The family of a UN worker held hostage in Afghanistan today pleaded for their daughter’s release as her captors debated whether to carry out a threat of execution.

Afghan militants claiming to hold three UN hostages, including Irish woman Annetta Flanigan, said talks on demands including the release of Taliban prisoners had broken down today.

A second man and woman were arrested today by detectives investigating the murder of a father of two.

An Orange Lodge Hall was destroyed today in an arson attack in Co Armagh, Northern Ireland.

The Government is seeking exclusion from a US ban on all imports of meat, animals and animal products from the EU.