Yemen violence mars poll to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh
Violence in southern Yemen has marred an election to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.
At least eight soldiers have been killed at southern polling stations despite a large army presence, after separatists called for a voter boycott.
Half of Aden's polling stations have now closed, but the capital, Sanaa, was calm as people formed orderly queues.
Voters are expected to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll.
Officials told BBC Arabic that gunmen killed four soldiers in an attack on a polling station in Hadramawt province.
Two soldiers were killed and a number of people injured in Aden, the main city in the south. Half the polling stations there have now been closed.
Two soldiers were also killed in an attack in the al-Hawta district.
The separatist Southern Movement has called for a day of "civil disobedience" to mark the vote.
The poll comes after a year violent anti-government protests erupted in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country.
The main supporters of the uprising that began in January 2011 are backing Mr Hadi, whose election posters are prominently displayed in Sanaa.
He is from the south himself and has called for dialogue with the separatists.
Yemeni human rights activist Tawakkol Karman, joint winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, said as she voted that the election marked the end of Mr Saleh's 33-year long reign.
"Today we are building the new Yemen, we are building the democratic and happy Yemen that all of the youth and women have dreamed about," she said.
But the country still faces multiple challenges - an ongoing rebellion in large chunks of the country, al-Qaeda militants, widespread malnutrition among children and severe drought.
Husam Al-Sharjabi, a 37-year-old protester who recently formed the al-Watan opposition party, acknowledged in a BBC interview that al-Qaeda posed a real threat.
"It's a threat that has been exaggerated, but it must be taken seriously," he said.
"We need to take a multi-faceted approach involving defence, diplomacy and development, to minimise the opportunities for these groups to recruit from the poor and disenfranchised."
The election follows a deal brokered by Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbours.
Mr Saleh signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president has been elected.
On Monday, he urged Yemenis to vote for Mr Hadi to ensure "a peaceful transition of power".
More than 12 million people are eligible to vote, including 2.2 million newly registered voters.
The new president is due to stay stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled.
-BBC
European shares edge lower after Greece bailout agreed
Europe's financial markets have given a muted reaction to the announcement of a second bailout deal for Greece.
The euro was little changed from Monday's closing price, while leading European stock markets edged lower in morning trading.
London's FTSE was down 0.3% by lunchtime, while the Paris Cac and Frankfurt's Dax index were 0.6% lower.
Shares across Europe rose on Monday in anticipation of a deal being reached, with bank shares doing well.
Europe's banking industry has been bolstered by support from the European Central Bank.
In the latest bailout deal, Greece is to receive loans worth more than 130bn euros (£110bn; $170bn).
In return, it will undertake to reduce its debts to 120.5% of its GDP by 2020 and accept an "enhanced and permanent" presence of EU monitors to oversee economic management.
Greece needs the funds to avoid bankruptcy on 20 March, when maturing loans must be repaid.
'Problems remain'
"Effectively Europe's banks have been given almost half-a-trillion euros at 1%, very cheap money that has sort of ring-fenced the banks from the crisis. The thinking is that banks will not go bust if Greece fails," said Louise Cooper, market analyst at BGC Partners.
But she said few in the markets thought the latest bailout was the answer.
"This just puts off the inevitable. It's the second deal in two years. You're talking almost 20,000 euros per person [in Greece] in total bailout funds and even that amount has not solved Greece's problems. That suggests the money has not been well spent," she added.
"It [the deal] probably avoids a messy and chaotic default on 20 March, there are still a lot of steps to go through before then, but does it solve any of its problems? No."
Wal-Mart fourth-quarter profits rise 5.4%
The world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, has reported healthy quarterly profits after a strong holiday season in its home market.
For the three months to 31 January, Wal-Mart turned in a net income of $5.2bn (£3.3bn), up 3.4% compared with the same period in the previous year.
Wal-Mart lowered prices to tempt shoppers during the holiday season.
But sales at its British arm, Asda, were up just 1%, a slowdown from the third quarter, when sales grew 1.3%.
Asda has a slightly different quarter from its parent company. It reports on the three months to 7 January.
In its quarterly report, Wal-Mart's chief executive, Mike Duke, said the price-cutting strategy was working.
"Our price leadership is making a difference across the United States, as many families are settling into a new normal," he said.
"Core customers remain cautious about their finances, and they rely on Wal-Mart's every day low price promise to help them manage through today's economic challenges."
But that growth has come at a cost. The company's profit margin fell in the fourth quarter because of discounting.
