US PRESIDENT Barack Obama yesterday shelved a Bush-era plan for an Eastern European missile defence system that has been a major irritant in relations with Russia. He said a redesigned defensive system would be cheaper and more effective against the threat from Iranian missiles.

The Greens are determined to stay in Government despite a collapse of their vote in the local elections, minister Eamon Ryan said today.

John O'Mahony has been announced as the new Mayo senior football manager at a special press briefing tonight.

US President George Bush pressed Iran today to begin negotiations immediately on its nuclear programme and warned Tehran that delay would bring consequences.

Previous deadlines in relation to the North may have been rather like moveable feasts, but November 24, as set down by both the Irish and British Governments for the restoration of devolved government, may not be quite as mutable.

The next General Election cannot be portrayed simply as a battle between the current coalition Government and a rainbow coalition, Justice Minister Michael McDowell insisted today.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today Iran is co-operating with European countries in discussing its nuclear energy programme and that he did not foresee a military strike by the US, which accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons.

CHANGES to community employment schemes will allow over-55s to serve for six years, but won’t actually increase the reduced numbers of places on FÁS programmes.

Fine Gael has appointed Senator Brian Hayes as its spokesman for Dublin.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres today defended the assassinations of Palestinian militants suspected of terror operations as a necessary act of self-defence.

Tony Blair was today flying back to Britain from the Swedish EU summit to mastermind the action plan to combat the worsening foot-and-mouth crisis.