US firm snaps up Irish movie

Death Of A Superhero, which tells the story of terminally ill teenager Donald Clarke, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, has been snapped up by distribution companies in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Filmed on location in Dublin and Wicklow, the movie is based on the novel by internationally acclaimed author Anthony McCarten.

30 years to shut disaster N-plant

A Japanese government panel says it will take at least 30 years to safely close the tsunami-hit Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.

The plant, site of the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986, was severely damaged by Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami, suffering power cuts, meltdowns and explosions that released radioactive material and forced tens of thousands to flee the area.

75pc set to cut festive spend

Consumers are tightening the purse strings this Christmas as new research has found that three-quarters of adults are cutting back on festive spending this year.

Celebrations, party outfits and presents for friends are most likely to be cut back on, according to an annual Christmas spending survey.

Of the 3,000 people questioned, 55pc plan to reduce the amount they spend on presents, but the majority refuse to cut back when it comes to Christmas dinner.

Townshend to honour DJ Peel

The Who guitarist Pete Townshend will discuss the future of the music industry when he gives the first John Peel lecture in honour of the legendary DJ today.

The inaugural lecture is dedicated to the memory of Peel, who spent more than 30 years on Radio 1.

The lecture, which will look at the impact of free downloads and whether the kind of music Peel championed can survive in the internet age, will be broadcast live on BBC 6 Music.