Poland

Russia urges Poland to reopen border with ally Belarus

Russia has urged Poland to reopen its border with Belarus, Moscow's close ally, calling the closure "destructive" and warning of consequences.

Europe • 11 Sep

The letter also calls on the 13 member states which have not yet done so to join 147 UN members in recognising the State of Palestine (file image)

Ex-EU ambassadors call for suspension of EU-Israel deal

Over 300 former EU and member state ambassadors, as well as former EU officials, have written a joint letter calling on the EU to immediately suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to impose targeted sanctions on members of the Israeli government.

Europe • 10 Sep

Taoiseach Micheál Martin talking to the media outside Government Buildings yesterday

Russian drones in Polish airspace 'reckless' - Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called Russia's drone incursion into Poland's airspace a "reckless and unprecedented act".

Europe • 10 Sep

An army vehicle parked in front of a house damaged by falling drone debris

Poland warns of 'open conflict' risk after drone incident

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament it was "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two", though he also said he had "no reason to believe we're on the brink of war".

World • 10 Sep

Sebastien Lecornu and France's President Emmanuel Macron stand during a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Bormes-les-Mimosas during World War II

Macron names loyalist Lecornu as new prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron named loyalist Sébastien Lecornu, a one-time conservative protégé who rallied behind his 2017 presidential run, as prime minister, defying expectations he might tack towards the left.

World • 09 Sep

France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou arrives to deliver a statement at the National Assembly in Paris

French govt ousted as PM Bayrou loses confidence vote

France's parliament has ousted the government of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou after just nine months in office, leaving President Emmanuel Macron scrambling to find a successor and plunging the country into a new political crisis.

World • 08 Sep

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced nine measures to increase pressure on Israel to end the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank

Spain bans imports from illegal Israeli settlements

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that Spain will ban the import of goods made in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Europe • 08 Sep

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and France's President Emmanuel Macron speak during a press conference following the Coalition of the Willing Summit, at the Elysee presidential Palace, in Paris

What form could Ukraine's security guarantees take on?

The dynamics between the Trump administration and Europe on Ukraine have shifted, with the meeting of the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' in Paris this week representing an important inflection point.

Analysis and Comment • 07 Sep

A tapestry featuring Saint of the Catholic Church Carlo Acutis hangs from a balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in between three statues

Pope declares 'God's influencer' first millennial saint

The canonisation of the first Catholic saint of the millennial generation, Carlo Acutis, and an Italian Catholic activist Pier Giorgio Frassati is set to take place in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Europe • 08 Sep

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 2 (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (L) enter the hall during their bilateral meeting, September 2, 2025, in Beijing, China. Presidengt Putin is visiting China and will atten

Why Robert Fico wants normal relations with Russia

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing this week for the third time since last December and called for the "standardisation of relations" between Slovakia and Russia. What's driving this policy?

Analysis and Comment • 06 Sep

People stand at the site of the Gloria funicular accident after the wreckage was removed in Lisbon

Lisbon crash wreckage removed, 3 UK citizens among dead

Portuguese police have said that three British citizens are among the 16 killed in a funicular railway crash in Lisbon, as the wreckage was removed for further analysis to establish the cause of the incident.

Europe • 05 Sep

BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 28: Clashes broke out during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Hackescher Markt in Berlin, Germany on August 28, 2028. Protesters gathered to denounce the killing of journalists and Israeli attacks in Gaza. Police officers used a

Irish activist: Germany should be shamed internationally

The Irish protester who was punched in the face by German police at a pro-Palestine demonstration in Berlin, has said Germany should be "shamed internationally" for its treatment of protesters.

Europe • 05 Sep

A yellow and white funicular tram car is seen in the foreground with wreckage of one which crashed in the background

Death toll in Lisbon funicular crash rises to 16

The death toll from a funicular derailment in Portugal's capital Lisbon has risen by one to 16 and left 21 injured, emergency services have said, as the country held a day of mourning.

Europe • 04 Sep

US may 'unwind' EU trade deal if it loses tariff case

US President Donald Trump has said the US might have to "unwind" trade deals it reached with the European Union, Japan and South Korea, among others, if it loses a Supreme Court tariffs case, and warned that a loss would cause the US "to suffer so greatly".

US • 04 Sep

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron: 26 countries commit to Ukrainian security support

Twenty-six countries have offered to contribute to Ukraine's security after any ceasefire deal with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said after the "Coalition of the Willing" summit, adding that US support would be finalised in coming days.

Ukraine • 04 Sep

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said the European Commission had set out a robust bilateral safeguard mechanism for EU farmers (file image)

McGrath urges 'open mind' on Mercosur trade deal

Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has urged member states to keep an open mind on the EU Mercosur trade agreement "based on the facts".

World • 03 Sep

Farming groups criticise EU Commission's move on Mercosur

Irish farming groups have criticised the European Commission's move to have the Mercosur trade deal ratified.

Ireland • 04 Sep

europe

NATO to beef up eastern flank following drone incursion

Netherlands follows RTÉ with Israel Eurovision warning

EU chief delivers combative speech amid mounting pressure

Concerns new EU regulation will increase cost of fish

Irish Eurovision stars back RTÉ over Israel stance

MEPs call on EU to consider recognising Palestinian state

France examining social media ban for children under 15

Murphy elected president of ECA for second time

Russia urges Poland to reopen border with ally Belarus

Ex-EU ambassadors call for suspension of EU-Israel deal

Russian drones in Polish airspace 'reckless' - Taoiseach

Poland warns of 'open conflict' risk after drone incident

Macron names loyalist Lecornu as new prime minister

French govt ousted as PM Bayrou loses confidence vote

Spain bans imports from illegal Israeli settlements

What form could Ukraine's security guarantees take on?

Pope declares 'God's influencer' first millennial saint

Why Robert Fico wants normal relations with Russia

Lisbon crash wreckage removed, 3 UK citizens among dead

Irish activist: Germany should be shamed internationally

Death toll in Lisbon funicular crash rises to 16

US may 'unwind' EU trade deal if it loses tariff case

Macron: 26 countries commit to Ukrainian security support

McGrath urges 'open mind' on Mercosur trade deal

Farming groups criticise EU Commission's move on Mercosur