Lehman bosses severely criticised

news.bbc.co.uk - A report into the collapse of Lehman Brothers criticises senior executives and auditor Ernst & Young for serious lapses. More... (Americas)

Indian Premier League gets ready to cast its shadow over world cricket | Barney Ronay

www.guardian.co.uk - The third season of the Indian Premier League will infuriate as many people as it exhilarates - but it isn't going awayThe Indian Premier League is not yet, as its chairman Lalit Modi has promised it will be, the largest sporting league in the world. But it is without doubt the fastest-growing. Not to mention its being the most aggressively expansionist sporting event of the satellite TV age and by a vast distance the most commercially successful cricketing venture since Victorian Englishmen first started charging people to watch.Loathe it for its crassness and peripheral pizzazz or thrill unconditionally to its 60 matches in 51 days, the IPL is in the process of passing from insistent tradesman-caller to regular house guest. The 2009 season pulled in 90 million viewers. This season the sale of rights to ITV will make it the first live cricket to be shown on free British television since the last day of the 2005 Ashes series. Three years into its frenzied existence, with the 2010 season due to start today, the IPL is refusing to go away.This could well be a defining seven weeks for Modi's grand dream. Last season's late relocation to South Africa was enforced by security concerns, given that the tournament overlapped with the Indian elections. The IPL's third season sees it return to India as a more settled event, its personnel distribution a little more established, its franchises more familiar. This is the moment for the IPL to spread its wings and cast its shadow across the rest of the cricketing calendar.Today's opening match will be preceded by a spectacular opening ceremony. The headline acts may not be stellar - Lionel Richie, Bjorn Again and Ali Campbell from UB40 - but the sense of corporate ambition will be tangible. The match will be a reigning champions versus wooden spooners affair, between the Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders, the franchise owned by the Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan.Oddly, it might also provide the most widely watched appearance by any England cricketer this year. Owais Shah was transferred to the Knight Riders from the Delhi Daredevils in the off-season. With Kolkata weakened by international absences - at least four players, including the West Indies captain Chris Gayle, are yet to arrive - Shah may even get a chance to play in the curtain-raiser, having sat out the tournament last year as an unused reserve.The English contingent is marginally stronger this year. Among the eyebrow-raisers from beyond the international circle, Graham Napier of Essex and the Mumbai Indians will hope for a chance to wow the subcontinent with his club-like pinch-hitting and fast-medium bowling. The powerful, upright Hampshire left-hander Michael Lumb, who is in England's 30-man development squad for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean next month, has a career-making chance to shine with the Rajasthan Royals.Ravi Bopara, England's most successful IPL import, will be hoping to carry on the occasional good form he showed for Kings XI Punjab last season. A match-winning 84 from 59 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Durban earned Bopara a level of respect, not to mention a guarantee of continued income, unmatched so far in his appearances for England.Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan will join the Bangalore franchise after England's tour of Bangladesh, most likely on 25 March. By then the IPL will be 17 matches into its latest attempt at global televisual dominance. And even for those who fear it as a destructive mongrel force in world cricket, a sworn enemy of the more considered pleasures of the first-class game and a scourge on the international calendar, IPL 2010 - perhaps a defining moment in what is both a cricketing and economic phenomenon - is certain to be a compelling spectacle.Now read our team-by-team guide to this year's IPLIPLCricketBarney Ronayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Moving on up

news.bbc.co.uk - Stunning season puts club on brink of promotion More... (Wales)

Thailand braces for 'red' protest

news.bbc.co.uk - Thailand mobilises thousands of troops ahead of rallies in Bangkok by supporters of ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. More... (Asia)

IPL to begin amid tight security

news.bbc.co.uk - The third season of the Indian Premier League cricket tournament is set to begin amid heavy security in Mumbai. More... (Asia)

Care confident of England ability

news.bbc.co.uk - Scrum-half Danny Care believes England can produce "something really special" in Saturday's Calcutta Cup match against Scotland. More... (England)

Air disaster

news.bbc.co.uk - Rugby fans and families remember crash 60 years on More... (Wales)

60 years since rugby air disaster

news.bbc.co.uk - Rugby fans and families remember the 80 supporters, players, and crew members who died in the Llandow air crash. More... (Wales)

Charge for Titanic dry dock visit

news.bbc.co.uk - Tour bus and coach operators taking visitors to see the Belfast birthplace of the Titanic are to be charged £50 to view the attraction. More... (Northern Ireland)

More choice for church weddings

news.bbc.co.uk - A bill being considered by MPs could bring rules about church weddings in Wales in line with England. More... (Wales)

Ruane anger at private tutoring

news.bbc.co.uk - Teachers should not give private tuition for "breakaway" admissions tests, the education minister has said. More... (Northern Ireland)

Sport prostheses after cancer ops

news.bbc.co.uk - Cancer patients in Wales are to be entitled to free specialist sports prosthetic breasts after surgery. More... (Wales)

Schools told of merger proposal

news.bbc.co.uk - Two Catholic schools are told of a proposed merger, in the first evidence of the sector's plans for post-primary education. More... (Northern Ireland)

Atheists celebrate lack of faith

news.bbc.co.uk - More than 2,000 atheists from around the world meet in Melbourne, Australia, to celebrate their lack of religious belief. More... (Asia)

Club loses licence

news.bbc.co.uk - One of Belfast's leading nightclubs loses its entertainment licence after police objected to it being renewed. More... (Northern Ireland)

Club loses entertainment licence

news.bbc.co.uk - One of Belfast's leading nightclubs loses its entertainment licence after police objected to it being renewed. More... (Northern Ireland)

MPs in court dominate headlines

news.bbc.co.uk - The appearance of three MPs in court over charges relating to their expenses claims is reported in Friday's papers. More... (UK)

Rare opportunity

news.bbc.co.uk - Door creaks ajar for undocumented Haitians in the US More... (Americas)

State of drinkers

news.bbc.co.uk - Why Kerala has India's biggest alcohol problem More... (Asia)

