The surplus in the public finances this year is projected to be just over €4.4 billion according to the Department of Finance.

Kremlin-held regions of eastern and southern Ukraine has entered the second day of voting to become part of Russia, in referendums dismissed as a "sham" by US President Joe Biden.

For a country whose electoral politics have always baffled and entertained, the Italian election this Sunday is commanding more international attention than usual.

Italy votes in a national election tomorrow that could herald its most right-wing government since the Second World War, led by its first woman prime minister.

Tuesday's Budget is set to be the largest for several years with tackling the cost of living, the number one priority.

On Tuesday, everyone will find out how the Government intends to balance the Budget against the volatile backdrop of the cost-of-living and energy crises.

There was Grand Final joy for Ireland's Geelong pair Zach Tuohy and Mark O'Connor as the Geelong Cats were crowned AFL champions after a 132-52 destruction of the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Russia should lose its place on the UN Security Council due to its invasion of Ukraine, the Taoiseach has said.

SIPTU members at Dublin Airport are threatening industrial action in a dispute over the payment of wages.

Protests flared in Iran for an eighth straight night over the death of a young woman arrested by morality police, verified social media posts showed, hours after counter-demonstrations mobilised by authorities.

At least 77 migrants drowned when a boat they boarded in Lebanon sank off Syria's coast, Syria's health minister has said.

Wolf Hall writer Hilary Mantel has died "suddenly yet peacefully" surrounded by close family and friends aged 70, HarperCollins has announced.

The State has completed the sell-off of its shareholding in Bank of Ireland.

A garda report on crime trends has found that domestic abuse was a factor in the majority of murders and manslaughters last year.

Ukrainian officials have said that 447 bodies had been exhumed from a mass burial site near the eastern city of Izium, which was recaptured from Russian forces.

Flogas Energy has announced a further increase in the prices it charges for electricity and gas from next month, with residential electricity bills increasing by 17%, and gas bills rising by 23%.

The Minister for Justice has met community leaders in Cherry Orchard in Dublin following the ramming of a garda car there earlier this week.

Munster and Ireland centre Chris Farrell has stepped away from his role with the province while legal proceedings in France relating to an alleged rape are ongoing.

Senior diplomats from the United States and China began a meeting today with tensions high after a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and an explicit pledge by US President Joe Biden to defend the Chinese-claimed island.

Live music, dance, guided tours, readings and a live television show from Lough Boora in Co Offaly all form part of this year's Culture Night.