12 Israeli raid on Gaza aid flotilla

Israeli army footage claiming to show the violence on board the flotilla - the captions and circled points on this video were inserted by the Israeli army

Members of the UN Security Council have condemned Israel ahead of an emergency session over Israel's deadly raid on a flotilla of ships carrying aid to Gaza.

At least nine pro-Palestinian activists, some Turkish, were killed when Israeli commandos stormed the ships in international waters.

Turkey's foreign minister called Israel's actions "murder by a state".

Israel's UN envoy said troops acted in self defence when activists attacked them, charges the campaigners deny.

"This flotilla was anything but a humanitarian mission," Israel's deputy UN ambassador Daniel Carmon said.

He said the activists had used "knives, clubs and other weapons" to attack the soldiers who boarded the lead boat, the Mavi Marmara.

The campaigners insist the soldiers opened fire without any provocation.

Injured activists have been taken to Israeli hospitals, while dozens of others have been detained and are being processed for deportation.

Israel has imposed an information blackout, making it difficult to gather first-hand accounts from the campaigners.

The ships were carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid in an attempt to break Israel's three-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.

International outrage

Most of the activists killed are believed to have been Turkish, and Turkey led a chorus of criticism of Israel at the United Nations in New York.

ANALYSIS

Jeremy Bowen
BBC News, Jerusalem

For Israel, there are likely to be severe diplomatic consequences. Pressure to end the Gaza blockade will increase - from Israel's allies, as well as its enemies.

The damage done to what remains of Israel's alliance with Turkey is serious. Turkey is important because it straddles Europe and the Muslim Middle East - where it has real diplomatic influence. Israel always relied on Turkish support. That is no longer possible.

One question is how strongly the US tries to water down any criticism. Their own relations with Israel have been in crisis. The talks they are sponsoring between Israel and the Palestinians will probably continue, but under an even darker cloud.

"In simplest terms this is tantamount to banditry and piracy. It is murder conducted by a state," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said.

Mr Davutoglu told the BBC that Israel must issue an immediate apology for its storming of the aid ship and repatriate the pro-Palestinian campaigners.

None of the other 15 members of the Security Council was so outspoken in their individual statements, issued ahead of a possible official UN Security Council resolution, but most called for a full investigation and were critical of Israeli actions.

Many - including veto-wielding members France, Russia and China - also demanded an end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza which the aid ships were trying to break.

Israel's closest ally, the United States, expressed concern, although deputy US ambassador to the UN, Alejando Wolff, said it was still not clear what had happened.

"The US is deeply disturbed by the recent violence and regrets the tragic loss of life and injury suffered among those involved in the incident last night, aboard the Gaza bound ships," he said.

US state department spokesman Philip Crowley later said America "deeply regrets" the loss of life and expected a "full and credible" investigation by Israel.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also called for a full inquiry.

Draft text

Ehud Barak: "I hope that common sense will prevail"

Based on the stated positions of Security Council members, it is difficult to see how they can agree on a consensus statement, but that is what they are trying to do now behind closed doors, the BBC's Barbara Plett reports from the UN headquarters.

Diplomats say the draft text condemns the Israeli raid, requests immediate release of the impounded ships, and calls for an international investigation, our correspondent says.

Washington will face pressure to join the international condemnation of Israel, she adds.

There have been demonstrations against the Israeli operation in cities around the world and several countries summoned their Israeli ambassadors demanding an explanation for the violence.

GAZA AID CONVOY

• Consists of three cargo ships and three passenger ships
• Most casualties reported on Mavi Marmara passenger ferry, one of three ships provided by Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH)
• IHH is Turkish aid organisation with strong sympathy among Turkey's ruling party, but is banned in Israel, which accuses it of links to Hamas and al-Qaeda
• Other ships organised by the Free Gaza Movement, an international coalition of activist groups
• Ships carrying supplies including cement, wheelchairs, paper and water purification systems
• Flotilla's 700 passengers mainly Turkish, but also include nationals of US, UK, Australia, Greece, Canada, Belgium, Ireland, the Swedish author Henning Mankell, two Australian journalists and three German MPs

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the Israeli "massacre" and declared three days of mourning across the West Bank.

The Arab League has called for an emergency meeting on Tuesday, as Jordan and Egypt - the two Arab states with peace deals with Israel - sharply condemned the violence.

For many critics of Israel - on the streets and in foreign ministries - it is not just about this single incident at sea, serious and deadly though it was, says the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem.

It is about a pattern of violent and disproportionate behaviour, with Israel playing to its own rules rather than international law, our correspondent says.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told the BBC that Israel did not want to harm innocent civilians in Gaza, but had to fight the militant group Hamas which controls Gaza.

Israel imposed the blockade on the Gaza Strip after Hamas took power there in 2007.

"We have nothing against the Gazans as human beings... Basically we are in a conflict with Hamas, we do not deny it and this Hamas is a terrible neighbour," said Mr Barak.

He said that in a "tough neighbourhood", one couldn't "just act according to the rules".

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he regretted any loss of life, but gave full backing to the action of the Israeli troops.

Mr Netanyahu cut short a visit to Canada to deal with the growing crisis and cancelled a scheduled meeting in Washington with US President Barack Obama on Tuesday.

The six-ship left Cyprus on Sunday convoy to carry 10,000 tonnes of aid to Gaza, despite repeated Israeli warnings that it would not be allowed to reach the territory. It was due to arrive on Monday.

Reports say soldiers boarded the ships about 40 miles (64km) out to sea.

In Tel Aviv, Israel's navy commander said the troops took over five boats without incident and that all of the violence was centered on the Mavi Marmara.

Organisers of the flotilla said at least 30 people were wounded in the incident. Israel says 10 of its soldiers were injured, one seriously.

Israel has escorted the ships to the port of Ashdod and says it will detain or deport the passengers from there.

Israel says it allows about 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Gaza every week, but the UN says this is less than a quarter of what is needed.

German President Koehler quits amid row over military

Mr Koehler previously headed the International Monetary Fund

German President Horst Koehler says he is resigning immediately, following criticism of remarks he made about German military deployments abroad.

Mr Koehler, whose job is largely ceremonial, had linked missions such as the Afghanistan deployment with the defence of economic interests.

His remarks drew criticism from a number of German politicians.

Mr Koehler, 67, was re-elected last year to serve a second five-year term as president.

He made the controversial remarks in a radio interview after a brief visit to Afghanistan earlier this month.

He said that for an export-orientated country like Germany, it was sometimes necessary to deploy troops "to protect our interests... for example free trade routes".

Announcing his resignation on Monday, he said "it was an honour for me to serve Germany as president".

Unpopular deployment

With his wife standing next to him, he said he regretted that his comments could lead to a misunderstanding about a difficult question for the nation.

Jens Boehrnsen, speaker of the parliament's upper house (Bundesrat), will be interim president. He is in the opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD).

The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Berlin says Mr Koehler's remarks about military missions led to accusations of gunboat diplomacy and embarrassment for Chancellor Angela Merkel's government. It has come under strong popular pressure to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

Mr Koehler's shock decision could hardly have come at a worst time, our correspondent says. Polls show that the government's approval rating has plummeted to a four-year low, mainly due to its management of the eurozone crisis.

Top 25 US cities for college grads

Even though the US economy seems to be on the mend, the job scene continues to be dismal in many parts of the country. That's particularly worrying for students who have just graduated from Indian colleges and plan to head to America for higher studies.

The key is to live in a place that has a solid job market with a good amount of career opportunities. Not only does this help combat the competition that exists for jobs, but also permits job-hopping that is almost a necessity for substantial income growth (studies suggest that the most income growth happens during the first 10 years of one's career, when young professionals can switch jobs easily).

So which are the best places for a young graduate to live and work? A recent article in The Daily Beast (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-05-26/best-cities-for-college-graduates-from-ithaca-to-seattle/1/) has rated the 25 best places across the US on the following nine parameters:

• Presence of 20 to 24 year olds in the population
• Singles, measured as a share of unmarried people
• Earning potential
• Unemployment rate
• College-educated workforce
• Rental housing
• Youth-oriented amenities
• Creative capital
• Openness (a region's openness to new and different kinds of people)

So what are the best places for the Class of 2010 to settle down in? Here are the top 25:

1. Ithaca, New York
2. Madison, Wisconsin
3. Ann Arbor, Michigan
4. Durham, North Carolina
5. Austin Round-Rock, Texas
6. Boulder, Colorado
7. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Virginia-Maryland-West Virginia
8. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Massachusettes-New Hampshire
9. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania
10. Iowa City, Iowa
11. Charlottesville, Virginia
12. College Station-Bryan, Texas
13. Lawrence, Kansas
14. Lincoln, Nebraska
15. Tallahassee, Florida [ Images ]
16. Columbia, Missouri
17. Trenton-Ewing, New Jersey
18. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California
19. State College, Pennsylvania
20. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, California
21. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, California
22. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria, California
23. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York
24. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
25. Seattle, Washington

Mediclaim: Can you claim money for medical tests?

Have a query regarding health insurance or mediclaim policy? Maybe we can help.

Drop us a line and our expert, Harsh Roongta, CEO of Apnapaisa.com, will answer it.

Please write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in with the subject line as: Health insurance query.

Given below are answers to five questions most frequently asked by a large number of our readers.

---

Recently my wife underwent abortion. Can I claim that money through my insurance? We have insurance from Apollo.

Some individual policies issued by Apollo cover two deliveries or terminations (with a limit on the total amount payable) or either during the lifetime of the insured but after a specific waiting period. So we would request you to read your policy document or ask your insurance agent for more details. Check for how long have you had the policy and whether you qualify for the same. If you are covered by your employer (who has taken the policy from Apollo) you will need to check whether the group policy covers such expenditure.

I have a corporate health insurance policy. Recently I had to hospitalise my mother in early morning hours due to giddiness, headache and difficulty in walking and sitting. She was admitted for 30 hours and tests like MRI, CT Scan, and X- ray were done. No major issue was diagnosed. The doctor then advised us some medicines for next 5 days and meet him after 5 days. When I submitted the bills to the insurance company, they say that it was more of an investigative case and didn't seem like adequate treatment. I am not able to understand this. They say as per the policy they can't give anything. I want to understand if our corporate house took some cheap policy? I spoke to many of my friends in other companies who told me that they never see such kind of issue. If one is hospitalised the claim should be made for any investigations done. Please suggest if my company has not taken the correct policy.

Your anguish is understandable given that the general perception is that any cost incurred on hospitalisation are covered in a mediclaim policy. However, most mediclaim policies permanently excludes general diagnostic tests even if done while hospitalised if it is not for the purpose of treating or diagnosing an illness or injury. Even the policies that allow expenditure for diagnostic tests etc normally do so after a waiting period of a few years and with a very low limit of around Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.

Look at it from the insurance company's perspective. Wrong and fraudulent claims are a bane of this industry and it is easier to make such claims when only diagnostic tests are required and no illness or injury exists. These wrongful claims will ultimately affect genuineness, as the insurance companies will need to hike premium to meet the claims on this account. Hence it pays you only when you are suffering from an illness or accident. It doesn't pay you for getting a diagnostic done.

My mother is 70-year old. I want a mediclaim policy of Rs 1,00,000 cover for her. Kindly guide me.

There are very few options available to you at this age of your mother. Varishta Mediclaim from National Insurance and Silver Health from Bajaj [ Images ] Allianz General are plans, which are specially meant for senior citizens. Both of them allow coverage of pre-existing diseases after first policy year with co-payment of 10 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. Bajaj plan is renewable till the age of 75 years and National Insurance plan is renewable till 90 years of age.

Note: Co-payment refers to the percentage of chargeable expenses that the insured person has to pay. Only the balance is payable by the insurance company.

I am 45-year male having CKD stage 3. Can I have any health policy?

It is very unlikely that any insurance company will give you a health insurance policy when you are already suffering from CKD (Chornic Kidney Disease). Even if you manage to get a policy, please keep in mind that any health insurance policy has a clause of pre-existing diseases. This ranges from end of 3 years till 5 years and varies from one policy to another. So any expenses arising out of CKD will not be covered for the next as many years mentioned in the policy.

If a large company employs you, your best bet would be to get the employer to take a group insurance policy that normally covers pre-existing diseases as well.

I already have a policy but how shall I claim it?

You need to submit all the documents of hospitalisation to the TPA (third party agency) of the insurance company from whom you have bought the policy. Along with that you need to fill up a form and submit it. The TPA will verify the claim and forward you the cheque of the reimbursed amount. Some companies handle the claim formalities directly. Visit the concerned company's website and download the necessary claim form and the procedure for making the claim.

Apnapaisa is a price comparison engine that allows consumers in India [ Images ] the ability to compare the EMI, interest rates and other fees for home loans, car loans, personal loans, business loans, credit cards, compare online quotes and features of life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, travel insurance and other general insurance policies in India.

When to call in a financial planner?

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InvestmentYogi

InvestmentYogi attended a talk in Silicon Valley, California, by the bestselling author, Ramit Sethi, who recently wrote I Will Teach You to be Rich. His book was published in 2009 and became an immediate Amazon #1 bestseller.

Ramit is an American citizen of Indian origin who was brought up in California by Indian parents who inculcated values of savings, thrift, bargaining, and having fun once in a while.

He says his studies at Stanford in technology and psychology helped him understand the psychology of people and their money.

We summarise Sethi's talk while giving an Indian bent to the advice.

Please note: The Indian market advice adaptation is ours, USA recommendations are his.

Photographs: Investmentyogi and Rediff Archives

Next

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Prev Next

Sethi started out by preaching simplicity in finances. "Don't try to save by cutting down on Lattes", he advised, "Look out for the big things and if you are on track there, don't sweat the small stuff."

He claims average people can have success by automating their investments, using psychology to help them save and aiming for a system where you get "85 per cent right."

He repeated several times not to try hard to save every penny and not to get stressed out and use up all one's will power. The idea is to set up automatic investing plans, like SIPs, maximise company savings plans and focus on the big picture. He suggests setting up multiple savings sub accounts to save for specific goals, like say marriage, buying a car, or spending on a vacation.

He spoke of 401K plans, the USA version of the Provident Fund.

In India, the Provident fund is primarily invested in Government debt (although the Government is making efforts to bring in professional fund managers and link it to the market). In the USA you can choose from many funds, risk levels, debt, equity and more. He fears the system is too confusing for most.

"When people have too many choices, they make no choice at all but put it off. Better to stay simple but be invested."

Prev Next

370)this.width=370">

Prev Next

His investing advice boils down to this:

• Max out your 401K (this is the Employee Provident fund equivalent. You should always be paying the maximum contribution since you get matching and it is a tax-advantaged account).
• Pay down debt
• Be sure you are properly insured
• Max out your Roth IRAs (closest equivalent is the public provident fund, another tax-advantaged tool)
• Then, if there is money left, invest in taxable accounts

How to become rich?

This advice must be adapted a little in India because here the Provident Fund provides only debt investment. We all need some equity to avoid our savings getting reduced by inflation and to keep up with the economic growth. So be sure to have your investments outside of the PF as well. Some good equity funds should be a part of your portfolio preferably through SIP (Systematic Investment Planning) route.

He advises "Earn More." He suggests doing side jobs, increasing your income at your job and making sure you are earning sufficiently. This may not be easy to follow in India as part time jobs are hard to come by.

Where to invest?

In the USA he suggests both lifecycle and index funds which tend to have low costs and are simple and straightforward. Fortunately India has some good Index Funds like Nifty Bees and Franklin Templeton India has such "LifeCycle Funds" also called "Stage of Life" funds.

They have different funds for people in different stages of life like 20s,30s,40s etc. Balanced Funds or Hybrid Funds in India also serve a similar purpose.

Prev Next

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Sethi suggests when a portfolio becomes substantial and you need help choosing investments. In India this is not so simple, you may need help at an earlier stage. Good news is, in India planners can sometimes cost less and be more accessible to the average Indian.

If you are getting a planner, Sethi advises, make sure he/she is fee only and not commission based. He recommends looking for a planner on the NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) site in the USA.

Since most Indians are not members of this USA-based organisation, we advise you to look for a Certified Financial Planner on the Indian Financial Planning Standards Board Website: .

Note: Please remember that there are no fast or quick ways of becoming rich unless you get lucky or inherit it. Avoid being duped by false claims of making you rich overnight.

Slow and steady is the mantra!

How to become rich? Where to invest?

When to call in a financial planner?

370)this.width=370">

Next

InvestmentYogi

InvestmentYogi attended a talk in Silicon Valley, California, by the bestselling author, Ramit Sethi, who recently wrote I Will Teach You to be Rich. His book was published in 2009 and became an immediate Amazon #1 bestseller.

Ramit is an American citizen of Indian origin who was brought up in California by Indian parents who inculcated values of savings, thrift, bargaining, and having fun once in a while.

He says his studies at Stanford in technology and psychology helped him understand the psychology of people and their money.

We summarise Sethi's talk while giving an Indian bent to the advice.

Please note: The Indian market advice adaptation is ours, USA recommendations are his.

Photographs: Investmentyogi and Rediff Archives

Next

370)this.width=370">

Prev Next

Sethi started out by preaching simplicity in finances. "Don't try to save by cutting down on Lattes", he advised, "Look out for the big things and if you are on track there, don't sweat the small stuff."

He claims average people can have success by automating their investments, using psychology to help them save and aiming for a system where you get "85 per cent right."

He repeated several times not to try hard to save every penny and not to get stressed out and use up all one's will power. The idea is to set up automatic investing plans, like SIPs, maximise company savings plans and focus on the big picture. He suggests setting up multiple savings sub accounts to save for specific goals, like say marriage, buying a car, or spending on a vacation.

He spoke of 401K plans, the USA version of the Provident Fund.

In India, the Provident fund is primarily invested in Government debt (although the Government is making efforts to bring in professional fund managers and link it to the market). In the USA you can choose from many funds, risk levels, debt, equity and more. He fears the system is too confusing for most.

"When people have too many choices, they make no choice at all but put it off. Better to stay simple but be invested."

Prev Next

370)this.width=370">

His investing advice boils down to this:

• Max out your 401K (this is the Employee Provident fund equivalent. You should always be paying the maximum contribution since you get matching and it is a tax-advantaged account).
• Pay down debt
• Be sure you are properly insured
• Max out your Roth IRAs (closest equivalent is the public provident fund, another tax-advantaged tool)
• Then, if there is money left, invest in taxable accounts

How to become rich?

This advice must be adapted a little in India because here the Provident Fund provides only debt investment. We all need some equity to avoid our savings getting reduced by inflation and to keep up with the economic growth. So be sure to have your investments outside of the PF as well. Some good equity funds should be a part of your portfolio preferably through SIP (Systematic Investment Planning) route.

He advises "Earn More." He suggests doing side jobs, increasing your income at your job and making sure you are earning sufficiently. This may not be easy to follow in India as part time jobs are hard to come by.

Where to invest?

In the USA he suggests both lifecycle and index funds which tend to have low costs and are simple and straightforward. Fortunately India has some good Index Funds like Nifty Bees and Franklin Templeton India has such "LifeCycle Funds" also called "Stage of Life" funds.

They have different funds for people in different stages of life like 20s,30s,40s etc. Balanced Funds or Hybrid Funds in India also serve a similar purpose.

Don't try to save by cutting down on Lattes

How to become rich? Where to invest?

When to call in a financial planner?

370)this.width=370">

Next

InvestmentYogi

InvestmentYogi attended a talk in Silicon Valley, California, by the bestselling author, Ramit Sethi, who recently wrote I Will Teach You to be Rich. His book was published in 2009 and became an immediate Amazon #1 bestseller.

Ramit is an American citizen of Indian origin who was brought up in California by Indian parents who inculcated values of savings, thrift, bargaining, and having fun once in a while.

He says his studies at Stanford in technology and psychology helped him understand the psychology of people and their money.

We summarise Sethi's talk while giving an Indian bent to the advice.

Please note: The Indian market advice adaptation is ours, USA recommendations are his.

Photographs: Investmentyogi and Rediff Archives

Next

370)this.width=370">

Sethi started out by preaching simplicity in finances. "Don't try to save by cutting down on Lattes", he advised, "Look out for the big things and if you are on track there, don't sweat the small stuff."

He claims average people can have success by automating their investments, using psychology to help them save and aiming for a system where you get "85 per cent right."

He repeated several times not to try hard to save every penny and not to get stressed out and use up all one's will power. The idea is to set up automatic investing plans, like SIPs, maximise company savings plans and focus on the big picture. He suggests setting up multiple savings sub accounts to save for specific goals, like say marriage, buying a car, or spending on a vacation.

He spoke of 401K plans, the USA version of the Provident Fund.

In India, the Provident fund is primarily invested in Government debt (although the Government is making efforts to bring in professional fund managers and link it to the market). In the USA you can choose from many funds, risk levels, debt, equity and more. He fears the system is too confusing for most.

"When people have too many choices, they make no choice at all but put it off. Better to stay simple but be invested.

Bestselling author tells you how to get rich

Don't try to save by cutting down on Lattes

How to become rich? Where to invest?

When to call in a financial planner?

370)this.width=370">

InvestmentYogi

InvestmentYogi attended a talk in Silicon Valley, California, by the bestselling author, Ramit Sethi, who recently wrote I Will Teach You to be Rich. His book was published in 2009 and became an immediate Amazon #1 bestseller.

Ramit is an American citizen of Indian origin who was brought up in California by Indian parents who inculcated values of savings, thrift, bargaining, and having fun once in a while.

He says his studies at Stanford in technology and psychology helped him understand the psychology of people and their money.

We summarise Sethi's talk while giving an Indian bent to the advice.

Please note: The Indian market advice adaptation is ours, USA recommendations are his.

Fitness: How to get rid of love handles

Side planks and alternate crunches

Using the medicine ball to shape up

Lunges and mountain-climbing

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It's one thing to get toned arms and legs, but how do you get rid of love handles? Fitness trainer Bindiya from Leena Mogre's Fitness shows you four basic exercises that will get rid of tyres around your waist.

1. Regular crunch

Lie down on a mat with your feet raised up. Ensure the knees are in line with the hip and your hands are behind you head. With a little help from your hands, raise your upper body towards the knees, exhaling as you come up and inhale when you go back. Do not jam your chin down while doing so. You could do one to three sets of 20 repetitions.

2. Basic plank position

In a quadruped position come down to your elbows with your fists tightened. Stretch your legs to the end of the mat. At this point, your body should look like a plank of wood -- your back to the ground. Hold this position for a minimum of ten seconds gradually building to two minutes.

Click here to watch the video

England hit on winning formula

England fans are still taking in their side's dramatic World T20 final win on Sunday, their first ICC triumph in a one-day tournament after 35 years of trying.
What made the win more satisfying was the manner in which it was achieved. England played the best cricket in this tournament by a distance and no one can argue with their win.

In the West Indies, England upset the but they did it with such ease you would have thought they were favourites before the start of the competition.

The old question marks that hung over the team in recent years England have been eradicated and credit has to go to the selectors for dealing with those problems.
Firstly, England's repeated failure to take advantage of the powerplay was solved by the selection of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb. The pair may not be technically the best cricketers in the country, but they know how to hit a ball and aren't afraid to do so.

Their lusty blows at the top of the innings gave England a solid platform on which to build on. They duly did so with the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan ensuring that the momentum gained by the openers was not lost. This is backed up by the statistics which reveal all but one of England's batsmen had a strike rate of over 100.

The pressure was kept on the opposition in the field as well. England had no 'out' bowlers, a player who the opposition knew would bowl a few loose ones allowing them to hit a few boundaries to release the pressure.

The opening pair of Sidebottom and Bresnan were on the money from the off, no looseners there. While Stuart Broad as first change bamboozled the batsmen using the full compliant of deliveries in his armoury.

With the powerplay out of the way spin pairing of Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy choked the middle of the innings, meaning when the pacemen were brought on at the end they were bowling to frustrated batsmen. Desperate to boost their side's low score they took more risks, usually resulting in their dismissal.

Coach Andy Flower was quick to put things in perspective and urged calm, saying this was only one format of the game. But the confidence taken from this win should spur the players on to greater things in 50 over and test matches. With the Ashes on the horizon, that is definitely something to get excited about.

Meanwhile, the England football team will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of their cricketing compatriots this year when they travel to South Africa for the World Cup.

Ban Ki-Moon in football match with Ugandan leader

UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have taken part in a football match to highlight the plight of war crime victims.

The event, in the Ugandan capital Kampala, comes ahead of a conference reviewing the progress of the International Criminal Court.

An international treaty establishing the court was signed in 1998.

Many Ugandans have been victims of war crimes, notably at the hands of the notorious Lords Resistance Army (LRA).

The LRA has been indicted by the international criminal court over massacres and abductions perpetrated over almost two decades.

BBC Africa Correspondent Karen Allen says the aim of the match was to capitalise on World Cup fever sweeping across Africa in an attempt to draw attention to the cause.

Mr Ban, in a blue shirt, represented the "Justice" team, while President Museveni - dressed in white - played for the "Dignity" team.

Our correspondent says they enjoyed 10 minutes of boisterous play, watched by local crowds.

President Museveni's team emerged victorious defeating the UN envoy one nil.

Rise in beaches graded excellent by Environment Agency

The Environment Agency says its early results were encouraging

Almost every beach in England and Wales meets Europe's highest cleanliness standards, the Environment Agency says.

Tests reveal the quality of water in 97% of bathing sites is sufficiently good to be classified "excellent".

But the agency says the results were based on early season sampling and could change over the coming months.

It says the recent spell of good weather and action to reduce pollution from farms and sewer overflows are responsible for the improved results.

Last week the Marine Conservation Society rated 421 of 769 UK beaches as excellent - 33 more than 2009, but below the 505 rated highly in 2006.

Its annual Good Beach Guide revealed more beaches have excellent water quality than last year, but pollution has worsened since 2006.

The Environment Agency tests show a rise in the number it classifies as excellent of almost a fifth, from 76% 10 years ago to the current 97%.

Inspectors take weekly water samples at 494 sites to measure pollution levels between May and September each year.

A total of 14 beaches were rated "good" while one - Staithes in North Yorkshire - was given a "poor" rating due to levels of bacteria from sewage and livestock waste.

Treasury chief Danny Alexander 'paid home sale taxes'

Danny Alexander sold the property in south London in 2007

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has said he paid all taxes due after selling his second home.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Mr Alexander avoided paying Capital Gains Tax (CGT) by describing a flat in London as his main home to Revenue and Customs, while living mostly in Scotland.

Mr Alexander said CGT was not payable.

Tax rules say that people with two homes are not liable for CGT if they sell the main home within three years.

The former Scottish Secretary was promoted in the coalition government on Saturday after the resignation of fellow Lib Dem David Laws.

Revenue rules

The Telegraph said Mr Alexander designated the property in south London as his second home for the purpose of claiming parliamentary expenses but described it to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as his main home.

He sold it in 2007 and now owns another flat in London, in addition to his constituency home. Mr Alexander said he would pay CGT "if the time comes" for him to sell that one.

I have always listed London as my second home on the basis set out in the parliamentary rules as I spent more time in Scotland than I did in London

Danny Alexander Chief Secretary to the Treasury

He said he bought the first London flat in 1999 with his wife, then sold it in 2007.

"Until the spring of 2006 this was the only property we owned," he said in a statement.

"I had rented a place in Aviemore until then, we subsequently bought a place there and moved into it.

"I have always listed London as my second home on the basis set out in the parliamentary rules as I spent more time in Scotland than I did in London."

On selling the flat in 2007, he said he "was advised that CGT was not payable because of the operation of final period relief, which exempts homes from CGT for 36 months after they stop being the main home".

He added: "I have already publicly declared that I will pay Capital Gains Tax if the time comes for me to sell my second home."

HMRC rules state that the final three years always qualify for relief from CGT - even if the person was not living at the property - as long as it has been their only or main home at some point during the time they owned it.

Men's skin cancer death rate doubles over 30 years

By Jane Elliott and video by Anna-Marie Lever BBC News

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Consultants from St Thomas' Hospital, London, talk about when a good mole goes bad.

The rate of men dying from the deadliest form of skin cancer has doubled over the past three decades.

Figures from Cancer Research UK show a steep increase in deaths from malignant melanoma, especially in elderly men.

In the late 1970s fewer than 400 (1.5 per 100,000) men died from melanoma but that figure has now risen to over 1,100 (3.1 per 100,000).

