THE Department of Foreign Affairs has said there is no evidence of foul play in the treatment of an Irish man whose remains were returned from Bulgaria stuffed with sawdust in place of his internal organs.

BIRD flu has reached western Europe with Slovenia yesterday following Italy, Greece and Bulgaria in announcing they had detected the virus in dead swans.

Bird flu has been detected in migratory birds in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, it was revealed today.

The Irish men’s side won through unbeaten to the semi-finals of the European B-Curling Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia yesterday.

A massive gas blast that could be felt six miles away killed at least 15 people and injured about 100, including firefighters and police, near Brussels today.

Bulgaria and the Philippines insisted today they would not be cowed by terrorists after insurgents captured and threatened to kill their nationals in Iraq, the latest hostage takings in the country.

Dwight Yorke added to Blackburn's injury problems by limping out of the Uefa Cup draw with CSKA Sofia with a hamstring problem.