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The restored Nativity window at St Brigid's Church, Dangan, Kilmore, Co Roscommon.

Taoiseach says he will stay on until at least 2009
Bertie Ahern plans to remain on as as Taoiseach until at least the middle of 2009 and intends to lead Fianna Fáil into the local and European elections in June that year, writes Stephen Collins , Political Editor
Galway retailer sells Lotto ticket for €13m jackpot
"A celebrity for a day. You feel like you've won it yourself!" This was the reaction of east Galway newsagent Cherry O'Connor yesterday to confirmation that one of her customers is now €13 million richer, writes Lorna Siggins , Western Correspondent

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Ireland

Death toll at 440 for year as seven die on roads
Seven people died at the weekend as a result of road crashes including a six-year-old boy who was injured in a collision in Co Armagh on Thursday. Marie O'Halloran and Dan Keenan report. p
TD calls for extra staff to speed up adoptions
The waiting list of Irish couples seeking foreign adoptions has soared from 650 to 1,500 in the last five years but the number of social workers assessing their applications has remained static in the same period. Deaglán de Bréadún , Political Correspondent, reports. p
Harney criticises HSE's service plan
Minister for Health Mary Harney has strongly criticised aspects of the Health Service Executive's (HSE) blueprint for the operation of services next year, particularly in the areas of mental health and primary care. p
Chilean authorities call off search for missing backpacker
Chilean authorities have informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that they have called off their search for an Irish backpacker who went missing in November. p
Ship's crew bail out due to overwork, wages row
A Cypriot-registered freighter last night remained in Dublin port after a number of crew members sought to be repatriated in a row over unpaid wages and working conditions. Martin Wall , Industry Correspondent, reports. p
Taoiseach bemused by 'cradle to grave' trawl of finances
A resilient Bertie Ahern is proud to have matched de Valera's electoral record, he tells Stephen Collins. p
Astronomers want the lights turned down
Astronomy Ireland is to launch a campaign next year to raise awareness about the problems of light pollution. Ronan McGreevy reports. p
Clock ticks for last-minute shoppers
Thousands of last-minute shoppers will take to the streets today as the Christmas rush reaches its climax. p
Tralee protest over cancer services
Up to 150 people took part in a protest in Tralee, Co Kerry, yesterday against plans by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to centralise cancer services for patients in the region in Cork and Limerick. Martin Wall reports. p

World

Olmert rejects ceasefire talks with Hamas
MIDDLE EAST: The Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert yesterday rejected the possibility of ceasefire talks with Hamas, saying Israel would press ahead with its military operations in Gaza and would refuse to negotiate with an organisation that refused to recognise it. p
Political situation in Bethlehem may force Christians to leave
MIDDLE EAST: There may soon be no Christians left in Bethlehem due to the political situation there, its parish priest has said. People in the town were "living under extraordinarily difficult circumstances", Fr Samuel Fahim, parish priest at the Church of the Nativity has said. p
NHS trusts admit losing data on patients
BRITAIN: Ministers faced embarrassment over another data loss yesterday when they were forced to admit that they did not have details on what information had been lost by nine NHS trusts. p
FBI chief Hoover planned to jail 12,000 without trial
US: It all sounds familiar. A newly proclaimed war in a far-off land, the suspension of habeas corpus, and mass arrests of "potentially dangerous" individuals to protect the nation from "treason, espionage and sabotage". Those detained would eventually have the right to a hearing, but one not bound by the rules of law. p

Sport

United enjoy the 'moment'
SOCCER: Alex Ferguson prides himself on the frequency with which his Manchester United players win games with late goals. "No other side in the world has done it as many times as us," he likes to boast but the manager was candid enough to acknowledge yesterday that the champions were "a bit fortuitous" in their 2-1 defeat of Everton. p
Eddie insists he will select coach
RUGBY: Eddie O'Sullivan has said he will be primarily responsible for recruiting a specialised backs coach to the Ireland rugby team.This means he will choose his own replacement. Ithe wake of the IRFU/Genesis recommendation he will be relieved of that role in a realigned management set-up. p
Bumper crowds, bumper bets and odd bumper Inside
RACING: Almost €11 million is expected to be bet at Leopardstown alone during the Christmas holiday period with the traditional St Stephen's Day fixture at the Dublin track being a focus for many in one of the busiest racing weeks of the year. p
Kelly ends career on high
The former Ireland centre John Kelly is to retire from a highly successful professional career after captaining Munster against Connacht at Musgrave Park on Thursday. p

Finance

Ratings agency upgrades DAA
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has been upgraded by ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) in a move that should help the company as it seeks to raise funds for a €2 billion redevelopment of its campus. p
O'Callaghan goes unlimited route
Cork-based property developer Owen O'Callaghan has re-registered one of his businesses as an unlimited company. p