Chambers wins but misses Olympic mark
Dwain Chambers ran his fastest time of the year to win the 100 metres final at the British Olympic trials yesterday but that still wasn't enough to get him a spot on the team.
The 34-year-old, banned in 2003 after failing a drugs test, recently, saw his path to selection for a Games in his native London cleared after the British Olympic Association's lifetime Olympic ban on drugs cheats was overturned.
But Chambers's time of 10.25 seconds wasn't good enough to reach the 'A' qualifying standard of 10.18 secs.
British selectors were looking to their sprinters to both achieve the standard and finish in the top two at the trials — something achieved only by 18-year-old rising star Adam Gemili, the runner-up to Chambers yesterday, who become the second fastest man in Europe this year when he clocked 10.08 secs in Germany earlier this month.
A frustrated Chambers, who was heard to swear after winning the final, said he would now try to achieve the 'A' standard at the European Championships in Helsinki next week.
"First of all, I want to apologise for swearing at the end of the race," Chambers told the BBC. "I got a little carried away.
"I had pressure with all the youngsters like Adam coming through, but I relied on
my experience and it got
me through.
"I still need to get the qualifying time and I have a chance to get it at the Europeans in Helsinki next week, so that is the next step.
"The pressure of trials is the hardest part and I'm glad it's over. Now I can concentrate on getting the time," Chambers said.
BBC
England bow out on penalties
England suffered penalty agony once more as Italy won a shoot-out after the Euro 2012 quarter-final finished goalless in Kiev.
Italy were vastly superior to England over the course of 120 minutes - but the resilience and organisation that have swiftly become the trademark under new manager Roy Hodgson took an enthralling game to penalties.
And, as on five of the previous six occasions England have entered this sudden-death environment, they were left heartbroken, with Italy confirming a semi-final meeting with Germany in Warsaw on Thursday.
England captain Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were successful from the spot, but Ashley Young struck the bar and Ashley Cole's effort was saved by Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Mario Balotelli scored Italy's first spot-kick but Riccardo Montolivo's miss gave England hope that was cruelly snatched away as Andrea Pirlo audaciously chipped in his spot-kick and Antonio Nocerino coolly slotted home before former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti scored the decisive penalty.
England cannot complain that the better team did not emerge as winners - but even in the face of a constant wave of Italian attacks Hodgson's men still showed enough heart and durability to make their Euro 2012 exit with pride.
As Italy subjected them to what was almost torture by possession, England's back four and goalkeeper Joe Hart responded magnificently by erecting a wall of defiance, with John Terry outstanding.
England will head for home on Monday after a campaign they can reflect on with a measure of satisfaction despite the disappointment. Hodgson - at short notice - marshalled his forces effectively but the gulf in class with Italy was clear and his team looked jaded long before the end.
Hodgson will now take stock of events in Ukraine, where England drew with France and won against Sweden and Ukraine to top Group D, as he plots the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Hodgson picked England's first unchanged team since the miserable last-16 encounter with Germany at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - a show of faith in the side that beat Ukraine in Donetsk.
England were almost given the worst possible start when, after a prolonged period of possession, De Rossi's swerving left-foot volley hit the post with Hart stretching in vain to make contact.
If this was an ominous start for England, they responded with an opportunity of their own when Glen Johnson found space in the area but could not get sufficient power in his shot and Buffon was able to claw the ball away.
England's opening spell had been their best of Euro 2012. It was almost capped with a goal in the 13th minute when the dangerous Johnson crossed for Rooney but he could only glance a header over the top.
Balotelli had been his usual combination of threat mixed with moments of infuriating slackness. He was slow to react to the peerless Pirlo's pass and allowed Terry to make a fine recovering tackle, then forced his Manchester City team-mate Hart into a save from a low effort.
England had lost the measure of control they had exerted for a spell, but there was still much to encourage Hodgson, particularly when Rooney opened up Italy's defence and Danny Welbeck should have done better than sidefoot wide from the edge of the area.
Balotelli was again involved as he closed in on Antonio Cassano's header six yards out but was left hacking at the post in frustration as Terry and Joleon Lescott combined to clear.
BBC
England beat West Indies in T20
Alex Hales hit 99 as England beat West Indies by seven wickets in the Twenty20 international at Trent Bridge.
The Nottinghamshire batsman was denied England's first-ever T20 century when he was bowled by Ravi Rampaul with four runs needed to win.
Ravi Bopara made 59 from 43 balls as England chased down 173 with two balls to spare for only their third win in eight T20s against West Indies.
Earlier, Dwayne Smith hit 70 and Dwayne Bravo 54 not out for the tourists.
Hales, who became the first batsman ever to be dismissed on 99 in international T20 cricket, staked his claim to become the long-term successor to the retired Kevin Pietersen with an assured 68-ball innings, which included six fours and four sixes.
