A glance at the week that was
Peacelines
How peaceful a place is Ireland? Marginally more so than Portugal, but a little less peaceful than Japan.
That's according to the Global Peace Index, which ranks us sixth on a list of 140 countries (down from fourth in 2007). Iceland, which has no army, tops the list, followed by Denmark, Norway and New Zealand. The UK is 49th, and the US's role as world policeman sees it in lowly 97th place.
Least peaceful country? Iraq, which just pipped Somalia to that "honour".
Moscow Warning
The head of Moscow's public safety department had welcomed Chelsea and Man Utd fans to the city by announcing: "If fans are drunk, don't you worry, we'll make them sober."
As it turned out, the match was remembered for the right reasons - unless you are a Chelsea fan. The match ended just before the day broke over Moscow, and, in a penalty shoot-out, John Terry's malfunctioning ankle caused him to slip and miss the target, after which Man Utd went on to win the title.
The Numbers
1,280
The number of plasma TVs seized by Gardaí in
Naas, after allegedly being stolen from Santry. Six people were
subsequently charged.
8
The number of people (one man and seven women)
convicted of taking part in cross-Border sham weddings to non-EU
nationals from China and Nigeria
11
The number of elderly people accused of being
witches and killed by a mob in western Kenya
We now know
Because of turf cutting and other activities, only one per cent of Ireland's raised bogs now remain
George W Bush will visit Belfast next month
Upcoming An Post stamps will include celebrations of Planxty, the Bothy Band, Chopin, the anniversary of the introduction of the pension, and one marking the 150th anniversary of The Irish Times