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

President George W Bush walks away after announcing the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld at the White House yesterday.

Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Central Bank warns of decline in mortgage lending standards
Bank lending standards have declined severely since 2003, according to the Central Bank. It says that the number of borrowers at risk from higher interest rates is growing, writes Marc Coleman , Economics Editor.

Rumsfeld resigns after big Democrat victory
United States defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld has resigned after popular anger over the Iraq war gave Democrats a sweeping victory in congressional elections. Democrats have won control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years and are poised to win a majority in the Senate pending a recount in Virginia, Denis Staunton in Washington.
Three young men die in Mayo crash
Three young men were killed instantly yesterday evening in a head-on crash between two vehicles on the outskirts of Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, writes Tom Shiel in Castlebar.

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Ireland

School-building programme details revealed
The Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, yesterday revealed details of 23 new primary and two secondary schools which have been approved under the school building and modernisation programme. p
Signs emerge of delay to devolution process
The first signs of possible governmental slippage on the North's devolution timetable have emerged amid clear warnings that the DUP would not accept the designation of First and Deputy First Ministers by the November 24th deadline. p
Shake-up of Dublin traffic control to go ahead
The Government will today announce it is to proceed with plans to establish a new super transport authority in a radical shake-up of Dublin traffic management. p
New owners promise to bring back 'former glory'
The landmark Bewley's Cafe on Westmoreland Street, Dublin, which has been closed for almost two years, has been sold to a three-party consortium for about €25 million. p
Ictu calls for reform of energy pricing
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called on the Government to reform the regulatory system which governs price increases for gas and electricity consumers. p
Post office raid averted as criminal falls asleep
A post office robbery was averted yesterday after a criminal standing guard over a kidnapped post mistress injected himself with drugs and fell asleep, allowing her to escape. p
Confiscation of passports to be a criminal offence
The confiscation of passports by bouncers or security guards is to be made a criminal offence following a number of cases where young people have had their passports taken attempting to get into nightclubs and bars. p
Gardai detain man after second firearm found in Southill
A man in his 20s was being questioned by gardaí in Limerick last night following the recovery of a firearm in Southill, the second weapon seized in the same area in less than 48 hours. p

World

EC gives Turkey deadline on Cypriot traffic
EU: The European Commission has given Turkey an extra five weeks to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic or face the possible suspension of its talks to join the EU. p
Retaliation vowed as Israeli strike kills 18
MIDDLE EAST: The leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas called on his fighters yesterday to "activate resistance" hours after an Israeli artillery strike killed 18 civilians, mostly women and children, from a single family in Gaza. p
Private funeral service for PW Botha
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa bid farewell to its last hardline white leader, PW Botha, yesterday in a private funeral in George attended by president Thabo Mbeki as a sign of reconciliation after the horrors of apartheid. p

Finance

Aer Lingus falls below symbolic €2.80 per share price
Aer Lingus shares yesterday fell below the symbolic €2.80 a share price which Ryanair is offering as part of its €1.4 billion takeover bid. p
'Malicious campaign' against port chief
The chief executive of a Limerick port company has told the High Court that "malicious, vexatious and totally untrue" allegations have been made against him as part of an attempt by property developer John Hegarty and a "disgruntled" Limerick port service provider, Brian Cosgrave, to "derail" the Limerick Docklands Initiative. p
B&Q's Irish unit suffers 48% drop in profits
British-owned home improvement and DIY chain B&Q has reported a collapse in profits at its Irish unit in spite of strong revenue growth, which brought its sales above €90 million after less than four years in the market. p
BCI to issue radio licence for over-45 group
RTÉ faces significant new competition with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) planning to license a new radio service aimed at over-45s in the State's five largest cities - Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. p

Sport

Impressive Chelsea send out a message
SOCCER/English League Cup Fourth Round/Chelsea - 4 Aston Villa - 0: If anyone imagined Sunday's defeat at Tottenham would have lasting implications for Chelsea, this rousing victory for Jose Mourinho's team set them straight. p
White opts for expansive approach
RUGBY/Autumn international/Ireland v South Africa: All is changed, changed utterly, yet the revamped South African team to play Ireland this Saturday is largely as anticipated, based on word from inside the camp and how the Springboks had been lining up in training since last week. With several key players rested in advance of the World Cup next year, the net result shows 11 changes in personnel from the side which beat Australia 24-16 in Ellis Park two months ago. p