The News of the World has publicly apologised to victims of the newspaper’s phone-hacking controversy, saying that the invasions of privacy “should not have happened”.

POLICE last night said they would talk to Chelsea following reports that defender Ashley Cole accidentally shot a work placement student at the club’s training ground.

Three-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan insists he would never throw a snooker match but believes players are regularly offered the opportunity to do so.

John Higgins was set to learn his fate today as the two-day tribunal to determine whether he conspired to fix matches approached its close.

Chelsea have defended captain John Terry after allegations that he took secret cash payments to lay on a behind-the- scenes tour of the club’s training ground.

The News of the World’s chief reporter was accused today of involvement in phone-hacking.

A chauffeur to the British royal family has been suspended pending an investigation into allegations he allowed undercover reporters into Buckingham Palace in exchange for money, a palace spokeswoman said today.

The 'Slumdog Millionaire' child actors have passed their school exams with good results despite poor attendance.

A 67-YEAR-OLD woman who is believed to be the world’s oldest new mother told a British Sunday newspaper she lied to a US fertility clinic — saying she was 55 — to get treatment.

Ashley Cole’s lawyer today denied gay sex allegations and said it was “disgraceful” the England star should face such “insinuation and innuendo” before his wedding to Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy.

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has launched a pre-emptive strike in a bid to prevent further embarrassing disclosures from the News of the World.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to pursue legal action against the News of the World for a breach of confidence after his meeting with an undercover reporter in Dubai.

Sven Goran Eriksson’s agent dismissed a newspaper sting accusing the England manager of taking his eye off the World Cup to try to secure a lucrative managerial career as “disgraceful entrapment” today.

England football captain David Beckham today described reports that he had an affair with his personal assistant last year as “ludicrous”.

Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has signed a new three-year deal with the club.

Former world champion Alex Higgins claims snooker is corrupt and players take money to throw matches for bookmakers.

Maxine Carr, the woman accused of perverting the course of justice following the deaths of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, remained in a stable condition in hospital today after what some reports suggested was a prison suicide bid.

Investigative journalist Roger Cook today settled his High Court libel action over "devastating" claims that his TV series, The Cook Report, was a cynical sham.