April Sumatra quakes signal Indian ocean plate break-up

Scientists give the assessment in this week's Nature journal.

They say their analysis of the tremors - the biggest was a magnitude 8.7 - suggests major changes are taking place on the ocean floor that will eventually split the Indo-Australian plate in two.

It is not something that will happen soon; it could take millions of years.

"This is a process that probably started eight to 10 million years ago, so you can imagine how much longer it will take until we get a classic boundary," said Matthias Delescluse from the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris.

Dr Delescluse is an author on one of three scholarly papers in Nature discussing the 11 April quakes.

Sumatra sits above the collision between the Indo-Australian plate and the Sunda plate.

These vast segments of the Earth's rigid outer shell are converging on each other at a rate of about 5-10cm/yr.

The elongated Indo-Australian, which comprises much of the Indian Ocean floor, dives under the Sunda, which carries the Indonesian island.

It is friction at their boundary - the sticking and unsticking, and the sudden release of stored energy - that is at the root of so many violent quakes, such as the magnitude 9.1 event on 26 December 2004 that set off a catastrophic tsunami.continue reading

Sudan and South Sudan agree oil deal, spokesmen say

The leaders of the two neighbouring countries made the partial breakthrough after four days of talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

But a number of key issues remain unresolved, including disputed regions.
The two countries were pushed to the brink of war earlier this year.

After fighting over oil facilities and disputed land broke out, the United Nations threatened both sides with sanctions if they did not reach a comprehensive agreement.

Limited agreement African Union mediators have yet to confirm that an agreement has been made, but President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and President Salva Kiir of South Sudan are expected to sign a deal on Thursday morning.

Few details were released, but negotiators for both sides said that a demilitarised border buffer zone between the two countries had been agreed.

They also said that an economic agreement had been reached to allow South Sudan's stalled oil production to be restarted.

But a solution was not found to the disputed flashpoint region of Abyei, or on a series of border zones claimed by both countries.continue reading

Clinton says US will ease import ban on Burma goods

Mrs Clinton announced the move during talks with Burmese President Thein Sein at the United Nations General Assembly

She said the move - the latest in a series - recognised "continued progress toward reform" in Burma.
Earlier, the speaker of Burma's parliament told the BBC that his country's reforms were "irreversible".
Shwe Mann, a powerful figure who recently had US sanctions against him lifted, said the government intends to establish a multi-party democratic system and market economy.

Then Sein - the former top general who now leads a nominally civilian government following elections in November 2010 - is due to speak at the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

Under his administration many political prisoners have been freed and censorship eased. The Aung San Suu Kyi-led opposition is now part of the political process and holds a small number of seats in parliament.

"In recognition of the continued progress toward reform and in response to requests from both the government and the opposition, the United States is taking the next step in normalising our commercial relationship," Mrs Clinton told the Burmese president. 

She said she hoped the move would give Burmese people more opportunities to sell to the US market.
Thein Sein said he appreciated the move - which is the latest in a series of such steps since the process of reform in Burma got under way. The US lifted a ban on investment in Burma in June.

Both the president and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are currently in the US.
Earlier this month, Ms Suu Kyi - who spent years under house arrest - received a top honour, the Congressional Gold Medal. She had also called for the sanctions to be eased.

In Burma's commercial capital Rangoon, a spokesman for her National League for Democracy party welcomed the move, saying it would be "good in the long term".

Mrs Clinton said consultation on additional steps would continue. Thein Sein still faces opposition within Burma's military to political reform, observers say.

But Shwe Mann, the Burmese speaker, described a good working relationship with Ms Suu Kyi.
Speaking to the BBC in Singapore, he said: "She is not my enemy, and I am sure I am not hers. She has good qualities and she loves her country. We share the same ambition - to serve the nation and people." continue reading

Verdict in John Terry FA hearing expected on Thursday

John Terry will return to Wembley on Thursday for the fourth day of his disciplinary hearing, with a verdict expected by the end of the day. 

The Chelsea captain is accused of using racist language towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand last October.

Reports suggest Terry's lawyers want the FA charge against the former England captain dismissed because he was found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July. 

Two weeks after being cleared, the FA charged Terry with using "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour" towards Ferdinand during October's Premier League game at Loftus Road.
Capello resigned as England manager after Terry was removed as captain without his agreement.
Centre-back Terry, 31, played in Chelsea's League Cup win over Wolves on Tuesday continue reading

Brendan Rodgers has faith in Liverpool youngsters

Striker Sinclair, aged 16 years and six days, came on in Liverpool's Capital One Cup 2-1 win over West Brom.

"For me it's about talent, irrespective of age," said Rodgers.

"It's congratulations to Jerome Sinclair. Our future is bright with the young players. The style and definition of our game is improving all the time."

Defender Jack Robinson was Liverpool's previous youngest player when he played against Hull in the final game of the 2009-10 season at 16 years 250 days.

He was also in the Liverpool side that won at The Hawthorns, along with fellow teenagers Andre Wisdom and Samed Yesil.

Suso, 18, made his third appearance in a week as he came on with Sinclair, while 17-year-old Raheem Sterling, who has become a first-team regular was left on the bench.

Sinclair was signed from West Brom and played for Liverpool's Under-18s last season.
He scored eight times in pre-season for the U-18 side and scored twice in their four games so far in this campaign.

"It was fantastic to see so many babies on the pitch. It was great," said Rodgers, whose side went behind to a Gabriel Tamas goal before Nuri Sahin scored twice to secure the win.

"We have seen their confidence but, importantly, we have seen their character.

"If they have got talent and personality as well as the confidence and bravery to play football for me it doesn't matter how old they are.Continue Reading

Sir Alex Ferguson happy with Wayne Rooney return

Anderson and Tom Cleverley scored in the 2-1 win as Rooney returned following a thigh injury last month.
It was also Fletcher's first start in 10 months after a bowel condition.

"Darren Fletcher has had a great 90 minutes and Wayne Rooney had a terrific performance, he tired understandably, but I'm really pleased," said Ferguson.

"We played really good football and interchanged throughout the match. Okay, we didn't have the width we normally have but that was the plan: to play with a tight midfield and they have all done well." 

Rooney, who showed some neat passing and completed 76 minutes before being replaced by Nick Powell, said the workout was a step in the right direction.

