Politics

Ireland's 35th Dáil (parliament) is set to reconvene Wednesday with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin returning as taoiseach (prime minister). The transition will see current leader Simon Harris of Fine Gael move to the role of tánaiste (deputy prime minister). Following November's election, Fianna Fáil emerged as the largest party with 48 seats and has formed a government through a coalition with Fine Gael (38 seats) and several independent regional TDs (members of parliament). Sinn Féin, despite winning 39 seats, remains in opposition after being ruled out as a coalition partner by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael—a decision that Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald criticized as "bad practice." The new government formation comes after approximately five weeks of negotiations, with both Martin and Harris recently confirming a draft programme for government that received endorsement from their respective parties. […]

Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a U.S. military branch, has been removed from her position as Coast Guard Commandant within 24 hours of President Donald Trump taking office. The dismissal was first reported by Fox News and was confirmed through a statement to Coast Guard units obtained by The New York Times. The statement cited "leadership deficiencies, operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard" as reasons for her termination. It also mentioned her "excessive focus" on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as a factor. The removal aligns with Trump's broader executive action issued after his inauguration, calling for federal agencies to end DEI initiatives, which he described as "illegal and immoral." In the executive order, Trump stated that "the public release of these plans demonstrated immense public waste and […]

In his final moments as president, Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to several family members, including his siblings James, Francis, Frank Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens, citing protection from politically motivated attacks. The last-minute decision followed earlier pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci and January 6 investigation committee members to prevent what Biden termed "unjustified politically motivated prosecutions." Biden emphasized these public servants' dedication to the nation. The move comes amid longstanding tension with Trump, who frequently clashed with Dr. Fauci during the pandemic and suggested action against those involved in the January 6 investigation. Trump had previously made unproven corruption allegations against the Bidens, though a 2023 House Republican investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. Biden extended pardons to his in-laws Sara Jones Biden and John Owens, adding to an earlier pardon for his son Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing in […]

A major prisoner release agreement between the United States and Cuba has resulted in the freedom of prominent dissident Jose Daniel Ferrer, who spent over three years in prison following Cuba's 2021 anti-government protests. The agreement, mediated by the Catholic Church, involves outgoing President Joe Biden removing Cuba from the US state sponsors of terrorism list during his final days in office, while Cuba commits to releasing 553 individuals, many of whom were detained during the protests. The initial phase of releases began Wednesday, with approximately 20 people freed according to local NGO reports. Among them was Ferrer, the 54-year-old leader of the opposition group Cuba's Patriotic Union (Unpacu), who was imprisoned on public disorder charges after the 2021 demonstrations. Speaking to Reuters by phone, Ferrer stated, "I am at home, in fair health, but with the courage to continue […]