Rescue 116 wreckage lifted from ocean floor

The wreckage of Rescue 116 has been successfully lifted from the ocean floor.

Navy divers today managed to attach straps to the fuselage and the lifting operation got underway this evening.

However, as of yet there is no sign of the two remaining missing Coast Guard crew, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby.

Donald Trump walks out of signing ceremony without signing orders

Donald Trump walked out of a signing ceremony yesterday - without signing the executive orders he was meant to sign.

One order focused on identifying potential foreign trade abuses, while another tightened the country's anti-dumping laws.

Reporters and camera operators were invited to witness the ceremony in the Oval Office, which featured remarks from President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and the administration's secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross. 

More than 250 dead after landslide in Colombia

At least 254 people have died and hundreds more are injured after what's being described as a "water avalanche" in Colombia.

The floods hit the city of Mocoa in the south of the country, with 30% of average monthly rain having fallen in a single night.

Late on Friday (local time), torrential rain sent mud and water from three rivers flowing through the streets, destroying homes and ripping trees from their roots.

Leo Cullen highlights benefits of last season's Champions Cup exit

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen feels the experience received by the province's young players at the end of last season's European Champions Cup pool stage has been a benefit this campaign.

Leinster are into the semi finals of the competition after beating Premiership side Wasps and have put themselves within a victory (over Toulon or Clermont) of making it to the final. 

Eight of the Leinster starting XV were aged 24 or under and after an underwhelming European campaign in 2015-16, those experiences have proven to be a good learning curve for the players according to Cullen who was speaking to Newstalk's Dave McIntyre. 

Irish families spend double the European average on childcare

The average Irish family spends 34% of their household income on childcare, which is double the European average.

New research shows that the childcare sector is facing a chronic staffing crisis with 86% of crèches and preschools saying they're concerned about being able to recruit trained staff. 

The Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has recently promised an independent review of the cost of childcare.