Ten birds of prey poisoned

Ten protected birds of prey have been killed by poisoning so far this year, it was confirmed today.

The Golden Eagle Trust revealed the latest victims, two white-tailed eagles, were found dead near Beaufort, Co Kerry, in recent weeks.

Toxicology tests showed the reintroduced birds had been poisoned by Carbofuran, a substance previously used as a pesticide but now illegal in Ireland.

Three red kites, a golden eagle, three buzzards and a peregrine falcon have also been killed from poison in the Republic of Ireland over the last four months.

Seven arrested after Luton loss

Seven people were arrested after football fans attacked police with brooms and mops as trouble flared following Luton Town's defeat in the Blue Square Premier League semi-final play-off.

Police said Luton supporters invaded the pitch after the Hatters lost 1-0 to York City at Kenilworth Road last night.

Missiles were thrown at York's players and riot police were called in. The violence spilled over to nearby Dunstable Road where a small number of fans attacked police with mops and brooms they found outside a DIY store.

Three months to stop leak -- BP

BP said today that efforts to seal off the ruptured oil well spewing crude into the Gulf of Mexico could take three months.

The oil giant has begun work on a relief well to intercept the leaking well and permanently seal it but this could take "some three months", the firm said.

An estimated 1.6 million gallons of oil are estimated to have spilled since the BP-operated Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank on April 20, killing 11 workers.