Defying US and Israeli opposition, President Mahmoud Abbas today asked the United Nations to accept Palestine as a member state.

A Swedish tabloid reported today that an arrest warrant has been issued for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on suspicion of rape, and officials said they could confirm “media reports”.

Simon Cowell celebrated Christmas Day by judging a karaoke contest.

The Football Association were today awaiting reports into the trouble which flared during and after the derby clash between Sunderland and Newcastle.

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could face a lengthy ban after UEFA today announced it has opened disciplinary proceedings following his clash with Tottenham coach Joe Jordan.

Manchester United will not face any action from the Football Association for either the damaged dressing room wall at Wembley or the fracas involving a number of players after the FA Cup semi-final defeat.

Antrim manager Liam Bradley put one over on his son Eoin as the Saffrons battled their way to a 3-7 to 0-15 win over Derry at Casement Park today.

A sombre John Terry boarded a flight to Dubai today for a crunch match with his wife following his alleged affair.

The Football Association will examine allegations that Cardiff striker Michael Chopra suffered racist abuse following the Coca-Cola Championship match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Sportswear retailer JJB reported half-year losses of £42.9m (€47.5m) today as the company battled for survival in the first half of the year.

Martin O’Neill expressed sympathy for Gareth Southgate after Aston Villa all but condemned Middlesbrough to the drop.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be investigated by UEFA over his role in the events that marred his side’s European Championship qualifier against Serbia in Lisbon.

The Football Association has confirmed it will investigate incidents at the end of Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final win at Tottenham when two fans ran onto the pitch, one of whom threw a punch at England midfielder Frank Lampard.

The BBC faced fresh anger today when the main broadcasting union warned against targeting junior production staff over the competition phone-in crisis.

Declan Kidney last night predicted that Peter Stringer will bounce back from his disappointments this season.

Brazil midfielder Anderson may have played himself into Manchester United’s Carling Cup final squad with a reserve team run-out against local rivals Manchester City last night.

Declan Kidney has included all 15 players that started last Saturday in his Magners League squad to tackle Leinster at The RDS this Saturday evening.

Porto could be relegated to the second division after being formally notified they and president Pinto da Costa are under investigation of match-fixing in the 2003/04 season.

Hull have submitted their full version of events to the Football Association following allegations assistant manager Brian Horton was spat at by Arsenal club captain Cesc Fabregas.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has revealed the club has been working to address the causes of the trouble which marred the derby victory over Newcastle.