Barack Obama says Bashar al Assad must go if there is to be peace in Syria.

Last night the United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed on a draft resolution for a peace process.

The resolution calls for talks between Syria's government and opposition groups to start in early January.

The Syrian conflict has already claimed more than a quarter of a million lives.

***

The trial of Ibrahim Halawa is scheduled to take place today in Egypt.

The Dublin man's case has been postponed ten times since his arrest two and a half years ago.

Ibrahim was just 17 years old when he was detained for allegedly shooting at police during an anti-government protest in Cairo.

Egyptian law means he is part of a mass trial which can not proceed until all 494 defendants are present in court - something which has not happened yet.

***

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says it is still working to get 'hoverboards' that do not comply with safety standards.

The agency has already called on numerous shops and retailers to withdraw certain brands of the boards that are potentially unsafe.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says it is particularly concerned over fire safety.

***

A man is in custody in Louth this morning after a crackdown on dissident republicans.

His arrest follows a number of searches earlier this week in the Jenkinstown area.

The suspect - who is in his mid 30s - is being questioned at Dundalk Garda station.

***

Shops are seeing a small rise in business this Christmas.

The retail sector is getting ready for the best Christmas sales figures in 8 years.

Shops are hoping for a further upturn in trade this coming week as weather conditions are set to improve.