The former US Secretary of State has lashed out at world leaders who lie about the climate crisis and dismiss the scientific evidence.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney described it as an unprecedented gathering of people and leaders who are interested in solutions to the challenges facing the planet.

Graeme McDowell is relishing a return to the scene of his greatest triumph as he continues his bid to get back among the world's elite.

More than 30 Heads of State, UN representatives and ambassadors are to attend a special summit in Cork to highlight challenges small island nations face from climate change and to galvanise efforts to protect the world’s seas.

Majors are a test of mental strength, and Shane Lowry felt as much a winner as Brooks Koepka following his gutsy tie for eighth alongside Rory McIlroy in the US PGA at Bethpage Black.

Graeme McDowell was happy to escape Bethpage with only superficial damage as he looks forward to returning to the scene of his greatest triumph.

A major drug trafficking outfit recently hit by the Criminal Assets Bureau is suspected of being behind the importation of a massive haul of cocaine intercepted by Garda gang units.

Women, both running and voting in record numbers, will decide the American election. And the face of that pink wave is 29-year-old New Yorker Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez.

As Easter approaches most of us are looking forward to a weekend of indulgence centred on chocolate.

Venezuela's constitutional assembly has ordered presidential elections by April 30 as the ruling socialist party seeks to consolidate its grip on power amid a worsening economic crisis.

Ikea is planning to enter South America and expand in Southeast Asia in its quest to dominate the world’s home furnishings market.

Puerto Rican officials could not reach more than half their towns amid a push to evacuate tens of thousands of people over a failing dam as the disaster wrought by Hurricane Maria becomes clear.

A failing dam has sparked emergency evacuations of two towns in north-west Puerto Rico as the US territory struggled with flooding, an island-wide blackout and other dangers in Hurricane Maria's wake.

A high-ranking Vatican priest working in the Holy See's embassy in Washington has been recalled after US prosecutors asked for him to be charged in an investigation into images of child abuse, officials said.

The news comes in response to an invitation from the Dominican Republic to explore the possibility of resuming talks on resolving the country's political upheaval.

Oil prices rose yesterday as strong global refining margins and the reopening of US Gulf Coast refineries provided a more bullish outlook after sharp drops due to Hurricane Harvey.

Heavy rain and 185 mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's north-east coast on Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida.

Seán McComb believes he could be hitting form at the right time after getting Ireland back on track at the World Championships last night.

Brian Peters has insisted that a potential world title date for Katie Taylor on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s anticipated world heavyweight rematch against Wladimir Klitschko “is not a long shot”.

With a diverse terrain from the beach to the rainforest, the Dominican Republic is a becoming a favourite for Irish visitors.

A drug smuggler has flown into New York's JFK Airport with 10 pounds of cocaine taped to his legs, authorities said.

Here's your morning bulletin.

A radio producer and an announcer have been shot dead in the Dominican Republic while one of them was reading the news during a live transmission on Facebook.

Sparks were flying at Cork Airport yesterday when an electrician, home for Christmas, dropped down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend waiting for him in arrivals.

Two of Ireland's boxers have earned at least a bronze medal each at the World Youth Championships in Russia.

* It could be one of the ultimate spooky experiences of this Halloween when two evenings of tours take place in the 800-year-old Hook Lighthouse.

The roar of the Irish could be heard on the streets of Paris as a top diplomat was cheered on for dancing a jig before declaring: "Allez les verts!"

This weekend all eyes are on the Ballymaloe Litfest of Food & Wine. Joe McNamee meets the chefs – and discovers their favourite meals

The filming of ’Star Wars’ should have a knock-on effect that will boost the film and tourist industries, writes John Daly

The Vatican’s former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, who had been charged by church prosecutors with sexually abusing children in the Caribbean country, died of apparent natural causes as he awaited trial, the Vatican said.

Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin will renew their battle for World Championship gold this afternoon after the pair cruised into today’s 200 metres final (1.55pm Irish time, live on BBC2).

Europe’s attempts to clean up tax evasion and money laundering took a step forward yesterday when an international task group said that Austria — a eurozone nation that was until recently falling short —was almost fully compliant with new international standards.

A former papal diplomat charged with the sexual abuse of boys was taken to hospital and put in intensive care ahead of the opening of his trial at the Vatican.

Jozef Wesolowski, a former archbishop and papal ambassador to the Dominican Republic, will stand trial on criminal charges of paying for sex with minors and possessing child pornography, the Vatican has said.

Dawson Travel has a family holiday package in Spain for two adults and two children (under 12 years). 

Andy Murray defied exhaustion to reach the final of the BMW Open in Munich and stay on course for the first clay court title of his career.

Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) cut its executive pay levels by nearly 3% last year, with chief executive Gary McGann seeing a near 7% reduction.

Tonight's TV tips.

Declan O’Donnell, Helen James and Hugh Wallace are the judges on Home Of The Year on RTÉ One on Thursday.

Paper and packaging giant Smurfit Kappa Group will return surplus cash to shareholders this year if it fails to land any target acquisitions.

From the gold laden glitter of an Aztec headdress adorning Miss Honduras to the perky buzby sported by Miss Great Britain and the fearsome Celtic warrior floated on stage by Ireland’s Lisa Madden, the national costume show was all about pride of place during the 63rd annual Miss Universe Competition at Florida International University in Miami.

The Miss Universe contest is currently taking place and, on Wednesday night, it held it’s most extravagant segment - the National Costume Show.

Same-sex marriage is banned in the Dominican Republic, but a man and his partner have exchanged vows in the first ceremony of its kind performed at the British embassy in the conservative Caribbean country.