Russia accuses UK of "unleashing a disgusting anti-Russian hysteria" over Salisbury

Russia has once again denied any involvement in the poisoning of former double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in March.

It comes after the leaders of France, Germany, the US and Canada announced their 'full confidence' in the British government's allegation that the two suspects in the Salisbury investigation were Russian intelligence officers.

At a meeting of the UN Security Council this evening, the UK laid out its case against the suspects – and reiterated its belief that the suspects are officers from the Russian GRU, military intelligence agency.

However, in response, the Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya accused the UK of ‘repeating the same lies’ in an attempt to “unleash a disgusting anti-Russian hysteria.”

Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan died by drowning, inquest hears

An inquest in Britain has heard The Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan died by drowning due to alcohol intoxication.

She was found submerged in a bath of water in a London hotel back in January.

A toxicology report also showed she was four-times over the legal driving limit.

Five miniature bottles of spirits were found in her hotel room.

Two arrested as Gardaí uncover drugs worth €1.8m in Dublin

Gardaí have seized drugs worth €1.8m in west Dublin.

During searches of a house on the Neilstown road in Clondalkin, Gardaí found heroin with an estimated street value of up to €1.68m.

Investigators also found Diazepam and Xanax tablets worth up to €150,000 - and cannabis herb worth around €10,000.

A man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s were arrested at the scene and are being held at separate garda stations in the west Dublin area.

Hollywood star Burt Reynolds dies aged 82

Hollywood movie star Burt Reynolds has died, according to reports in the US.

His manager told the Hollywood Reporter that the star passed away at Juniper Medical Centre in Florida this morning.

Reynolds starred in a host of major films and received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of porn director Jack Horner in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights.

The Michigan-born actor got his breakthrough in 1972 with the film Deliverance and went on to star in a string of hits throughout the 1970s – including The Longest Yard, Smokey and the Bandit, and Hooper.

Government confirms plan to establish €1.25bn Land Development Agency

The Government has confirmed it plans to establish a new Land Development Agency to tackle the ongoing housing crisis.

At the Fine Gael think in Galway this afternoon, the Taoiseach said the new agency will be handed €1.25bn to build social, affordable and private homes.

Leo Varadkar also said he recognises that the homelessness crisis is still going in the ‘wrong direction’ - but insisted there is "no quick fix” solution.

There are now 9,891 homeless people living in Ireland according to the latest Government figures - however homeless charities have warned that the actual figure may be far higher.