Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith are reportedly under investigation by child protection services.

The woman at the centre of a murder case that riveted many Americans with its details of sex and violence made a plea for life in prison today instead of execution, saying she can contribute to society if allowed to live.

A woman whose murder trial for the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend captured world headlines has said she prefers the death penalty over life in prison.

A US woman has been convicted of first-degree murder in the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend after a four-month trial that captured headlines with lurid tales of sex, lies, religion and a salacious relationship that ended in a bloodbath.

FUNCTIONAL spaces such as a factory and the cleaning department of a hotel will be under the spotlight in the Irish premiere of Parallel Cities as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival from Jun 21-Jul 1.

FOR 15 fleeting minutes last night, the Toumba Stadium in Thessalonika looked it might just prove the place, as suggested when the draw was made, where Shamrock Rovers could pick up a result in Group A.

HARLEQUINS qualified for the Heineken Cup next season in dramatic fashion as they won the Amlin Challenge Cup, Europe’s second-tier knockout tournament, for a record third time.

Mathieu Bastareaud has been left out of France’s squad for their upcoming internationals against Fiji, Argentina and Australia.

IRELAND’s U20s have two jobs to do tomorrow (8.10pm Irish time): silence the crowd and secure a first win at the IRB Junior World Championships.

Spanish football federation secretary general Jorge Perez Arias has labelled the idea of his country trying to bribe World Cup referees as “ridiculous”.

Costa Rica’s governing party candidate swept to an election victory today that made her the first woman president in the Central American nation.

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Supporters of ousted President Manuel Zelaya clashed with police in the Honduran capital and some of them attacked the second-ranking member of Congress.

Nobel Peace laureate and Costa Rican President Oscar Arias said he has swine flu, showing that not even a head of state is safe from the virus that has caused worldwide concern but relatively few deaths.

Talks on resolving Honduras’ leadership crisis broke off after the interim government rejected a proposed compromise, saying a provision calling for ousted President Manuel Zelaya to serve out his term was “unacceptable”.

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias said both sides in the talks to resolve the coup in Honduras have agreed to resume talks later today, but they remain far apart.

A top aide said exiled Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was heading home today to set up an alternative seat of government inside the country, and will use it as his headquarters in a “final battle” against the coup leaders.

Ousted president Manuel Zelaya said the Honduran people “have the right to insurrection” against the interim government that forced him out of the country.

Brazil’s struggles continued on Wednesday as a goalless draw with 10 man Bolivia in a South American World Cup qualifier increased the pressure on under-fire coach Dunga.

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CARDIFF head coach Dai Young rued his side’s lack of cutting edge at the death after seeing them come within inches from causing a huge Heineken Cup upset against Stade Francais.

DAVID HILL kicked Bristol to the most notable win in their Heineken Cup history as tournament favourites Stade Francais suffered a surprise Pool Three defeat.

LEICESTER kept alive their hopes of an unprecedented trophy treble by stunning French Championship leaders Stade Francais to book a place in the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

The latest proposal for a new Human Rights Council calls on the UN General Assembly to elect a 45-nation body taking into account a country’s human rights record – but rights groups warn that offending nations could still gain membership.

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The likelihood of a human flu pandemic is very high, US Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said as he begin a tour of south-east Asia to co-ordinate plans to combat bird flu.

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A MEXICAN accused of killing, cooking and eating his companion admitted committing the crime and said the victim “tasted like lamb.”

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