Torrential rain, thunder and lightning is blighting the first weekend of the school holidays, as thousands set off across the UK for their summer break.

Mel B is planning to open a restaurant in her hometown of Leeds.

SOME of Ireland’s top rugby stars wore black arm bands yesterday as they completed the Irish stage of the cross-channel fundraising cycle for Munster’s former fitness coach Paul Darbyshire, who died on Monday after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

The ‘Bleeding Love’ star Leona Lewis had to be rescued after narrowly avoiding serious injury while performing in Sheffield, north England last Friday when she tumbled down a dark hole after her elevator got stuck.

Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband wants her to move out of London.

All parties in the North need to unite against British government cuts, Sinn Féin said today.

NORTHERN Ireland property group, Taggart Holdings announced pre-tax profits of €25.3 million for last year, a rise of 35% on 2005.

An array of Irish films will be on show at this year’s Leeds International Film Festival running from 2-12 October.