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Brian Kearney leaving the District Court at Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, yesterday, after he was charged with murdering his wife, Siobhán Kearney (38), last year.

Photograph: Eric Luke

30% of normal-weight children wish they were lighter - study
A significant proportion of children aged 9 to 12 years whose weight is normal think they need to lose weight, a new study has reported.

PDs are pivotal in moves to form new coalition
The Progressive Democrats have emerged as pivotal to the formation of the next government, despite the party's disastrous performance in the election.
Average house prices now lower than seven months ago
Irish homes cost less now, on average, than they did last September following the second successive monthly fall in prices, data from Permanent TSB and the ESRI indicates.

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Finance

EU to reject Ryanair's proposed Aer Lingus bid
The European Commission is set to reject Ryanair's proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus, a move that could prompt Michael O'Leary to take a legal challenge to the decision. p
Tax-cut pledges and SSIAs boost confidence
Consumer sentiment strengthened in May as tax-cut promises and maturing SSIAs eased fears of job losses, the latest consumer survey reveals. p
Home affordability 'remains stable'
Despite recent interest rate hikes, affordability for first-time house buyers has remained relatively stable so far this year, according to the EBS/DKM Affordability Index published yesterday. p
IN&M acts to thwart O'Brien's ambitions
Independent News & Media has moved to fortify its defences against a possible bid by Denis O'Brien by buying more of its own stock and making efforts to empower its directors to withhold dividends from investors who do not provide information on the ownership of their shares. p

Ireland

I wanted to shoot Lawlor, says Gilmartin
Businessman Tom Gilmartin has told the tribunal that at one point during his attempts to put a deal together at Quarryvale, he would have shot Liam Lawlor if he had had a gun. p
FoI Act should apply to Garda, says O'Reilly
Information Commissioner Emily O'Reilly has criticised the continuing exclusion of the Garda Síochána from the scope of Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation. p
Paisley jnr facing censure on anti-gay remarks
The SDLP has tabled an Assembly motion of censure against DUP junior Minister Ian Paisley jnr over his remark in the current edition of Hot Press magazine that he is "pretty repulsed" by homosexuality. p
Family calls for facilities here for brain-damaged Dublin man in UK
The family of a young brain-damaged Dublin man who has spent almost two years in a hospital in England is calling on health authorities to find a treatment facility in Ireland for him. p
Experts to debate youth smoking
Irish and international experts are to gather today in Dublin's Croke Park conference centre to discuss Ireland's "epidemic" of young smokers and to mark the World Health Organisation's annual World No Tobacco Day. p
Doctor warns against high-rise Mater unit
A doctor at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, said yesterday that the new national children's hospital should not be a high-rise development, as is planned. p
14,380 with disabilities not assessed - report
Almost 15,000 people with physical or sensory disabilities require assessments for therapeutic services or rehabilitation, new figures show. p
Husband charged with murder
The husband of Siobhán Kearney, who was found dead in her Dublin home last year, has been charged with her murder. p
Portrait of gritty survivor honoured at writers' week
Dublin writer Roddy Doyle, a former winner of the Booker prize for fiction, has won the €10,000 Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award for his novel Paula Spencer . The announcement was made last night at the opening of Listowel Writers' Week . p

World

Troops hunt for kidnapped five in Iraq
IRAQ: There is disagreement over whether the Shia Mahdi army is behind the abductions of five Britons, write Audrey Gillan and Richard Norton-Taylor p
G8 threatens further measures if Iran continues enrichment
GERMANY: Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight (G8) industrial nations have warned Iran that "further appropriate measures" will follow if it continues to ignore UN calls to halt uranium enrichment. p
McCanns take strength from blessing
VATICAN: The parents of four-year-old Madeleine McCann, who was abducted while on holiday in Portugal four weeks ago, yesterday had a brief, emotional meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. The couple met the pope on the steps of the Basilica of St Peter's at the end of his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. p

Sport

O'Sullivan, Gardiner, Ó hAilpín, Cusack could all miss semi-final
GALIC GAMES/Munster SHC Competitions/Control Committee's proposed suspensions and fines: Some of the biggest names in hurling each face a one-month suspension arising from last Sunday's pre-match scuffles in Thurles - Donal Óg Cusack, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and John Gardiner from Cork and Colin Lynch, Alan Markham, Barry Nugent and Andrew Quinn from Clare. p
United swoop to sign Anderson and Nani
SOCCER : Manchester United have scored a major summer transfer coup by swooping for highly-rated Portugal-based duo Anderson and Nani. p
Rare spot in public eye for big brother
RUGBY/Ireland tour of Argentina: Manuel Contepomi was called up to the Argentinian squad just in time to see his brother Felipe on Monday and take him, along with their father and two sisters, to the airport for their flight to Dublin. All bar Manuel will be proudly in attendance for the graduation of "Dr Phil". p