Barcelona savours sun-kissed trophy parade

Barcelona's triumphant players paraded the club's fourth European Cup through the warm streets of a festive Catalan capital today before partying with almost 100,000 fans at their Nou Camp stadium.
Yesterday's 3-1 victory over Manchester United, a second Champions League triumph in three years and a fourth continental crown following successes in 1992 and 2006, capped a superb season in which the Spanish giants claimed a third successive Spanish league title and reached the King's Cup final.
They flew back from London today on a plane decorated in the club colours with huge pictures of the players adorning the side and touched down at the city's El Prat airport at around 4 p.m. local time.
Boarding an open-top bus, Barcelona wound their way through the thronged streets with the European Cup and La Liga trophies displayed at the front of the vehicle.
Confetti wafted through the evening air and fans sought every vantage point to catch a glimpse of their heroes, including yesterday's goalscorers Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro.
Supporters clad in the club colours of claret and blue began pouring into the sun-kissed stadium from around 5.30 p.m. and when the players arrived two and a half hours later there were thousands more to welcome them in the streets outside.
With fireworks going off and rock music blaring inside the arena, the players and the coaching staff were announced one by one before coach Pep Guardiola and his assistant Tito Vilanova brought the Champions League trophy on to the pitch.
After short speeches by captain Carles Puyol and Guardiola, Messi stepped up to address the stadium.
"I don't have much to say other than to thank you all for your support during this amazing year," the Argentine World Player of the Year said.

"Hopefully, there will be many more to come. Long live Barca and long live Catalunya!"
The players are due to attend a concert given by Colombian pop diva Shakira, the girlfriend of centre back Gerard Pique, across the city at the Olympic Stadium later today.
Earlier, police detained more than 80 people for public order offences and other infringements while around 130 fans needed medical attention after celebrations of Barcelona's fourth European title turned ugly.
Around 50,000 gathered in the centre of the Catalan capital to mark the victory but most celebrated peacefully, police said.
However, 84 people were later detained for public order offences, throwing stones and other objects, damaging city property and attacking officers, the statement said.
Some 37 police were among the injured, though none were seriously hurt.


Nini/tvnz

AC Milan still interested in Bayern Munich's Miroslav Klose – report

The Germany international's contract with his current club ends in the summer and he has yet to make a decision about his future, with the Italian champions reportedly keen

Miroslav Klose, Bayern Munich

For all the latest reports and transfer rumours, visit our dedicated section here
AC Milan are still hopeful of securing the services of Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose on a free transfer in the summer, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

The Italian champions first showed an interest in signing the Germany international back in April, but have not made a move for Klose yet. However, the Italian champions are closely monitoring the situation of the prolific hitman and could offer him a contract if he fails to agree a new deal with Bayern.

The 32-year-old Klose’s contract with his current club ends in the summer and negotiations over a new deal have not yet come to fruition.

Bayern have reportedly tabled a one-year deal with reduced wages and the automatic option of a one-year renewal if the striker makes 20 appearances for the club next season.

Klose though is understood to be unhappy with these terms and wants a two-year contract with no clauses inserted.


NIni/Goal

We will not sign Marek Hamsik from Napoli – AC Milan's Silvio Berlusconi

The club supremo rules out an approach for the highly-rated Slovakian international this summer during a speech in the city of Naples

Silvio Berlusconi - Milan

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has ruled out a move for Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik in the summer.
The 23-year-old has been linked with the Italian champions in recent weeks and he himself admitted that he will think about joining them if an offer were to be made.
"If an offer arrived then I would have to talk to Napoli first,” said Hamsik. “I would like to try playing for a club that regularly challenges for the Scudetto and Champions League."
On Thursday Milan president Adriano Galliani gave another hint about landing Hamsik when he identified him as one of the left-sided midfielders they are interested in.
However, club patron Berlusconi has now said that they will not approach Napoli for the highly-rated player.
During a speech in Naples to promote one of the candidates for the mayor elections to be held on Sunday, the Italian prime minister stated: "We will not buy Hamsik. Milan don't touch the symbol-players of other teams.”
Hamsik had a productive 2010-11 campaign for Napoli, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 37 Serie A appearances, and helping Walter Mazzarri’s side to automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League.


Nini/Goal

No Child Left Behind Revamp Stalls As Obama's Deadline Looms

While Democrats and Republicans mostly agree that a sweeping federal law governing education desperately needs to be overhauled, they are divided on how to do it. As a result, Congress may not finish its education homework by the president's deadline.
Barack Obama called for No Child Left Behind, the 2001 law that set the standards and goals for public education, to be revamped by August. According to a report by the Associated Press, an on-time fix is highly unlikely.
Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), who chairs the House Education and Workforce Committee, said it would be impossible to agree on changes by the deadline. "I've been very, persistently clear that we cannot get this done by summer," he told the AP. "It's just not going to happen."
George W. Bush introduced the law in 2001, pushing it through congress with bipartisan support. But the sailing isn’t as smooth this time around, the AP notes, because of intra-party splits: The wave of Tea Party congressmen voted into office in November 2010 largely oppose sweeping federal laws, which makes it more difficult for Republicans to unite around a course of action. Democrats, on the other hand, remain divided on issues of teacher accountability, such as tenure, merit pay and linking evaluations with test scores.
The widespread criticism the law has faced over the past nine years exacerbates the issue, because few can agree -- regardless of party orientation -- which of its policies should exist in the first place.
As the clock ticks, though, more and more schools are being labeled as failing under the law. NCLB sets grades and standards, giving the federal government power to intervene in schools that rank poorly. The law originally set 2014 as a deadline for 100% proficiency in math and reading.
Educators and policymakers criticize NCLB for circumscribing curricula by encouraging the practice of teaching to the test.

"NCLB needs to be completely revamped in terms of the provisions with respect to the accountability," Pedro Noguera, an education professor at New York University told The Huffington Post. "They have become so punitive."
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in March that 82% of schools were on track to fail, according to the law's standards, by next year. “This law is fundamentally broken, and we need to fix it this year,” he told the House education committee at the time. (A report by the Center on Education Policy calculated the number at a much lower 38%).
"We have been overemphasizing assessment," Noguera said. "Assessment only works as a tool, a tool for providing teachers and schools with information on what students need more of. What we haven’t nearly focused as much time on is quality instruction."
The law has been so cumbersome that Duncan has had to grant more waivers than his predecessor to school districts that have had trouble satisfying some of NCLB's provisions.
The two chambers of Congress are attempting to overhaul the law in entirely different ways. The House began introducing a series of bills that target specific components of NCLB, starting with last week's proposal from Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) that would scrap 43 NCLB-funded programs.
The Senate, meanwhile, hopes to introduce a more holistic fix. A comprehensive bill could incorporate the House's individual proposals, but it may be hobbled by House Republicans skeptical of any comprehensive education legislation.
"I think it makes it easier for everybody to understand," Hunter told the AP about the House's approach. "I think people have an aversion to them [comprehensive bills] now."
Kline told the AP that his next targeted bills would include one giving school districts more leeway in budgeting federal money. A subsequent bill would address school accountability and standards.


nini/huffingtonpost

Princeton Charter School Co-Founder Has His Say

Parker Block: Suburban schools should innovate and push ahead, not just 'hum along.' 


