When United States forces abducted Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro in a violent operation last Saturday, most European leaders met the moment with tortured and convoluted statements. “This oil will be sold at its market price and the money will be controlled by me, as president of the United States of America, to ensure it is used for the benefit of the people of Venezuela and the United States,” he posted on his Truth Social site. “If the United States were to choose to attack another Nato country, then everything would come to an end,” she said. Before the two leaders met in South Korea last October, Trump floated the idea of a “G2”, made up of the United States and China, to lead the world. There appears to be little imaginative thinking in European capitals about Europe’s diplomatic and strategic options after the Ukraine war ends.

It’s the latest twist in a play for Denmark’s snow-covered Arctic island by Trump. “They think we’re for sale but they just don’t understand us,” said Aaja, rolling her eyes at the memory of seeing a grinning Donald Trump jnr stroll last year through Nuuk, the tiny Greenland capital. Few in Nuuk believe Washington’s arguments that its takeover ambition is about reversing Danish neglect of regional security. A rattled Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned Trump this week that taking the island territory by force would collapse Nato. One in two want to remain Danish, 8 per cent could imagine becoming American while 37 per cent are unsure.

North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly was described in a 1996 letter as being 'the most dominant figure' within the IRA leadership. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA WireThe Government has removed a key file from the National Archives, including a letter from a future Garda commissioner alleging that Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly was “the most dominant figure” within the IRA leadership in 1996. The recall of the file, following last year’s release of State files to the National Archives under the 20 and 30-year rules was, ordered on Wednesday by the Department of Foreign Affairs, The Irish Times understands. The files, which are released annually, are carefully vetted by serving and retired officials before they are sent to the National Archives. Documents can be withheld on a number of grounds, including if publication is deemed to be against the public interest.

People spoke about the beauty of Prague but few Irish people had travelled there throughout the whole of the 1980s. In 1989, the aggressive Brezhnev Doctrine was replaced by the Gorbachev Doctrine of non-intervention, the Cold War ended and the world changed. We are witnessing a geopolitical change that may well be as dramatic as the end of the Cold War. In return for cash, the State gave the companies the legal monopoly to orchestrate trade with the East Indies. It was called War Capitalism then, and it is War Capitalism now.

Twenty years ago, at the height of his fame, Eddie Hobbs could barely walk down the street in Ireland. Instead, he promotes a range of right-wing conspiracy theories regarding world banking, climate change and, in particular, Covid-19. Eddie Hobbs at the 2005 National Ploughing Championships in Midleton, Co Cork, around the height of his fame. What led Hobbs down the road from celebrity financial guru to conspiracy theorist? During that time, he tried to steer the party “from social conservatism to a liberal democrat ethos”, he recalled in a 2022 podcast interview with the comedian Mario Rosenstock.

‌For decades, National Service has been a topic of heated debate; however, successive governments have repeatedly ruled out the possibility of military conscription. But with a shifting global security landscape, there are those who believe National Service is now "absolutely vital". ‌It's understood that this new Army scheme would last for two full years, kicking off with a 13-week basic training course. Passed in January 1916, the Military Service Act 1916 imposed conscription on all single men aged between 18 and 41, unless they were exempt. Meanwhile, under this new act, men under the age of 60 were required to participate in some form of National Service.

Sinitta has revealed she has split from her mystery boyfriend as she took to Instagram to share a racy mirror picture in her lingerie on Thursday. The singer, 62, who shot to fame in the 1980s, kept her ex-boyfriend's identity a secret ever since they struck up a romance in 2024. Sinitta powerfully declared she 'isn't afraid of being alone and single' as she announced the break up. I am Not afraid, I am Curious and Calm Be curious and brave, gentle with yourself and unafraid [sic]'. Sinitta previously detailed how she met the man, who is from Miami, during an appearance on Loose Women.

Air India flight declares mid-air emergency over UK and diverts in snow chaosAn Air India flight to Birmingham was forced to divert after pilots declared a mid-air emergency amid heavy snowfall and freezing conditions from Storm GorettiView 4 Images The plane diverted to Heathrow Airport (Image: AirNav Radar)An Air India flight to the UK was forced to divert after pilots declared an emergency. The emergency code gave the plane priority handling from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Birmingham Airport suspended all runway operations on Thursday evening due to heavy snow. The airport said: "Due to heavy snow, runway operations are currently suspended. Dozens of flights to and from Heathrow Airport - as well as a handful from Luton Airport - were cancelled on Friday morning.

Between workdemands, organising family events, and personal plans, many of us are juggling more than ever before. In this case, a shared digital calendar can help everything run smoothly, with notifications to alert everyone to upcoming events as well as timely reminders. You may feel overwhelmed when you first start looking for the right calendar to share with your family or friends. Other apps you may use can also sync with this, helping to organise your work, family and personal plans. One everyone gets more comfortable using the calendar, you can startintroducing smart features that may be available.

A mother was left fighting for her life after being shot multiple times in front of her one-year-old son by two hooded men, police said. Police were called to a house on Cronin Street in Peckham, south-east London, to reports of shots fired just before 11pm on Christmas Eve. They found the victim in a critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds, and she was rushed to hospital in an ambulance. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the victim's one-year-old son was in the house at the time of the attack, but was thankfully unharmed. Cronin Street in Peckham, south-east London, where a woman was shot multiple times in her home'We know there will be people who saw or heard something that could help us.

After delivering the entertainment news on Saturday morning, Teegan, 28, had her very own scoop to share. Teegan added that while it was still early in her pregnancy, she was already being changed by the prospect of welcoming a newborn. Teegan added she and Jamie had not settled on a name, as they want the gender to be a surprise. Another black and white photo that featured in the Sunrise announcement package showed Teegan happily posing solo with the booties. Teegan and Jamie announced their engagement on air in April 2024, before sharing images of the romantic moment on Instagram.

Residents on a tidal island near Cornwall woke to more than 80 trees brought down by Storm Goretti. A yellow warning for snow and ice will be in force for much of Scotland from 2am until 3pm on Sunday. Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice have been extended into Saturday for large parts of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. A separate yellow warning for ice covers large parts of England and Wales until midday on Saturday as partially thawed snow refreezes, accompanied by wintry showers and freezing fog. In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for snow and ice will run until 11am on Saturday, with the Met Office warning of icy patches and some hill snow.

Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus chief executive, said the Manchester's base’s operating margin was well below that of its Irish long-haul margin. Photograph: Dara Mac DonaillTrade unions representing staff at Aer Lingus’s Manchester base have accused the airline of “economic vandalism” in seeking to close a profitable base and showing “complete disregard” for its 200 staff at the site. The airline is now facing the possibility of further industrial action at the English base base after it gave another indication on Thursday of its plans to close the facility. The airline has seemed poised to close its Manchester operation for months. The union said it would ballot members on taking industrial action over the proposals, with the ballot to close on January 26th.

An Australian expat has revealed how she survived China's military-style 'fat prison' after being forced to stay inside the complex for a gruelling 28 days. TL Huang, 28, claims to be the first Australian ever to have signed up for the rigorous month after her mother recommended it to her. But Ms Huang, who now lives in Japan and China, told Daily Mail she has no regrets. TL Huang lost six kilos in 28 days at the fat campLunch was regarded as the main meal of the day. Ms Huang previously explained why the facilities were known as 'prisons'.

Independent Ireland representatives Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice, Cllr Paul Hogan and Ciaran Mullooly MEP in the TUS International Arena in Athlone. Mercosur rally in Athlone today will 'focus many political minds'One of the organisers of today's public meeting regarding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement at the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone has said today’s rally would focus the minds of many MEPs across Europe:MEP Ciaran Mullooly was speaking ahead of the protest and meeting at the TUS campus in Athlone today. The event is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees who will hear several speakers, including Mullooly and Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice. Additionally, there will be several MEPs and representatives from other political parties and groups speaking at the event following invitations to do so from Independent Ireland. Speaking ahead of the protest in Athlone this morning, Independent Ireland Agriculture spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice said the battle to stop the Mercosur deal is far from over.