China Reports First 2 Covid Deaths In More Than A Year

China reported two Covid-19 deaths on Saturday, its first in more than a year, underlining the threat posed by an Omicron outbreak that has triggered the country’s highest case count since the pandemic’s onset. The National Health Commission said both deaths occurred in Jilin, the northeastern province which has been hardest hit by a nationwide … Read more

Putin Marks Crimea Anniversary, Defends ‘Special Operation’ in Ukraine in Stadium Rally

Russian President Vladimir Putin led a pro-government rally that was beset by “technical difficulties” and reports of people being forced to attend. The event marking the eighth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, which is not recognized by most countries, came three weeks into Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that has sparked fierce international condemnation. “We have … Read more

Ireland among European countries to halt ‘golden visas’ for wealthy Russians

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several European countries have halted their “citizenship-residence by investment” schemes. Countries such as the Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, and Portugal have halted their programmes for Russian citizens which provide so-called “golden visas” in return for significant investments. In Ireland, “golden visas” can be obtained through the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) which … Read more

Micheál Martin tests positive for Covid-19 in Washington DC

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has tested positive for Covid-19 while in Washington for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. It was detected as part of Covid-19 screening required to enter the White House for a planned meeting with US President Joe Biden on St Patrick’s day. The White House insists any person visiting must undergo tests for … Read more

Minister Harris proposes Erasmus program to create EU Scholarship Scheme for Ukrainian students

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has been addressed a meeting of European Education Ministers on the illegal invasion of Ukraine. The meeting focused, amongst other things, on making language provision available for all Ukrainians and ensuring access to third-level education. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Harris said,“Ireland and … Read more

97 Children Killed Since Start of Ukraine war, Zelensky Says

Ninety-seven Ukrainian children have died since the start of Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday in a speech to Canada’s parliament, pleading once more for allies to “expand” their support for Kyiv. In the video address, the Ukrainian leader accused Russia’s military of “destroying everything: memorial complexes, schools, hospitals, housing complexes.” “They’ve already killed 97 … Read more

Irish journalist Pierre Zakrzewski killed in Ukraine after vehicle hit by Russian shelling

An Irish journalist working as a Fox News cameraman, Pierre Zakrzewski, who was killed by Russian shelling in Ukraine on Monday has been described as a passionate and talented individual with an “indomitable” spirit. The photographer (55) died alongside Ukrainian journalist and producer, Oleksandra Kuvshynova, after the vehicle they were travelling in with reporter Benjamin Hall was struck by incoming … Read more

Russia Sees ‘Progress’ at Conflict Talks With Ukraine

Russia said Sunday that negotiators were making headway at talks to resolve fighting in Ukraine, more than two weeks after President Vladimir Putin ordered his army over the borders of its pro-Western neighbor. Leonid Slutsky, a senior member of Russia’s negotiating team, told the state-run television network RT that “significant progress” was made following several … Read more

Taoiseach meets with Boris Johnson as ‘brutal’ Russian invasion and Good Friday Agreement discussed

The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have held a bilateral meeting on Saturday afternoon. They discussed the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine and the profound global security, economic and humanitarian consequences. The Taoiseach, who had just come from a meeting of EU leaders in Versailles, emphasised the strength and unity of the EU response. … Read more

Russian Embassy in Ireland releases statement, claiming bombing of Ukrainian maternity hospital was a ‘carefully staged hoax’

The Russian Embassy in Ireland has released a statement to Irish media, claiming that the bombing of a maternity hospital in Ukraine was a “hoax, carefully staged by the Ukrainian nationalists”. In a statement issued today, the Russian Embassy said the incident was created by “Ukrainian propaganda” and that the Russian Armed Forces are “not fighting the … Read more

U.S, Allies to end normal trade relations with Russia

The United States and its allies moved Friday to end normal trade relations with Russia, as President Joe Biden vowed the West would make Vladimir Putin “pay the price” for his invasion of Ukraine. Biden announced the new step, which would enable Western nations to inflict steep tariff hikes on Russian goods, in coordination with … Read more

Government Ministers announce Irish support for Ukrainian health service

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, with a number of government departments, the HSE (Health Service Executive) and state agencies, are working together to provide medical items to Ukraine in response to formal … Read more

Poland and Hungary lend a helping hand to medical students in Ukraine

There are thousands of Indian Ukraine students who were forced to leave their universities due to war in Ukraine. Around 20,000 children had gone to Ukraine to study, of them 18,000 are studying medicine. As Russia continues its aggression and buildings and institutions collapse in Ukraine, the future of medical universities in the country also … Read more

Taoiseach Micheál Martin travel to France for two-day EU summit on Ukraine invasion

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will travel to Versailles, France today (Thursday) for an Informal Meeting of the European Council. The 2-day summit of EU leaders will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU’s response to it, and the evolving humanitarian crisis. They will also consider the wider implications for Europe, including in the areas of defence … Read more

US man who got first pig heart transplant dies after two months

The first person to receive a heart transplant from a pig has died, two months after the groundbreaking experiment, the Maryland hospital that performed the surgery announced Wednesday. David Bennett, 57, died Tuesday at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Doctors didn’t give an exact cause of death, saying only that his condition had begun … Read more