Grandfather Bernard O’Connor says the internet will be a lifeline for him this Christmas.

A British aid worker being held hostage in Afghanistan was killed by captors during an attempt to rescue her, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said today.

There were aspects of the recent agricultural deals for which the Government negotiators should be congratulated. Ireland will receive €14 billion from the European Union’s budget over the next seven years, despite being one of the wealthiest member states.

EDWIN Cussen (Irish Examiner letters, March 8) recalls his experiences of witnessing public floggings, disfigurement and beheadings in Saudi Arabia.

Trocaire has sharply criticised rich nations for their disappointing attempts to alleviate poverty in the Third World.