So many rudderless English chariots have drifted away on the Liffey over the years they must now pose a danger to shipping in the Irish Sea.

Improved forecasts at the outset of the year were made real by the best Christmas figures for retailers in five years. 

The IDA is posting 35 executives in key locations around the world in an effort to win extra investment and create 10,000 jobs over the next three years.

Irish drinks group C&C has further strengthened its presence in Scotland by acquiring outright ownership of the country’s largest wine and spirits wholesaler.

Fugitive US killer Christopher Dorner died from a single gunshot wound to the head as authorities were pumping tear gas into a mountain cabin during a deadly gun battle with sheriff’s deputies.

Sheriff’s deputies who believed they had cornered a fugitive ex-cop in the mountains above Los Angeles did not purposely torch a cabin where a nine-day manhunt ended, but the deputies may have ignited the blaze by firing tear gas, officials said.

A $1m (€747,000) reward has prompted numerous tips to authorities seeking a fired Los Angeles police officer suspected of killing three people.

A massive manhunt continued in the California mountains for a fired policeman accused of three murders who declared war on law enforcement officers and their families in a rambling internet manifesto.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton has confirmed that the costs last year of operating the IDA’s six offices in the US ran to €5.4m.

Pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline unveiled a deal today to buy the company behind Maximuscle protein shakes used by rugby player Gavin Henson, cricket star Stuart Broad and footballer Jermaine Jenas.

TORN spinal nerves can be reconnected by removing a “biological brake” on their growth, scientists have shown.

Levels of a hormone produced by the placenta half way through pregnancy could provide a test for women at risk of post-natal depression, new research suggests.

HONDA’s new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line yesterday and is headed to southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring.

With some of the worst wildfires dying down, many southern Californians lucky enough to find their homes still standing are likely to face hardships for weeks to come.

HOT, dry Santa Ana winds have fanned the blazes which have ravaged southern California this week.

The rich and famous of Hollywood could not avoid southern California’s devastating fires.

Transexual housemate Sam was evicted from the Big Brother house tonight making way for a new golden housemate.

Wannabe footballer’s wife Nikki and cross-dresser Sam face an early exit from Big Brother after being nominated by their housemates.

Irn Bru-to-Tizer company AG Barr lifted underlying half-year profits today, despite a “sluggish” market for the carbonated drinks sector.

Thousands of Iraqi expatriates were expected to register in five US cities today for their homeland’s first independent election in nearly 50 years, with some travelling hundreds of miles to participate in the historic event.

KILLARNEY’S Danny Sugrue brought Ireland’s representation in this week’s British Open Championship to six when he came through the qualifying process at Western Gailes over the weekend.

Andrew Oldcorn, already furious at being denied a place in the Open by a change of rules, was positively seething today after suffering another massive blow to his hopes of playing at Royal Troon.

Former European number one Ronan Rafferty faces a tough task to make next week’s British Open championship at Troon despite a first-round 70 in qualifying today.

Donna Fraser has turned down the opportunity to compete at high profile American meetings in order to concentrate on preparations for the Olympics.

PEOPLE who get angry easily may be more likely to become addicted to smoking, according to a study.

Two men cleared of being involved with loyalist terrorist groups were facing lengthy jail sentences today after being convicted of firearms offences.

A jury today retired to consider its verdict on three men accused of links to loyalist terror groups.

Muslim youths in California were forced to change the names of football teams after titles like “Soldiers of Allah” and “Mujahideen” caused uproar among Jews.

DETECTIVES yesterday released a picture of a newborn baby found abandoned on a doorstep following an appeal to trace two women.

The heavily-armed Egyptian immigrant who gunned down two people at the EL Al ticket counter of Los Angeles International Airport went there with a mission to kill, the FBI said.

John Langan with a two-under-par 69 topped the leaderboard at Ardee as six players qualified in the Sunderland of Scotland PGA Irish Region Masters at Ardee.

A woman who gave birth after being involved in a road accident in which her mother died was today continuing her recovery in hospital.