Karen Buckley’s family are "absolutely heartbroken"; the government has been called on to hire more professional planners; and a new Star Wars trailer has landed. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Now that the Britannia Awards are televised, viewers can see Sacha Baron Cohen knock an 87-year-old woman out of her wheelchair.

Jamie Oliver's new TV show will see him cook healthy meals in just 15 minutes.

Apple is upping its game in a bid to annexe the living room into its entertainment empire.

TOURISM Ireland has launched an ambitious $500,000 (€350,000) short-term marketing campaign in the US, aimed at reviving dwindling interest in the Irish holiday market amongst North American travellers.

Tourism chiefs are blitzing US television networks, newspapers and the internet with ads promoting Ireland in a half-a-million-dollar bid to woo holidaymakers, it was revealed today.

A linguist has warned 'X Factor' judge Cheryl Cole against changing her accent to crack America.

The first debate between John McCain and Barack Obama, seen by an estimated 52.4 million viewers, was a TV ratings flop, a US research firm said.

THE online community MySpace is partnering with the BBC to bring some of the British broadcaster’s programmes to a worldwide audience in the site’s first global content deal involving a big network.

Opposition legislators submitted their resignations today as part of their efforts to undercut President General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election bid, while two of his opponents filed fresh legal challenges to his candidacy.

Former Cheers actress Kirstie Alley is set to star in a US version of hit British comedy The Vicar of Dibley.

A row has broken out between two neighbouring Aran Islands off Co Galway over an inaugural Father Ted festival next month.

Footballers’ Wives has been axed after five years of over-the-top goings-on at Earls Park FC.

A new sitcom that will reunite Absolutely Fabulous stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley has been snapped up for American TV.

Albert Square could be re-locating to Chicago it emerged today, as plans are made for a US version of EastEnders’.

GRAHAM NORTON may stay in the US because he is “bored” with Britain - jeopardising plans for his new BBC show.

Ricky Gervais’s smash hit The Office has failed to get nominated for the Emmys, TV’s equivalent of the Oscars.

The American remake of hit British sit com The Office got off to a rocky start when test audiences gave it the thumbs down.

Ricky Gervais had TV viewers in stitches on both sides of the Atlantic with The Office, and Hollywood giggling when he accepted Golden Globe honours as casually as if he was doing the shopping.

The Office’s Ricky Gervais described winning two historic Golden Globe awards today as the highlight of his career.

Hit British sitcom The Office beat off tough competition to become the surprise winner of two Golden Globe awards at a glittering Hollywood ceremony today.

The American version of the hit British comedy Coupling has been taken off the air because of low ratings.

Funnyman Ricky Gervais is hoping that his sitcom The Office will prove a hit in America, after the NBC network said today it was producing a remake of the show.

Thousands of soap fans and expatriates are battling to bring EastEnders back to American TV screens after the popular drama was suddenly axed.

IRISH comedy star Graham Norton is set for international stardom after landing his own US chat show.

Irish comedian Graham Norton is set for international stardom after landing his own US chat show, it was announced today.

THE dream lives on for Father Ted as the hilarious sitcom idea is transatlantic-bound.

A hunt is on for an actor to portray David Brent in an American version of the BBC Two comedy series The Office.

The Office has received rave reviews from critics after its first airing on US television.

Irish comedian Graham Norton has made his US stage debut - and immediately won over his audience by mocking President George W Bush.