The Department of Finance has failed to explain why Ireland did not apply to be a founding member of a major new Asian investment bank.

The European transfer window is not so European any more, with Chinese clubs outspending even the continent’s richest clubs in January to prove that the country is now a genuine power in attracting the world’s best players.

South Africa’s Haydn Porteous carded a final round 69 to win his first European Tour title at the Joburg Open yesterday.

After a freeze of more than three years, the leaders of South Korea and Japan resumed formal talks focusing on North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear bombs, and a long-running dispute over Japan’s wartime atrocities.

EU foreign ministers will today discuss migration in the southern Mediterranean and the EU’s response to the ongoing crisis.

Sepp Blatter has insisted he was not the high-ranking FIFA official who authorised a 10million US dollar payment to the disgraced Jack Warner saying: “Definitely that’s not me.”

Don’t listen to supermodel Claudia Schiffer in the advert on the television — Opel Astras do break down.

Pope Francis urged Asia’s Catholic youth to renounce the materialism that afflicts much of their society today and reject “inhuman” economic systems that disenfranchise the poor.

The next few quarters should see a sustained recovery in consumer spending leading to an overall consumption increase of 1.9% for 2014, compared to a 1.1% decline last year — according to employers’ representative, Ibec.

There is a strong possibility Royal Portrush will be awarded the 2019 British Open — 68 years after being the only club outside Scotland and England to host golf’s oldest Major.

Troubles victims have been failed by a flawed and fragmented approach to dealing with the North’s bloody past, Amnesty International has said.

Hillary Clinton’s long and storied career will be extended by her adaptability, says Yuriko Koike

Asia and Pacific leaders meeting in the Russian seaport of Vladivostok are hoping to push ahead with their agenda for free trade this weekend.

The parent company of British Airways has agreed to end a long-standing partnership with Australian airline Qantas, it was announced today.

Looking to emerging Asian markets for new business must be a top priority for Irish companies, two separate conferences communicated as their central message yesterday.

Qantas has said talks with a Malaysian company to set up a new airline in Asia have broken down.

European leaders have still not got a hold of the crisis that has been in place since 2008. They need to take action now, or else, writes former British prime minister Gordon Brown

Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has proposed forming a "Eurasian Union" of former Soviet nations, saying the bloc could become a major global player competing for influence with the US, the European Union and Asia.

FORMER German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder yesterday called for the creation of a “United States of Europe”, saying the bloc needed a common government to avoid future economic crises.

IRELAND’s manufacturing sector grew strongly last month — with the fastest increase in new business orders in more than 11 years; the sharpest rate of job creation for nearly five years and actual production increasing at its fastest pace in 13 years.

IRELAND can increase the value of its exports to Asia by €10 billion per annum inside five years if current plans are fully implemented, the Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA) claims.

The opening day of the Royal Trophy ended honours even as defending champions Europe drew 2-2 with Asia in today’s foursomes.

THE blacklisting of Irish bonds for use as collateral by the Swiss Central Bank “has no serious funding implications for Ireland, said Alan McQuaid, chief economist, Bloxham Stockbrokers.

THE US and eight other Pacific Rim nations aim to forge a free-trade pact before President Barack Obama hosts an APEC summit in Hawaii in a year, Chile’s president said yesterday.

ASIA paused yesterday to remember Japan’s surrender to the Allied forces which ended World War II 65 years ago, as the Japanese prime minister apologised for wreaking suffering on the region and the South Korean president said Tokyo’s remorse was a step in the right direction.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE highlighted the importance of Europe making a winning start to a Ryder Cup year as he led his continent to victory over Asia to reclaim the Royal Trophy.

Colin Montgomerie received the perfect tonic ahead of this year's Ryder Cup as his European team edged a thrilling final day's singles against Asia to reclaim the Royal Trophy.

Colin Montgomerie led from the front as Europe battled into a 4 1/2 – 3 1/2 lead over Asia after the second day’s four-balls but warned there is still plenty of work to do if they are to claim a third victory at the tournament.

Europe ensured there will be all to play for on the final day of the Royal Trophy after Colin Montgomerie’s side battled back to lead 4 1/2 – 3 1/2 after today’s four-balls.

TREVOR FISHER JUNIOR held the lead at the halfway stage of the Africa Open after matching his opening-day effort with another 66 in East London to head into the weekend on 14-under-par.

Asia made a solid start in their bid to stage a successful defence of the Royal Trophy today after claiming a 2½-1½ advantage over Europe in the opening day's foursomes.

Asia have made a solid start to their defence of the Royal Trophy as they held the lead midway through the opening day's foursomes.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE is to have another taste of captaincy ahead of the Ryder Cup next year.

Scientists say Asia must urgently reform its water management to avert devastating food shortages as populations increase.

Royal Bank of Scotland today agreed a deal worth $550m (€382m) to sell operations in six Asian countries.

Tens of thousands of civilians fled Sri Lanka's northern war zone ahead of the government's deadline today for separatist Tamil rebels to surrender.

The decision on who takes over from Nick Faldo as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain seems unlikely to be made before May.

Asia were on the brink of a memorable victory over Europe in The Royal Trophy midway through the final day at Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok.

Jose Maria Olazabal has reiterated his desire to play in the 2010 Ryder Cup but admitted he would consider the European captaincy.

Jose Maria Olazabal has called for a “special” performance as his European team seek to overturn a five-point deficit to defeat Asia and extend their 100% record in The Royal Trophy.

Europe faced an uphill task on the second afternoon of The Royal Trophy as Asia seemed set to extend their advantage in the four-balls today.