IRELAND has an ability to produce parallel universes that are breathtakingly wide of reality, and during the past week there were two such instances.

CHRISTMAS lights can be lethal, with three in 10 likely to lead to electric shocks or even fire, according to a new report.

DECISION-MAKERS from all over the world sit down in Copenhagen to hammer out an agreement on tackling climate change today.

ALL the top jobs in the EU have been allocated following the announcement of the new commissioners on Friday in Brussels, but for many that is just the start of a job hunt.

ECONOMISTS are joining up with scientists to help save the planet threatened by global warming while species disappear at an alarming rate.

THE Allies and the Axis will gather in the German capital today to symbolically re-stage the fall of the Berlin Wall. The event20 years ago today was the beginning of the final chapter of the Second World War.

IRELAND twice lost the opportunity to have an Irish person as head of the European Commission, and once again the Government is reluctant to campaign for a citizen for high position.

EU leaders agreed to contribute generously towards the estimated €22 billion to €50bn a year developing countries will need to deal with climate change.

THE mystery of just when the Government learned of John Bruton’s bid for the EU presidency deepened with a statement from the former Taoiseach that he had informed the Irish ambassador three weeks ago.

THE cabinet is expected to discuss Ireland’s next European Commissioner at their meeting tomorrow, while in Brussels the battle for Europe’s top jobs hots up.