NEWT GINGRICH has charged into the fray over illegal immigration, risking conservative fury just as his Republican presidential campaign — once declared all but dead — has vaulted into front-runner status.

A winter storm made travel torturous in north-east America, dropping a thick layer of snow that stranded thousands of airline, train and bus passengers and made motorists think twice about hitting post-Christmas sales.

A business jet carrying Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker crashed on take-off because its tyres were under-inflated, a problem that may affect many other planes, investigators said today.

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has had surgery burns after a plane crash that killed four people, including two close friends, his spokesman said today.

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and celebrity disc jockey DJ AM are expected to fully recover from burns they suffered in a fiery South Carolina jet crash that killed the other four people aboard, one of their doctors said today.

A woman accused of promising couples she would be their surrogate mother has been charged with cheating at least six people out of $14,000 (€9,500), police said.

AN American mother had her 12-year-old son arrested for opening his Christmas present early.

An American mother had her 12-year-old son arrested for opening his Christmas present early.

The remnants of the first named storm of the hurricane season churned through the south-eastern US early today, bringing much-needed rain and offering officials a chance to practice their storm preparations.

James Brown, known as the Godfather of Soul, pleaded guilty today to a domestic violence charge stemming from an argument with his wife and was let off with a £620 fine.

The long sunny days of summer may increase the risk of catching a common sexually transmitted infection.