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Garda to get new powers in fight against gangland crime
New legislation aimed at fighting gangland crime will confer new powers on the Garda, restrict the rights of gangland suspects and provide clarification to the judiciary on the controversial issue of mandatory sentencing for serious crime.
N Korea to end nuclear weapons project
One of the most intractable and perilous international disputes moved closer to resolution after North Korea agreed yesterday to shut down its main nuclear reactor and eventually dismantle its nuclear weapons programme in return for energy aid.
Disney not amused by students' 'Sister Act'
With only two days to go before its opening night, a play to be staged by a gay and lesbian students' society at NUI Galway had to be pulled yesterday after organisers received notice from entertainment conglomerate Disney threatening legal action if the production went ahead.

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Wording finalised for vote on child protection
The Government has finalised a wording for its planned referendum on children which would allow for the use of "soft information" in the vetting of adults working with children. p
PDs have kept past promises on pensions- McDowell
The Progressive Democrats have kept past promises to increase old age pensions during the last decade, party leader and Tánaiste Michael McDowell said last night. p
Garda 'set-up' claim in Bailey libel appeal case
English journalist Ian Bailey was made a suspect for the murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier on foot of corruption by Garda members, it was claimed at Mr Bailey's libel appeal against five newspaper groups yesterday. p
Lack of examiners for Leaving Cert orals
Leaving Cert oral exams in Irish and modern languages may be under threat unless more teachers come forward as examiners, the State exams body has signalled. p
Six RSF candidates to stand in Assembly election
Republican Sinn Féin (RSF) announced yesterday that it is running six candidates in the Assembly elections and will be directly challenging Sinn Féin leaders such as Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty. p
Woman raped repeatedly, baby inquest told
The woman claiming to be the mother of an infant found stabbed to death in a laneway in south Dublin 34 years ago has told an inquest that she was raped repeatedly from the age of eight into her teenage years by four people. p
Council swaps ad space for bikes, toilets
Dublin City Council is to allow one of the world's largest outdoor advertising companies to erect 120 permanent advertising panels across the city in exchange for 500 bicycles and four public toilets. p
Drivers tell trial of 'power surges' on buses
Two Bus Éireann drivers have told the jury in the Dublin Bus crash trial that they experienced power surges on a bus in Waterford in 2004 and 2005. p
Heaney leads funeral tributes to Kiely
The unmistakeable voice, writing talent and human qualities of Ben Kiely were the subject of a warm tribute from poet Seamus Heaney at the end of his funeral mass at Donnybrook in Dublin yesterday. p

World

Congress begins three-day debate on troop surge for Iraq
US: Two out of three Americans want all US troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2008, according to a poll released as Congress began debating President George Bush's decision to send more troops there. p
Lebanon blasts kill three on eve of rally in memory of Hariri
LEBANON: It sounded like a clap of thunder until the screaming started. Layyal Khoury leapt out of bed and ran outside to find stricken passengers struggling to escape from a burned-out bus. p
UK police urged to apologise over 'terror' raid
BRITAIN: The London Metropolitan Police have been urged to issue a high-profile apology to two families involved in the "terrifying experience" of last year's Forest Gate anti-terror raid. p
Ex-governor Romney enters presidential race
US: Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, hoping to become the first Mormon president in American history. p

Finance

Limited health cover proposed by watchdog
The Competition Authority has proposed that health insurers should be allowed to market "limited cover" products which would be cheaper for the subscriber but offer a restricted range of hospitals or doctors who could provide treatment. p
Euro-zone growth fuels rate rise fears
Interest rates are set to rise further following better than expected economic growth across the euro zone in the last quarter of 2006. p
Ex-NIB manager opposes order
A retired regional manager with National Irish Bank is opposing a High Court bid by the director of corporate enforcement for an order restraining him from involvement in the management of any company. p

Sport

Ashton gambles on help from clubs
England have reverted to the XV who kicked off their Six Nations campaign with a 42-20 win over Scotland for their next championship assignment against Ireland in Croke Park on Saturday week. The team thus shows two changes from Saturday's hard-earned, 20-7 win over Italy, with Gloucester fullback Olly Morgan and Wasps blindside flanker Joe Worsley returning to the team. p
Birrell backs form for Caribbean adventure
Cricket World Cup Ireland have announced an unchanged, 15-man squad for their debut in the ICC Cricket World Cup in March. p
Yakubu's blushes saved as Middlesbrough progress
FA Cup replay Middlesbrough 2 Bristol City 2 (Middlebrough win 5-4 on penalties) The accusation labelled against the FA Cup this season is that it has lost its sheen: thanks to Bristol City and Mark Viduka it received a much-needed polish last night as Middleborough qualified for the fifth round despite Yakubu missing twice from the penalty spot. p

Motors

M50 barriers to go August 2008
A barrier-free tolling system will be introduced on the M50 from August next year after a €113 million eight-year contract to design and operate the system was awarded to a French consortium yesterday.

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Garda to get new powers in fight against gangland crime

N Korea to end nuclear weapons project

Disney not amused by students' 'Sister Act'

Head2Head

Business poll

Education

Wording finalised for vote on child protection

PDs have kept past promises on pensions- McDowell

Garda 'set-up' claim in Bailey libel appeal case

Lack of examiners for Leaving Cert orals

Six RSF candidates to stand in Assembly election

Woman raped repeatedly, baby inquest told

Council swaps ad space for bikes, toilets

Drivers tell trial of 'power surges' on buses

Heaney leads funeral tributes to Kiely

Congress begins three-day debate on troop surge for Iraq

Lebanon blasts kill three on eve of rally in memory of Hariri

UK police urged to apologise over 'terror' raid

Ex-governor Romney enters presidential race

Limited health cover proposed by watchdog

Euro-zone growth fuels rate rise fears

Ex-NIB manager opposes order

Ashton gambles on help from clubs

Birrell backs form for Caribbean adventure

Yakubu's blushes saved as Middlesbrough progress

M50 barriers to go August 2008

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