Several hundred suspected paedophiles including doctors, teachers and former police officers have been arrested in the biggest ever UK crackdown on obscene images of children.

People living in Ireland’s worst skin cancer blackspot risk not being immediately checked for signs of the potentially life-threatening condition, because of chronic HSE recruitment problems.

Up to 15,000 people who lost vital discretionary medical cards as part of a now-scrapped Government review of the system will see them returned by the end of next week.

A Government report into the needless deaths of newborn babies at Portlaoise Hospital has been described as “reeking of whitewash” by a leading senator and doctor.

One of the strongest storms on record killied more than 100 people whose bodies lay in the streets of one of the Philippines’ hardest-hit cities.

Iran said it was very optimistic over a visit by UN nuclear inspectors aimed at shedding light on suspected military aspects of Tehran’s atomic work, but suggested Tehran would curb cooperation if the experts became a “tool” for outside powers.

Iran is ready to revive talks with the world powers, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said, as Tehran faces tougher sanctions over its controversial nuclear programme.

Three major treatment plants which provide water to more than half a million people need to be modernised to secure supplies, environmental experts have warned.

THREE major treatment plants which provide water to more than 500,000 people need to be modernised to secure supplies, environmental experts warn.

A RESEARCH centre near Tripoli contains stocks of nuclear material that could be used to make a dirty bomb, a former senior UN inspector said, warning of the possibility of looting during turmoil in Libya.

Officials are racing to restore electricity to Japan’s leaking nuclear plant, but getting the power flowing will hardly be the end of their battle: with its mangled machinery and partly melted reactor cores, bringing the complex under control is a monstrous job.

BANGKOK braced for rising waters encroaching on the city yesterday as the death toll from two weeks of nationwide flooding rose to 38, emergency officials said.

BRITISH far-right leader Nick Griffin accused the BBC yesterday of mounting a “lynch mob” against him in a charged appearance on a TV political panel show, and called for it to be re-recorded.

The BBC defended the appearance of BNP leader Nick Griffin on a 'Question Time' in which the BNP leader gave a twitchy performance and described homosexuals as “creepy”.

JUST as people are pulling in the purse strings, the Central Bank threw a birthday party for banknotes.

Retail sales in Britiain fell for the sixth time in a row this month but improved on August, a Confederation of British Industry (CBI) survey said today.

Urgent action is needed if Ireland is to meet tough targets to cut down on rubbish being sent to landfill, it was warned tonight.

Burma’s military government, already under fire for its violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, is recruiting children as young as 10 into its armed forces, a US human rights group said today.

UN nuclear inspectors banned earlier this year by Iran from visiting a heavy water reactor will now be allowed to inspect it before the end of July, the International Atomic Energy Agency said today.

A UN nuclear watchdog delegation arrived in Iran today to see if the Tehran government is willing to answer all outstanding questions about its disputed nuclear programme, state television reported.

Superstar Michael Jackson will reportedly travel to Rwanda next year to perform charity work in the African nation.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche last night challenged Roadstone’s assertion that it never knew more than 50,000 tonnes of illegal and partially hazardous waste had been dumped on its land in Wicklow.

The British government plans to give fathers up to six months paternity leave and a year off work for mothers will help tackle the UK’s long hours culture, campaigners said tonight.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been accused of a cover-up after it failed to notify the public of a toxic spillage in Co Cork for nearly three weeks.

THE Central Bank has softened its position on the threat of a house price bubble. Dr Michael Casey, deputy director general of the Bank, said he was "hoping for a soft landing" in the years ahead.

More than 10,000 prisoners were granted a royal pardon and released in Thailand today in a traditional Buddhist gift of amnesty.

Czech defender Vaclav Drobny will be looking forward to a stress-free trial with Aston Villa after a traumatic 2003/04 campaign during which he tested positive for morphine.

BBC Chairman Gavyn Davies became the the first casualty of the Hutton Report today, according to the corporation’s own political editor.

CHINA yesterday said the worst appeared to be over for SARS-stricken Beijing as international experts said China faced a crucial battle in the next few months to contain the virus and stop it spreading globally.

UN health officials today said Vietnam was the first country to have successfully contained SARS, and said there was still time to stop the deadly virus spreading much further.

Struggling to contain Sars, Beijing officials sealed off a third hospital today, closed college dormitories and ordered 4,000 people who might have been exposed to the killer virus to stay at home under quarantine.

THE deputy director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has called on European businesses to put pressure on their governments to proceed with the next round of negotiations.

Four of the five potential bids for supermarket group Safeway were today referred to the competition watchdog for further investigation.

Ten people, including police officers working for the National Crime Squad, have been arrested on suspicion of drug-dealing, police said today.

A series of earthquakes have shaken buildings in the western Indian state of Gujarat, injuring at least 25 people.