Editor's note—Patch has published several articles recently examining the role of charter schools in well-performing suburban school districts. Acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf acknowledged a few days ago that what he called “boutique” charter schools might not be needed in suburban districts that are “humming along.” Parker Block, a co-founder of the Princeton International Academy Charter School (www.piacs.org), sent us the following response:

As the current debate about charter schools in urban and suburban districts unfolds, it is important to recognize that charter schools are intended to be laboratories of innovation that provide, according to the Charter School Program Act, “a mechanism for the implementation of a variety of educational approaches which may not be available in the traditional public school classroom.”

It is common and understandable for school districts to find innovation too difficult to implement in the face of institutional inertia and entrenched parochial interests. In so-called “top performing” suburban school districts, the bureaucratic instinct to defend the status quo is buttressed by data which seemingly justifies intransigence.

Compared to state averages, suburban schools are not under-performing;
they are “humming along.” As long as the “local achievement gap” exists, suburban school districts are under no pressure to innovate and improve.

Despite the fact that the most tragic situations in public education capture media attention, business leaders, policy makers, progressive educators and parents are increasingly aware that in the 21st Century, our students are not going to be judged in comparison to local standards, but by international benchmarks.

To that end, New Jersey became one of the lead states in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.p21.org), an organization working to infuse 21st Century skills into public K-12. The Partnership was a key resource in the development of New Jersey’s revised Core Curriculum Standards in 2009.

One of the reasons for the increased focus on 21st Century skills, according to the Partnership, is the fact that “for the past decade, the United States has focused nationally on closing achievement gaps between the lowest- and highest-performing students—a legitimate and useful agenda—but one that skirts the competitive demand for advanced skills. Equally important is the global achievement gap between U.S. students—even our top-performing students—and their international peers in competitor nations.”

The comparison to local standards may serve suburban school administrators well, but not suburban students. Nonetheless, those who propose innovative, ambitious programs are often summarily dismissed by local school officials with phrases like “nice to have, but not necessary” or “wait until the economy improves.”

President Obama consistently reminds us, however, that continuous innovation, even in times of budget constraints, is necessary if we are to remain economically competitive. Yet, even in Princeton, the president of the school board equates programs that will increase proficiency in math with learning to play bagpipes, and says that fluency in a strategic world language like Mandarin is like learning Gaelic. This exemplifies the complacency, arrogance and protect-the-status quo mentality which has plagued public education for decades and gave rise to the need for charter schools in the first place.

Critics deride schools such as those offering dual-language immersion programs as “themed, boutique schools,” implying that the scope of the education is somehow limited. The intent of a charter school is, according to the law, to offer programs which are differentiated from the program already available in the traditional public schools. If these points of differentiation are considered “themes,” then there is no such thing as a “non-themed” charter school.

Some believe that charter schools only serve a small number of private school families who simply want to have their tuition paid by tax dollars. First, in the case of the charter school of which I am a co-founder, three out of four applicants are already attending a public school within the respective school districts. These are public school parents who simply want forward-thinking programs that better prepare their children to compete in the 21st Century.

Second, if the school is successful on a smaller scale, these innovative programs can and should be replicated in traditional schools for the benefit of the larger community. In her endorsement of high quality charter schools, New Jersey Education Association President Barbara Keshishian states that “it is critical that successful schools of all types share their successes so that other students can benefit from the best practices in all of New Jersey's public schools.”

Innovative programs always require first-adopters before the larger populace is ready to endorse them. Yet public school officials are reluctant to acknowledge charter school successes out of fear of a domino effect;: if one succeeds, there will be others. This Cold War-era paranoia greatly underestimates the difficulty of getting a charter school authorized and established. If parents in the community don’t believe in the school, it won’t survive.

In smaller municipalities like Princeton, the school districts are the most powerful political force in the community, controlling huge budgets, payrolls, and a bully-pulpit from which the politics of fear can be employed to get initiatives passed or killed. This is why the charter school law established “a new form of accountability for schools” by providing parents and educators the opportunity to apply directly to the state Department of Education for the authorization to open a charter school. The same body, which is ultimately responsible for the curriculum standards and public education throughout state, oversees the evaluation and authorization of innovative, high-quality charter schools and holds them accountable to agreed upon targets.

Students in New Jersey who happen to be on the right side of the “local achievement gap” will find themselves on the wrong side of the “global achievement gap” unless the innovation provided by high-quality charters is available throughout the state. President Obama chastises the complacent official who puts parochial interests ahead of progress: “China is not waiting. Germany is not waiting. India is not waiting. These nations—they're not standing still. These nations aren't playing for second place.” The competition our children will face is not just “humming along.” They are pushing ahead. So should we.


Nini/montclair

Education for all: A global imperative

This week we saw the gulf that lies between the values of the Left and Right get even wider. Through a leaked letter, the public was made aware that Tory frontbencher Liam Fox is angry about so much of the British taxpayers money going to help those in the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations.
Gordon Brown, on the other hand, has been spending his time in Africa where today, he launches a report (pdf) highlighting why development aid is so important and how meeting a millennium goal target on education can actually help stimulate economic growth all over the world.
By meeting our commitment to ensure that the planet enjoys universal primary school education, the report states that we can increase economic growth in the worlds poorest countries by 2% per capita.
Furthermore, it could help lift 104 million people out of poverty and save the lives of almost two million children in Africa.
The report (pdf) is packed with quality data and first-class analysis highlighting the important role that education plays in propelling development and the improvement in the welfare of the world’s poorest.
One of the key arguments of the report is the value for money represented by investing in education.
For every $1 spent on education, a further $15 is likely to be generated as a result of laying the foundations for today’s children to become tomorrow’s wealth creators, opening up countless new investment opportunities; furthermore, if action is taken within the next five years, aid dependency would be vastly reduced and even pay for itself after 22 years.
The tireless work of both Gordon and Sarah Brown in promoting such a worthy and important campaign to reduce poverty and create prosperity for the world’s poorest serves as an inspiration for all those working for a better future world.
The incredible tasks of eradicating poverty all over the world and meeting environmental challenges never faced before, call for bold leadership and strong vision. The kind of work represented in today’s report provide just the sort of vision necessary.
Surely even Dr Fox and his friends in the cabinet couldn’t disagree?


