The Irish Times, Irish News Online, International, Sports & Business News

US Senator Barack Obama at a rally at Bowie State University, Maryland yesterday. "If we're focused, we're going to deliver and we're going to win," Mr Obama declared, urging the students to put all their energy into getting out the vote next Tuesday

Aer Lingus employee trust to react against Ryanair bid
The crucial staff shareholding group at Aer Lingus is expected to issue a statement on Sunday outlining a negative response to the €1.4 billion Ryanair offer for the airline, writes Emmet Oliver.

Plebiscite on rights of child looks set for March
The constitutional referendum to protect the rights of children, announced by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last night, is likely to be held in March, before the general election, according to Government sources. Stephen Collins , Political Correspondent, reports.
Obama brings rock star energy to campaign trail
Barack Obama struggled to reach the stage at Bowie State University's gym hall yesterday, stopped at every turn by requests to autograph his new book, a photograph or the cover of Time magazine with his picture on it , writes Denis Staunton in Bowie, Maryland

In Focus

Head2Head
Do we need more detailed food labelling?
Business poll
Will Hibernian pay a price for offshoring some of its customer service operations?
Education
Full education coverage

Ireland

DPP urges public vote to protect under-age females
A constitutional referendum is necessary to guarantee that men are not able to escape rape charges by claiming that they genuinely did not know that their sexual partner was under-age, the Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated. Mark Hennessy , Political Correspondent, reports. p
Commission finds Republic among worst in EU for reducing road deaths
The Republic has one of the worst records in Europe for reducing road deaths in the past five years, according to the European Commission. p
McDowell says poor are better off under PDs
The Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, and the Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, clashed yesterday on the question of which of their parties was best able to look after the interests of the poor and vulnerable when in government. p
Experts say action to save fish stocks under way
Action is being taken to prevent the collapse of fish stocks in the waters around Ireland, according to fish scientists at the Marine Institute. p
Company, director fined €45,000 for diving fatality
Fines totalling €45,000 have been imposed on a diving company and one of its directors arising out of an incident in which a diver lost his life two years ago. Judge Bryan McMahon at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court imposed the fines after hearing how Damien Byrne (24) died during a salvage operation in Dublin Bay. p

World

16 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in Gaza
MIDDLE EAST: At least 16 Palestinians were killed yesterday by Israeli forces in Gaza, including six militants who died in two separate air strikes last night in the northern part of the Strip. p
Pastor in gay sex and drugs scandal resigns
US: A leading Evangelical pastor has admitted buying crystal methamphetamine from a male prostitute but says he did not use the drug and never had gay sex. p
Budapest braced for trouble at marches
HUNGARY: Hungarian police are braced for the possibility of more riots today, as hundreds of thousands of people prepare to take to the streets of Budapest for events that will combine commemoration of the 1956 revolution with protests against the government. p
US government website with bomb guide closed
US: The Bush administration closed a government website set up to publicly display pre-war Iraqi documents on weapons of mass destruction after experts said its content included details for building a nuclear bomb, officials said. p

Finance

Aer Lingus board 'will never back Ryanair takeover'
Aer Lingus chairman John Sharman has said he cannot conceive of "any circumstances" in which a Ryanair takeover of Aer Lingus will go ahead. Speaking during a press conference in Dublin, his remarks were echoed by chief executive Dermot Mannion, who said that he could not envisage the Aer Lingus board ever backing a Ryanair bid. p
O'Flaherty Holdings buys digital firm C3
Volkswagen franchise owner O'Flaherty Holdings, one of the biggest privately-held businesses in the State, has moved into the digital imaging sector with the acquisition of C3, a rapidly expanding firm with significant interests in Britain. p
Sky adds 14,000 customers in Republic
BSkyB, which earlier this week announced plans to end its nightly Irish news bulletins, says it has added 14,000 new customers in the Republic in the three months to the end of September. This is an increase of 3.3 per cent over the previous quarter. p

Sport

Third Test may be resurrected
GAELIC GAMES: After a turbulent week off the field, the AFL and GAA were back singing off the same lyric sheet at yesterday's joint media conference at Croke Park. p
Keane happy to end feud
SOCCER: There may have been amazement in some quarters when Roy Keane arrived at the Stadium of Light a couple of months back after patching up his differences with Niall Quinn. p
IRB move to end back-chat
RUGBY: Referees have been instructed to enforce a new "zero-tolerance policy" toward stamping and back-chat - starting with today's clash between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium. p
Scott moves into share of lead
Tour Championship: Australia's Adam Scott, boosted by four birdies in seven holes, moved into a tie for the lead midway through the season-ending Tour Championship on Friday. p