Sarkozy to meet Brown and Cameron

news.bbc.co.uk - French President Nicolas Sarkozy will hold separate talks in London later with Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron. More... (UK)

Sarkozy to meet UK party leaders

news.bbc.co.uk - French President Nicolas Sarkozy will hold separate talks in London later with Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron. More... (Europe)

UN critical of Israel over Gaza blockade

news.bbc.co.uk - The UN's top humanitarian official criticises Israel for linking the 2006 capture of one of its soldiers to the Gaza blockade. More... (Middle East)

Election social care truce urged

news.bbc.co.uk - MPs urge political parties to set aside "pre-election point scoring" and try to reach consensus over elderly social care in England. More... (UK)

Vladimir Putin in key India talks

news.bbc.co.uk - Russian PM Vladimir Putin is in India for talks expected to focus on arms and energy contracts. More... (Europe)

Putin in India for defence talks

news.bbc.co.uk - Russian PM Vladimir Putin is in India for talks expected to focus on arms and energy contracts. More... (Europe)

Japan arrests whaling activist

news.bbc.co.uk - An activist from New Zealand who boarded a Japanese whaling ship last month is arrested by Japan's coastguard. More... (Asia)

Come on up!

news.bbc.co.uk - Canada's Yukon hopes to strike tourist gold More... (Americas)

Yes, Yukon

news.bbc.co.uk - Canada's best-kept secret hopes to strike tourist gold More... (Americas)

Polling Darfur

news.bbc.co.uk - Can an election be held in a land of refugees? More... (Africa)

Drugs: the Opera - Mexico's plague gets high-brow treatment

news.bbc.co.uk - The first Mexican opera to deal directly with the country's drugs conflict stages its premiere in Mexico City. More... (Americas)

Handcuffs asylum use criticised

news.bbc.co.uk - The use of handcuffs by immigration, escort and security staff to restrain asylum seekers is criticised in a report. More... (UK)

New York agrees 9/11 dust payout

news.bbc.co.uk - New York City agrees to pay up to $657m (£437m) to thousands of rescue and clean-up workers at the 9/11 attacks site. More... (Americas)

Thailand braces for mass protests

news.bbc.co.uk - Thailand mobilises thousands of troops ahead of mass rallies by planned supporters of ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. More... (Asia)

Rove 'proud' of US waterboarding

news.bbc.co.uk - Former US President George W Bush's advisor, Karl Rove, says he is proud of waterboarding as he believes it prevented attacks. More... (Americas)

Charl Schwartzel leads with 67 on Florida's Blue Monster course

www.guardian.co.uk - South African puts Ernie Els in the shade Rory McIlroy struggles with a 76Ernie Els might be South Africa's most famous golfer but with every passing week he is coming under pressure for the title of South Africa's best player. Twice a winner already in this nascent European Tour season, Charl Schwartzel, compatriot and friend of the three-time major winner, added to his reputation yesterday by taking the lead after the opening day of the CA Championship in Florida.A wonderful round of 67 on Doral's Blue Monster course gave Schwartzel a one-shot lead over a group of three players, including Els. It was impressive stuff on a windblown day but such performances are becoming the norm for Schwartzel. "I have played a lot of good rounds in my career and this one rates right up there. It might even have been the top one," he said of his bogey-free effort.The sentiment might have been shared by Robert Allenby, who played his opening 12 holes in eight under par only to succumb to a course that demanded near perfection on every shot. Four bogeys in the last four holes saw the Australian fall to earth. "I didn't hit a bad shot," he pleaded. "When you come from eight under to four under you say to yourself you really messed up. But there are three days to go. It ain't over."Try telling that to Rory McIlroy, whose mediocre form continued with a 76. "I'm just struggling," said the Ulsterman, who was out-scored by five by his playing partner and defending champion Phil Mickelson. "I'm not playing well and can't keep things going. When you're playing well it's easy but when you're not it's difficult."With that he headed off to take the medicine familiar to the out-of-form golfer - 500 balls on the practice range.GolfLawrence Doneganguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Golf)

Andy Murray wants players to have say over Davis Cup captain

www.guardian.co.uk - Murray believes top British players should have a voice John Lloyd's job reportedly under threat after defeatAndy Murray called on the LTA last night to let the top British players help decide who should captain them in the Davis Cup. John Lloyd's job is reportedly under serious threat after Britain's humbling 3-2 defeat in Lithuania last weekend, their fifth in a row, which left them one loss away from falling to the lowest level of the competition. Murray decided not to play in the tie but watched events unfold online and believes the players have to have a greater role."The LTA has to decide whether they want to keep John in place," Murray said. "That's totally his decision. But if John does lose his job, then I would like to think the players would have a voice. I'm not saying the players should decide solely on who the captain should be - I don't think that's right - but I think the players should have a strong say."That would involve getting all the players sitting down and discussing who all the possible candidates are to be the captain and then who the players are most comfortable with. We can at least go to the LTA or Roger [Draper] or whoever, and say, 'This is who we would like.' And if they don't want them, then that's fine but at least we've voiced our opinion and then we have got to wait and see what happens."The former British No1 Tim Henman has already ruled himself out of the Davis Cup role, saying he would rather spend time on the golf course at the moment, but another British No1, Greg Rusedski, is reportedly keen.A Britain team consisting of Dan Evans, James Ward, Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski went down 3-2 in Vilnius to a Lithuania team made up of teenagers, with Evans losing the deciding rubber in five sets. Britain now have to beat Turkey in a play-off in July to avoid the ignominy of falling to Europe/Africa Zone Group III, the lowest level of the Davis Cup, where they would join such as Moldova, Liechtenstein and Andorra.The LTA announced an immediate inquiry after the defeat and Lloyd's future is obviously in doubt after what is the worst run of form in the nation's Davis Cup history. But while Murray wants the players to have a say in the future of the captaincy, he also called for an end to the constant criticism of the situation in Britain unless people can come up with constructive ideas of how to improve things."I'm fed up of just reading negative stuff all the time and just constant bashing," he said. "I think there needs to be some more constructive things, people actually coming forward with ideas of what to do to improve, how we can get better as a nation."Every time I read something, it's like 'just build more courts and get more kids playing', which I agree with, but there needs to be [description of] how do you do that, how many courts, where do you put them, how many kids do you need playing and how you're going to teach them how to play tennis."Andy MurrayDavis CupTennisSimon Cambersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Spy snapshot

news.bbc.co.uk - Report gives insight into everyday work of security services More... (UK)

