Russian President Vladimir Putin last night ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine after recognising them as independent, accelerating a crisis the West fears could unleash a major war.

European Union foreign ministers will adopt sanctions against Russia over its recognition of Ukrainian separatist regions and further deployment of troops on its neighbour's territory, the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said.

The Government will consider a proposal to end almost all remaining health restrictions next week.

A new National Heat Survey by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has stressed the need for urgent and early action to eliminate the carbon dioxide emissions associated with heating in Ireland.

Barnardos has said increases in the cost of living means people have been forced to choose between using electricity and feeding their family.

The RTÉ crime drama KIN leads the shortlist for this year's Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Film and Drama Awards with 13 nominations.

Women working in Afghan government departments must cover up - even with a blanket if necessary - or they may lose their jobs, the Taliban's religious police said.

Australian police have arrested a suspected hitman after a 12-year nationwide manhunt during which he used disguises and even a fatsuit to evade capture after skipping bail.

Six national groups representing medically vulnerable people say the ending of mandatory mask wearing by the Government should be delayed.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will seek Cabinet approval for legislation to support excavation work at the former Tuam mother-and-baby home.

Colombia's high court has decriminalised abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy in a landmark ruling for the majority-Catholic country, one of only a few in Latin America that currently allows the procedure.

Internet connection has been restored in Tonga today, five weeks after a massive volcanic eruption shredded the undersea cable that connects the Pacific nation with the rest of the world.

New Zealand anti-vaccine protesters pelted police with a "stinging substance" sending three to hospital with injuries early today, as tensions spilled over in an angry weeks-long protest.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue will seek Government support for a package worth €7m for pig farmers.

A Dublin woman says she's lucky to be alive after being diagnosed with breast cancer during the pandemic.

The leaders of the Government parties have this evening agreed that NPHET's recommendations to end almost all the remaining health restrictions should be accepted.

A senior EU official has said the talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol should move into a "discreet" phase during the upcoming Assembly Elections campaign, but warned that the EU would have to "rethink" the process if the talks were no longer "mean...

A 76-year-old former scout leader has been sentenced to two years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, after being convicted of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy scout in the 1980s.

A former soldier has been jailed for ten years for raping a woman on multiple occasions and threatening to kill or cause her serious harm.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told the French and German leaders today that he planned to sign a decree recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.