Topic: Ireland

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Death of Irish woman could reshape US lawsuit over IRA tapes

IRA veteran Dolours Price, whose death is not believed to be foul play, is at the heart of a lawsuit between Boston College and Northern Irish police over the release of tapes on her time in the IRA.
Global News Blog Contrary to reports, the Irish haven't legalized drunk driving

Reports concerning an Irish county council's proposal to allow rural inhabitants to drive after drinking have been greatly exaggerated.
Twenty hostages escape from Islamic militants in Algeria, reports

Twenty foreign hostages – including some Americans and Europeans – have escaped from Islamic militants holding them at an Algerian natural gas facility, says an Algerian source. The militants said they had captured 41 foreigners, including seven Americans, yesterday.
Helicopter crashes into construction crane in London, killing two (+video)

A helicopter crashed into a crane in central London which was packed with thousands of commuters at the time on Wednesday, killing two people as it burst into flames and threw plumes of smoke into the foggy air above.
Opinion For US and Europe, governance by brinkmanship

The US and Europe are handling their fiscal crises with political brinkmanship, resulting in piecemeal solutions. The US seems to have adopted German Chancellor Angel Merkel’s much maligned step-by-step approach to problem-solving. Politically, that may be the only choice.
On UK-EU shuffle, David Cameron claims Obama support

After a US senior diplomat says the White House hopes for strong UK-EU ties, the British prime minister tries on a different interpretation.
Opinion Partisan gridlock? Not in Ireland

The drawn-out wrangling over the 'fiscal cliff' in Washington couldn’t have happened in Ireland. Getting a bill passed in Europe is a straightforward exercise for one simple reason: parliamentary democracy. But caution: Such a system also helped cause Europe's debt woes.
Change Agent In Kenya solar lamps reduce childbirth risks

Instead of relying on moonlight or dangerous and smoky kerosene lamps, midwives now use solar-powered lamps to make childbirth safer in remote regions of Kenya that are off the electric grid.
Britain debates: What should European welfare look like?

The debate in Parliament, which today passed a measure to temporarily cap most welfare benefits, is part of a larger debate in Europe over how to handle welfare amid the debt crisis.
Focus Do French women need feminism?

Working French women, backed by generous government policies, enjoy a reputation for 'having it all.' But that may not mean what Americans might think.
Is this the year that the eurocrisis ends?

The European Central Bank has moved to shore up the euro, investors are more confident, and European leaders are surprisingly upbeat. But critics warn that Europe is not out of the woods.
Culture Cafe 'Downton Abbey' recap: A wedding and changing times (+video)

'Downton Abbey' returned for its third season, and things were – of course – not all well in the world of the aristocrats and the servants. The new season of 'Downton Abbey' kicked off with a super-sized two-hour episode.
Did you buy that car in 2013? Why Ireland changed its license plates.

Until Dec. 31, Irish license plate numbers included the last two digits of the year the car was purchased. 2013 has changed all that.
Opinion India gang rape: Why US should ratify UN treaty on women's rights

The gang rape and death of a student in India, which has sparked protests there to change cultural views on women, should remind the United States why it’s high time to ratify the UN 'bill of rights' for women. American criticism of the treaty is based on misconceptions.
Ireland announces abortion law reforms, leaving no one satisfied

The new legislation is meant to clarify Ireland's stance on abortion when the mother's health is at risk, but antiabortion groups say it goes too far, and abortion-rights groups not far enough.
Bill Clinton: US ambassador to Ireland? Rumors catch fire.

Bill Clinton loves Ireland, and Ireland loves him, but fresh Beltway rumors are suggesting that he might even like to be the US ambassador to the Emerald Isle. Is Dublin big enough for Bill?
Global News Blog Boy or girl, Kate's royal offspring likely to reign - eventually

The centuries-old tradition that gave male children precedence in succession to the British throne has been scrapped, with a new gender-equal law coming soon.
Starbucks, Google, Amazon accused of 'immoral' tax avoidance

Starbucks, Google, and Amazon were among the major multinational corporations accused by lawyers of exploiting British tax laws to move UK-made profits overseas. Starbucks announced it is reviewing its tax practices in a bid to restore public trust.
'Fiscal cliff' reality check: Are US taxes low or high? (+video)

As Washington confronts the 'fiscal cliff' and seeks a deal to reduce the deficit, one key issue is the tax rate. Comparatively, US taxes are low, but politically, a big hike is a nonstarter.
C. S. Lewis: 10 quotes on his birthday

Here are 10 quotes to mark the birthday of C.S. Lewis, author of the beloved children's series "The Chronicles of Narnia."
France to support Palestinian bid for UN status

The Palestinians have lobbied for European support for their bid at non-member status at the United Nations. Approval would boost Palestinian efforts to gain international recognition.
Europe debt defaults are poised to rattle stocks

At least five eurozone nations will need to restructure their debts, says a new Citigroup report. Greece will probably leave the eurozone within a year.
Indebted Caribbean tax havens look to tax foreign investors

Industry analysts say new fees and taxes could bring in needed money to a region where some debts are near that of Greece. But could they scare off investors?
Global first: Brit visits all 201 states without flying

Graham Hughes says Iraq and Afghanistan were easy. Islands like Nauru were the real challenges.
Catalonian elections: Madrid is bad, austerity is worse (+video)

Voters in Catalonia dealt a blow to the Spanish region's ruling party, rejecting its pro-austerity economic policies despite its popular efforts to seek Catalonian independence from Madrid.