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Green Party leader Trevor Sargent celebrates at the Mansion House after a special conference of members voted to enter a coalition with Fianna Fáil.

Photograph: Haydn West

Ikea seeks to overcome possible delay in Dublin
Retail furniture giant Ikea is to immediately seek a meeting with the National Roads Authority (NRA) and Fingal County Council to advance its plans for a major Dublin store.

Greens and PDs to make Ahern taoiseach again
The first Fianna Fáil-led three-party coalition will take office today, following the decision of the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats to approve a programme for government hammered out in more than a week of talks.
Letter claims McCann child is dead
The family of missing Madeleine McCann was hoping for a breakthrough last night as Portuguese police confirmed they are investigating an anonymous letter and map claiming to show where the four-year-old's body is buried.

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Ireland

ESB union calls for debate on nuclear power
A new report to be published today on behalf of engineers in the ESB will urge that nuclear power be considered in a debate on future energy provision. p
Warning to financial firms on misleading advertising
Financial services companies have been warned against misleading and incomplete advertising when new regulations to protect consumers are introduced next month. p
NI must be 'less dependent on public sector'
Northern Ireland needs to move away from an economy which is heavily dependent on the public sector, Dr Martin McAleese said yesterday. p
Study says young men put greatest pressure on A&E
Young men are placing the biggest demands on hospital emergency departments, a new study presented yesterday suggests. p
Iconic Swedish furniture chain to open in Ballymun
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the country's first Ikea furniture superstore, paving the way for the construction of the largest retail outlet in the State. p
Body found in freezer in Galway
The State Pathologist, Prof Marie Cassidy, is to carry out a post- mortem examination today on the body of a man which was discovered yesterday in a cold storage unit in Galway city. p
Petrol prices have risen by 15% since February
Petrol prices have risen for the fourth consecutive month and the average cost of unleaded is now 117.3 cent per litre, according to the Automobile Association. p
Christian survey may have had agenda, say bishops
A survey on Christian knowledge, published last April, has been criticised strongly by two Catholic bishops, who also suggested that those who commissioned it may have had an agenda. p
Ahern says Green deal will give five years of stability
FF parliamentary party meeting: Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told Fianna Fáil TDs yesterday that the joint government programme agreed with the Green Party would provide for a sound and stable administration over the next five years. p

Finance

IN&M says O'Brien claims 'outrageous'
Independent News & Media (IN&M) chief operating officer Gavin O'Reilly has accused dissident shareholder Denis O'Brien of an "outrageous" attempt to impugn his father Sir Anthony O'Reilly, chief executive of the group and its dominant shareholder. p

World

McCanns wait to see if Madeleine letter genuine
BRITAIN: After weeks of possible sightings and leads that evaporated in a matter of days, the family of missing Madeleine McCann has grown accustomed to having its hopes dashed. p
Hamas fighters gaining control of Gaza Strip
MIDDLE EAST: Hamas fighters launched another wave of fierce attacks on their Fatah rivals yesterday, plunging the Gaza Strip closer to civil war in what appeared to be a carefully-co-ordinated attempt to seize control of the streets. p
Strong support emerges for US illegals Bill
US: A strong majority of Americans, including two out of three Republicans, favour allowing most illegal immigrants to remain in the country and eventually apply for citizenship, according to a poll published yesterday. p

Sport

Limerick to start Tobin in changed attack
GAELIC GAMES: Limerick hurling manager Richie Bennis has made one enforced change for the Munster semi-final replay at Semple Stadium this Saturday evening (Live on RTÉ 2 from 7pm). Seán O'Connor is ruled out with a hamstring strain so Pat Tobin comes in at corner forward with Andrew O'Shaughnessy moving to the edge of the square as a direct replacement for O'Connor. p
CAC on standby to hear Cork appeal
GAELIC GAMES: Croke Park have put their Central Appeals Committee (CAC) on standby as they await official confirmation of the Cork County Board's intentions regarding the suspensions of three star players ruled out of Sunday's Munster hurling semi-final against Waterford. p
Nugent next on Keane's agenda
SOCCER/Transfer news: One day after signing the full-back Greg Halford from Reading for £3 million Sunderland have offered Preston North End £6 million for the striker David Nugent. It is not known if Sunderland's bid will be successful as they face rivalry from Everton and Portsmouth, and with Nugent in the Netherlands with England's under-21s until Sunday it is unlikely the 22-year-old would wish to make a decision this week. p