Mary Carolan, Irish Times

U2 BASS guitarist Adam Clayton has secured a temporary court order restraining his former personal assistant from reducing her assets below €1.8 million after alleging she may have misappropriated funds in that amount.

The musician last month terminated the employment of Carol Hawkins, Crannagh Road, Dublin 14, after she confessed to using his debit and credit cards for her own use and for her family's benefit, the High Court heard yesterday.

It appeared an apartment had been bought in New York and an investigation had also revealed some €900 per month was spent on a syndicate which maintained horses, the court was told.

Setlist:

One, Magnificent, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Get Up Stand Up, Beautiful Day - Blackbird, Vertigo, Moment Of Surrender.

Remarks:

The 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall is commemorated with a free concert by U2 in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Over 10,000 people are in attendance for this free show. U2’s performance is in conjunction with the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards. Jay-Z joins the band on stage for a rap during Sunday Bloody Sunday that segues into Get Up Stand Up. U2 also wins the award for “Best Live Act” at tonight’s award show.

Yes........... FINALLY ON VIDEO DVD ranges from $25.00 to $16.00

Most current CD is the THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE remastered

'Twas the night before a U2 Christmas, when all through the house
Not a U2 was stirring, not even Bono's mouth;
Their boots were sat by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

They were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of music notes danced in their heads;
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
They sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But U2 fans riding reindeer
There were a lot fans, lively and quick,
U2 wondered, "What of St. Nick?"

More rapid than eagles the fans they came,
And they whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
Now, Bono! now, Edge! now, Adam! and Larry!
Come Out! Come Out! You all in a hurry!

And then, in a twinkling, the fans were on the roof
They danced and sang with the reindeer's little hoof.
As U2 got worried and was turning around,
Down the chimney fans came with a bound.

They were dressed for fun from head to foot,
And their clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
Their eyes -- how they twinkled! Their cheeks how merry!
Their mouths were like roses, their noses like cherry!

They were singing and jolly just like Santa's elves,
And U2 laughed when they saw them, in spite of themselves;
A wink of an eye and a twist of a head,
Soon gave U2 to know they had nothing to dread;

They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,
And took their souvenirs and then turned with a jerk,
And laying their gifts they stood in a pose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

They sprang to their deer, and then gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But u2 heard them exclaim, ere they drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO U2 AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"

It's been awhile and the last few months have been very busy for me, so I haven't had much time to write here. I had emergency surgery three weeks ago so I've been out of commission since. Just a note, kids, don't ignore pain...I learned the hard way.

U2 is more than just your usual rock band, they are an inspiration for many and with the holidays coming up a lot of us may feel a little "blue", but there is one group that is helping many of us get through a lot of our struggles and we are grateful for them and their music.

Rumors of the band's summer date at TCF Bank Stadium will soon be confirmed.

The worst-kept secret among local U2 fans since the one about the Edge not having any hair under his hat should become official Monday morning. That's when tour promoter Live Nation is expected to announce details of the Irish rock gods' performance next summer at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis