Simon Harris

EU Divided Over Tobacco Tax as Malta Blocks Snus Compromise

Sweden and Finland clashed at an EU meeting over the future tax rate for white snus. A compromise was reached - but Malta blocked it instead.

Ireland takes over EU presidency with focus on enlargement and tough budget talks

More countries will be led toward membership and a new budget will be hammered out when Ireland takes over the EU. But difficult compromises will be required, warns Prime Minister Micheál Martin

Cautious and sensitive when the EU met Israel

Caution dominated when the EU and Israel met at the foreign minister level in Brussels. Criticism is heard – but primarily from the outside.

Turmoil as Ireland gets new old leader

Michéal Martin has been elected as the new Taoiseach – Prime Minister – in the Irish parliament.

New Old Government in Ireland

Israel closes embassy in Ireland

Israel is closing its embassy in Ireland's capital Dublin. According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, the reason is the country's "extremely Israel-hostile policy".

Very even in the Irish election

It appears to be as evenly divided as expected in the Irish parliamentary election. In the exit poll published, the three largest parties all seem to get between 19 and 21 percent of the votes, and now coalition negotiations await.

Orbán defies ICC – invites Netanyahu

Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of the EU's presidency country Hungary, defies the ICC's arrest warrant against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by inviting him to Hungary.