Public to see Trump's masterplan

news.bbc.co.uk - The drawings and detailed masterplan for Donald Trump's £1bn golf resort are shown at a public exhibition. More... (Scotland)

Van-sized robot to hunt radiation

news.bbc.co.uk - A remotely operated vehicle is to be built to recover radioactive particles from the seabed near Dounreay. More... (Scotland)

Canoe trail wins European funding

news.bbc.co.uk - Plans to establish Scotland's first official canoe trail in the Highlands secure £270,500 of European funding. More... (Scotland)

Plaster treatment for skin cancer

news.bbc.co.uk - A sticking-plaster approach to treating skin cancer has been unveiled at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. More... (Scotland)

Salmond to meet BBC over debates

news.bbc.co.uk - SNP leader to meet with the BBC to discuss the row over the party's exclusion from televised general election debates. More... (Scotland)

Is someone suggesting we have Strictly Come Gee-Gees? Well, forget it

www.guardian.co.uk - The Racing For Change project has talked of X Factor-style promotions. What's the going rate for a sport's self-respect?Racing For Change, the project designed to save our sport, is a slippery beast. Scant detail is understood about this enigmatic creature, though it is known to have existed for more than a year now. Whether by accident or design, it is difficult to corner, tag and categorise. You think you have it by the tail and it sheds it for another. Sometimes you'd like to throttle it.One thing is clear: it lives in close confinement with a large elephant that goes by the name of Funding. Any restructuring of the income stream to British racing, which currently relies on a percentage of dwindling eligible bookmaker profits, does not lie within RFC's remit. Racing's fundamental problem will not be addressed.Even within this status quo it is yet to be decided how to measure RFC's worth. One device is whether, by a date presumably to be agreed, it succeeds in increasing racing's share of the betting pound. Another is whether it grows media-rights income from nearly nothing to something. Inexplicably no target figure for augmented sponsorship has yet been set either.How the concept of "premierisation" - enabling racing's best events to occupy the foreground of the sport's attention more effectively - will work in practice cannot yet be said. Start talking detail, such as whether promoting a core Flat season that starts with the Guineas and ends with an unspecified finale risks ghettoising the existing bookends, and you're told this is a package aimed at the irregular consumer, that nothing will really change for the racing fan.Here there seems to be a disconnect proposed between what racing will mean to Us, the fans, and Them, the wider public, whom RFC implies live an entirely different existence. This discontinuity was also evident in RFC's recent headline proposals for a team competition and celebrity-led, X Factor-style approach.Latching on to celebrities - awkwardly grafted on to promote a sport they are paid to attend, replete with their sometimes damaging moral baggage - or to the previous decade's big TV idea is so far behind the curve, it's flat-lined. RFC says consumers "welcomed the idea of a series they could follow over a short period of time".Are these the focus groups who said they'd go to pubs if smoking was banned? Imagine these serial theoretical opinion-givers went so far as to attend Strictly Come Racing with Brave Cheryl Tweedy. How does the concept pay its way? What is the going rate for a sport's soul and self-respect anyway?How you engage an occasional audience in everyday racing - the stuff that pays the bills - continues to be overlooked. Little effort has been made to hook those who already boost racecourse attendances when an evening music concert is scheduled. Making a lasting connection while new blood is in your backyard should be a priority for Racing For Change.Racing also doesn't look after its existing customers - the sport's primary recruiting officers for the next generation - well enough. This means communicating better, providing accurate information, access to relevant technology and a higher standard of service.This is a viable target more pertinent to the sport's success than turning an envious eye to the attention enjoyed by football and a blind one to its flirtation with financial implosion.Racing For Change has undoubtedly bought breathing space and goodwill with its extensive strategy of consultation. This should not be confused with approbation, however. Perhaps its ambition is hard to pin down because, unless it is an attempt to be all things to all people, it has not decided what it is yet either. But the clock is ticking on the chameleon act.Horse racingLydia Hislopguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Horse racing)

