The macabre Gone Girl, the surprise US bestseller, has been criticised as misogynist, but its author Gillian Flynn's depictions of women eschew blandness for darker truths, says Suzanne Harrington

They are the most watched videos on Youtube. Now Sharon Crowe reports on research which found that looking at images of cute things, such as fluffy cats, can make you more productive at work

As the 60th anniversary of the first Everest climb approaches, Conall Ó Fátharta looks back on the achievement of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

A new exhibition in Cork showcases artists from Berlin, says Tina Darb O'Sullivan

Byzantium, partly filmed in Ireland, is Neil Jordan's second film in the genre he has loved since Bram Stoker's home first spooked him as a child, says Marc O'Sullivan

A Kerry bookshop and one man's dream brought hope to a Lesotho community, says Peter Geoghegan

Catarina Migliorina's chastity made $780,000 at auction last week. But why did a man's virginity sell for just $3,000, asks Caroline Delaney

WE'RE all still buzzing here since the Literary Festival of Food and Wine at Ballymaloe over the bank holiday weekend.

Breathing exercises, pranayama, breath awareness are all essential parts of a yoga practice.

YOUR wardrobe isn't the only thing that needs updating once the barometer starts to rise.

Teacher unions and others that remain opposed to €300m public sector pay cut proposals will be subjected to laws cutting higher salaries and other work changes, Enda Kenny said yesterday.

University College Cork intends to be largely self-funding within five years, saving the Irish taxpayer millions of euro a year.

The British parliament is to investigate if security services could have done more to prevent the murder of a soldier hacked to death in a London street after it emerged that his suspected killers were known to intelligence officers.

British police arrested two more people yesterday in a hunt for accomplices of two British men of Nigerian descent accused of hacking a soldier to death on a London street in revenge for wars in Muslim countries.

It is believed the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan told the IMF that he will look to Contingent Convertible Capital (CoCo) Notes if the banks need additional capital buffers following the stress tests.

ULSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL:Donegal v Tyrone For too long, we've been decrying the anti-climactic starts to thevarious provincial championships. Now we have a genuine no-holds barred contest in Ballybofey.

Joe Schmidt has opted against speculating whether Sean O'Brien will miss the opening weeks of the British and Irish Lions tour after omitting the injured flanker from his squad of 23 for today's RaboDirect Pro12 decider.

First volume of Margaret Thatcher's authorised biography is predictably flattering, but not a hagiography, says Shaun Connolly

Highlights include Colin Stafford Johnson's new series on the Shannon, and highly-rated new spy drama The Americans.

The latest addition to our stellar team of rugby writers reflects on the ups and downs of a magnificent playing career — and reveals the reasons why he's chosen to move to Paris to kick-start his coaching career.

Mice raised without bacteria in the gut showed distinctly autistic patterns of behaviour, choosing to interact with objects more than other mice, scientists at University College Cork (UCC) have found.

THERE are three reasons why a managed exit by Ireland from the eurozone is the most urgent economic priority. But first consider this reality.

WATCH them riding on, the three musketeers, Alan Shatter, James Reilly and Phil Hogan!

The latest addition to our stellar team of rugby writers reflects on the ups and downs of a magnificent playing career — and reveals the reasons why he's chosen to move to Paris to kick-start his coaching career.

A TD has said those behind misleading anti-abortion leaflets being circulated in her constituency which contain graphic images and purport to come from her are "sick people".

The sleek white Lauren L yacht has become Cork's latest tourist attraction, and you have to admit, it definitely adds a touch of glamour to the place.

Paddy Power are today refunding all win and each way singles to customers who backed Ireland's Ryan Dolan for last night's Eurovision.

A man was killed and two others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds today following a "serious incident" understood to involve a serving British soldier.

A man who mugged an 83-year-old lady in Cork city centre thought he could outrun his pursuer — but found to his cost the chaser was training for a marathon.