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Independence march
02/04 | 21:48 GMT
©AFP / Ishara S.Kodikara
Sri Lankan Air Force commandos march during a ceremony to commemorate the island's 64th anniversary of independence from Britain in the north central town of Anuradhapura.
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Hernandez equaliser caps superb United comeback
02/05 | 18:29 GMT
©AFP / Ian Kington
Manchester United's Javier Hernandez (L) scores a goal during their English Premier League football match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London. The match ended in 3-3.
©AFP / Ian Kington
Manchester United's Javier Hernandez (L) scores a goal
LONDON (AFP) - Javier Hernandez scored a late equaliser as Manchester United staged a stunning three-goal comeback to claim a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked destined for defeat when a Jonny Evans own goal and strikes from Juan Mata and David Luiz put Chelsea three up by the 50th minute.
But United were handed a route back into the game thanks to two controversial penalties, both converted by Wayne Rooney, before Mexican substitute Hernandez headed the equaliser with six minutes remaining.
The result left Ferguson's second-placed side two points behind Manchester City at the head of the Premier League table, but the manner in which they claimed a point meant they left west London in buoyant mood.
For Chelsea, a draw felt like defeat, a feeling reflected in the boos that greeted the final whistle after they had conceded a three-goal lead for the first time since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
©AFP / Ian Kington
Chelsea's Fernando Torres (L) fights for the ball with Manchester United's Michael Carrick
Andre Villas-Boas's side now sit just one point ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle and face a testing challenge if they are to hold onto a top four place.
The build-up to the game had been dominated by the FA's decision to strip Chelsea skipper John Terry of the England captaincy for a second time, but the way events unravelled quickly diverted attention back to the game.
The FA acted after it became clear Terry will face trial on charges of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand would be held in July after Euro 2012.
Terry was missing with a knee injury but the fall-out continued with some home supporters booing Rio Ferdinand, Anton's brother, whenever the Manchester United defender touched the ball.
Terry's absence paved the way for Gary Cahill to make his Chelsea debut following his £7 million transfer from Bolton alongside Luiz at the heart of the Blues defence.
And the centre back quickly found himself at the centre of controversy when his last-ditch challenge sent Danny Welbeck tumbling on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area with 11 minutes gone.
©AFP / Glyn Kirk
Manchester United's striker Wayne Rooney scores a penalty
Referee Howard Webb waved away claims for a penalty, just as had two minutes earlier when Ashley Young went down under a challenge from Jose Bosingwa.
It was little wonder, then, that Ferguson was showing signs of frustration although for 36 minutes his side looked in control of the game and were creating the better chances.
The balance of the game swung, however, when Sturridge prised open the United defence, easily rounding Patrice Evra before delivering a hard, low cross from close to De Gea's near post.
De Gea stuck out a leg to block the cross but succeeded only in deflecting it against Evans and off his stomach into the goal.
And any hopes United had of quickly getting back on level terms disappeared 30 seconds after the restart when Mata met Torres's right wing cross with an unstoppable volley that flew past De Gea.
The visitors again contributed to their own downfall as Chelsea scored again five minutes later.
©AFP / Ian Kington
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand (L) jumps for the ball with Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic
Sturridge out-foxed Evra once again, this time drawing a foul from the United full back. From Mata's resulting free-kick, Luiz headed goalwards and his effort deflected off Ferdinand and past De Gea.
United looked dead and buried but Ferguson's side were given a route back into the game in the 58th minute when Sturridge and Evra again clashed -- this time in the Chelsea area -- and Webb decided to award a spot-kick that was clinically converted by Rooney.
The introduction of Paul Scholes added to the sense the visitors could regain control of central midfield.
And United scored again in the 68th minute when Webb decided in their favour after Welbeck tumbled over the out-stretched leg of Branislav Ivanovic.
Welbeck seemed as though he was looking for the foul but that made no difference to Rooney, who converted his second penalty of the game.
The comeback was complete in the 84th minute when Hernandez headed home from Giggs' cross after Cech had parried Rooney's powerful shot.
There was still time for Chelsea to threaten a winner and de Gea made two superb saves to keep out Mata's free-kick and Cahill's drive.
