Pope Francis and Cuban president Raul Castro to meet for private talks
Pope Francis will meet with Cuban President Raul Castro at the Vatican on Sunday, Holy See spokesman Federico Lombardi announced.
"Raul Castro will be received in the morning for strictly private talks," the spokesman said in a statement today.
The Vatican announced last month that the Argentinian pope would visit Cuba in September, becoming only the third Pontiff to do so.
September's visit will precede a Papal trip to the United States.
NI parties take part in final TV debate ahead of UK general elections
Northern Ireland's five biggest parties took part in a leaders’ debate this evening.
Welfare reform and gay marriage were two of the main issues addressed in the final televised debate before polls open in the UK general elections on 7 May.
Huckabee to run in US presidential race
US Republican Mike Huckabee entered the race for his party's presidential nomination in 2016.
He is looking to break out from an ever-widening field by drawing on the support of social conservatives attuned to his "culture-warrior" message.
Mr Huckabee a former governor of Arkansas and former host of a popular Fox News Channel programme, made his announcement in Hope, the small town that both he and Democrat Bill Clinton claim as their home town.
Carlingford search operation stood down over hoax
A search and rescue operation, which began after reports that three people were missing on Carlingford Lough, has been stood down as coastguards declared the emergency call as a hoax.
Belfast Coastguard responded to a call at 15.40pm from a person who said their boat was experiencing engine problems.
Director of Irish Coastguard Chris Reynolds said weather conditions are rough at present.
The Irish Coastguard helicopter was involved along with the Belfast Coastguard, the Greenore coastguard and the Kilkeel lifeboat and the South Down coastguard.
President attends memorial service for Rising victims
President Michael D Higgins attended a Service of Remembrance and Reclamation for the 40 children who were killed during the Easter Rising.
Dublin's Lord Mayor Christy Burke and Cabinet ministers were joined at the ecumenical Service by RTÉ's Cór na nÓg and children from the local St Patrick's National School.
The event was organised by RTÉ presenter Joe Duffy, who invited many relatives of the deceased children to attend.
President Higgins said the children may have been forgotten because many of them came from working-class homes in Dublin's notorious tenements.
Former political editor joins Renua
Former political editor of the Sunday Independent John Drennan has joined Renua Ireland.
Mr Drennan will be the party's Director of Communications and Political Strategy.
Party leader Lucinda Creighton welcomed the appointment, saying she is "delighted to have such an experienced and smart person working with Renua."
Irish company receives over €2m funding from EU
An Irish company has received €2.48 million from the European Union to develop an engine that runs on hot water into a commercial market ready product.
Exergyn Ltd received the grant under the EU's €3bn research and innovation fund, Horizon 2020.
The firm has developed Exergyn DriveTM, an engine that can generate electricity from hot water.
The company, which currently employs 15 people, predicts that if used around the globe, it could reduce carbon emissions by around 2%.
Incidence of asthma in Ireland increasing
Ireland has the fourth highest incidence of asthma in the world and this has been increasing according to Sharon Cosgrave, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland.
She was speaking on World Asthma Day, saying there has also been an increase in asthma-related allergies.
She said they are asking people to put in place an asthma action plan, which will help them manage their asthma symptoms.
Trial date set for former Panamanian leader
Panama's supreme court has set a trial date later this month for ex-dictator Manuel Noriega in a case alleging that he was involved in the kidnapping and murder of a political opponent in 1970.
The trial on 21 May aims to shed light on the disappearance and death of Heliodoro Portugal at a time when Mr Noriega was the head of Panama's now defunct national guard.
Mr Noriega, 81, was military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989.
7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes off Papua New Guinea
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck about 150km off the coast of Papua New Guinea, triggering a tsunami warning for the region.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued the warning, but said that a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.
The quake, downgraded from an initial estimate of 7.5, struck around 2.40am at a depth of 63km and was the latest in a series of strong tremors to hit the region.
Agreement over child soldiers in Central African Republic
Armed factions in the Central African Republic have agreed to free all child soldiers and other children who may be used as cooks or messengers or for sexual purposes, according to the United Nations children's agency UNICEF.
The deal covers an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 children and the eight main militia groups also agreed to end any new recruitment of children, according to UNICEF.
"This is a major step forward for the protection of children in this country," said Mohamed Malick Fall, the UNICEF envoy to Central African Republic.
Longford substation theft leaves customers without power
More than 300 households and businesses in Co Longford were left without power for a time after a conductor was stolen and two electricity poles were damaged at a substation outside Edgesworthtown last night.
The ESB said that those responsible put their lives at risk and also endangered the public.
Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity near the substation or electricity lines is asked to contact their local Garda station and ESB Networks on 1850 372 999.
