The United States issued an extraordinary global travel warning to Americans about the threat of an al-Qaida attack and closed down 21 embassies and consulates across the Muslim world for the weekend.

COUNTER terrorism police arrested 12 suspects in four cities yesterday over fears they were preparing to launch an attack.

The top al-Qaida terrorist killed in the US raid on Syria was about to stage an attack in Iraq, defence sources said today.

US PRESIDENT George W Bush yesterday accepted responsibility for a discredited portion his State of the Union address that suggested deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was shopping for nuclear material in Africa.

Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €63.8m last year, according to the company's latest annual report.