Four men suspected of being members of the Basque separatist group Eta, including a suspected military chief, have been arrested in northern France, a judicial official said today.

Two men suspected of involvement in the deadly 2006 ETA bombing at Madrid’s airport have been taken into custody in France, it is reported.

THERE are colourful parasols and lounge chairs and the gleeful sounds of the young splashing in clear, blue water or playing volleyball on the fine, white sand.

Police were told about men acting suspiciously outside the Northern Bank in Belfast during the robbery in which a gang got away with £22m (€31.4m), it was revealed today.

Two prison guards taken captive after a failed escape attempt were freed today, nearly 24 hours after being taken hostage.

Tense negotiations were continuing today with armed prisoners holding two guards hostage at a high security Paris prison - nearly 20 hours after a failed escape attempt via helicopter.