Yet the cancer is preventable if people avoid sunburn and deal with 'worrying' moles early, the charity said.

The death rates for women have also risen, from 1.5 to 2.2 per 100,000.

Rates have soared since the 1970s

The figures also reveal that although more women are diagnosed in the first place, more men die from the disease.

In men aged over 65 deaths have risen from 4.5 per 100,000 to 15.2 per 100,000 over the past 30 years.

Caroline Cerny, from Cancer Research UK, said men needed to learn to look after their skin.

"Too often men leave it up to their partners or mothers to remind them to use sunscreen or cover up with a shirt and hat, and even to visit the doctor about a worrying mole," she said.

Be vigilant

The figures suggest men are either not aware of skin cancer symptoms or are ignoring them and putting off going to see their GP, she added.

Continue reading the main story

If you are worried about a mole, go to a GP

Dr Jonathan Bowling

"It's crucial that people go to their doctor as soon as they notice any unusual changes to their skin or moles - the earlier the cancer is diagnosed the easier it will be to treat."

Care services minister Paul Burstow said that the figures were worrying and everyone needed to be vigilant.

"Seeing many people with sunburn from the recent sunny weather is a reminder of how easy it is to damage your skin," he said.

Dermatologist Dr Jonathan Bowling, from the Radcliffe Hospitals Trust and the private Cadogan clinic, said it was vital that anyone with any concerns about their moles seek help from a qualified dermatologist.

"If you are worried about a mole, go to a GP," he said.

"Either he can refer you, or if you are still worried you can ask to see a dermatologist."

Surgical instruments 'left inside' patients

Scotland Patients Association said patients should not be put at risk

Forceps, needles, fragments of a bone drill and swabs are among the objects left inside Scottish patients during operations, it has emerged.

Some patients also had organs punctured accidentally while in operating theatres, the Press Association found.

Scotland's largest health board, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said six patients left hospital with swabs inside their body since January 2008.

The NHS board said the checks system it has in place failed on those occasions.

The hospitals involved are Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Southern General Hospital, Stobhill Hospital, Victoria Infirmary and Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde said up to three people, from a total of 12 with objects left inside their bodies, became unwell as a result.

A spokesman said: "All swabs and instruments are counted in and out during every open operative procedure.

"During the operation the counts are recorded on a wall board in theatre.

No patient should have to endure another operation or have their life put at risk because the pre and post checks are not rigorously carried out

Dr Jean Turner Scotland Patients Association

"Several counts are done during the procedure and a final count at the end to ensure all is present and correct."

He said the final count was documented by the two members of staff who performed the count.

"However the system has not worked on these particular occasions," he added.

"All such incidents are reported within the organisation and undergo an investigation.

"The patients involved receive an apology from the principle clinician involved."

NHS Borders said forceps were left inside a patient at Borders General Hospital in June last year.

The health board said the object was missing at the end of the surgery

It said staff were alerted, the patient was X-rayed, re-anaesthetised and the forceps removed.

Needles and swabs

In May last year the bladder dome of an adult patient at the same hospital was accidentally torn during a total abdominal hysterectomy.

The tear was noticed immediately and was stitched.

NHS Grampian said eight incidents occurred between January 2008 and February 2010 in which objects were left inside or assumed to have been left inside patients.

The items included "minute" bone-drill fragments, as well as fragments of tubing, needles and swabs.

In six recorded cases in NHS Grampian, the uterus was punctured on five occasions and a patient's testicles were punctured in one case.

Five of the incidents took place at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and one was at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital.

Missing instruments have been found inside patients

Since January 2008, fewer than five patients left hospital with swabs inside them after surgery.

NHS Tayside said eight objects, including the tip of a guide wire and the tip of a needle, were left inside patients during surgery.

The patients were at Ninewells Hospital and Perth Royal Infirmary but none became ill, were injured or died as a result of the mistakes.

Health boards insisted they had checks in place.

Dr Jean Turner, executive director of the Scotland Patients Association, said: "Patients expect to be safe at all times but especially when they are in an operating theatre and under an anaesthetic.

"The utmost care should be taken by all theatre staff, especially the sister in charge, the surgeon in charge and the anaesthetist to make sure that all swabs and instruments are counted at the start and match the count at the end before closing the wound.

"All swabs despite arriving in packs of whatever number, should be counted and not assumed to be the usual number of the pack.

"These checks, to my knowledge, are routine.

"No patient should have to endure another operation or have their life put at risk because the pre and post checks are not rigorously carried out."

The details were released after a Freedom of Information request to all 14 health boards in Scotland by the Press Association.

Briton killed in terror attack at Pakistan mosque

Mr Bilal's funeral was held in Pakistan on Sunday

A British businessman was among 93 people killed in a terrorist attack on two mosques in Pakistan on Friday.

Muhammad Bilal, 58, of Southfields, south west London, was visiting the Darul Zikr mosque in Lahore when terrorists burst in and opened fire.

The married father-of-three was with business colleagues at the time.

His family has paid tribute to his humanitarian work setting up a medical clinic and providing financial help to Pakistan's poor.

The co-ordinated attacks on two mosques of the minority Ahmadi sect took place during Friday prayers in the northern city. Police have blamed the Pakistani Taliban.

Suicide vests

Mr Bilal's family have flew to Pakistan on Sunday for his funeral.

His nephew, Sardar Fareed, said: "His loss will not only be felt by his direct family members but also by many more.

"He was a true servant of humanity. Muhammad was a living example of the Ahmadi Muslim motto 'Love for All, Hatred for None'."

Two teams of gunmen, including some in suicide vests, stormed the mosques with guns and grenades.

At least two of the seven attackers were captured, and some died in the stand-off.

One 17-year-old suspect told police the men had trained in the North Waziristan tribal region.