NIni/leftfootforward

City's magical history Toure

YAYA TOURE turned in two La Liga titles and the Champions League when he quit the world's best team for the biggest spenders.

At Wembley, wearing the laser blue shirt of Manchester City, he began the biggest silverware hunt in football history.
That's what his winning goal means to City, the start of something extra-special for this £300million super-team.
A king-sized trophy is finally on the sideboard and Sheikh Mansour and his money men want more.
Stoke were just bystanders, brushed aside as Toure and the boys focus on a brave new world that includes Barcelona next season.
This is a new era for City, a fully-fledged member of European football's powerhouses after a whirlwind week.
Toure and his team proved they can live with the pressure by lifting the FA Cup.
And the former Barcelona midfielder was at the centre of it all, thriving in his tailor-made position behind the front two.
The transition took time, converted from midfield enforcer under Pep Guardiola to genuine goal threat by Roberto Mancini.
His strike against Manchester United got City to the final, a top-class finish beyond the reach of Edwin van der Sar.
And, yesterday, he accepted the adulation of his team-mates after sinking Stoke with the only goal.
He was buried under the bodies of his team-mates, spreadeagled on the surface as the celebrations began.
Mario Balotelli plonked himself on the very top with that cheeky grin, the icing on the cake after his ice-cool performance.
Balotelli was battered, booted all over the place by Tony Pulis' tough-guy team.
Robert Huth elbowed the City striker across the windpipe and was later booked for a pointless trip on Micah Richards.
That's the way Stoke went about their first FA Cup final, full of blood and thunder and short on self-esteem.
Last week, they were stringing passes together in a 3-1 win over Arsenal but this time they were suffocated every time they touched the ball.
City have arrived, qualifying for the Champions League and winning the world's oldest cup competition for the first time since 1969.

This is the street-smart City, a team full of self-awareness under their demanding manager Mancini.
No one can pretend it has been pretty all the way but if this is a taste of things to come, then bring it on.
They were the only team on the turf who wanted a football match, a side doing justice to the occasion. City were ambassadors for the global game, stroking the ball across the surface as they set about breaking Stoke hearts.
This is what the final demands, a team full of confidence determined to win the Cup for a captive audience.
Credit to City, they never slacked off, even when Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen turned in one of the best performances of his career.
He was twisting through the air throughout, pawing away first-half efforts from Toure, Balotelli, Carlos Tevez and Vincent Kompany.
City never stopped, encouraged by fans who turn their back on the team at every opportunity.
That's the 'Poznan', the remarkable call to arms borrowed from one of football's outposts during their Europa League run.
Second-rate competitions are a thing of the past now they have finished fourth, taking their smothering game into the Champions League.


 City slickers... goal-scorer Yaya Toure is congratulated by Adam Johnson
It's boom time for City and they will bust a gut for more glory next season.
Everything is in place - stadium, funding and a largely decent set of supporters - to take on the best teams on the continent.
In Joe Hart, they have a keeper of genuine class and one who broke a club record for the number of clean sheets kept in a season against Spurs last Monday. He added another at Wembley, denying Kenwyne Jones with a brilliant save when the Stoke striker was through on goal.
Hart has earned his money, an intimidating presence behind one of the best defences in the top flight.
Kompany was outstanding again, surely captaincy material when Tevez quits City at the end of the season.
Players like Kompany are spoiling their supporters, wiping away the last 50 years and starting from scratch.
The swinging Sixties is all they have ever had to shout about but life is sweet again for City.
And they already have another Wembley date in their diary, the Community Shield against Manchester United on August 7.
That's what happens to teams on an upward trajectory, they make visits to the home of football a habit.
Those sort of occasions are a lifetime away for Pulis and his team after they failed to build on their 5-0 win over Bolton in the semi-final.
Nothing should have fazed them but the gamble on Matthew Etherington was just that, a busted flush after returning from injury.
They wasted dead-balls, their best chance of breaking down City, and failed to get to grips with the towering figure of Kompany or Joleon Lescott.
Finally they folded, failing to spot the run of Toure as the £200,000-a-week midfielder made his way into the penalty area.
With his next kick, he earned his bonus.

REMAINING GAMES - MAN CITY: Tue v Stoke (h). Sun v Bolton (a). STOKE: Tue v Man City (a). Sun v Wigan (h).

---

Manchester City player ratings

Joe Hart - WONDERED when the action was going to start but was switched on to thwart Kenwyne Jones in a one-on-one. Always assured. Mark (out of 10) 7
Micah Richards - GAVE Jon Walters hell on the right-hand side. The defender could earn a call-up to Fabio Capello's senior England squad on this evidence. 7
Vincent Kompany - LUCKY to escape a valid shout for handball in the penalty area from a Jones ricochet. Yet he still led the defensive line in exemplary fashion. 7
Joleon Lescott - LOOKED to be the only weak link in City's watertight defence at times. He still managed to keep one step ahead of Kenwyne Jones, though. 6
Aleksandar Kolarov - DISPLAYED inconsistency that fuelled negative speculation about his role next season. Found space but never exploited it. 5
Nigel de Jong - OWNED the midfield. Had a running battle with both Rory Delap and Marc Wilson but ran out the winner hands-down on every occasion. 8
Gareth Barry - HAD no problem marshalling the midfield but was wasted in an overly defensive set-up. Roberto Mancini sacrificed him in the 70th minute. 6
David Silva - GIFTED two of the game's best chances and was woeful on both occasions. In the first half, he volleyed into the ground and over an open goal. 6
Yaya Toure - TOOK out a whole afternoon's worth of frustration when he put his full weight behind the strike that won the match. Stoke never coped with his power. 8
Mario Balotelli - HAD a very quiet game as he struggled to penetrate from wide positions. But the striker played a vital part in contributing to Toure's winner. 7
Carlos Tevez - WALKED off to a standing ovation minutes before the end and the captain deserved it. Not even a dodgy hamstring could slow him down. 7
SUBS:
Adam Johnson: Was a nuisance for the tired legs in the Stoke defence. 6
Patrick Vieira: Given a short run at the end when substituted for David Silva. 6
Pablo Zabaleta: Helped protect lead. 6

