Sixty-three batches of a powerful weight-loss drug traditionally used by African bushmen on hunting trips have been seized by Customs this year, authorities revealed today.

A BRITISH-born American computer game designer and two Russian cosmonauts touched down on target in Kazakhstan yesterday after a descent from the international space station.

GENERAL ante-post favourite King Rama is a doubt for next week’s Guinness Galway Hurdle after sustaining a muscle injury at Leopardstown on Thursday night.

Eoghan O’Neill hopes Reve De Soleil proves adept in Listed class after the chestnut showed limitless potential at Pontefract.

Halla San looks booked for success in Saturday’s main event, the Sunderlands Imperial Cup.

Stan must find way to overcome Duff loss

Richard Fahey’s impressive start to the season continued when Halla San made a mockery of his rivals in the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap at the Yorkshire venue.

Hoh Viss may have been flattered by a staggering 50-length winning margin last time but he still looks a good bet to follow up at Leicester tomorrow.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is today beginning a US visit, set to be dominated by the Northern peace process, with a stop-over in Silicon Valley boomtown San Jose which he twinned with Dublin when lord mayor 20 years ago.

Canavan, carrying the colours made famous on the Flat by such stars as Halmahera and Amadeus Wolf, gave owner John Duddy more cause for celebration with victory in the Camerons Brewery Maiden Chase at Sedgefield.

ACTOR Pat Morita, whose portrayal of the wise and dry-witted Mr Miyagi in The Karate Kid earned him an Oscar nomination, has died aged 73.

People jumped from windows or screamed for rescue from flames as fire roared through a Paris hotel today, killing at least 16 people, including six children, officials said.

A fire roared through a central Paris hotel early today, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens more, fire officials said. A witness said he saw several hotel guests leap from windows to escape the flames.