Spanish whiz Dani Pedrosa became the second-youngest winner in the history of motor cycling’s premier class with victory in the Shanghai Grand Prix on Sunday. Pedrosa (20) started in pole and pushed his Honda through the 22 laps of the 5,28km Shanghai International Circuit in 44 minutes 07,734 seconds.
Defending world-champion Fernando Alonso made Spanish sporting history here on Sunday when he became the first home winner of the Spanish Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Renault driver triumphed in stunning fashion, finishing a comfortable 18,5 seconds ahead of his main rival, seven-times champion German Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari.
At least 16 Iraqis were killed in an upsurge of violence on Sunday, including five who died in a blast on Baghdad’s Palestine Street that targeted a passing police patrol, Iraqi security officials said. The roadside bombing in the east of the capital missed the police patrol but killed the bystanders and wounded four others, a defence ministry source said.
The Central Cheetahs overturned an 11-point deficit at half-time and restricted the Golden Cats to just a penalty goal in the second period to run out 28-23 winners in their Super 14 clash on Saturday. Two second-half tries and three penalties by replacement flyhalf Meyer Bosman in a strong final 40 minutes was enough to see the competition’s new Super 14 team to their fifth win of the year.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted on Sunday that his shock decision to take rookie Theo Walcott to the World Cup surprised his coaching staff so much that they were left speechless. The Swede opted for the 17-year-old Walcott, who has yet to make his debut for Arsenal, above proven talents such as Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said that any new deal offered by European powers to halt Iran’s civilian nuclear activities will be rejected, state news agency Irna reported. ”Any offer which requires us to halt our peaceful nuclear activities will be invalid,” Ahmadinejad said after returning from a five-day visit to Indonesia.
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said on Sunday that Taiwan wants to follow South Africa’s model of ending apartheid to seek peace with China. Chen made the statement while receiving former South African president FW de Klerk, who is in Taipei to attend a seminar on reconciliation.
The Philippines began cleaning up on Sunday after tropical storm Chanchu claimed 32 lives, left large parts of the country under water and forced thousands to flee their homes. By midday on Sunday Chanchu was 430km out in the South China Sea, charting a west-south-westerly course and packing winds of up to 140kph, according to the weather bureau.
Monty Panesar took two wickets in the final session to maintain England’s grip on the first Test at Lord’s on Saturday and leave Sri Lanka needing a great escape to salvage a draw. Left-arm spinner Panesar combined with wicket-keeper Geraint Jones to get rid of danger-men Upul Tharanga (52) and Kumar Sangakkara (65) in what was the 24-year-old bowler’s home Test debut.
Facing disastrous poll numbers and collapsing support ahead of vital elections this year, Republican Party strategists have taken firm aim at a surprise voting bloc — black Americans. The White House and top Republican officials have launched a blitz to persuade black people that their future will be better served by shedding decades of loyalty to the Democratic Party and voting Republican instead.