Al Qaida-linked militants in Somalia vowed to keep most international aid workers away despite a worsening famine, as the United Nations warned that 800,000 children could die from starvation.

ISLAMIST rebels in Somalia — who control the parts of the country where famine was declared this week — have said aid agencies they expelled from those areas last year cannot return, reversing a previous pledge.

Thousands of US Marines were expected off the shore of Port-au-Prince today to help relief organisations get supplies to Haitian earthquake survivors.

Prayers of thanksgiving and cries for help rose from Haiti's huddled homeless, the sixth day of an epic humanitarian crisis that was straining the world's ability to respond and igniting flare-ups of violence amid the rubble of Port-au-Prince.

GARDAÍ have ordered drug tests on the body of a 30-year-old man who died yesterday. He was named locally as David Orr, from St Johnston, Co Donegal.

BANDAGING little Gavin Murray’s massive burn injuries was so painful doctors had to put him under full anaesthetic for each procedure.

A vital injection of new funds will sustain United Nations food drops to victims of south Asia’s earthquake for at least two more months in one of the biggest-ever helicopter airlifts of aid, UN officials said today.

FORMER Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy had supported a project to bring disgraced New York plastic surgeon Dr Michael Sachs to Ireland.

Overnight European Tour Qualifying School finals leader Wakefield maintained his place at the top with a second successive 69.

Darren Clarke birdied both closing holes in the second round to regain the pole position he held after his opening 66.

MICHAEL HOEY broke the course record with a flawless eight-under-par 63 in the first round of the European Tour School stage one qualifier at Carden Park, Cheshire, yesterday.