Switzerland 0 Ukraine 0 (aet, Ukraine qualify 3-0 on penalties)

Ireland is failing to live up to its international obligations on tackling corruption, according to the latest analysis published by Transparency International.

John Harris claimed his first professional tournament victory when winning the Commerce Bank Championship on the first play-off hole in New York.

An increase in business travellers helped Sir Richard Branson’s airline, Virgin Atlantic, record soaring profits last year, it was announced today.

Space shuttle Discovery and its crew of six returned to Earth through overcast skies today, ending a successful US mission that put Nasa back in the space station construction business.

Dublin 1-15 Offaly 0-9

A heartbroken Michael Essien slammed German referee Markus Merk for a “ridiculous” early booking which will keep the Chelsea star out of Ghana’s second-round clash with Brazil.

Australia coach Guus Hiddink described his team as ’lion-hearts’ after they twice came from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Croatia and qualify for the second round of the World Cup.

Croatia 2 Australia 2

Japan 1 Brazil 1

US President George Bush and European leaders urged Iran and North Korea today to give up military and nuclear ambitions that they said threaten each country’s neighbours and destabilise the world.

Iran 1 Angola 1

About 350 students chanting “Bush Go Home!” marched through Austria’s capital Vienna today to protest against a visit by US President George Bush for the US-European Union summit.

– A tearful Michael Ballack claimed “it just isn’t meant to be” for him to play in a World Cup final after Italy clinched an epic semi-final victory over Germany in Dortmund last night.

The German FA have expressed their disappointment over FIFA’s decision to suspend Torsten Frings for tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final clash with Italy.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez downplayed questions of a rift with his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho and is focused on securing more silverware for the Reds in the 2006-07 campaign.

Love is in the air in the Big Brother house, as reunited contestants Pete and Nikki declare their feelings for each other.

Big Brother contestants Pete and Nikki could not keep their hands of each other after the latter was voted back into the house.

Borussia Dortmund's woes have been heightened by the loss of defender Philipp Degen to injury.

Matalan boss John King was named chief executive of House of Fraser today after the department store chain changed hands in a £351m (€523.4m) deal.