Dealing with the apparent collapse of the transatlantic alliance is an urgent task for Friedrich Merz, while bold steps are also needed to tackle economic decline

Ireland faces immediate diplomatic challenges, but must also focus on improving the things that are under its own control

Former ECB president Mario Draghi has underlined the need for the EU to act quickly to support growth

The latest proposal by the regulator is an effort to balance support for AI development with the need to protect the supply of electricity

While most of them will long for the war to end, Ukrainians will be right to fear betrayal

Our forecasters’ preferred circumlocution of ‘unsettled' can cover a multitude

A key focus will be the vote of the far-right, while it is also unclear whether a majority government will be formed after the vote

The past four weeks were about the bereaved, the maimed and injured, and the police and fire officers and others present telling their terrible stories

How well the new Minister fares will be a major contributory factor in how this Government is ultimately judged

While the scale of take-up is unpredictable, there are potential gains for families

This week’s EU summit discussions on security, defence and Ukraine are the first of many to come on how European states should protect their distinctive interests and values

It is difficult to focus tax incentives to achieve the desired result and all-too-often they have damaging unintended consequences

The publication of new figures showing that the number of knives seized by the Garda each year has risen by almost 60 per cent over the last 10 years will do little to put the public’s mind at ease

Donald Trump has in a few weeks moved to remake the state without the say-so of Congress or the courts

The Government cannot control what Trump will do, but it has a large agenda at home and what is happening must be a wake-up call to get on with it

Unless the EU’s middle ground parties take control of the narrative on migration, the political centre will come under further pressure

A key priority for the Cabinet must be the completion of the new National Planning Framework, which is a key document underlying housing strategy

What will have dismayed most European leaders was Trump’s insouciant concessions before negotiations had even begun

The current cycle of stories about the spending of State money leads to concerns about systemic failings

Negotiations on the formation of a coalition government have collapsed and a fresh general election may be in prospect

JD Vance made clear the Trump administration will ensure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the US

Obesity has a major impact on health and its economic cost could be up €1. 5 billion a year, according to HSE figures

The current system of rental pressure zones needs to change, but tenants need to retain protections

China stands to benefit in the longer term from Trump’s capricious behaviour and his disdain for a rules-based international order

The island seems set for a period of incremental change, dialogue and debate rather than dramatic constitutional change

Passing the budget will come as a relief to President Macron, but he will know that further tests lie ahead for a shaky government

The State’s management of public property is important not only as a model to private owners, but because its acquisition of more derelict properties is likely to be required

The EU needs to start delivering on these issues if it is to compete with the new regional alliances forming around the globe

While the Government must take account of the real threats to the Irish economy, it must also provide for the pressing needs of a growing population

More needs to be done to ensure passengers are not left waiting for a bus that never arrives

Unemployment remains at historically low levels, but there is much to be done to try to keep it there

An Post needs to trade carefully in protecting what remains an important service

It is one of the most dramatic U-turns in US policy in history and has enraged potential regional and international allies

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are vulnerable on the issue of what was said during the election on housebuilding levels last year

It is not clear how to address the conundrum that confronted the party at the last election

The US president’s threats to support for Nato and his aggressive trade diplomacy leave no-one in any doubt that he is prepared to use leverage

Friedrich Merz is chasing voters defecting to the buoyant AfD and says that his policies are “right even if the wrong people vote for them”

Given that a generalised return to full-time working in the office looks unlikely, give and take is required from both sides

The move risks serious damage to the US economy and its reputation and could trigger a global trade war

Hundreds of billions of dollars have gone into developing AI, but a Chinese start-up has come up with a cheaper model

There were shortcomings in the immediate response and significant longer-term issues were raised

The old system was in many ways an affront to democracy, and the new one is not much better

Previous reviews had identified problems in maternity services and it is not clear whether these were fully addressed

Further reductions are likely to be justified, but the central bank alone cannot revive the euro zone economy

The Government’s claim the increase to 23 juniors is necessary defies credulity

Sanctions need to be restored against Rwanda which is supporting the rebels

A CSO survey shows 25 year-olds have good jobs, but housing is a big problem

A dip in GDP late last year indicates that the multinational sector is slowing

New legislation may offer a route to rebuild confidence in the planning process, but it should never have come to this

Alexander Lukashenko was “re-elected” by 86 per cent of voters at the weekend to his seventh term after a disputed vote