- NEWS
Pictures take you upstairs and downstairs in the ‘Big Houses’ of IrelandAn exhibition of Big House photos reveals some intimate moments in the lives of both the families and staff, says Tommy Barker
Appeal for public help in double murder probeA double murder investigation involving more than 50 gardaí got under way in Killorglin, Co Kerry, after autopsies confirmed a Lithuanian woman and her young daughter had died violently.
- WORLD
Brand divorced me by text, says Perry Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that Russell Brand told her he was divorcing her in a text message.
Ex-hitman: Bulger’s FBI dealings ‘broke my heart’A former criminal associate of James "Whitey" Bulger told jurors at the accused mob boss's trial that he agreed to testify against his old friend after learning that his former gang pals had begun co-operating with law enforcement.
- BUSINESS
Aircraft leasing firm buys 10 Boeing jetsShannon-based aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services have bought 10 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for an estimated $3bn (€2.24bn) at list price.
20% of rich see value of assets halved Nearly 20% of Ireland's wealthy people have seen the value of their assets halved as a result of their over-reliance on property.
- SPORT
GPA may get involved over Friday night championship dictatThe GPA could yet act on the behalf of the Carlow and Laois football panels as they have confirmed neither they nor the players were consulted about Friday week's All-Ireland round one qualifier.
Kearney keeps eyes on main prize Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday's all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.
- LIFESTYLE
Bradley bares his soul Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power
Our history of shame about sex laid bareSPECTATORS of the live dance-art show, Witches, will have to wake early or stay up late to watch it.
16-19C
Breaking stories
Greece election raises hopes for euro
Hopes that the euro crisis — as well as austerity measures imposed on countries such as Ireland — might ease have been raised by the outcome of the Greek and French elections.
By Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent
Immediate fears of a euro break-up were put on hold as it appeared Greece had voted pro-austerity parties into power. In France, President François Hollande’s Socialist Party won a clear majority in the general election, pushing for growth measures to temper austerity.
Eurozone finance ministers abandoned plans for an emergency conference call and instead issued a statement that appeared to offer the new Greek government some flexibility in its bailout programme.
The German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, indicated Athens may get more time to rein in its finances, which would help ease the burden of its €230bn EU-IMF bailout.
The euro climbed against the dollar as the pro-bailout parties gained a majority in Athens, although winning just about 43% of the popular vote. However, the centre-right New Democracy gained an additional 50 seats for being first past the post, putting it firmly in the lead in terms of seats.
Its leader, Antonis Samaras, urged the other parties to form a grand coalition government. This immediately led to confusion as the socialist Pasok, which came third, said it would only join a coalition if the anti-bailout party Syrzia was in it. Pasok later appeared to drop this demand and indicated it would join New Democracy.
Syriza’s leader, Alexis Tsipras, who has shot to prominence in the past two months, insisted his party would be on the opposition benches. While he has moderated his stance since the first failed election on May 6, he said he expected the public outcry against austerity to continue.
The EU now hopes the pro-bailout parties will form a government within 48 hours, and the White House issued a statement calling for the swift formation of a government.
The euro crisis and its threat to the global economy will top the agenda in Mexico today when G20 leaders meet. The meeting will include German chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been under intense pressure to be more flexible in helping eurozone countries.
Mr Hollande, Italian prime minister Mario Monti, and Spanish premier Mariano Rajoy, who all insist on more emphasis on growth, will also be present.
However, speeches from Mexico yesterday suggested that all EU leaders would be under intense pressure, accused of stoking market uncertainty and endangering their economies. The Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said eurozone uncertainty was spilling over into Indonesia’s economy, while World Bank president Robert Zoellick accused European leaders of increasing market un-certainty through their incremental steps.
There were notable losses in the French election: Mr Hollande’s former partner and mother of his four children, Ségolène Royal, failed to be elected after his current partner tweeted her support for her rival, and the leader of the far right National Front, Marine Le Pen, lost by 120 votes.
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