When Betty Purcell was just two-and-a-half years old, her mother placed her in an orphanage.

A factory complex that is North Korea’s last major economic link with the South was a virtual ghost town today after Pyongyang suspended its operations and recalled all 53,000 of its workers, cutting off jobs and a source of hard currency in its war of words and provocations against Seoul and Washington.

KIM JONG IL, North Korea’s mercurial and enigmatic long-time leader, was reputed to have a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine.

FIANNA FÁIL TD Billy Kelleher looks on track to win a seat in Cork North Central, according to an internal Fine Gael poll.

ELDER statesman Peter Barry is to be made a freeman of Cork.

THE Lord Mayor of Cork is expected to have enough votes today to rubber-stamp his proposal to confer the Freedom of the City on elder statesman and tea magnate Peter Barry.

BOUNDARY changes, a retirement, and a clerical error have thrown the race for the fourth seat in this redrawn northside ward wide open.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Pat Rabbitte is too step down as leader of the Labour Party later this afternoon.

Maverick independent TD Catherine Murphy will outline policy priorities honed over a 17-year local political career when she makes her maiden speech in the Dail on Tuesday.

REVOLUTIONARY tourist, left-wing crustie, noble-minded philantropist or adrenalin junkie, whatever way you look at it, there’s a certain breed of Irishman making his name abroad.

The Consumer Association of Ireland has joined criticism of the FAI's sale of television rights for Irish games, labelling the deal as ‘greedy’.