Football
Hernandez equaliser caps superb United ...Superhero flick 'Chronicle' leaps to box office heights
02/05 | 19:06 GMT
©AFP/Getty Images/File / Alberto E. Rodriguez
Actor Daniel Radcliffe arrives at the premiere of "The Woman In Black" on February 2 in Los Angeles, California. Superhero film "Chronicle" leaped to the top of the North American box office on its debut, estimates showed, telling the story of three high school students who acquire incredible powers.
©AFP/Getty Images/File / Alberto E. Rodriguez
Actor Daniel Radcliffe at the premiere of "The Woman In Black"
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Superhero film "Chronicle" leaped to the top of the North American box office on its debut, estimates showed Sunday, telling the story of three high school students who acquire incredible powers.
"Chronicle," which garnered positive reviews from critics, brought in $22 million in box office receipts, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.
Coming in a close second was another debut, horror film "The Woman In Black" starring British actor Daniel Radcliffe, famous for his long run in the Harry Potter saga.
The dark film, which was first a novel and then a classic stage play, finds Radcliffe as a young lawyer visiting a remote village where he investigates how residents are terrorized by the ghost of a vengeful woman. It made $21 million at the box office.
Slipping from last week's top spot was "The Grey," a Liam Neeson drama about plane crash survivors in Alaska fending off hungry wolves, which took in $9.5 million.
The adventure thriller came just ahead of another Alaska-set film "Big Miracle," this one a feel-good animal flick starring Drew Barrymore helping to save a family of gray whales, which made $8.4 million.
"Underworld 4: Awakening," the latest take in the series about the exploits of a woman vampire warrior, dropped to the fifth spot, starring Kate Beckinsale and pulling in $5.6 million.
In sixth was Katherine Heigl comedy "One for the Money" that chalked up $5.2 million in its second weekend. In seventh was "Red Tails" recounting the heroic World War II deeds of black Tuskegee Airmen pilots, with $5 million.
"The Descendants" took the eighth spot with $4.6 million, with the George Clooney family drama maintaining a surge in ticket sales in its 12th week in theaters after being nominated for best picture, best director and best actor for the upcoming Oscars.
Thriller "Man on a Ledge" was ninth, netting $4.4 million on its second weekend in theaters, ahead of the Tom Hanks-Sandra Bullock starring film telling the story of family impacted by the 9/11 attacks, starring "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," which made $3.9 million.
Entertainment
Superhero flick 'Chronicle' leaps to box office ...England keep hopes alive against Pakistan
02/05 | 15:06 GMT
©AFP / Lakruwan Wanniarachch
Pakistan were well placed at 295-3 at lunch, but England hit back in the second session with Monty Panesar (pictured) trapping Misbah-ul Haq (31) and Asad Shafiq (five) in the space of eight runs.
©AFP / Lakruwan Wanniarachch
Monty Panesar celebrates after dismissing Pakistan's captain Misbah-ul Haq in Dubai today
DUBAI (AFP) - England were left to fight hard to save defeat and with it the humiliation of a first-ever series whitewash at the hands of Pakistan in the third and final Test at Dubai Stadium here on Sunday.
Needing to chase their second best achieved target in all Tests of 324, England finished the third day at 36-0, with openers Andrew Strauss (19) and Alastair Cook (15) playing out the tricky 20 overs on an eased out pitch.
They still need another 288 runs with all ten wickets intact in the last two days. England's most successful chase to win a Test was the 332 they made against Australia in Melbourne in 1929.
Azhar Ali hit a career-best 157 and Younis Khan's 127 in Pakistan's second innings total of 365.
Pakistan could have got Cook's wicket had Taufiq Umar not dropped an easy catch in the third slip off paceman Umar Gul when the England opener had made just four.
It will need an extraordinary effort from the England batsmen who lost the first Test here by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi after their batting flopped against Pakistani spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.
Both Pakistan spinners will test the England batting once again after Monty Panesar claimed 5-124 to finally bowl out rivals in their second innings on a pitch that saw 16 wickets fall on the first day.
Pakistan were bowled out for 99 in their first innings and can become the first team to win a Test after being bowled out for under 100 since England, dismissed for 76 in the first innings, beat South Africa by 53 runs at Leeds in 1907.
©AFP / Lakruwan Wanniarachch
Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 115
Ali said Pakistan can win the match.
"We are 100 percent confident of a win," said Ali. "But having said that we have to take ten wickets and for that we look to our spinners who have done really well in the series."
