Afghan MPs 'out of patience' after Kandahar massacre
Afghans "have run out of patience" with foreign troops, the country's MPs have warned, after a US soldier killed 16 Afghan civilians.
The strongly-worded resolution came as US officials issued an alert, fearing reprisals after the Kandahar rampage. Nine children were among those killed.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the act was "unforgivable" and Taliban militants have vowed revenge.
The soldier is being questioned. Nato has promised to deliver justice.
The killings could further fuel calls for a more rapid withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
They come amid already high anti-US sentiment in Afghanistan following the burning of Korans at a Nato base in Kabul last month.
US officials have repeatedly apologised for that incident but they failed to quell a series of protests and attacks that killed at least 30 people and six US troops.
The soldier, believed to be a staff sergeant, is reported to have walked off his base in Kandahar at around 03:00 on Sunday (22:30 GMT Saturday).
In the villages of Alkozai and Najeeban, about 500m (1,640ft) from the base, he reportedly broke into three homes.
At one house in Najeeban, 11 people were found shot dead, and some of their bodies set alight. At least three of the child victims are reported to have been killed by a single shot to the head.
The US military said reports indicated that the soldier returned to his base after the shootings and turned himself in.
His motives are unclear - there is speculation that he might have been drunk or suffered a mental breakdown. Officers are worried that the attack might have been planned.
The detained soldier has not been identified, although US officials quoted by the Associated Press news agency said he was from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, 38 years old, married with two children. The reports say he had served three tours in Iraq and was on his first deployment in Afghanistan.
"This is an assassination, an intentional killing of innocent civilians and cannot be forgiven,'' Mr Karzai said in his statement.
President Barack Obama phoned him on Sunday to express condolences over the "tragic and shocking" incident.
In its resolution, the lower house of the Afghan parliament said Afghans had "run out of patience with the arbitrary actions of foreign forces".
"We seriously demand and expect that the government of the United States punish the culprits and try them in a public trial before the people of Afghanistan."
The call came despite an Afghan agreement with Nato for foreign soldiers to be tried in their own countries.
-BBC
45 Feared Dead in Afghan Avalanche
At least 45 people are feared dead after an avalanche struck remote villages in eastern Afghanistan.
Heavy snow engulfed homes in Nuristan province on Monday. Provincial officials say the affected area has been cut off, making it difficult for rescuers to reach trapped villagers.
Avalanches are common in Afghanistan's mountainous north and east, but analysts say this is the country's worst winter in decades.
Last week, an avalanche in the northeast province of Badakhshan killed at least 47 people.
In February 2010, a series of avalanches killed at least 165 people near the high-altitude Salang Pass through the Hindu Kush mountains that connects the Afghan capital, Kabul, with the north.
China railway workers repair 'collapsed' new line
A newly built section of a high-speed rail line has collapsed in China's central Hubei province following heavy rain, state media reports.
The line was set to open in May and had been in use for test runs.
About 300m of the embankment in Qianjiang city collapsed last Friday, Xinhua news agency says. News of the incident only emerged on Monday.
China has embarked on an ambitious project to expand its high-speed rail network across the country.
But this is just the latest incident to tarnish the reputation of the new network, says the BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing.
The collapsed embankment is part of the Hanyi High Speed Railway, which links the provincial capital Wuhan with Yichang to the west.
Hundreds of workers have been sent to the site to repair the damage. Photos from a local newspaper show workers removing rails and sleepers from the scene.
Heavy rain apparently caused the foundations to give way on the railway line, which forms part of the trunk route of the national high-speed network.
But one report from the local official news portal says the owner of the railway has rebuked initial local reports, saying they are "untrue".
"It is part of the process to rectify quality problems spotted on the embankment in pre-launch tests," the railway company claims.
Some internet users in China, however, are not convinced by the explanation. They ask if there are any flaws in the construction process.
On microblogging site Sina Weibo, a user from Yichang said: "Thank goodness that it collapsed early enough, or it would be yet another tragedy if it happened after launch."
Another user, from Wuhan, said: "I was longing for a more convenient journey home, now I'd better have no expectations."
