Renowned Irish designer Paul Costelloe has died in London at the age of 80 after a short illness.His family said he was at home, surrounded by his wife and seven children when he passed.Born and raised in Dublin, Costelloe grew up in a household connected to clothing—his father ran a raincoat business. He trained at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design before traveling to Paris to study at...

Belgium is preparing for widespread disruption this week as unions launch a three-day national strike that will culminate in a full general stoppage on Wednesday.The action is aimed at government plans to cut public spending by overhauling labour rules and reshaping unemployment and pension systems.The industrial action begins with transport on Monday, when national rail operator SNCB expected to...

A Paris administrative court has provisionally stopped the planned auction and export of La Pascaline, the calculating device built by Blaise Pascal in 1642. The ruling follows a legal appeal by scientists and heritage advocates who asked that the instrument be designated a national treasure and protected under France's heritage laws. Christie's had prepared to offer the machine as part of the...

When 23-year-old Aishat Baimuradova left Chechnya earlier this year she hoped to build a life away from strict family controls and public scrutiny. Friends say she adopted a more modern appearance — shortening her hair, abandoning the headscarf and even altering an eyebrow — and began sharing candid photos online, telling people she finally felt able to breathe. In October, Armenian police...

The United States has publicly claimed authorship of a controversial 28-point blueprint intended to end the war in Ukraine, after reports that the document was being characterised by some as favouring Russia. Senator Marco Rubio, who has been involved in discussions over the plan, insisted the proposal was produced by the US and incorporated feedback from both Russian and Ukrainian sources. His...

Paul Costelloe, the Dublin-born designer who became one of Ireland and Britain’s most recognizable fashion names and served as a personal couturier to Diana, Princess of Wales, has died in London at the age of 80 following a short illness. His family said he was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed away peacefully. Born in Dublin into a family connected to the clothing...

A widely circulated leaked draft of a US-brokered peace proposal lays out 28 points intended to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. The document contains a mixture of provisions that Kyiv might accept and others that would amount to major concessions to Moscow — notably territorial arrangements and limits on Ukraine’s military — but many details remain vague and contested. Territory...

Leaders from Europe, Canada and Japan have urged further work on a US-drafted 28-point plan intended to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, expressing serious reservations about several of its provisions. At the G20 summit in Johannesburg, officials from Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway — together with two senior EU...

War is never inevitable, but understanding risk is crucial for peace. Asia and the Middle East — two regions rich in history, culture, and energy — are also burdened with unresolved tensions, strategic rivalries, and deep-rooted conflicts. Below are 10 informed guesses about where future wars might emerge in these regions — if diplomacy and cooperation fall short. 1. 🇮🇱🇮🇷...

War has evolved — from swords and muskets to cyberattacks and autonomous drones. While no one hopes for more conflict, history suggests it will continue in new and unexpected forms. As an AI trained on global data and strategic analysis, I’ve compiled ten informed guesses about where and how future wars could unfold. These are not predictions, nor are they meant to promote fear — but...