OVER 600 competitors are taking part in the Cycling Couriers' World Championship in Dublin this weekend. The Championship, in which couriers from across the globe take part in a series of competitions based around cycling and couriering, is taking place in the Phoenix Park.

Competitions include a cycling backwards race, a long skid contest, throwing a bicycle and couriering items from one place to another in a speed trial. An art exhibition of pieces created and inspired by couriers is also taking place in Benburb Street.

This is the 15th year of the World Championship, which began in Berlin in 1992.

PSNI investigates murders in Derry

TWO seperate murder inquiries have been launched by police in Co Derry. The body of a 40year-old man was discovered at a house in Magherafelt at 5am yesterday. The PSNI said two men were being questioned.

Earlier, a 19-year-old man died during a row in the Creggan area of Derry city. The PSNI said that he suffered severe injuries during a confrontation at Rinmore Drive at around 2.30am yesterday. The victim was named as Liam Devlin of Burnfoot, Co Donegal.

Boy killed in Cavan farm accident A 10-YEAR-OLD boy has been killed in an accident on a farm in Cavan. The accident happened at around 8pm on Friday in the Ballyjamesduff area.

His body was taken to Louth County Hospital in Dundalk for a postmortem examination.

The Health and Safety Authority is to be informed of the incident.

The death brings to seven the number of people killed in agricultural accidents so far this year.

Appeal for flood victims in Asia

CONCERN has appealed for donations to help assist flood victims in the Bangladesh region.

Millions of people have been forced from their homes in Bangladesh and neighbouring areas of northern India and Nepal in monsoon downpours.

Concern is using boats to distribute food to 11,000 people in the area, as well as conducting search and rescue missions in flooded areas. Almost 200 people have died in the worst flood to hit the region in years.

Gardai question two over Meath killing

GARDAI continued questioning two people yesterday, Saturday, in relation to the killing of a Nigerian teenager in Meath.The 17-year-old victim was shot dead at his home in Dunboyne in the early hours of Friday morning when a shot was fired through his front door. A man and a woman were arrested on Friday evening in relation to the incident and were still in custody in Clondalkin Garda Station in Dublin yesterday.

Forensic officers examine Dundalk shooting scene GARDAI are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident in which a shot was fired at a house in Dundalk early yesterday, Saturday. The single shot was aimed at the front door of a house located in the Maple Close area of the town at around 3am.

No one was injured in the incident and forensic officers are examining the scene.

IRELAND'S agriculture industry was on high alert last night after 60 cattle on a farm in Surrey were found to be infected with foot and mouth disease.

Department of Agriculture officials in Dublin and the Stormont Executive in Belfast held a series of separate meetings and plans for an all-island approach to tackle the threat have been put in place.

Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan has imposed a ban on all imports of live animals, fresh meat and non-pasteurised milk from Britain. Ports and airports have also been alerted to put in place the necessary precautionary measures.