More than 100,000 copies of U2: The Best of 1980-1990 were ordered by retailers across the island to cope with early demand.

Record stores on both sides of the border opened at midnight on Sunday to sell copies of a limited edition double CD version of the album.

The pack features 15 of the band's B-sides from the 1980s, as well as the main album, which boats hits such as New Year's Day, Pride and All I Want Is You.

Single success

A single from the collection, Sweetest Thing, held steady at number four in the UK charts this week.

U2 remain Ireland's most successful rock group ever, with album sales topping more than 75 million over a 20-year period.

Although the limited edition version is out now, the regular version of the album will not be released on its own until 9 November.

Stone's film sets off controversy

Oliver Stone: Film blames missile, not malfunction, in TWA tragedy

Film director Oliver Stone's has angered US government inspectors with his latest project, about TWA Flight 800. Stone is backing the controversial theory that the aeroplane, which exploded over Long Island in 1996, was brought down by a navy missile.

"The FBI came up with a conclusion that I did not agree with," said the Oscar-winning director, whose JFK film caused controversy by advancing a complex conspiracy theory for the assassination of President John Kennedy.

Investigators who spent more than two years working on the TWA tragedy and ruled out the missile theory, are upset with the film's premise.

The airliner exploded over the south shore of Long Island minutes after take-off from JFK airport in New York in July 1996, killing all 230 people on board. The FBI found no evidence of a crime and concluded a fuel tank had exploded.

World Cup table up for auction...

Des Lynam: His World Cup table goes up for sale

One of the biggest stars of the BBC's World Cup coverage - the studio coffee table - will help raise cash for Children In Need by being auctioned off.

The specially designed coffee table found fame as Des Lynam, David Ginola and Alan Hansen gathered around it when BBC Sport decamped to Paris for France 98.

Pop idol Robbie Williams even measured up the table during one broadcast to see if it would fit in his living room.

It will be sold off by Terry Wogan live on Radio 2 as part of the station's annual contribution to Children In Need.

...while Dando hits the Bullseye

Holiday presenter Jill Dando is to add a new string to her bow - becoming the presenter of Bullseye.

She will front a one-off BBC special of the quiz in aid of Children In Need - with contestants drawn from the cast of BBC One's Men Behaving Badly.

Martin Clunes, Neil Morrisey, Caroline Quentin and Leslie Ash will be taking part in the live broadcast on 20 November.

One lucky viewer of will also be invited to the studio for a chance to see the behind the scenes action with hosts of the show, Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin.

The generous individual whose pledged donation pushes the total above the £1m mark will be collected from anywhere in the UK and transported to Television Centre in London by plane and limousine.

Loach takes best film award in Spain

The latest social drama by British director Ken Loach has won the Golden Ear of Corn Award at the Valladolid Film Festival in Spain.

My Name is Joe focuses on the love affair between a recovering alcoholic and a social worker in a rundown neighbourhood in Glasgow.