EU Affairs
Greta Thunberg’s Gaza aid flotilla swarmed by Israeli drones, crew says
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Several vessels belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza were targeted by Israeli drones in international waters south of Crete on Tuesday, organizers said.
“Our boats were repeatedly attacked by military drones. They struck us with unknown but irritating substances, with sound bombs, and even with drones that deliberately damaged the masts of several vessels,” said Maria Elena Delia, the GSF’s Italian spokesperson, in an Instagram post.
“These attacks targeted boats flying Italian, British, and Polish flags. That’s the same as attacking Italy, the U.K., and Poland — essentially a declaration of war against those countries,” added Delia, who was aboard the ship Morgana.
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The European Commission president’s trip comes on the heels of an announcement by Germany’s Rheinmetall that it plans two new factories in Bulgaria, making the country Europe’s largest gunpowder manufacturer.
Aug 31
3 mins read
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Le chef de cabinet de la présidente de la Commission européenne est l’homme à appeler pour faire avancer les choses à Bruxelles. Mais il a trop de pouvoir, estiment ses détracteurs, de plus en plus nombreux.
Jul 9
17 mins read
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The asylum agency coordinates the implementation of the EU’s migration policy among member countries, including asylum applications and deportations.
Members of the European Parliament who scrutinized the agency’s 2023 accounts wrote that the legislature “strongly deplores the weaknesses in the management of conflicts of interest within the agency.”
The approval of the accounts is non-binding but allows the Parliament to issue recommendations to EU bodies on how to handle their budgets.
Following an exchange with the agency’s executive director, Nina Gregori, lawmakers on the Committee on Budgetary Control voted to greenlight the accounts, albeit with a formal reprimand and demands for changes to the agency’s management. The accounts still need to be ratified in the plenary in October.
Lawmakers recommended that the agency establish an independent internal ethics body, strengthen its whistle-blowing protection rules, and publish an anonymized version of the OLAF report.
The Parliament also instructed the agency to establish an exit interview program to identify why there is such high turnover among staff, and to report back to lawmakers on the results during the 2024 accounts discharge procedure.
MEPs vowed to continue their close scrutiny of the agency, especially of its implementation of the recommendations of its supervisory board. Despite the findings of the OLAF report, the board decided not to launch disciplinary procedures against top management and opted for structural reforms within the agency.
Green MEP Erik Marquardt, the lead negotiator on the file, did not reply to a request for comment.
- US man who groped teenager in hotel sauna avoids jail
Read more on post. An American man who groped inside and outside a young man’s shorts in the sauna at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin has avoided jail. Bryan McNeill, aged 55, of K Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, was handed a six-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay €10,000 to the 19-year-old college student. The… Read more: US man who groped teenager in hotel sauna avoids jail - Renowned ‘sponge city’ architect dies in plane crashRead more on post . A renowned landscape architect has died in a plane crash alongside three others in Brazil. Kongjian Yu was killed when the small aircraft crashed on Tuesday evening while attempting to land at a large farm around 62 miles from the town of Aquidauana in the country’s Mato Grosso do Sul… Read more: Renowned ‘sponge city’ architect dies in plane crash
- Watch: A quick runthrough of the presidential candidatesThis post was originally published on this site. Now that nominations are closed, the official Presidential Election campaign begins with three candidates on the ballot paper. Our political reporter Sandra Hurley gives a quick runthrough on those three candidates – Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys. Watch our video to see more.
