A glance at the week that was

State security

Many of us want to have dinner with the US President Barack Obama, but few would have the nerve to penetrate the layers of security at a White House event. Step forward reality TV wannabes and polo-playing socialites Tareq and Michaele Salahi, who managed to wander uninvitedinto a state dinner honouring the Indian prime minister. They posed for pics with Joe Biden, among others, and then posted them on their Facebook site. An investigation is underway.

We now know

McDonald's Golden Arches logo has gone greenin parts of Europe, as a way of projecting a more eco-friendly image

Jedward have finally been voted offthe X Factor

The wife of Silvio Berlusconi  is claiming for €43 million a year in alimonyin her divorce case against her husband

Striking back

Tuesday evening's news headlines could have been: "Lots of people walk around in circles all day, trying not to get their placards wet." It was the day that 250,000 public sector workers went on strike. Some didn't, opting instead to stay working in the flood-affected areas. A five-mile tailback out of Newry and its shopping centres led to reports that some had taken the chance to do some early Christmas shopping, although the queues were bolstered by parents whose kids' schools were shut

"After the game, and even for the next two days, I felt alone, truly alone"

Thierry Henry, who says he considered retiring from international football. Too late

By numbers

33.4 million

Those who have HIV, despite declining rates

2003

Last time Ronan O’Gara had been dropped from the Irish rugby team. Jonathan Sexton replaces him for this weekend’s match against South Africa