Danish riot police use batons to push back protesters during a demonstration outside the Bella centre, venue of the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen. Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

Call for Limerick bishop to face criminal inquiryCALLS HAVE been made for a criminal investigation into how Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray handled abuse allegations against Fr Thomas Naughton.

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Climate deal hinges on today's talks, says UN executiveTHE NEXT 24 hours will be “absolutely crucial” if world leaders are to sign a deal aimed at tackling global warming, UN climate chief Yvo de Boer said last night as the Copenhagen climate negotiations continued behind closed doors.
Dozens sympathise with sex offenderDOZENS of people queued inside a Co Kerry courthouse yesterday to shake hands and sympathise with a man who was jailed for five years for sexually assaulting a woman in Listowel.
Lieberman lends support to US healthcare reformHEALTHCARE REFORM, the centrepiece of US president Barack Obama’s domestic agenda, has moved a step closer to reality, with Independent senator Joe Lieberman agreeing to give Democrats the needed 60th vote in favour of a draft Bill in the Senate.
Burial cloth casts new doubts on Turin ShroudJERUSALEM – A burial garment found in Jerusalem that dates to the days of Jesus provides evidence that undermines similar claims made for the renowned Shroud of Turin, scholars said in research published yesterday.

THE INTERVENTION by Abu Dhabi earlier this week to rescue Dubai, its fellow emirate state, by providing a $10 billion (€6.85 billion) bailout for state-owned Dubai World, has bought time for Dubai and provided Dubai World with the financial means to restructure its debt. The move has averted also a deepening crisis in the United Arab Emirates which has badly damaged the reputation of the Gulf region as a financial centre. Abu Dhabi – the largest and wealthiest state in the seven-member federation – belatedly threw its financial lifeline after Dubai’s debt difficulties raised borrowing costs for all Gulf states, including Abu Dhabi. One consequence is that the contagion effect evident within the region has extended beyond it, notably affecting Greece.

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Images of the day

A woman looks through a ball containing the carcass of a sea fish at Siam Ocean World in Bangkok, Thailand December 16. Photo: Sukree Sukplang/REUTERS
A child feeds pigeons in Victoriei Square, in Timisoara, 550 km west of Bucharest, Romania December 16. Photo: Bogdan Cristel/REUTERS
Dublin Zoo welcomes its latest arrivals in time for Christmas in the form of a female giraffe calf, December 16. Born on 1st December at 5ft 2Ó to mother Hailey, the calf is absolutely thriving. Photo: Robbie Reynolds/CPR
A long-range, improved Sejil 2 missile is test-fired in the desert at an unknown location in Iran in this Iranian military handout distributed by Fars news agency on December 16, 2009. Iran successfully test-fired the missile on Wednesday, state television reported, in an announcement that added to tension with the West. Photo: Fars News/REUTERS
Pro-Telangana supporters shout slogans during a demonstration in Hyderabad December 16. India's Congress-ruled government distanced itself on Tuesday from a move to carve a new state out of Andhra Pradesh and asked the leaders of the southern state to instead build a consensus as protests continued. Photo: Krishnendu Halder/REUTERS
Danish riot police handcuff Reclaim the Power demonstrators during the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark December 16. Photo: Claus Bech/Scanpix/REUTERS
An indigenous woman dressed in her traditional costume waits to perform in a Victory Day parade celebrating Bangladesh's independence at the national stadium in Dhaka December 16. Bangladesh celebrated its 38th Victory Day on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Biraj/REUTERS
Roland Haldi of Switzerland competes in the Snowboard FIS Parallel Giant Slalom World Cup 2010 on December 15, in Telluride, Colorado, United States. Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
South Korean soldiers participate in a winter river crossing operation in preparation for a possible North Korean attack on December 16, in Yeoju, South Korea. The Korean peninsula is the world's last Cold War frontier as stalinist North Korea and pro-western South Korea have been technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict. Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
A man throws a ball to his dog while sitting on a frozen bench in Richmond Park on December 16, 2009 in London, England. A cold weather front is due to bring snow to parts of the country today with temperatures falling to as little as -4C according to the Met office. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

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Science »

A picture of the sea louse that plague salmon, which won University College Dublin's annual Images of Research competition. Photographs: Getty Images, Eleanor Cunningham, Pablo Rojas/UCD

Tackling a tiny terror of the sea

A UCD team has had some promising results in the search for a vaccine against sea louse, a parasite that has plagued Irish salmon farms and is threatening wild stocks

Motors »

Early boost on back of car scrappage scheme

THERE HAS been a strong positive reaction from the public to the new Government-backed car scrappage scheme, according to dealers and distributors, who say there is already an increase in footfall in dealerships.

Business »

Jobless still on rise but at slowest rate since early 2008

CSO QUARTERLY NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY:UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUED to rise in the third quarter of 2009, but at the slowest quarterly rate since the beginning of 2008, according to the latest CSO Quarterly National Household Survey.

Sport »

Liverpool pick up much-needed win

Premier League Review:Liverpool suffered a late scare but came through with a much-needed 2-1 win over Wigan this evening while Tottenham were good value for their 3-0 victory against Man City, who were wasteful in front of goal. Chelsea were made to work for a 2-1 win over Portsmouth and Arsenal failed to build on recent success as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Burnley.