The woman at the centre of a murder case that riveted many Americans with its details of sex and violence made a plea for life in prison today instead of execution, saying she can contribute to society if allowed to live.

Tensions between Germany and Hungary have flared over remarks by the countries' leaders, including references to Hitler's occupation of the eastern European country in 1944 and an irritated German government response condemning Hungary's allusion to the Nazi era as "deplorable derailment".

Coleen Rooney left hospital less than 12 hours after giving birth to her second son.

Touching video footage of the moment an elderly woman was reunited with her pet dog amongst the rubble in Oklahoma has emerged.

A monstrous tornado at least a half a mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs, flattening neighbourhoods and destroying a school as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200mph.

Liverpool and England footballer Raheem Sterling had a charge of common assault dropped yesterday after two witnesses failed to turn up to court.

Russia is investigating an alleged vote theft at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The father of Premier League footballer Phil Neville and his retired brother Gary "strenuously denies" an allegation of sexual assault, his lawyer said.

The body of Padre Pio will go on permanent display next month in Italy.

A woman whose murder trial for the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend captured world headlines has said she prefers the death penalty over life in prison.

Embattled Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the Garda commissioner gave him details about TD Mick Wallace escaping penalty points and that he publicly revealed it to defend the integrity of the force.

Rarely has a voice ever carried so much panic.

The search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb raked by a massive tornado was almost complete last night.

Antonio Banderas will star in a movie as one of the 33 Chilean miners trapped deep underground for more than two months in 2010, and the charismatic survivor he's playing couldn't be happier.

Ireland is heading for a smooth exit from the bailout programme as GDP grows — delivering a huge political and reputational reward for the country, according to the latest Ernst & Young Economic Eye.

Siobhan Talbot is set to succeed John Moloney as group managing director of Glanbia, at the end of this year — becoming the first woman to head up a major Irish food company.

Armagh's Jamie Clarke has cleared Paul Grimley of all responsibility for Sunday's defeat by Cavan, but questioned referee Maurice Deegan's decision not to allow him advantage in scoring his second-half disallowed goal.

Brian O'Driscoll has ruled out extending his career beyond next June.

In the play An Enemy of the People, one man stands for right, says Pádraic Killeen.

The UN thinks it's a good idea, but what do the Irish think of eating creepy crawlies, wonders Jonathan deBurca Butler.

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.

Today, inspirational teenager Dónal Walsh will be buried. This is an essay he wrote about how he dealt with his two crushing cancer diagnoses

A Fine Gael TD has revealed that pro-life activists have threatened to slit her throat and burn down her house.

It's a story familiar to GAA people all over the country. A stormy annual general meeting, members walking out, transfer applications handed in afterwards.

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

More than 300,000 people have left Ireland in the past four years. Tempting as it is, Ruairí McKiernan is prepared to stay to help make the country a better place

DÓNAL Walsh will be buried today having fought two battles in his short life — one with cancer and one with our health service.

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

Leaflets criticising the TD who chairs the Dáil committee hearing opinion on legislating for the X case, and likening abortion to the Holocaust, are being sent to homes in Cork.

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.