Supporters of English soccer club Liverpool to protest against US co-owners Hicks, Gillett

LIVERPOOL, England — A Liverpool supporters’ group is planning a march ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester United to protest against the way American businessmen George Gillett Jr. and Tom Hicks are running the English soccer club.

British comedy actress Mollie Sugden dies aged 86

LONDON — British comic actress Mollie Sugden, who played the formidable saleswoman Mrs. Slocombe in the BBC’s long running comedy series “Are You Being Served?”, has died aged 86.

Woolworths brand is resurrected in Britain as online store

LONDON — The 100-year-old Woolworths brand was resurrected on Thursday as an online store almost six months after the retailing stalwart went bankrupt and shut down its high street shops.

‘Sham college network’ allows Pakistanis into Britain: report

LONDON - A ‘network of sham colleges’ is allowing thousands of Pakistanis, including men from the restive northwest of the country, to enter Britain by enrolling as students, a newspaper revealed.

Gerrard vows to win World Cup, Premier League in 2010

LONDON - Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has vowed to turn 2010 into the greatest season of his life by winning the World Cup with England and title with Anfield.

‘WAGS are busy cows, says Tottenham Hostspur manager Redknapp

LONDON - Tottenham Hostspur manager Harry Redknapp has branded WAGs “busy cows”.

The former Portsmouth manager, 62, said: “They’re busy cows! “I don’t like it. I’ve got no time for it at all. I think it’s important for any footballer to have a good woman behind him, especially because you can have lots of ups and downs in football and you need somebody you can go home to and help you through that.”

London church to pay tribute to John Lenon

LONDON - Late Beatle legend John Lenon will be honoured in his native Liverpool by bell ringers who will perform his peace anthem ‘Imagine’ in the city’s cathedral.

Benitez will have 64 million pounds to battle Man U, sign Barry

LONDON - Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez will have a 64 million pounds war chest to battle Manchester United and top of his summer agenda is to finally tie up an eight million pounds deal to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield when the season ends.

Owner Tom Hicks’ living on borrowed dime casts doubt over Rangers, Stars through loan default

DALLAS — Tom Hicks owns the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Stars because he’s been a pro at turning borrowed money into handsome profits.

Inquiry to be held into UK’s anti-terror raids

LONDON - An independent inquiry is likely to be held into the anti-terrorist operation that led to the resignation of a senior British policeman, armed raids, arrest and release of 11 Pakistani citizens without any charges being levied on them.

Arshavin pledges to be an Arsenal legend

LONDON - Russian soccer star Andrey Arshavin has pledged to be an Arsenal legend after his four-goal Anfield super show.

Jack Jones, respected former British labor union chief, dies in London at 96

LONDON — Jack Jones, a union leader who became a household name in Britain through his battles to secure better rights for workers, has died, his son said Wednesday. He was 96.

John Lennon once dreamt of playing for Liverpool

LONDON - Late Beatles member John Lennon is said to have been a very talented footballer, with dreams of playing for English football club Liverpool.

Genes that protect against aging identified

WASHINGTON - University of Liverpool researchers have developed a novel method to help scientists identify genes that can help protect the body during the ageing process.

Ferguson, Benitez told their verbal duel has put the ‘game in gutter’

LONDON - English Premier League Managers’ Association chief Richard Bevan has stepped in to try to defuse the situation between Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez by handing them an ultimatum to quit their war of words.

Man U’s Fergie putting 70-mln pound master plan in place should Ronaldo quit

LONDON - Manchester United coach-cum-manager Sir Alex Ferguson will put a spectacular 70-million-pound plan in place when and not if Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo demands a summer move to the Spanish football club Real Madrid.
United would use the world record fee to try to lure Brazilan Kaka, along with Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery.

Arsenal legend tells coach Wenger to target Chelsea goalkeeper Cech

LONDON - Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has told Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to target the wobbly keeper Chelsea’s Petr Cech, whom he sees as the weak link that could lead to the Blue’s eviction from the Champion’s League.
Parlour, 36, was at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as Cech dropped a series of clangers in the epic 4-4 draw with Liverpool.

Man U’s Fergie says Liverpool’s Rafa is arrogant and rude

LONDON - Manchester United coach-cum-manager Alex Ferguson has described his Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez as rude and arrogant.

Hiddink’s Russia commitment problem for Abramovich

LONDON - Guss Hiddink might be the ideal football coach Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been looking for in the last six years. But the Dutchman will not stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the season since his priority is the Russian national team.

I am not quitting Man U, says Fergusson

LONDON - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson rubbished all speculation about his retirement at the end of the season and said he is targeting two more Champions League trophies.

Man U’s complacency may end up in a failed season, warns Vidic

LONDON - Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has said that Manchester United is guilty of complacency and warned his team mates that they must rediscover their focus if their season is not to end in failure.

Scientists discover pentagonal ice that can be used to seed clouds

WASHINGTON - Scientists at the University of Liverpool, UK, have discovered a five-sided ice chain structure that could be used to form clouds in the atmosphere and modify future weather patterns.

Ferguson says Man U stars have been too complacent

LONDON - Coach and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accused some of his Manchester United stars of being too complacent in the Premier League title race.

Benitez warns Liverpool to maintain their momentum to snatch title from ManU

LONDON - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has warned his side to maintain their momentum if they want going to snatch the league title from Manchester United.

Leaders Manchester United stunned at Fulham; Chelsea lose

LONDON - The English Premier League title race was thrown wide open Saturday when leaders Manchester United suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at Fulham, ending the match with just nine men.

Benitez signs 20-mn pound contract to keep him at Liverpool till 2014

LONDON - Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has finally ended his contract saga by signing a new 20million pound deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2014.

Man U flops get a day off as punishment

LONDON - Manchester United players were given a day off from training as ‘punishment’ for their 4-1 mauling by Liverpool.

Real Madrid now three points behind leaders Barca

MADRID - Real Madrid are now just three points behind Spanish leaders Barcelona after a stormy 5-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Liga.

Liverpool crush United to storm back into title race

LONDON - Liverpool burst back into the English Premier League title race with a stunning 4-1 away win against Manchester United to cut the gap between themselves and the champions at the top to just four points.

Zidane rates Gerrard as world’s best soccer player

LONDON - Former French football captain Zinedine Zidane has called England’s Steven Gerrard the best player in the world and the ‘heartbeat’ of the Liverpool team.