The Republic of Ireland's senior women footballers have qualified for the Euro 2009 play-offs.

A bitterly cold winter storm gripped parts of Europe today, leaving at least three sailors dead after a ship sank and thousands of travellers stranded at airports, on snowy mountain roads and in remote villages.

No injuries have been reported aboard a passenger ferry after a fire broke out while it was en route from Germany to Sweden with 237 people on board.

A fire is reported to have broken out on a ferry en route from Sweden to Germany.

Swedish farmers fear the transport of eight Irish horses could spread foot and mouth disease.