On a good batting track at Trent Bridge, West Indies survived the early loss of Chris Gayle to set a competitive target. The West Indies opener was caught on the fine leg boundary by Jonny Bairstow after being tempted to mistime an attempted hook to a Steven Finn bumper.
England looked in control after the six powerplay overs, with the visitors 29-2 after good spells from Finn and Jade Dernbach. But Gayle's fellow opener Dwayne Smith got the West Indies innings back on track with a 54-ball 70 that included five sixes and five fours.
Two other West Indians with Indian Premier League experience, Bravo and Kieron Pollard (23 not out) then brought the score up to 172-4, with a partnership of 65 for the fifth wicket in just 28 balls.
BBC
Julian Assange 'abandoned by Australia'
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says he has sought refuge in the Ecuador's London embassy because his native Australia abandoned him.
Mr Assange is seeking diplomatic asylum to prevent him being sent to Sweden to answer accusations of rape and assault, which he denies.
In his first interview since entering the embassy, Mr Assange admitted there was no guarantee his bid would succeed.
Ecuador's president said the country was examining the case for asylum.
Mr Assange fears if he is sent to Sweden it could lead to him being sent to the United States to face charges over Wikileaks and that he could face the death penalty.
His Wikileaks website published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments and international businesses.
In his interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp radio, Mr Assange, 40, said he did not know when the decision would be made.
"We hope that what I am doing now will simply draw attention to the underlying issues," he said.
He said he had mounted his bid because his native Australia had made an "effective declaration of abandonment" by refusing to intervene in his planned extradition.
Accusing the US ambassador to Australia and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard of using "slimy rhetoric," he dismissed Australian government claims he had been receiving ongoing consular assistance.
"We had heard that the Ecuadoreans were sympathetic in relation to my struggles and the struggles of the organization with the United States," he said, explaining his decision.
Mr Assange is spending a third night in the embassy while inquiries by Ecuadorian diplomats continue.
Police say he faces arrest in the UK for breaching his bail conditions.
Mr Assange, whose bail conditions include staying at a named address between 22:00 and 08:00 BST, arrived at the embassy in Knightsbridge on Tuesday.
Politically-motivated
Speaking to BBC Mundo, the Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa said: "Ecuador defends the right to live and we will have to check if there is danger of death [for Mr Assange]."
He said that for some of the crimes Mr Assange has been accused of, he could face capital punishment if ever sent to the US.
Mr Correa added: "If there has been a breach of law [by Julian Assange], he should be prosecuted.
"But we have to be cautious in case they are making things up for an improper prosecution. We must analyse all that."
Last Thursday, seven judges at the UK's Supreme Court dismissed Mr Assange's attempt to reopen his extradition appeal as being "without merit".
Two female ex-Wikileaks volunteers alleged in 2010 that he had attacked them while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture. No charges have been filed.
Mr Assange claims the sex was consensual and that the allegations are politically motivated.
The Australian has until 28 June to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. His lawyer, Dinah Rose QC, said he was considering whether to do this.
Swedish authorities have said the ECHR would intervene if Mr Assange was to face the prospect of "inhuman or degrading treatment or an unfair trial" in the US.
As part of Mr Assange's bail conditions, securities totalling £200,000 were lodged at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.
A further £40,000 put up as sureties are thought to have been provided by socialite Jemima Khan and film director Ken Loach, who each offered £20,000.
Lawyers say bail would be forfeited only if Mr Assange failed to turn up for a scheduled court appearance.
Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo faces impeachment
Paraguay's parliament has voted to have President Fernando Lugo impeached after deadly land clashes last week.
The opposition-controlled lower house overwhelmingly approved the move.
The Senate quickly followed suit and announced it would hold the trial on Friday, giving the left-wing president 24 hours to prepare his defence.
Mr Lugo has faced severe criticism over his handling of a forced land eviction in which seven police officers and at least nine farmers were killed.
He has said he will not resign but will "face the consequences" of the trial.
Speaking on national television, Mr Lugo said: "This president announces that he is not going to present his resignation and that he will fully respect the constitution and the law to face the impeachment trial and its full consequences."
The Senate, the body which will decide whether or not to remove the president from office, is controlled by the opposition. Reports suggest only five out of 45 senators support Mr Lugo.
Following emergency talks, the Union of South American Nations said it would send an urgent mission of foreign ministers to Paraguay to "ensure the right to defend democracy".
BBC regional analyst Leonardo Rocha says South American countries are worried that Mr Lugo, Paraguay's first left-wing president, is the victim of a political trial by right-wing groups which held power for 61 years before his election in 2008.
Land clashes
The clashes in eastern Canindeyu province last Friday which sparked the impeachment proceedings left seven police officers and at least nine farmers dead.
More than 300 police officers tried to evict 150 landless farmers from an estate owned by a wealthy businessman who is also a political opponent of Mr Lugo.
The eviction escalated into violence and the farmers opened fire on the police.
Nine farmers involved in the clashes were charged with murder.
