He has been critical of the path that the Republican Party has taken under President Trump.

"(The media) don't want to report that I spoke out forecefully against bigotry, hatred and violence."

US president Donald Trump dug in defiantly in his response to racial violence in Virginia, echoing the position of white nationalists by intensifying his opposition to the removal of monuments to the pro-slavery Civil War Confederacy.

Hillary Clinton introduced running mate Tim Kaine as "a progressive who likes to get things done", joining him in the crucial battleground state of Florida to help kick off next week's Democratic National Convention.

The political clout of the NRA is renowned, but it now faces its biggest battle, write Julie Bykowicz and Greg Giroux

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday welcomed a new bill to radically reform strict US immigration laws giving hope to 50,000 illegal Irish.

Fidel Castro does not have cancer or a terminal illness and will eventually return to public life, Cuban officials told visiting US politicians.

Embattled Congressman Tom DeLay decided today to give up his post as House majority leader – the leader of Republicans in the House of Representatives - clearing the way for new leadership elections among House Republicans eager to shed the taint of scandal, two officials said.