Syrian Rebels Kill Pro-Government Cleric
Syrian rebel forces have killed a pro-government Sunni cleric in the northern city of Aleppo and reportedly mutilated his body.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian state media reported Saturday that Sheikh Hassan Seifeddine, the imam of a mosque in northern Aleppo, was killed by rebels during heavy fighting in the neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud. The observatory says the rebels then paraded the cleric's body around the neighborhood.
The latest brutality comes just days after a suicide bomber blew himself up in an ancient Damascus mosque, killing pro-government cleric Mohammed al-Buti. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed Friday to purge his country of extremists blamed for that attack, which killed about 50 people.
Extremists have been playing a bigger role among rebel groups recently in Syria as the two-year uprising drags on with no sign of ending.
Beckham crowned soccer's top earner
David Beckham is the highest-paid soccer player in the world, according to prestigious magazine France Football.
The former England captain, who recently joined Paris Saint-Germain on a five-month contract, attracts more cash than four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Beckham, who spent five years with the Los Angeles Galaxy between 2007 and 2012, is set to earn $46.5 million (€36 million) during the 2012-13 football season through his salary, endorsements and other business ventures.
The midfielder's entire PSG salary, which is estimated to make up 5% of his total earnings, will be donated to a Paris children's charity.
Second on the magazine's rich list was Barcelona's Messi, who will reportedly make $45.2 million this season, with $17 million coming from salary and bonuses.
The Argentine has been in prolific form this season, scoring 42 goals in 28 Spanish First Division matches. The 25-year-old recently signed a new contract with Barca which will keep him in Catalunya until June 2018.
Real's Ronaldo has so often trailed narrowly behind Messi on the pitch, and so it is the financial stakes. The forward is set to pocket $39 million, although his salary and bonuses are slightly higher than Messi's at $17.5 million.
Ronaldo's coach and compatriot Jose Mourinho is the highest paid team boss on the planet, according to the list. The former Inter Milan and Chelsea coach will take home $18 million over the course of this season.
Carlo Ancelotti, Beckham's coach at PSG, is set to earn $15.5 million, while his fellow Italian Marcello Lippi was given $14 million to lead Guangzhou Evergrande to the Chinese Super League title.
France Football, first published in 1946, organized the Ballon d'Or award for European footballer of the year until it was merged with FIFA's world player of the year award in 2010.
Nuggets win 14th straight, 101-100 over 76ers
The Denver Nuggets' streak lives on thanks to some luck and pluck.
Corey Brewer sank three free throws with 2.1 seconds left and the Denver Nuggets stretched their franchise-best winning streak to 14 games with a 101-100 thriller over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
Anthony Randolph blocked Damien Wilkins' desperation jumper at the buzzer to secure Denver's 16th straight win at the Pepsi Center - and its most unlikely.
The Nuggets, overlooked in the great surge by the Miami Heat, trailed by five as the clock ticked below 10 seconds.
Brewer sank a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left that made it 100-98. He fouled Evan Turner with 7.1 seconds left and Turner, a 75 percent free-throw shooter, missed both of his foul shots, the first one bouncing out and the second one slowly rimming out.
"It's crazy. To be honest, I didn't think we had any chance of winning,'' Brewer said. "Then he missed those free throws and I was like, "OK, we've got a little chance.' He gave us life.''
After a timeout, Anthony Miller inbounded to Danilo Gallinari, who handed it off to Brewer, who quickly fired up a 3-pointer as Wilkins slapped him on his left arm, drawing the whistle with 2.1 seconds left.
"I saw him coming and I just tried to get it off quick. He hit my arm, luckily, so I'll take the foul,'' said Brewer, who finished with 29 points.
Brewer took a deep breath and sank the first shot.
"I was just trying to be calm. I knew I needed to make two out of three and once I made the first one, a little pressure's off,'' Brewer said.
He hit his second, then took a step back while JaVale McGee returned to the game. Once McGee was in place for a possible rebound, Brewer swished his third free throw.
After a timeout, Randolph blocked Wilkins, who finished with 24 points, and win No. 14 was theirs.
"There's no one to point the finger at,'' Turner said. "We played hard the whole game, whatever could go wrong did go wrong.''
The Nuggets haven't lost at home since Jan. 14 against Washington and they're in the midst of their longest winning streak since joining the NBA in 1976, a streak that survived despite an uncharacteristic 20 turnovers.
Even though Miller scored a season-high 21 points, the Nuggets sorely missed Ty Lawson (right heel) and Wilson Chandler (left shoulder), both of whom were hurt in Denver's signature win at Oklahoma City Tuesday night.
They nearly lost to the NBA's lowest scoring team, one that owns just six road wins, tied for the fewest in the league this season.
New Zealand v England: Peter Fulton hits maiden Test century
Peter Fulton made a maiden Test century as New Zealand dominated England after being asked to bat in the final Test.
