HM Revenue and Customs says some 1.4 million people each owe about £1,500 in tax, while 4.3 million will get an average rebate of £418.

Police declare an overnight curfew in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a powerful earthquake causes considerable damage but no fatalities.

A Tory councillor defects to Labour over cuts to the government's schools building programme, saying she was "ashamed to be a Conservative".

Shoes, eggs and plastic bottles are thrown at Tony Blair as he arrives at a book-shop in Dublin to sign copies of his memoirs.

More than 100 demonstrations are planned across France to protest against the government's policy of deporting Roma people.

Nine people, including four tourists, are killed when a light aircraft crashes after taking off from Fox Glacier in New Zealand, say reports.

A protest took place in Dublin city centre this morning where former British prime minister Tony Blair held a public book signing, the first since his memoirs were released this week.

Glorious sunshine greeted fans arriving at Electric Picnic yesterday as an Irish festival finally caught a break with the weather.

An Irishman is among nine people who died today after a light aircraft crashed and burst into flames in New Zealand, police said.

Police launched a murder inquiry tonight after a man?s body was found at an apartment in Co Armagh.

An inquiry into the fitness to practise of two doctors following the removal of a wrong kidney from a child at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, ended this evening with the medics being cleared of professional misconduct.

Gardaí in Leixlip, Co Kildare, are seeking the public's help to find a missing girl.