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

A three-day-old baby elephant, the first to be born in Ireland, pictured at Dublin Zoo, yesterday. The young Asian female elephant was settling in with mother Dina and other elephants in their new enclosure. She will go on view to the public in four weeks' time.

Photograph: Eric Luke

President McAleese signs Criminal Justice Bill into law
President Mary McAleese last night signed the Criminal Justice Bill 2007 into law after a meeting of the Council of State that lasted over two hours. Deaglán de Bréadún , Political Correspondent, reports.

Court rules 'Miss D' can travel to UK for abortion
The High Court yesterday granted a 17-year-old girl carrying a foetus that would not live more than three days outside the womb the right to travel to the UK for an abortion. Mary Carolan and Carl O'Brien report.
Reynolds recalls failure of Ahern to hand over files
Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds has intervened in the election campaign by recalling Bertie Ahern's failure to give him a crucial report during the Dáil debate that led to the collapse of the Fianna Fáil-Labour Government in November, 1994, writes Stephen Collins , Political Editor.

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Ireland

Nurses to hold line despite HSE plan to cut pay
Nurses on picket lines across the State yesterday said they had no intention of abandoning their work-to-rule in the face of a threat from employers that their pay will be cut if they don't stop their industrial action now. Eithne Donnellan and Denise McNamara report. p
Bishop encourages greater integration at 1916 ceremony
Church and State were challenged by immigration, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh Dr Gerard Clifford said yesterday. p
Three awarded medals for bravery
Three men who died in two sea rescues have been posthumously awarded Deeds of Bravery medals at an emotionally charged ceremony in Leinster House. p
POA calls for prisons to block signals from mobiles
The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has said the use of mobile phones in prisons could be eradicated tomorrow if there was a will to do so. p
Taoiseach says he has no date yet for statement on house
Taoiseach's day: Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said no date has been set for releasing a statement on the purchase of his Dublin home. p
DCU hosts €1.2m research into ceramic bone materials
A new research initiative is under way to develop safe and effective replacement bone and blood vessels for those affected by accident or injury. Dick Ahlstrom , Science Editor, reports. p
North's four Nobel laureates in world peace plea
The four Nobel Peace Price winners who emerged out of the struggle to find a peaceful settlement in the North came together yesterday in a plea for peace across the world. p
Stress of carers highlighted
More than a fifth of carers are suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression while more than half are under severe strain, an unpublished study carried out by the HSE has found. p
Irish art sale at Sotheby's nets total of £6.1m
A sale of work by Irish artists, including Sir John Lavery, Sir William Orpen and Louis le Brocquy, has fetched a total of £6.1 million (€9 million), making it the second-most successful Sotheby's annual Irish Art Sale in the event's 12-year history. p

World

Tony Blair to name departure date after 10 years
BRITAIN: British prime minister Tony Blair will finally confirm his resignation timetable today, triggering a Labour leadership contest which heir-apparent Gordon Brown hopes will renew the party's mission for a fourth term in power. p
Suicide bomb shatters peace in Kurdish area
IRAQ: The suicide lorry bombing yesterday in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil is the first attack in the relatively peaceful Kurdish region since early 2004. p
Abortion an issue as pope visits Brazil
BRAZIL: Pope Benedict XVI waded into Brazil's debate on abortion at the start of a five-day visit to the country, and so set himself at odds with a government that is considering liberalising the country's strict abortion laws. p
Islamic group claims it has BBC journalist
MIDDLE EAST: A little-known Islamist group claimed responsibility in an audio recording yesterday for abducting the BBC's Gaza correspondent, issuing demands immediately rebuffed by the Palestinian government. p

Finance

Ryanair cuts prices of 10 million flights
Ryanair has responded to a drop in the numbers of seats it fills by offering 10 million flights over the next six months from as little as €10 and £10 (€14), including taxes and certain other charges. p
Weak dollar to affect CRH 'on paper only'
Building materials giant CRH indicated yesterday that continued weakness in the dollar could have an impact on its 2007 results. p
Emap's Irish radio stations valued at €233m
Emap's Irish radio stations could be worth more than €200 million, based on profit forecasts provided in an information memorandum circulated to interested buyers yesterday. p

Sport

Big two fail to show pedigree
SOCCER/Chelsea 0 Manchester United 0: Nothing rang true for teams no longer contending for the Premiership. The game was ill-natured and the football itself was ragged. p
Rain and wind won't deter best
GOLF: Oh, dear. Money can't guarantee everything, as those spectators smothered in raingear and cowered under umbrellas discovered on the eve of The Players yesterday. p
McIntyre's last-ditch plea to save Offaly
GAA: Offaly hurling is facing "a doomsday scenario" and "a death sentence" if the GAA fail to alter the format of next year's national league. p