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

Watching from Arklow harbour as the salvage vessel carrying the badly battered Pere Charles fishing trawler, which sank off the Waterford coast in January with the loss of five lives, is anchored near the shore last night.

Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Mullingar breast cancer service shut down
Breast cancer services at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar are to be shut down by the Health Service Executive. Eithne Donnellan , Health Correspondent, reports.
Law Society chief defends solicitors after 'unfair' reports
The new head of the Law Society has delivered an uncompromising defence of the profession against "unjustified criticism" in response to the revelations about solicitors Michael Lynn and Thomas Byrne, whose practices have been closed down in recent weeks. Paul Cullen reports.
Simon figures show 51 homeless died in 18 months
At least 51 homeless people have died over the past 18 months in Dublin and Belfast, according to figures released yesterday by the Dublin Simon Community and the Depaul Trust, writes John Downes.

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Ireland

Dublin Bus dispute threatens services on Monday
Thousands of Dublin Bus passengers face possible disruption of services from Monday as a result of a dispute involving drivers at the Harristown garage in north Dublin. Martin Wall , Industry Correspondent, reports. p
Berlin named as City of the Year
Berlin has beaten Amsterdam and Barcelona to win the Academy of Urbanism's European City of the Year award, for its outstanding achievement in remaking a city that was divided for nearly 50 years. Frank McDonald , Environment Editor, reports. p
Belfast rings with muted response to iPhone launch
Northern Ireland was caught in the grip of "revolutionary" mobile phone fever last night when Apple's iPhone finally made its appearance on the island of Ireland - but exclusively at this moment in the Northern Ireland jurisdiction, writes Gerry Moriarty , Northern Editor p
Judge finds man not guilty of murdering doorman
One of the four men accused of the murder of a Limerick nightclub doorman has been found not guilty at the Central Criminal Court sitting at Cloverhill. p
Recall for toys with 'date rape' chemical
Up to 500,000 Bindeez children's craft toys are being recalled across Ireland and Britain over concerns the product contains a chemical that converts to a powerful "date rape" drug when ingested. Paul Cullen , Consumer Affairs Correspondent, reports. p
Harney rules out national review
Minister: Minister for Health Mary Harney yesterday ruled out the need for a review of all mammograms nationally but said that reviews would take place wherever medical staff have raised issues or where patients have raised concerns with their GP. Barry Roche , Southern Correspondent, reports. p
Man injured during Shell rally
Three people were arrested and a fourth hospitalised with leg injuries during a march by up to 300 protesters to the main gates of the Corrib gas terminal in Bellanaboy, Co Mayo yesterday. p
Fashion crowd doff hats to Philip Treacy at first Irish show
In a season where glamour, the so-called "g word", has been much in vogue, it was apt that last night the award-winning g Hotel in Galway was the venue for one of the year's more glamorous fashion events, writes Deirdre McQuillan , Fashion Editor. p

World

Bhutto released after day of protests and arrests
PAKISTAN: Benazir Bhutto was going nowhere. A phalanx of riot police stood at the end of her leafy street, tapping their shields and manning a barbed wire barricade. Armoured vehicles rolled in. p
President asks Tusk to become Poland's new PM
POLAND: President Lech Kaczynski of Poland has nominated Civic Platform (PO) leader Donald Tusk as the country's next prime minister, nearly three weeks after PO's general election victory. p
Mukasey confirmed as US AG
US: A divided US Senate confirmed retired judge Michael Mukasey as attorney general on Thursday, setting aside concerns he might support interrogation methods decried worldwide as torture. p
Fillon's faux pas reveals frustration
FRANCE: Before Nicolas Sarkozy became president, French prime ministers were considered fusibles - fuses or fall-guys who cushioned the leader from the street and resigned when things got bad. p

Finance

Kinsella removed from board of Kenmare
A late-night incident in which Kenmare Resources deputy chairman Donal Kinsella appeared naked in the bedroom of the female company secretary during a visit to Mozambique culminated yesterday in his removal from the board. Arthur Beesley , Senior Business Correspondent, reports. p
Housing slump to hit growth - report
Rising levels of unsold housing stock will drag down economic growth to just 2.5 per cent next year, according to a new report by Goodbody Stockbrokers. Laura Slattery reports. p
O'Flaherty Holdings increases dividend by 25%
The owners of the O'Flaherty business empire - which holds the Irish distribution franchise for Mercedes, Volkswagen and Audi - have increased their annual dividend by 25 per cent to €25 million, writes Arthur Beesley , Senior Business Correspondent p

Sport

Leinster to come up with right formula
RUGBY/Leinster v Leicester Tigers: Deciphering Leinster's aptitude to successfully negotiate such a pivotal contest at this point in the season is a fraught process, incorporating so many intangibles as to be virtually impossible. The Irish province resembles a complex mathematical equation: the numbers are there but the formula for a successful conclusion can be elusive to find. p
Rooney ruled out for four weeks
SOCCER: Alex Ferguson will be forced into a comprehensive change of plan after Wayne Rooney's ankle injury in training yesterday ruled the Manchester United striker out of contention for four weeks. p
General optimism strike will be averted
GAELIC GAMES: Despite a massive vote by players in favour of withdrawing from intercounty activity in the new year, hopes remain high that ongoing talks between the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), Government and GAA can resolve the core issue of player grants. p
Swamped by flush on the river
POKER: Paul O'Hehir recalls his anxieties during the recent European Poker Tour event at the RDS p