Roll up for a Caribbean World Cup at a price that's right | Mike Selvey

www.guardian.co.uk - This year's Twenty20 World Cup gives the ICC a chance to put the things right it got so horribly wrong in 2007One of the most hilariously rewarding mornings this job of mine has brought was spent at Lord's early in 1999 for the launch of that summer's World Cup. Each presentation entertainingly exceeded the last: "global ambassadors" turned out to be a celebrity chef, a weatherman and a clapped-out fashion model; and we were treated to the rib-tickling sight and sound of that woman with the big arse whose TV day job was to squeeze into a tight jumpsuit and hop in an out of helicopters, expounding on behalf of a sponsor what an odd game cricket was.Then came the song. All Over The World was written and performed by Dave Stewart, formerly half of the Eurythmics, and had been hijacked for the World Cup rather than specially written, in the way that the inaugural tournament had paid royalties to Disney to use the image of Jiminy Cricket rather than create its own mascot.It sounded pleasant enough. Then the accompanying video was screened which, because of a mix-up, showed not the cricket theme that had been commissioned, but that filmed for the record's general release, a surreal pastiche of the asylum and its inmates in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. You couldn't make it up.That the competition itself could only go downhill after such a glorious introduction was inevitable and we were not disappointed, from the opening ceremony - which consisted of Tony Blair claiming he had witnessed things which had never actually happened (an early lesson not learned there), a parachute display aborted because of the wind, and a £10 box of Brocks that covered Lord's in a smokescreen, to the release of the World Cup song the day after the hosts, England, were eliminated from the tournament. The song, of course, never reached the Top 40.We move on to 2007. If ever there was a tournament ripe for a majestic musical interpretation it was the World Cup in the Caribbean, and in this regard we were not disappointed. Another song was commissioned - The Game Of Love And Unity - featuring Shaggy, Rupee and Fay-Ann Lyons, all acclaimed artists. Officially it was described as having "a high energy, up-tempo, soca-inspired beat with lyrics themed around the spirit of cricket and the passion which Caribbean people have for the sport".If the song passed muster, then so did the opening ceremony at the new ground at Trelawny, in Jamaica, which was a brilliant musical triumph, so much so that it is a shame that ICC didn't cut its losses at that point and forget about the dismal tournament that followed, an unmitigated disaster of ludicrous format, greedy prohibitive pricing, and draconian security. Musical instruments, part of the cricket-watching heritage of the West Indies, were banned. The spirit had been exorcised and so a golden opportunity was missed to highlight all that is wonderful about Caribbean cricket, instead leaving the region a laughing stock. People stayed away: it and they deserved so much better.In around seven weeks' time there is a chance for redemption. Over the course of three weeks the World Twenty20 takes place, first of all, in Guyana and St Lucia, then Barbados, while the women's tournament runs simultaneously on St Kitts, with the latter stages preceding the men's semi-final and final. Already the PR machine is whirring away. News arrives of the release of the inevitable song, this time a "contagious, upbeat and proudly West Indian song" featuring the dancehall maestro Mr Vegas and, once more, the queen of soca, Fay-Ann Lyons. It is called Bring It, a clear knock at the previous Caribbean effort in which spectators were instructed to do the opposite.Even Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, is getting very excited by it all in a dad-at-the-wedding-disco sort of way. "We want this event to be a celebration of nation-versus-nation cricket," he said this week, "with all the atmosphere, fun and excitement traditionally associated with the game in the West Indies. So, we are calling on the people of the Caribbean to 'Bring It'."If that is the sort of sentiment that preceded the World Cup, then this time there is every chance that the message will get through. "We invite you to bring your biggest voices," Lorgat continues enthusiastically. "We invite you to bring your loudest noisemakers. We invite you to bring your most outrageous costumes and facepaint. The world will be playing. The world will be watching. It's time for Twenty20 international cricket, West Indies style."It is not just the lure of a noisefest that will bring an audience, however, nor even the attraction that is Twenty20 cricket. Rather it is the pricing. Affordability, so goes the official line, is the key. Tickets cost from US$3 (about £2) for single group stage matches (US$5 for double headers) and US$8 for Super Eight games, while semi-finals are US$10-20, with admission to the final in Barbados on May 16 costing US$20-40.Under 16s get free entry to group matches and discounts elsewhere while there is no charge for entry to the women's matches on St Kitts. If they have learned nothing else from the 2007 fiasco, then this at least is a step in the right direction. Personally, I shall be packing some earplugs.Twenty20CricketMike Selveyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Northamptonshire sign Virender Sehwag for Twenty20 campaign

www.guardian.co.uk - Last year's semi-finalists intent on improvement I am delighted to join the county, says Indian batsmanVirender Sehwag is set to play for Northamptonshire in this summer's Friends Provident Twenty20. The Steelbacks have announced the signing subject to approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.Northamptonshire, Twenty20 Cup semi-finalists last year, are hoping the Indian batsman's destructive stroke play can help them go even further this time.Sehwag, top of the International Cricket Council rankings for Test batsmen, has played in 76 Tests and 220 one-day internationals in a prolific career. The 31-year-old, whose previous experience of county cricket came with Leicestershire, said of his new deal: "I am looking forward to the T20 campaign and I am delighted to have joined the county."Northamptonshire's chief executive, Mark Tagg, added: "This is absolutely fantastic news for the club and shows everyone that we want to continue our year-on-year improvement. We hope this shows our fans we are serious in our ambitions to become the best county cricket club in the country."India Cricket TeamNorthamptonshireCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

BNP teachers will not be banned

news.bbc.co.uk - Members of groups which may promote racism, such as the BNP, will not be banned from teaching in England, says a review. More... (England)

Tiger Woods hires George Bush aide and prepares for comeback

www.guardian.co.uk - Woods hires Ari Fleischer to deal with press questions Confirmation of return could arrive by next MondayPreparations for Tiger Woods' return to golf are at an advanced stage, it emerged yesterday, amid reports the golfer had hired Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary, to help him prepare for the questions he will face in his first confrontation with the media since his car crash last November.Confirmation of Woods' return could come as soon as Monday, and it is widely assumed within the sport that the world No1 will play on 22 and 23 March in the Tavistock Cup, a made-for-television event at Isleworth club, where he is a long-time member. That will be followed by the Bay Hill Invitational, a PGA Tour event hosted by his Arnold Palmer which he has won six times. Palmer is believed to have told friends he expects to see Woods at his event, which starts on 25 March."We have discussed Plan B scenarios and we are prepared to act as best as we can," Scott Wellington, the tournament director at Bay Hill, said yesterday. "Obviously it would help to get as much advanced notice as we can."Earlier this week Mark O'Meara, a long-time friend of Woods, suggested that an appearance at the Tavistock Cup would a "nice way" for him to "ease back into the whole situation".Theoretically, the world No1 can wait until 5pm next Friday before confirming he will play at Bay Hill, but in reality he will have to announce his plans earlier in the week, in order to avoid a clash with the PGA Tour's Transitions Championship, not least because of the criticism he faced after his first public appearance - a scripted apology before an audience of 30 friends - during last month's Accenture Match Play.Ernie Els gave voice to the feelings of many players and officials when he described Woods' timing as "selfish".No doubt the circumstances and substance of that now infamous apology will be the subject of one question asked of Woods during his first press conference but there will be plenty of others, not least about his relationship with the Toronto-based doctor Anthony Galea, who treated him during his rehabilitation from knee surgery in 2008.Galea was arrested by Canadian police last October and is facing charges of importing and selling unapproved drugs, including Actovegin, which advocates claim help with recovery from injury but which is illegal in Canada and the United States. The doctor has denied any wrong-doing and said he has never given any of his patients illegal drugs.Fleischer served as communications chief in the first two years of George W Bush's presidency and has since set up a PR company specialising in "media crisis" situations. Past clients include the former baseball slugger Mark McGwire, whose recent confession that he used performance-enhancing drugs was adjudged by many to have been a PR disaster.Tiger WoodsGolfLawrence Doneganguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Golf)