Malawi gay couple released after presidential pardon

Two gay men jailed in Malawi but later pardoned by the country's President Bingu wa Mutharika have been released from prison, say reports.

Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga had been given 14-year jail terms for "gross indecency and unnatural acts" after celebrating their engagement.

They were pardoned during a visit by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

But a government minister told the BBC the men could be re-arrested if they continued their relationship.

The case sparked international condemnation and a debate about homosexuality in the country.

Monjeza, 26, and Chimbalanga, 20, were released from prison on Saturday evening, hours after Mr Mutharika announced their pardon.

Gift Trapence, director of the campaign group Centre for the Development of the People (Cedep) which had been supporting the couple, said they had been taken separately to their home villages.

"The prison authorities told them they had been given instruction from above that they should take them to their respective homes," he told the AFP news agency.

Mr Trapence said they had been "warmly welcomed by their respective relatives" when they arrived home.

'No change'

But Patricia Kaliati, Malawi's Minister of Gender and Children, said Monjeza and Chimbalanga's release did not mean they could continue their relationship.

"It doesn't mean that now they are free people, they can keep doing whatever you keep doing," she said.

Ms Kaliati said they could be rearrested if they "continue doing that".

The men's lawyer said they were unlikely to be treated in the same way if they were arrested again.

"The pardon only applies to the offence under which they were convicted. If, for example, they go back and the state is of the view that they have recommited the offence, the pardon will not apply," said Mauya Msuku.

Monjeza and Chimbalanga were arrested in December last year, a day after they celebrated their engagement and had been in custody ever since.

They were convicted of engaging in gay sex under a law dating back to colonial rule by Britain and sentenced to 14 years with hard labour.

Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa said their actions went "against the order of nature".

But on Saturday, Mr Mutharika said he was pardoning the pair on humanitarian grounds.

"In all aspects of reasoning, in all aspects of human understanding, these two gay boys were wrong - totally wrong," he said.

"However, now that they have been sentenced, I as the president of this country have the powers to pronounce on them and therefore, I have decided that with effect from today, they are pardoned and they will be released."

His comments came after a meeting with UN chief Mr Ban, who praised the decision as courageous.

But Ms Kaliati insisted that the president had not bowed to international pressure in releasing the men.

She said Malawi would not now reconsider its laws against homosexuality.

"We have our own rules and laws which we are following, and our own constitution. Our constitution is not the same as your constitution," she said in her BBC interview.

Many of Britain's former colonies have similar laws outlawing homosexuality - India overturned it last year.

In Uganda, MPs are debating whether to strengthen the laws to include the death penalty for some gay people - a move which has infuriated Western governments and human rights campaigners.

Real secure Mourinho as coach after Inter deal

Real Madrid [ Images ] will present Jose Mourinho as their coach on Monday after agreeing an undisclosed compensation deal with Inter Milan, the Spanish club said on Friday.

The two club presidents met in Milan to thrash out details of the package that will free Mourinho to leave Inter and join the nine-times European champions after a treble-winning season in Italy [ Images ].

Inter gave no details of the deal between their president Massimo Moratti and his Real counterpart Florentino Perez [ Images ] but Spanish and Italian media reported that Inter would receive eight million euros (6.8 million pounds).

Mourinho led Inter to three trophies last season, culminating in their Champions League [ Images ] final victory over Bayern Munich [ Images ] at Real's Bernabeu [ Images ] Stadium.

Real turned to him after sacking Manuel Pellegrini this week following a season with no trophies for a team that had 250 million euros spent on it last summer.

"We are convinced that we need a fresh impulse and we are convinced that Jose Mourinho is the right person to take on the job," Perez said at the time.

The move for Mourinho marks a change in direction for Perez, who has preferred to invest money in the world's best players rather than high-profile coaches in the past.

STRONG MAN

"(We looked to Mourinho) for his prestige, for the personality he has, for his great ability to absorb the pressure and for the leadership Madrid needs," Perez's right-hand man Jorge Valdano said in a radio interview earlier on Friday.

"We lacked a strong man in a moment of transition like this."

Real tripped up in the big games last season, losing in the 'clasicos' against Barcelona and in the Champions League first knockout round against Olympique Lyon.

Mourinho, 47, has a reputation as a motivator, is a great tactician and is strong enough to ride out the inevitable ups and downs of managing a side under the local media's microscope.

With Porto he won the UEFA [ Images ] Cup and the European Cup in 2004, and he won back-to-back league titles with Chelsea before moving to Italy.

He will be expected to get the most out of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo [ Images ] but is likely to demand more of a say in planning at the club.

Pellegrini spoke of being isolated from the decision-making process when it came to planning the team, and Jose Antonio Camacho walked out on the club in 2004 complaining of interference in team affairs from above.

Spanish media have already speculated that Real will move back into the transfer market, with Inter's Brazilian fullback Maicon [ Images ] and Benfica's Argentine winger Angel Di Maria among the names linked with the club.

Mourinho's departure has left a nasty taste in the mouth

'His timing was not great'

'The door is always open'

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Inter Milan should be basking in the glory of a record-breaking season but instead the manner of Jose Mourinho's departure has left a nasty taste in the mouth.

A first Champions League triumph since 1965 and an unprecedented Italian treble have been overshadowed by Mourinho's unashamed desire to join Real Madrid and his verbal volleys against what he saw as the cynical Italian game.

The outspoken Portuguese all but announced he was leaving for Real when Inter were still celebrating on the pitch after their 2-0 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich last Saturday.

Winning the most-coveted of trophies at Real's Santiago Bernabeu stadium only served to increase the drama which envelopes the brash former Chelsea coach, leading fans around the world to love him and hate him in equal measure.

Tamim century gives Bangladesh hope of avoiding defeat

First Test, Lord's (day four, close):
England 505 v Bangladesh 282 & 328-5
Match scorecard

Tamim became the first Bangladesh player to score a century at Lord's

By Oliver Brett BBC Sport at Lord's

A stirring century from Tamim Iqbal on day four at Lord's was the highlight as Bangladesh batted brilliantly to give themselves a chance of avoiding defeat following six losses in six Tests against England.

