Seven swans, six geese and five golden rings are on the list of Christmas gifts that cost more than they did a year ago.

The financial markets saw some relative calm today as investors uneasily awaited a Senate vote on the banking bailout plan, with Wall Street closing with only modest losses and the credit markets still showing signs of strain.

Stocks rallied today as investors placed bets that a recovery in the financial and housing sectors is more likely to occur following the US government’s move to bail out mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Dow Jones industrials gained nearly 300 points.

The trial of a Bus Átha Cliath driver accused of dangerous driving causing the deaths of five people in the city centre three years ago has begun at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.