The predisposition of bureaucrats and politicians to fall for ideas that might be labelled fairly as barmy isn’t a uniquely 21st-century affliction.

Boris Johnson has insisted progress is being made in Brexit talks with Brussels and the chances of an agreement have risen – but the European Union said a no-deal outcome remained a “distinct possibility”.

The new Brexit war cabinet will meet today as Boris Johnson steps up planning for a no-deal scenario on October 31.

Ireland will not stand in the way of Britain extending the Brexit March divorce date amid growing indications that Downing Street is considering pushing out the deadline, Tánaiste Simon Coveney has confirmed.

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Jose Mourinho retains the full backing of both the club and their supporters.

A decision to extend the English rugby season has been met by a wave of disapproval, writes Simon Collings.

DUP MP Ian Paisley has said he will refer himself to the UK's Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over a report that he did not declare trips paid for by the Sri Lankan government.

What it says online and in the papers.

The UK's most senior family judge has hit out at the "shocking" practice of separating elderly couples against their wishes in care homes.

An emotional Taoiseach Enda Kenny voiced his distress at the discovery of the bodies of a Mayo mother and her seven-year-old son whom he personally knew last night, saying news of the incident "went through me", writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Political Correspondent in Brussels.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Sting has said he is "saddened and distressed" amid reports that illegal migrants were discovered working on his luxury wine-producing Italian estate.

Gareth Southgate accepts England were fortunate to leave Slovenia with a draw, but was pleased to keep World Cup qualification on track having inherited a "mess".

Allardyce spoke to reporters outside his home in Bolton this morning.

Eight unnamed managers with Premier League experience are alleged to have taken bribes for the transfers of players during secretly filmed interviews with several agents, according to the Daily Telegraph.

To retire Sprinter Sacre would be the "cowardly way out", according to his trainer Nicky Henderson.

Ladbrokes have raised the likelihood of the UK leaving the EU, placing a 40% chance on an exit.

Police in Australia say they do not intend to charge Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson over an allegation that he shoved and abused a photographer who snapped pictures of him and his new girlfriend.

The graphic designer on Belgium TV’s coverage of the Champions League maybe in need of a quick geography lesson.

Eagled eyed Twitter user Ken Fallon has spotted a bit of geographical error in the travel section of the Daily Telegraph.

One of Britain’s top scientists has supported the condemnation of Tim Hunt, who quit his job in the wake of controversial comments he made about women working in laboratories.

Hull midfielder Jake Livermore has been suspended by his club and the FA after reportedly failing a drugs test.

Leader of the opposition Ed Miliband has floated proposals for a cap on MPs’ earnings from outside Parliament, as two of Westminster’s most senior former ministers were forced to defend themselves against cash-for-access allegations.

A leading Church of England figure has said changing the law to allow IVF babies to be born with DNA from three different people would not be “responsible”, according to reports.

A long-awaited public inquiry into the death of poisoned spy Alexander Litvinenko is finally set to open today, more than eight years after his death.

Three major FIFA sponsors have ended their relationships with world football's governing body, it has emerged.

Mario Balotelli could be facing a Football Association investigation over posts on social media which provoked claims of racism and anti-semitism.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed he will interview Malky Mackay for his club’s managerial vacancy despite the furore which followed his departure from Cardiff.

I don't believe it.

In scenes that would be better suited to the rose gardens of Alice In Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts, someone is manually picking the leaves off the trees at Westminster Palace.

Rivals on both sides of Scotland’s referendum debate will take to the streets today for one final day of campaigning before the historic ballot.

The grandfather of a seven-year-old boy pictured clutching the severed head of a Syrian soldier has urged the Australian government to bring the child home.

UEFA president Michel Platini claims attempts are being made to tarnish his image over his support for Qatar 2022’s World Cup bid.

Britain's Home Secretary Theresa May has welcomed the conviction of radical cleric Abu Hamza on terrorism charges.

Manchester United have distanced themselves from reports in Holland that Louis van Gaal has agreed a three-year deal to become their new manager.

Former Premier League footballer Delroy Facey is understood to be one of six people arrested in an investigation into alleged match-fixing.

Tourists going to Venice beware — and make sure you read the fine print.

The family of one of the two British teenagers attacked with acid on Zanzibar has released a photograph of the injuries suffered by their daughter as they arrived back in the UK.

A letter in which Moors Murderer Ian Brady claims to have killed four more people has been published for the first time.

A mother confronted the Woolwich attackers, asking them to hand over their weapons and warning them: “It is only you versus many people, you are going to lose”, it was reported tonight.

David Cameron has given his backing to Tory co-chairman Lord Feldman after he denied being responsible for alleged comments describing grassroots party activists as “swivel-eyed loons”.

Tony McCoy admits he is facing a tough choice over who to ride in next week’s John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at Red Bull for ordering Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel to hold station at last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

Radiation experts investigating the death of the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky have given his mansion the all clear.

A shopaholic Saudi princess who fled a luxury hotel in Paris in the middle of the night to dodge a €5.7m hotel bill is to have her assets in France seized.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland says he will field an entire side of English players in the first test against Australia if it is the best team he has available.

Lance Armstrong’s insistence that he had stopped doping when he made his Tour de France comeback in 2009 has been challenged following his appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Newspaper editors have been warned by David Cameron that they must act “urgently” to set up an independent press regulator.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed they will not appeal against the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) sanctions against Lance Armstrong.

Anti-exploitation campaigners today demonstrated outside Olympic sponsor Adidas’s flagship London store over claims the sportswear giant is “raking in profits” at its workers’ expense.