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The Nativity window in St Mary's Chapel, Maynooth College, Co Kildare. The window was made by Earley and Company of Camden Street, Dublin in 1930 and is one of four scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin.

New study of health insurance market ordered
The Government is to establish a review group to determine whether health insurance companies can make a profit in the Irish market as it is currently structured and regulated. Martin Wall reports.
National Library acquires extensive Beckett collection
The National Library of Ireland has described as a "major boost for Irish scholars" its acquisition of an extensive collection of 800 printed and other items by and about Samuel Beckett. John Downes reports.
Christmas
We listen to the story again:
An exotic visitor
Comes to a country girl
In a mountain town
And nine months afterwards
God's wisdom is a
footling child.

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Ireland

Lack of agreement puts NI timetable in doubt
The British and Irish governments' timetable for Stormont devolution by March 26th is under increasing doubt with agreement still being sought over the policing and justice matters. Dan Keenan , Northern News Editor, reports. p
Flights to and from Dublin delayed by fog in UK
Passengers travelling to and from Dublin airport experienced delays of up to three hours yesterday evening due to weather conditions at several UK airports, including Heathrow. p
Military justice system set for major overhaul
The disciplinary regime within the Defence Forces is to be radically overhauled and made more independent in order to bring it into line with international human rights practices. Conor Lally reports. p
Officials advised to take part in hospital site plan
Top officials at the three children's hospitals in Dublin have been told by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) that they would be better off taking part in the process of developing a new national paediatric centre rather than remaining outside. Martin Wall reports. p
Sales up 8% in Dublin city centre shops
Christmas shopping figures in Dublin were up 8 per cent on last year, with shoppers making the most of the late dry spell to squeeze in last-minute purchases, according to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. p
Priests to highlight plight of Christians in Bethlehem
All parish priests in Ireland have been asked to raise awareness in their sermons over Christmas of the current suffering facing the Christian community in Bethlehem, the town where Jesus Christ was born. p
Mozart birth marked at cathedral services
Christmas at the Pro Cathedral in Dublin will be flavoured with Mozart as St Mary's celebrates the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth, writes Fiona Gartland. p

World

Ipswich suspect remanded over five murders
BRITAIN: Stephen Wright (48) has been remanded in custody charged with the murders of five women who worked as prostitutes and whose bodies were discovered in the Suffolk countryside over a 10-day period. p
Talks on ending N Korea nuclear issue collapse
NORTH KOREA: Six-country talks aimed at resolving the nuclear stand-off on the Korean peninsula ended in deadlock yesterday and the North Koreans warned they would steer clear of any further talks until Washington lifted financial restrictions. p
Secularisation invites culture clash, says Pope
VATICAN: Pope Benedict warned in a year-end speech yesterday of an impending clash of cultures and religions if humanity continued to shut God out of its life. p
Lebanon regime gets US boost
LEBANON: Arab League secretary general Amr Mousa yesterday continued his effort to end the month-old crisis between the Lebanese government and opposition. After securing the support of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, Mr Moussa returned to Beirut. p

Finance

IN&M forecasts earnings to grow by 10%
Independent News & Media (IN&M) expects earnings to rise by 10 per cent this year on the back of a rise in advertising and circulation revenues, the company indicated yesterday in a trading update. p
Rising house prices in North set to continue, says Halifax
House prices in Northern Ireland outperformed any other region in the UK and look set to continue rising in 2007, a report has stated. p
O'Brien firm may be hurt by link with Alitalia
Denis O'Brien's aircraft leasing company Aergo Capital has reported a 20 per cent rise in profit but warned that the amount of business it has with cash-strapped carrier Alitalia could reduce the value of the firm. p

Sport

Ferguson waves his own card
Aston Villa v Manchester Alex Ferguson has urged referees to sanction players and managers who attempt to have opponents booked by brandishing imaginary cards, an issue which has re-emerged after Jose Mourinho's reaction to incidents on the touchline in the last week. p
Records to tumble as festivals kick off
Racing : A modern-day-record crowd of over 20,000 is being tipped to cram into Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day as some of Irish racing's biggest stars blow any remaining Christmas cobwebs away from the holiday period. p
Stynes fears GAA are out to kill off Rules
Australian rules legend Jim Stynes has claimed the GAA intends to permanently cancel the Ireland-Australia International Rules concept. p
Much at stake for league leaders
Ulster v Connacht : Eventually Munster are going to get their act together in the Celtic League. Probably in the not-too-distant future. p