But spinner Graeme Swann hoped England can achieve the target.
"It could have been a tricky few overs for the openers but they played out and hopefully it's a good chase tomorrow," said Swann who praised Panesar for derailing the opponents.
Pakistan were well placed at 331-4 before losing their last seven wickets for a mere 34 runs following good bowling from Panesar and Swann, who finished with 3-101.
Pakistan owed their total to a brilliant career-best knock by Ali and Younis's brilliance. Together they added 216 for the third wicket in a frustrating stand which almost plunged England into submission.
Ali became the ninth wicket to fall, when he gave a bat-pad catch to Cook at short-leg off Swann. He hit ten boundaries and six during his long stay at the crease which was seven minutes short of nine hours.
Ali's previous best first class score was the 153 he made for Khan Research Laboratory against Sui Gas in Rawalpindi in 2009 while his best Test score of 100 came against Sri Lanka at the same venue in October last year.
Dropped on 84 by Swann in the slips off James Anderson, 26-year-old Ali hit Panesar for two boundaries in successive overs to reach the three-figure mark.
Resuming at 222-2, Pakistan lost Younis to a leg-before dismissal to Stuart Broad. Younis challenged Australian umpire Steve Davis's decision but on review he had to leave the field.
Younis hit 12 boundaries and a six during his 221-ball knock.
Pakistan were 295-3 at lunch but lost cluster of wickets to Panesar, who trapped Misbah (31) and Asad Shafiq (five) to check Pakistan's progress.
Panesar then bowled Adnan Akmal (nought) to further make inroads into Pakistan batting. From the other end Swann had Abdul Rehman (one) and Ajmal ((one) in successive overs and then wrapped up the innings by claiming Ali and Umar Gul (four).
Cricket
England keep hopes alive against ...Super Bowl party scene starts long before game
02/05 | 20:58 GMT
©AFP/Getty Images / Rob Carr
A Super Bowl program vendor is seen prior to the start of Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
©AFP/Getty Images / Rob Carr
A Super Bowl program vendor is seen prior to the start of Super Bowl XLVI
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) - Thousands of spectators crowded into downtown Indianapolis on an unseasonably warm and sunny Sunday, sampling dozens of pre-game parties and concerts hours before Super Bowl 46.
The New England Patriots and New York Giants were set to play for the National Football League crown in the annual gridiron championship spectacle that features a half-time concert by Madonna.
Spectators began filling 68,000 seats at Lucas Oil Stadium more than four hours before kickoff, navigating through metal detectors and pat downs as part of the most technologically advanced security system in Super Bowl history.
Spectators crowding into party areas a few blocks from the stadium could admire turf artwork and ice sculpture. A zipline has proven the most popular if intimidating attraction amid the hoopla.
Restaurants filled quickly, television stars and musicians drawing ooohs and aahs as they mingled with local customers who had never been so close to such celebrities.
©AFP/Getty Images / Win Mcnamee
New England Patriots fans John Irsom (R) and Nathan Pipoh enter the stadium
Parking lots near the stadium were charging $300 to $400 for every car. Spots could be had for $75 to $100 for those who didn't mind a longer walk to the stadium, where tickets had a face value of $800 and $1,200 and internet resale values of $4,000 and up.
Volunteers directed out-of-town visitors, who were expected to add 150,000 people this weekend in a city of 820,000 citizens, displaying "Hoosier Hospitality" with their smiles and "Have a Super Day" greetings.
Indianapolis is only the third cold-weather market to host a Super Bowl in a domed stadium, joining Minneapolis and Detroit. Adding to the novelty is a compact staging area for lavish parties over the past few days.
Another feature debuting this year was a sponsors-only enclave, the Union Station shops converted for the week into an escape from the thousands who jammed the nearby streets, at times prompting police to limit crowds in certain areas.
From reggae to rock and roll, bands were booked into the Super Bowl Village, a three-block walk that brought a feel similar to a Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl area.
©AFP/Getty Images / Rob Carr
New York Giants fans wear a giant Jim Cordle jersey in Indianapolis
Organizers thought of everything, but the outdoor heaters have seldom been needed in a surprisingly warm week.
Early arrivers at the stadium were greeted with Indiana-themed music, notably the Indianapolis 500 auto race staple "Back Home Again in Indiana" and "Going Back to Indiana" by a young Michael Jackson.