---

Stoke player ratings

Thomas Sorensen - PULLED off a save destined for his career highlight reel in the first half to deny Mario Balotelli. Could do nothing to prevent winner. 6
Andy Wilkinson - WAS a source of frustration for Carlos Tevez to begin with but faded and did little to prevent City producing wave after wave of attacks. 6
Robert Huth - GOT away with murder when ref Martin Atkinson missed elbow on Mario Balotelli and clattered Micah Richards soon after. Lucky to last game. 4
Ryan Shawcross - CUT out an Aleksandar Kolarov cross that would have opened the scoring early on and frustrated Balotelli but was overrun at the end. 6
Marc Wilson - ALLOWED Tevez and Kolarov too much space at times and was spared embarrassment by City's final ball until the end. Ran out of gas. 5
Jermaine Pennant - ALWAYS seemed to be man on the ground when the ref's whistle was blown. Wasteful at set- pieces but still behind Stoke's most positive moves. 7
Glenn Whelan - ACTED as playmaker and linked up well with Pennant on occasions but was over-run by City's dominant midfield. Taken off late on. 6
Rory Delap - NOT even his catapult throw- ins could make Stoke a potent attacking threat on the night. Substituted 10 minutes from the end. 5
Matty Etherington - CREATED Stoke's best chance when he found Kenwyne Jones but was unusually subdued. Replaced by Dean Whitehead just after the hour. 6
Jonathan Walters - COULD not make any credible impact on the game. Walters showed bags of energy but regularly ran into traffic before final third. 4
Kenwyne Jones - PICKED wrong time to go off the boil. Scored five goals in six games before the final but rarely mustered a chance at Wembley. 5
SUBS:
Dean Whitehead: Unable to make an impact as Stoke went more physical. 5
John Carew: Barely got a sniff. 5
Danny Pugh: Damage limitation only. 6


NIni

AC Milan celebrates 18th league title triumph with win at home to Cagliari

MILAN — AC Milan didn't disappoint its supporters as they celebrated the club's 18th league title before and during a 4-1 win over Cagliari on Saturday.
The club secured the Italian title a week ago when it drew 0-0 away to Roma, and since then played the Italian Cup semifinal away to Palermo.
Ahead of the match, the team went on an open top bus ride through city streets thronged with supporters, before leading a procession to the San Siro.
Once at the stadium, players, their wives and children celebrated in front of the fans on the pitch wearing commemorative T-shirts.
When the match finally started, a brace from Robinho and a strike by Gennaro Gattuso gave Milan a 3-1 lead at the break before Clarence Seedorf added a fourth in the closing stages.
At full time the celebrations continued with the trophy presentation on the field in front of a capacity crown that included club president and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
"We really wanted the guys to finish well at home, in front of the fans," Milan coach Massimo Allegri said. "They all did their best and deservedly finished with a win."
Also Saturday, Lazio scored three goals in the second half to keep up its pursuit of a Champions League place with a 4-2 win over Genoa.
At the San Siro, Cagliari's Radj Nainggolan had the first effort of the match, but shot wide from long range.
Milan struggled to create chances early on, but Robinho finally opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.
The Brazilian raced in from the left wing, slalomed past three defenders and curled a shot past goalkeeper Michael Agazzi from the edge of the box.
Two minutes later, Gattuso doubled Milan's lead. Robinho played a through ball toward Alexandre Pato, but Agazzi appeared to snuff out the danger as he rushed off his line. However, he fumbled the ball and as he tried to clear it went straight to Gattuso who headed into the empty net.
Robinho doubled his tally in the 35th. Pato slipped ball to him, the Brazilian took one touch and placed a shot under Agazzi.
Cagliari pulled a goal back three minutes later when Andre Cossu cut in past Mario Yepes and shot under Milan keeper Christian Abbiati.
With the clock ticking down, Seedorf ran onto another through ball from Pato to poke home his third goal of the season and wrap the match up for Milan.
"Tonight we saw the level we need to play at against a team like Milan," Cagliari coach and former Milan player Roberto Donadoni said. "You can't switch off for a moment or you're suddenly 2-0 down like we were. We did so again and so were 3-0 down."
Lazio was quickly into its stride and ahead after six minutes when Giuseppe Biava rose highest to head in a corner.
The lead didn't last long though and Rodrigo Palacio equalized when he was first to the rebound after Fernando Muslera had saved Mauro Bosseli's shot.
Ten minutes into the second half Lazio was two goals ahead and the match effectively over. Lazio's second came when Cristian Ledesma played a ball over the defence to Tommaso Rocchi, who took one touch and slipped the ball under Eduardo.
Hernanes then headed in Ledesma's cross in the 55th for Lazio's third and the Brazilian struck again in the 66th, when he swept home Mauro Zarate's cutback from the byline. Antonio Floro Flores scored a consolation second for Genoa in the 89th minute.
"We did what we had to do," Lazio coach Edy Reja said. "Today's victory gives us a lot more hope. We now have 63 points and I hope we that we can finish with at least a place in Europe."

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri 'amazed' after victory over Cagliari

The Italian giants' first title-winning coach since 2004 was emotional after seeing his team underline their championship credentials with a convincing 4-1 win at San Siro

Massimiliano Allegri - Milan

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri admits that he was overcome with emotion as he watched his side celebrate their 18th Scudetto title in front of their own fans following a 4-1 victory over Cagliari.
Having mathematically clinched the championship last week with a goalless draw at Roma, Milan overwhelmed their opponents with first-half goals from Robinho and Gennaro Gattuso before Clarence Seedorf added a fourth late on.
"It was wonderful for me and the first time I have experienced anything like that, so I was amazed and fascinated. I wanted the lads to end the campaign in the best way possible in front of our fans and the president," he told Sky Italia after the game.
Allegri revealed that he had evoked the philosophy of a past Milan coaching great upon taking the job at the San Siro after leaving Cagliari last summer.
"Right away I asked the team to train with intensity as that is what prepared you for the action on the pitch. That was the work ethic decades ago at Milan under Arrigo Sacchi. I merely asked them to work for the team and that is what they did, both for me and each other."
The 43-year also said that he was happy to let Silvio Berlusconi choose a marquee signing as the club prepare for next year's title defence and Champions League campaign.
“As the president was so good at choosing the big buy last summer, I’ll leave it up to him again!”

nini/Goal 

Roberto Mancini: Carlos Tevez should leave Manchester City if he is unhappy

The Italian admits he doesn't know whether the Argentinian will stay or not, but for the time being his side's attention will be on the clash against Stoke in the FA Cup final

