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Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny shake hands before last night's RTE studio TV debate.

Photograph: Aidan Crawley

Unlike Cowen, Taoiseach says he never smoked pot
No, nay, never. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern categorically denied yesterday that he had ever smoked, much less inhaled, even the smallest quantity of marijuana in his life, writes Deaglán de Bréadún , Political Correspondent

Kenny scores on confidence and Ahern on detail
The great debate of the election on RTÉ television last night ended with Enda Kenny scoring on confidence and the clarity of his message on services and accountability while the Taoiseach scored on points of detail. Stephen Collins , Political Editor, reports.
Irish illegals to benefit from US draft Bill on immigration
Campaigners on behalf of thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States have welcomed an agreement between Democratic and Republican senators that could allow an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to remain in the country legally, writes Denis Staunton in Washington.

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Ireland

HSE starts check over wrong cancer diagnosis
The Health Service Executive has said it expects that the misdiagnosis of a woman with breast cancer "will prove to have been an isolated incident". Fiona Gartland reports. p
Tourists knocked down and killed on pavement
A group of French tourists were still in shock yesterday after a horrific crash in west Dublin late on Wednesday night that killed two female members of the group as they walked along a pavement. Mark Rodden and Conor Lally report. p
Ray D'Arcy breaks RTÉ's Top 10 grip
Today FM has broken RTÉ's hold on the top 10 most popular radio programmes, with The Ray D'Arcy Show now the eighth most listened to show in the State, according to the latest JNLR/TNS mrbi survey. p
'Forgotten' of May 1974 bombs seek Dáil debate
Fresh calls were made yesterday for a full Dáil debate into security force collusion in paramilitary attacks at the height of the Troubles. p
Chef sues golf club over cut finger in kitchen
A chef who spent four days in a Dublin hospital after her finger was accidentally cut with a knife while she was working in the kitchen of a golf club, has brought a High Court action for damages. p
Harney says shorter week must be at no extra cost
Minister for Health Mary Harney has said that the reduction of the working week for various groups in the public sector will only be considered if it can be achieved at no additional cost to the taxpayer and without any diminution in services to the public. p
Rabbitte burns his bridges on coalition with FF
Labour briefing: Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte yesterday ended any lingering doubts over his post-election coalition intentions by firmly ruling out going into government with Fianna Fáil. In his firmest statement to date on the issue, Mr Rabbitte said: "I have no intention of doing any business with Fianna Fáil. I thought I had made that clear 100 times." p
President hails end of 'macho' politics
There was never a better moment for women in Northern Ireland to develop their "genius" as the North emerged from a "largely macho culture", President Mary McAleese told a PSNI women's conference in Newcastle, Co Down, yesterday. p
Demolition teams begin work at Lansdowne Road
It was a historic occasion for rugby and soccer fans yesterday as the demolition of Lansdowne Road stadium got under way. p

World

'Raging bull' primed to take power
BRITAIN: Gordon Brown is set to become prime minister at a difficult time - the public mood is unreliable, popular affection must be won and there are doubts over whether he is the "change" Labour needs, writes Frank Millar p
Bush and Blair keep to line on Iraq in last meeting
US: George Bush and Tony Blair have used their final joint press conference as US president and British prime minister to defend the invasion of Iraq and the continued presence of their troops there. p
Sarkozy appoints close ally Fillon as prime minister
FRANCE: France's new president, Nicolas Sarkozy, yesterday appointed his prime minister, François Fillon, a cool-headed reformer unlikely to upstage his powerful, omnipresent boss. p
Police checking 'several leads' in Madeleine case
PORTUGAL: Police investigating the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann in Portugal say they are following several different leads but admit there is still not enough evidence to make any arrests. p

Finance

World Bank offers Wolfowitz a pay-off
The World Bank's board was setting out its terms for Paul Wolfowitz's resignation as president last night so as to avoid any decision to fire him after a damning report on his negotiation of a compensation package for his girlfriend, bank employee Shaha Riza. p
DAA to sell Birmingham airport share
Dublin Airport Authority will receive a €305 million windfall by selling its 24.125 per cent shareholding in Birmingham airport, writes Ciaran Hancock , Business Affairs Correspondent. p
Superquinn nets €142.5m in properties transaction
Superquinn has offloaded six of its properties in a sale and leaseback deal that has netted its owners €142.5 million from Friends First F&C, writes Ciaran Hancock . p

Sport

The early birds catch the worst of it
GOLF: Can we take it the late starters in yesterday's first round of the Irish Open partook in the ritual of placing Infant Jesus of Prague statues in strategic locations? To be sure, the weather gods didn't treat everyone fairly, with those unfortunate enough to be given early tee-times forced to battle tough conditions, including heavy and wet rough. But, then, such are the vagaries of golf; it ain't always fair. p
City look to Ranieri, Sheffield United talk to Robson
SOCCER: Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea manager, will be offered a return to the Premiership by Manchester City's prospective new owners, despite the misgivings of the current board. The 55-year-old Italian has been identified as a target by Thaksin Shinawatra, the deposed Thai prime minister who is on the verge of seizing control of the club. p
Cork's Cussen ready to hit high spots
GAELIC GAMES/Munster SFC Cork v Limerick: Ian O'Riordan talks to Billy Morgan as he prepares Cork to face Limerick on Sunday p