The UK's highest court is to decide whether there should be a police investigation into an allegation that the British Government authorised and used torture in the case of the so-called "Hooded Men" 50 years ago.

People who test positive for Covid-19 from Thursday will have to self-isolate on Christmas Day, according to the Covid advisor for the Irish College of General Practitioners.

The head of the World Food Programme has said the UN agency is facing a perfect storm where conflict, climate and Covid are coming together to create unprecedented suffering in poorer and war-torn countries.

OJ Simpson, the professional football player-turned-movie-star whose double murder trial gripped and divided the United States, is a free man after finishing his parole.

France has started implementing a new tightening of rules in the fight against Covid-19, meaning people aged 65 and over will lose the validity of their health pass unless they have had a third jab.

The Omicron Covid-19 variant has been detected in 77 countries since it was first identified three weeks ago, fueling concerns that its large number of mutations will help it spread faster and evade protection provided by vaccines or prior infection.

A meeting last night between the Government party leaders and leading figures from the National Public Health Emergency Team was described as constructive.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will face Parliament following a massive revolt over his coronavirus plans which has left questions over his authority.

The United States has reached 800,000 coronavirus-related deaths, according to a tally, as the nation braces for a potential surge in infections.

US politicians have voted to recommend criminal contempt charges against Donald Trump's former top aide Mark Meadows for refusing to testify before the congressional panel investigating the 6 January assault on the Capitol.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has called for complete overhaul of homecare services, including the introduction of regulation.

The Ombudsman for Children's Office has expressed concern over the high number of children with disabilities still waiting for an assessment of their needs.

The Economic and Social Research Institute has said carbon taxes directly applied to aviation fuels would do more to reduce emissions and would cost less to the aviation sector than indirect charges on passengers.

The operator of the National Lottery has sought regulatory approval for a "must be won" draw following controversy over the length of time it has taken for the jackpot to be won.

The Taoiseach has said that people need to hold their nerve in relation to the threat posed by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The Department of Education has said it is not considering closing schools any earlier than planned before Christmas.

The HSE has said it has asked vaccination centres to facilitate people to get their Covid-19 vaccine booster dose at three months, after their second vaccine.

The vaccination of children under 12 will begin on 20 December starting with vulnerable cohorts, the Taoiseach has said.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is to examine whether the 15-minute observation period after vaccination is still required.

Ministers have signed off on a plan to assist households struggling with the rising cost of electricity bills in a €210 million scheme.