Warning on public sector pensions

news.bbc.co.uk - The amount of money paid as public sector pensions could more than triple in the next 50 years, says the National Audit Office. More... (UK)

New blood pressure approach urged

news.bbc.co.uk - Fluctuations in blood pressure could be more important than high readings as a warning sign for stroke, say researchers. More... (UK)

New York banking gains on London

news.bbc.co.uk - New York and London have been ranked as the joint-top global financial centres according to new research. More... (Europe)

How one group of Viking 'visitors' was dealt with by Anglo-Saxons

news.bbc.co.uk - Fifty-one decapitated skeletons found in a burial pit in Dorset were those of Scandinavian Vikings, scientists say. More... (Europe)

Decapitated group 'were Vikings'

news.bbc.co.uk - Fifty-one decapitated skeletons found in a burial pit in Dorset were those of Scandinavian Vikings, scientists say. More... (England)

'Slow start' for 2010 home sales

news.bbc.co.uk - The number of homes sold in England and Wales at the start of 2010 was at a low level, a survey says. More... (England)

Homes evacuated in Armagh alert

news.bbc.co.uk - A number of houses have been evacuated in Armagh due to a security alert, the police have said. More... (UK)

Fighting poverty

news.bbc.co.uk - How Malawi hopes social enterprise will help More... (Africa)

Drogba scoops top African award

news.bbc.co.uk - Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is named African Footballer of the Year. More... (Africa)

'What benefit?'

news.bbc.co.uk - High-speed rail plan faces opposition in the Chilterns More... (England)

Four charged after car gun find

news.bbc.co.uk - Four men are to appear in court on firearms offences after a search targeting dissident republican activity, police say. More... (Northern Ireland)

Old Trafford aims for 2013 Ashes after development clears local hurdle

www.guardian.co.uk - £32m development gets council permission Plans must now be approved by governmentLancashire have secured local planning permission for the £32m development that they say is essential to preserve Old Trafford's future as an international venue, after a three-hour council meeting described as "harrowing" by their chief executive, Jim Cumbes.A packed council chamber - including Lancy the Giraffe, the club's mascot - heard a number of objections to the Tesco superstore that will be built between the cricket and football grounds to fund the redevelopment, as well as a rival application for another supermarket to be built on a nearby site.But Trafford Council's planning committee approved Lancashire's plans on a majority vote. The decision will now be referred to the Government Office for the North-West, who have 21 days to decide whether it should be sent for a national inquiry.But with the Northwest Development Agency meeting next week to vote on a £7.2m funding package to add to Lancashire's pot, the club are cautiously optimistic that there will be no further delays - allowing them to submit a bid to stage a Test in the 2013 Ashes series to the England and Wales Cricket Board, which is due in Manchester for a meeting next month."We're absolutely delighted," said Cumbes, the former Lancashire seamer who deferred his retirement as chief executive to see the five-year redevelopment project through to the end. "It was always going to be difficult but it means the club can now move forward in terms of continuing with international cricket at Old Trafford."It does get referred to Government North-West, but the government likes decisions to be made locally, so we would hope they would endorse what Trafford Council have said. Then we can start to talk to contractors, and getting ourselves set up for starting work at the end of this year or early next year at the latest."We've now got a great chance of retaining international cricket in the North-West because it means we can get on with doing what we want to do, and meeting the requirements that the ECB have."Matt Colledge, the leader of Trafford Council, said: "If the committee's decision is supported by Government Office North-West, this is the beginning of exciting times for the Old Trafford area and the borough generally. It is an important milestone for the cricket club and will hopefully enable them to achieve their ambition to bring international Test match cricket back to Old Trafford."These developments will bring £16m of additional value into Trafford and create more than 600 jobs."CricketLancashireAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Russians jailed over race murder

news.bbc.co.uk - Nine members of a Russian white supremacist group are jailed for up to 22 years in connection with the killing of an African man. More... (Europe)

Britain is 'not a tennis nation', says coach Nick Bollettieri

www.guardian.co.uk - Coach defends LTA after Davis Cup defeat by Lithuania 'British tennis has shortcomings with deep historical roots'The tennis coach Nick Bollettieri has defended the Lawn Tennis Association's chief executive, Roger Draper, over last weekend's Davis Cup embarrassment against Lithuania, saying the problem stems from the fact that Britain is "not a tennis nation".In the absence of Andy Murray the youngsters Dan Evans and James Ward slumped to singles defeats on the final day as Lithuania, composed entirely of teenagers, condemned John Lloyd's side to a play-off against Turkey to avoid relegation to Europe/Africa Zone Group III, the lowest tier of the competition.The inquest started immediately, with widespread calls for Draper and Lloyd to be removed from their posts.But Bollettieri, who has coached 10 world No1s in his long career and currently has the Lithuanian No1, Ricardas Berankis, at his academy, has a different opinion."To pick one or two people and start calling for them to be removed isn't a cure-all solution," Bollettieri wrote in his column on www.sportingintelligence.com. "The blame game won't work because British tennis has shortcomings with deep cultural and historical roots. There's even an argument that Britain is not a tennis nation."Sure, you stage the most prestigious event in the world, Wimbledon. But your national sports are soccer and cricket and your Olympic resources go to cycling, rowing, sailing, swimming, all sports at which you excel at or are improving in. Tennis is part of a social scene."So to argue that Roger Draper is responsible for British tennis's ills is to misidentify the problem. If you'd had generations of grand slam winners and they'd disappeared, then seek blame. But those generations of British tennis winners never existed, not this side of the black-and-white movie era."Looking at what can be done to remedy the problem, he added: "In a Utopia I'd say build an academy in England and open it to the world. Put your best and the best of the rest together. But that's not a small ambition, that's a long way off, if at all."[In the short term] I'd say take your best young players and help them to spend time in other, more testing environments, even just for a few weeks here and there."I'm talking now about the players below Murray, the young players like Daniel Evans and James Ward, who played against Lithuania. At their age it should no longer be about techniques, it should be about building physical strength, about conditioning, mentality, strategy and, of course, day-in, day-out improvement against players as good as and better than you."TennisDavis CupAndy Murrayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Scott urges Dees to seize cup win

news.bbc.co.uk - Dundee manager Jocky Scott urges his players to dispatch Raith Rovers and give themselves the chance to reach the Scottish Cup final. More... (Scotland)

