Tony Blair sent George Bush secret messages in the year before the invasion of Iraq assuring him Britain would “be there” if it came to military action, the inquiry into the war heard today.

Business leaders today welcomed plans to cut gas prices, but insisted the move does not go far enough.

Business leaders today welcomed plans to cut gas prices, but insisted the move does not go far enough.

IRELAND’S overdependence on dwindling supplies of oil poses a significant burden to the economy and a threat to future energy security, a leading international report published yesterday revealed.

Ireland’s over-dependence on dwindling supplies of oil poses a significant burden to the economy and a threat to future energy security, a major international report published today revealed.

Electricity prices are to go up by almost 20% from next January, it was announced today.

The business and employers group IBEC today have expressed concern at today’s Commission for Energy Regulation announcement confirming a gas price rise of 34% and a proposed electricity price increase of 20%.

IBEC today expressed serious concern at today’s proposed 33.8% increase in gas tariffs from October of this year.

Tony Blair today told of his concern that the British government “handle by the book” the emergence of a possible source for a controversial report on its Iraqi weapons dossier.

The Hutton inquiry into the death of British government weapons expert David Kelly entered its second week today.

DOWNING Street communications chief Alastair Campbell is to give evidence next week to the inquiry investigating the death of Government weapons scientist David Kelly, it was announced yesterday.

Two filmgoers are suing Sony Pictures, saying they were duped into seeing A Knight’s Tale by ads promoting praise from a phoney film critic.