Serial killer admits to killing Milly Dowler

Serial killer Levi Bellfield has for the first time admitted abducting, raping and murdering schoolgirl Milly Dowler, police in the UK say.

Bellfield, who now calls himself Yusuf Rahim, made the admission during an investigation into whether he had an accomplice, according to the Surrey force.

Police said it had arrested a man in his 40s on Wednesday "in relation to allegations of rape and assisting an offender".

Officers later released him without charge over the claims, after finding no evidence to support them.

'Would you like a waiter with that?' - McDonald's to introduce table service in Ireland

Fast-food chain McDonald's has announced plans to introduce table service at its Irish restaurants.

The chain currently has 89 restaurants across the country.

It says some of these already have features, such as self-order kiosks and Samsung Galaxy Tablets.

Just when we thought he was off, Keith Earls is staying at Munster

Munster and Ireland star Keith Earls has signed a three-year deal with the IRFU.

Expected to join English Premiership side Saracens, a U-turn appears to have occurred as the versatile winger and centre will be staying put. 

The IRFU and Earls confirmed the turn of events this afternoon, as well as revealing that the player's Munster and Ireland team-mate Conor Murray has also signed a new central contract. 

Members of Banking Inquiry defend final report

Members of the banking inquiry have been defending their final report saying it was the best they could do given time and other restrictions. 

It blames banks for poor lending practices, the Financial Regulator for failing to govern them properly, politicians for pursuing policies that fuelled a property bubble, and then the ECB for forcing the Irish taxpayer to take on the costs of saving the banks.

But some members of the inquiry have expressed their disappointment that they never got to hear from some key players, especially to do with the former Anglo Irish Bank. Both Joe Higgins and Pearse Doherty refused to sign off on the document, with Doherty saying it was a “disservice” to the public.

Ireland falls to 18th in international corruption index

Ireland has been ranked as the 18th least corrupt state in the world - falling one spot from its previous ranking.

Nordic countries dominate the top of the list, with Denmark in first place followed by Finland and Sweden. The UK and Germany also make the top 10.