Thousands of fans gather to honour Bill McLaren

news.bbc.co.uk - Thousands of fans join big names from the world of rugby at Murrayfield Stadium for a special tribute to Bill McLaren. More... (Scotland)

Bikers ride for 'Heroes' charity

news.bbc.co.uk - Up to 10,000 bikers will be travelling on the M4 in Wiltshire on Sunday in support of the armed forces in Afghanistan. More... (England)

Fulham lose 3-1 in Turin

news.bbc.co.uk - Three first-half goals see Juventus take command of their Europa League last-16 tie with Fulham but Dickson Etuhu's goal gives the Cottagers' hope. More... (England)

Battling Fulham lose to Juventus

news.bbc.co.uk - Three first-half goals see Juventus take command of their Europa League last-16 tie with Fulham but Dickson Etuhu's goal gives the Cottagers' hope. More... (UK)

Man quizzed over death in street

news.bbc.co.uk - Police question an 18-year-old on suspicion of manslaughter after a man collapsed and died outside his home in Greater Manchester. More... (England)

Man arrested over death in street

news.bbc.co.uk - Police arrest an 18-year-old on suspicion of manslaughter after a man collapsed and died outside his home in Greater Manchester. More... (England)

Overhaul nearly complete for Age of Steam icon

news.bbc.co.uk - One of Britain's most iconic steam trains will return to the rails with the help of Greater Manchester heritage railway enthusiasts. More... (England)

Thief targets man in wheelchair

news.bbc.co.uk - A man in a wheelchair is robbed in Newport city centre by a thief in his mid 20s wearing a hooded jacket. More... (Wales)

Rugby stars gather to honour Bill McLaren

news.bbc.co.uk - A tribute evening takes place at Murrayfield rugby stadium in honour of commentator Bill McLaren. More... (Scotland)

Second man in court over shooting

news.bbc.co.uk - A second man appears in court in connection with an alleged shooting and stabbing incident at an Edinburgh pub. More... (Scotland)

Bosnian fallout

news.bbc.co.uk - Pressure on UK after arrest of ex-Bosnian president More... (UK)

Tom Cooper declares Forpadydeplasterer on course for Cheltenham

www.guardian.co.uk - 2009 Arkle Chase winner has recovered from lameness Trainer says lack of recent run is not a problemForpadydeplasterer, apparently ruled out of the Queen Mother Champion Chase with lameness in early February, is one of 14 possible runners in the two-mile race at Cheltenham next week, after the latest confirmation stage.Last year's Arkle Trophy winner has not raced since finishing second to Twist Magic in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December, and was initially expected to be in his box for at least three weeks when he was struck by lameness just over a month ago. However he surprised his connections with the speed of his recovery and schooled impressively at Leopardstown 12 days ago."I am very happy with Forpadydeplasterer at the moment, he is fit, fresh and well," Tom Cooper, his trainer, said . "He had a setback but he is well over it now. We are going to Cheltenham without a run [in 2010] but I don't think that should be a problem. I think the Tingle Creek was a great effort on that ground, he had good horses behind him."On Wednesday better ground will help him, without a doubt. He is a course and distance winner and he is going back there with a huge chance."Master Minded, the winner of the race for the past two seasons, is the clear favourite to emulate Badsworth Boy, a three-time winner from 1983 to 1985.Paul Nicholls's chaser is top-priced at 5-6 with William Hill and Paddy Power, ahead of Kalahari King, the runner-up to Forpadydeplasterer in last year's Arkle, at 5-1. Twist Magic is a 7-1 chance while Forpadydeplasterer and Big Zeb can be backed at 9-1.Horse racingCheltenham festivalGreg Woodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Horse racing)

Sam Thomas out of Cheltenham Festival following schooling accident

www.guardian.co.uk - Fractured vertebra for jockey who lost ride on Denman Barry Geraghty set for ride on Gold Cup mountSam Thomas, who rode Denman to win the Gold Cup in 2008, will miss this year's Cheltenham Festival after suffering a suspected fracture of a spinal vertebra in a fall while schooling horses at Paul Nicholls's yard.Thomas was jumping the last of six schooling fences on Woolcombe Folly, a possible runner in next week's Arkle Trophy, when he suffered a crashing fall. He was then taken to the Royal United hospital in Bath by air ambulance, where a spokeswoman confirmed that he was "conscious and able to talk".Nicholls said that Thomas's injuries are not as bad as had been feared but that the jockey is likely to be out of action for at least six weeks."I was speaking to his dad just now, and he told me that the prognosis is OK," Nicholls said. "His dad is saying that he has suffered a hairline fracture of a vertebra, and basically the doctor says that it should take six weeks to heal and there is no damage to the spinal chord."It is not as bad as we all first feared, and there's even a possibility that he will be out of hospital tonight. It was a bad fall and you can't take any chances with a neck injury, but the main thing is that it isn't as bad as we thought it could be."Thomas has suffered mixed fortunes since taking the Gold Cup two years ago with an excellent tactical ride, and learned only a few weeks ago that he had lost the ride on Denman in this year's Gold Cup, to Tony McCoy.However he had been due to partner Tell Massini, the ante-post favourite, for Tom George, his principal retainer, in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham next Friday, as well as riding Tricky Trickster for Nicholls in the Gold Cup on the same card. Paddy Brennan is expected to replace Thomas on George's runners and Barry Geraghty has been lined up for Tricky Trickster.Yesterday'sThe injury also seems certain to rule Thomas out of the Grand National meeting at Aintree in three weeks' time.McCoy, who was alongside Thomas when he suffered his fall, also schooled Denman for the first time since falling from the Gold Cup second-favourite when his mount was an odds-on shot in the Aon Chase at Newbury."Today was just the second time McCoy had sat on him and it was the first time since Newbury," said Harry Findlay, the 10-year-old's joint-owner."Denman jumped two hurdles, then two schooling fences and then two proper fences. He was good and aggressive over the first and then a little slower at the second, when McCoy had to cajole him along. Some days you can watch him and not have him on your mind, but I would have given him nine out of 10 today."He was definitely keen enough when jumping, but Kauto is so ready for the race. He has been trained for this race all year and it will take a phenomenal performance for anything to beat Kauto Star."Findlay also hinted that Denman is unlikely to be ridden with the sort of aggression that left the field trailing behind him at Cheltenham two years ago."The day we won the Gold Cup, Tony McCoy said that the race would leave its mark and that we needed to be careful ," Findlay said. "I spoke to him this morning and he still thinks that. He might have won the Hennessy giving away two stone, but I don't think it was the same Denman who won the Gold Cup. He was on fire that day. We are unlikely to be so aggressive this time, but we had to do it then as it was the only way of beating Kauto Star."Horse racingCheltenham festivalPaul NichollsGreg Woodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Horse racing)