- ‘It’s not about me’: Michael Flatley reflects on failed presidency bidRead more on post. If chutzpah and self-confidence were the attributes most prized in an Irish president, Michael Flatley would surely win in a canter. In reality, his presidential bid never got going, a rare reverse for a man whose Irish-American brand of optimism is at odds with the native tendency towards self-deprecation and humble-bragging.… Read more: ‘It’s not about me’: Michael Flatley reflects on failed presidency bid
- Royal Parks responds to Farage’s claim that swans are being eaten by migrants in UKThis post was originally published on this site. A charity has been forced to deny Nigel Farage’s claims that swans are being eaten by eastern Europeans in London’s Royal Parks. The Reform UK leader had accused migrants living in the UK of taking both carp and swans – a protected species – from ponds in… Read more: Royal Parks responds to Farage’s claim that swans are being eaten by migrants in UK
- New home sales soar 20% in August to a three-year highRead more on post. Sales of newly built homes rose a much larger-than-expected 20.5% in August compared with July, according to the U.S. Census. That’s despite mortgage rates that are higher than they are today. The median price of a new home sold in August was $413,500, in increase of 1.9% year over year. Sales… Read more: New home sales soar 20% in August to a three-year high
- The Trump administration is changing Covid, childhood vaccine recommendations – here’s what it means for youRead more on post. New recommendations last week from an influential vaccine panel handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. broke with long-standing U.S. precedent on Covid shots and childhood immunization. The changes by the group, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, could complicate access in some states and add to… Read more: The Trump administration is changing Covid, childhood vaccine recommendations – here’s what it means for you
- Northern Powerhouse Rail plans delayed againRead more on post. Just now ShareSave Faisal IslamEconomics editor ShareSave Getty Images Plans to extend high-speed rail across the north of England have been delayed further and will not now be announced by the prime minister at the Labour Party conference next week. The BBC understands concerns over the long-term costs of the line… Read more: Northern Powerhouse Rail plans delayed again
- Applegreen drops Massachusetts service stations deal amid litigation threatsRead more on post. Applegreen, the Irish fuel and forecourt retail group, has walked away from a contentious 35-year deal to operate 18 motorway service areas in Massachusetts, amid continuing legal threats for the underbidder for the contract. The Dublin-based group, which is backed by US private equity giant Blackstone, had planned to invest more… Read more: Applegreen drops Massachusetts service stations deal amid litigation threats
- The Ryder Cup: Where sport, money and politics collideRead full article on post. Gav dials in from Whistling Straits, where the Trump-attended 43rd Ryder Cup tees off this week. He tells Sinead why this edition of the inter-continental grudge match will be more politically freighted than usual, but that thoughts of a raucous, blue collar New York crowd have likely been curtailed by… Read more: The Ryder Cup: Where sport, money and politics collide
- Province by province – The 2025/26 URC season previewRead the full article on post. Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Johne Murphy on the RTÉ Rugby podcast as we look ahead to the new United Rugby Championship season. The panel pick through the key talking points for Ulster, Connacht (13:35), Munster (22:30) and Leinster (34:05) for the new campaign, and we… Read more: Province by province – The 2025/26 URC season preview
- Murphy aiming to ‘build some consistency’ after difficult first full season with UlsterThis post was originally published on this site. AFTER WHAT WAS a distinctly forgettable first full season in charge, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy is determined to achieve substantial improvement from his squad who finished up a lowly 14th in the URC table last time out. The northern province host the Dragons on Friday in… Read more: Murphy aiming to ‘build some consistency’ after difficult first full season with Ulster
- Europe must embrace ‘extreme atmosphere’ at Ryder Cup in USAThis post was originally published on this site. TOMMY FLEETWOOD HAS urged his European team-mates to embrace “the most extreme atmosphere” in golf at the Ryder Cup this week. Much has been made of the hostile reception the visiting side are likely to encounter as they take on the United States in front of a… Read more: Europe must embrace ‘extreme atmosphere’ at Ryder Cup in USA
- Pope ‘in possession’ but not guaranteed No 3 spot – KeyRead the full article on post. Stephan Shemilt Chief Cricket Reporter 40 minutes ago Rob Key said Ollie Pope is “the man in possession” of England’s number three spot but stopped short of confirming who will play in the first Ashes Test. Pope has been under pressure from Jacob Bethell for much of the past… Read more: Pope ‘in possession’ but not guaranteed No 3 spot – Key
- A bit rich to criticise pay-to-play American players when the Ryder Cup is so drenched in moneyThis post was originally published on this site. Gavin Cooney reports from Bethpage Black, New York WELCOME TO THE Ryder Cup, where money doesn’t talk, it yells Geddinthaholeee. This event is so drenched in dollars it’s a bit bizarre that among the main talking points is the fact the American team are being paid for… Read more: A bit rich to criticise pay-to-play American players when the Ryder Cup is so drenched in money
- 17 Best Weekender Bags of 2025, According to Our EditorsThis post was originally published on this site.Durable and functional duffels we love.
