Your Thursday morning news round up

The Council of Europe has found that slapping children amounts to torture, an Irish priest has said he disagrees with a Vatican official who described the referendum result as a “defeat for humanity”, answering questions raised by the proposed IAG-Aer Lingus deal and Rory McIlroy is among the stars lining out at the Irish Open. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com .

Thu, 28 May, 2015 - 01:00

TOP STORY

Slapping children ‘amounts to torture’

Slapping children amounts to torture and Ireland must ban it in all circumstances, human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, has found.

DEBATE: Should smacking be banned outright?

Rita de Brún and Ellie O’Byrne give their opinions on banning smacking in Ireland. Have your say in our poll below.

IRELAND

Fianna Fáil wants Government to delay Aer Lingus vote

The Dáil is set to vote on the sale of the Government's stake in Aer Lingus today.

Jill Meagher's murderer handed new date for parole eligibility

The man who raped and murdered Irishwoman Jill Meagher in Australia in 2012 will not be released from prison until he is at least 86 years old.

MOST READ: Priest hits out at response to referendum vote by cardinal

An Irish priest has said he disagrees with the comments of a high-ranking Vatican official who described last week’s marriage equality referendum result as a “defeat for humanity”.

SPORT

Roll up for the Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy show

Rory McIlroy will put his money where his mouth is when he tees off at Royal County Down this morning by pledging to donate any prize money he earns at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to his charity.

MOST READ: Q&A: Fifa’s biggest meltdown but president will win

Fifa was plunged into the biggest meltdown in its scandal-hit history yesterday after a wave of arrests of football officials in Zurich on corruption charges, but what does it all mean?

WORLD

Drones will leave humans ‘utterly defenceless’

Humans could be left “utterly defenceless” by small and agile flying robots that think for themselves and are designed to kill, a leading US computer science expert has warned.

MOST READ: UN critical over EU’s refugee crisis plan

EU plans to destroy the boats of smugglers bringing desperate migrants across the Mediterranean and share the refugee burden more evenly came under fresh fire last night from within and outside the EU.

BUSINESS

Bailout deal for Greece 'close'

Greece’s cash-strapped government insisted it was “very close” to reaching a vital deal with bailout lenders.

MOST READ: Five firms circling Providence over Barryroe

Five companies are currently circling Providence Resources as potential development partners for its headline asset, the Barryroe oil and gas field in the Celtic Sea.

VIEWPOINTS

Q&A: Everything you need to know about the Aer Lingus deal

Travel journalist Eoghan Corry answers some of the questions raised by the proposed IAG-Aer Lingus deal

LIFESTYLE

Support is available for gay Irish people and spouses in straight marriages

Hundreds of Irish gay men and women are in straight marriages, as they feel obliged to hide their sexuality. Caomhan Keane went along to support groups, formed this year, for these men and women - and their spouses.

EXAMVIRAL

What would the world be like if men had periods?

If men had periods there’s no doubt the world would be very different – but how would it affect advertising, the treatment of football players or even male chat in the office?

MOST READ: Irish woman receives message from Armenian who received her charity shoebox - 16 years ago

Remember those shoeboxes you used to make up in school?

TECHNOW

Even Ben Affleck pokes fun at Armageddon in new Honest Trailer

Honest Trailers is known for its fun pokes at major Hollywood movies. This time, even Ben Affleck is getting in on the action as Honest Trailers looks at Armageddon.