A Pakistani man whose lawyers say was a child when charged with murder, and only confessed after being tortured, was handed a reprieve just hours before he was due to be executed, the fourth time his death penalty has been stayed.

Gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at a roadside restaurant in south-western Pakistan today, killing 18 people, officials said.

TWO Irishman wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of an English backpacker in India have contacted the Irish embassy in New Delhi after a nationwide alert was issued for their capture.