Ireland’s leader defends Starmer from Trump insults in White House meeting – POLITICO

“Europe is still a very good place to live,” Martin said, prompting laughter in the room as Trump retorted: “I’m glad to hear that!” Martin then expanded on why Europe is so popular with migrants, noting the EU’s “free mobility of people” and how it allows Ireland to attract newcomers “from Europe and beyond” to … Read more

Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘colonisation’ comments on immigrants land awkwardly at Manchester United – The Irish Times

Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Manchester United, apologised for his “choice of words” after claiming the UK had been “colonised by immigrants”. It is a pity he did not also apologise for getting his facts completely wrong. Ratcliffe’s “colonisation” thesis rested on the claim that the UK population had leapt from 58 million in 2020 … Read more

Whisper it, but is Keir Starmer quietly reversing Brexit? – The Irish Times

As if Keir Starmer needed reminding about the subtlety required in pursuing new geopolitical partnerships, US president Donald Trump waded in with an overnight warning on Friday to underline just how careful the UK prime minister needs to be. While UK officials continued reset talks to the European Union in London and Brussels, Starmer spent … Read more

Trump’s torched allies confront the world without America – POLITICO

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who once called Donald Trump “daddy,” also found his private text to Donald Trump made public, in which he praised the president’s “incredible” achievements, adding: “Can’t wait to see you.” |  Jim lo Scalzo/EPA Ultimately, Carney had a message for what he termed “middle powers” — countries like Canada. They could, … Read more

England’s poorest town in Nigel Farage’s heartland – The Irish Times

The “grand opening” banner was still draped limply across the window of Flappy Joe’s fast food chicken shop in Jaywick on Monday, two days after Nigel Farage cut the ribbon. The Reform UK leader and MP for Clacton-on-Sea had been out and about last Saturday in his constituency, 130km northeast of London on Essex’s North … Read more

Northern Ireland traders hopeful about new EU-UK deal as they battle Brexit ‘mess’ – The Irish Times

For businessman Dermot Johnson, Brexit has meant fewer goods but a lot more paperwork. Take organic products, he says: “We brought in – we still do bring in – some organic goods, but there’s a whole form-filling and paperwork you have to do now to send organic goods across the sea [from Britain to Northern … Read more

Israeli army firing at Irish diplomats is a clear breach of law, Tánaiste Simon Harris says

“The two diplomats have been confirmed as safe,” Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris confirmed. Mr Harris has been in touch directly with Feilim McLaughlin, the Representative of Ireland to the Palestinian National Authority, who was involved in the incident earlier today in Jenin town, to convey his full support and best wishes … Read more

Irish officials issue rebuke to Israeli government after two Irish diplomats fired at by IDF in the West Bank

“The two diplomats have been confirmed as safe,” Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris confirmed. Mr Harris has been in touch directly with Feilim McLaughlin, the Representative of Ireland to the Palestinian National Authority, who was involved in the incident earlier today in Jenin town, to convey his full support and best wishes … Read more

John Downing: What’s the new EU-UK deal on Brexit all about?

Brussels and London have agreed a framework that has been branded a ‘betrayal’ by Keir Starmer’s critics in Britain UK prime minister Keir Starmer and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen after a press conference in London to announce the deal. Photo: PA To calls of “sell-out” from hardcore Brexiteers, and claims of “betrayal” … Read more