Organisers of protests in more than three dozen cities around the world are hoping thousands will turn out in raucous support of Pussy Riot, the Russian punk band convicted of hooliganism in Moscow.

Ben Brosnan says his Wexford team-mate Anthony Masterson should not have been forced to apologise by the GAA after his comments about referee Derek Fahy in the wake of Wexford's All-Ireland SFC qualifier loss to Limerick.

A woman who spoke on the telephone to the most powerful man in the world after his Dublin address told him it was an honour.

London top Division 4 of the Allianz Football League after the opening round of matches. Leitrim were also victorious, while there were draws in the Carlow v Wicklow and Longford v Roscommon games.

Italy 6 Ireland 3

Federal officials urged US residents to prepare for possible evacuations today while people in the Turks and Caicos Islands hunkered down in their homes as powerful Hurricane Earl howled over open seas toward the East Coast of the US.

US Open champion Graeme McDowell admits he is rusty after a month-long break but hopes to tune up for next month’s Ryder Cup with a good performance this week.

Scotland Yard has received the paperwork required to arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, sources said tonight.

Three Co Louth men appeared in court today accused of attacking the referee at last year's controversial Leinster Senior Football final at Croke Park.

Connacht 9 Harlequins 15

Angry whites and blacks faced each other today in front of the heavily guarded South African court where the first hearing of the alleged killers of Eugene Terreblanche was due to take place.

Dunloy (Antrim) 2-16 Ballycran (Down) 2-11

Robbie Keane has challenged his Republic of Ireland team-mates to come off the pitch at the Stade de France tonight with no regrets.

France midfielder Lassana Diarra has accused the Republic of Ireland’s players of “making up stories” following the altercation at the end of the World Cup play-off first leg in Dublin on Saturday night.

Scarlets 18 Newport Gwent Dragons 3

Didier Drogba has apologised for his behaviour in the wake of Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona last night.

A politician from Spain’s Partido Popular has accused the television station charged with broadcasting last night’s Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao of “censuring” its transmission of the game.

CORK CONSTITUTION 17 CLONTARF 13

Four British Airways executives fixed the price of fuel surcharges in a secret deal with Virgin Atlantic, a court heard today.

The GAA is seeking the co-operation of all supporters present at Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final as part of plans to mark the Association’s 125 Anniversary celebrations with an on field post-match trophy presentation that will engage everyone present at the game.