China's leaders have praised rail network plans, but it has not been free from controversy, our correspondent says.
Forty people died last summer in a crash on a rapid train line in eastern Zhejiang province and the entire high speed scheme has been dogged with reports of corruption
-BBC
Porn site breached in hack attack
Hackers claim to have stolen the details of more than 73,000 subscribers to porn site Digital Playground.
The data includes user names, email addresses and passwords. Also taken were the numbers, expiry dates and security codes for 40,000 credit cards.
The attack is the second successful breach of a site run by website management company Manwin.
A previously unknown hacker group called The Consortium said it was behind the attack.
'Tempting target'
While Manwin investigates, the Digital Playground site has been left online but is not accepting new members and its members area has been taken offline.
The Consortium posted some of the data it stole on the web and said security on the site was full of holes that "made it too enticing to resist" stealing the data.
"This company has security, that if we didn't know it was a real business, we would have thought to be a joke - a joke that we found much more amusing than they will," wrote The Consortium in a log posted on the web.
Visible in the log were admin login names and passwords as well as a selection of the email addresses and user names of some members. Internal emails, details of the four servers underpinning the site and software licence keys were also posted.
The Consortium claims some of the credit card data was stored in plain text form. The group claims to be connected to the Anonymous and Lulzsec hacker groups.
Porn producer Digital Playground is based in California but its website is managed and run by Canadian firm Manwin. The London office of the company declined to comment on the attack.
In a statement provided to porn industry news site AVN, Manwin said it took over management of the site on 1 March and said the breach may have occurred before it took charge.
Manwin management was overseeing the investigation and Digital Playground subscribers had been contacted to let them know what had happened.
In late February, details of more than 6,000 users of YouPorn's discussion forums, known as YP Chat, were stolen. YP Chat is also administered by Manwin. Lax security at a third-party provider was blamed for the breach.
Adele’s ‘21’ Outsells Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’ in the UK
Sales of Adele’s Grammy-winning second album “21” have now overtaken Michael Jackson’s seminal album “Bad” in the UK.
The singer, who collected two Brit Awards last week, including Best Album, now has the eighth biggest selling album of all time in the UK, with sales of 4.02 million, according to the Official Charts Company.
Adele is also fast closing in on Dire Straits’ “Brothers In Arms” and Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side Of The Moon,” which are the sixth and seventh biggest sellers of all-time in the UK. To leapfrog both albums, “21” only needs to shift another 150,000 copies.
The top five selling albums of all time in the UK have been unchanged for a long time. Queen’s “Greatest Hits” is #1 with sales of 5.83 million. The Beatles’ classic LP “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band” is in second place with 5.04 million.
Abba’s “Gold” is third, Oasis’ “(What’s The Story) Morning Glory)” is fourth and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is fifth.
Adele recently stated that she will be heading into the studio to begin work on the follow-up to “21” in the coming weeks.
Broadway director Theodore Mann dies aged 87
Award-winning US director and producer Theodore Mann has died, aged 87.
Mann, who co-founded New York's Circle in the Square Theatre and its school, passed away on Friday of complications from pneumonia.
Charlotte St Martin from The Broadway League said his contributions to theatre were "immeasurable".
Mann, who directed more than 200 productions, received his first Tony award in 1957 for Long Day's Journey into Night.
In 1976 he was presented with a special Tony for 25 years of work with the Circle in the Square and its school for young actors, which he co-founded in 1951.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, Lady Gaga and Benicio Del Toro were all students at the school.
"His contributions to Broadway and off-Broadway are immeasurable, both in the productions he created and the talent that he nurtured,'' said St Martin.
Together with Paul Libin, president of the Circle, Mann presented many new and classic works at the theatre.
Notable productions they include The Lady from the Sea, which marked Vanessa Redgrave's first Broadway appearance, and Oscar Wilde's Salome, which starred Al Pacino.
Mann, who married the late soprano singer Patricia Brooks in 1953, is survived by two sons and five grandchildren.
Dereck Chisora is given indefinite ban by World Boxing Council
Dereck Chisora has been suspended indefinitely by the World Boxing Council for his behaviour before and after his fight with Vitali Klitschko.
