Defence Looming threats of war in Europe demand we put our defences on a war footingCommitting to spend almost £90bn a year on defence from 2030 is a big decision, but the government is clear that it’s necessary, given the threat posed by Russia
EU Ireland backs use of profits from frozen Russian assets to aid UkraineTánaiste says Russia needs to be held accountable for its destruction of Ukraine
Tech Charlie Taylor: How war in Ukraine has forced tech firms to pivotA vibrant tech sector in the Baltics is addressing a challenge to security, as Charlie Taylor discovered in Vilnius
Comment Charlie Flanagan: Ireland cannot bury its head in the sand on defence in what is an emergency situation As an island nation, our failure to have a reasonably sized navy is a cause of shame
Sport Purchase of Everton by 777 heads for extra time as it seeks to delay purchase of struggling clubThe Miami-based firm had aimed to close the purchase of the Premier League football club last week
Ukraine State spending on housing asylum seekers and Ukrainians in 2023 totals €1.8bnTravelodge, Holiday Inn and the Citywest Hotel operators among firms to receive more than €455 million in the final three months of last year
EU EU to extend duty-free access for Ukrainian food exports until June 2025A compromise agreed on Wednesday provides more safeguards for European farmers while also allowing tariff free imports of Ukrainian food shipments
EU Analysis: Ireland walking an increasingly fine line on neutrality as EU considers a ‘war economy’A raft of revenue-raising proposals have been tabled to fund the EU’s defence spending, all of which could challenge Ireland’s stance on neutrality
EU EU to hive €1bn off frozen Russian assets to help UkraineEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said there was “strong support” for the move
Books Book Review: A balanced account of Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian hero who is no saint The Showman is a gripping combination of biography, war reportage and political analysis
Europe Taoiseach to discuss support for Ukraine with EU leaders in ParisMacron said last week that Russia’s ‘change of posture’ necessitated coordinated action from EU member states.
The Big Picture Vincent Boland: Putin is having a fantastic 2024, it can’t continueTide has turned in Russia’s favour on second anniversary of Ukraine invasion, Europe must now respond to help Ukraine prevail
Energy European gas prices fall to lowest level since the war in Ukraine startedThe return of wholesale gas prices to pre-war levels comes two years to the day since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Russia’s Black Sea neighbour
Lending Linked Finance to deliver €50m in low-cost loans to SMEs hit by cost risesThe company has partnered with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to offer loans at a 20 per cent discount
Politics Private developers bid to accommodate thousands of Ukrainians in modular homesMove comes as cabinet prepares for revised accommodation strategy for refugees
Europe Europe agrees €50 billion aid package for UkraineIt comes despite staunch objections from Hungary
Ukraine Orbán accused of blackmailing EU over €50 billion Ukraine aid EU leaders including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will look to proceed without Hungary’s authoritarian leader who has blocked aid package to Kyiv
EU EU leaders offer last-ditch deal to Orbán in bid to unlock aid to Ukraine Frenzied diplomatic efforts have been made by EU to reach a deal at a summit of EU leaders on Thursday.
Opinion John Walsh: Hungary’s truculence could place Ireland’s cherished national veto at riskViktor Orban’s adversarial stance against Brussels is just one aggravating factor we carry into a new year full of danger and uncertainty
Opinion Paul Johnston: Growth to slow as countries seduced by false allure of protectionismWe now sees Beijing as a competitor, challenger and rival, as well as a partner in certain, important, areas