The Irish Times, Irish News Online, International, Sports & Business News

President Mary McAleese was greeted by Jackie McDonald, the so-called UDA brigadier in south Belfast, during her visit to Taughmonagh Primary School in Belfast yesterday

Photograph: David Sleator

Fitzwilton legal challenge to delay planning tribunal
A legal challenge by Sir Anthony O'Reilly's Fitzwilton group against the planning tribunal is expected to lead to significant delays in the work of the inquiry.

Banville and Barry named on shortlist for Booker Prize
Two Irish writers have been shortlisted for this year's Man Booker Prize. John Banville and Sebastian Barry are among the six novelists featured on the list, which was announced yesterday in London. Eileen Battersby , Literary Correspondent, reports.
10-year strategy aims to reduce suicides
New services to treat thousands of people who present in hospital A&E units each year for deliberate self-harm will form part of the Government's 10-year strategy to reduce the number of people who take their own lives.

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Finance

Pension scheme deficit looms at Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus faces a significant pensions deficit if existing practices are continued, according to an actuarial review of the current pension scheme. p
Dunne and Doyles in contact as Jurys war intensifies
The major shareholders in Jurys Doyle - the Doyle family and Sean Dunne - have had at least three meetings over the course of the week as the battle for control at the company intensifies. p
Aegis expected to acquire Brindley in €12m deal
Aegis is expected to buy Brindley Advertising next week in a €12 million deal, which will create one of the largest advertising agencies in the State. p
Buying in ideas gives Irish firms licence to stay ahead
With Ireland losing out on manufacturing jobs to low-cost economies, indigenous firms will have to innovate and add value to their products if they are to survive in the next 10 years. p

Ireland

Garda to seek more funds for 'Anvil'
An Garda Síochána is preparing plans to seek a multimillion euro round of new funding from the Government in an effort to intensify its Operation Anvil campaign against armed gangs in Dublin, The Irish Times has learned. p
Lack of consumer awareness costs close to €1bn
Lack of consumer awareness is costing the economy almost €1 billion a year, the head of the Government's new National Consumer Agency has said. p
Socialists opposed to bin charge face €20,600 legal bill
Socialists and anti-bin tax campaigners Joe Higgins and Clare Daly face a legal bill of €20,600 arising from their jailing two years ago in relation to disrupting refuse collections. p
Farmers told apple growing can bear fruit
Good opportunities are open to farmers in the apple-growing industry, where only €3 million worth of home-produced crop is being supplied into a market worth €80 million annually. p
Legal change may allow Irish forces into new EU battle groups
The Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea, yesterday expressed confidence that Ireland will be able to implement legislative change rather than having to seek constitutional change to allow the Defence Forces to participate in European Union battle groups. p
Dingle turtle sends back deep-sea signals
The giant leatherback turtle released back into the sea over a week ago in Co Kerry is giving back signals from her electronic tag and is now over 330km (205 miles) south-southwest of Dingle, heading for the mid-Atlantic. p
Ruling on pregnancy sick leave dismays authority
The Equality Authority has expressed disappointment that an Irish woman who took a discrimination case to the European Court of Justice over sick leave entitlements for pregnant women has lost her case. p
Season's rag parade kickstarts with military styles and the mini
Omagh-born, Paris-based designer Sharon Wauchob will be among the new names gracing the Arnotts fashion floor this autumn. Her knits - both chunky and delicate, were outstanding at the store's autumn/winter show in Dublin yesterday. p
Dail committee hears Scientology submission
Inmates should not be allowed to leave prison until they can prove they are able to read and write, a Church of Scientology representative told a Dáil committee yesterday. p

World

Greatest horrors are yet to come, say rescuers
The floodwater in New Orleans is falling but the city still looks like a putrid Venice, where streets have become stagnant waterways and sailing is the most effective way to get around. In St Bernard parish, the district most badly hit by the flood and where thousands remain trapped, the sheriff's office has moved onto a paddle boat formerly used for pleasure cruises. p
Infighting leads to sacking of Ukraine cabinet
UKRAINE: Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko fired his entire cabinet yesterday amid a political storm over allegations of high-level corruption. p

Sport

French defeat brings seeding slide
Soccer In addition to having seriously dented Irish hopes of qualifying for next summer's World Cup finals, Wednesday's defeat by France at Lansdowne Road means the Republic are virtually certain to drop from second to fourth seeds when the draw is made for the qualifying stages of the next European Championships. p