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Benazir Bhutto at a campaign rally yesterday in Rawalpindi minutes before she was assassinated. She died from wounds to the neck and head after speaking at the rally. Twenty people were killed in a simultaneous explosion.

Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

Killing of Bhutto triggers riots across Pakistan
The assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto last night triggered violent convulsions across the country, casting grave doubts on elections scheduled for January 8th and marking a dark finale to a tragedy-strewn life, writes Declan Walsh in Karachi.
Lemass authorised aircraft searches during Cuban crisis
Then taoiseach Seán Lemass authorised searches of Cuban and Czech aircraft passing through Shannon after the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 at the request of the United States. Details of searches were secretly passed on to the US authorities for the following eight years, writes Stephen Collins , Political Editor
Minister backs setting up local family court system
The Minister for Justice favours the setting up of a system of local specialist family courts. Carol Coulter , Legal Affairs Editor, reports.

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Ireland

Tourism boom worth €4bn to economy
A record 7.8 million overseas visitors came to Ireland this year, pumping €4 billion into the economy, according to the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation report for 2007. p
Stallion stud fees worth up to €52m annually
Stallion stud fees, which have been tax-free for almost 40 years, are worth €51.8 million annually, according to returns received by the Revenue Commissioners. p
PDs decide next leader need not be an elected office holder
The next leader of the Progressive Democrats, to succeed Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney, will not have to be a TD or councillor, the party's national executive has decided. Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent, reports. p
Straight from festive fug to sales fever
The sound of hangers clacking, elbows digging and tills slamming signalled the start of the winter sales in Dublin early yesterday morning as shoppers emerged from the festive fug for a spot of cut-price retail therapy. p
1.5m people to receive new welfare increases next week
Social welfare increases for 1.5 million people announced on Budget Day, worth more than €900 million a year, will come into force from next week, writes Mark Hennessy , Political Correspondent p
Condolence book opens for Joe Dolan
A book of condolences will be opened in Joe Dolan's home town of Mullingar today as family, friends and entertainment figures gather for the funeral ceremonies of the singer. p
Immigration Bill to feature on Minister's 2008 agenda
A judicial council, DNA database and new alcohol sales rules are planned, Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan tells Carol Coulter Legal Affairs Editor p
A good day at the track for the bookies as outsider wins the feature
Bookmaker Paddy Power moved to the forefront yesterday with his "Chase Day" at Leopardstown Racecourse. p
Numbers of newly built homes set to fall for first time in 14 years
The number of new homes completed in the Republic is set to fall for the first time in 14 years, the Department of the Environment will confirm today. T im O'Brien reports. p

Finance

Profits halve to €3.5m at AMT-Sybex
Profits at AMT-Sybex, the technology company co-founded by businessman Pearse Mee, almost halved to €3.5 million in the financial year to January 31st, 2007, as turnover dropped by 14 per cent to €43.6 million, according to company accounts just filed. Simon Carswell , Finance Correspondent, reports. p
Black prepares for dark days behind bars
Fallen media tycoon Conrad Black is about to end his colourful career with a 6-and-a-half year jail term for fraud and obstructing justice, writes Denis Staunton in Washington. p
US firm acquires Offaly laundry business
A Co Offaly-based cleanroom laundry business that serves large microchip, pharmaceutical and medical technology firms has been acquired by a Nasdaq-listed company based in Minnesota. Simon Carswell reports. p
Banks queried over ISTC collateral
Some of the world's biggest banks, which are owed money by International Securities Trading Corporation (ISTC), have been asked whether they have sold the collateral held against loans provided to the now insolvent Dublin finance company, writes Simon Carswell , Finance Correspondent p

World

Several shots rang out and Bhutto crumpled
PAKISTAN: Benazir Bhutto was attacked as she left Liaqat Bagh, a public park in Rawalpindi where she addressed thousands of supporters at an election rally yesterday afternoon. Officials said she was driving out of the park, standing inside her bulletproof vehicle and waving to supporters, with the top half of her body protruding from the sunroof, when the killer struck. p
Thaksin will face arrest if he returns to Thailand
THAILAND: Ousted and exiled Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose supporters triumphed in a weekend general election, faces arrest on corruption and fraud charges if he returns home, a senior prosecutor said yesterday. p
Clinton reminds Iowa of her political experience
US: The coffee and hot chocolate had long run out and the three-piece band had almost exhausted their repertoire of polkas on accordion, trumpet and guitar when Hillary Clinton pulled up at a long wooden barn outside Cumming. p
Two held after US family gun killing
US: An estranged daughter helped murder her parents, brother, sister in law and young niece and nephew in a Christmas Eve row. p

Sport

Grant to make full use of window
Chelsea's chronic injury list has lengthened further after Frank Lampard was ruled out for up to a month with a torn thigh muscle, an absence which could persuade manager Avram Grant to seek the Croatia and Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Luka Modric's signature during the January transfer window. p
Geraghty takes his chance
Leopardstown Report Ross Geraghty chose yesterday's €190,000 Paddy Power Chase to ride his first winner for nine months on the 14 to 1 Newbay Prop but as well as the joy of big-race success came a reminder of the hardship that jump jockeys sometimes have to endure. p