21 March, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI Saturday addressed over 30,000 Angolan youths to revive their faith in a nation where evangelicals are gaining ground, but the event was marred by a deadly stampede that killed two."We don't have any details about the circumstances of the drama or the identity of the victims," Vatican ...

Scotland's Andy Murray defeated world number two Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 here Saturday to reach the final of the Indian Wells ATP Masters series tournament.Murray, the world number four, has now won six of his eight career meetings against the mighty Swiss, including four in a row since losing ...

A pair of shuttle Discovery space walkers began their work day outside the International Space Station (ISS) Saturday in part of a final push to complete the decade-long construction of the orbiting outpost.Astronauts Steve Swanson and Joseph Acaba began their walk at 1651 GMT as the station orbited 220 miles ...

US President Barack Obama defended his budget plans Saturday, insisting that he remained committed to halving the deficit within four years despite new data showing it was bigger than expected."In total, our budget would bring discretionary spending for domestic programs as a share of the economy to its lowest level ...

Andry Rajoelina promised an end to dictatorship and a new era of good governance in Madagascar Saturday in an inaugural speech capping his internationally-condemned takeover of the island. The 34-year-old, sacked as mayor of Antananarivo after launching a New Year bid for power in the state, was installed as ...

The family of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants in Gaza, on Saturday marked 1,000 days since his capture after 11th hour indirect talks failed to bring about his release.The Shalits planned to leave a protest tent erected across the street from the prime minister's residence in ...

Ireland claimed their first Grand Slam since 1948 after edging Wales 17-15 at the Millennium Stadium here on Saturday. Two tries in the first six minutes of the second-half from Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe, both converted by Ronan O'Gara, seemed set to be enough to see the gritty Irish ...

Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany on Saturday offered his resignation to allow the formation of a new government, citing a loss of popularity and worsening economic crisis, a press report said."A new government and a new prime minister are needed in Hungary," Hungarian newswire MTI quoted Gyurcsany as telling a ...

England finished their Six Nations campaign by regaining the Calcutta Cup with a 26-12 win over Scotland at Twickenham here on Saturday.Victory meant England had won three of their matches but, having turned round 15-3 at half-time, they were dragged into a dogfight by the Scots and never repeated the ...

France rebounded from their crushing defeat to England last week to run in seven tries in an impressive 50-8 thrashing of Italy at the Stadio Flaminio here on Saturday.The hosts were confirmed as the winners of the wooden spoon with their most comprehensive defeat of a dreadful Six Nations campaign ...