England opted to bowl on an Eden Park pitch that looked like it might offer some pace and bounce early on.
But the wicket had little life in it and Fulton, playing his 13th Test at the age of 34, hit an unbeaten 124 and Kane Williamson 83 in the hosts' 250-1.
Steven Finn dismissed Hamish Rutherford (37) to record England's only success on a challenging first day in Auckland.
With the third Test set up as a series decider following rain-affected draws on flat pitches in Dunedin and Wellington, England captain Alastair Cook hoped the wicket would provide his bowlers with a better chance of taking 20 wickets.
Opposing captain Brendon McCullum admitted he would also have bowled first but the pitch, dropped into the square for this match, proved to be perfect for batting despite there being tinges of green on the surface.
England's pace attack was blunted, while Monty Panesar was unable to extract any noticeable turn with his left-arm spin.
Fulton, who made his Test debut in 2006 and had a previous highest score of 75, was recalled for this series after an absence of 39 months and with an average in the low 20s.
He added 79 for the opening wicket with Rutherford and then 171 with Williamson to help the hosts punish the world's second-ranked side.
Nicknamed 'Two-Metre Peter' because of his height, Fulton became only the second New Zealander, after Zin Harris in South Africa in 1962, to score a maiden century after turning 34.
Fulton had a life on 16 when a James Anderson delivery flew off the edge of his bat and narrowly avoided the slip fielders before running away to the boundary.
The 6ft 6in opener made another mistake going after a Stuart Broad delivery a few overs later but the short boundaries at Eden Park, which is normally used for rugby, meant the ball flew over the rope for six.
Rutherford smashed two sixes off Panesar, but came undone on 37 while trying to do the same to Finn and was caught by Cook at first slip in the penultimate over before lunch.
Fulton grew in confidence after the interval and surpassed his previous Test-best with a leg-side sequence of 4-4-6 in one Panesar over.
With Williamson batting with complete control and England failing to create a noteworthy chance, the duo moved the score along to 173-1 at tea.
After being on 99 for nine balls, Fulton brought up his three figures early in the last session, having faced 203 deliveries, and the opener continued to frustrate England's labouring pace attack after the new ball was taken in the final hour.
England's body language looked poor as they grew increasingly deflated and unable to change the course of the match.
Williamson, 22, made his second successive half century, and was closing in on a flawless fourth Test ton at the close of play.
--BBC
Rose eclipses Tiger in Arnold Palmer event
Justin Rose carded six birdies and an eagle in a seven-under-par 65 to take a two-shot lead over John Huh on day one of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The world number five, 32, who was fourth and eighth in his first two PGA strokeplay events of 2013, had four successive birdies on his inward nine.
Tiger Woods, who can regain the number one spot from the absent Rory Mcllroy by winning this week, began with a 69.
Lee Westwood posted a 71, while Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell shot 72s.
Defending champion Woods, who has spent a record 623 combined weeks as world number one, was last top of the rankings in October 2010 but has already recorded two victories this year, at Torrey Pines in January and in last month's World Golf Championship in Doral.
The 37-year-old American has won seven times professionally at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge lay-out in Orlando, and also claimed the 1991 US Junior Amateur tournament at the course.
He began his round at the 10th and moved to three under with an eagle at the 501-yard par-five 16th, his seventh.
Woods, who won the last of his 14 majors in 2008, then ran up successive bogeys but three consecutive birdies on his inward nine took him within four shots of Rose.
"I certainly didn't play my best, but I got around and made a few good saves out there," he said. "I got a lot out of this round, and I threw away a few shots as well."
Rose, who ranked a lowly 128th in putting statistics last year and is 127th thus far in 2013, took only 25 putts on day one at Bay Hill and said: "Today was probably the first real hot day I've had with the blade in a long, long time. That's been the error of my game since June last year.
"We all know it's about consistency and that's what I'm still working toward. It's just fun to know that I obviously can do it, and I take a lot of confidence from that."
Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson twice drove into the water, holed from 12 feet to eagle the 16th, then missed from inside four feet to drop a shot at the last in a mixed round of 73.
Masters champion Bubba Watson had two double bogeys but birdied the last to finish with a 74, while world number four Brandt Snedeker took a triple bogey six at the par-three 17th en route to a 76.
--BBC
Serena Williams victorious on return
Serena Williams shook off any rustiness after a month-long break from competitive tennis as she launched her quest for a sixth Miami title with a straight sets victory over Italian Flavia Pennetta.
The world No. 1 hasn't played since losing to Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Qatar Open on February 17 but made light work of her unseeded opponent winning 6-1 6-1.
Williams, a 15-time grand slam winner, pulled out of the Dubai Tennis Championships after her defeat in Doha complaining of a back injury but looked in good touch as she raced to victory in just under 80 minutes.
