In Short

A roundup of today's other home news in brief

A roundup of today's other home news in brief

Williams action settled amicably

The Sunday Worldand journalist Paul Williams have settled a High Court action brought over his planned move to the rival News of the World.

The Sunday Worldsecured a temporary injunction earlier this month restraining Williams from working for any other publication pending further legal proceedings brought on the basis of the newspaper's claim he was required to serve three months' notice.

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Following talks between the sides the matter was resolved amicably.

The judge agreed to strike the matter out with no order on costs.

NUI decision a move 'without policy'

The sudden announcement by Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe of the abolition of the National University of Ireland (NUI) has been described as the latest example of "decisions without policy", university lectures said yesterday.

Mike Jennings, general secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, said the announcement was made without due consultation: "No assessment has been carried out on the impact [ of] the proposed abolition . . . This is all the more unacceptable given the Minister has pre-empted the work of the Higher Education Strategy Group."

Garda appeal over abandoned Carlow baby

A baby boy who was abandoned in Carlow Cathedral yesterday is said to be in good health.

The eight-month baby was discovered at about 2.20pm yesterday in the cathedral by a member of the public.

A note was attached to the baby's buggy giving the baby's first and surname.

Gardaí were contacted, and the baby was brought into the care of the Health Service Executive.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information to contact them at Carlow Garda station on 059 9136620 or at any Garda station.

State tax on landfill waste to rise 300%

Government tax on waste going to landfill is set to rise by 300 per cent by 2012, Minister for Environment John Gormley said yesterday, writes Tim O’Brien

The first increase from €25 per tonne to €30 per tonne is to take place in just over a week’s time on February 1st.

It will rise to €50 per tonne in 2011 and €75 per tonne in 2012.

The move will add costs to domestic refuse services in areas where ‘‘black bins’’ are sent to landfill.

Mr Gormley was speaking after he turned a sod for the State’s first mechanical, biological treatment (MBT) plant, a €21 million facility at Panda Waste near Slane, Co Meath.

MBT facilities which rely on recovery and composting do not attract a landfill tax.