The performance was only his second start of the season after playing against Everton in Manchester United's opening Premier League game before being dropped to the bench against Fulham.

The 26-year-old said: "It's been just over four weeks since I last played and I'm delighted to be back out on the pitch.

"I feel good, obviously it's always difficult in your first game back after a few weeks but it's great to get the minutes under my belt and hopefully that can benefit me."

Ferguson, whose side now face Chelsea in the fourth round, was also content with the performance of an inexperienced defence which had just two previous senior appearances between them.

Centre-back Scott Wooton and right-back Marnick Vermijl both made their debuts and were joined by Michael Keane and Alex Buttner in an inexperienced Manchester United defence.

"Tonight we won with a good bit of style, they've enjoyed it and the players did well," Ferguson added. Continue Reading 

Theo Walcott must be patient over striker role - Arsene Wenger

The 23-year-old, who scored twice in the 6-1 League Cup win over Coventry, has indicated his future may rest on whether he plays in a striking role.

"His time will come for that and at the moment we have to be a bit patient," said Wenger.
Walcott is in the final year of his contract and rejected a new five-year deal worth £75,000 a week in August.

Wenger admitted he wanted the England international to stay at the club and that talks are ongoing with the player. 

"We want him to stay, I always said exactly the same," said Wenger. "We are all professional and I always said that lets hope we can extend his deal and that is part of every professional situation.

"I speak to Theo of course, we are always in touch with them [his agent] and you have to give us some time to try and sort that out.

Wenger, who employed Walcott in a wide role against League One side Coventry on Wednesday, said he was open to the idea of playing Walcott as a striker after seeing him score twice in the second half at the Emirates Stadium.

"I'm not against it [playing Walcott as a striker], I'm not against it at all but we try and at the moment there is big competition up front, we have a different formula and the team is doing well," said the Frenchman.
"He is a great finisher now, in front of goal he is really absolutely amazing."

On Monday, Walcott told BBC Sport about his desire to play as a striker.
"Playing up front is important. It's one of the main factors for me," said Walcott, who signed for £12.5m from Southampton in 2006.

Elizabeth Warren 'mocked with Native American gestures'

The men recorded apparently making "tomahawk chops" and war whoops at a campaign event were Republican aides, according to the Democratic Party.

They are said to have been mocking candidate Elizabeth Warren, who claims Native American ancestry.
Republican incumbent Scott Brown said he would not condone such behaviour.

Meanwhile, Ms Warren, a Democrat, faces problems of her own, amid questions about her legal work in support of an industrial conglomerate.

The Massachusetts race is among the most closely watched in the upcoming US election. Mr Brown won a special election in 2010, making him the first Republican in the liberal state's seat in nearly four decades.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party said the two men in the clip, filmed in Dorchester, were an aide to Sen Brown and an employee of the state Republican Party.

"The behaviour of his staff is completely inappropriate," a Democratic spokesman said.

Sen Brown told the Boston Globe newspaper "certainly that's not something I condone", while repeating the allegation that his challenger had claimed Native American heritage to further her career. read more

IMF's Christine Lagarde says Argentina faces 'red card'

Ms Lagarde gave Argentina until 17 December to address the problem.

The IMF head said the fund had given Argentina a "yellow card" but it could face a red.

Private economists say annual inflation in Argentina is at 24%, much higher than the official 10% figure.
"We had to choose between the yellow card and the red card. We chose the yellow card. If no progress has been made, then the red card will be out," she said.

Speaking in Washington, Ms Lagarde said Argentina had been given three months to provide reliable estimates on growth and inflation.

'Free country' Analysts in Buenos Aires say the IMF has been adopting tougher language towards the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

The IMF and Argentina have been at odds over the figures since last year.
Private sector economists say the government has ignored the growing pace of inflation.

 

 

Last year, the authorities introduced measures restricting the purchase of US dollars.

Mexican New Jerusalem sect children return to school

Children from the New Jerusalem sect in Mexico's western Michoacan state have returned to school after clashes between members of the community.

Some community leaders objected on religious grounds to the secular education provided by the state.

They clashed with other parents, burned down the local state school and locked the gates of the community.
The stand-off delayed the beginning of term by a month, affecting some 250 children.

On the first day of classes on Monday, 125 children turned up, local authorities said.

The classes are taking place in nine pre-fabricated class rooms, taken to the nearby town of La Injertada to temporarily replace the burnt-out school building.

Police officers were deployed on the road between the New Jerusalem community and the school.
Reading reading

Judge orders arrest of Brazil Google president

Authorities say the videos are slanderous towards a candidate running in a city's election for mayor.
The judge ordered the removal of the videos last week, but Google has refused to remove them and says it is appealing.

It says it is not responsible for the content posted on its site.
According to Brazilian media, the videos in question suggest Alcides Bernal - a mayoral candidate in the city of Campo Grande - is guilty of committing crimes.

Judge Flavio Peren, who sits at a regional electoral court in Mato Grosso do Sul state, ruled the videos violated local election laws.

But his order for the videos to be removed was ignored and on Monday he ordered the arrest of Mr Coelho.

For its part, Google says it is appealing against the ruling, according to a company spokesman quoted by Reuters news agency.

It has previously argued that the internet should be a space for voters freely to express their opinions about candidates for political office. continue reading main story

Turkey blast 'kills seven' in Tunceli

The blast targeted a vehicle carrying security forces.
The city is near the country's Kurdish area and suspicion will automatically fall upon Kurdish rebel group the PKK, says the BBC's Istanbul correspondent James Reynolds.

Fighting between Turkish troops and the PKK - the Kurdistan Workers' Party - has escalated in recent months.

Six members of the security forces and one civilian died in the attack in the Ataturk neighbourhood, said local media and hospital sources.

Turkish TV stations showed pictures of workers trying to put out fires in two burnt-out vehicles.
Reports said a vehicle carrying explosives was remotely detonated as an armoured vehicle carrying security forces passed by, sending a huge plume of dark smoke over the city.

Some reports said a civilian vehicle was also damaged in the explosion.

One report, in Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News, said security forces arriving on the scene clashed with suspected PKK militants, with one militant killed.

No-one has yet said they carried out the attack, but Kurdish rebels are active in the city, which is the capital of the province of Tunceli.
Continue reading the main story

Spain police fire rubber bullets at Madrid protest

The clashes broke out as protesters tried to tear down barriers blocking access to the parliament in Madrid.
Spanish media reported that at least 20 people had been arrested and more than a dozen injured.

