A man charged with murdering the daughter of one of Ireland's best-known sporting personalities yesterday claimed that police interrogators had held his head in a bucket of water and partially suffocated him with a towel.

Welcome to Hancock's half-minute (and other utter failures)

As David Cameron hosts summit to tackle threat to trade on the Indian Ocean, Britain is accused of soft-pedalling the issue

Mining officials loyal to President Robert Mugabe are stashing profits from diamond fields amid fears the money could fund political violence ahead of proposed elections, it was claimed yesterday.

Clashes between government and opposition supporters on the Maldives have not spread to the pristine beaches and luxury spas of the Indian Ocean archipelago. So that's all right then. Except that it isn't.

Less than £200... Summer flights

Spanish airline Vueling has announced it is due to start direct flights from Southampton to its main hub at Barcelona's El Prat airport from 23 June this year, just in time for the summer season. Tickets to the Catalan capital – with its vibrant Gaudi architecture, gourmet cuisine and glorious beaches – are available to book now via the website, with return fares starting at €140 (£116). Vueling.com

An American military drone, which had been used to monitor piracy off the East African coast, has crashed at an airport on the Seychelles during a routine patrol, officials said yesterday.

A week today marks a significant anniversary as far as I'm concerned, though whether its one to be celebrated is sometimes a matter of debate.

From its floating spa to the moated restaurant, this temple-like hotel offers a blissful break from reality, says Adrian Mourby

Scientists are seeking the help of the Australian and US navies to repel Somali pirates who are threatening one of the world's key climate monitoring programmes.