- Arabian Travel Market to launch dedicated Travel Tech show at 2026 editionThis post was originally published on this site.Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced the launch of ATM Travel Tech, a new co-located event that will debut at ATM 2026, taking place from 4–7 May 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Evolving from its previous role as a high-growth sector on the show floor,… Read more: Arabian Travel Market to launch dedicated Travel Tech show at 2026 edition
- Capital Connections: Air Canada Keeps London and Ottawa connected Year-RoundThis post was originally published on this site.Air Canada has announced its London Heathrow to Ottawa non-stop flights will continue for Winter 2025-26, ensuring year-round connectivity between the United Kingdom’s largest airport and Canada’s capital city. Flights are available for booking now at aircanada.com, through Air Canada Contact Centres, and via travel agents.
- Hotels versus Short-Term Rentals: What Do Urban Travellers to Latin America Actually Demand?This post was originally published on this site.Hotels remain the most popular accommodation choice for travellers visiting Latin America’s main capitals, but short-term rentals are gaining ground, attracting two very different traveller segments: high-spending international visitors, as well as domestic or regional travellers with more moderate purchasing power. This is the central finding of Mabrian’s… Read more: Hotels versus Short-Term Rentals: What Do Urban Travellers to Latin America Actually Demand?
- Finnair launches emissions-cutting service for businessesThis post was originally published on this site.Finnair has launched the Finnair for Business SAF service for corporate customers keen to help reduce aviation emissions and boost the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Available to members of the Finnair for Business program, the new SAF service allows companies to monitor the flight emissions that… Read more: Finnair launches emissions-cutting service for businesses
- Giorgio Armani creations interplay with Italian masterpieces at new Milan exhibitionRead more on post. ADVERTISEMENT “Giorgio Armani, Milano, for love’’ at the Brera Art Gallery opens today, mere weeks after the celebrated designer’s death at the age of 91. Featuring 129 Armani looks from the 1980s through the present day, the exhibition places his creations among celebrated Italian masterpieces by such luminaries as Raphael and… Read more: Giorgio Armani creations interplay with Italian masterpieces at new Milan exhibition
- The last day of doomsday: What is the viral ‘RaptureTok’ trend?Read more on post. ADVERTISEMENT If you’re reading this today, Wednesday 24 September 2025 could be the last day before the end of the world as you know it. If you’re reading this tomorrow, you weren’t blipped out of existence and good luck with all the rebuilding. Please do better. Confused? We’ve got you covered.… Read more: The last day of doomsday: What is the viral ‘RaptureTok’ trend?
- ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion sees James Van Der Beek make surprise appearance amid cancer battleRead more on post. ADVERTISEMENT The cast of the hit TV show Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003, came together earlier this week for a reunion charity event in New York City. The cast, including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson, took the stage at the Richard Rodgers Theater on Monday… Read more: ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion sees James Van Der Beek make surprise appearance amid cancer battle
- Booker Prize 2025: Kiran Desai, David Szalay and Andrew Miller among shortlisted authorsRead more on post. This year’s Booker Prize shortlist features an epic globetrotting love story between two young Indians; a man in the throws of a midlife crisis who undertakes a road trip across the US; a successful actor whose life is thrown into dissary by the appearance of a man who may or may… Read more: Booker Prize 2025: Kiran Desai, David Szalay and Andrew Miller among shortlisted authors
- Brian’s back – what’s so funny about peace, love & understanding?Read more on post. On April 10, 1999, I was in the producer’s chair in Studio 4 in RTÉ while we aired a special episode of a live Saturday night chat show called Kenny Live, hosted by Pat Kenny. The show was paying its respects to the late actor and comedian, Dermot Morgan, who died… Read more: Brian’s back – what’s so funny about peace, love & understanding?
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