Champions Boca off to winning start in Argentina

Boca Juniors weathered a whirlwind start from Olimpo to open the defence of their Argentine league title with a 2-0 home win and extended their unbeaten run to 30 matches.

 

Olimpo attacked from kickoff and goalkeeper Agustin Orion had to go down sharply at his left-hand post to push away a shot from Martin Rolle and prevent Boca from going behind inside half a minute.

 

Urged on by a packed Bombonera bedecked in their blue and yellow colours, Boca found their feet after the opening 10-minute onslaught during which they were mostly forced into their own half.

 

Captain Juan Roman Riquelme was involved when Boca broke the deadlock four minutes from halftime. His chipped centre from the left edge of the box was headed down into the middle by winger Pablo Mouche, who looked marginally offside, for striker Dario Cvitanich to blast home.

 

Boca, who won the Apertura title by a 12 point margin from their closest challengers in the first half of the season, went further ahead when Riquelme delivered a well-weighted pass to Mouche, who found the net at the second attempt in the 66th minute.
 

UN urges Argentina, Britain to ease Falkland tension

 

UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Friday called on Argentina and Britain to avoid an “escalation” in tensions over the disputed Falkland islands.

 

His appeal came as Argentina s Foreign Miniser Hector Timerman made an official complaint to the United Nations about what he called Britain s “militarization” of the South Atlantic. Britain says it is only carrying out routine operations.
 

Australian Open: Sharapova, Zvonareva lead Russian charge

SYDNEY: Russian duo Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva  eased into the third round of the Australian Open Thursday as Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic  also progressed in style.

Former champion Sharapova lost just one game as she dismantled US qualifier Jamie Hampton 6-0, 6-1 on Melbourne Park’s centre court in just over an hour.

It followed an equally emphatic first round win over Argentina’s Gisela Dulko by an identical scoreline, meaning the 2008 winner has dropped just two games so far.

Sharapova, 24, dominated Hampton in all areas, hitting 23 winners to six and making 77 percent of her first serves to her opponent’s 50 percent.

“I didn’t know much about my opponent so it was more a matter of getting my feet going and worrying more about myself and trying to improve from the first round,” Sharapova said.

The Russian next faces Germany’s Angelique Kerber, a 7-5, 6-1 winner over Canadian Stephanie Dubois.

Zvonareva, who this time last year was ranked number two in the world, was almost as impressive as Sharapova as she downed Czech Lucie Hradecka in straight sets.

After racing through the first set, Zvonareva held off a spirited fight-back from Hradecka to win 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) and set up a third round clash with another Russian, Ekaterina Makarova.

Makarova upset Brisbane International winner and the tournament’s 25th seed, Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, 6-2, 7-5.

Serbia’s Ivanovic, whom Sharapova defeated in the 2008 final, reached the third round at Melbourne Park for the fifth time when she downed Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands 6-2, 6-3.

The former world number one lost in the first round last year but said she was in much better form 12 months down the track.

“I worked a lot on my game in the off-season,” she said. “When I’m out there I really know what I have to do and I stay with it.

“I’m more persistent and confident in that because I know that’s what’s going to give me results and help me to play better.”

“It might not work on a given day and I try to adjust,” she added. “In the long run, in the big picture, that’s what’s going to get me back to the top.”

Italian Sara Errani ensured it wasn’t all good news for the Russians when she upset 29th seed Nadia Petrova.

Petrova, who needed on-court treatment for a back injury, was no match for the 24-year-old from Bologna who won 6-2, 6-2. AGENCIES

Iran frees 2 US citizens

Iran today freed two US men it jailed for over two years on espionage charges after $500,000 (€366,000) bail for each was paid by Oman, Reuters witnesses and diplomatic sources said.

Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal had been in Iranian custody since their arrest on July 31, 2009 on the border with Iraq where they say they were hiking. They were jailed for espionage.

The official news agency IRNA then said the two had flown out of the country, only to retract the report, with their lawyer denying they had already departed.

“They have not left Iran yet . . . We are still waiting at the airport for them to fly out of Iran,” Masoud Shafie told Reuters at Mehrabad Airport.

IRNA said Mr Fattal and Mr Bauer expected to go first to Oman, a Gulf Arab kingdom whose officials helped secure their freedom.

Their release was flagged last week by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying it would be a “humanitarian” gesture ahead of his annual trip to the United Nations in New York, but their fate remained uncertain until the last minute.