The city's auto racing ties were also on view at a restaurant featuring IndyCars, motorcycles, midget cars and even a small plane suspended in the air.
The teams at the center of the show arrived on buses through a tight security corridor, taking their spots in the locker room while an NFL Super Bowl television special played over the stadium's giant telescreens, recapping the journey both clubs undertook to arrive in the championship game.
Lifestyle
Super Bowl party scene starts long before ...Book shows Chinese laureate's struggles with West
02/05 | 18:07 GMT
©AFP/Scanpix/File / Heiko Junge
Empty chair with a diploma and medal that should have been awarded to this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, are seen at Oslo City Hall, in 2010. Liu has been hailed as a bold champion of democracy, but a new compilation of his writings shows him also to be deeply introspective and doubtful of the West's model.
©AFP/Scanpix/File / Heiko Junge
Liu Xiaobo has been in forced silence despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo has been hailed as a bold champion of democracy, but a new compilation of his writings shows him also to be deeply introspective and doubtful of the West's model.
Liu has been in forced silence despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010. Chinese authorities sentenced him the previous year for subversion for spearheading Charter 08, a major petition for political reform.
In a bid to offer a fuller picture of his thought, a new book -- published in English as "No Enemies, No Hatred" by Harvard University Press -- collects not only Charter 08 but also years of essays and poetry by Liu.
In one defining experience, the now 56-year-old writer explained in 1989 of a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and how he was "struck with how superficial my thinking was."
"I suddenly realized how insignificant the China issues I have been wrestling with are, if one measures them in terms of true spiritual creativity," Liu wrote in 1989, on the eve of Beijing's crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square.
"My tendency to idealize Western civilization arises from my nationalistic desire to use the West in order to reform China," Liu wrote.
Liu was also critical of the West's views of China. While welcoming those who seek academic or spiritual pursuits in China, Liu said that most Westerners "still maintain deep-rooted feelings of superiority toward non-Western people."
©AFP/File / Mike Clarke
Liu Xiaobo's works are banned in China
Two decades before he won the Nobel Peace Prize, Liu dismissed Westerners who praised him as a "rebel."
"When I hear such praise, it makes me feel as if I am not really a visitor from China so much as a person who has been stuffed into a leather case and loaded onto an airplane to be displayed, as and where my hosts see fit, as a novel object from a distant land," he wrote.
Yet Liu struck a different tone after the 2008 election of President Barack Obama, saying that Americans' ability to vote into power a member of a historically disadvantaged minority group showed "the greatness of the American system."
In one of his most provocative essays, Liu wrote that China should follow the lessons of Obama's election and appoint the Dalai Lama -- Tibet's exiled spiritual leader who is constantly criticized by Beijing -- as China's president.
Thanks to the Dalai Lama's global prestige, his appointment could "do a huge amount to improve China's international image" and serve as a model for resolving other disputes such as Taiwan, Liu wrote.
"The dawn of true political reform in China can arrive as soon as Chinese authorities sit down at the negotiating table with the Dalai Lama," Liu wrote.
Perry Link, a scholar of Chinese literature and one of the book's editors, said that Liu was certainly aware that his proposal was far-fetched but that Liu employed the idea to draw attention to China's treatment of minorities.
But Link believed that Liu was writing from the heart and not using a literary device in other writings in which he expressed deep disappointment over his own role in the Tiananmen Square uprising.
Liu returned to China from New York during the protests and encouraged students to flee the military offensive that left hundreds if not thousands dead. Liu received his first prison sentence over his role in the protests.
In a poem in homage to a 17-year-old who died at Tiananmen, Liu wrote: "In the face of your death, living is a crime, and writing this poem for you is an even greater shame."
"I am not worthy to write poetry for you. Your 17 years are more precious than any work of words or hands," Liu wrote.
Liu's works are banned in China. Link, a professor at the University of California-Riverside, said that some Chinese readers who discover Liu's writing might see his approach as "wimpiness" as younger Chinese prefer triumphalism.
But Link said that other Chinese readers might be impressed by the modesty of the leading dissident.
Many Tiananmen Square leaders "have come in for criticism as being too posing and trying to be heroes too much," Link said. "He's doing the exact opposite."
