The Basque separatist militant group ETA declared a ceasefire in a video statement issued today.

Aston Villa hope to appoint Gerard Houllier as successor to Martin O’Neill in the next 48 hours.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has no fresh injury worries ahead of Tuesday night’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Andorra.

Australia captain Rocky Elsom claims yesterday’s last-gasp victory against South Africa was one of the best Test matches of his career.

Soccer:Aston Villa hope to appoint Gerard Houllier as successor to Martin O'Neill in the next 48 hours. The Frenchman is spending the weekend deciding whether to return to Premier League management after a six-year absence.

BP's ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well is secure with no threat of spewing crude again, the top US official overseeing the spill response said today.

A timeline of some major events since Euskadi ta Askatasuna (Basque Homeland and Freedom) (Eta) was founded.

A woman and two men have been charged with human trafficking following raids at seven suspected brothels in Belfast.

The 33 miners trapped underground in Chile have talked to their families by video link.

Kilkenny's bid for five-in-a-row comes to a conclusion this afternoon at Croke Park, with Tipperary the side standing in their way once more.

Australia hooker Saia Fainga’a has been handed a two-week suspension after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle against South Africa in the Tri Nations encounter in Bloemfontein yesterday.

An Irishman was among nine people who died yesterday after a light aircraft crashed and burst into flames in New Zealand.

Chancellor George Osborne is looking at watering down rules that would have forced banks to disclose huge pay deals for top City workers, it was reported today.

Ryder Cup Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was in sight of his third win of the season when he led the Omega European Masters by four shots with 12 to play in Switzerland today.

Nadia claims returning to the Big Brother house has “ruined” her life and left her suicidal.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has urged the Spanish government "to grasp the opportunity" of ETA's ceasefire announcement.

Henry Candy has raised the possibility that impressive Betfred Sprint Cup winner Markab could have run his last race of the season.

Five suspected gang members were being questioned for a second day today over the tiger kidnapping of a bank worker and his wife.

The European Commission wants to wind down nationalised Anglo Irish Bank while management still believes it would better to keep a rump open, the bank's chief executive said in an interview published today.

Portumna, Inniskeen Grattans, Shannon Rovers and Tourin claimed the four All-Ireland Hurling Sevens titles that were on offer in mixed weather conditions in Dublin yesterday.