Trying to divert attention from his fading standing in the Islamic Republic, Mr Ahmadinejad told US media last week the two US citizens recently sentenced to eight years in prison for alleged espionage would be let go “in a couple of days”.

But Iran’s judiciary, controlled by rival conservative hardliners, immediately and publicly humiliated Mr Ahmadinejad by ruling out any imminent release of the two men, highlighting the president’s deepening credibility deficit.

They were arrested on July 31st, 2009 near Iran’s border with Iraq along with a third American, Sarah Shourd. The trio, in their late 20s and early 30s, said they were only on a hiking holiday at the time.

The two men were sentenced to eight years in prison last month. Shourd was released on $500,000 bail in September last year and allowed to fly home.

Analysts said Mr Ahmadinejad’s announcement was an attempt to improve his international standing ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting that starts today.

Iraqi president Jalal Talabani helped to mediate the pending release of Mr Fattal and Mr Bauer, according to Iraqi officials.

The US government denies that the three Americans were spies, and their supporters complain that no evidence against them has been made public. Their trial was held behind closed doors.

Army starts anti-dengue fumigation drive in Lahore

Pakistan Army stepped up its efforts for eradication of raging dengue virus by launching a fumigation and spray campaign.

Pakistan Army has formed 35 spray teams equipped with both vehicle and motorcycle mounted machines in support of common dwellers for extensive fumigation and spray of insecticides in adjoining settlements of Cantonment area.

The aim is not only to control but eradicate the spread of deadly epidemic that has cast gloom among the general masses.

Army doctors have already established 12 free medical camps in different localities to provide anti-virus support and treatment to the affected people in the suburbs of Lahore Cantonment. Latest state of the art blood screening machines have been installed to facilitate the general public in effective and timely diagnosis of dengue.

Zardari backs Ijaz Butt, orders end to standoff with Afridi

President refused to sack chairman PCB Ijaz Butt, but ordered addressing the issue of Shahid Afridi.

As per details, ex-cricketers and hockey players called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Balawal House in Karachi and agreed to play matches for restoration and revival of flood affectees.

The President said that players, artists, literary persons and intellectuals are an integral part of the society, so they should assist the government by tackling problems of flood affected people.

Former Olympian Samiullah Khan said that players would stand by the nation in this crucial situation.

Javed Miandad said that President Zardari is fully aware of the problems of the Cricket Board. He suggested playing T-20 matches in Karachi rather than in Lahore.

Doctor dies of Congo virus in Karachi

According to reports, Dr Ayaz Mandokhail was infected by Congo virus while treating a patient in a private hospital in Karachi. Dr Ayaz belonged to Quetta.

Another person from the paramedical staff of the same hospital infected by Congo virus is still under treatment.

Sialkot lynching case: Court reserves verdict

The incident took place in Sialkot Sadar police station limits on 15 August 2010 when two brothers, Muneeb and Mughees were publicly lynched and killed by a mob while police officials stood by and watched.

Sialkot Saddar police station lodged two FIRs, the first was lodged on 15 Aug, in which the two brothers were accused of murder and robbery.

While, the second FIR was lodged after the video of the lynching was played on news channels leading to a suo moto notice by the Supreme Court. The FIR was lodged against 28 including former DPO Sialkot and other police officials.

The accused were charged on November 3, 2010 and the statements of 31 witnesses were recorded.

SRK to host Indian version of popular TV show Wipeout

After hosting shows such as ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati-3′ and ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Ho? ‘, Baadshah of Bollywood- Shah Rukh Khan would once again be seen hosting a show on the small screen. The show in question is the Indian version of popular reality show ‘Wipeout’ where contestants are given a series of water based adventure tasks to perform.

Some of the contestants confirmed to take part in the show include names such as Raja Chaudhary, Dimpy Mahajan, Claudia Ciesta and Akashdeep. The show is likely to be shot in Argentina and would be aired on NDTV Imagine.

A press conference announcing the launch of the show is happening in Mumbai today where SRK would be present.

Argentina acknowledges Palestine as free and independent state

After Brazil, Argentina has also announced that it recognizes a free and independent Palestinian state.

According to an official, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner wrote to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas saying her country recognizes a Palestine as defined by the 1967 borders.

Argentina said this days after Brazil took the same step triggering sharp criticism from US lawmakers and Israel.

Israel has already reacted with sadness and disappointment to Brazils declaration on the issue, saying it breached a 1995 agreement with the Palestinian Authority that any Palestinian state should only come about through negotiations.

Next Page »