Molly Sterling represents Ireland in the Eurovision semi-final on Thursday.

While taoiseach in 1982 Charles Haughey fulfilled the invitation to the White House for St Patrick’s Day that had been extended to his predecessor Garret Fitz-Gerald. Mr Haughey then invited the president to Ireland on a state visit.

President Michael D Higgins kicks off an official visit to three countries in central America today.

IN TERMS of symbolism, Jorge Mario Bergoglio hasn’t put a foot wrong since becoming the first Jesuit and the first South American to be elected Pope and taking the name Francis.

* January 6: Three members of UDR killed by an IRA landmine near Castlewellan, Co Down.

IN a recent letter to the Irish Examiner, Jim Malo from Connecticut sought “specific information” on civilian torture by US authorities.

Dismembered bodies entangled in the metal wreckage of train carriages. Amputated legs and arms scattered on station platforms. Thousands of people, many of them schoolchildren, fleeing in panic.

A PROTESTING Irish priest is starting a six-month prison sentence in Texas today.