Putin seen in public after 10-day absence
Russian President Vladimir Putin reappeared in public after an unusually long 10-day absence that led to speculation about his whereabouts and health.
Looking somewhat pale, Mr Putin shook hands with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev at the start of a meeting at the Konstantinov's Palace just outside Saint Petersburg.
He dismissed the speculation over the absence, saying "we would be bored if there were no rumours".
Hundreds attend Fenton funeral
Hundreds of people attended the funeral of DJ Tony Fenton in The Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook in Dublin
Mr Fenton's family were joined by former colleagues from RTÉ and Today FM and musicians, including members of U2 who performed during the ceremony.
Mr Fenton, who was 53, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer several years ago.
Radio stations nationwide played Aretha Franklin's I Say a Little Prayer at the 2.30pm this afternoon in tribute to the DJ.
Delays onboard Irish Ferries vessel at Dublin Port
Passengers onboard the Irish Ferries vessel Ulysses had to remain on the ship at Dublin Port for an hour this evening following a request from the port authorities in Holyhead.
At around 5.25pm this evening, Irish Ferries received a request from the Welsh port asking them not to discharge any of the 1,500 passengers onboard when it docked.
It's not known why the request was made.
The passengers were kept on the ship for around an hour before a subsequent call from Holyhead gave the all clear for the passengers to be allowed disembark.
Miliband rules out SNP coalition
British labour leader Ed Miliband has said there will be no power-sharing deal with the Scottish National Party and he would not lead a government that included SNP ministers.
"It will not happen," he said at a town hall-style campaign event in Guiseley, West Yorkshire.
"There are big differences between us ...Labour will not go into coalition government with the SNP.
"There will be no SNP ministers in any government I lead."
Mali rebels reject proposed peace deal
Rebels in northern Mali have rejected a preliminary peace deal after days of talks with grassroots supporters ended.
They said the document did not tackle the root causes of the conflict but that they remained committed to negotiations.
The proposal was drawn up after months of talks in Algeria and signed by the government in Bamako earlier this month.
It is aimed at tackling decades of rebellion in Mali's desert north, where Islamists militants are also battling French and UN troops.
In a statement issued late yesterday, the Coordination of Azawad Movements rebel group said the proposals failed to meet their expectations.
EU worried by military build-up in Crimea
The European Union said today it would stick to its policy of not recognising Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
It also voiced concern over what it said was a military build-up and deteriorating human rights situation there.
"The European Union does not recognise and continues to condemn this act of violation of international law," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.
He marked the anniversary of Russia's annexation off the Ukrainian region.
She said the EU would remain committed to its policy of not recognising the annexation, including through sanctions.
