French President Jacques Chirac today urged immediate negotiations between the government and students and unions to defuse escalating anger over a new labour law that sparked nationwide marches and clashes with police.

Hundreds of revellers transformed Belfast city centre into a sea of colour today to mark St Patrick’s Day.

Police detained 300 people around France after nationwide student marches against a new labour law turned violent.

French students marched, chanted and whistled in renewed nationwide protests today against a new labour law, as the government tried to maintain a united front for this pivotal test of the country’s direction.

Middlesbrough 1 Roma 0

Thierry Henry insists Arsenal’s young starlets can secure a glittering future for the club – with or without him.

Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes appears to have distanced himself from a possible move to Espanyol by insisting he is settled in England and prefers the Premiership to La Liga.

Bath 23 Leinster 35

The Government will agree on a compensation scheme for victims of disgraced obstetrician Michael Neary within a fortnight, it emerged this afternoon.

Benfica 1 Liverpool 0

Several gunmen from the defeated Fatah Party climbed on the roof of the Palestinian parliament building today, firing in the air to the cheers and whistles from hundreds of supporters below.

The Islamic militant Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian parliament elections, winning 76 seats in the 132-member parliament, election officials announced today.

Manchester United star Wes Brown insists his team’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Blackburn was not a dirty game.

Hamas supporters raised their flag over the Palestinian parliament today and rushed into the building, amid clashes with Fatah loyalists.

Controversial English referee Dave Pearson will take charge of Leinster's Heineken Cup quarter-final tie at Toulouse on April 1.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani condemned the alleged abuse by British soldiers of Iraqi youths that was caught on film in 2004, describing it as “unjustified”, his spokesman said today.

Galway failed to end their 17-year wait for an All-Ireland senior hurling title at Croke Park today as champions Cork retained the Liam McCarthy Cup in manager John Allen's first season in charge.

The man affectionately known as “magic” by the Celtic supporters conjured up two mercurial moments which were fitting of the 20th anniversary of Jock Stein’s death.

Jimmy Bullard scored an injury-time winner as Wigan came from behind to seal a second successive victory and hand West Brom their third straight defeat.

Coach Michael Bradley has delayed the announcement of his starting 15 for the Celtic League date with Cardiff at The Sportsground on Saturday, except to confirm that Keith Matthews and Colm Rigney will play from the first whistle.