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[OMEN]

The Taoiseach has signalled that final year Exchequer returns, due to be published tomorrow, will show a tax shortfall of around €8bn for 2008.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio's This Week, Brian Cowen said the Government would now have to discuss the situation with the social partners and then take decisive action over the coming years to address the problems in the public finances.

He said that without corrective action, the Exchequer deficit in 2010 could rise to €20bn.
Mr Cowen signalled that the national wage agreement could be under threat, saying all options would be on the table during upcoming talks with the social partners, including the pay deal.

He said that what was now needed was for everyone to pull together and agree on an overall programme to stabilise the public finances.

Ireland is facing a very difficult year, he said, and next year could also be very difficult.

The challenges we face are unprecedented, Mr Cowen claimed, but added that we have to face into and address them.

But he said that without underestimating the problems we have to keep things in perspective and that we are entering this recession in a stronger position than before.

Asked if the deteriorating public finances meant tax increases were likely, Mr Cowen said the Government was not looking at tax changes as an immediate priority.

But he said there was no doubt in his mind that over the next four to five years, taxation will have to play a role in getting day to day spending back in balance with tax returns.

On the possibility of lay-offs in the public sector, the Taoiseach said the Public Expenditure Review Committee is looking at all aspects of public spending and the Government will then have to make the decisions based on its recommendations.

He agreed it was unlikely that there would be any expansion in public service numbers and that there could probably be a reduction.

The present situation as it stands is not sustainable for any Government, he said, and it had to be addressed.

Treaty goes beyond party politics

On the likely re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum, Mr Cowen said he believed people have seen in recent months especially, the importance of Irelands membership of the EU.

As a result, he said, there is a growing realisation among everybody that Ireland's national interests are to be in the mainstream of the EU, and standing alone is not in our interests.

He said the Government was working to address the concerns highlighted by the Oireachtas committee and departmental surveys.

He described the Treaty as a huge issue which goes beyond party politics

Mr Cowen said he was not worried that Fianna Fáil might be badly hit in the local and European elections, saying the party has good quality young candidates, who will be voted on based on the local realities.

He also said no decisions had been made on when the bi-elections will take place to fill the two vacant Dáil seats.

On the question of reports that Mayo TD, Beverley Flynn, is drawing an allowance due to only to Independent TDs, even though she has rejoined Fianna Fáil, Mr Cowen said he would be taking the matter up with Deputy Flynn and whatever is appropriate to be done will be done.

RTE

[OMEN]

Up to 1,000 people are taking part in a large-scale search for a Kildare teenager who went missing near a Co Wexford beach on New Year's Eve.

18-year-old Conal Owens from Naas became separated from his friends close to Curracloe Beach.

Bus loads of volunteers from Co Kildare are assisting gardaí and rescue services in the search, which is now in its fourth day
Today the search has been widened away from the beach and has moved inland.

Local gardaí describe some of the terrain in the area as difficult.

RTE

[OMEN]

A woman has been left with a serious face wound after she was attacked in public toilets in Belfast yesterday evening.

The woman, who is in her 50s, was assaulted by a man in toilets at Coles Alley off Church Lane in Belfast city centre at around 5pm.

A man, believed to have been armed with a knife, was seen running from the scene in the direction of Anne Street.
He is described as aged in his 20s or 30s and wearing a black jacket and black jeans.

The PSNI has appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

RTE

[OMEN]

Thousands of Israeli troops and scores of tanks have advanced into Gaza battling Hamas and surrounding the main city on a mission to end rocket attacks.

Up to 23 Palestinians were killed by tank shells or missiles fired from warplanes as families fled battlefield towns in packed trucks and cars to escape the biggest Israeli military operation since its 2006 war in Lebanon.

International efforts to halt the conflict floundered.
The UN Security Council failed to agree the wording of a statement on the conflict, with the US giving strong backing to Israel.

Israeli troops and tanks took over areas south and north of Gaza City.

Heavy fighting was also reported around the northern towns of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanun and Jabaliya.

Explosions shook the enclave, home to 1.5m people, as the Israeli army took control of main roads.

There was a constant clatter of automatic gunfire in the territory which has been under a tight Israeli blockade for months.

