President Barack Obama has urged US lawmakers to remember the children gunned down in America and not get “squishy” in the face of powerful forces up against gun control legislation, as supporters struggle to win over moderate Democrats before a Senate vote expected next month.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has described support from the United States as “invaluable” to Ireland’s economic recovery.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny begins his week-long trip to the United Sates today.

At least eight people died in the massive snowstorm that swept through the US north east and Canada.

Snow began to fall as a massive blizzard headed for the US north-east today, sending residents hurrying to stock up on food and supplies.

Former New York mayor Ed Koch, the combative politician who rescued the city from near-financial ruin during three City Hall terms, has died aged 88.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appealed to congressional leaders for quick action on providing tens of billions of dollars in new federal aid to help his city and state and others recover from Superstorm Sandy but was told it might be some time before it is forthcoming – and it likely will not be all at once.

Coastal residents of New York and New Jersey faced fresh warnings to evacuate their homes today as a new storm took aim, a week after Superstorm Sandy left dozens dead and millions without power.

Parts of New York City will be evacuated tomorrow, as another storm bears down on America's north-east coast.

A new storm is expected to hit the New York-New Jersey region still cleaning up after the battering from superstorm Sandy.

The lights are back on in lower Manhattan to the relief of residents who had been plunged into darkness for nearly five days by superstorm Sandy.

More New Yorkers awoke today to power being restored for the first time since Superstorm Sandy pummelled the region, but patience was wearing thin among those in the region who have been without power for most of the week.

The New York City Marathon was last night cancelled by Mayor Michael Bloomberg after mounting criticism that this was not the time for a race while the region is still recovering from Superstorm Sandy.

Tens of thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate coastal areas in the north eastern United States today as big cities and small towns across the US Northeast braced for the onslaught of a superstorm threatening some 60 million people along the most heavily populated corridor in the nation.

New York City is closing schools and ordering some residents in low-lying areas to leave ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

Tensions over how to pay proper respect to the dead are overshadowing New York’s 9/11 memorial at Ground Zero as a gap widens between survivors and the general public 11 years after the event.

A recently laid-off shop worker has shot dead a former colleague outside New York's iconic Empire State Building before being killed by police.

President Michael D Higgins arrives in New York later today for his first official trip to the US.

EXTRAVAGANT firework displays lit up the skies from Sydney to New York in a global New Year’s party as people around the world set aside their worries to welcome 2012.

Revellers erupted in cheers amid a confetti-filled celebration in New York’s Times Square to welcome in the new year, part of star-studded celebrations and glittering fireworks displays around the world to usher in 2012.

A US citizen and al-Qaida sympathiser accused of plotting to bomb police and post offices in New York remained in custody today on terrorism-related charges.

An “al-Qaida sympathiser” accused of plotting to bomb police and post offices in New York City as well as US troops returning home has been arrested on numerous terrorism-related charges.

THE encampment is gone, but the movement lives on.

HUNDREDS of police officers in riot gear raided the New York city park where the Occupy Wall Street protests began, evicting and arresting protesters, before dawn, from what has become the epicentre of the worldwide movement protesting at corporate greed and economic inequality.

Hundreds of police officers in riot gear raided the New York City park where the Occupy Wall Street protests began, evicting and arresting dozens of protesters, before dawn, from what has become the epicentre of the worldwide movement protesting at corporate greed and economic inequality.

THE Occupy Wall Street movement in the US has been heating up again — resulting in about 50 arrests in Boston and plans for a Manhattan “Millionaires March” to the homes of some of New York city’s wealthiest residents.

I’M having a Greta Garbo moment: I just want to be left alone. Apparently, Minister for Health Dr James Reilly is seeking New York-style public health legislation in an effort “to stop the epidemic of cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes, which kill three in five people” — as if we don’t all have to die of something.

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama and former President George W Bush stood in silence yesterday as a church bell rang twice on the precise moment, ten years after the first plane struck the World Trade Center.

Irene has weakened to a tropical storm as it raced across New York City, leaving behind a stunned east coast where at least nine people died, severe flooding was widespread and four million homes were without power.

Hurricane Irene opened its assault on the Eastern Seaboard today by lashing the North Carolina coast with wind as strong as 115 mph and pounding shoreline homes with waves.

New York City's mayor has told residents who need to evacuate ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irene that they should do so immediately.

Hurricane Irene has smashed into the North Carolina coast, forecasters said.

Tropical storm-force winds from Hurricane Irene have begun lashing the east coast of the US, with the potential to cause billions of dollars in damage.

Former US President George W. Bush and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be among the dignitaries at a World Trade Centre site ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

New York’s airports struggled today to clear a huge backlog of flights that stranded thousands of passengers across the United States.

Stranded passengers turned airports into open-air hotels as they waited for planes to get moving again in the wake of a blizzard that hit travel plans in the north-east of the United States.

Blizzard conditions dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the US north east, stranding thousands of airline, bus and rail passengers, with lashing winds and low visibility also buffeting workers returning to their post-Christmas routines.

New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ruled out running for the presidency.

A high-kicking Kung Fu Panda and a diary-toting Wimpy Kid joined the giant balloon lineup as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade unfolded today, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to the annual extravaganza on a chilly, overcast morning.

A plague of bedbugs hitting New York has now become so bad that tourists are cancelling holidays.

A day of mourning for nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11 attacks began with moments of silence and tears near Ground Zero in New York.

Bells tolled throughout New York City and mourners observed a moment of silence to mark the time terrorists began their attack on the US nine years ago.

A US college student who did volunteer work in Afghanistan was charged with slashing a Bangladeshi taxi driver’s neck and face in New York after the driver said he was a Muslim.

NEW YORK is on track to host a record number of visitors this year.