Lise Hand admires Leo Varadkar’s immaculate stage directions in his campaign so far, from backdrops to props and stealing scenes from his rival. But his policy details will not go down well with everyone

Druid’s staging of Beckett’s pre-eminent classic was the actors’ idea, and, looking at the play, it’s easy to see why it seemed like a good idea to Aaron Monaghan, Garrett Lombard, Marty Rea, and Rory Nolan. 

Garrett Lombard and Druid’s other young guns were eager to put their spin on Beckett’s classic, writes Alan O’Riordan

Given the fondness that the president-elect and so many of his appointees seem to have for Russian President Vladimir Putin, life may be about to imitate — if not exceed — art, says Nina L Khrushcheva.

5/5

IN RUSSIA, in the reasonably near future (a couple of decades from now), former president, Vladimir Vladimirovich is slipping ever deeper into the mire of senility.

I was the lucky man that I wasn’t caught up in the Panama Papers scandal last week.

German chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday paid tribute to Soviet soldiers killed in WWII as she called for co-operation with Russia amid tensions over Ukraine.

An explosion ripped through a coal mine before dawn in war-torn eastern Ukraine, killing one miner and trapping more than 30 others underground, rebel and government officials said.

Germany’s anti-immigrant movement Pegida isn’t some sinister Russian plot. Instead, it is striking for the ordinariness of the people it attracts and must be taken seriously, writes Lucian Kim

A US man claiming to be God slammed a stolen landscaping truck into a Baltimore-area television station, then spent hours watching live TV news footage of the scene before he was arrested by local authorities.

Samuel Beckett was born 108 years ago on Sunday. His friend and publisher John Calder recalls a modest genius who loved to talk late into the night over a glass of whiskey.

The Queen has said that Britain and Ireland shall “no longer allow our past to ensnare our future” at a historic state banquet in honour of President Michael D Higgins.

Classical music:

Russian forces have been accused of “an armed invasion” after units blocked a Ukrainian military airport in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Crimea.

WE have been here before.

Minoru Betsuyaku’s play, Godot Has Come, will be performed in Japanese (with English subtitles) at UCC’s Granary Theatre .

British beermakers come up with a special ale just in time for the Winter Olympics at Sochi.

Mademoiselle C didn’t get a nationwide cinema release, sadly, but it certainly deserves The September Issue’s cult success.

It's early, but we're confident in saying this one's not going to be beaten.

Sixty years on, Waiting for Godot is as alluringly mysterious as ever, writes Jonathan deBurca Butler.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told donors that Palestinians “have no interest” in peace with Israel and suggested that efforts at Mideast peace under his administration would languish, according to comments captured on newly released video of his private remarks to wealthy donors.

Police in Moscow have arrested top opposition figures along with demonstrators after a protest march on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration as president tried to reach the Kremlin.

US President Barack Obama told Russia’s leader he would pursue further nuclear arms cuts with Russia, but would have more flexibility after the November election to deal with the contentious issue.

Despite spending the last 17 years behind bars, the world’s first celebrity terrorist is back in the spotlight with a new trial. Conall Ó Fátharta reports on the life and crimes of Carlos the Jackal.

Slovakian musician Vladimir Jabukov has found his niche in Ireland, writes Nicki ffrench Davis.

LEADING owner Khalid Abdullah enjoyed another notable big-race one-two as Announce just denied Timepiece in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville yesterday.

Leading owner Khalid Abdullah enjoyed another notable big-race one-two as Announce just denied Timepiece in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville.

The supermodel Naomi Campbell’s boyfriend, Russian millionaire Vladislav Doronin, has been speaking about their plans to tie the knot, revealing fashion designer-and-magazine editor Dasha Zhukova – the partner of Chelsea soccer club owner Roman Abramovich - will be bridesmaid.

Naomi Campbell will celebrate her 40th birthday on the French Riviera.

Bolton Wanderers have today confirmed that Manchester City midfielder Vladimir Weiss has joined them on loan until the end of the season.

Wigan have completed the loan signing of Serbia international Vladimir Stojkovic after the goalkeeper received his work permit.

WHAT do you get when you stop a Samuel Beckett tour bus with a flock of sheep? More ticks than kicks.

A partial list of injured foreign survivors of the crash of a One-Two-Go Airlines plane in Phuket, Thailand has been released by the Thai Ministry of Public Health.

Russia is not an enemy of the United States and has nothing to fear from a proposed missile defence system designed to thwart a possible nuclear attack from Iran, US President George Bush said today.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has revealed the club may take legal action over Vladimir Romanov’s alleged accusations the Old Firm “buy off” referees.

Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov has denied accusing Celtic and Rangers of buying off Scotland’s referees.

The tragic events of the last 10 days have left the southern coastal community plumbing the depths of grief, loneliness and despair. Caroline O’Doherty explains why fishing is a riskier business than ever.

Seemingly from nowhere, Martin Brassil has emerged as one of this country’s rising training talents over the past two years. But, as Declan Colley discovered, the quietly spoken Curragh handler prefers to let his charges do the talking for him.

Hearts chairman and acting chief executive Roman Romanov claims sacked head coach Graham Rix was only appointed in the first place because there was nobody else available.