Wal-Mart has been expanding overseas with last year's purchase of South Africa's Massmart.
It is also planning to raise its stake in the Chinese internet retailer Yihaodian to 51%.
Oil price hits eight-month high
The price of oil has reached its highest level since June last year due to rising tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.
Benchmark US light crude rose 1.7% to $105.01 a barrel and brent crude futures rose $1.14 to $120.72 a barrel.
On Sunday, the country's oil ministry said it had halted oil sales to British and French companies.
The cost of fuel has also risen. In the UK the price of diesel has hit a new high, at 143.16 pence a litre.
The figures, from Experian Catalyst, also show the price of a litre of unleaded petrol has reached 135.39 pence.
Iran is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.
The country insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, but the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency says it has information suggesting Iran has carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device".
Transition
The rise in the oil price also pushed UK oil giant BP's shares above 500 pence for the first time since last January.
Analysts say the price of oil has risen as EU countries seek to find new oil suppliers and Iran hunts new buyers for its oil.
"The increase in price is a direct result of European importers of Iranian oil looking round to find alternative sources," said Professor Paul Stevens from Chatham House.
Oil prices have also been driven up by an improvement in the performance of the US and Chinese economies.
The US is the world's largest consumer of oil.
Manchester United boosts revenues and cuts its debt
Manchester United says its revenues for the last six months of 2011 increased to £175m, as it released its latest financial figures.
It is an increase of £18.5m on the Old Trafford club's revenues for the same period last year.
The Premier League club said debt was £439m at the end of 2011, less than the £508m reported 12 months previously.
Last year, United said it would partially float on the Singapore Stock Exchange, but that has yet to happen.
The team, currently second to rivals Manchester City in the Premier League, are also competing in the Europa League.
Match day revenues (up from £52.4m to £54.5m), media revenue (up from £53.7m to £60.9m) and commercial revenue (up from £50.4m to £58.6m) were all ahead.
United were taken over by the Glazer family in 2005 and have had a rocky relationship with many of the fans since then over the level of debt at the club.
A buyback of bonds, sold as part of a £500m refinancing operation two years ago, helped bring down the latest debt figures.
However, total operating costs - up from £96.9m to £110.8m - and net player capital expenditure - up from £11.7m to £47.9m - both rose.
The latter's rise was due to a summer outlay on players David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson set about freshening up his team.
Other figures show a bank balance of £50.9m and a £10.4m rise in general capital expenditure, mainly due to upgrading hospitality areas.
Without the lucrative revenue streams garnered from competing in the Champions League, the club is expected to see a decline in income over the next half-year.
Kingfisher Airlines pledges to 'restore flights soon'
India's loss-making Kingfisher Airlines has told the aviation authorities that it hopes to restore flight schedules in the next five to seven days.
On Tuesday, the company's top officials met aviation regulators to discuss plans to end the large-scale flight disruptions over the past few days.
At least 30 more flights were cancelled on Tuesday and Kingfisher's shares fell by 20%.
The firm recently had its bank account frozen for non-payment of taxes.
It said it was now talking to banks to secure funding so it can continue operating.
Kingfisher executives were called by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to explain why at least 130 flights were cancelled in recent days.
The airline has been given until Wednesday to come up with a revised, clear schedule for its operations, director general of civil aviation EK Bharat Bhushan told reporters after the meeting.
The airline, which flies on international as well as domestic routes, is currently operating 28 of its 64 planes, he said.
It flies to 46 destinations in India and eight overseas, including London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.
'Not an option'
Earlier, the airline's billionaire owner Vijay Mallya said he was determined to keep the airline flying.
"Closing down is not an option. It will not happen," Mr Mallya said. "Government does not want it to happen. It is not in the national interest."
Meanwhile, India's government has ruled out any bailout for the carrier.
"As far as private airlines are concerned, they are talking to banks, and banks will lend them money only if they are confident that their business plans will succeed," said Ajit Singh, India's civil aviation minister.
The flight disruptions are the latest problem to hit Kingfisher Airlines.
Last week it reported that its losses widened 75% in the October to December quarter, raising fresh concerns about its future.
It made a loss of 4.44bn rupees ($90m; £57m) during the period, compared with 2.54bn rupees a year earlier.
Spurs beat Clippers 103-100 in OT on Neal's key 3s
Gary Neal hit key 3-pointers in regulation and overtime, Tony Parker scored 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs held off the Los Angeles Clippers 103-100 on Saturday to earn their NBA-leading 10th consecutive victory.
