The island of Ireland's first private abortion clinic will officially open today amid protests from pro-life campaigners.

The law is no "paper tiger" and will closely monitor the North's first private abortion clinic, the health minister Edwin Poots warned.

Abortion is firmly back in the headlines.

Pro-life campaigners have threatened to shut down Ireland’s first abortion clinic which is due to open next week.

Pro-choice campaigners have called for the Irish Government to change the law on abortion after the Marie Stopes charity announced it is opening a private clinic in Belfast.

Anti-abortion campaigners have hit out at the opening of the North’s first abortion clinic.

An investigation into claims that some doctors are granting women illegal abortions based on the sex of their unborn baby has been launched by Britain’s department of health.

A BRITISH-based sexual health service is allowing Irish women to arrange an abortion over the phone.

Two letters written in the guise of Winnie the Pooh by illustrator E H Shepard are expected to fetch a total of £18,000 at auction next month, it was revealed today.