The Offaly village of Moneygall - home to Barack Obama’s ancestors - threw a celebration party tonight in a local pub in anticipation of his victory in the US presidential election.

SUCH was the delight of the US administration on hearing that Saddam had been hanged that one could almost visualise these wonderful upholders of democracy and freedom dancing in a big circle around the White House and singing ‘Ding Dong the Witch is Dead’.

Maria Sharapova has put her Wimbledon rivals on alert by claiming she is running into form at the just the right time.

Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge played the first nine holes in a better-ball 30 to put Wales only one behind surprise early leaders Paraguay when golf’s World Cup began at Vilamoura on Portugal’s sunny Algarve today.

Images of George Bush being cheered by troops during his surprise visit to Baghdad last month boosted public support for the war in Iraq.

BRITAIN were defeated in their historic first return to the America’s Cup stage in 15 years, as they lost to Team Dennis Conner’s vastly experienced crew on Stars and Stripes in the first showcase race of the 31st America’s Cup series.