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The damage to a school in Enterprise, Atlanta clearly visible in the sunlight yesterday. US President George Bush will today visit areas hit by tornadoes that have killed at least 20 people in several American states, including eight students at an Alabama high school. The White House said Mr Bush would make two stops but his destinations were still being worked out with governors in the affected states.

Property slowdown confirmed by new figures
The slowdown in the property market was confirmed yesterday as new figures revealed house prices remained flat in January. And the slowdown is beginning to be felt by the exchequer. Laura Slattery and Marc Coleman report.
Air deal will mean end to Shannon stopover
A draft agreement reached yesterday between the European Union and the United States opens up the prospect of restrictions on transatlantic flights between Ireland and the US being lifted completely, writes Ciarán Hancock
Privatised speed camera plan set for autumn roll-out
A new privatised speed camera system with 60 mobile cameras is to be in place by the autumn under a new contract being finalised by An Garda Síochána. Liam Reid , Environment Correspondent, reports.

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Ireland

Emergency Bill to close child sex loophole
Emergency legislation will be rushed through the Dáil on Tuesday to close off the loophole in child protection law identified by the Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte. p
DUP veto on North's progress at an end- Sinn Féin
The Democratic Unionist Party had lost its veto on progress in the North and if the Rev Ian Paisley refused to accept power-sharing, the political process would move on through "new all-Ireland partnership arrangements", Sinn Féin's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said in the opening address to his party's ardfheis in Dublin last night. p
Pregnant women smoking less but drinking more, research reveals
Rates of smoking during pregnancy have diminished over the past 20 years but the level of alcohol consumption among expectant mothers has increased, a study of women presenting for ante-natal care reveals. Martin Wall reports. p
O'Brien snr felt Lowry link was 'blackmail'
Denis O'Brien snr, father of telecoms tycoon Denis O'Brien jnr, told the Moriarty (payments to politicians) tribunal yesterday he thought he was being blackmailed when he received a document linking Michael Lowry to a property deal in Doncaster. p
Harney says Forum could cut working hours for nurses
Minister for Health Mary Harney has said a proposed forum which would look at new working arrangements in the health services and changes in work practices, could deliver a reduced working week for nurses. Martin Wall reports. p
Ahern hints at compromise over Cork airport debt
Cork airport may end up having to take responsibility for less than €100 million of the cost of its new terminal, following compromise signals last night from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Mark Hennessy , Political Correspondent, reports. p
Rare total eclipse of the moon tonight
Astronomy Ireland is to hold eclipse watches in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, and around the State this evening, when a rare total eclipse of the moon is to take place. p
Decision to strike doctor from register is upheld
A retired Cork doctor who carried out internal examinations of women patients "for his own perverse purposes", made a pornographic video of one patient and who bullied another into having her hymen broken for no medical reason, has had his name erased from the medical register by order of the High Court. p
French fashion houses still in vogue
Stefano Pilati's show for Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), held at the Pompidou Centre in Paris yesterday, demonstrated the Italian's designer's developing authority and confidence. p

World

Al-Qaeda group blamed for Iraq killings
IRAQ: An al-Qaeda-linked Sunni group in Iraq said yesterday that it kidnapped 18 government workers and soldiers in retaliation for the alleged rape of a Sunni woman by members of the Shiite-dominated police force. Hours later, the government said the bodies of 14 security officers had been found. p
Diana inquest to be heard by jury, court rules
BRITAIN: The British royal family's desire to end the decade-long controversy over the death of Princess Diana foundered again yesterday after the High Court ruled the inquest must be heard by a jury. p
Moscow mayor adds his voice to rising anti-gay tide in eastern Europe
RUSSIA: Moscow's mayor Yuri Luzhkov has added to the stream of increasingly vocal criticism of gay lifestyles from central and east European politicians. p
Court denies motion to halt burial
BAHAMAS: A US Supreme Court justice yesterday denied a motion by Anna Nicole Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, to halt the burial of the former model and take her body to Texas, according to reports last night. p

Finance

Study signals cooling property market
Further signs that the property market is cooling off emerged yesterday as new figures showed the annual rate of growth in house prices slowed to 10.6 per cent in January. p
Increase in numbers of unemployed on register
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit has risen significantly, according to the latest Live Register figures. In unadjusted terms, the register rose by 647 in February, but this was against a backdrop of a traditional increase in employment at this time in the wake of the Christmas break. p
Irish market falls again but rate of decline reduced
The Irish stock market continued to post losses yesterday, though the extent of the declines seemed to be abating amid mixed signs from overseas. p

Sport

Incensed Ferguson attacks Mourinho
SOCCER/Liverpool v Manchester Utd : Anfield Kick-off 12.45pm Sky Sports 1: Alex Ferguson ushered in a weekend of huge significance for the Premiership title race by targeting Jose Mourinho in a prolonged attack most notable for his assertion that the Chelsea manager should "button his lip" and behave with greater dignity. Ferguson has always been loth to engage Mourinho in verbal warfare but last night he accused his rival of hypocrisy and talking too much. p
Gillick is left smiling
ATHLETICS: Qualification was a little bumpy and several definite contenders emerged in the process - and it's also clear both David Gillick and Alistair Cragg have a real battle on their hands to retain their European Indoor crowns. p
Leinster schools' final an all-ticket affair
RUGBY: The Leinster Branch have confirmed the senior Schools' Cup final at Donnybrook on March 18th will be all-ticket. The 6,100 capacity will be extended to just under 7,000, at least 10,000 shy of the traditionally attendance for the annual fixture at Lansdowne Road. p