In the hours since Israel launched its night-time offensive yesterday, at least 23 people have been killed, adding to the 485 Palestinians killed in eight days of air strikes when another 2,500 were wounded, Gaza medics said.

More than 80 children are among the dead.

Some 30 Israeli soldiers and 'several' Hamas fighters were reported to have been wounded since the ground offensive began, the army and medics said.

Israel has denied Hamas claims that soldiers had been killed.

The Al-Jazeera Arabic news channel reported that one Israeli had been killed but there was no immediate comment from Israel.

A Hamas spokesman, speaking as troops crossed the border, said Gaza will become 'a cemetery' for Israeli soldiers.

Witnesses said Israeli infantry and tanks had taken control of the Salaheddine Road, the main highway along the length of Gaza.

Protester killed in West Bank

In the occupied West Bank there are reports that Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man during clashes.

A 22-year-old was shot in the head in the West Bank city of Qalqilya during a protest against Israel's military operation in Gaza.

The Israeli army said soldiers had shot a Palestinian during a riot near Qalqilya after warning the crowd to disperse.

Gaza offensive 'unavoidable'

Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak said before a cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv that 'the operation will be expanded and intensified as much as necessary. War is not a picnic.'

Briefing reporters after the meeting, an Israeli government official said: 'Israel has no intention to return to occupy the Gaza Strip.'

Government secretary Ovid Yehezkel said the incursion could last a long time, but added: 'The operation is aimed solely to achieve the goals set forth by the cabinet.'

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the Gaza offensive had been 'unavoidable' but Israel would not open a new front in the north.

Israel began 'Operation Cast Lead' on 27 December with the declared aim of ending rocket attacks into Israel from Gaza that resumed after a six-month truce ended.

Rocket fire from Gaza over the past week has killed four people in Israel.

Twenty-five rockets and mortar rounds were fired across the border today and hit the towns of Sderot and Ashdod, although no casualties were reported.

Schools in southern Israel remain closed.

Streets clear as soon as siren alerts of incoming rockets are sounded by authorities.

Ireland to send aid

The Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed grave concern over the Israeli incursion.

Micheál Martin said he regretted the escalation of the conflict and urged Israel to halt its operation and withdraw its forces.

Minister Martin also announced €500,000 in humanitarian aid for Gaza.

France, meanwhile, has criticised the Israeli offensive that Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas warned would have 'grave consequences' for the region.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to hold talks tomorrow with Mr Olmert in Jerusalem and Mr Abbas in Ramallah.

Turkey also condemned the air and ground offensive and called for it to end immediately.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the Israeli attack had created a 'very dangerous moment' in the conflict.

The EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana called for an immediate ceasefire, adding that European nations were ready to contribute international monitors to help keep the peace.

Israel has called a snap general election for 10 February, and the current leadership has widespread public support for the offensive.

RTE

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[OMEN]

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn as US President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary.

Mr Richardson's decision was linked to a pending investigation into a company which has done business with his state.

In a joint statement, Mr Obama said he had accepted Mr Richardson's decision to withdraw "with deep regret".

Mr Richardson denied any wrongdoing but said that the inquiry could take months and he could not allow the commerce department's vital work to be delayed.

A federal grand jury in Albuquerque is investigating how a California company that contributed to Mr Richardson's political activities won a New Mexico state contract.

The firm is not named in the joint statement issued by Mr Obama's office, but the Associated Press and AFP news agencies have identified it as a company called CDR Financial Products.

The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says this is the first major hurdle Mr Obama has encountered as he puts together his new administration.

'Great sorrow'

Mr Richardson said in his statement that, given the grave economic situation facing the nation, he could not hold up the important work Mr Obama's government must do.
"Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that the investigation will bear out that fact," he said.

"But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process."

He had asked for his name to be withdrawn with "great sorrow", Mr Richardson said, adding that he would continue in his present role as governor.

Mr Obama described Mr Richardson as an "outstanding public servant and said his decision to withdraw his candidacy was "a measure of his willingness to put the nation first".

Confirmation hearings for new cabinet members are due to start this week, ahead of Mr Obama's swearing-in as president on 20 January.

While Mr Richardson could be cleared of any wrongdoing, our correspondent adds, this is the second political corruption scandal to impact on the transition period.

