IT doesn’t feel all that long ago that we began a Heineken Cup with the prospect of the sword of Damocles dangling ominously over the world’s greatest club rugby competition. That’s because it wasn’t long ago at all — in 2007, to be precise — that the French and English clubs last decided that they were picking up the ball and walking off the pitch.

Britain should be braced for a “choppy and uneven” recovery, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg warned today – as a survey predicted the north of England would fare worst under Government spending cuts.

NOW that we’ve had a few nights to sleep on it the euphoria that greeted the Cowen/Lenihan initiative is tempered ever so slightly.

THE €25 million investigation into AIB's systematic overcharging practices and the parallel IFSRA investigation are expected to yield their first reports by the end of the month.

PALESTINIAN President Yasser Arafat declared a commitment to reaching a total cease-fire with Israel in a letter given to envoys of the peacemaking “Quartet,” Palestinian officials said yesterday.

BUSINESS leaders predict another gloomy year for companies.

BERTIE AHERN and Mary Harney yesterday ruled out the introduction of college fees in the lifetime of the Government.