New prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is the latest to take on the leading role in this unravelling Shakespearean drama. Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Alamy The last few years in politics have gifted the keen observer many allusions to some of Shakespeare’s best-loved works. From the Midsummer Night’s (fever) Dream the electorateContinue Reading
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February, the threat that weapons of mass destruction would be used has been a constant concern. Discussion of this threat has tended to focus on the possibility that Russia might resort to using its nuclear arsenal – something hinted at several times by theContinue Reading
Working to end violence against women is a fraught endeavour. Not least because gaining international consensus and cooperation on issues around gender equality can be tense. The scale of problem, however, is clear. The European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence notes that one in three womenContinue Reading
Experts are warning that millions of people are at risk as a famine hits Somalia. Mehmet ali poyraz/Shutterstock Since 1990 the world’s famines have been classified as small – with the glaring exceptions of Somalia in 1991-92 and 2010-12. Now the UN’s World Food Programme says that nearly seven millionContinue Reading
As solar and wind proliferate, the power lurking in the world’s oceans is yet to make waves. In fact, tides could become the next essential energy source.Continue Reading
In its new white paper on the economics of independence, the Scottish government made it clear that rejoining the EU was central to its vision of how Scotland could prosper outside the UK. Rather than simply being a question of whether Scotland should be part of the UK, the firstContinue Reading
Resistance leader: the NRF's Ahmad Massoud. NRF/Twitter It has become axiomatic that in Afghanistan, once an armed resistance group gains a foothold in an area it becomes hard to route out. This is more so if it musters a degree of local support and is in a geographically remote region.Continue Reading
Gardaí are investigating the discovery of a man’s body in unexplained circumstances in Co Westmeath. Shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, the body of a man in his 60s was discovered in a house at Rattin near Milltownpass. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. The OfficeContinue Reading
No one who has lived in central Europe forgets the winters. From November to April, you can be fairly certain that every time you step out of your usually well-heated apartment block, you’ll be walking into what amounts to a freezer. It is this, perhaps more than any other factor,Continue Reading
It is only right to explain why I’m standing here as your new prime minister. These were some of the first words spoken by Rishi Sunak as he made a speech outside Downing Street shortly after coming to office. Sunak is the fifth prime minister since 2016 and the thirdContinue Reading
