POLICE have arrested a couple accused of punishing their seven-year-old son by forcing him to wear a nappy and locking him in a coffin in the basement of their northeastern Pennsylvania home.

While Ireland remains a popular study option for US students, equally a world of educational opportunity awaits the Irish stateside with a range of financial supports on offer, writes Education Correspondent Niall Murray

President-elect Barack Obama spoke to the world from his home city of Chicago as he became the first black president of the United States.

Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin portrayed herself as a “pit bull in lipstick” and lived up to her words as she savaged Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in the most important speech of her career.

Joe Biden is Obama’s strongest line of defence against McCain, writes Karen McCarthy in New York.

MAYO could be represented in the White House if Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is successful in his election campaign.