Politicians on both sides of the US congressional stalemate have been summoned for talks with president Barack Obama as the partial government shutdown showed little sign of a breakthrough.

An American congressman has attacked the media coverage of Michael Jackson’s death and said he was a “pervert”.

The next president of the United States will maintain his or her country’s strong links with Stormont, Martin McGuinness predicted today.

Dubai Ports World today finalised its £4bn purchase of P&O while bowing to US political pressure by agreeing to end its quest to take over operations at US ports.

Sinn Fein party leader Gerry Adams is to visit Cuban President Fidel Castro next week on a trip that Irish-American supporters say they oppose.