SPIKE ISLAND cast a dark shadow over the life of Patrick Tierney, alias Edward O’Connor.

A CONNECTICUT jury is to hear arguments today on whether to execute a man who along with an alleged accomplice turned a smart suburban home into a house of horrors, murdering and incinerating a mother and her two girls.

The withdrawal of Flavia Pennetta allowed US Open top seed Caroline Wozniacki to reach the last four of the Pilot Pen Tennis without playing in New Haven, Connecticut.

Waving cardboard red, white and blue “W”s, thousands welcomed George Bush and his wife Laura to their post-presidential home in Texas.

The presidential finale for George Bush includes a goodbye to Washington and a hello from fellow Texans.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said religious faith could be a double-edged sword, inspiring some people to do harm, but also having the potential to ease conflicts.

CAESAREAN childbirth may weaken the attachment of a mother to her baby, a study has shown.

World number 14 Andy Murray was uncertain about his immediate plans after his comeback from injury was abruptly halted by a 6-2 6-2 defeat by Fabio Fognini in the second round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

GLOBAL warming could be returning the world to the way it was four million years ago — when sea levels were 80ft higher than they are today, scientists have warned.

AN American woman is suing her fertility specialist after learning she was inseminated by the sperm of the wrong man at a clinic in New Haven, Connecticut.

A BORDER Collie called Rico has a ‘vocabulary’ of 200 words and has astounded researchers by showing he can learn new words as well as a three-year-old human child.

A theory which says asthma is caused by a misplaced reaction to parasites has been bolstered by a surprise discovery reported today.

FBI agents were questioning students at the prestigious Yale University law school today, after an explosive device went off in an empty classroom.

MIRACLE man John Brennan is back in the driving seat. The 21-year-old, who survived a vicious assault in the US six months ago is back on the road in his massive 16-wheeler.

A 21-year old Kilkennyman who was left for dead after an attack in the US, got a hero's welcome yesterday to his family and friends who had gathered for an early Thanksgiving dinner.

Martina Hingis has asked for a wild card entry into the US Open.

A media-sponsored review of disputed ballots from the 2000 US presidential election in Florida was ‘‘fascinating’’ but it doesn’t change anything, Senator Joseph Lieberman said yesterday as he reaffirmed his support for President Bush.