'Roman candles'

news.bbc.co.uk - Creating a "line of light" along Hadrian's Wall More... (England)

Commons debates NI double-jobbing

news.bbc.co.uk - Northern Ireland politicians should not earn salaries at both Westminster and Stormont, the government says. More... (Northern Ireland)

Iraq results point to tight race

news.bbc.co.uk - First results from Iraq's election suggest a tight contest may be developing between PM Nouri Maliki and main rival Iyad Allawi. More... (Middle East)

Liverpool sunk by late Lille goal

news.bbc.co.uk - Liverpool face an uphill task to progress from the last 16 of the Europa League after Eden Hazard's goal gave a lively Lille side a first-leg lead. More... (England)

Lille 1-0 Liverpool

news.bbc.co.uk - Liverpool face an uphill task to progress from the last 16 of the Europa League after Eden Hazard's goal gave a lively Lille side a first-leg lead. More... (UK)

Anguish for kidnap boy's family

news.bbc.co.uk - Relatives of kidnapped five-year-old Sahil Saeed speak of their anguish as reports of his release turn out to be false. More... (UK)

Swiss named in US right report

news.bbc.co.uk - Freedom of expression on the web has been curtailed in 2009, the US state department says in its annual human rights report. More... (Europe)

Thalidomide effect mystery solved

news.bbc.co.uk - The mechanism by which thalidomide causes malformed limbs is revealed by scientists. More... (UK)

Porn director runs for Parliament

news.bbc.co.uk - A female pornographic film director is selected as the Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for Gravesham, Kent. More... (England)

Danny Care expecting England's prep to finally pay-off in Scotland

www.guardian.co.uk - Scrum-half convinced they can score tries at Murrayfield Scotland urge referee to keep eye on English 'blockers'England will fly to Scotland tomorrow intent on disproving the theory that they save their best form for the training paddock. For weeks the English backs have, by all accounts, been ripping it up behind closed doors at their Bagshot headquarters and the scrum-half Danny Care insists Saturday could be the day all the tireless preparation finally pays off.The Scottish back-row will have other ideas - the Glasgow No8 Johnnie Beattie indicated that several home players will be sitting down to watch Braveheart on DVD tomorrow evening - but Care is adamant England will soon come spectacularly good as an attacking force. "When it does finally click, it's going to be something really special," said the Harlequins No9. "We've shown glimpses of how good we can be, but we've just lacked a clinical edge in finishing off tries. It's only that final touch that is missing. Hopefully we can do that this weekend."Quicker ball at the breakdown, better decision-making and more accurate kicking would be a good start, but at least Care is keen to take the game to the opposition rather than sitting back and waiting for the Scots to implode. That could take time. Beattie, who has just signed a new two-year contract with Glasgow Warriors, has been described by his club coach, Sean Lineen, as having "the X-Factor" in terms of getting over the gain line, and the home pack are itching to have a crack at their English counterparts. "It's the most I've looked forward to a game in my career," Beattie said.South of the border, too, the mood is quietly determined. It has certainly been a less contentious Calcutta Cup build-up than of late, with no English fly-halves dropped for visiting nightclubs and Steve Borthwick taking a more diplomatic tack than 12 months ago when he criticised Scotland's alleged lack of humility following England's 15‑9 defeat in 2008. The England captain has clearly learned his lesson: "Those things are long since past. What goes on outside of the four sides of the pitch is peripheral to us."Borthwick is so keen not to ruffle feathers that he even declined to confirm whether, as a proud Cumbrian, he has some Scottish relations. "All my family are England supporters now," he replied cryptically. Even their loyalty will be tested, though, if England do not up the tempo for longer, sustained periods at Murrayfield this weekend and remain on the right side of the South African referee Marius Jonker.The same official presided over England's home Calcutta Cup wins in 2007 and 2009 but has now been urged by Scotland's coach, Andy Robinson, to watch out for American-football style blockers running ahead of the visiting back line.Care's response was suitably breezy - "I wasn't aware we had any linebackers in our team" - but Borthwick is taking no chances. "No referee has spoken to me about it," he said sternly. "What matters is not Andy Robinson's opinion or my opinion but Marius's opinion. We train and play within the laws of the game."Regardless of the result, England will not be hanging around in Edinburgh either to gloat or drown their sorrows. With another away game against France looming, they have instead opted to fly home late on Saturday night, after barely 24 hours in Auld Reekie, rather than go carousing down Rose Street. Win or lose, next week's team announcement is also set to be pushed back to Wednesday.Rugby unionSix Nations rugbyEngland rugby union teamRobert Kitsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Wales coach Warren Gatland breaks cover over 'warthog' jibe in Ireland