Carlos Tevez & Roberto Mancini - Manchester City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has given striker Carlos Tevez the option of departing from the club if he feels dissatisfied at Eastlands.
Tevez handed in a transfer request earlier on in the season but later withdrew it and subsequently speculation has surrounded the talismanic player since.
Mancini insists that his sought after striker should leave the club if he is unhappy.
"If I'm not happy to stay, then I'll leave. It's the same for the players. If they aren't happy to stay, it's better they leave," Mancini told reporters.
"When you start your job you should be happy, because the season is long and there could be a thousand problems.
"Carlos has got a five-year contract, but in my opinion a player should stay here because he believes in the project and he's happy to stay at the club.
"I have never said that Carlos wants to leave - I said that it would be his decision. At the moment, he has a five-year contract here.
"He's scored 22 goals and that's very important. But we've got this far because all the players have contributed.
"I would say all the players here at the moment are happy to stay because this season they've worked well together and we've got into the Champions League."
The 26-year-old had an altercation with his manager during the game at Tottenham as Mancini kept Tevez - eager to come on as a substitute – waiting on the sidelines.
Asked whether the Argentinian will be at Eastlands next year, Manini replied: "I don't know. "We have a good team this year but we need to improve.
"To win the title is harder but if we can buy good players with experience of winning with other teams, that would be good for everyone."
Mancini’s side face Stoke in the FA Cup final on Saturday, and the Italian is weary that his side hasn't beaten them in their previous four encounters.
"We've played against Stoke four times in the past year and we've had a problem in every game," he added. "They are not easy to play against.
"We have to focus on every situation. Their set-pieces could be difficult for us. We must be patient and work hard.
"Stoke are different from any other team.
"They are a physical team and the game will be 95 minutes, maybe more if there's extra-time."

 NIni/Goal

Palermo 2-1 AC Milan (Agg 4-3): Serie A champions denied as visitors book Coppa Italia final spot

 

Goals from Migliaccio and Bovo secured victory for Delio Rossi's side despite Ibrahimovic's late consolation strike for the visitors as Van Bommel and Bovo were both sent off

Palermo are through to the final of the Coppa Italia as Delio Rossi's men overcame AC Milan 2-1 in a fiery clash at the Renzo Barbera, which saw both teams end the match with 10 men.

After an intense first half, the hosts took the lead through Guilio Migliaccio shortly after the hour-mark and Cesare Bovo effectively put the tie out of AC Milan's reach with a penalty after a foul by Mark Van Bommel, which resulted in the the ex-Bayern Munich man seeing red.

Shortly after Bovo was sent off himself for high kick on Alexandre Pato and although substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic clawed one back just before the final whistle, it was too little, too late as Palermo advanced to the Coppa Italia final thanks to a 4-3 aggregate victory.

The match got off to a thrilling start as Robinho was presented with a clear chance only three minutes into the game. Andrea Pirlo, who made his return to the starting line-up after a long absence, was the provider as his brilliant 30-yard pass from midfield found the Brazilian completely unmarked near the penalty spot, but the ex-Real Madrid striker blasted his finish way over the bar.

The newly-crowned Serie A champions continued to press and went close once again five minutes later when Mathieu Flamini rattled the bar with a powerful shot from outside the box. Clarence Seedorf was next in line to miss a great chance for AC Milan as in the 13th minute the former Real Madrid man sent a volley over the bar from 12 yards out.

Palermo came to life after the period of domination for the visitors with Javier Pastore at the centre of every good move by Delio Rossi's men. The Argentinian first had a long-range drive saved by Christian Abbiati in the centre of goal, and then narrowly missed the top-right corner with a stunning finish on the volley from outside the box.

AC Milan were enjoying the lion's share of possession, but were unable to create clear-cut chances. Palermo received some disturbing news in the 34th minutes as Afriyie Acquah was forced to leave the pitch after picking up an injury.

Luca Antonini blasted a shot wide of the left post in the 44th minute and shortly after got injured in a collision with team-mate Thiago Silva. He was replaced by Daniele Bonera shortly before the half-time whistle.

The second period started brightly for AC Milan as Alexandre Pato went close with a low finish from the right side of the box after a mesmerising run in the 51st minute. Palermo, however, looked the more aggressive of the two teams, pressing Massimiliano Allegri's men high up the pitch.

Shortly after the hour mark Palermo put the tie out of Milan's reach when Migliaccio headed a Josep Illicic corner delivery into the right post and past the goal-line. Allegri threw striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic into the fray in a desperate attempt to turn the game around and the big Swede went close in the 65th minute with an audacious backheel.

Palermo, however, were not content to sit back and preserve the result and nearly doubled their lead through Abel Hernandez five minutes later who blasted a volley just wide from inside the box under no pressure at all. Migliaccio should have made it two soon after, but he, too, failed to find the target.

All was decided in the 73rd minute when Illicic found himself in a one-on-one with Abbiati before Van Bommel arrived on the scene to foul the substitute, seeing red as a result. Bovo was on target from the spot and the tie seemed already decided.

In a moment of madness the goalscorer was sent off moments later as he appeared to kick Pato in the face in an effort to clear the ball away. AC Milan pushed for the remaining minutes of the game, and Ibrahimovic clawed one back for the visitors, but it was not enough as Palermo set up a meeting with either Inter or Roma.


Nini/Goal

Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham: Crouch repeats match winning feat as own goal sees Mancini’s side qualify for Champions League

The Italian side finally nail top four spot as they stutter to obstinate win that leaves Spurs facing bleak prospect of no European football next season

Manchester City stuttered to a 1-0 victory over Tottenham to finally secure the Champions League football they have made so publicly their desire, at Eastlands next season. In what proved to be an excellent conservation of energy ahead of this weekend’s FA cup final against Stoke, City managed victory against Spurs despite never climbing out of second gear, in a match which saw the visitors dominate large parts of the game.
Peter Crouch’s first half own goal – a tragically ironic twist, baring in mind the goal he scored at Eastlands last season that brought Champions League to White Hart Lane – proved the integral moment in a game high on subplots but short on incident.
The result leaves Spurs stranded in sixth place, which, given the resurgent form of Liverpool, makes even Europa League football seem an improbability for Harry Redknapp’s men.
The duo face a crunch game this weekend, which will shine light on Redknapp’s recent denouncement of the continent’s second-level competition
With the game a season-definer for both Spurs and City, the first half aptly summed up the story of this season’s Premier League campaign for each – namely, expansive play and measured passing as a given, yet genuine incision in the final third at an absolute premium.
Edin Dzeko should really have opened the scoring on the 10 minute mark. The Bosnian’s flick-on was met by David Silva - who hit the byeline and pulled it back - only for Dzeko to connect unconvincingly and give Carlo Cudicini an unlikely save that gently eased him into his return to the first team, having deputised for the injured Heurelho Gomes.
Not to be outdone, Luka Modric then fluffed his lines with the goal at his mercy. Lennon, a regular torment down the right, motored past City’s unusually flat-footed defence and cut back to the edge of the box. He found the Croatian in acres of space, though Modric could only drill the ball wide.
In the corresponding fixture of near-on exactly one year ago, Crouch struck a terminal blow to Manchester City’s Champions League ambitions by netting from just outside the six-yard box. However, this time round, a cruel juxtaposition befell the recalled striker from an almost-identical position. As James Milner collected a short corner and fired it across goal, Crouch stuck out a leg and inadvertently stabbed the ball beyond Cudicini and into his own net.
The goal galvanised City and further jaded the visitors – with the home fans adding to the feeling after showing their delight in seeing Carlos Tevez warm up on the sidelines - and City began to flow forward with more urgency, with Silva narrowly missing out on a exploratory effort from 25 yards out.
The buoyancy at Eastlands was soon quelled, however, after some effective killing-of-time by William Gallas. Despite looking more threatening on the counter than their hosts there after, Spurs were still limited in terms of efforts on goal, the most notable of which being Van der Vaart’s hit from way out, that Hart gathered with ease, just before the half time whistle blew.