"I think I missed a few shots, but only because I think I was off footwork-wise," she told reporters. "But it's always just good just to win a match and stay in the tournament and keep going. "I felt like I should be putting the balls away for my opponent but she was so quick and she was running every ball down."
As for coming into the tournament as the world's best player she said: "It always feels better when you're No. 1. There's nothing like when they announce you and they say, the No. 1 player in the world.
"It definitely gives you a little bit more confidence ... a little more pep in your step. I have a lot of matches to play. If I can just stay relaxed -- I really feel like I can do it, but, you know, I'm sometimes my own worst enemy."
Defending champion and No. 4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, from Poland, breezed into round three with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei.
"I was happy to have a quick match," Radwanska was quoted as saying on the WTA Tour's official website. "The first match is always a little bit tough and tricky, especially after Indian Wells, where we had a little bit of different conditions.
"It was a really special tournament for me because I was really playing a lot of good matches against top players and not even losing a set.
"I definitely have great memories from here. And the final was a very good match. Hopefully I can play the same level of tennis this year. I will do everything to hold the trophy again."
China's Li Na, seeded fifth, was also making a return after spending six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury but she eased past Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 6-3 6-1.
"I wasn't nervous before the match today, I was excited," Li told the WTA Tour website. "For the last six or seven weeks I haven't played any tournaments so I was happy to win my first match after such a long time.
"There were a lot of fans there to support me today, I was like, 'Wow!' My game was pretty good today, I followed the plan of what I should do. I just had to believe in myself that I could do it."
Petra Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion defeated China's Peng Shuai 5-7 6-2 6-2.
China needs 'renewed reform momentum', says OECD survey
China needs a "renewed reform momentum" to sustain long term growth, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has said.
It said the financial sector, urbanization, state ownership and innovation were key areas for reforms.
But it added that China had weathered the global financial crisis better than other OECD member countries.
It said China was on track to become the world's biggest economy by 2016, after allowing for price differences.
"It is well placed to enjoy a fourth decade of rapid catch-up," the OECD said in a survey.
It said that there were signs of China's economic growth picking up pace again after the recent slowdown.
However, it warned that in order "to sustain vigorous and socially inclusive growth over the longer run, renewed reform momentum is required".
Among the recommendations the OECD made include:
- Further easing of restrictions on capital flows and increasing quota of inward investment
- Allowing greater exchange rate flexibility
- Strengthening of intellectual property rights of domestic and foreign innovators and ensuring enforcement of those rights
- Reduction of state-ownership in some sectors
- Same property rights for farmers as urban dwellers
- Better harnessing of ongoing investment in renewable energy sector
- A broad policy mix to reduce pollution and meet environmental goals
Stumbling blocks?
However, the OECD warned that while China's economy had rebounded it continued to face various risks.
On the external front, a slowdown in the global economy poses a key risk to China, the survey said.
Meanwhile on the domestic front, it listed potential threats including rising property prices, which have triggered fears that new asset bubbles could form, along with "excessive off-balance sheet financing" by banks and local governments.
At the same time, the survey said that income inequality and an ageing society were likely to be a source of tension in the long run.
However, it said that these issues can be addressed it China continues to reform key sectors in the near future.
Cyprus MPs due to vote on new plan to secure bailout
MPs in Cyprus are due to begin voting on a series of bills that aim to raise the funds the country needs to secure an international bailout.
The country is in a race against time after the European Central Bank gave Cyprus until Monday to find the money.
If it does not, liquidity to the country's banks could be cut off and they could collapse.
Finance Minister Michael Sarris has reportedly left Moscow after failed talks to secure economic aid.
Mr Sarris sought and failed to obtain a loan of about 5bn euros (£4.3bn; $6.5bn) in return for energy and other assets, according to a report by Bloomberg news agency. Cyprus needs to find 5.8bn euros to qualify for a 10bn-euro bailout loan from the EU and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Parliamentarians flatly rejected a plan to tax bank deposits earlier this week.
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, who was also in Moscow this week, said he was "very concerned" at recent developments in Cyprus but added: "We have in the past solved bigger problems."
"I hope that this time a solution can also be found."
Many Cypriots fear they will lose their savings, and there have been long queues at cash machines.
"The next move may prove its salvation or destruction," warned the Bank of Cyprus, the country's largest, which itself said to require urgent funding to prevent collapse.
MPs could be seen arriving at parliament in the capital, Nicosia, passing protesters.
Eurozone finance ministers have said they are "ready to discuss with the Cypriot authorities a draft new proposal", which they expect "the Cyprus authorities to present as rapidly as possible".
Political leaders discussed the options with President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday, and the package was then discussed by the cabinet. But MPs said they needed more time to study the nine bills that make up the draft legislation. If no "Plan B" can be found by Monday, the ECB may cut off funding to the island's banks, it said in a statement triggering their collapse and possibly the country's exit from the euro.
