Private patients in Ireland are twice as likely to have pre-planned Caesarean sections as women whose treatment is publicly funded, according to new figures that lend support to the theory that some mothers are “too posh to push”.

Women are less likely to need an epidural, forceps or ventouse delivery if midwives lead their care, research shows.

While much of corporate America is retrenching on the property front, the four most influential technology companies in America are each planning headquarters that could win a Pritzker Architecture Prize for hubris.

First prize in composition leads to Covent Garden job for Fermoy girl, says Nicki ffrench Davis

France striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home from the World Cup after after refusing to apologise for his half-time rant at coach Raymond Domenech.

A US company has announced that it has selected Cork as the location for its European headquarters.

British parents were warned last night by a leading cot death charity not to risk their baby’s life by sleeping alongside them.

Construction company Kingspan has reported a 40% rise in operating profits in 2005 to €145.1m, up from 103.3m in 2004.