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Emergency workers attend to a victim of the explosion which flattened a plastics factory in Glasgow yesterday. The explosion destroyed the factory, trapping 16 people and killing at least four, rescuers said

Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Reuters

Hunt for survivors after four die in Glasgow factory blast
Rescuers worked through the night in the hope of finding survivors in the rubble of a Glasgow plastics factory after an explosion yesterday which left at least four people dead and dozens injured, write Gerard Seenan and Kirsty Scott in Glasgow

Taoiseach leads the tributes to rugby legend Mick Doyle
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has led tributes to Mick Doyle, the Irish rugby legend who was killed in a road accident in the North yesterday morning, writes Liam Reid
Final bill for AIB blunder could top €25 million
AIB is facing a bill of significantly more than €25 million, with the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority forcing the bank to repay overcharged foreign exchange customers and to bear the cost of an independent inquiry, writes Siobhan Creaton , Finance Correspondent

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Ireland

GRA angry over agreement on McCabe killers
Garda representatives will today express their deep anger at the Government agreement to release the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe if there is a final peace deal in the North. p
Wexford skipper charged with five deaths
The skipper and owner of a trawler which sank off the Co Wexford coast in the summer of 2002 claiming the lives of five people, three of whom were from the one family, was charged with their manslaughter at New Ross District Court yesterday. p
FG to support poll on citizen rights
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has confirmed that the party will support the Government referendum on citizenship. p
Flynn hoping to 'make a name' as independent TD
Mayo TD Ms Beverley Flynn has siad she wants to "make a name" for herself as an independent TD, and will vote against the Government on certain issues. p
Gardai thought North's security forces helped UVF bombers
A former deputy Garda commissioner has told the inquests on the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings that gardaí suspected Northern Ireland security forces were involved with loyalist paramilitaries in perpetrating the atrocities of 1974. p
Labour predicts that FF and PDs will be punished
Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats will be sharply penalised by the electorate in the coming local elections, the Labour Party has confidently predicted p
Ahern press conference with Chinese PM cancelled
A joint press conference by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr Wen Jiabao, scheduled for Dublin Castle last night was cancelled without notice. p
Chinese dissident tells of rights abuse
A Chinese dissident made a passionate appeal for an end to human rights abuses in his country at a meeting of a parliamentary committee in Leinster House yesterday. p

World

US civilian beheaded in revenge for abuse
IRAQ: Al-Qaeda's leader in Iraq beheaded a US civilian and said there would be more killings in revenge for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, an Islamist web site stated yesterday. p
Move to end ban on US beef imports
KILLARNEY: Discussions were taking place in Dublin late last night between the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr David Byrne, and the US Trade Representative, Mr Robert Zoellick, aimed at ending the ban on imports of beef from the US to the EU. p

Finance

Eircom to offer cheaper 'bundled' phone services
Consumers and businesses will be able to sign up for a range of new telephone services from Eircom that will yield savings from bundling line rental and telephone calls together for a flat monthly fee. The new services start on June 1st. p
Gas prices set to rise sharply in two years - Reeves
The energy regulator, Mr Tom Reeves, has warned that gas prices are set to rise significantly because long-term favourable gas contracts held by Bord Gáis will lapse within two years. p
Watchdog did not get any AIB complaints
The Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, has said her office did not investigate AIB for overcharging foreign exchange customers by an estimated €20 million because no one ever complained about the levy in question. p
IBM invests €22 million in Dublin software laboratory
The investment has enabled IBM to hire an extra 40 skilled software staff over the past three months, boosting employment at its Santry facility to 180 people.One of the State's biggest technology employers, IBM will invest an extra €22 million at its Dublin software laboratory in a move to boost the level of research undertaken in Ireland. p

Sport

Morgan raises stakes at Anfield
The power struggle within Anfield intensified last night as Steve Morgan, Liverpool's third-largest shareholder, launched a counter-offensive in an attempt to deflect a potential investment in the club by the controversial prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. p
Resuming as she aims to go on
Sportswoman of the month: Cora Staunton has made her mark at an alarmingly early stage in the season. Gavin Cummiskey finds the Mayo star as eager as ever for success p
Chelsea not real deal for Carlos
Roberto Carlos has insisted he wants to stay at Real Madrid, despite admitting that his representatives have spoken to Chelsea about a move to Stamford Bridge. p
Dire straits lead Robson to Dyer gamble
Southampton v Newcastle/St Mary's (kick-off 8pm): Kieron Dyer is back in the Newcastle United squad for the crucial Premiership match at Southampton tonight.On TV: Sky Sports 1 p
Spirited player in the game of his life
"Give it a lash." It was a catchphrase synonymous with Mick Doyle, whose life was tragically cut short yesterday in a car crash outside Dungannon, but it could also be a summation of his 63 years.reports p