The European Union – which has been harshly critical of US prisoner abuse at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison and the detention centre for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – today urged all nations to sign a global convention against torture and condemned the practice for any reason.

The remains of three men who committed suicide at the US prison at Guantanamo Bay have been sent home, the Pentagon said.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday hailed the successful outcome of a summit between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today hailed the successful outcome of a summit between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

At midnight tonight, Ireland ends one of the most successful EU presidencies ever, greatly enhancing the country’s reputation, writes Europe Correspondent Ann Cahill

Bertie Ahern has said he is committed to assisting Irish people living in the US as illegal immigrants.

A major agreement on a civilian satellite network was signed this morning at the EU-US summit at Dromoland Castle, Co Clare.

The Tánaiste has said that progress is being made on increasing the number of US cities that Aer Lingus and European airlines can fly into.

PRESIDENT George W Bush became the fifth US President to visit Ireland when he arrived into Shannon Airport last night.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night downplayed his raising of direct criticism of American foreign policy in Iraq and the Middle East during the course of the EU-US summit with US President George W Bush in Co Clare today.

US President George Bush flew into Ireland tonight amid the biggest security operation in the history of the State.

American President George W Bush has arrived in Ireland for an EU-US Summit meeting.

Senior business executives from both sides of the Atlantic are due to meet in Co Limerick today for talks aimed at promoting further EU-US trade.

The biggest security operation in the history of the State is under way today as the country prepared for the arrival of US President George Bush.

THERE is no evidence that General Colin Powell ever danced the Siege of Ennis while growing up in the Irish stronghold of the Bronx in New York.

A group of independent TDs have added their voices to a growing chorus of opposition to the visit of US President George W Bush.

Tánaiste and Minster for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney, is in Washington today for a series of top level meetings with senior members of the US administration.

WHEN Justice Minister Michael McDowell gratuitously gave the nod to US security men to take target practice during their upcoming visit to Ireland, he probably did so with members of Sinn Féin in mind.

IT’S reassuring, isn’t it, to hear Taoiseach Bertie Ahern declare unequivocally that Ireland is an al-Qaida-free zone?

Irish MEPs Patricia McKenna and Pronsias de Rossa have called on the Government to cancel US President George W Bush’s planned visit to Ireland in June.

THE Government is preparing a system to head off disagreements between the European Union and the United States as a major plank in its aim to improve relations.

GOVERNMENT ministers’ home constituencies will reap financial dividends from Ireland’s EU Presidency next year.

RELATIONS between the EU and the US have been little short of disastrous at times over the past two years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to discuss with Tony Blair establishing closer Russian ties with Nato - and even the prospect of membership of the alliance.