North Korea told delegates at nuclear talks on Saturday that it is preparing to shut down its main reactor, South Korea’s chief nuclear envoy said, a key step promised in a landmark disarmament pact. The progress came only hours after North Korea said it would not close the facility until its money frozen in a Macau bank was released.
Kimi Raikkonen took pole position on Saturday for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, the season’s Formula One opener. It was Raikkonen’s 12th career pole, but his first in a Ferrari. Formerly of McLaren, the Finn joined Ferrari to replace seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who retired last year.
Formula One (F1) supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hinted Australia should consider staging their grands prix at night to boost their chances of extending their current F1 licence, reports said on Saturday. Ecclestone wants to include a number of night races on the F1 schedule as early as next season.
Eustace Lycett, who spent more than 40 years bringing fantasy and magic to Disney films through special effects and won two Academy Awards, died on November 16. He was 91. Lycett died at a Fullerton nursing home, the Walt Disney Company said in an announcement after learning of his death.
Lanna Saunders, who followed her father and grandfather into the family craft of acting and was best known for her long-running role on the TV daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, has died. She was 65. Saunders died on March 10 of complications from multiple sclerosis.
George Bush will be remembered as the worst US President ever, real-estate mogul Donald Trump said on Friday, adding that US Senator Hillary Clinton could be Bush’s White House successor. ”Bush is probably the worst president in the history of the United States,” Trump told CNN.
An economist and a journalist became the first couple united under Mexico City’s new gay civil-union law, kissing while a string orchestra played Besame Mucho and police cordoned off streets around a white wedding tent filled with guests. The new law took effect on Friday.
The riddle confronting Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira over which goalkeeper to field in next Saturday’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Chad was on Friday solved by an injury to Mamelodi Sundowns’ Calvin Marlin. Marlin has withdrawn because of a nagging wrist injury.
In an amazing finish, the Cape Cobras sneaked into the Pro20 final with a nail-biting, last-ball win against the Warriors. All had seemed lost after the home team faltered, chasing a moderate target, but some power hitting and brave running saw them home. The Cobras had the best of starts after Alan Dawson won the toss.
David Beckham insists he’s going to Major League Soccer to increase the game’s popularity in the United States. ”I know it’s never going to be as big as American football, basketball or baseball, but I believe I can help take it to a higher level,” Beckham was quoted as saying in Friday’s edition of Sport magazine.