One of Oklahoma's largest earthquakes on record has rattled other parts of the Midwest in the US, from Nebraska to North Texas.

Irish builder Tony Monaghan hopes his documentary about construction workers in his adopted home in the US will help inspire people to improve their lot, writes Marjorie Brennan

Forget the latest diet. Eat to nourish your gut and expect to reap the benefits: better mental health, high energy and weight loss, says Clodagh Finn.

A five-year-old boy has died in a gun battle as his family were driving away from a park north of St Louis, Missouri.

IT’S commonplace in our public conversation to deify Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, but the connection between Irishness and racism is studiously avoided. Its uncomfortable, it’s ingrained, but it’s a deeply unattractive part of us.

Welcome to your Tuesday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

A family was driven from their suburban St Louis, Missouri home by up to 6,000 venomous spiders that fell from the ceiling and oozed from the walls.

Ireland’s new US ambassador formally presented his credentials to President Michael D Higgins in a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Relatives said goodbye yesterday to the 18-year-old unarmed black man who was shot and killed by a police officer, remembering him as a "gentle soul" with a deep and growing faith in Christianity and ambitions that one day "the world would know his name".

Police say a black teenager shot dead by an officer was suspected of robbing a store shortly before he was killed.

In a Restaurant in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, April 2012

William Burroughs’ centenary occurs this month. The West Cork-based photographer John Minihan recalls meeting the controversial author in London

Supporters of a Co Cork girl who needs €60,000 for a potentially life-changing operation in the US are planning to smash the world ‘rock the boat’ record as part of a fundraising effort for her.

The family of a 6-year-old girl has expressed its delight after a hospital in the US agreed to carry out what may be a life-changing operation.

The family of a six-year-old Co Cork girl is hoping she will shortly get the go-ahead to travel to the US for a life-changing operation.

One of Ireland’s leading short film-makers has joined Oprah Winfrey as a life coach on her latest US television programme.

The world’s most valuable company has turned into a bit of a casino stock.

COVIDIEN Plc, a maker of surgical products and drugs, plans to spin-off its pharmaceuticals division into a separate company that could be based in Ireland.

THE skies over Cork will be lit up by a spectacular laser show this week to honour the father of vocational education in Ireland.

Haitian President Rene Preval today implored the international community to better co-ordinate the massive aid effort for his country and not to squabble over how to provide it.

EACH year at this time, I see it as my duty to tell you what’s going to happen next year.

New Orleans is the most violent US city, with more than 19,000 reported crimes and 208 murders in 2007, according to a study released Monday.

America’s two vice presidential nominees targeted their rivals at the top of the ticket as both avoided making any significant mistakes in their only head-to-head debate of the 2008 election.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain defended his controversial running mate Sarah Palin today as the only vice presidential debate of the 2008 election loomed.

About 150,000 people in the US have been affected by the theft of laptops with personal information about current and former employees of brewing giant Anheuser-Busch.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch today agreed a US$52bn (€32.7bn) takeover bid from Stella Artois maker InBev.

A plane carrying Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has made an unscheduled landing after developing a mechanical problem.

Barack Obama is bad for business, his Republican rival John McCain said today.

A woman faces charges for allegedly perpetrating a hoax on the online social network MySpace against a 13-year-old neighbour who committed suicide.

John McCain declared he has been cancer-free since a bout with skin cancer seven-and-a-half years ago, although the pending Republican presidential nominee underwent a full medical examination — including a cancer screening.

THIS is the week John McCain takes a measure of what the Republican presidential nomination is worth.

In the ‘show me’ State, actions speak louder than words, reports John Breslin in St Louis, Missouri.

Beyonce Knowles rushed to a St Louis, Missouri hospital as soon as her concert in the city finished on Sunday night - to check up on two fans injured during the gig.

JOHN DUDDY makes a long-awaited return to the ring at the Madison Square Garden Theatre tonight as he seeks to further his claims to a world middleweight title shot with a pay-per-view headline fight against Anthony Bonsante.

AN 84-year-old World War II veteran has won a €195 million lottery jackpot.

A 41-year old man has been charged with kidnap after shocked police discovered a 13-year-old boy who vanished five days ago – along with a 15-year-old boy who had missing since 2002.

A US Marine was today convicted in a landmark rape case and sentenced to 40 years in prison, ending a long, emotional trial that has strained US-Filipino ties and tested a joint military pact.

Rock 'n' roll icon Chuck Berry celebrated his 80th birthday last night with an intimate concert at his favourite St Louis, Missouri hometown haunt the Blueberry Hill's Duck Room.

US government lawyers say they will continue prosecuting BetOnSports, even though the British-based internet gambling company is shutting down its operations that take bets from American customers.

Introducing love and affection into the lives of orphanage children has an “astonishing” affect on their growth, scientists heard today.

Hip-hop star Nelly has sent two 18-wheeler trucks loaded with supplies, clothing, toiletries and financial donations to America's hurricane-affected region.

Hip-hop star Nelly plans to resume his Sweat Suit Tour on Sunday, after taking time out to mourn the death of his sister Jacqueline Donahue.

President George Bush delivered a combative defence of his policies last night as he went head-to-head in a second live debate with his election challenger John Kerry.