Thursday, March 15, 2012

Ferdinand: 'Strong feelings' on racism allegations

LONDON (AP) — Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand will not comment on allegations that England captain John Terry racially abused him until the Football Association completes its investigation into the case.

"I have very strong feelings on the matter," Ferdinand said Monday in a statement issued by QPR. "But in the interests of fairness and not wishing to prejudice what I am sure will be a very thorough enquiry by the FA, …

Irmatov, Kassai named to referee World Cup semis

Ravshan Irmatov and Viktor Kassai will referee the World Cup semifinals, FIFA said on Monday.

Uzbekistan's Irmatov will take charge of the Netherlands-Uruguay match at Cape Town on Tuesday for his fifth match of the finals.

The 32-year-old Irmatov also refereed the Germany-Argentina quarterfinal on Saturday, and the opening match between South Africa and Mexico. He has yet to issue a red card or award a penalty in the tournament.

Kassai will officiate the Germany-Spain match at Durban on Wednesday for his fourth assignment.

Million-dollar dinner for Chicago Urban League

On Saturday night, the Chicago Urban League ushered in The Year of the Woman at their 45th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner at the Hilton Chicago. The Chicago Urban League continued their four-decade legacy of bringing more than 1,700 of Chicago's business, civic, religious, political and educational leaders, philanthropic organizations and private citizens together for raising money at Saturday night's star-studded affair.

This year's gala organizers have set their goal of raising $1.2 million. The Year of the Woman gala was such a joyous and triumphant occasion for the League as they welcomed their new president & CEO, Cheryle Jackson. She is the first woman to lead the civic …

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Santa dons sunglasses to hand out presents in town where Jesus was born

In biblical Bethlehem, Santa makes his rounds in cool shades.

The dark sunglasses are a Palestinian addition to Santa's traditional garb of red suit and black boots, meant to ensure that children in the tiny, tight-knit Christian community in Jesus' traditional birthplace don't recognize the man bringing them presents.

Each year, volunteer Santas fan out across Bethlehem and the nearby West Bank Christian communities of Beit Jalla and Beit Sahour to deliver presents to the homes of children in the community. And for a change after years of conflict, there is a spirit of optimism, with tourism boosted by Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking efforts.

Australian Open at a glance

A look ahead to Monday's opening day of the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park:

WEATHER: Forecast is for mostly sunny skies and a high of 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), similar for Tuesday.

ATTENDANCE: organizers will be aiming to surpass last year's record total attendance of 605,735 for the championship, which broke the previous mark by more than 50,000.

Key men's matches: Andreas Seppi, Italy, vs. Roger Federer (2), Switzerland; Andrea Stoppini, Italy, vs. Novak Djokovic (3), Serbia; …

Angry judge hits Yonkers with heavy contempt fine

NEW YORK A fuming federal judge Tuesday declared Yonkers "thenational symbol of defiance to civil rights" and imposed potentiallybankrupting contempt fines because of the city's defiance of ahousing desegregation order.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Sand also suggested that New YorkGov. Mario M. Cuomo remove recalcitrant city council members. Hesaid "the straw that broke the camel's back" was their 4-3 voteMonday against the court-ordered plan to build 800 middle-incomehousing units in mostly white areas.

Sand fined Yonkers $100 for the first day of his contempt rulingwas in effect, Tuesday, and said the amount would double eachsucceeding day. If they stand, the …

Militants Demand End to Israeli Offensive

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Militants holding an Israeli soldier demanded Saturday the release of 1,000 prisoners and a halt to Israel's Gaza offensive, complicating efforts to resolve a crisis before it boils over into major fighting.

The latest demand came after Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said that Israel's military action was aimed at toppling the Hamas-led government, but maintained he is working with mediators toward a resolution.

Israel, meanwhile, kept up the pressure Friday in Gaza, destroying the interior minister's office and targeting a car carrying militants in an airstrike. Israel also said it attacked a militant cell, killing a local Islamic Jihad …