The protesters dispersed after MPs left the building.
The "Occupy Congress" protest came as the government prepares to unveil further austerity measures on Thursday.

It is attempting to shrink its budget deficit, with the country in its second recession in three years and unemployment near 25%.

The government will unveil the draft budget for 2013 on Thursday and is expected to present new cost-saving reforms to reassure lenders about the state of the country's public finances.

Emergency funds The demonstrators - known as Indignants - say "Occupy Congress" is a protest against the kidnapping of democracy.

Thousands of people massed in Plaza de Neptuno square in central Madrid for the march on parliament.
But their route towards the parliament building's main entrance was blocked off by metal railings, police vans and hundreds of Spanish riot police.

The Coordinadora #25S manifesto reads: "Democracy has been kidnapped. On 25 September we are going to save it."

Pablo Mendez, an activist from the 15M Indignants movement, told the Associated Press: "This is just a powerful signal that we are sending to politicians to let them know that the Spanish bailout is suicide and we don't agree with it, and we will try to prevent it happening."

Another demonstrator, Montse Puigdavall, said: "I'm here because of the situation we are living in now, because of all the social cuts and rights that we have lost, that took a lot of hard work to achieve.
"So we are here because we're determined not to lose them."

Under Spanish law, people who lead demonstrations outside parliament that disrupt its business while it is in session may be jailed for up to one year, AFP says.

Clashes have broken out at previous rallies and marches against the cuts and at least 1,300 police were said to be on duty at the Congress building.
Continue reading the main story

Kenya MP Ferdinand Waititu accused of 'hate speech'

The order comes after parts of a speech made by MP Ferdinand Waititu were posted on YouTube.
He was reacting to the killing of a street child, allegedly by a Maasai security guard, for stealing a chicken in Nairobi's Kayole suburb.

There are fears politicians may whip up ethnic tensions ahead of March's polls.
In order to prevent a repeat of the deadly violence which followed the 2007 election, the constitution passed two years ago says that any minister charged with an offence must stand down and cannot seek re-election unless acquitted.

Earlier this month, another Kenyan politician was charged with inciting violence that recently claimed more than 100 lives in the south-eastern Tana River area.
'Encourages impunity'
 
Correspondents say Mr Waititu is a fiery politician and has been arrested by police before - for protesting against the demolition of shanty houses in his constituency, but has never been charged.
It is reported that up to three people died in the trouble in Kayole on Monday. continue Reading

South Africa's Julius Malema in Limpopo court

He is accused of abusing his former position as head of the ruling African National Congress' Youth League.
Mr Malema's supporters say the charges are politically motivated, as he has been a vocal opponent of President Jacob Zuma.
Police have closed roads and increased security around the court in Polokwane, capital of his home state Limpopo.
Fiery rhetoric Julius Malema and his business associates are accused of profiting from government contracts in Limpopo, an accusation which he strongly denies.
The 31-year-old politician is also the subject of a separate tax investigation.

He is well-known in South Africa for his fiery populist rhetoric and lavish lifestyle, describing himself as an economic freedom fighter.

Mr Malema was thrown out of the ANC in April, accused of sowing divisions in the party.
He is a fierce critic of his former ally, Jacob Zuma, recently attacking the president over his handling of the Marikana miners' strikes.
Continue reading the main story

Who is Julius Malema?

• Born 3 March 1981 in Limpopo province
• Mother was domestic worker and single parent
• Joined ANC aged nine and elected leader of its youth wing in April 2008
• Convicted of hate speech in March 2010 and September 2011
• Expelled from ANC in April 2012 for sowing divisions in party
• Toured mines following the shooting of 34 miners in Marikana by police in August 2012, urging workers to make the sector "ungovernable"

Kenyan schools re-open after teacher-strike deal

The government had threatened to sack them all last Friday when they rejected a pay rise offer of nearly 4%.
But a deal was signed over the weekend which sees the lowest paid teacher's salary rise by 40% to about $230 (£140) a month and the highest paid to about $1,700 - an increase of 20%.
Kenya's public sector has been hit by a wave of strikes this month.
Doctors are still taking industrial action, and public hospitals are only taking emergency cases.
Universities opened on Monday after lecturers agreed a salary deal on Friday.
The BBC's Noel Mwakugu in the capital, Nairobi, says the rising cost of living and the selective approach the government has taken to award pay hikes to its workers has largely contributed to the strikes.
The 200,000 teachers had been demanding a wage increase of between 100% and 300%. Continue Reading main story

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams' successor chosen

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) will begin a three day meeting on Wednesday to select the best man for the top job in the Church of England.

Dr Williams, 61, was appointed the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002.
The decision comes as a BBC poll shows general approval of his leadership.
Share the burden
 
The selection also brings to an end a period of intense lobbying by Anglicans who believe the new archbishop will be taking over a critical time in the Church's history.

No decision has been made on whether women should be able to be ordained as bishops in the Church of the England, so the new Archbishop will be a man.

Contenders for the post include the Bishop of London Richard Chartres, the Bishop of Coventry Christopher Cocksworth, the Bishop of Norwich Graham James, the Bishop of Durham Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu - the second most senior bishop in the Church.

Others already elected by the House of Bishops to sit on the CNC - effectively removing themselves from the running - include the Bishop of Carlisle, the Right Reverend James Newcome and the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Reverend Michael Perham.

The meeting comes on a day an opinion poll done for BBC Local Radio by the pollsters ComRes - who questioned 2,500 people in England - shows most people think Dr Williams has been a good leader.
But a quarter said he has not kept the church relevant in modern Britain.
Continue reading the main story

Pakistan floods: Tens of thousands made homeless

About 120,000 homes have been destroyed and tens of thousands of tents are now being distributed.
Officials in Balochistan say that about 80% of the population is now affected.

However, correspondents say the floods are not on the same scale as those two years ago which devastated large parts of the country.

In Balochistan, the government has set up medical posts to treat gastric problems, malaria and other illnesses among 500,000 people who have been made homeless.

One meal a day A BBC reporter who has been travelling through the province and in Sindh says that many people are now living in the open without shelter on whatever patch of dry ground they can find.