Over the Blue Moon | Crouch own goal seals top four finish for Mancini's side

Given the improbability of Champions League qualification, Spurs picked up the second half in a manner that genuinely believed they could achieve fourth place, or belied Redknapp’s claims of a lack of interest in Europa League football. Lennon was once again the livewire, darting down the right and crossing excellently for Steven Pienaar, who powered in a header that Hart had to push round the post at full stretch.
Yet, Manchester City were obstinate in their desire not to let Spurs play and their more physically-imposing unit kept their rivals at bay for prolonged periods of play, despite seeing a nominal amount of the ball. Spurs continually failed to capitalise though, with Van der Vaart and Pienaar the guilty parties - both spooning over from way outside the box - with the Dutchman also hitting a promising free-kick into the wall.
The Eastlands crowd was becoming increasingly frustrated at their teams’ inability to match Spurs flowery passing and at being securely penned into their own half. This was further compounded when attacking threat Adam Johnson was hauled off for Patrick Vieira.
The change seemed to provide the hosts with a hub though and the ex-Arsenal man got the ball rolling on his side’s first attacking impetus of the half. However, the usually-deft Spaniard let Spurs off the hook and produced an air-shot when it looked as if he was going to roll it in comfortably.
City teased on the break again straight after and Silva’s cushioned header set Dzeko free, only for Michael Dawson to snuff out any chance of a clean run of goal.
In a last roll of the dice, Redknapp sent on Jermain Defoe, the weekend’s last-gasp equaliser hero against Blackpool, yet this failed to disrupt Manchester City, who seemed to have settled into their stride.
Talisman Tevez was given a short cameo ahead of the cup final and he almost helped to put the game beyond Spurs, when he slipped through fellow substitute Vieira, though Gallas excellently cleared the chipped effort off the goal-line.
By this time, the wind was well and truly taken out of the visitors’ sails and City saw out the win in consummate ease to finally provide Sheikh Mansour the place among Europe’s elite that he so badly desires.
The result will leave Spurs wondering – yet again – how they failed to get something from a game where they utterly dominated possession.


Nini/Goal

AC Milan win 2010-11 Serie A title

The Rossneri's draw with Roma this evening gives them an unassailable lead at the top of the league with two rounds still to play, assuring them of an 18th title

 

 

 AC Milan tonight clinched their 18th Serie A title by drawing 0-0 away to Roma. Despite not finding the net, Christian Abbiati and Alessandro Nesta helped to keep the capital side out and stretch the Rossoneri's lead at the top to nine points, putting chasing city rivals Inter out of reach.

Milan knew that a point would be enough to secure the Scudetto as Inter can only match their 78-point haul and have an inferior head-to-head record due to their pair of derby defeats to Massimiliano Allegri's side this season.

Milan have led the table since late-November without being overhauled, though their lead was cut to two points at the end of March before they embarked upon a six-match unbeaten run culminating in this evening's result.

The title is the Diavolo's first since 2004, when they finished 11 points ahead of tonight's opponents Roma under coach Carlo Ancelotti, and comes in Allegri's first season on the bench.

The San Siro club have now won eight Scudetti during the reign of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi as the club's president. Berlusconi recently celebrated 25 years at the helm of the club and has also won five European titles in his time in Via Turati.


NIni/Goal

Roma 0-0 AC Milan: Allegri's men end seven-year Scudetto drought at packed-out Olimpico

There were chances at both ends at Stadio Olimpico as Roma and AC Milan played out a 0-0 draw that saw the Lombardy side claim their 18th Scudetto.

 

Francesco Totti (R), Mark Van Bommel (M) - Roma-Milan - Serie A (Getty Images)

A solid defensive display saw AC Milan cross the finish line in the race for the Scudetto. The Rossoneri, who have led Serie A for almost the entire season, came close to beating Roma, with Robinho striking the post and Kevin-Prince Boateng shooting narrowly wide, but a point was enough to secure their title.
Mirko Vucinic almost spoilt the Milan party, missing a volleyed chance within the area after Marco Cassetti picked him out in acres of space at the far post after an opening quarter of an hour which saw Milan dominate possession, but lack any penetration.
Vucinic’s bad luck in front of goal continued as Alessandro Nesta, playing in his 400^th Serie A match, made an excellent intervention to cut out another Cassetti cross as the Montenegrin striker bore down on goal.
Towards the end of the first half, Roma continued to threaten to score more than their glory-chasing opponents. Fabio Simplicio played a great ball to Aleandro Rosi, on for the injured Matteo Brighi, who twisted and turned in the Milan penalty area before releasing a shot which Christian Abbiati got down well to save.
Abbiati did well to maintain the clean sheet that would see the Rossoneri crowned champions again on the stroke of half time, coming out to sharply deny Fabio Simplicio at the Brazil midfielder’s feet. It was the last action in a conservative first half that saw the hosts look the more likely to score, but Milan keep themselves in a position to finally wrap up the title.
Despite offering little in the first half, il Diavolo almost found themselves a goal up within a minute of the second. Robinho collected the ball on the edge of the area, stepped inside Cassetti before curling a shot past Doni, only to see his shot strike the post.
Less than a minute later, the visitors almost struck once more. Half time substitute Massimo Ambrosini’s leapt on to Clarence Seedorf’s set piece, only for his goal bound volley to hit a Roma body and go behind for a corner.
Their dominant start to the first half continued as Zlatan Ibrahimovic appeared to be brought down by Doni, but replays showed that the correct decision was made as the Brazilian ‘keeper got the slightest of touches on the ball before the Swede hit the turf.
Kevin-Prince Boateng almost put his side ahead as he latched onto Ambrosini’s chipped through ball, but the Ghana midfielder’s chipped finish drifted a matter of inches past the post. Milan continued to pressurise, with Ibrahimovic’s powerful free-kick forcing a superb reaction save from Doni, before Juan pounced on Seedorf’s rebound shot.
Towards the final part of the game, the chances dried up at both ends. Roma lacked any of their first-half cutting edge and the Rossoneri seemed content with a point that was enough to secure them a well deserved title, having led the title race since match-day 11. The draw sees Roma go into the fourth Champions League place, but their city-rivals Lazio will have a game in hand.



