LAST UPDATE | 20 Feb 2025

GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news you need to know as you start the day.

US-Russia talks

1. In our main story this morning, Sasha Romanova reports on what Ukrainians who are living in Ireland are saying about Donald Trump’s negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine. 

Olga Labetskaya, who lives with her 9-year-old son in Kinsale, told The Journal: “This isn’t real negotiation — it’s a shocking and frightening event. I’m terrified about what this means and how the world will respond. For me, it would be like Armageddon. How can two countries presume to decide the fate of all others? It defies logic and humanity.

War of words

2. In his latest remarks on Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has said that the Russians “have the cards” in any negotiation to end the conflict because “they’ve taken a lot of territory”.

It came hours after he branded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” who refuses to hold elections.

Diplomacy

3. Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris is attending a summit of G20 foreign affairs ministers today where he has bilateral meetings planned with several countries – but meeting with Russia’s representative isn’t on his agenda.

Ireland is participating at the G20 – a group of countries that includes nations like the US, UK and Russia – as a guest during 2025 as part of South Africa’s presidency for the year.

Gaza

4. The bodies of four Israeli hostages, including two young boys, have been received by the Israeli military after they were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in the Gazan city of Khan Younis this morning.

Menopause

5. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said she is trying to find a resolution to the delay in the roll out of free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which was due to begin in January.

Defence Forces

6. A US Government Defence agency has been hired by the Government and the Irish Defence Forces as consultants to advise on reorganisation of the Irish Air Corps, army and navy, The Journal has learned.

Ballymacombs More Woman

7. Ancient human remains uncovered in a Co Derry bog are believed to belong to a young woman who lived around 2,000 years ago.

Champions League

8. Kylian Mbappe struck a brilliant hat-trick for Champions League holders Real Madrid in a 3-1 win over Manchester City on Wednesday, helping Los Blancos reach the last 16 with a 6-3 aggregate victory.

Pope Francis

9. The Vatican has said that Pope Francis has “stable” conditions, with his blood tests showing a “slight improvement”.