Neal was one of six Spurs in double figures with 17 points. He stole the ball and hit the tying 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left in regulation. His 3 with 25 seconds to go in overtime snapped a 98-all tie.
Matt Bonner added 13 points, Tim Duncan had 11 points and 17 rebounds, Danny Green had 11, for the Spurs, who improved to 6-0 on their annual rodeo trip that includes nine games.
Blake Griffin had 22 points and 20 rebounds, and Chris Paul and Randy Foye scored 21 points for the Clippers.
SI
Ailing Arsenal beaten by Sunderland FA Cup
Arsenal are almost certain to finish without a trophy for the seventh year running after deservedly losing at Sunderland in the FA Cup fifth round.
Fourth in the Premier League and facing likely elimination in the Champions League, Arsenal's season is in tatters.
Kieran Richardson put Sunderland ahead with a deflected drive after Johan Djourou's error conceded a free-kick.
Arsenal pushed for an equaliser but Sebastian Larsson's shot was put into his own net by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It was an unfortunate moment for the 18-year-old, who was one of Arsenal's more impressive performers on a dark day for the club.
Arsene Wenger will inevitably come under increased pressure but not for the first time this week he was badly let down by his players.
Wenger demanded a response from them following Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg defeat by AC Milan.
But he got nothing of the sort as the 10-time winners, whose last trophy was the 2005 FA Cup, were out-thought, out-fought and out-worked by Martin O'Neill's spirited Sunderland side.
Wenger's current team clearly lack the quality of previous squads and they will not be relishing next Sunday's Premier League visit of high-flying local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal actually looked sprightly in the opening minutes, passing and moving with an urgency that showed their determination to prove a point following the humbling in Italy.
Gervinho, back from the Africa Cup of Nations and one of five Arsenal changes, showed what the Gunners had been missing in his six-week absence with a darting run down the left.
Mikel Arteta then curled a free-kick narrowly wide as the visitors put Sunderland on the back foot and probed for an opener.
But, all season long, Arsenal have reacted poorly to even the smallest of setbacks, and so it proved again as left-back Francis Coquelin went off with a hamstring injury in the 10th minute.
He was replaced by Sebastien Squillaci, who partnered Djourou in central defence, with Thomas Vermaelen shifting across, and, from that moment on, Arsenal's back line appeared vulnerable.
They received little protection from a midfield in which Aaron Ramsey and Alex Song took knocks, but that could not excuse individual errors and a general lack of concentration and organisation.
Song was fortunate to escape after the ball struck his hand inside the penalty area before Djourou lost possession on the left and earned a caution for hauling down Craig Gardner.
The resultant free-kick from Larsson was headed out to Richardson on the left and, under minimal pressure, his shot deflected off Squillaci and into the bottom corner.
Before that, Gervinho drew a fine save from Simon Mignolet and Arsenal wanted a penalty for what looked like a perfectly-timed challenge on Robin van Persie by John O'Shea.
But those were their only clear openings in a half that saw the Gunners become increasingly ragged as Sunderland denied them time and space with an intelligent and energetic display.
The tone was set by tireless captain Lee Cattermole, but it would be unfair to highlight individuals in a team whose hunger and cohesion could not be matched by their opponents.
It was a shame that only 26,042 spectators - just over half-capacity - were at the Stadium of Light to witness their efforts.
Sunderland came close to a second before half-time - James McClean firing into the side-netting after Jack Colback's knockdown from another Larsson cross - but Arsenal held on.
The 4,000 away supporters urged Arsenal forward after the break but there was no structure to their attacks and Sunderland comfortably repelled everything thrown at them.
Wenger made a double substitution on 52 minutes - Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky coming on for Aaron Ramsey and the apparently injured Squillaci - but the difference was barely noticeable.
The killer blow arrived when Stephane Sessegnon robbed Oxlade-Chamberlain of possession, surged at the bedraggled Arsenal rearguard and fed Larsson on the right.
The ex-Gunner's shot came back off the post but Oxlade-Chamberlain inadvertently bundled it over the line. It summed up Arsenal's day and, perhaps, their entire campaign.
Everton 2 Blackpool 0
Two early goals helped Everton comfortably beat Blackpool to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in nine years.
Royston Drenthe scored after 49 seconds from Marouane Fellaini's pass.
Denis Stracqualursi then made it a dream start for the hosts on six minutes when he tapped in.
