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A police forensics officer examines a car containing bombmaking materials in the West End of London early yesterday. It was made safe by explosives experts. A second car bomb was discovered in London later yesterday.

Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

House prices drop for third month in a row
House prices fell for the third month in a row in May and have dropped by more than 2 per cent so far this year, writes Laura Slattery.

London on high alert after second car bomb found
The UK's renewed terror alert heightened last night following the discovery of a second car bomb in London containing "considerable amounts" of fuel, gas canisters and nails. Frank Millar , London Editor, reports.
US man held over role in suicide of Dubliner
A US religious minister who admitted helping the suicide of a Dublin woman has been arrested and held in custody on foot of an Irish extradition warrant, writes Sean O'Driscoll in New York.

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Ireland

Grenade attack 'revenge' for jail killing
Gardaí believe a grenade attack on a house in south Dublin this week was a revenge attack for the killing of an inmate in Mountjoy Prison on Monday. Conor Lally , Crime Correspondent, reports. p
Victim's brother is asked about cut on hand
Rachel O'Reilly's birth brother yesterday told a jury in the Central Criminal Court that he did not see or speak to Rachel on the day of her killing. p
National minimum wage goes up to €8.65 an hour
The national minimum wage is to be increased to €8.65 per hour from tomorrow. Martin Wall , Industry Correspondent, reports. p
Chernobyl helper who took porn photos is jailed
A 52-year-old Co Waterford man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for having child pornography including photographs and videos he had made of Chernobyl children from Belarus who had been on holidays in his home. p
Two out of 12 remaining one-teacher schools shut
Two of the 12 remaining one-teacher primary schools in the State have closed following the end of the current school year. p
Huge turnout in Knock for Madeleine vigil
A vigil for missing Madeleine McCann attracted so many to Knock shrine, Co Mayo, last evening that the event was held in the basilica instead of the old parish church as planned, writes Tom Shiel. p
Irish climber set to make new world record
The Irish climber bidding to set a new world record for the fastest ascent of the seven highest summits on all seven continents, looked set yesterday to smash the current record by as much as 21 days. p
Rain is unlikely to dampen weekend ardour
There will be showery and humid weather for much of today and tomorrow but it is unlikely to dampen the spirits of those looking forward to a big weekend of music and sporting events. p
Conlon still not free 16 years after his release
Gerry Conlon still wakes up in the night, drenched in sweat and filled with dread, his mind ablaze with images of prison, writes Carl O'Brien , Social Affairs Correspondent p

World

Ruling in US on school race issue criticised
US: Civil rights activists, educators and Democratic politicians have condemned a supreme court ruling that schools cannot use a student's race as a criterion for ensuring diversity in schools. In a five to four vote, the court outlawed schemes in Seattle and Louisville, Kentucky, aimed at ensuring that schools do not "re-segregate" on racial lines. p
Poland poised to block progress in EU treaty talks
POLAND: Talks to agree a new EU treaty next month could stall before they start after Poland announced yesterday it plans to reopen a voting deal agreed last week in Brussels. p
Presenter makes news refusing to read Paris Hilton story
US: A US television news presenter refused to lead her bulletin with the latest Paris Hilton story, then shredded and attempted to set fire to the script on air. p
Uribe says Farc killed politicians
COLOMBIA: Colombian president Alvaro Uribe accused leftist rebels on Thursday of murdering 11 kidnapped politicians last week, after the guerrillas said they had been killed during a raid on their secret jungle prison. p

Finance

EBS chief executive to leave at end of summer
The chief executive of the EBS building society Ted McGovern is to leave the position at the end of the summer. Mr McGovern (53) informed the board of his decision to resign approximately two weeks ago but has been considering the move since at least August of last year, according to a source close to him. p
Fall in credit card debt due to SSIAs
Credit card debt fell by a record amount last month, as consumers used their matured Special Savings Incentive Accounts (SSIAs) to pay off their outstanding bills. p
O'Brien increases stake in IN&M with securities
Businessman Denis O'Brien is increasing his stake in Independent News & Media (IN&M) by accumulating New Zealand securities which will be convertible into IN&M shares later this year. p

Sport

Croke Park factor swells IRFU kitty
RUGBY: The IRFU annual council meeting yesterday reported a surplus for the financial year ending April 30th of €5.2 million, nearly all of which can be attributed to the move to Croke Park. This compares to a surplus of over €816,000 for the previous 12 months and leaves the Union's coffers looking relatively healthy after years of reporting annual deficits in the professional era. p
Jankovic plays prima donna
TENNIS: Jelena Jankovic once said her looks were "weird". A British journalist described her as having the face of a "Mongolian princess". p
Derry face daunting trip to Armenia
SOCCER/Champions League draw: A year ago a run in the Uefa Cup gave them a taste for European football in the likes of Gothenburg, Glasgow and, even as they went out, Paris. The downside of Derry City's elevation to the Champions League this year, however, was highlighted yesterday when the draw for the first round of the competition was made. p