US to boycott UN conference on racism

WASHINGTON - The US will boycott a UN conference on racism over concerns about a document being prepared for the event that singles out Israel.

Tsvangirai urges the West to fund power-sharing government

HARARE - Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai Sunday made an impassioned appeal to the international community to fund the country’s new coalition government, calling the situation in the hunger- and disease-wracked country ‘dire’.

Quiet start to World Cup ticket sale in South Africa

SOWETO - Tickets for the 2010 football World Cup went on sale Friday, but in host country South Africa there was little evidence of tournament’s fever.

Ponting wants to know more about debutant Hughes

SYDNEY - Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said he wants to learn all he could about the youngest member of touring squad to South Africa, the 20-year-old opener Phil Hughes.

Injuries a factor for Australia’s bad run: Ponting

SYDNEY - Australian Skipper Ricky Ponting believes the cluttered international scheduling is a contributing factor to the debilitating run of the World Champions.

Ireland come from behind to win World Cup qualifier

HAMBURG - Ireland were helped by a dubious penalty to come from behind to beat Georgia 2-1 in a European World Cup Group 8 qualifier played in Dublin.

Left urges PM to cancel defence deal with Israel

NEW DELHI - India’s Left parties Tuesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to cancel a Rs.100 billion contract for an Israeli air defence missile system and ensure that the indigenous development of a similar weapon ‘is not subverted’.

Final Scoreboard: India vs. Sri Lanka, Fifth ODI

COLOMBO - Scoreboard of the fifth and last One-day international between India and Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium here Sunday:

South African economy faces ’serious danger’: Motlanthe

JOHANNESBURG - Delivering his first state of the nation address here Friday, South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said that the global financial crisis posed a serious danger to the country’s economy and the government was considering measures to minimise its impact.

India in Pool D of women’s World Cup hockey

CHENNAI -: India have been placed in pool D along with Australia, Belarus and the US for the 2009 Women’s Junior World Cup hockey to be held in Boston, US, from Aug 3-16.

When Hayden refused Ponting’s secret offer

SYDNEY - Australia captain Ricky Ponting in a secret offer wanted to skip Tuesday’s Twenty20 match against South Africa to allow Matthew Hayden a testimonial game at the Gabba to celebrate his retirement.

Warner’s sensational debut has Delhi Daredevils rejoicing

NEW DELHI - David Warner’s sensational debut for Australia has sent a wave of jubilation among his teammates at the Delhi Daredevils.

Museum displays rare red diamond, once part of Hitler’s collection

LOS ANGELES - A rare five-carat red diamond, once stolen by the Nazis, is on display at a downtown museum here, the Daily News reported Saturday.

Prahlad, Sardjoe among Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardees

CHENNAI - Thirteen eminent overseas Indians, including noted management guru C.K. Prahlad and Suriname Vice President Ramdien Sarjdoe, were Friday conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman at the conclusion of India’s three-day annual convention to connect with its diaspora.

FIFA monitoring Satyam developments

NEW DELHI - World football body FIFA, which had signed up troubled Indian software giant Satyam as its information technology partner for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, said Thursday that it was closely monitoring the developments and studying the extent of the fraud by the company.

Scoreboard: Australia vs South Africa, Day Three, Third Test

SYDNEY - Scoreboard on the third day of the third and last cricket Test between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground here Monday.

Aussies take a day off before Sydney Test

SYDNEY - Australia have taken a day off from cricket to mentally prepare themselves for the face-saving third cricket Test against South Africa starting here Saturday.

Chief selector Hilditch backs Hayden for a longer run

MELBOURNE - Australia’s chief selector Andrew Hilditch backed out-of-form Matthew Hayden’s selection for the Sydney Test, saying he is central to the team’s future plans.

Hauritz may not be played in Melbourne Test

MELBOURNE - Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz who was included in the squad for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa might not get a place in the playing eleven.