Nato troops assumed command today of military operations in volatile southern Afghanistan from the US-led coalition in the latest bid to crush resurgent Taliban forces behind a deadly spike in bloodshed.

Rescuers searching for a fisherman who has been missing off the coast of Wexford since last night have located what they believe to be his boat at the bottom of the sea.

Three Sikh students have been expelled from a French school for refusing to remove their turbans.

An investigation was underway today after a ferry packed with day-trippers and holidaymakers suffered its second fire in the space of three weeks.