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

FF increase while alternative coalition maintains lead
Support for Fianna Fáil has increased over the past two weeks but the Fine Gael-Labour alliance is still ahead of the outgoing Government in the election race, according to the latest Irish Times /TNS mrbi poll. Stephen Collins , Political Editor, reports.
Politicians form a coalition in favour of 'Casablanca'
The 1942 film Casablanca is at least one thing that (almost) all politicians agree on. The cover story in today's Ticket, The Irish Times entertainment supplement, reveals that when asked to name their favourite films, candidates for Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, the Progressive Democrats and Labour all gave it their first preference, writes Donald Clarke.

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Ireland

Nurses plan more stoppages and ban on overtime
Nurses will again escalate their industrial action with a total ban on overtime - which could close some services - and simultaneous two-hour work stoppages at every public hospital next Wednesday. Eithne Donnellan , Health Correspondent, reports. p
Judge told AG 'very alive' to issue of high risk children
A High Court judge who stressed the desirability of having one, not several, courts monitor the care provided by the HSE to avoid high-risk children "falling through the cracks" of the care system has been told the Attorney General is "very alive" to the issue and is addressing it. p
Census data shows 70% rise in rate of divorce
Divorce is Ireland's fastest-growing marital status category, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). p
Four leading bathing spots fail water quality tests
Four of the country's most popular bathing spots have failed to meet the minimum EU standards for water quality, with high levels of faecal coliforms detected by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests. p
Bouncer jailed for vicious assault
A 46-year-old bouncer who attacked two school friends in the bar where he worked, and left one of them with a serious brain injury, has been jailed for five years by Judge Patricia Ryan. p
Banks to pay 90% towards Garda cash escort service
The banking industry will pay 90 per cent of the estimated €6 million annual costs associated with providing Garda cash in transit escorts. John Downes reports. p
More than just an average Joe
On the canvass: It's 7.15am at Castleknock train station. A grey-haired man in a mac is handing out leaflets asking people to "re-elect a tireless campaigner for working people". Most commuters are either wearing earphones or are rushing to catch the always packed trains. The rest smile and say "hiya, Joe" and "good luck, Joe" and "you always have the number ones in our house, Joe". p
Aid workers kidnapped in Somalia 'unharmed'
The aid worker from Northern Ireland kidnapped along with a Kenyan colleague in Somalia this week is unharmed, according to information received by the organisation he works for. p
Smiles of a broad coalition
Yet another significant political milestone was passed in Northern Ireland yesterday when the full Northern Executive met at Stormont Castle for the first time. p

World

Brown to declare for Labour leadership today
BRITAIN: Gordon Brown is expected to declare for Labour leader later today, with the predicted endorsement of Tony Blair and half the parliamentary Labour Party making his march on 10 Downing Street seemingly unstoppable. p
Serbia to chair Europe's human rights watchdog
SERBIA: Serbia assumes the chairmanship of Europe's human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, today despite objections from human rights groups, prosecutors and politicians. p
Bush to negotiate Iraq funding bill with Congress
US: Amid growing discontent over his handling of the situation in Iraq, President George Bush has agreed to negotiate with Congress over a war funding Bill that would set political benchmarks for the Iraqi government. p
Lula and pope disagree over place of religion
BRAZIL: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told Pope Benedict XVI that he wanted to preserve Brazil's secular state, during their meeting yesterday on the second day of the pope's visit to the world's most populous Catholic country. p

Finance

Lynch-led group expected to bid for ICG soon
A bid for Irish Continental Group (ICG) from a consortium led by Philip Lynch is expected to emerge next week. p
Trichet ever tactful about Ireland
The French have a phrase for it: savoir faire . Knowing how to do something properly and politely. And nobody does it better than Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, the governing council of which met in Dublin yesterday. p
Mortgage costs blamed as prices jump 0.8% in April
Prices jumped by almost 1 per cent last month, with analysts mainly blaming the increase on the European Central Bank's (ECB) decision last March to raise interest rates. Marc Coleman , Economics Editor, reports. p

Sport

Spurs still have a bit of work left
SOCCER/English FA Premiership/Tottenham 1 Blackburn 1: Dimitar Berbatov has been the focus of attention but, with Chelsea and Manchester United apparently searching for a new striker, the form of Benni McCarthy must also demand consideration p
Heavin dropped but Dolan to start
GAELIC GAMES/Championship 2007 News round-up: Westmeath wing back Derek Heavin has experienced the wrath of Tomás Ó Flatharta by being dropped for Sunday's opening Leinster football championship match against Longford. p
Leinster need more than just a victory
RUGBY/Celtic League/Cardiff Blues v Leinster: Leinster could be forgiven a feeling of déjà vu. For the second year running they travel to a capital city within tantalising reach of the Magners Celtic League title. Then, despite securing a bonus-point win over Edinburgh, the title was taken away from their grasp by David Humphreys' late drop goal via the woodwork. This time, at least, they have their destiny in their own hands, although the task is arguably bigger. p