Officials say that food, tents and medicine are in short supply.
Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province in size but ranks lowest in terms of infrastructure and services.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi says that it is also a staging ground for militant activities - the kidnapping threat makes it almost impossible for aid agencies to operate effectively.

Our correspondent says that food supplies are so low in Balochistan that many people are surviving on one meal a day.

The army has been called in to help with the rescue operation even though it wants to pull out of a province used as a sanctuary by Taliban militants from fighting in neighbouring Afghanistan. Read main story

'Severe' mood as Japan-China ministers meet over islands

The meeting came of the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Japanese minister described the atmosphere as severe, Kyodo News agency said, while his Chinese opposite number restated Beijing's sovereignty over the islands, Xinhua news agency said.

The islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are controlled by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan.

Tension in the region has been high since Japan's purchase of the islands from their private Japanese owner.
Both Chinese and Taiwanese fishing and surveillance vessels have sailed in and out of waters around the islands - which lie in the East China Sea - in recent days.

On Tuesday, Japanese and Taiwanese ships sprayed water at each other after a Taiwanese flotilla briefly entered what Japan says are its territorial waters. 

A Japanese foreign ministry official warned that the presence of such vessels risked a "miscalculation" or "accident", the Associated Press news agency reported.

'Gross violation' The meeting between Japan's Koichiro Gemba and China's Yang Jiechi took place late on Tuesday.
Mr Yang "reiterated China's solemn position" on the islands, Xinhua said, calling the Japanese government's purchase "a gross violation of China's territorial integrity and sovereignty".

Mr Gemba urged China to exercise restraint and described the mood as "severe", Kyodo news agency reported.

The row over ownership of the islands has been rumbling for years and has flared sporadically. This time, it has led to anti-Japanese protests in several Chinese cities and a warning from China that economic ties could be affected.

A number of Japanese companies were forced to briefly halt operations earlier this month because of protests.
Continue reading the main story

Greece set for anti-austerity general strike

Wednesday's 24-hour walkout is to protest at new planned spending cuts of more than 11.5bn euros ($15bn; £9bn).

The savings are a pre-condition to Greece receiving its next tranche of bailout funds, without which the country could face bankruptcy in weeks.

Large anti-austerity demonstrations are also planned.

Greece needs the next 31bn-euro instalment of its international bailout, but with record unemployment and a third of Greeks pushed below the poverty line there is strong resistance to further cuts.

The government of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is also proposing to slash pensions and raise the retirement age to 67.

Fears of violence Workers from a diverse range of sectors are taking part in the strike, from doctors to air traffic controllers.
It was called by the country's two biggest unions, which between them represent half the workforce.

A survey conducted by the MRB polling agency last week found that more than 90% of Greeks believed the planned cuts were unfair and a burden on the poor.

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says that, with demonstrations planned, many people fear a repeat of the violence that has hit the streets in previous protests.

Thousands of police have been deployed in the centre of Athens to prevent a flare-up.
Greece is currently trying to qualify for the next instalment of its 130bn-euro bailout, which is backed by the IMF and the other 16 euro nations.

The country was given a 110bn-euro package in May 2010 and a further 130bn euros in October 2011, but correspondents say its neighbours are reluctant to stump up more money.
Greece needs the next tranche of its bailout to make repayments on its debt burden. A default could result in the country leaving the euro. continue reading

Obama's UN General Assembly speech condemns extremism

Mr Obama said it was the obligation of all leaders to speak out forcefully against violence and extremism, as he framed his speech with references to the US ambassador murdered in Libya.

Unrest across the Middle East is set to dominate discussion at the summit.

Mr Obama also again stressed the US would not allow Iran nuclear weapons.

He said the US would "do what we must" to stop Tehran acquiring nuclear arms. Six weeks before the US election, the president said a nuclear-armed Iran was "not a challenge that can be contained".
'Marginalise hatred'

Iran's nuclear programme and the 18-month conflict in Syria have featured strongly in Tuesday's speeches at the Assembly, as have the recent protests across the Muslim world in response to a US-made video mocking the Prophet Muhammad.

The US president condemned the violence that erupted over the "disgusting" anti-Islam video as "an attack on UN ideals".

Referring to the US envoy who was killed in Benghazi on 11 September during protests sparked by the video, Mr Obama challenged the UN to affirm that "our future will be determined by people like Christopher Stevens, and not by his killers".

"It is time to marginalise those who - even when not resorting to violence - use hatred of America, or the West, or Israel as a central principle of politics," said Mr Obama.

"That brand of politics only makes it harder to achieve what we must do together: educating our children and creating the opportunities they deserve; protecting human rights and extending democracy's promise." Continue reading

Roberto Mancini angered by touchline spat with Lambert

Mancini clashed with Lambert during City's 4-2 Capital One Cup defeat.
"I am tired with these managers," said Mancini. "I didn't say nothing to him [Lambert]. There are some managers it is better to shut up.
"I asked only the fourth official if there was a yellow card, without moving my hands, and he comes over to me."

Mancini was upset by a tackle from Villa's Joe Bennett on City midfielder Gareth Barry, which led to his confrontation with Lambert. 

"I didn't speak with him," said Mancini. "I asked the fourth official if it was a yellow card because I thought the referee had forgotten his yellow cards in the dressing room.

"I don't know what is the reason. I can understand if I was talking to him but I didn't say nothing."
The Italian has had previous run-ins with Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson, who accused Mancini of "haranguing the officials" during a Manchester derby.

City's boss has also been involved in spats with Everton coach David Moyes and Fulham manager Mark Hughes.

"I am very tired with their behaviour," added Mancini. "Sometimes these managers go to the big stadiums and the other manager says everything and they say nothing.

"When they go to [Old] Trafford, they say nothing. When other managers talk about the referee they always sit on the bench.

"I don't like this type of behaviour."
Lambert refused to get drawn into a slanging match with Mancini as he shrugged off the comments.

"If that's what he said then fine," said the Scot. "I respect him as a manager and an ex-player.

"It wasn't really a spat. It was nothing."

City twice led through goals by Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov against Villa, who equalised each time through a Barry own goal and Gabriel Agbonlahor strike.

Charles N'Zogbia and Agbonlahor then scored in extra time to leave Premier League champions City without a win in four games.

"We don't play well and this is my fault because I am the manager," said Mancini. "Now I shall find the solution quickly as we have important games
.
"We can improve. We can get out of this situation by hard work."

