Ireland

Ban on bangers looms unless stalemate on food import standards is resolved

Optimistic prediction comes despite ongoing failure to resolve ‘fundamental differences’ in negotiations

The six-week shutdown begins on Wednesday

Bloc’s trade chief and German economic minister are among those now self-isolating

Nordic nation’s ex-chief epidemiologist to warn against holding out for Covid vaccine

Democratic presidential nominee provokes anger from Tory MPs after tweeting about Brexit and Ireland

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 4 August

And other stories from the stranger side of life

Hollywood A-lister describes his love affair with Dalkey after calling in to local radio station

Sinn Fein's electoral surge and the fallout from Brexit have resurrected the issue

Three parties almost level, with Sinn Fein gains representing a ‘realignment of Irish politics’

Republican party’s troubled past threatens to derail the political process in Dublin

Irish nationalist party set for a ‘major breakthrough’ in Saturday’s poll

Housing, homelessness and health are key issues in February poll

Labour leader claims Treasury slideshow proves border between NI and rest of UK

New polls suggest growing public support for unity between north and south

Experts say businesses will face extra costs and admin under Boris Johnson’s alternative to Irish backstop

Unionists stage NI Assembly ‘farce’ over abortion and same-sex marriage reforms

‘Two borders, for four years’ proposal sent to European Commission

Killing of Labour’s Jo Cox back in the headlines following controversial debate in Parliament

Police officers injured in clashes over anti-internment anniversary blaze

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Thursday 1 August

Taoiseach tells Johnson that EU will not scrap backstop as part of reopening Brexit talks

World Cup winners embarrassed by Test cricket’s new boys - just a week before the Ashes start against Australia

Scotland puts transgender reforms on hold following outcry

Teenagers found guilty of murdering 14-year-old girl in Dublin

The uninhabitable North Atlantic islet is at centre of political row over fishing rights

Gaffe comes on day one of the US president’s visit to Ireland

Paramilitary group says EU exit has put ‘border back on the agenda’

Labour leader has faced repeat allegations that he supports Hamas and the IRA

Leo Varadkar says Lisa Smith will be allowed back as it is the ‘compassionate’ thing to do

Explosive devices sent to Waterloo and two airports bore Irish postmarks

England head coach Eddie Jones adds Jonathan Joseph to his squad

Head coach Joe Schmidt includes three uncapped players