Conservative wins poll in Finland
2012-02-05 17:22:42
Finland elects its first conservative head of state in decades, the pro-European Sauli Niinisto, after a run-off vote.

Ayew sends Ghana through
2012-02-05 17:07:36
Andre Ayew netted an extra-time winner as Ghana booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations semis at the expense of Tunisia.

NGO worker cases sent to Egypt court in funding row (Reuters)
2012-02-05 16:40:49
Reuters - The cases of 40 foreign and Egyptian activists, including 19 Americans subject to travel bans over their work for pro-democracy and other groups, have been referred to court, judicial sources said Sunday, deepening a row with the United States.

Egypt 'to try foreign NGO staff'
2012-02-05 16:34:32
Egypt says it is to try 43 people - including Americans and other foreigners - over the alleged illegal funding of non-governmental organisations.

Apple Schooled Music Execs Then, Here Are The Lessons Online Video Should Learn Now
2012-02-05 16:21:21
Apple’s all-in-one physical flat-screen iTV is coming, make no mistake. And, when it does, it will represent Apple’s attempt to reinvent the television experience in much the same way it did for music. But, while media execs were hopelessly naive in Apple's presence back then, they feel they are ready this time. They are determined not to let Apple rule the premium online video world like they did (and still do) for online music. The question is, do they have the will?

Capello - JT still skipper
2012-02-05 16:20:59
Fabio Capello has risked the wrath of his employers the Football Association after expressing his disapproval at their decision over John Terry.

Warburton injury worry for Wales
2012-02-05 16:12:20
Wales captain Sam Warburton faces a race against time to be fit for Scotland's visit to Cardiff on Sunday.

Serena clinches tie for U.S.; Venus wins in doubles
2012-02-05 16:10:00
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP)—Venus Williams returned from a five-month layoff and Serena Williams and Christina McHale won singles matches Sunday, sending the United States past Belarus 5-0 in the first round of the Fed Cup. By blanking Belarus in World Group II, the Americans head to a playoff in April in hopes of playing their way back into the top tier of Fed Cup after getting bounced last year. Venus Williams and Liezel Huber completed the shutout with a doubles victory, defeating Darya Kustova and Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1, 6-2. This was Williams’ first sanctioned match since the opening round of the U.S. Open. She had been diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain and forced her to withdraw from the Open. McHale won in straight sets for the second consecutive day, beating Darya Kustova 6-0, 6-1 to put the U.S. up 4-0. Serena Williams had already guaranteed a U.S. victory earlier in the day by defeating Anastasiya Yakimova 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. Serena blew a 4-1 lead in the opening set and slammed her racket on the court after one point, then returned to form in the next two sets. She didn’t allow a point in two straight games of the final set, which she closed with an overhead slam. “That just goes to show you how frustrate I was out there today,” she said. “I haven’t done that in a match in a long time.” Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, the Australian Open champion, sat out all four singles matches with a back injury. Venus Williams’ victory almost overshadowed the team victory, which the U.S. players celebrated with a quick parade around the court with the American flag. In the first round of World Group play, Russia beat visiting Spain 3-2; Serbia won 3-2 at Belgium; Italy downed visiting Ukraine 3-2; and the Czech Republic won 4-1 at Germany. Although a U.S. victory was assured after the first singles, most of the 2,279 fans at Worcester’s DCU Center stuck around through another round of singles to see Venus play. It was barely two hours before Super Bowl kickoff and for those fans, Venus’ comeback trumped seeing the start of the New England Patriots’ game against the New York Giants. Fans crowded the entrance to snap photos as she strolled onto the court. One fan shouted, “Welcome back, Venus!” after warmups. That was followed by a loud round of applause and some foot-stomping when she and Huber returned from the bench to open the match. Williams served first and after hitting her first attempt long, she delivered a winner on her second to start her comeback with a 15-0 lead. Williams faltered briefly the next time she served, falling behind love-40 then rallied with Huber to win the next four points then clinching the game with an ace. Belarus won the first two games of the second set, then Williams and Huber reeled off six straight, ending it with Williams holding serve.

Greek leaders pause bailout talks
2012-02-05 16:01:42
Party leaders in Greece's ruling coalition end talks on details for a crucial 130bn-euro EU rescue plan without agreement.

Scotland Women 0-47 England Women
2012-02-05 15:45:22
England Women run in nine tries as they open their 2012 Six Nations account with a thumping win in Edinburgh.

Brown U. student uncovers lost Malcolm X speech (AP)
2012-02-05 15:44:29
AP - The recording was forgotten, and so, too, was the odd twist of history that brought together Malcolm X and a bespectacled Ivy Leaguer fated to become one of America's top diplomats.

Mali claim pen glory
2012-02-05 15:39:21
Hosts Gabon suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak as Mali prevented them from reaching a first African Nations Cup semi-final in Libreville.

VIDEO: Swann praises five-wicket Panesar
2012-02-05 15:30:31
England bowler Graeme Swann praises fellow spinner Monty Panesar as the left-armer takes fives wickets to help England dismiss Pakistan for 365, setting England 324 to win the third Test.

Roma deal in De Rossi
2012-02-05 15:29:01
Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has signed a five-year contract extension.

Monaco tops compatriot Berlocq for fourth title
2012-02-05 15:10:00
VINA DEL MAR, Chile (AP)—Juan Monaco beat Carlos Berlocq 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-1 in an all-Argentina final at the Vina del Mar VTR Open on Sunday for his fourth ATP title.The top-seeded Monaco claimed his first title since winning three in 2007— and all have come on clay. The victory marked a breakthrough for the 27-year-old Monaco, who lost in the final at this tournament in 2008 and 2010.“The third time is lucky they say, so this time it’s true,” he said.It was the first ATP final for Berlocq, who advanced after defeating second-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela, another Argentine.Monaco started well and led 4-1 before going on to win the first set. He led 4-2 in the second and seemed headed for victory before Berlocq evened the match and won the tiebreak. Monaco returned to form in the third set and broke Berlocq twice.Berlocq, who turned 29 on Friday, dropped only one set during the week.The Chilean tournament is the start of a monthlong clay court swing across Latin America, with other events upcoming in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.