More mortgages secured last year than in any year since 2008, and today's other top stories

A selection of top stories from The Irish Times:Dozens of homes and businesses remain under several feet of water following Storm Chandra.Homebuyers took out more mortgages in 2025 than in any year since 2008. The Doomsday Clock reaches 85 seconds to midnight.A government body spent around €60,000 on alcohol at two trade fairs.  A couple who spent years living in their car says its a nightmare renting a pet friendly property.Shamima Begum, the former teenage ISIS bride, is in her last ditch attempt to return to the UK.The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts In The News and Early Edition.This survey is open to anyone who has listened to either In The News or Early Edition- whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past.This survey should take around 3-5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. Thank you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.