News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The Government is hoping to secure a two-year term in 2021

Taoiseach, Tánaiste in US to bid for UN council seat

The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have arrived in New York ahead of the launch of Ireland's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.

Politics • 02 Jul 18

Russia's Vasily Nebenzya backs a Russian draft resolution for a new inquiry into the chemical weapons attack in Douma

Russia's 12 UN vetoes on Syria

Russia used its veto power for the 12th time this week at the UN Security Council to block action directed at its Syrian ally.

World • 11 Apr 18

Bombings have continued in Eastern Ghouta since UN ceasefire resolution

Aid convoy blocked in Syria despite UN ceasefire order

About 40 trucks are loaded and ready to ferry relief supplies to Syria's bomb-and-siege shattered Eastern Ghouta, but there has been no let up in fighting despite a UN ceasefire resolution, a senior UN official has said.

World • 01 Mar 18

A Syrian girl looks at another crying child sitting on a hospital bed in a make-shift clinic in the besieged Eastern Ghouta region today

UN Security Council unanimously backs Syria ceasefire

With Russia's backing, the UN Security Council unanimously backed a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to allow for humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations.

Eastern Ghouta • 24 Feb 18

An injured child reacts inside a hospital to the bombing in Eastern Ghouta

Massacre in Eastern Ghouta must stop now, says EU

The EU has called for an immediate ceasefire and aid deliveries in the rebel-held Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta after more than 400 civilians were killed there.

World • 23 Feb 18

North Korea says its weapon programmes are designed for self-defence against "hostile" US policies

North Korea says new UN sanctions an act of war

North Korea has described the latest round of UN sanctions against it as an "act of war" and tantamount to a complete economic blockade against the country.

World • 24 Dec 17

Sanctions are aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear weapons programme

Trump says sanctions prove world wants peace not death

US President Donald Trump has said tough new United Nations sanctions on North Korea prove that "the world wants peace, not death".

World • 23 Dec 17

The new sanctions on North Korea were passed by a vote of 15 to 0

UN Security Council impose new sanctions on N Korea

The UN Security Council has unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea following its latest intercontinental ballistic missile test.

World • 22 Dec 17

Over 430,000 people, mostly Rohingya Muslims, have fled from Myanmar in recent weeks and crossed into Bangladesh

UN Security Council to discuss Myanmar violence

The UN Security Council is to meet on Thursday to discuss the violence in Myanmar and hear a briefing from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the crisis.

News • 26 Sep 17

The UN refugee agency says at least 313,000 Rohingya have now arrived in Bangladesh

UN Security Council to discuss plight of Rohingya

The UN Security Council is to meet to discuss the violence in Myanmar that has sent more than 300,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh.

World • 12 Sep 17

The new sanctions are in response to North Korea's sixth and largest nuclear test

North Korea warns US will face 'greatest pain'

North Korea has rejected a "illegal and unlawful" UN Security Council resolution imposing tougher sanctions following the reclusive nation's sixth and largest nuclear test.

World • 12 Sep 17

US not out of diplomatic solutions on Korea - Mattis

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has that the United States was not out of diplomatic solutions with North Korea.

News • 30 Aug 17

A propaganda photo shows the North Korean inter-continental ballistic rocket Hwasong-14 being prepared before a test launch

Abe pledges to protect public after latest launch

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he would do all in his power to protect the Japanese public after a North Korean missile passed over the north of the country.

World • 29 Aug 17

North Korea described the launch as a 'package of gifts' for 'the Yankees'

US prepared to use force to halt missile programme

The United States has said it was ready to use force if need be to stop North Korea's nuclear missile programme.

North Korea • 05 Jul 17

North Korea says it will continue its weapons development

North Korea rejects UN sanctions

North Korea "fully rejects" the latest round of sanctions against its citizens and entities by the United Nations and will continue its weapons development, its official KCNA news agency said.

World • 05 Jun 17

US has pressed China to act over North Korea's missile programme

UN Security Council expands sanctions against N Korea

The UN Security Council has expanded targeted sanctions against North Korea after its repeated missile tests.

World • 03 Jun 17

At least 43 people have died during weeks of clashes between government forces and opposition demonstrators

France calls for international mediation for Venezuela

France has called for a regional or international mediation to be set up between the Venezuelan government and opposition groups to end the worsening violence in the oil producing nation.

News • 18 May 17

Experts have said the successful missile launch signals a major advance in developing an intercontinental ballistic missile

Claim North Korean missile programme more advanced

North Korea's missile program is progressing faster than expected, South Korea's defence minister has said.

World • 16 May 17

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Moscow

'Low level of trust' between US and Russia - Tillerson

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said there was a "low level of trust" between Moscow and Washington after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

World • 12 Apr 17

Many children were among those killed and injured in the attack

Death toll in suspected Syria chemical attack now at 72

The death toll from a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held Syrian town has risen to 86, 30 of them children, a monitoring group has said.

World • 05 Apr 17

A woman walks past a television screen showing file footage of a North Korean missile launch, at a railway station in Seoul

North Korea fires ballistic missile into Sea of Japan

North Korea is reported to have fired a ballistic missile from its east coast into the Sea of Japan.

World • 05 Apr 17

Israel stung by UN criticism of its policies towards the Palestinians

Israel to cut its UN contribution by $2m

Israel is to cut its contribution to the United Nations budget by $2m - because of constant criticism by the UN Human Rights Council of its policies towards the Palestinians.

Israel • 30 Mar 17

Picture released by North Korea's state news agency showing the launch of four ballistic missiles

N Korea urged to suspend nuclear and missile activity

China has called for North Korea to suspend its nuclear and missile activities, and for the US and South Korea to halt military exercises to cool a looming security 'crisis.'

News • 08 Mar 17

A man walks past a bus set ablaze following a reported air strike in the rebel-held Salaheddin district of Aleppo

Bombs pound Aleppo as US and Russia clash at UN

The United States has accused Russia of "barbarism" in Syria on as warplanes supporting Syrian government forces pounded Aleppo and Russia said ending the civil war was almost "impossible".

News • 26 Sep 16

North Korea has carried out missile tests in defiance of UN resolutions

North Korea hits back at UN condemnation

North Korea has hit back at a UN Security Council statement condemning its latest test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, and threatened to take further steps as "a full-fledged military power".

News • 28 Aug 16