He added: "Our problem is that we don't play very well and our play is too slow.

"It is the fourth [most important] competition clearly but we are disappointed because it is the only trophy I have not won."

Nemanja Vidic: Manchester United defender has knee surgery

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out for eight weeks following a knee operation.

Vidic missed Sunday's Premier League win at Liverpool after complaining of tightness in his right knee.
However, further tests revealed the problem to be more severe than initially expected and the centre-back was forced to undergo surgery.

The 30-year-old Serb missed the final five months of last season with a ruptured cruciate knee ligament.

"Nemanja Vidic has had a meniscus operation on his right knee and will be out for around eight weeks," read a club statement. 
 
"Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson rested Vidic as a precautionary measure at the weekend after he complained of tightness in his knee. However, further medical investigation revealed the underlying problem.

"The central defender was operated on this week and will be sidelined for about eight weeks."
It is the latest defensive blow for United, who have suffered injuries to fellow centre-backs Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Smalling was sidelined for 10 weeks in July with a broken metatarsal and Jones for eight weeks in early September with a knee complaint.

Vidic joined United from Spartak Moscow in 2006 and has scored 17 goals in 246 appearances for the Old Trafford club.

John Terry's FA disciplinary hearing goes into third day

The Chelsea captain, 31, is facing an independent hearing into the incident which occurred in October 2011.

 Terry attended the hearing on Tuesday before leaving early to lead Chelsea in their Capital One cup win over Wolves .

 Blues defender Ashley Cole is expected to give evidence to the hearing on Wednesday.

 Chelsea assistant manager Eddie Newton said Terry had been eager to lead the side against Wolves, even though a final decision on his selection was only made on Tuesday afternoon.

“John has been very positive and wanted to play and do what he does for the team” Eddie Newton Chelsea assistant manager "We wanted John to start," Newton said. "Obviously, with everything happening with the FA, we had to see how it panned out.

 "We had a phone call (saying) he was making his way back from the FA nice and early, so it wasn't last minute. "We'd covered all the bases, all the scenarios, and the best one happened. We've been talking to John and seeing what his mindset is.

 "He's been very positive and wanted to play and do what he does for the team." Meanwhile, former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins has said he is prepared to go to the FA hearing to support the player. He said: "I gave evidence on his behalf at the magistrates' court and I would do so again at the FA hearing, if they wish me to.

" This hearing is different to the court case earlier this summer which was open to the media, with all witnesses and proceedings known in advance.

 "This one is not so transparent," explained BBC Sport's Richard Conway. "Perhaps the reason for this is keeping things confidential in terms of the FA procedures but we're not entirely sure where things are and whether the defence has finished their case. "But the expectation is that the hearing should have ended by the end of the week and we may have a verdict shortly after that."
  

Arsene Wenger backs 'unhappy' Andrey Arshavin

The Russia international, 31, has made just one substitute appearance this season but could start in the Capital One Cup match at Emirates Stadium.

"He's unhappy he doesn't play because he deeply loves football and practises with 100% commitment," said

"I'm happy to give him some competition on Wednesday night." 

Arshavin joined Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg in February 2009 and has scored 30 goals in 137 games for the club.

He enjoyed a spectacular start to life in England, scoring all of his side's goals in their 4-4 draw at Liverpool that season.

Arshavin netted 22 times over the next two campaigns, but only twice in 2011-12 before being loaned back to Zenit in February.

He returned to Arsenal in the summer and came on after 77 minutes of their 0-0 draw with Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

"I have personally a great respect for Andrey because sometimes some wrong ideas circulated about him - that he doesn't care, but it's completely the opposite," explained Wenger.

"He's a 200% professional who works very hard every day in training. At the moment he's a victim of the high level of competition that exists for places.

"I think he has huge respect from everybody in the dressing room, and especially from the staff."
The Frenchman said left-back Andre Santos is another experienced player who will be involved against League One strugglers Coventry in the third-round clash.

Youngsters Hector Bellerin, Kris Olsson, Serge Gnabry, Nico Yennaris, Craig Eastmond and Ignasi Miquel are also expected to play a part.

"Serge Gnabry is a great hope for the future," Wenger added. "He has had some injuries [but] if he continues his development, I think he could play in the first team this season.

"He is in the category of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott - guys who have great power, great pace and good dribbling skills. [He has] goal-scoring potential and good vision as well for the final ball."

Arsenal secured their first victory of the season in impressive style at Anfield as they won comfortably against a desperately poor Liverpool.

Arsene Wenger's summer signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored their first goals for the club either side of the interval to leave new manager Brendan Rodgers presiding over Liverpool's worst start since 1962-63.

Arsenal had the game's outstanding performers in Cazorla and Abou Diaby and a third successive clean sheet will also have delighted Wenger and his new right-hand man Steve Bould.
The difficulties are mounting swiftly for Rodgers. He has to deal with a shortage of attacking resources after Liverpool failed to replace Andy Carroll following his loan move to West Ham United.

 

Rodgers seeks 'technical' improvement

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
And to make matters worse, the decline of goalkeeper Pepe Reina continues as he was again badly at fault for Cazorla's second goal that settled the destiny of the points.

That followed his mistake that allowed David Templeton's shot to go through him against Hearts in the Europa League on Thursday.

These are crucial early days for Rodgers and their next league test is a difficult trip to Sunderland.
Raheem Sterling, just 17, offered moments of hope for Liverpool but they were few and far between as more experienced and illustrious team-mates failed to exert any influence over affairs.

Arsenal were dominant in all areas, with Diaby ruling midfield and Cazorla proving what a bargain he is after a £15m move from Malaga.

For two managers who pride themselves on the passing game, Rodgers and Wenger will have been aghast at the number of careless passes and errors that littered an undistinguished first period.

And it was from one such moment of careless, with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard the culprit, that Arsenal took the lead after 31 minutes.

Gerrard conceded possession as he tried to find Luis Suarez, allowing Cazorla to surge forward and play in Podolski for a clinical finish that the German striker took with great expertise.Continue reading

You can doubt other athletes all you want. They will fail, if only occasionally. They will bend to the laws of physics and physiology.

