An Irish author has been shortlisted for the world’s richest literary prize.

DUBLIN’S €100,000 International IMPAC is the largest literary award for a single work of fiction in the English language.

What I do: I’m a graphic designer, photographer and web designer

Colleges Northern Ireland (CNI) has signed a €3.5m, four-year contract with Calyx to manage and refresh their technology services across 47 college campuses.

Last minute negotiations were being held tonight between European Government ministers and officials in a bid to head off a row over new employment rights for temporary and agency workers.

American rocker Meat Loaf left fans disappointed after abandoning his UK gig after one hour, citing exhaustion.

A day after insurgents killed at least 36 Iraqis in a series of attacks, including the bombing of a funeral, militants set off three explosions in Baghdad today, including one that narrowly missed a top Iraqi security official, police said.

Madonna has teamed up with mobile phone giants m-Qube to give her American fans the opportunity to download ring tones from her official website - and they won't need a credit card.

Japan 26 USA 39

The rugby fans of Gosford were served up a treat as the United States got the better of Japan in a stirring battle with World Cup honour at stake.

Fiji 41 Japan 13

Japan could be without star fly-half Andrew Miller for their World Cup opener against Scotland.

Patrick Neate has beaten Ian McEwan to the Whitbread Novel Award with his second book, Twelve Bar Blues.

More than 120 books have been nominated for the IR£79,000 annual IMPAC Dublin International Literary Award.

Author Peter Carey has become only the second writer to win the Booker Prize twice - and revealed he would be taking out fellow nominee Ian McEwan for a slap-up meal to celebrate.