The farmers have argued the land was illegally taken during the 1954-1989 military rule of Gen Alfredo Stroessner and distributed among his allies.
Land disputes are not unusual in Paraguay, where a small fraction of the population owns about 80% of the land.
According to the Paraguayan Truth Commission, 6.75 million hectares of land were sold or handed over under "irregular circumstances" during military rule.
18 Hostages Freed Following Afghan Hotel Attack
Afghan officials said Friday its security forces have freed 18 civilians after a Taliban attack on a hotel on the outskirts of Kabul. Authorities said two of the attackers are dead.
Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the hotel late Thursday, seizing civilian hostages, including women and children.
The attack set off an hours-long gunbattle with Afghan security forces and the fighting continued Friday morning.
A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its fighters had targeted a hotel being used by foreigners.
Officials said early Friday at least three of the militants remain inside the Spozhmai Hotel.
There were reports of civilian and police casualties, but details were not immediately available.
Police say the Taliban insurgents, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and Kalashnikov rifles, attacked the hotel on the shores of Qargha Lake, where guests and families had gathered for a party. The hotel is popular with wealthy Afghans, businessmen, and foreigners.
The attack came hours after Afghan President Hamid Karzai told parliament that insurgent attacks against Afghan police and soldiers are increasing as foreign combat troops prepare to pull out of the country.
Afghan Taliban attack Lake Qargha hotel near Kabul
Taliban militants have attacked a hotel outside Kabul, triggering a deadly gun battle with Afghan security forces and a hostage crisis.
Officials say insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns attacked the Spozhmai Hotel in the Lake Qargha area.
At least two people were killed. Hostages were seized, including women and children, but 18 were later freed.
The Taliban claimed the attack in the area favoured by Kabul residents.
The gunmen launched the attack on the hotel late on Thursday, the officials say.
"Police forces have besieged the hotel where people gathered for a picnic or wedding party," Kabul deputy police chief Daoud Amin told the AFP news agency. "We will be very careful so that not to harm to civilians," he added.
Some guests reportedly jumped out of hotel windows to flee from the attackers.
The US-led coalition is providing support to the Afghan security forces, who are trying to flush out the insurgents from the hotel.
Reuters news agency quotes the Taliban as saying they attacked the hotel because wealthy Afghans and foreigners used it for "wild parties".
Violence has recently increased across the country, with at least three US soldiers and about 20 Afghans killed in a series of attacks over the past seven days.
The attacks come as Nato prepares to hand responsibility to Afghan forces when the alliance's combat troops leave in 2014.
Dr. Dre, Eve Sued over Faith Evans Collabo ‘Love is Blind’
Dr. Dre and Eve have been hit with a lawsuit over royalties from their Faith Evans collaboration, “Love Is Blind.”
Music producer Big Hutch claims he co-wrote and produced the single in 1997 for Eve, who was then signed to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment. But when Eve finally recorded the track two years later for her album “Let There Be Eve… Ruff Ryders’ First Lady,” he was never compensated or rewarded due to lack of evidence he had anything to do with the tune.
Big Hutch, real name Gregory Hutchinson, he is now suing to reclaim his share of royalties.
“I’m not trying to take away from what Eve has done, but I was a key in helping Eve create a hit record,” he said in a statement to AllHipHop.com.
Kim Kardashian to Oprah: ‘Kanye Knows Everything about Me’
In part two of her chat with Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian opens up about her relationship with Kanye West, calling it ”comforting” because he knows everything about her.
One unfortunate aspect the two have in common is the death of a parent. West’s mother Donda died from complications from cosmetic surgery in 2007. Kim’s father Robert Kardashian died of cancer in 2003
”It’s very comforting to have someone that knows everything about you, that respects you, understands, has gone through the similar things,” she tells Winfrey for “Oprah’s Next Chapter.”
”I can really relate to his mother passing. He can really relate to my father passing. I mean, there’s so many similarities in our life that … I feel like I’m at a really happy, good space,” she said.
Kim – who split from husband Kris Humphries in October after just 72 days of marriage – had been friends with Kanye for ”six or seven years” before they started dating earlier this year and she thinks her previous experiences have helped their relationship.
”I don’t know why it took so long for us to get together, but I think I needed to go through all my experiences,” she said.
Vybz Kartel free on drug rap, but remains in custody
Popular entertainer Vybz Kartel was today freed in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court of possession of ganja.
When the matter came for trial today, Katel’s lawyer, Christian Tavares-Finson, argued that based on the police statement there was no way the crown could prove that his client was in possession of the ganja.
The police had reported that they went into a room and saw a spliff among some of Kartel’s belongings.
The crown offered no evidence.
Resident Magistrate Maxine Ellis had queried why the entertainer was still being prosecuted when someone else had pleaded guilty to offence.
Kartel and others were picked up in a hotel room in New Kingston last September after the ganja spliff was found in the room.