www.guardian.co.uk - Coach is called 'menopausal' and 'puerile' in Irish press Says he is 'capable of rising above' such commentsWarren Gatland will tomorrow depart from routine and host Wales's final media conference before Saturday's Six Nations match against Ireland at Croke Park, after finding himself the subject of personal attacks in Irish newspapers.Gatland, who was sacked by Ireland in 2001 after three years in charge, was described by Vincent Hogan of the Irish Independent as being "as rational as a menopausal warthog" and accused of harbouring a "toxic personal agenda" against Irish rugby. The former Ireland second-row Neil Francis called him "puerile" and said the New Zealander could be out of a job in the summer.This is the third time Gatland has prepared Wales to face Ireland. The only other time he has presented a media conference the day before a game, a task he usually leaves to his assistants, was before the fixture in Cardiff last year when he had caused a furore by suggesting his players disliked the Irish more than any other side in the Six Nations."I, like the rest of the Wales coaching staff and players, have broad shoulders and we are more than capable of rising above this kind of self-perpetuating attempt at controversy," said Gatland. "We should treat this with the disdain in which it is offered and I urge true Welsh and Irish rugby fans not to let anything that has been written affect the respect and friendship they share for each other. It does not deserve to impact on what will be a great weekend."Gatland has been complimentary to Ireland this week - in the last two years he has not been afraid to provoke a response. Wales were chasing the title then but two defeats in three matches this year have left them needing a win to avoid going into the last weekend as candidates for the wooden spoon."We know it is going to be tough against Ireland," said Gatland. "We need to be more clinical. There will be a lot of emotion about, with Brian O'Driscoll winning his 100th cap, but it is exciting and I am looking forward to it. We need to improve our decision-making, not putting ourselves under pressure by playing too much rugby from the start. We should not be afraid to go into half-time at 3-3 or 6-6 because, as the game breaks up in the second half, we will create chances. We are in great shape physically and we are strong at the end of games. We must just stop giving away soft points."We do not want to be conservative. We want to play expansive rugby but we just have to be a bit smarter. It would be easy to revert to a tighter game plan but it is harder to go the other way and suddenly become expansive, as England have found. They have been unsuccessful when playing a wider game because they have no experience of it. Attack is costing us at the moment but it will come."The Gloucester chairman, Tom Walkinshaw, and his fellow shareholder Martin St Quinton have pumped more than £2.5m into the club after it posted a loss of nearly £670,000 in the last financial year, compared with a £209,000 profit a year before."Trading has been poor and we needed to do something about it," said Walkinshaw. "We have no idea how the economy will perform in the next year and we now have some clear headroom."Six Nations rugbyWarren GatlandWales rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamRugby unionPaul Reesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

US school prom axed as lesbian student asks to bring girlfriend

news.bbc.co.uk - A student at a high school in Mississippi says the school board cancelled her school's prom rather than let her attend it with her lesbian girlfriend More... (Americas)

Hospital says 2,000 records lost

news.bbc.co.uk - NHS officials confirm the medical records of 2,000 patients in Stoke-on-Trent have gone missing. More... (England)

Ex-Bosnian leader 'owed apology'

news.bbc.co.uk - Britain should apologise to ex-Bosnian president for "mistreating" him in prison, says chairman of the joint presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina. More... (UK)

Pakistan team quit after cup flop

news.bbc.co.uk - Pakistan's men's hockey team retire en masse after finishing last at the Hockey World Cup. More... (Asia)

Council out of 'special measures'

news.bbc.co.uk - Tewkesbury Borough Council in Gloucestershire comes out of four years of voluntary engagement, or 'special measures'. More... (England)

Scots cricket posts record stats

news.bbc.co.uk - Cricket Scotland reports its best-ever financial results, with a pre-tax surplus of £135,000 in 2009. More... (Scotland)

The 'famous' Facebook ferret and his daring great escape

news.bbc.co.uk - A ferret with hundreds of internet "friends" is one of eight to have escaped from a network of hutches. More... (Wales)

BA 'terror plot' worker in court

news.bbc.co.uk - A British Airways computer expert has appeared in court charged with planning suicide bombings. More... (England)

Man guilty of station race attack

news.bbc.co.uk - A rail passenger who grabbed a ticket inspector at a Hertfordshire station and racially abused him is found guilty. More... (England)

Obama urges China action on yuan

news.bbc.co.uk - Barack Obama urges China to change its currency strategy, a move that would effectively raise the value of the yuan and benefit US exporters. More... (Asia)

Crystal closure 'a dreadful blow'

news.bbc.co.uk - The closure of Tyrone Crystal's factory is "a dreadful blow for the local area", Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster says. More... (Northern Ireland)

Tiger Woods in talks about comeback later this month

www.guardian.co.uk - Woods thought to be consulting former Bush aide Likely to return for Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay HillThe chances of Tiger Woods making his comeback in two weeks' time improved today with a report claiming that he has been talking with a former presidential adviser.Contact between the world No1 and Ari Fleisher, who since working for George W Bush has set up a sports communications company, would presumably be to discuss an imminent return.The New York Post says it has been told by "two sources in the golf community" that Fleischer - brought in to try to repair the image of the former baseball slugger Mark McGwire after he admitted using performance-enhancing drugs - is now seeing Woods.One of the sources allegedly told the newspaper: "They were in his living room this week going over a strategy for how to handle Bay Hill in two weeks."The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando is on 25-28 March, but Woods may first play the unofficial Tavistock Cup on Monday and Tuesday that week. That is a private annual match between members of Isleworth and Lake Nona clubs and Woods has played for the last four years.It is less than three weeks since Woods, in his first public appearance since his sex scandal broke at the end of November, said he was not certain to return this year, let alone a month later.Tiger WoodsGolfguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Golf)

Morocco warns religious groups

news.bbc.co.uk - Morocco warns against religious activists seeking to convert people - two days after expelling 20 Christians. More... (Africa)

Live - Europa League

news.bbc.co.uk - Fulham play Juventus in the last 16 of the Europa League after Liverpool are beaten in Lille. More... (UK)