As World Cup qualification reaches the business end we look at how things stand in every group. 

The title of David Jacques’ exhibition was inspired by an Opec minister, writes Ellie O’Byrne

Being born with a silver spoon in the mouth really was a mark of rank. Kya deLongchamps sups at the long history of precious flatware.

Latest: German police have deployed officers near a refugee centre outside Nuremberg where an explosion involving a suitcase was reported today.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility after a Syrian blew himself up outside a wine bar, injuring 15 people.

Update 6.11pm: The so-called 'Islamic State' group has claimed responsibility after a Syrian blew himself up outside a wine bar in Ansbach, injuring 15 people.

Following a ground-breaking case in Germany last week, in which a former Auschwitz guard apologised for his crimes, Andrew Nagorski looks at the refusal of many former Nazis to say sorry.

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, is capturing market share quicker than expected in Germany, an executive said yesterday.

Stargazer Lottie may not have Barbie’s big advertising budget —but as the first doll in space she’s getting the kind of publicity that money cannot buy.

Cork entrepreneur Tracey Ryan has added an innovative twist to natural skincare products by producing a range that is made with only edible ingredients.

A 100-year-old watercolour of Munich’s old city hall is expected to fetch at least €50,000 at auction this weekend, not so much for its artistic value as for the signature in the bottom left corner: “A. Hitler”.

Germany picked up their obligatory group win over Gibraltar but the expected flurry of goals failed to arrive as they only managed to score four without reply in Nuremberg.

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has admitted to evading taxes through an undeclared Swiss bank account at a trial that could send the German football great to prison.

Syria’s conflict was sparked by an act of brutality — the detention and torture of schoolchildren who spray- painted anti-government graffiti in a southern city. In the three years since, the civil war has evolved into one of the most savage conflicts in decades.

The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed that it will be bidding for Euro 2024.

Highlights include Challenging God With Vincent Browne

Outspoken actor Gabriel Byrne has launched a stinging attack on the Catholic Church and described it as a “force for evil”.

Germany 4 Kazakhstan 1

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez and Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes have both pulled out of the Germany squad for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

Republic of Ireland can move into second in Group C if they get past Austria at the Aviva Stadium in their World Cup Qualifier, although they will be without record goalscorer Robbie Keane.

Kazakhstan 0 Germany 3

No rugby.

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was today found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity by supporting brutal Sierra Leone rebels in return for blood diamonds.

Judges at an international war crimes tribunal have begun delivering landmark judgments in the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.

A GERMAN man has gone on trial in Nuremberg on hundreds of counts of rape over allegations he assaulted his daughter for more than three decades and fathered three sons by her.

NUREMBERG prosecutors say they have charged a 69-year-old man with 497 counts of rape over allegations that he abused his daughter for 34 years and fathered three sons by her.

David Haye believes he is tailor-made to beat Wladimir Klitschko when they meet in Hamburg on July 2.

VOLKSWAGEN, PSAPeugeot Citroen and other European car makers may be forced to halt production in coming weeks as component suppliers in earthquake-ravaged Japan struggle to restart factories.

Pink is recovering after a stunt during her concert in Germany last night went horribly wrong.

Madjid Bougherra has declared himself fit for Algeria’s World Cup campaign.

DAVID HAYE is determined to issue an explosive reminder of his all-action style by making a “big statement” against John Ruiz tonight.

CATHOLIC authorities in Germany announced two major abuse investigations – one into the renowned choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI’s brother and another into what everyone, including the Pope, knew about the sexual and physical abuse of students.

THE size of the task facing David Haye was brought into sharp focus yesterday as WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev weighed in a daunting seven stone heavier than the Englishman.

RADOVAN KARADZIC stands indicted of 11 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

A pair of watercolours signed by Adolf Hitler and depicting farm scenes fetched a combined total of €32,000 at an auction in Germany today, an auction house official said.

Captain Michael Ballack has pulled out of Germany’s squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Belgium after picking up a foot injury yesterday.

More than a month after the Euro 2008 final, Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has renewed his attack on referee Roberto Rosetti.

Market research giant Taylor Nelson Sofres has rejected a £1bn (€1.2bn) bid from advertising group WPP, it emerged today.

KELLY PAVLIK has coped uneasily with the fame which has been foisted upon him since the Youngstown, Ohio hero dethroned Jermain Taylor to claim the world middleweight title last February.

The German zoo hand-raising a polar bear cub has decided to adopt her nickname permanently after asking world-wide for suggestions.

GERMANY’S latest celebrity polar bear cub still did not have a name yesterday, but it got its own website.

A FOUR-WEEK-OLD polar bear cub that was taken from its mother amid fears she would harm it is doing well, zoo keepers said last night.