British heavyweight Chisora was involved in a brawl with countryman David Haye at the news conference after his defeat by the Ukrainian in Munich.
Chisora also slapped Klitschko at the weigh-in and spat water in the face of his brother Wladimir before the bout.
The WBC said it was "one of the worst behaviours ever by a professional".
The body demanded Chisora, 28, seeks anger management treatment before considering whether to lift the suspension.
Jose Sulaiman, president of the WBC, said the authority would also look to impose a "serious" fine on the Zimbabwe-born fighter.
The Londoner, ranked 14th in the WBC's heavyweight division, will also be taken out of the organisation's rankings.
"The WBC is absolutely condemning behaviours that are not to be accepted in boxing under any circumstances and will act as soon as it can proceed to impose the fines and sanctions as we consider necessary," said a statement issued by the organisation.
"Boxers are gentlemen and show to the world an example of honour and fair play when, after a tremendous battle, they go to the centre of the ring to pay respect to each other.
"Dereck Chisora is not going to tarnish the sport for those born in the humblest beds, who become sports heroes of the world to live a life of dignity and pride."
Chisora is due before a British Boxing Board of Control hearing on 14 March, and his manager Frank Warren told BBC Radio 5 live: "I don't understand how someone can be banned without having a hearing. I've never ever heard of anything like that. There's been no hearing.
"There were some things which he did which absolutely were wrong and he shouldn't have done, and I'm not condoning that but there were a lot of things happening behind the scenes. All this stuff needs to be taken into consideration before anyone decides what happened.
"Everybody is entitled to natural justice no matter what they've done."
Underdog Chisora earned plenty of plaudits despite his points defeat by heavy favourite Klitschko in Munich on 18 February.
But all the post-fight headlines were overshadowed by the brawl between Chisora and former WBA champion Haye, who lost to Wladimir Klitschko in July.
Chisora accused Haye of glassing him, with Haye later admitting he was holding a bottle when he punched his fellow Briton.
Chisora threatened to shoot Haye after the clash and was detained by German police the following morning, though he was later released without charge. Haye, who has officially retired from the sport, left the country without speaking to police. Both fighters have since apologised for their behaviour.
BBC boxing commentator Mike Costello believes the outcome of the BBBofC hearing will be pivotal for Chisora's future.
"They have his licence and if they decide to ban him then his only option is leaving the country to try to get a licence - but even that won't be straight forward because they will support whatever decision the BBBofC come to," Costello told BBC Radio 5 live.
-BBC
Tiger Woods almost quit golf to become Navy SEAL
Tiger Woods seriously considered quitting golf and becoming a Navy SEAL, according to a new book by Woods's former coach Hank Haney.
Woods's fascination with the military is well known. After the 2004 Masters, Woods took part in four days of military training at Fort Bragg, where he also hosted a golf clinic for juniors. Woods's late father, Earl Woods, trained at Fort Bragg and served two tours of duty in Vietnam.
"It's an honor to walk in my father's footsteps by training with the service men and women at Fort Bragg," Woods said in 2004.
The AT&T National, a tournament Woods used to host and one that still supports his foundation, honors the military and their families. In a book excerpt posted on GolfDigest.com, Haney sheds new light on just how serious Woods was about enlisting.
I didn't know how he'd go about it, but when he talked about it, it was clear he had a plan....I thought, Wow, here is Tiger Woods, greatest athlete on the planet, maybe the greatest athlete ever, right in the middle of his prime, basically ready to leave it all behind for a military life.
Haney also reveals how Woods's physical therapist was concerned about the impact military training, and his infamous workouts, could have on Woods's injured knee.
"Tiger did two tandem parachute jumps, engaged in hand-to-hand combat exercises, went on four-mile runs wearing combat boots, and did drills in a wind tunnel. Tiger loved it, but his physical therapist, Keith Kleven, went a little crazy worrying about the further damage Tiger might be doing to his left knee...One morning I was in the kitchen when he came back from a long run around Isleworth, and I noticed he was wearing Army boots. Tiger admitted that he'd worn the heavy shoes before on the same route. 'I beat my best time,' he said."
