IRISH women are being sold a “myth” that better access to affordable, quality childcare will improve their career prospects, a leading academic has claimed.

A suicide car bomber rammed his vehicle into a car carrying a pro-government tribal elder and at least three other people today, killing them in the latest explosion to rock Pakistan’s militant-riddled north-west, officials said.

Israeli forces pounded rocket-launching sites and smuggling tunnels in Gaza today and planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation in attacks, as Palestinian militants fired at least 15 more rockets at Israel.

Britain’s weekend handover of Basra province will have a limited effect on security in Iraq’s biggest oil region because rival Shiite warlords and local officials have been wielding the real power in the area.

Peter Bowen is hoping the success of Dunbrody Millar in the John Smith’s Topham Chase is a good omen for his dual raid on tomorrow’s Grand National with McKelvey and Ballycassidy.

Armaturk heads 39 horses standing their ground at the confirmation stage in the John Smith’s Topham Chase at Aintree on Friday.

Degas Art advertised his Triumph Hurdle credentials with a gutsy performance in the Weatherbys Bank Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

A suicide bomber blew himself up while standing in a line of recruits outside Fallujah’s police headquarters today, killing at least 15 people and wounding 30.

A suicide bomber attacked a police department in Fallujah today, killing five Iraqis.

Sam Waley-Cohen completed a famous double over the National fences when he steered Liberthine to success in the John Smith's And Spar Topham Chase.

Hakim belied his advancing years with a personal best performance to win the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Worcestershire trainer John Spearing and young jockey Paddy Brennan tasted success over the Grand National fences for the first time when they teamed up with Hakim in the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Supporters of Afghanistan’s president appeared to have won a majority of seats in landmark legislative elections, according to observers after the results were released today.

IRAQ’s ruling Shi’ite Islamist parties struck a last-minute deal to patch up differences yesterday and agreed to register as a united bloc for December 15 polls where they face a new Sunni Arab alliance.

A suicide bomber blew up his his car outside the home of the leader of Iraq’s biggest political party today, killing 15 people and injuring dozens.

At least nine people died and 39 were injured when a suicide bomber targeted the home of the leader of Iraq’s biggest political party today.

THE Australian government is offering women A$3,000 (€1,700) to have babies in an effort to boost its flagging population.

Bobby Hatfield, who with partner Bill Medley pioneered “blue-eyed soul” as the Righteous Brothers with hits like Unchained Melody and You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, has died of undetermined causes at a hotel, his manager said. He was 63.

IRAQ got its first post-war cabinet yesterday as the funeral march for Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer al-Hakim, killed in the Najaf car bomb massacre, continued its three-day journey to the revered cleric’s final resting place.

A massive car bomb blew up outside the holiest mosque in Iraq today, killing at least 75 people including a top Shiite cleric just moments after he delivered a sermon calling for unity.

A massive car bomb blew up outside the holiest mosque in Iraq today, killing a top Shiite cleric just moments after he delivered a sermon calling for unity.

THOUSANDS of angry Shi’ite Muslims, many vowing revenge, thronged the streets of the Iraqi holy city of Najaf yesterday for the funerals of three men killed in a bomb attack that wounded a top cleric.

Terrorists detonated a bomb outside the house of one of the most important Muslim Shiite clerics in Iraq today, killing three guards and injuring 10 others including family members.

A MASKED militant, speaking in a video filmed in a mud hut, warns of new al-Qaida suicide attacks and says Osama bin Laden's terror network carried out deadly bombings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco.

An Arabic-speaking guerrilla, his face wrapped in a black turban, said the al-Qaida terror network was behind suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco and warned of more attacks in a new videotape.

THE US administrator for Baghdad was to leave her post yesterday amid criticism over the slow pace of reconstruction, as Washington’s new top official for Iraq flew into the Gulf charged with rebuilding the country.

The leader of the largest Iraqi Shi’ite Muslim group opposed to Saddam Hussein returned to Iraq today after two decades in exile, arriving to expectations that he will figure prominently in the future of the country he was kept from for so long.