Stracqualursi could have added to his total as Everton had chances to put the tie out of sight, while Kevin Phillips blazed over a penalty late on.
The veteran striker hit the bar from a free-kick with Lomana LuaLua also hitting the post, but they were isolated efforts for the visitors, who also lost Gary Taylor-Fletcher as a result of a first-half collision with Everton keeper Tim Howard.
Those events summed up a miserable afternoon for Ian Holloway's team who were outclassed by their Premier League opponents and will now return to their battle for Championship promotion, starting with a key game at home to West Ham on Tuesday.
For Everton, the victory extends their unbeaten run to seven games during what has been a profitable period which has included wins over Chelsea and Manchester City at Goodison.
Blackpool's poor start to the game was at odds with a run that has seen them go 10-games unbeaten since the turn of the year.
Holloway's men were up against top-flight opposition for the first time this season and they ran into an Everton side brimming with confidence.
But the way in which they were two goals behind within six minutes quickly mapped out a game in which they failed to wrest any sort of control.
Holloway had made seven changes to his side following Tuesday's win over Doncaster. The team had barely got their bearings when Drenthe found the top corner after Fellaini teed up the Dutchman after Magaye Gaye had delivered a cross.
That lead was soon doubled after six minutes when Drenthe's corner found Gaye. His header was blocked, but Stracqualursi tapped in for his second goal in two FA Cup starts.
Taylor-Fletcher managed one effort for Blackpool in reply, but he was injured and subsequently stretchered off in a lacklustre Blackpool showing.
Everton were without Landon Donovan, who missed what would have been his last game for the club before returning the United States after a loan spell, and the cup-tied Steven Pienaar.
But they still created a host of chances with Stracqualursi twice going close, Matt Gilks saving from Darron Gibson and Johnny Heitinga heading off target.
Holloway perhaps chose his starting XI with Tuesday's game against West Ham in mind, and it was not until he made changes midway through the second half that his side made any telling impression on the game.
Still, Fellaini could have scored twice thereafter - firing over from six yards following a shot that was cleared off the line by Craig Cathcart.
LuaLua's strike against the post and Phillips's spot-kick miss were only late flutters for Everton in a contest they should have settled much earlier.
Everton boss David Moyes: "I think when you play Blackpool you are never in control. They score lots of goals in the last five minutes of games. Our goalkeeper Tim Howard made a brilliant save and they missed a penalty kick, so they had opportunities.
"We had six or seven great chances to put the game to bed and we didn't get the third goal. While it was still 2-0, Blackpool kept going."
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway: "We have been beaten by the better team today, but I thought we showed character to come back into it later on in the game. A lot of teams I've had in the past might have gone completely and capitulated there, but we managed to haul ourselves back into it.
"But we were nowhere near as good as we normally are because David has a great team here."
Leewards crushed by an innings by ruthless Jamaica
Luckless Leeward Islands plunged to another embarrassing defeat, yesterday, going down to rampant defending champions Jamaica by an innings and 201 runs at Sabina Park. The visitors, following on by 300 runs, could only last until an hour after lunch on the third day before being dismissed for a hugely disappointing 99, as their indifferent form in the Regional Four-Day Championship continued.
Starting the third day of the contest needing a miracle to avoid defeat after being dismissed for 104 on Friday, the Leewards got a fluent 55 from Test opener Kieran Powell but he was just one of two batsmen in double figures as the innings collapsed in a heap.
Overall, the left-handed Powell faced 124 balls and hit seven fours before being ninth out with Leewards on the brink of defeat.
Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller snared five for 16 to finish with match figures of seven for 47 while leg-spinner Odean Brown claimed four for 32 to complete match figures of nine for 38.
The loss was the third straight for the Leewards who were beaten by Guyana in the first round and also went down to Combined Campuses and Colleges last week.
For Jamaica, however, it was their third straight win and it solidified their status at the top of the standings on 36 points.
Leewards’ collapse started when opener Javier Liburd (1) edged left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotterell to Simon Jackson at slip at 17 for one.
However, Powell played positively and was the brains behind a 39-run, second wicket stand with Montcin Hodge who got 15.
The right-handed Hodge struck two fours off 56 balls and helped to raise the Leewards’ 50 off 87 balls.
Once Hodge was trapped lbw by Miller on 56 for two, the Leewards lost five quick wickets for 17 runs to plunge to 73 for six.
The end came swiftly with Miller getting Powell to hole out to long-on before having Nelson Bolan stumped.