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A man warns people to flee after a twin car bomb attack at Shorja market in Baghdad yesterday. Three bomb attacks at markets in Baghdad killed at least 85 people and wounded almost 200.

Photograph: Reuters

US diplomat attacks EU's 'goofy' emissions policy
Washington's top diplomat in Europe has launched a scathing attack on the EU's flagship climate change policy, describing its emissions trading system as "goofy".

Labour and FG to agree economic platform for election
Fine Gael and Labour are to sign an agreed economic and taxation plan within weeks, which will include Labour's pledge to cut the standard tax rate to 18 per cent within two years.
Barristers sign up to reforms in dealings with the public
The legal profession has bowed to the pressure of external calls for reform by agreeing major changes in the way it interacts with the public.

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Finance

Siptu votes for action at Aer Lingus
Siptu members at Aer Lingus have voted to take industrial action in a dispute about the introduction of new terms and conditions for its 1,800 members at the company. p
Independent moves closer to buying APN
Independent News and Media (IN&M) moved a step closer to buying Australian group, APN, yesterday when the latter's board recommended its €2.3 billion offer to shareholders. p
Chemists claim that profits are falling in sector
Irish pharmacies had average sales more than €1.5 million in 2005, a new survey has revealed. However, the net average profit has dropped to €84,000 from €90,000 in 2004, according to the report which was carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU). p
State broadband network to generate €6m turnover
The State's €200 million broadband network is set to generate about €6 million in revenues by the end of its current financial year. p

Ireland

Industry says costs pushing up food prices
Industry groups have called for Government action to stem business costs and thereby minimise the impact of impending food price rises. p
Study finds high rate of attacks on schoolboys
More than one in three primary schoolboys have been physically attacked in the last three months, according to the preliminary findings of a survey conducted by Trinity College Dublin's Anti-Bullying Centre. p
Ian Bailey subpoenas Garda officer for appeal
Journalist Ian Bailey has subpoenaed a senior Garda officer - who is heading a review of the Garda investigation of the murder of Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier - to give evidence on his behalf in his libel appeal against five newspaper publishers. p
Admission to three nursing homes suspended
Admissions to three private nursing homes have been suspended by the Health Service Executive, it was confirmed yesterday. p
HGV ban will be lifted, says councillor
Dublin city manager John Tierney plans to lift the city ban on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), due to come into force next Monday, by allowing lorries to enter the cordon from the south if the traffic levels on the M50 lead to further congestion, a Labour councillor has claimed. p
New crime laws presented to Cabinet today
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is to bring proposals for new bail and anti-racketeering laws before Cabinet later today as part of a legislative package aimed at clamping down on organised crime. p
Two arrested in connection with shooting still in custody
Two people arrested in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Swords, Co Dublin, on Saturday were still in custody last night. The victim of the shooting, named locally as Nathan Daly, was in a stable condition, according to Beaumont Hospital. p
Widow challenges coroner's findings
A widowed mother of six has brought a High Court challenge to a coroner's "perverse" decision that the smoking of cannabis had either induced or contributed to a heart attack resulting in the "death by misadventure" of her 37-year-old husband. p
Mourners gather for removal of Benedict Kiely
Ben Kiely often recalled a story about the poet Patrick Kavanagh, Mgr Tom Stack told mourners at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, Dublin last night. It was a story which "on the surface appears disparaging and irreverent but in reality discloses its own strong, beguiling and even heartening metaphysic," he said. p

World

Iran rejects US allegations that it is arming Iraqi Shias
IRAN: Iran has rejected US accusations that it is arming Shia militias in Iraq with sophisticated roadside bombs capable of piercing armour. p
Baader-Meinhof terrorist to be freed after 24 years
GERMAY: One of the last members of Germany's left-wing militant Red Army Faction (RAF) still behind bars is to be freed on parole next month after serving 24 years in prison. p
EU pledges to extend emergency Palestinian aid scheme
EU: The EU will consider boosting emergency aid to the Palestinian people and resuming direct aid to a new internationally acceptable Palestinian government. p

Sport

Lease issue remains the same Gaelic
With the GAA about to make a decision next weekend on the leasing of Croke Park for 2008 rugby and soccer internationals, association president Nickey Brennan says that the circumstances governing the decision haven't changed in the past year. "The situation now is that management on Friday night will discuss the use of Croke Park in 2008 and the matter will come up for a decision at Central Council next Saturday. p
Jewell and Whelan facing inquiry
There is unlikely to be an investigation into the referee Phil Dowd's performance at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but Wigan Athletic's owner, Dave Whelan, has joined the club's manager, Paul Jewell, in being the subject of an FA disciplinary inquiry into comments they made after the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal. p
Record numbers tune in to witness historic match
RTÉ peak viewing figures So it's adieu to the Grand Slam dream for at least another year but one positive footnote is the RTÉ viewing figures for the historic unveiling of Croke Park to a worldwide audience. p