The world faces a "very high risk of severe, widespread and irreversible" impacts from climate change without action to cut emissions, a major international report has warned.

This week Esther N McCarthy gets loved up for arts, crafts, tabletops, jewellery, bathbombs — and toast.

From a bistro in Paris to a kayak in West Cork, Pól Ó Conghaile reveals his top romantic places, as Valentine’s Day approaches

American Jim Yong Kim has been chosen to be the next president of the World Bank.

Explosive eruptions shook two huge volcanos in Central and South America today, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes and disrupting air traffic as ash drifted over wide regions.

MEXICO now has one of the world’s most liberal laws for drug users after eliminating jail time for small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and even heroin, LSD and methamphetamine.

A new conservative government has been sworn into office in New Zealand, with Prime Minister John Key indicating the economy is his top priority by leaving almost immediately for a Pacific Rim leaders’ summit to discuss the global financial crisis.

IT may be just one year old but Fr Derek Leonard works in a parish which has a congregation of 100,000 people.

A MAN smuggled a monkey onto an plane, stashing the furry, fist-size primate under his hat until passengers spotted it perched on his ponytail, an airline official said.

Venezuela today closed its border with Colombia across three western states amid concerns about a mild strain of bird flu detected in the neighbouring country.

Tressor Moreno’s 22nd-minute penalty enabled Colombia to scrape a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in the opening match of the Copa America in Lima, Peru.

Negotiations between Russian officials and Chechen gunman in a Moscow theatre were launched again today after four mediators waving a white flag entered the building to seek an end to the desperate standoff.

Pope John Paul today canonised the controversial founder of Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic group dedicated to upholding Church teaching and strive for holiness in everyday life.

Israeli troops have shot and killed two Palestinians who attacked an army post with grenades, and militant Islamic groups said they would ignore any truce deal, complicating US efforts to arrange a ceasefire.

Singapore’s Changi Airport said today it had bought a 50% stake in a British airport and development company Alterra Partners and is bidding for airports in Oman and Cyprus.