Eight Irish scientists have been awarded a prestigious European Research Council Starting Grant, worth up to €2m each, towards ambitious high-risk, high-gain projects, or “blue sky research”.

BRITAIN’S Supreme Court yesterday ruled in favour of a German heiress seeking to protect her considerable fortune from her ex-husband – a decision that gives new strength to pre-nuptial agreements in England.

PAUL MCCARTNEY and Heather Mills returned to court yesterday in an attempt to agree on terms for their divorce.