Britain's Royal Air Force launched Typhoon aircraft this afternoon to intercept a civilian aircraft which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities.

CONTROVERSY IN VENEZUELA OVER CHAVEZ PRAYER

SKELETONS IN CLOSET?

 DIAMOND DOG COUGHS UP MISSING WEDDING RING 

The father of the young man suspected of carrying out a fatal shooting at Los Angeles International Airport called his local police chief around the time of the shooting to report that his son had sent a suicidal text message to a sibling and he needed to find him, a New Jersey police chief said.

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, formerly Anglo Irish Bank, has filed a Chapter 15 bankruptcy petition in Delaware yesterday to protect US holdings, listing more than $1bn (€747m) each in assets and debt.

Tony Scott, director of such Hollywood hits as 'Top Gun', 'Days of Thunder' and 'Beverly Hills Cop II', died after jumping from a towering suspension bridge spanning Los Angeles harbour and leaving behind several notes to loved ones, authorities said.

British film-maker Tony Scott, who directed blockbusters including Top Gun, Days of Thunder and Beverly Hills Cop II, has died after jumping off a bridge in Los Angeles, authorities said today.

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens have been spotted kissing this weekend in North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Hanna sped toward the Carolinas today, promising to deliver gusty winds and heavy rain during a dash up America’s Eastern Seaboard that could wash out the weekend for millions of people.

Tropical Storm Hanna roared along the edge of the Bahamas today, ahead of a possible hurricane hit on the Carolinas, leaving behind at least 61 dead in Haiti.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle swirled towards North Carolina today, but its promised rain and high winds were not enough to scare residents and holidaymakers away from the beach.

US scientists have found what they believe are traces of the lost Indonesian civilisation of Tambora, which was wiped out in 1815 by the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded history.

Hurricane Ophelia weakened slightly and slowed to a crawl today along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, giving the fragile barrier islands a prolonged soaking even as it appeared the storm had not caused severe inland flooding.

Hurricane Ophelia continued its tortuously slow crawl along North Carolina coastline early today as officials feared serious flooding, but do not expect it to make landfall.

Hurricane Ophelia picked up strength as it closed in on North Carolina today, but many in the storm's path had shrugged off the threat of wind and flooding rain and ignored pleas to evacuate.

Hurricane Ophelia was downgraded to a tropical storm again today as the indecisive weather system moved slowly off the Atlantic coast, its outer bands of rain not quite reaching land.

AT 6am yesterday, a good hour before dawn, George W Bush was already up and about.

Royal Dutch/Shell Group said fires that broke out at its refinery in Los Angeles were immediately contained and did not create any disruptions in operations.

HOLLYWOOD star Ben Affleck yesterday denied meeting a woman who is accusing him of making threats against her.

I WANT the people of Ireland, the Government and anyone who had anything to do with bringing the Jeanie Johnston to Philadelphia to realise the importance of her visit.

The Iraqi lawyer who helped US troops rescue American prisoner of war Jessica Lynch was honoured by an American lawyers’ group.

Fifty-two workers are to lose their jobs with the closure of the Pacific Scientific facility in Ennis, Co Clare.