In December, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was charged with attempting to "sell" Mr Obama's seat to the highest bidder. He denies any wrongdoing.

Mr Richardson, among the Democratic Party's most prominent Hispanic politicians, becomes the first big-name figure to drop out of Mr Obama's cabinet.

The governor stood against Mr Obama in the contest to be the Democratic presidential candidate last year but withdrew after performing badly in early state primary elections.

Under former President Bill Clinton, Mr Richardson served as US ambassador to the UN and as energy secretary.

BBC

[OMEN]

Gordon Brown has defended his handling of the economic downturn, saying the government "must play its role".

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, the prime minister said 2009 would be "challenging and difficult".

But he insisted he was right to use fiscal policy to secure the economy - his priority this year.

Mr Brown also said he was not thinking about calling an election. The Conservatives have accused the government of "headline grabbing".

The prime minister said he wanted to see a return to banks doing what they should be - "lending" - and did not rule out the need for further bank bail-outs in the future.

But he said: "I don't think that's the first thing anybody would think about at the moment."

That comment was echoed later by the chancellor, who told BBC Radio 4 that further re-capitalisation would not be his "first port of call".

Alistair Darling said talks were continuing with the banks about steps to encourage more lending.

In October, the government announced that it would inject £37bn into three of the UK's biggest names - Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS - to secure their futures.

Job creation

Mr Brown was asked about government plans to bring forward £10bn of spending on public works, digital technology and environmental projects.

He said the programme would create 100,000 jobs, helping to curb rising unemployment and enabling the economy to stabilise.

We are going to make sure that through this downturn, people will be protected
Gordon Brown

"We are not going to do what happened in previous recessions and allow people to go under," he said.

Some 30,000 jobs are to be created in school repairs in an attempt to help private construction firms who have suffered in the economic downturn.

When pressed about whether a general election could be called in 2009, Mr Brown said: "It is the furthest thing from my mind. My duty in these circumstances is to do everything I can to help people now.

"We are going to make sure that through this downturn, people will be protected."

No 'defeatism'

Defending his intervention in the economy, the prime minister said: "If the monetary system is not working as well as it should; if there's no likelihood of huge inflation in the next period of time; if you are not crowding-out private investment then government must play its role."

He urged voters to give his policies time to take effect, saying: "I do not think you can judge the success of recapitalisation by what happened in one month.

"You have got to judge it as a necessary means by which, by saving the banks - and saving is the right word - we restore the ability to fund businesses and mortgages."

He said the length of the current crisis would depend on the amount of international co-operation and he had high hopes for the forthcoming G20 summit in London.

Insisting he would not accept "defeatism", he added: "Things are going to go right because we are going to take the action that is necessary."
Asked whether that action could include cutting interest rates down to 0% in a bid to stimulate the economy, Mr Brown said that was a matter for the Governor of the Bank of England.

However, he did say that falling interest rates helped to drive up inflation, something he wanted to avoid.

Last month, the US Federal Reserve slashed its interest rates to 0% in an attempt to revive the American economy.

'Little substance'

The Conservatives have criticised the government's approach to tackling the downturn and the cut in VAT to boost spending.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling said he was extremely sceptical about the announcements which were "headline grabbing" with "very little substance".

"As a nation we have run out of cash, we've got a debt crisis and the things the government said it would do to try to tackle these difficulties are just not working," he told the BBC.

"The reality is it's only a month since the government delayed its biggest public works project - the project to build new aircraft carriers - because it said it had run out of money," he added.

The Liberal Democrat's treasury spokesman Vincent Cable said Mr Brown's proposals were similar to their own but he was not convinced they would be implemented properly.

He also said the plan to create 100,000 jobs was coming as perhaps a million were going to be lost.

"The key point is to make sure the banks are lending again," he said.

"The problems are in part because of a paralysis with decision making because they are being set contradictory objectives."

The prime minister is to tour the country this week before a jobs summit involving government, business and unions.

BBC

[OMEN]

Israeli ground troops and heavy armour have moved deeper into the Gaza Strip, in effect cutting the territory in two.

Supported by a naval, air and land bombardment, forces have taken up positions on either side of Gaza City, and along a major east-west road.

The Palestinian health ministry says more than 50 people have been killed since the ground operation began. One Israeli soldier has been killed.