Both Bank of Cyprus and another big bank, Laiki, are believed to be reliant on the ECB's Emergency Liquidity Assistance, provided via the Central Bank of Cyprus.
All Cypriot banks have been shut until next Tuesday to prevent mass withdrawals, but long lines have been forming at cash machines.
They are still dispensing cash but, with such demand, are frequently running out, and on Thursday Laiki radically lowered the daily withdrawal limit to 260 euros.
"There are rumours that Laiki Bank will never open again. I want to take out as much as I can," retired government official Phaedon Vassiliades told AFP news agency as he withdrew cash at a machine in the capital, Nicosia.
A key component of "Plan B" is the establishment of a state "investment solidarity fund" which would issue bonds on state assets to raise the 5.8bn euros required.
Other elements could include restructuring other Cypriot banks, use of pension fund, and accepting an offer of help from Cyprus' wealthy Orthodox Church. A revised levy on deposits also remains a possibility.
Big Russian investors are believed to hold about a third of all Cypriot deposits - and reacted with fury when the initial plan to tax deposits by up to 9.9%.
'Absurd'
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attacked the original bailout proposal for a levy as "absolutely absurd".
"I think that the Eurogroup [the group of eurozone finance ministers] ought to look at further plans for a settlement around Cyprus with the involvement of all interested parties, including Russian structures," he said, speaking after talks with Mr Barroso in Moscow.
Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem told the European Parliament he doubted a "Plan B" was really possible - and he partially defended the original idea of a levy on deposits, saying "alternatives would have made Cyprus' debt unsustainable".
Any revenue from gas discoveries off Cyprus remains years off and Turkey may challenge its exploitation.
The banking sector dominates the economy and if a viable rescue is not organised soon the island state risks having to abandon the euro.
Cypriot banks were among the bondholders who had to take a big "haircut" in the second massive bailout for Greece.
Since 2008 the eurozone has been badly bruised by the massive bailouts provided for Greece, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal. There is a widespread reluctance to commit more EU taxpayers' money to ailing banks in southern Europe.
US home sales rise fuels recovery hopes
Signs of recovery in the US economy have been underlined with news that home sales are running at a three-year high and that a confidence index rose.
Sales of existing homes in February were at their highest annual rate since November 2009, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Meanwhile, the Conference Board index of economic indicators rose 0.5%.
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve said the economy had improved "moderately", but warned about high unemployment.
The NAR said that home sales had gained 0.8% since January to reach an annual pace of 4.98 million units, with the rise all coming from sales of apartments and condominiums. Sales of family homes fell very slightly.
NAR economist Lawrence Yun said low interest rates, improvement in employment and pent-up demand still underpinned the market's continuing expansion.
"Job growth in the improving economy and pent-up demand are causing both home sales and rental leasing to rise," Mr Yun said in the statement.
Meanwhile, a composite index of economic indicators rose 0.5% in February to 94.8, following a similar rise in January.
The Conference Board, a research association, said that eight of the 10 components on the index increased in February, compared with five in January and six in December.
The components include average weekly hours working, manufacturers' new orders, and new building permits issued.
Ken Goldstein, economist at the Conference Board, said: "The US economy is growing slowly now, and with this reading increases hope that it may pick up some momentum in the second half of the year."
In a report on Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve said that the economy had strengthened "moderately" but still needed stimulus measures to underpin recovery.
In a statement after a two-day meeting, the Fed said it would keep its policy of buying $85bn a month of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities.
Although US joblessness has fallen, the Fed said it wanted to see signs of a long-term trend of falling unemployment.
YouTube reaches one billion monthly users
YouTube, the video sharing site owned by Google, has announced it has passed one billion regular users.
Announcing the milestone on its blog, the site said a recent growth in smartphones had helped boost the numbers visiting the site every month.
YouTube's popularity provides Google with a lucrative channel through which to sell advertising, alongside its core search business.
YouTube was launched in 2005 and bought by Google in 2006.
It paid $1.76bn (£1.16bn) for the site, which at the time had an estimated 30-40 million users world wide.
With one billion monthly users, it poses a challenge to Facebook as the internet's largest social network. Facebook reached a billion users in October last year.
"Nearly one out of every two people on the Internet visits YouTube," the company said in its statement.
It was keen to stress the business potential of such a large audience.
"Tens of thousands of partners have created channels that have found and built businesses for passionate, engaged audiences. Advertisers have taken notice," it said, saying that the top 100 brands listed by trade magazine Advertising Age were now running campaigns on YouTube.
The BBC also has a presence on YouTube, with a number of different channels. Some are run by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the corporation.
The site was launched in California by three former PayPal employees.
The first video uploaded was by co-founder Jawed Karim and titled Me at the Zoo.
--BBC