The same rules do not apply to Usain Bolt.
In retaining his Olympic 100m title in 9.63 seconds despite being, by his own admission, only 95% fit and after a season in which he has been beaten, injured and questioned like never before, the 25-year-old Jamaican reminded the watching world of something we were in danger of forgetting: he is not like the rest of us.

Bolt beats Blake to win 100m gold

Bolt does not just make the impossible real; he can make it almost mundane.
His time of 9.69 seconds in the 2008 Olympic final once blew minds and reset parameters seemingly forever. Now that time is relegated to the footnotes, a metre down on his London calling card and more than 0.1 secs off his wondrous world best.
Sunday night's unequivocal excellence, however, was not about the numbers. Bolt came to these Olympics with a simple, singular aim: to confirm his status, once and for all, as a legend of the sport.
You might reasonably think he had already done enough. Bolt, a student of sprinting and its history, did not.
To him, his Beijing sprint double was a task only half completed. Only by retaining both titles, something no other man in history has ever done, would he be satisfied.
Even as the afternoon hours ticked away, there were still grave misgivings about his chances. Yohan Blake had beaten him - twice - at the Jamaican trials just a few weeks ago.
Bolt had not run since. Instead he had sought treatment from sports doctor Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, his back and hamstrings said to be as unreliable as his summer form.
When Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion, won the night's first semi-final in 9.82 secs, the quickest ever showing at that stage of a competition, the doubts swelled further. With fellow American Tyson Gay, the second fastest man in history, also going to his blocks, this was the highest quality field ever assembled in a major global final.

"He wasn't the best out of the blocks but he didn't need to be. He has got so much more than the rest of these guys. It is the strongest field there has ever been in this event but they cannot touch Usain Bolt."

Oh ye of little faith.

Bolt not only got out fast - quicker than either Blake or Gatlin - but he left his rivals behind as if sucked away by a jet-engine's thrust.
Blake's 9.75 secs for silver was nowhere. Neither was Gatlin's 9.79 secs for bronze. Both were personal bests, yet in a narrative written by Bolt's brilliance, these things are reduced to afterthoughts.
London, stunned and screaming, had witnessed the quickest 100m final ever.
Seven men went under 10 seconds, beating the previous record of six, achieved at both the 1991 World Championships and 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The times for the athletes finishing from third to seventh were the fastest ever registered for those positions.
Had Asafa Powell not popped his groin and limped over the line, all eight finalists would have gone under 10 seconds for the first time in history. Since Powell's nominal 11.99 seconds would have won the 100m final at the first Olympics in 1896, there was neatness regardless.
With Bolt away in a golden blur, none of it mattered anyway.

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Bolt's joy after retaining 100m title

You could lose yourself in arguments about how Sunday's time compared to his Berlin best - a tailwind of 1.5 m/s here to 2009's 0.9 m/s, the comparatively fresh 17 Celsius of London less conducive to record-breaking than Germany's mid-summer warmth.
To do so would be to neglect the impact this man has on the wider world.
There is good reason one million people applied for tickets for Sunday night's session at the Olympic Stadium. This is not just the biggest single contest in the planet's biggest sporting occasion, but one of a finite number of opportunities to witness the greatest sprinter that has ever lived do what no athlete has ever done before.
Every Olympic 100m champion in the last 32 years was there to watch - Maurice Greene, Donovan Bailey, Linford Christie, Carl Lewis and Alan Wells.
Since Bolt is more than just athletics, it did not stop at sprinters. At one point, I looked around to see Lennox Lewis, John McEnroe and Kobe Bryant all within hailing distance.
Bolt worked for this win. The strength of the field meant he could not celebrate from 15 metres out as he had four years ago.
It merely made for a superior script. Only in Gatlin's bronze, after two long doping bans and a reputation at rock-bottom within the sport, could there be displeasure.

Bolt clowns around after winning his gold

That Gay, universally liked by his peers and undervalued by the public at large, should miss out on his first Olympic medal by 0.01 secs to a man like Gatlin and leave the track in tears was a sad sub-plot.
Gay has run two of the five fastest 100m races of all time - 9.69 secs in Shanghai three years ago and 9.71 secs in Berlin the same summer. Because he has done so in the era and races of Bolt, only the aficionados will pay sufficient dues.
Bolt, as ever, was in the mood for partying - cavorting, clowning, delighting the capacity crowd with his full range of showman celebrations.
"People can talk," he shrugged afterwards, in a brief moment of sober reflection. "All they can do is talk. I brought it. I know what I need to do."
That may well have been Bolt's last ever Olympic 100m. Few sprinters maintain a physical peak across eight years or a mental desire to stay at the top once they have conquered every challenge confronting them.
By the time the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro come around, Bolt will be approaching his 30th birthday. If track still holds his focus, it is more likely to be over one lap than the single straight, the goal an unprecedented domination of three distances should the pain of 400m running not turn his sated stomach.

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"To be the second-fastest man in the world behind Bolt is an honour. He is the fastest man in the world and I've got a silver medal. What more can I ask for?"
Yohan Blake, Olympic 100m silver medallist

In case any of us were feeling a little wistful for that reason, or that a contest so eagerly anticipated for so long is over in such a beautiful blink of the eye, Bolt gave us a little reminder before he left the stadium that something even more stunning may be just round the curve.

"I really want to do something special in my 200m," he said, teasingly, to reporters waiting to interview after his 100m triumph.
His own world record of 19.19 seconds? Incredibly, impossibly, the 19-second barrier itself?
"It's been on my mind for years and years," he said, with as straight a face as he ever could.
"This season, on this track, feeling confident... we'll see."

Catholics and Obama

 
On Monday, 43 Roman Catholic organizations filed lawsuits in a dozen different federal courts, challenging the Obama administration’s mandate requiring insurance coverage for “preventive health services” inimical to their faith. The litigation represents the latest stage of a battle that began January 20th, when the administration announced that the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act would require Catholic institutions and individual Catholic employers to provide contraception, sterilization and abortifacient drugs to all of their employees. The Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services Departments are being sued by Jones Day, a law firm representing all the plaintiffs pro bono. “We have tried negotiations with the administration and legislation with the Congress — and we’ll keep at it — but there’s still no fix,” said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan in a statement.

Cardinal Dolan further illuminated the Church’s position on “CBS This Morning” yesterday. “They tell us if you’re really going be considered a church, if you’re going to be really exempt from these demands of the government, well, you have to propagate your Catholic faith and everything you do, you can serve only Catholics and employ only Catholics,” Dolan said. ”We’re like, wait a minute, when did the government get in the business of defining for us the extent of our ministry?”

