The acquisition by the Irish Times of a range of media assets, including the Irish Examiner, has created a media group that will reach almost half the population of Ireland.

Here are all the latest headlines this lunchtime.

Ted Crosbie, the dominant force for more than four decades in the company which became Landmark Media, was in many ways the ideal proprietor.

Two members of the Irish Examiner political staff have secured a top journalism award for their analysis of the treatment of a young woman who suffered a litany of abuse in a foster home.

The Irish Examiner was recognised at one of the most prestigious global awards for creative excellence in advertising.

The Irish Examiner has won Headline’s Overall Media Award for responsible coverage of mental health and suicide-related issues in Ireland.

Media groups have hailed a decision by the European Court of Human Rights which upheld an appeal by Independent Newspapers regarding a record €1.25m libel payout.

The prime minister has helped Labour achieve a comeback which would force Lazarus to give a standing ovation, writes Allan Prosser.

The ability of Chelsea as a football club to snatch ignominy from the jaws of victory can never be underestimated, although last night’s victory at the Hawthorns at least protects a memorable Premier League campaign with another title, their fifth of the Abramovich era, writes Allan Prosser.

This year we will see a number of films, plays and TV shows which reflect the post-Trump era in a case of art imitating life. Or is it the other way around?, asks Allan Prosser.

Journalists are the awkward squad asking difficult questions, and should be cherished for that, writes Allan Prosser, acting editor of the Irish Examiner

‘Waterloo’ meticulously recalls the events of four days in June 200 years ago when 200,000 men were engaged in a struggle which laid the foundations of contemporary Europe, writes Allan Prosser.

VISITORS to modern day Waterloo may struggle to follow the topography of one of the most important military encounters in European history. In particular, an enormous earthwork, the Lion’s Mound, erected 1820, has significantly altered the perspective, writes Allan Prosser.

I met Margaret Thatcher half-a-dozen times in the fraught 1980s. She was inquisitive, formidable, and indifferent to opinion of her,says Allan Prosser

Doctoral students at University College Cork have been given a timely reminder of how a chosen specialisation can sometimes lead to an unexpected career path.

A World Cup restricted to ten teams is not a World Cup at all. “It’s just not cricket,” moaned new Sports Minister Leo Varadkar. However, is a good story getting in the way of the facts? Our writers debate the ICC decision to limit the next World Cup to Test playing nations.

AN Irishman, an Englishman and a master brewer from a Dutch-owned beer company walk into a bar. And as Con Houlihan used to say: now read on.

IT’S the business end of the season and our chief soccer writer and Angry Fans interlocutor Liam Mackey has taken himself off for a holiday.

It is 44 years since Time Magazine placed London, The Swinging Capital on its cover and declared: “In a once sedate world of faded splendor, everything new, uninhibited and kinky is blooming.” The cast may change, but the characters remain the same, writes Allan Prosser

Liam Mackey is brushing up in his Italian, checking out his list of Puglian delicacies, and heading off for Southern Italy so perennial substitute ALLAN PROSSER takes up the role of mediator for today's Angry Fans.

Liam Mackey is brushing up in his Italian, checking out his list of Puglian

OUR correspondent ALLAN PROSSER is again filling in for the absent Liam Mackey who is away on international duty this week.

AFTER the intensive Christmas and New Year programme our soccer correspondent Liam Mackey is rested for the opening fixture of 2009.

LIAM Mackey is off in sunny Spain so regular substitute ALLAN PROSSER has done his stretching exercises on the touchline, stripped off the tracksuit and is charging into the fray to mediate your opinions for the first time this season.

Among the middle classes and the affluent, cocaine is the recreational drug of choice. In the aftermath of this week’s trial in Cork Allan Prosser looks at its history, its place in popular culture, and the threat it poses to society.

The Examiner’s Chief Football correspondent Liam Mackey returns to active service next week so it’s back to the benches after a run in the first team for your current mediator Allan Prosser.

WITH Liam Mackey’s return to action taking longer than a Louis Saha comeback campaign super sub Allan Prosser takes to the field again to run the rule over our angry fans.

WITH our chief soccer correspondent Liam Mackey still called away on other duties, Allan Prosser rises from the bench for a second week to arbitrate on the slings and arrows of outrageous opinions from our contributors.

OUR normal host Liam Mackey has been unexpectedly called away for more pressing New Year’s Eve duties so this week we’re calling occasional substitute Allan Prosser from the bench to mediate over your angry views and decide who will win the first glittering prize of 2008.

OUR normal host Liam Mackey has been unexpectedly called away for more pressing New Year’s Eve duties so this week we’re calling occasional substitute Allan Prosser from the bench to mediate over your angry views and decide who will win the first glittering prize of 2008.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey is off in the land of Goudy and Ronaldinho this week so veteran substitute Allan Prosser is called from the bench to hold the ring while our contributors slug it out.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey has been called away this week to cover events in the Most Serene Republic of San Marino (it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it) so Allan Prosser has been called from the subs’ bench to arbitrate on your opinions. And it’s a mixed bunch this week with commentary on the exodus of players from these shores; argument over the fallout from Rafa’s little dig about the stature of Everton; glee, and a warning, about Liverpool’s US takeover; Ronaldo makes more friends and there’s irritation about why fans should be prevented from watching replays of controversial incidents at the match.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey will be back in the New Year to argue the toss with you about the issues dominating soccer.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey is still in search of the source of the White Nile so Allan Prosser gets a recall to mediate over your views and opinions again this week.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey is taking a well-earned break floating along the Nile on a dhow to discuss tactics and the riddle of the diamond with the Sphinx. So for the next few weeks we’ve called Allan Prosser from the subs’ bench to mediate over your opinions and give the controversy pot a stir.

YOUR three-part feature on the Battle of the Somme gave insights into the Irish role in World War I.

No, says Liam Mackey: