Friday 28 January 2011

Egyptian protests grow

Egypt has taken down Internet access today in the hope of stalling the anti-government protests which have started to rage in the last four days. 

Fears are that things could get out of control on Friday after Muslim prayer. Seven people have already died, and the scale of demonstrations continues to grow. 

The country’s people have been inspired by the recent events in Tunisia, where the president was forced out of power after weeks of campaigns. 

There has been much speculation about whether such things could be replicated in other Arab countries where there is similar unhappiness, and the coming days and weeks will prove whether or not that could be the case in Egypt.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=723422

Thursday 27 January 2011

Phone hacking scandal rumbles on

Scotland Yard has promised to conduct a completely thorough investigation of the phone hacking scandal centring on the News of the World, following criticism of their approach so far. 

The case was reopened by the Met after an internal inquiry by the paper led to the sacking of its assistant editor. 

More and more stories are being revealed which are rumoured to suggest the extent that the hacking might have gone to. A series of high-profile reports by the paper are suspected of being aided by the illegal operation. 

Police are now having to reassure a growing number of doubters and critics that their renewed efforts will be more effective at uncovering the truth.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=714563

Saturday 22 January 2011

First win for Kenny

The Premier League fixture list was packed with entertaining games on Saturday afternoon.

There was plenty of drama at St James’s Park, where Tottenham hit a late equaliser to grab a 1 – 1 draw. 

Manchester United thrashed Birmingham 5 – 0 at Old Trafford, with a hat-trick by Dimitar Berbatov. It keeps them at the top of the table. 

Robin Van Persie also hit three as Arsenal beat Wigan 3 – 0 at the Emirates. 

Fellow challengers Manchester City came unstuck at Villa Park, as new signing Darren Bent gave the hosts a 1 – 0 victory. 

Liverpool earned a first win under the new reign of Kenny Dalglish by beating Wolves 0 – 3 at Molineux. Fernando Torres netted a brace, but the main plaudits went to Raul Mereiles, who dominated the game in midfield and scored a screaming volley.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=685778

Monday 17 January 2011

All draws on “Super Sunday”

Sunday saw two huge clashes in the Premier League as Liverpool “welcomed” Everton to Anfield in the Merseyside derby, before Manchester United visited White Hart Lane to face Tottenham. 

On Saturday, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal all won to keep the title race alive. City in fact took top spot so that United needed to draw at least to regain it. 

Liverpool’s first half was positive as they looked for a first win under Kenny Dalglish, and went in 1 – 0 at half-time thanks to Raul Mereiles’ strike. 

Everton came out fighting and, within minutes, had turned the game around as Sylvain Distin headed in a corner and then Jermaine Beckford put them ahead. Liverpool equalised through Dirk Kuyt’s penalty and it finished 2 – 2. 

Shortly after, Spurs kicked off against United, and went close as Peter Crouch poked a finish just wide. Their opponents were never out of it though, but suffered a blow when Rafael was given a red card with fifteen minutes left. That forced them to defend as they ground out a 0 – 0 draw, which puts them back in first place ahead of rivals, City, on goal difference.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=685778

Saturday 15 January 2011

Tunisia situation intensifies

Tunisian troops are patrolling the country’s capital, Tunis, in force today after President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled following protests. 

The move came after scenes of violence and looting were witnessed overnight, as shops and the main train station in the city were targeted. 

Stand-in leader, Mohammed Ghannouchi, is looking to restore order and to unify a government from opposition groups. 

The President was forced to flee to Saudi Arabia after twenty-three years in power due to extensive protests and rallies against him over the state of the country. Dozens of people are said to have died in the unrest.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=694469

Thursday 13 January 2011

Floods hit globally

Increasing numbers of deaths were reported throughout Thursday in the wake of floods in different parts of the world including Australia, Brazil and Sri Lanka. 

Brisbane in Queensland, Australia was approaching something resembling a recovery as waters are said to have peaked. However thousand of homes have been left submerged. Fifteen people are said to have died so far, with many remaining missing. 

Tragedy and devastation also hit Brazil, where over four-hundred deaths have been reported in the south-east. There has been heavy criticism directed at the door of very poor housing in the affected areas, which have been unable to withstand the heavy waters. 

It is rumoured that the weather phenomenon “El Nino” could be the cause of these extraordinary weather conditions, with the rain and flooding expected to continue.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=687067

Monday 10 January 2011

America mourns Arizona deaths

President Barack Obama led a minute’s silence today in America, as the country mourns the deaths of six people who were shot during the attack on congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a public event on Saturday in Arizona. 

Among those being remembered were a nine year-old girl. Fourteen in total were injured, and the suspect, Jared Loughner, 22, is to appear in court later. 

The current state of Ms Giffords is reported by the hospital where she is being treated as critical, but she is responsive to some simple commands. 

In the wake of another tragic shooting incident in the States, there is much debate and argument over the causes and reasons for such an act, with the suspect apparently remaining silent.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=681367

Saturday 8 January 2011

Uncle Roy out, King Kenny in

It was announced on Saturday morning that Roy Hodgson has “parted company” with Liverpool, with the team currently twelfth in the league and struggling desperately for form. 

He has been replaced by former player, manager and general legend “King” Kenny Dalglish, who was the last man to win the league with the club, way back in 1990. 

The “agreement” was reached only one day before the Reds visit Manchester United in the third round of the FA cup – a factor which may have played a significant role in the decision by new owners, New England Sport Ventures. 