Haney's book, The Big Miss, will be released on March 27, one week before the Masters.
Source-golf.com
No talks with Fabio Capello successor
The Football Association has not spoken to Harry Redknapp or any other candidate about replacing Fabio Capello, according to Club England managing director Adrian Bevington.
Redknapp is the firm favourite to succeed the Italian, who resigned as England manager earlier this month.
"We haven't spoken to any individual or club at this stage," Bevington said.
"We're just ensuring we go about it in the right way and we are certainly not going to knee-jerk into anything."
Capello was in charge of England for more than four years but stepped down from his position on 8 February following a disagreement over the removal of Chelsea defender John Terry as his captain.
In a press conference held the following day, FA chairman David Bernstein said the governing body wanted the recruitment process to be done "quickly and sensibly", but in a "proper and professional" manner as this summer's Euro 2012 tournament looms.
Tottenham manager Redknapp says he is "flattered" to be put forward for the role and admits it is the "ultimate job for an Englishman".
The 64-year-old has already received the backing of several England players, including Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand.
England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce has taken temporary charge and will lead the senior side in Wednesday's friendly against the Netherlands at Wembley.
Pearce says he is available to continue at the helm for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
"I am not prepared to answer any questions on who it may or may not be," Bevington told BBC Radio 5 live.
"Obviously we have been talking at length but we have to respect any managers and any clubs during this process and we will do so before we determine the path we want to follow.
"I don't want to put a time-frame on it.
"We do understand when we are without an England manager, and we are recruiting one, it is the biggest story in town - but as an organisation we are ensuring we are going about it the right way."
Andy Murray struggles past qualifier Michael Berrer in Dubai
Andy Murray struggled but eventually overcame German qualifier Michael Berrer at the Dubai Championships.
The Briton, ranked fourth in the world, won 6-3 4-6 6-4 in his first match since last month's Australian Open semi-final defeat by Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic, the defending champion, began his campaign on Monday with a 6-4 6-2 win over Germany's Cedrik-Marcel Stebe.
Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro also made it through in straight sets.
"It was a frustrating match because I was up a break in the second set, and I gave it back," said Murray.
"In the third set, again I went up a break and gave the break straight back. So I could have made it a little bit easier for myself if I played a bit better."
Murray is in the same half of the draw as Djokovic, with Roger Federer also in Dubai, but Rafael Nadal is absent.
Murray looked ragged and at times his movement appeared labored in the midday heat, but he later revealed that he didn't "feel great"' at the start of the match and at times felt nauseous on court.
Berrer, a former quarter-finalist in Dubai, was match sharp after coming through qualifying.
His attacking style looked like coming up short when he fell a break down midway through the second set, but there were many more twists and turns to come, the 31-year-old from Stuttgart breaking straight back and eventually levelling after the pair had shared nine break-point opportunities.
Murray looked off the pace as the third set began, perhaps feeling the effects in his first competitive match for a month, twice failing to consolidate breaks.
Berrer was within sight of the biggest win of his career at 4-4 in the decider, but a wayward forehand gave Murray the 11th break of the match and the third seed put his serving woes behind him to close it out.
The British number one will face another qualifier, Switzerland's Marco Chiudinelli, in round two.
World number 185 Chiudinelli advanced after beating Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-4 5-7 6-4 on Tuesday.
Second seed Federer saw off the challenge of Michael Llodra, winning 6-0, 7-6 (6) and will now face another left hander in Feliciano Lopez.
"He's somewhat similar to Llodra, so I don't have to adjust a whole lot, I don't think," said Federer. "At the same time, I know the danger of Feliciano. He's had a great season."
Del Potro, who is seeded eighth, beat Ukranian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 7-6 (5).
Fourth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a tight match against Marcos Baghdatis, beating the 46th-ranked Cypriot 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to set up a second-round encounter with Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic.
"It was a tough challenge,'' said Tsonga, who won the title in Qatar last month and reached the semis last week in Marseille.
"I did not have a lot of energy. Without this energy it's difficult to play. But I was there mentally and I did it, so I'm really happy."