Earlier, US Vice-President Dick Cheney defended the Israeli ground assault.

In an interview with CBS television, Mr Cheney said air attacks were not enough to destroy the sites from which militants were firing rockets into Israel.

He also said Israel had not sought US approval before entering Gaza.

Israeli President Shimon Peres meanwhile rejected calls for a ceasefire, but insisted his country did not intend to re-occupy Gaza or crush Hamas.

The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, said he was doing all he could to stop Israel's "vicious aggression".
A European Union mission has flown to the region. The bloc's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said the crisis represented a failure of diplomacy.

In other developments:

* An Israeli missile hit a house in Shujaiya, killing a mother and four of her children, officials at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City told the BBC
* At least 17 people were killed and 130 injured when Israeli shells fell near a school and the main market in Gaza City, Palestinian health ministry officials said
* At least 32 missiles were fired into southern Israel from Gaza. Two people were lightly wounded in the Eshkol region, while one woman was slightly injured in Sderot
* In the West Bank, there were angry protests against the Israeli offensive. A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli troops who confronted youths near the town of Qalqilya, medical sources said.

Many claims cannot be verified. Israel is refusing to let international journalists into Gaza, despite a Supreme Court ruling to allow a limited number of reporters to enter the territory.

'Face-to-face battles'

As night fell, widespread blackouts plunged much of Gaza into darkness. However, the flashes of explosions could clearly be seen from the northern border, and the regular sounds of gun and artillery fire heard.

During the day, the fighting appeared to move away from the northern end of the territory, towards more populous areas in the west, correspondents say.
Later, Israeli military sources and witnesses said Israeli tanks and heavy armour had taken up positions on either side of Gaza City, in effect cutting Gaza into two parts, from the Karni crossing to the Mediterranean Sea.

The town of Beit Hanoun was also reportedly surrounded.

According to Hamas officials and witnesses, the main fighting is now centred on four areas: east of the Jabaliya refugee camp; in the Zeitoun neighbourhood to the east of Gaza City; on the coastal road close to the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, south of Gaza City; and in an uninhabited area in the centre of Gaza.

Hamas said its fighters were in some cases engaged in "face-to-face battles" with Israeli soldiers.

Earlier, the Israeli military said the militants were not engaging its troops in close combat but using mortars and improvised bombs.

The Palestinian health ministry says more than 500 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have now been killed since the Israelis began their assault on Gaza eight days ago. A further 2,500 have been wounded.

The Israeli military says one of its soldiers has been killed and 32 wounded in the ground offensive, at least two of them seriously. It believes about 80% of the Palestinians killed were Hamas members.

Hamas officials say that 10 of its fighters have so far been killed.

'Trickle of aid'

The BBC's Rushdi Abu Alouf in Gaza City says the fighting and Israeli positions have stopped desperately-needed medical supplies getting through to hospitals.
On Sunday, Palestinian Health Minister Dr Fathi Abumoghli said the Israeli military was restricting the movement of ambulances, leading to casualties dying before they could receive treatment. One doctor and two paramedics had been killed, he said.

Later, the charity Oxfam also said a paramedic working for a partner organisation had been killed and two others injured by an Israeli shell.

Oxfam also complained that the "trickle of humanitarian aid that Israel has sometimes allowed in" had dried up since the start of the ground offensive, and said it had been forced to suspend its work, apart from emergency medical aid.

The Israeli government says 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza since the operation began, but many agencies say deliveries have been insufficient, and that it is difficult to get supplies to where they are most needed.

The main aid crossing point at Rafah has also been closed while Israel troops attempt to destroy tunnels under the border with Egypt.

BBC

[OMEN]

The Chinese authorities have launched a fresh campaign to get rid of unhealthy, vulgar and pornographic content on the internet.

The authorities have also published the names of 19 websites that have failed to heed requests to get rid of unsuitable material.

These include Google and China's top internet search engine, Baidu.

These websites could be closed down if they do not delete the offending material, according to one official.

China believes it has a duty to protect public morality.

Officials seem to be particularly concerned about pretty girls in suggestive poses that can be accessed through various websites.

They fear this and other "unhealthy" content could damage young people's physical and mental health.

Excuse for censorship?

The new campaign is being co-ordinated by a total of seven government ministries.