Liverpool fans will now be hoping that Dalglish can find the inspiration to turn the under-performing team around, and take them back to the glory days which ended with his departure twenty-one years ago.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=658621

Friday 7 January 2011

England seal series win

England once again thrashed Australia in the final test match of the Ashes in Sydney, thereby earning their historic series win, 3 – 1, in sensational style. 

The final day began with Australia on 213 – 7, still trailing the visitors by 151 runs, with the opposition needing only three wickets to claim another innings victory. 

The challenge proved far too much for the hosts’ remaining batsmen, with all the top order already out, and after a short break for rain England found the wickets they needed to bowl Australia out for 281, which gave them the win by an innings and 81 runs, as well as success in the overall series. 

English cricket now finds itself at a high point, whereas the contrast could not be sharper for Australia, with their side deemed to be very poor, and with much work to do before the next Ashes, in England.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=577016

Thursday 6 January 2011

Hodgson suffers Rovers’ return

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was being touted for receiving the boot after the Premier League’s fixtures on Wednesday night. 

His team went down 3 – 1 at Blackburn, conceding three before Steven Gerrard hit a late consolation. 

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancellotti was in a similar position after watching his team beaten 1 – 0 at Wolves, leaving the champions lagging far behind in the title race. 

West Ham’s Avram Grant will be nervous after they were thrashed 5 – 0 by Newcastle, sending them crashing back to the foot of the table. 

Aston Villa’s Gerard Houllier is the final man whose tenure is under scrutiny, his players submitting to a 0 – 1 reverse at home to Sunderland, who scored with a late strike. 

Two managers who are safe (for now) are Arsene Wenger and Roberto Mancini, and their teams, Arsenal and Manchester City, refused to concede any ground to each other, drawing 0 – 0 at the Emirates.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=658621

Wednesday 5 January 2011

England dominant again

England took advantage of more sub-par Australian bowling to establish an imperious position in the final test of the Ashes series in Sydney. 

Australia were bowled out for 280 in their first innings, and England resumed day three on 167 – 3, with the match in the balance. 

Alastair Cook hit 189 and Ian Bell was out for 115 as the tourists amassed 488 – 7 at stumps, putting them over 200 ahead. 

With two days play remaining, they will be confident of increasing their lead and then bowling the hosts out to take the much-wanted series win, 3 – 1.



http://thenewsportal.net/?p=577016

United stoke title challenge

Manchester United were hoping to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League as they hosted Stoke on Tuesday night, with their rivals not playing until Wednesday. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson still saw fit to rest several key players though. 

The hosts dominated against a predictably-defensive Stoke side, although few chances were created. One was taken in the first-half by Javier Hernandez, who produced a clever flick to make it 1 – 0, although it may actually have been an own-goal. 

The visitors surprisingly came out with intention after the break and equalised through Dean Whitehead’s header, but United’s superiority was too great and Nani struck soon after to give them a 2 – 1 win which puts them three points clear at the top. 

The two other matches played saw vital wins for Birmingham at Blackpool and for Fulham at home to West Brom as the fight against relegation intensifies, 1 – 2 and 3 – 0 respectively.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=631338

Monday 3 January 2011

Another return for Becks?

Reports on Monday suggested that former national captain David “Golden Balls” Beckham could make a return to English football. 

Several clubs have made their interest clear, but it appears that Tottenham Hotspur and their manager Harry Redknapp are the most enthusiastic and optimistic about completing the signing. 

It would only be a short-term deal, however, as Beckham would have to go back to his current club in America, LA Galaxy, to start their new season in March. 

A loan move to Spurs would see the winger face his old teams, Manchester United and AC Milan, based on their fixture schedules. 

It still remains to be seen whether the Galaxy will allow their star player to move at all, with announcements expected to be made in the next few days.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=663409

Sunday 2 January 2011

Chelsea in Villa thriller

Chelsea went into their first match of the year at Stamford Bridge against Aston Villa knowing that they needed a win to keep pace with the leaders, having lost a lot of ground in recent weeks. 

Despite the visitors starting better, Chelsea took the lead early on through a contested penalty converted by Frank Lampard. A few minutes before half-time, it was Villa’s turn to be awarded a penalty, and Ashley Young took his chance to level for 1 – 1 at the break. 

Things got much worse for the hosts shortly after the restart when Emile Heskey found room at the back post to head in. Chelsea were able to pressurise far more in search of an equaliser as their opponents sat back to defend, and found one when Didier Drogba scrambled in near the end. John Terry then turned in another to seemingly give them the three points, only for Villa to hit back right at the death through Ciaran Clark’s header, making 3 – 3. 

The draw does not help Chelsea’s cause, leaving them in fifth having dropped more valuable points, whereas Villa gain breathing space in the battle against relegation.


http://thenewsportal.net/?p=596914

Saturday 1 January 2011

Cole rescues beleaguered Hodgson

There was plenty of drama as 2011 kicked off in the Premier League. 

Manchester United retained their status as leaders by (somehow) winning 1 – 2 at West Brom at lunchtime. Wayne Rooney scored early, then West Brom equalised and had several opportunities and shouts for penalties, before Javier Hernandez headed the winner with fifteen minutes left. 

Tottenham once again maintained their good form with a home victory against Fulham. The impressive Gareth Bale hit the only goal in a 1 – 0 result. 

Manchester City joined their local rivals on points at the top by beating Blackpool 1 – 0 at Eastlands thanks to Adam Johnson’s strike. 

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson might have been spared the axe by Joe Cole’s late goal which gave the Reds a 2 – 1 win at Anfield over Bolton. 

In the evening game, Arsenal kept pace with the leaders at Birmingham, running out comprehensive 0 – 3 victors at a ground which is normally difficult for visiting sides. 

Chelsea host Aston Villa on Sunday.


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