An upcoming show about a 9th grade ninja is the latest success for the Irish animation company, writes Padraic Killeen

WOMEN who breastfeed their babies could protect themselves against heart attacks and stroke, research out yesterday suggests.

Smash-hit Broadway musical 'Wicked' is set to become the latest stageshow to be turned into a major movie.

Religious representatives from 54 different countries gathered tonight to celebrate Mass in Belfast.

An Austrian court sentenced former Olympic figure skating gold medalist Wolfgang Schwarz to eight years in prison today for plotting to kidnap the teenage daughter of a prominent Romanian businessman and hold her for up to €3m in ransom.

Sixteen English fans were held by police after trouble flared in Germany ahead of England’s World Cup game against Sweden today.

Teenager Ross Turnbull had to get his dad to make an 11th-hour dash to Birmingham to give him his first taste of life in the Barclaycard Premiership.

Sheffield United 2

Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson will make sweeping changes for Tuesday’s fourth round Worthington Cup tie against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Sunderland will be without suspended midfielder Gavin McCann for their crucial Barclaycard Premiership clash with relegated Derby tomorrow.

Liverpool v Derby

Philip Morris Cos Inc has been ordered by a US jury here to pay just over $168,500 (€192,110) in compensatory and $150m (€171m) in punitive damages to Dr. Richard Schwarz for the death of his wife, Michelle.

Nikos Dabizas was the toast of the Toon after snatching Newcastle victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Niall Quinn is to partner Kevin Phillips up front for Sunderland in their Premiership clash with Middlesborough at the Stadium of Light tonight.

Kevin Phillips scored the equaliser for Sunderland, as they drew 1-1 against Fulham.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid will again be without influential defender Jody Craddock for the visit of West Ham to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane is likely to be sidelined by an ankle injury for tomorrow’s match at Leicester.

Premiership teams:

Sunderland striker Niall Quinn will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership clash with former club Arsenal.

New signing Jason McAteer was thrown straight in at the deep end as Sunderland went into derby battle at Middlesbrough tonight.

Sunderland duo Niall Quinn and Alex Rae have handed manager Peter Reid a fitness boost by proving themselves ready to take their place in the squad for tomorrow’s Premiership opener at home to Ipswich.

Tommi Makinen consolidated his advantage in the firstthree stages of today’s second leg of the Safari Rally.

All the team news for this afternoon's Premiership action.

The line-ups for today's Premiership matches.

Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann has recovered from the knee injury that forced him out of England action this week.