They have published the names of 19 offending websites that have so far ignored warnings to get rid of unsuitable content.

These websites are being told to clean up their websites - or else.

"We will continue to expose, punish or close down websites that have a lot of vulgar content," said one official, Cai Mingzhao, speaking on Chinese Central Television.

Officials also want the public to act as their eyes and ears in this campaign against sleaze.

But there is a fear the crackdown will not just be restricted to vulgar material.

The Chinese government keeps a firm grip on the internet, blocking certain websites and censoring some sensitive material.

This campaign could be used as an excuse to stifle political dissent in a country that allows little public criticism.

One of the websites that has been publicly criticised, Tianya, is popular with people who post their criticisms of the government.

BBC

[OMEN]

There is no evidence that products widely promoted to help the body "detox" work, scientists warn.

The charitable trust Sense About Science reviewed 15 products, from bottled water to face scrub, and found many detox claims were "meaningless".

Anyone worried about the after-effects of Christmas overindulgence would get the same benefits from eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep, they said.

Advertising regulators said they looked at such issues on a case-by-case basis.

The investigation, done by research members of the Voice of Young Science network, was kicked off by a campaign to unpick "dodgy" science claims - where companies use phrases that sound scientific but do not actually mean anything.


The minimum sellers of detox products should be able to offer is a clear understanding of what detox is and proof that their product actually works
Tom Wells, chemist

They challenged the companies behind products such as vitamins, shampoo, detox patches and a body brush on the evidence they had to support the detox claims made.

No two companies seemed to use the same definition of detox - defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the removal of toxic substances or qualities.

In the majority of cases, producers and retailers were forced to admit that they had simply renamed processes like cleaning or brushing, as detox, the scientists said.

Toxins

One researcher investigated a Garnier face wash which claimed to detoxify the skin by removing toxins.
The "toxins" turned out to be the dirt, make-up and skin oils that any cleanser would be expected to remove, she said.

A five-day detox plan from Boots which claimed to detoxify the body and flush away toxins was also criticised for not being backed by evidence.

Evelyn Harvey, a biologist who looked into the product, said that if consumers followed the healthy diet that was recommended alongside the supplement they would probably feel better - but it would have nothing to do with the product itself.

The researchers warned that, at worst, some detox diets could have dangerous consequences and, at best, they were a waste of money.

Tom Wells, a chemist who took part in the research, said: "The minimum sellers of detox products should be able to offer is a clear understanding of what detox is and proof that their product actually works.

"The people we contacted could do neither."

Alice Tuff, from Sense About Science, added: "It is ridiculous that we're seeing a return to mystical properties being claimed for products in the 21st Century and I'm really pleased that young scientists are sharing their concerns about this with the public."

The Advertising Standards Authority said it would investigate such claims on a case-by-case basis if a complaint was made.

"If a product is making claims not substantiated by the evidence submitted by the company we would challenge that."

A spokeswoman from Boots said its five-day detox plan encouraged people to drink water and includes ingredients that "battle against toxins and help protect from the dangers of free radicals".

And Garnier commented: "All Garnier products undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure that our claims are accurate and noticeable by our consumers."

BBC

[OMEN]

Diplomatic initiatives are under way in the Middle East in an attempt to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, as Israel intensified its military offensive.

Foreign ministers and EU representatives are holding a press conference now in Jerusalem. Watch it at RTÉ.ie/live.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is also in the region to try to persuade Israeli and Arab leaders to agree to a 48-hour humanitarian truce.
There are reports that five Palestinian children, all members of the same family, have been killed in Israeli fire.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dr Zion Evrony defended the action and denied that the offensive was intended to remove Hamas as a political entity.

Hamas is planning to send a delegation to Egypt today for the first diplomatic talks since the launch of the Israeli offensive nine days ago, which has left over 500 people dead.

Mr Sarkozy will also will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah today.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have strengthened the encirclement of Gaza City and have pushed towards Khan Younis near the border with Egypt.

Aid groups said the offensive had aggravated a humanitarian crisis for the population, who have no electricity, no water and now face dire food shortages. Hospitals are only running on back-up generators.

Three ambulance workers were killed when they were hit by a missile as they helped wounded victims, medics said.

RTE

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