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illustration of the National flags of USA and Russia waving in the wind on a clear day

US-Russia summits: the highs and lows

With US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin set to meet next Friday in Alaska against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, here's a look back at previous historic encounters between the two nuclear powers

World • 09 Aug

Hundreds of newly made vehicles and a large ship are seen at the commercial port in Vigo, Spain

In Quotes: Europe reacts to new trade deal with US

The US struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods and averting a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade.

World • 28 Jul

What else can Trump do on tariffs after court ruling?

A US trade court blocked most of President Donald Trump's tariffs in a sweeping ruling that found the president had overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from US trading partners.

US • 29 May

Cardinals gathered in St Peter's Basilica as Pope Francis lies in state ahead of his funeral

Who will be the next pope? Some hints to watch for

No one knows who the Catholic cardinals will choose to succeed Pope Francis as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis • 23 Apr

The conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel

Terminology of a conclave: From electors to Habemus Papam

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church will engage in a number of elaborate rituals, involving terms that are rare to common parlance. The conclave will include such terminology.

Pope Francis • 28 Apr

The conclave to elect the next pope will begin following the funeral of Pope Francis

Focus turns to cardinals who will choose Pope's successor

With the death of Pope Francis, focus will turn to the cardinals who choose his successor.

Pope Francis • 21 Apr

Pope Francis died a day after making a much hoped for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday

What happens when a pope dies?

With the death of Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church will begin elaborate rituals steeped in tradition that mark the end of one papacy and lead to the start of the next.

Pope Francis • 21 Apr

Ursula von der Leyen said Donald Trump's announcement of universal tariffs was a 'major blow to the world economy'

US tariffs draw defiant responses from world leaders

US President Donald Trump said he would impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the United States and higher duties on some of the country's biggest trading partners, drawing defiant responses from leaders and governments.

World • 03 Apr

An electronic stock board displays the Nikkei 225 Stock Average and exchange rates in Tokyo, Japan

What's in Trump's sweeping new reciprocal tariff regime?

US President Donald Trump smashed a more than 75-year-old global trading system with a new baseline 10% US tariff on goods from all countries and higher reciprocal tariff rates for countries that his administration says have high barriers to US imports.

World • 03 Apr

The International Criminal Court prosecutes war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide

Explainer: What is the International Criminal Court?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins a four-day visit to Hungary on tomorrow, defying an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

Features • 02 Apr

Signal is owned by the Mountain View, California-based Signal Foundation

What is Signal and is it secure?

Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app that is considered one of the most secure in the world by security professionals, but was never intended to be the go-to choice for White House officials planning a military operation.

World • 26 Mar

A building in Lgov in Kursk seen with damage last month following Ukrainian attacks

What is happening in Kursk and why does it matter?

Russian troops are close to ejecting Ukrainian forces from their foothold in Russia's Kursk region, where they grabbed a chunk of land last August and have held on to it through more than seven months of fierce fighting.

World • 13 Mar

Stacks of US lumber are stamped 'Made In USA' at a Home Depot in Pasadena, California

US tariffs: What's been done and what is to come?

From tariffs to counter "unfair trade" to duties over illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling, US President Donald Trump has unleashed a flurry of levies since taking office, sparking fears of a widening trade war.

World • 05 Mar

What we know about the US-Ukraine minerals deal

Ukraine and the US have agreed a deal to give the United States access to Ukrainian mineral resources.

Ukraine • 26 Feb

Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia in hospital

Pope Francis has double pneumonia - what does that mean?

Pope Francis, 88, is in hospital being treated for double pneumonia following a respiratory infection - what is pneumonia?

World • 19 Feb

Displaced Palestinians sit in the back of a loaded truck in Jabalia refugee camp

Why is the Gaza truce under threat?

A little over three weeks since it came into effect, a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that halted the Gaza war has become increasingly fragile.

Middle East • 13 Feb

What does Donald Trump's plan for Gaza mean?

On Tuesday evening at the White House, President Donald Trump shocked the world with a suggestion that would amount to the most dramatic change in US policy on the Middle East in decades.

Explainer • 05 Feb

An aerial view of the destruction in the Jabalia region in the north of Gaza

Why Trump's Gaza plan is ringing alarm bells

President Donald Trump's plan for the United States to take over Gaza and develop it economically touches on one the most sensitive issues in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Explainer • 05 Feb

State's Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to those impacted by Storm Éowyn

Explainer: How the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme works

A Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available from the State to help those affected by Storm Éowyn, with the scheme available through a number of stages.

Storm Éowyn • 30 Jan

The company has attracted attention in global AI circles

What is DeepSeek and why is it disrupting the AI sector?

Chinese startup DeepSeek's launch of its latest AI models, which it says are on a par or better than industry-leading models in the US at a fraction of the cost, is threatening to upset the technology world order.

World • 28 Jan

A flurry of executive orders were signed by Donald Trump as he returned to the White House

Trump executive orders target climate, immigration policy

US President Donald Trump issued a flurry of executive orders and directives as he sought to put his stamp on his new administration on matters ranging from energy to criminal pardons and immigration.

US • 21 Jan

RedNote users in China are mostly young and female

RedNote: The app that TikTok users are flocking to

TikTok reportedly plans to shut off its app for US users on Sunday, the day a ban comes into effect, unless the Supreme Court intervenes to block the move.

World • 15 Jan

Difficult driving conditions are expected as snow and ice around the country begins to melt (File Image)

How to tackle thaw as cold snap set to come to an end

An increase in burst pipes and difficult road conditions are expected in the coming days, with many tackling thaw as the cold snap draws to a close.

Weather • 11 Jan

In contrast to Covid, HMPV has been circulating for decades

What you need to know about HMPV

Reports that cases of a flu-like virus called HMPV are rising in China have sparked concern, but experts have dismissed fears that the situation is comparable to the beginnings of Covid-19 five years ago.

Explainer • 09 Jan

Sipping on hot drinks and eating at least one hot meal a day can help you keep warm during the cold snap

How to stay warm during low temperatures

A low temperature warning is in effect for the entire country until Thursday, with Met Éireann forecasting widespread frost and ice as an Arctic air mass takes hold.

Weather • 07 Jan