He has led Israel for 13 years, but his desperation to be re-elected was not just about continuing his project of hardcore religious nationalism, but about securing immunity from indictment on charges of fraud. It remains to be seen whether the prime minister really will be politically sidelined, writes Shlomo Ben-Ami

Political parties must move on from the Stormont spying controversy to focus on restoring devolved government to the North, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said tonight.

The British government is facing demands to pump funds into Northern Ireland in a bid to bolster a talks deal if it is struck, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said tonight.

PSNI chief Hugh Orde will meet the Democratic Unionists, today, amid concerns over IRA activity.