Nini/Goal

Liverpool reveal £20m losses in last year of Hicks & Gillett reign & describe it as 'a footnote in our history'

The accounts for the full final year of the reign of the Reds' former owners have been revealed, with the Anfield club having reported pre-tax losses of £20 million

 

Liverpool have revealed that the club sustained £20 million losses in the financial year between August 2009 and July 2010, during the reign of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The co-owners were widely disliked on Merseyside for false promises over a new stadium, while being blamed for the poor financial stability of the club prior to the takeover of Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

According to the Liverpool Echo, the interest payments rose from nearly £13m in 2009 to £17.7m a year later.

During the takeover, FSG repaid around £200m worth of debt accumulated by Hicks and Gillett, and are thought to have invested some money into the squad in addition to the £50m sale of Fernando Torres.

But before the FSG takeover, the accounts filed for the final full year of Hicks and Gillett's reign show that the revenue increased by £7m, and administration expenses - largely due to player contracts - increased by £20m.

And profits from player trading was £23m, which was likely due to the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

The accounts read: "During the year the company committed a further £2.9m to the planning, design and enabling works of its new stadium project, giving a total of £48.4m carried forward under the heading of assets in the course of construction.

"At the year end [July 31, 2010] the directors were confident at that time that a new stadium would be funded and completed and were fully committed to the project.

"Following the acquisition of the company subsequent to the year end, the new owners are currently evaluating the best course of action with regard to the stadium.

"Whilst this review process has not been completed at the date of signing the accounts, it is highly likely there will be a significant write off of the new stadium project costs in the financial year ending July 31 2011.

"The directors continue to monitor the useful economic life of the existing stadium, which they consider to be five years including the current year."

The club's managing director, Ian Ayre, called it a "footnote" in the club's history, and said that Liverpool are in an "excellent position" to move forward under FSG.

"This is a historical footnote in the history of the club," he said.

"As much as we were well aware of the difficulties surrounding these accounts, everyone in the world is now aware of what has been achieved since.

"That sets the club up in lots of different ways.

"It has the ability to reinvest in the team, there is less debt and we can now continue to support the growth of the club.

"We have also had significant commercial growth since these accounts were published.

"The club is now in an excellent position to move forward."


Nini/Goal

Bacary Sagna is very happy and will not be leaving Arsenal this summer - agent

Representative claims Frenchman enjoys playing for Arsene Wenger at the Emirates and is comfortable in London, downplaying talk of a move to Serie A or La Liga at end of the season

 

 Bacary Sagna is not looking for a move away from Arsenal in the summer, according to Christophe Mongai, the player’s agent.

Mongai has dismissed speculation linking the defender with transfer from the Emirates following a disappointing end to the campaign for Arsene Wenger’s side
There have been rumours linking Sagna with Roma, Juventus and several Spanish sides after starring for the Gunners at full-back since his arrival from Auxerre in 2007.
Mongai, however, insists his client is happy at Arsenal and in London and a move away would not interest the Frenchman, but did concede that nothing is set in stone.
He told calciomercatoweb.it: "Bacary is very, very happy in London and I think it is very unlikely he'll leave Arsenal in the next summer.
"In football nothing is impossible, but, again, it is really very complicated that the player could move.
"He is very well and has found an ideal dimension in London."
Sagna has played a pivotal part in the Arsenal side that currently lies third in the Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Manchester United last week, which confirmed their place in the Champions League for next season.

Nini/Goal

Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid 3 may 2011 score 1-1

Guardiola's side return to the final of the Champions League after his side secure a 3-1 aggregate win earning their place on the Wembley turf. 

 

Barcelona overcame Real Madrid in a match which restored some pride back into the Clasico genre as the Catalan Giants secured a 3-1 win on aggregate to take a place in their seventh Champions League final.
Pedro’s 54^th minute strike was cancelled out by Marcelo’s effort but los Blancos were unable to complete the task billed as “mission impossible” as Barcelona saw out the remainder of the game.
Gonzalo Higuain had put the ball in the net before Pedro’s opener but it was chalked off after Cristiano Ronaldo had supposedly fouled Javier Mascherano, bringing the Argentine to the ground allowing Barcelona to take the lead.
They did so in breathtaking fashion as Andreas Iniesta pierced Real Madrid’s defence with one clinical ball through and Pedro duly brought the ball under control before side-footing his shot pass Iker Casillas.
Real Madrid’s hopes of a 13^th Champions League final were reignited when Angel di Maria, having crashed his initial effort against the post, found Marcelo who levelled with a well-taken finish.
Barca will await to see who their fellow finalists will be as Manchester United and Schalke resume their tie tomorrow evening, with the English side taking a 2-0 lead into the second leg at Old Trafford.

NIni

William and Kate Kiss video

Royal wedding: what next for newly-weds Prince William and Kate?

Prince William and Kate Middleton will struggle to find the quiet life they crave following the grand splendour of the Royal wedding with a series of high profile events set to put them into the international spotlight once again. 

 

Pictures of the newly-weds are now an even greater prize than ever for the paparazzi Photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge turn the key in the door of their Anglesey cottage next week, it might all seem a bit quiet.

Gone will be the hundreds of thousands of people who roared with applause as they made their way back to Buckingham Palace in a carriage after the Royal wedding.

Gone too will be the two billion people who watched them exchange their vows and kisses on the Palace balcony.

Instead, they want a low-key life with Prince William on duty as a Flight Lieutenant Wales at RAF Valley, where he will continue to work as a search and rescue helicopter pilot until 2013, and his new bride an officer’s wife.

But it will not be that simple for the Prince and his wife, who until the wedding was known as Kate Middleton.

