Inside View from Ireland

Superman Died

REUTERS -- When getting ready to leave for work this morning, FeedDemon told me that Christopher Reeve was beaten by infection. Years of cleverly avoiding Kryptonite and in the end it was an infection brought on by a bed sore that killed the man people will always admire for his superhuman efforts. Chris Michaud remembers a moment from the set of "The Remains of the Day" in England: "It is very strange to walk into the House and Hound, some pub from the 15th century in the middle of Wilshire someplace, then -- 'Aye, it's Superman, here he comes!"'

Photo iPod

THINK SECRET -- Just in time for Christmas: a new iPod, which will sit at the top of Apple's fourth-generation line-up, includes Toshiba's new 60GB 1.8-inch hard drive, a 2-inch color liquid crystal display, iPhoto synchronization, audio/video-out capabilities, and will sell for $499. This revealation comes on the heels of Microsoft affirming that iPod owners aren't thieves after all.

Irish State as Job Husband

SUNDAY TIMES -- As the second term of the Ahern government runs its course, one theme that resounds consistently is the need to avoid irritating the unions by ensuring the government acts as a jobs husband. That's the subtext of the message delivered in ousting Seamus Brennan from his post as Minister for Transportation. That's the underlying philosophy that serves as a foundation for continued State involvement in Aer Lingus, the national carrier. Alan Ruddock picks up the story.