CUSTOMS officers have disrupted an illegal tobacco distribution network following a significant seizure in Cork – the value of which was revised upwards last night.

COUNTERFEIT cigarettes 10 times more carcinogenic than shop-sold brands and containing traces of urine have been seized in a major crackdown.

A gunman killed at least nine people on a terrifying rampage across two Alabama counties, burning down his mother’s home, killing members of his own family and shooting apparent strangers on their porches as he drove by, authorities said. He then fatally shot himself at a metals plant.

Iceland nationalised its second-largest bank today under new emergency legislation as it moved to get a grip on the escalating economic crisis.

Gary Moore is hoping last season’s Cheltenham hero Tikram can provide his team with another big-race winner at the home of jumps racing when he lines up in the £110,000 (€159,500) Paddy Power Gold Cup next month.