The US State Department has said it is cancelling a meeting with Russian diplomats on Syria this week.

Crime does pay and the price tag is your life in 'Killing Them Softly', an artfully composed, slow-burning crime thriller based on the novel 'Cogan’s Trade' by George V Higgins.

Brad Pitt hopes his films will be a legacy for his children to watch when they are older.

The UN's top human rights body has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Syria over the slaughter of more than 100 civilians last week.

A Hollywood master and a young pretender go head to head for Cannes’ top prize tomorrow, as films starring Brad Pitt and Robert Pattinson had their premieres this week.

Syrian government shelling and offensives against rebel-held towns killed at least 74 people across the country today, activists have said.

At least 28 people have been killed by Syrian government shelling and offensives against rebel-held towns, activists said today.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has said increased attacks by government forces on Syrian cities violates the Security Council's demand for an end to hostilities.

The US ambassador to Syria has said its military has pulled back forces from some areas ahead of a UN-brokered ceasefire next week, but in other places has kept or simply shifted around troops and armoured vehicles.

Syria has accepted a UN-sponsored peace plan, international envoy Kofi Annan said, even as troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad raided rebel forces who have taken refuge in Lebanon.

The US has closed its embassy in Damascus today and pulled all diplomats out of violence-racked Syria as it stepped up pressure on President Bashar Assad to surrender power.

Long-term prospects for the Irish economy are now better than many other hard hit European countries, a leading think-tank has claimed.

The Obama administration says it has read the “riot act” to Syria’s ambassador to the United States over an attack on the top American envoy to Syria.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is demanding that Syria "take every possible step" to protect American diplomats after supporters of President Bashar al-Assad tried to attack the US ambassador yesterday.

Supporters of President Bashar Assad stoned the convoy of the US ambassador to Syria as he arrived for a meeting with a leading opposition figure today.

Syrian government supporters attacked the US Embassy in Damascus today in protest over the ambassador’s recent visit to an opposition stronghold.

Tens of thousands of Syrians carrying olive branches and calling for the downfall of President Bashar Assad's regime have poured into the flashpoint city of Hama, where the US and French ambassadors travelled in a strong show of support for the protest movement.

Syria has accused Washington of inciting the unrest in the Arab nation.

Owen Wilson has reportedly split from his girlfriend Jade Duell.

Fourteen civilians killed on Bloody Sunday died as a result of "unjustifiable firing" by British soldiers, the long-awaited Saville Inquiry found today.

The US government has warned Iran and Syria that America’s commitment to Israel’s security was unshakeable and they should understand the consequences of threats to the Jewish state.

America is sending its first ambassador to Syria since 2005 in a sign relations are thawing between the countries.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Warner, e24.99, e27.99) may be a long-winded title, but it’s a fine western tale of fan obsession taken to a disastrous conclusion — that is if you happen to be Jesse James (Brad Pitt), here painted in a romantic image, more Robin Hood than outlaw.

'Atonement' has followed its Golden Globes run with seven nominations at the Critics’ Circle Film Awards.

Brad Pitt went green at the Hollywood Awards on Monday night, arriving at the glitzy Los Angeles event in a chauffeur-driven Toyota Prius hybrid.

Brad Pitt has praised co-star Mary-Louise Parker for her decision to adopt a child from Africa.

Director Ang Lee has triumphed at the Venice Film Festival - by winning the event's top award for the second time in two years.

ANG LEE’S steamy espionage thriller Lust, Caution won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival while Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett took the acting honours.

Ang Lee’s steamy espionage thriller Lust, Caution won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival while Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett took the acting honours.

The Venice Film Festival reaches its climax today with the awarding of the Golden Lion for best picture.

Brad Pitt was involved in a security scare at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday when an overzealous female fan pushed her way past bodyguards to throw her arms around the Hollywood star.

Brad Pitt described how much he enjoys fatherhood when he arrived at the Venice Film Festival with partner Angelina Jolie last night.

COLIN Farrell and Ewan McGregor were in Venice yesterday for the premiere of their new Woody Allen film Cassandra’s Dream.

Director Ridley Scott lashed out today at technology which allows people to watch films on mobile phones and computer screens, arguing it was killing cinema.

Brad Pitt spoke of the joys of fatherhood today, describing it as “the most fun I’ve ever had”.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are expected at the Venice Film Festival today.

The Venice Film Festival begins today with the world premiere of Keira Knightley's latest film, 'Atonement'.

The rival US presidential campaigns of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama traded accusations of nasty politics over Hollywood donor David Geffen, who once backed former president Bill Clinton but now supports his wife’s top rival.

Iraq’s leading Shiite religious bloc has said that it is ready to discuss Sunni Arab participation in a coalition government, while thousands of Sunni and secular Shiite demonstrators took to the streets claiming election fraud.

If Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are planning to get married at George Clooney’s villa in Italy, it’s news to him.

Brad Pitt is taking care of Angelina Jolie's adopted children while she films The Good Shepherd in New York.

Brad Pitt is strapping up to play legendary cowboy outlaw Jesse James in the first film financed by the production company he co-owns with estranged wife Jennifer Aniston.

THE identities of the soldiers who killed 13 civilians and wounded 14 others on Bloody Sunday are still not clear, the inquiry into the events more than 30 years ago was told yesterday.

Brad Pitt will play gunslinger Jesse James in a new Western based on a novel by Robert Hansen, The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford.