AN apparent suicide attacker struck a US military base yesterday in the town of Ramadi, the site of repeated strikes against Iraq’s US occupiers, a US military official said.

The top US general in the Middle East warned community leaders that the military will use stern measures unless they curb attacks against coalition forces, according to an Iraqi who attended the meeting.

AMERICAN troops clashed with rioters carrying Saddam Hussein’s picture in Baghdad yesterday and heavy smoke billowed from the mayor’s office in a city west of the capital following a big explosion.

EARNINGS from Britain’s biggest listed company, oil major BP, will test the shaken FTSE 100 index this week after disappointing profits from rival Shell earlier this week.

Attackers used an ambulance for cover as they carried out a drive-by attack on American forces at one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces in Iraq, a US military official said today.

THE US Army began training an Iraqi militia force yesterday to take on civil defence duties and pave the way for US forces to leave Iraq.

US troops arrested a high ranking Iraqi officer who once served as a chief of staff of Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard, the military said today.

American snipers killed two men and wounded two others today in a raid on a weapons market in Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit.

Iraqi police have arrested the brother of one of Saddam Hussein’s top bodyguards and handed him to US forces, who wanted him for allegedly organising guerrilla attacks against American soldiers.

FALLEN Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein mourned the deaths of his sons in a new tape recording sent to an Arab TV station yesterday.

Fallen Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein mourned the deaths of his son sons in a new tape recording sent to a Arab TV station today.

One of Saddam Hussein’s “lifelong bodyguards” was captured today, along with at least two other suspected associates, in a series of pre-dawn raids by the US Army, the US military said.

AMERICAN soldiers were attacked in broad daylight in the centre of Baghdad yesterday when a grenade was dropped into their vehicle from a bridge.

American soldiers were attacked in broad daylight in the centre of Baghdad today with witnesses saying two were killed when a grenade was dropped into their vehicle from a bridge.

US soldiers said they missed catching Saddam Hussein’s security chief — and possibly the former Iraqi president himself — by a mere 24 hours early yesterday.

United States soldiers said today that they missed catching Saddam Hussein’s security chief – and possibly the former dictator himself – by a mere 24 hours.

High street pharmacist Boots today reported a 17% fall in annual pre-tax profits as restructuring costs, including exiting loss-making businesses, took their toll.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a spirited attempt to break through the 4000 barrier today as bargain hunters flocked to the beleaguered banking sector.

Bargain-hunters sought out cheap banking stocks today and helped to spark a welcome rally by the FTSE 100 Index.

Boots Co PLC has appointed headhunters to find a replacement for Steve Russell, its embattled chief executive, the Times said without citing sources.

Boots says it's set for robust Christmas trading after revealing increased profits.