Perhaps the best answer to that question would be Friday, February 10th, when the administration claimed they would “accommodate” Catholic concerns with a “compromise,” whereby insurance providers would provide coverage for the disputed services. It was initially well received by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, who called it “a first step in the right direction.” Twenty-four hours later the compromise was rejected. “In the case where the employee and insurer agree to add the objectionable coverage, that coverage is still provided as a part of the objecting employer’s plan, financed in the same way as the rest of the coverage offered by the objecting employer. This, too, raises serious moral concerns,” the Bishops decided. Read More

Street lights 'changing ecology on the ground'

Scientists trapped nearly 1,200 of the animals in areas under and between street lights in Helston in Cornwall.
They report in Biology Letters that invertebrate predators and scavengers were more common near the lights, even during the day.

That suggests street lights influence ecology more than previously thought.
Much work in recent years has gone into addressing the effects that street lights can have on local, transient populations of bugs - particularly those that can fly and have significant ranges of exploration.

But the effects of street lights on the vast communities of invertebrates on the ground remained unaddressed.
Thomas Davies of the University of Exeter and his colleagues set 28 traps in Helston, some just under street lights, and some in dark regions midway between them, over a three-night period.

The team found in general that a higher number of animals were trapped near the lights.
But the relative proportions of scavengers such as beetles and predators such as harvestmen and wolf spiders were significantly different, with a higher proportion being found near the lights - even during the day.
"This study now seems to be indicating that those transient, nocturnal effects on the behaviour of the animals are actually being translated into the habitat preferences of the animals in the daytime as well," Dr Davies said.

"It's amazing how long we've been using street lighting and artificial lighting, and how little research has been done on the impact of those lights on the environment," he told BBC News.

Dr Davies stressed that the study was small and its findings preliminary, but that it invited future study into much wider-ranging environmental effects.

"Invertebrates in the UK at least are undergoing a bit of a biodiversity crisis and have been for some time now, and they're very important for a number of ecosystem syervices such as pollination and the breakdown of organic matter," he explained.

"So the impact of street lights on invertebrate communities could be very, very important, could be problematic, but we simply don't know at the moment - we need to do the research." see source

Iran nuclear talks open in Baghdad

 

The talks are being held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, at Iran's request.

They come a day after the UN's nuclear watchdog held talks with Iran to try to gain better access to the regime's nuclear installations.

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says any efforts by Western powers to put pressure on Iran at the talks would be "futile". 

But he told a news conference in Tehran on Wednesday that there were reasons to be optimistic about the negotiations. 

"The ideas fielded to us speak of the fact that the other side would like to make Baghdad a success. We hope that in a day or two we can bring good news." 

Tehran insists its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes, but the West fears Iran is developing a nuclear weapon.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Britain, France, Russia and China - plus Germany are seeking to persuade Iranian officials to scale back their nuclear programme.

Security is tight, with about 15,000 Iraqi police and troops protecting the venue inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

Previous talks in Istanbul in mid-April managed to find enough common ground to arrange a further meeting in Baghdad.

Correspondents say Wednesday's talks will put these renewed efforts to the test.

A senior Western official quoted by Reuters said that the six - led by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton - would make Iran "a detailed proposal that will include confidence-building measures".

However, no details were given on what those measures might be.

Analysts say the main goal of the six powers will probably be an Iranian agreement to shut down the higher-grade uranium enrichment programme that it launched in 2010.

Sanctions

Iran has since expanded the enrichment process at an underground plant at Fordo, outside the northern city of Qom. Read More

Egyptians vote in landmark presidential election

Fifty million people are eligible to vote, and large queues have formed at some polling stations.
The military council which assumed presidential power in February 2011 has promised a fair vote and civilian rule.

The election pits Islamists against secularists, and revolutionaries against Mubarak-era ministers.
But the BBC's Wyre Davies, in the second city of Alexandria, says that for many people the election is not about religious dogma or party politics, but about who can put food on the table.
The frontrunners are:

• Ahmed Shafiq, a former commander of the air force and briefly prime minister during February 2011 protests
• Amr Moussa, who has served as foreign minister and head of the Arab League
• Mohammed Mursi, who heads Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party
• Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh, an independent Islamist candidate

Until a new constitution is approved it is unclear what powers the president will have, prompting fears of friction with a military which seems determined to retain its powerful position.

'Free choice'

Voting began at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT), with queues observed at many Cairo polling stations.
BBC correspondents say the atmosphere is calm, with people waiting patiently for their turn.
There have been no reports of violence on the day, although a police sergeant died after being shot during clashes between rival supporters in Rawdh al-Faraj on Tuesday evening, officials said.
"It's a very big day," one woman told the BBC. "This is a real great moment for the Egyptians to change."
Another, when asked how long she had been waiting to vote, replied, with a laugh: "Thirty years."
One man said it was most important for the new president to have his own programme.
"Actually he has to be in the revolution, or he has to be a strong part in the revolution. This is something which is not negotiable," he said. Read More

Spain striker David Villa to miss Euro 2012

 Villa, 30, fractured his tibia in December and told national coach Vicente del Bosque on Tuesday he will not be fit for the tournament.

He tweeted  : "I've tried, but I can't be 100% to play the Eurocup. I called Del Bosque. It's the honest thing.

"Thanks to all of you for your support. I'll continue working to return as soon as possible with Barca and Spain."

Del Bosque, who names his final squad for the tournament on Sunday, had promised he would give Villa as long as possible to return to fitness.

A a statement from the Spanish FA said:  "Villa spoke with the national team coach this afternoon [Tuesday], after the team arrived in Schruns, Austria (for a pre-tournament training camp).

"After not getting in the final practice and development desired, David Villa spoke with Del Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa's wish to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine, that his physical state was 'not as good' as would be desirable."

Villa is Spain's record goalscorer with 51 goals in 82 games.
Spain are also likely to be without veteran defender Carles Puyol, who is struggling with a knee injury, as they seek to defend the title they won in Vienna in 2008.

Spain won all eight of their qualifiers for Euro 2012 and are in Group C for the finals along with Italy, against whom they play their opening game on June 10, Republic of Ireland and Croatia. Read More

Lockerbie: Did someone else bomb Pan Am 103?

Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, the only person convicted in connection with the Lockerbie airline bombing that killed 259 people on board Pan Am Flight 103 and 11 on the ground, went to his grave protesting his innocence.

And there are others who believe that Megrahi, who died on Sunday from cancer, was not responsible for bringing down the jet over Scotland in 1988, including some of the victims' families.

Why does the tragedy continue to raise questions? CNN examines the issues.

Why was al Megrahi convicted?

After a nine-month trial that concluded in January 2001, a Scottish court based in a former U.S. base at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands, convicted al Megrahi of the murders and he was sentenced to life in prison with the condition that he serve at least 27 years before being eligible for parole. Scotland does not have the death penalty.

The trial followed years of negotiation with Libya, after British and American investigators indicted two men for the crime in 1991.

The U.S. and UK blamed both al Megrahi, who was once security chief for Libyan Arab Airlines, and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah -- accusing them both of being Libyan intelligence agents.

Libya eventually handed over both men to the United Nations in 1999 and later paid $2.7 billion to victims' families. Sanctions against Moammar Gadhafi's regime were lifted on the same day the men were taken into custody.

At al Megrahi's trial, prosecutors said he placed a bomb in a Toshiba cassette recorder and hid it in suitcase on a flight from Malta to Frankfurt, Germany. The bag was believed to have been transferred to a Pan Am flight that went first to London Heathrow and then to Flight 103 to New York.

The prosecution maintained that al Megrahi, who worked at the Malta airport, had been seen buying clothes, fragments of which were found in the suitcase that contained the bomb.

Al Megrahi was found guilty but Fhimah was acquitted.

Many of the victim's families believe the right man was convicted and expressed a mixture of relief on hearing of al Megrahi's death and anger that he had been released from his sentence.

Susan Cohen, whose daughter was among the 189 Americans killed, said: "He was a mass murderer. I feel no pity."

Why was he released early?

In August 2009, eight years after al Megrahi's conviction, there was uproar when Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced that he would be released from prison on compassionate grounds because he was suffering from terminal prostate cancer.

His release -- and the celebrations that greeted him on his return to Libya -- sparked condemnation from the United States, and from some victims' families.

Despite being given just a few months to live, he survived for more than two years, sparking anger against the Scottish authorities and accusations in the British press that a deal had been struck with Libya. A group of U.S. senators then attempted to investigate rumors that the Lockerbie bomber was released as part of a deal to allow BP to drill for oil off the coast of Libya.

On Sunday, British Prime Minister David Cameron reiterated his belief that al Megrahi should never have been released from prison.

But Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said al Megrahi's death put to rest "some of the conspiracy theories which have attempted to suggest that his illness was somehow manufactured."

Why is al Megrahi's guilt questioned?

In an interview with Reuters in 2011 al Megrahi vowed that "new facts" would come to light. He always maintained his innocence.

After al Megrahi lodged an appeal whilst still in prison, the evidence was reviewed by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission. New evidence uncovered during the investigation and other evidence not submitted at al Megrahi's original trial led the review commission to state that he "may have suffered a miscarriage of justice." Read More

Mali protesters storm palace, beat interim president

Dioncounda Traore, Mali's interim president, was beaten and rushed to a hospital after hundreds of protesters demanding his resignation stormed the presidential palace Monday.

Traore was assaulted and hit over the head when protesters found him inside the palace. The president was later taken to the hospital where he was treated for a wound to his head, hospital staff said.

"There were three dead and some injured by gunshot when [Traore's] security shot at people," said Bakary Mariko, a spokesman for the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy, a group of military officers who mounted a coup in March.

Protests were expected after the Economic Community of West African States, which has tried to broker a return to civilian rule after the coup, agreed to let Traore remain in charge for a year to oversee the transition. And ECOWAS has warned that followers of Capt. Amadou Sanogo, who led the revolt that deposed President Amadou Toumani Toure, were threatening to derail the agreement. 

Traore's term as interim president had been set to expire on Tuesday. Groups denouncing him gathered Monday morning in the Place de l'Independence, in the center of Mali's capital, Bamako.

Traore "is not staying as president of Mali," said Youssouf Kone, the leader of several groups demanding the interim president's resignation.

"We will stay until Traore agrees to step down," he added. "We're going to make this the Tahrir Square," referencing the 2011 protests in Egypt.

Just before 11 a.m. (7 a.m. ET), a group of protesters parted and moved up the hill in direction of the presidential palace. Read More

Alive or Dead???????

NEW ZEALAND – PBS reported that the rapper Tupac Shakur was sighted in New Zealand this weekend.

PBS is reporting that Tupac Shakur was sighted and photographed having drinks at a bar in Auckland, New Zealand. Soon thereafter the internet was ablaze with speculation if this was real and Tupac was really alive.

Tupac Shakur was allegedly gunned down September 7th 1996 after leaving a boxing match. However reporters have discovered that Tupac actually survived the shooting, but he and record label executives paid off medical examiners to claim he had died. His apparent death allowed him to escape his assailants and his constant legal battles.

Since then Tupac had lived in hiding under an assumed name in rural Pennsylvania. Weekly World News reporters tracked down the beloved rap star to his new home.

With regards to going into hiding he said, “At first it was life or death. I’d just been shot at and I knew it wasn’t going to stop. Once I was out of the game, a fresh start looked too good. All the baggage from the old life, I could let it go and walk away.”

Since then, “I mostly keep my head low. Don’t draw attention. Staying out of trouble.”

When asked about how he spends his time, he said, “Ya know, same old same old. Shop at the Farmer’s Market. Keep my bees, get some honey. Flirt with the girls at Dairy Queen. Nothin’ big.”

For creative exploits, Tupac says, “I like to knit.” His house was covered with hand knit pieces celebrating his former celebrity and sweaters with ‘Thug Life’ stitched on them. Above the couch was a large tapestry depicting a scene from his California Love video. He went on: “I do a lot of writing. Jewel’s book of poetry, that was mine. I also ghost wrote the screenplay for ‘The Lake House’.”

Tupac said he has no plans to return to the public eye. “I’m a keep it straight chillin’ here. Keep them bees, work the strawberry patch. End of the day, play on with some World of Warcraft. It’s a good life.”

comments are welcomed in the comment box.