In fact, they will be seen together in a series of significant royal events in June and will then go on a nine-day tour of Canada.
They will be the main attractions at the Queen’s official birthday ceremony at the trooping the colour parade, Prince Philip’s 90th birthday celebrations and the Garter Day ceremony, all in June, and the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall in Edinburgh in July.
All four events will surely be of greater global interest with the added glamour of the newly-married couple.
The couple’s tour of Canada from June 30 to July 8 will be the showpiece public engagement this year. They will take part in Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, before visiting Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and the Arctic.
The trip is double the length of Prince William’s previous overseas trips, and with several engagements a day across a country that is increasingly ambivalent about its realm status, the couple will be under pressure to “perform”.
“The objective is for them to get to know the country and allow the country to get to know them a little,” says an aide.
“Of course it will be Catherine’s first overseas tour and she will learn a lot about the process, but nobody is expecting her to know the ropes after one overseas tour. That will come in time.”
The scale of the tour is in contrast to the “one or two” other engagements planned for the couple in the months ahead, with palace aides saying that the Duchess will not consider any solo appearances “for quite some time”.
“They are not going to disappear – they will be out and about doing things from time to time,” says an aide.
“But they want to establish themselves as a married couple with a private life first, then use the summer and the autumn to settle down in their new life and take decisions from then.
“Catherine will of course start thinking about what she wants to do with regards to taking on patronages and charities.
"The way the two Princes [William and Harry] have operated – picking organisations which they have a genuine interest in – is a good model for how we expect Catherine will want to operate.
“The couple recognise that the time will come in their lives later where they have to represent organisations from a vast cross-section of national life, but now they can concentrate on things they are passionately interested in, and in Catherine’s case that is supporting charities that try to help vulnerable people through things that she’s passionate about, like sports and arts.”
The aide added: “The couple won’t be pressured by anyone into becoming full-time working Royals before their time. They will do it as they want to do it, as they have always conducted their relationship.”
They will also be house hunting for a new London home over the summer, and will move out of Clarence House which they currently share with the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.
Either Buckingham Palace or Kensington Palace, the former residence of Diana, Princess of Wales, will become their new London base.
But however hard the Duke and Duchess attempt to lead a low-profile life away from their official engagements, their marriage presents a challenge: pictures of them are now an even greater prize than ever for the paparazzi.
Those which might not be published in the UK will still be hugely valuable in sales around the world – even if they are simply of the royals browsing the shelves of the Anglesey branch of Waitrose or popping into their local pub for dinner on the back of Prince William’s Ducati motorbike.
Heavy-duty security may help. North Wales Police already supplies a unit of 15 armed officers to protect the couple, in addition to their team of Scotland Yard Royal protection officers.
In recent months, the Royal family has informed media organisations that they will take a much tougher line on future intrusions of privacy.
Prince William has said he will take a “zero tolerance” approach towards over zealous reporters and photographers, letting it be known that he will consider civil or even criminal action, depending on the nature of any intrusion.
The key, aides believe, is in living a “low-key” life – a phrase which is the key to the plans for their future.
“Ultimately the couple are very good at keeping control of their own lives,” says an aide. “The remoteness of where they live and how they conduct their lives in Anglesey and how they conduct their private lives amongst their friends, has always meant that under intense pressure, they retain a great degree of privacy.
“We recognise the paparazzi may be a problem, but just because they are now married and one of the most high-profile couples in the world, Prince William feels that he and Catherine have a right to privacy when they are going about every day lives, and he will not tolerate any form of pursuit or harassment.”

 

Qadhafi encouraging mass rape: U.S. official

A top United States official has alleged that Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qadhafi supplied Viagra, a drug to treat sexual impotence, to his forces to encourage them to commit mass rape.

Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, reportedly brought up the Viagra issue “during a discussion about whether there is moral equivalence between the Qadhafi forces and the rebels”.

Media reports said her statements were based on claims by the Al Jazeera news channel last month that “Libya-based doctors... had found Viagra in the pockets of pro-Qadhafi soldiers”.

The Guardian quoted an unnamed diplomat as saying “I was in the room when she mentioned Viagra... She listed human rights abuses by Gaddafi's forces, including snipers shooting children in the street and the Viagra story.” The report added that Ms. Rice was “trying to persuade doubters that Libya was not just a civil war and that Qadhafi was encouraging human rights abuses.”

Diplomatic sources reportedly said that no one else present at the meeting responded to the allegation and it “did not cause a stir.”

However contradicting Ms. Rice, NBC News carried comments by U.S. military and intelligence officials to the effect that there was no evidence that Colonel Qadhafi's forces were being supplied Viagra and engaging in systematic rape in rebel areas.

According to media reports, “The officials added that although rape has been used as a weapon in many other African conflicts, they have not seen reports of that coming from Libya.”

Apart from the political angle, Ms. Rice's claim also begs the medical question of what effects the drug has on the human body. Speaking to The Hindu a doctor said, “Viagra does not affect libido, it only acts locally. Further it has a limited period of action.”

She added that the link between Viagra and sexual drive was “very weak,” and concurred that it would only result in mass rape in this case if the soldiers were anyway intent on committing rape and at the same time suffering from problems relating to sexual impotence.

nini/thehindu

U.S. thumps Austria at Worlds

KOSICE, SLOVAKIA  - Blake Wheeler of the Atlanta Thrashers was one of five different goal-scorers, as the United States opened Group C play at the 2011 World Ice Hockey Championship with a resounding 5-1 victory over Austria.
St. Louis defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and New York Rangers prospect Chris Kreider also scored the Americans, who got a 12-save performance from Al Montoya of the New York Islanders. Rangers rookie forward Derek Stepan collected two assists in the win.
Marco Pewal supplied the lone tally for Austria, while Jurgen Penker stopped 27 shots in defeat.
Also Saturday, Finland bested Denmark, 5-1, in their Group D opener.
Juhamatti Aaltonen registered a goal and an assist, while Petri Vehanen needed to make just eight saves for Finland.
Frederik Andersen turned aside 39-of-44 shots in the loss for Denmark.


nini/torontosun

US, Taiwan cement ties over nuclear safety

Taiwan will sign a letter of intent with the United States over U.S support during a nuclear emergency, said Atomic Energy Council (AEC) Deputy Minister Shieh Der-jhy (謝得志).

The document will be signed by Taiwan's AEC and America's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to confirm U.S assistance in the case of a nuclear emergency.
The U.S will dispatch experts and send special equipment to help the country in case of nuclear disasters, said Shieh.
In addition to crisis aid, the U.S will also provide training on nuclear power management and disaster prevention to Taiwan personnel from time to time.
The signing of the letter of intent has nothing to do with any commercial interests, as no new order is placed with American General Electric Co. for nuclear equipment or service purchase, added Shieh.
Shieh will head for the U.S today with a group of AEC officials for routine meetings on nuclear safety. He will visit several NNSA laboratories and discuss nuclear safety issues with his American counterparts during his stay.
As part of American efforts to boost global nuclear safety, Andrew W. Reynolds, a technology adviser to the U.S Secretary of State, visited nuclear power plant No. 1 on Friday.
The U.S is one of the major exporters of nuclear technology. The Obama administration has sent dozens of nuclear experts, tons of equipment and several robots to help Japan in its struggle to contain the radiation from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.
The serious radioactive leakage in Japan has prompted Taiwan's government to take action to strengthen national nuclear safety, including reviewing the safety of domestic nuclear power plants.
Nuclear security will be discussed in the next round of cross-strait talks, President Ma Ying-jeou said in early April. In addition, a cross-strait nuclear safety mechanism will be built with measures for both sides to communicate on nuclear power safety information, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.


nini/chinapost