Montenegro the smallest of the five candidate countries in the region is widely seen as the frontrunner in the Western Balkans accession process, with Albania following close behind. According to EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, Montenegro could technically complete accession negotiations by the end of 2026 and Albania a year later. "Then we need one to one-and-a-half years to go through the ratification process. So, I am realistically optimistic that even during my mandate, which ends at the end of 2029, the European Union could have at least two new members," Kos told DW.
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The Ariane 6 expendable rocket only came into service last year, following the Ariane 5 that last carried a Galileo satellite in 2018. Since then, the EU has been reliant on Russian until the invasion of Ukraine and US rockets. The Galileo program itself is also aglobal navigation satellite system aimed at making the EU less dependent on the US's Global Positioning System (GPS).
An Italian national has been arrested after attempting to enter Switzerland via the border crossing at Brustata with 100kg of undeclared foodstuffs. The man crossed the border in Ticino canton in a van and was picked up by a mobile police unit, Switzerland's Federal Office of Customs and Border Protection said on Tuesday. It was then discovered the man was transporting 66 panettones weighing 81kg in total. The Italian also had loaves of focaccia, 164 litres of oil, 5kg of meat and 28kg of mozzarella.
A 10km run to the President's official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park, was organised by Kneecap in aid of charity. The run began at Dalymount Park, home to Bohemians FC, and was held in aid of the Gaza Food and Play project. More than 200 runners held Palestine flags, wore Bohs jerseys, and shouted "Free Palestine" as they ran through the rain. At one point, the runners ran towards a gap in the hedge surrounding the President's residence and cheered at Ms Connolly, who encouraged them on their journey.
The Attorney General has decided not to bring criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke and three members of his family over their repeated disruption of High Court hearings in the jailed teacher's dispute with Wilson's Hospital School.
Polar Bears International, a non-profit conservation group, said on Wednesday that when they first placed a GPS collar on a female polar bear in the spring, she had one young cub. But when she was spotted with two cubs of roughly the same age last month, they realized they were witnessing an exceedingly rare case of adoption. Female polar bears are really good moms and so they're just primed for looking after and caring for their offspring,
A Wexford pub has called out the traditions and behaviours of groups participating in 12 Pubs of Christmas after a number of personal items were stolen from their premises. Taking to their social media page, Redmond's of Scarawalsh explained that while they are more than happy to have people participating in the tradition, they believe some groups have taken the celebrations too far.
China will impose tariffs of up to 19.8% on pork imports from the European Union, a drastic drop from preliminary tariffs of up to 62.4%, its Commerce Ministry said Tuesday. The ministry's announcement followed an investigation the Chinese side launched into imports of pork from the trading bloc after the EU imposed provisional tariffs on China-made electric vehicles. Beijing also levied anti-dumping duties on European brandy, most notably cognac produced in France, though major brandy producers received exemptions.
Cavan ex-politician Seán McKiernan jailed for two years and nine months for theft from charity Navan Mental Health Housing Association He used the money to pay for sex and drugs from South American escorts Disgraced McKiernan was previously employed as a consultant by minister Helen McEntee and ex-minister Damien English Youngest ever cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council was friends with Tánaiste Simon Harris and attended his wedding Thief would send pleading messages for Revolut loans 'to help juggle things'
The nationalist populist Serbian president railed against critics of the project for destroying an investment of "at least 750 million" ($880 million). "As a state and as a nation, we are major losers," Vucic said. "We will now be left with a destroyed building, and it is only a matter of time before bricks and other parts start falling off it, because no one will ever touch it again," Vucic told media in Belgrade.
The UK government plans to tender a commercial framework for end-user hardware and software worth up to £24 billion ($32.18 billion) including tax - double the £12 billion maximum announced six months ago. Earlier this month, UK tech minister Liz Kendall told the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee the government was addressing ongoing concerns about extracting value from major vendors through centralized public sector procurement.
It would be "unjust" to now jail a former Bank of Ireland employee who stole almost €200,000 from a branch and its customers before attempting to set the building on fire, the Court of Appeal has found, despite ruling that her original fully suspended sentence and community service order were too lenient. Maureen McCormack (53) maintained that she stole the money to pay for debts incurred for IVF treatment.
Negotiations over a technology deal between the UK and US have stalled because of stumbling blocks in wider trade negotiations between the two sides. The Technology Prosperity Deal - which was billed as "historic" when it was unveiled during US President Donald Trump's state visit in September - saw both countries pledge to co-operate in areas such as AI. However, talks on the agreement are now being held up because of US concerns about what it considers to be wider UK trade barriers.