Tamim hit an eye-catching 103 from 100 ballst, but Imrul Kayes (75) and Junaid Sidique (66 not out) were no bit-part players.

Bangladesh, invited to follow on 223 runs behind when their first innings ended on 282 within the first hour, ended the day 105 ahead on 328-5.

The absence of a fifth bowler in easy batting conditions was, not for the first time, sorely felt by England's attack.

Tamim, 21, is playing with a wrist problem, and would have probably skipped the match had it not been held at a ground that holds so much importance for visiting cricketers.

Outscored at one point by his partner, he accelerated superbly in a partnership of 185 with Kayes in barely 38 overs, the highest by a pair of Bangladesh openers in Test cricket.

Tamim's effort was his third century in Tests, the fastest by any Bangladeshi and the quickest at Lord's since Mohammad Azharuddin in 1990.

606: DEBATE Bangladesh have to bat 60 or so overs tomorrow I think. If England need 250 from 40 odd, you would back them to chase it down? SwAnNsOnG

England's bowlers, as they had been for much of Friday, were run ragged until Steven Finn removed both Tamim and Kayes in the run-up to tea on the fourth day.

In an extended final session, Bangladesh's batsmen enjoyed another fruitful period before James Anderson produced some high-quality swing bowling with the new ball.

The left-handed Tamim produced some exquisite pull shots, showed complete disregard for England's cricketer of the year Graeme Swann, and blazed one drive through the covers off Anderson that was reminiscent of Aravinda de Silva.

Sunday's play had started with Andrew Strauss's side in a strong position after taking five cheap wickets on the rain-truncated third day to leave Bangladesh on 237-7, well adrift of England's opening 505.

With a stiff breeze and sunny intervals, conditions were not so favourable for the bowlers.

But Anderson bowled Shahadat Hossain and Mahmudullah without too much bother before Tim Bresnan had Rubel Hossain taken at slip, Bangladesh adding 45 runs to their total.

With the follow-on enforced, Tamim and Kayes survived one or two hairy moments to get through the first 14 overs leading up to lunch, reaching 69-0, and the fun continued in the afternoon.

It was important for England not to let the partnership get out of hand, but Swann failed to get his hands to a low Kayes edge off Anderson with the batsman on 30, which just about carried on the full.

Tamim was quiet for a while, but then stepped up several gears, hitting three boundaries in a row off Finn, a lucky edge just past gully sandwiched by a clumping on-drive and a terrific pull off one leg.

It got even more exciting when Tamim slog-swept two sixes in an over off Swann, and as he eyed his third Test century Kayes reached his first fifty at this level with a well-executed sweep shot for four off the expensive Swann.

Kayes came close to falling lbw to Swann, but Tamim for a while was unstoppable.

On 87, he cut the first ball of a Bresnan over for four, drove the next past mid-off for another boundary, worked a couple off the next ball, and still had time in the same over to drive the Yorkshire bowler over mid-on to reach a century that was warmly applauded.

Swann was left wicketless as England toiled in the evening session

Tamim ran half-way to the dressing room in celebration, signalling his desire to have his name inscribed on the Lord's honours board.

The fun could not last for ever as Tamim's cricket always verged on the risky, and it was a decent bouncer from Finn that had him miscuing his pull, to be easily held by Jonathan Trott at fine leg.

Finn soon removed Kayes too, fending off another short ball straight to provide Ian Bell with a sharp catch at short leg.

Bangladesh resumed after tea on 189-2, with two batsmen still to score and 34 runs behind.

It took a strength-sapping two hours for England to collect a third wicket, however, with the pitch having turned docile as often happens towards the end of a Lord's Test.

Siddique and Jahurul Islam put on exactly 100 in 30 overs. It was a well-paced partnership, the two batsmen minimising risk as they largely concentrated on defence until waiting for poor balls to put away.

Long after Bangladesh had moved into the lead, Strauss continued to post attacking fields, but was frustrated when occasional edges eluded the catching men.

Jahurul (46) finally fell to Trott of all people, jabbing up a catch via his pad which the medium-pacer himself took diving forward.

Mohammad Ashraful got going with some fluent off-side drives but Anderson, taking the new ball, dismissed him with a good delivery that took the outside edge and flew to Matt Prior.

Bangladesh sent out nightwatchman Shahadat, who was promptly bowled by Bresnan. Suddenly things did not look quite so dismal for England.

'Is it worth me going to the World Cup?'

Coach Maradona gets enthusiastic send-off

Fan trouble disrupts NZ-Serbia match

Spain scrape past Saudi

Bent, Huddlestone get Eng call-up for Japan friendly

Prandelli named to coach Italy after World Cup

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Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o threatened to stay away from the World Cup, while Diego Maradona, another man who has endured a turbulent relationship with his national side, got a lively send-off as Argentina left for South Africa.

Eto'o, who helped Inter Milan to win the Champions League final last weekend, took umbrage at remarks by Cameroon's 1990 World Cup hero Roger Milla, who said the striker had done little for the national side.

"Is it worth me going to the World Cup?" Eto'o asked on French television channel Canal Plus Sport. "I still have a few days to think about it but I will see if my participation is important because I don't need this in my career."

Eto'o did not play in Cameroon's 1-1 draw with Slovakia in a friendly in the Austrian town of Klagenfurt on Saturday but he was later named in Paul Le Guen's final 23 for the tournamen

Federer makes short work of Wawrinka to enter quarters

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Four-time champion Justine Henin showed nerves of steel to beat Maria Sharapova of Russia 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in their delayed French Open third-round match on Sunday.

With the match between two former world number ones held over at a set-all when darkness halted play on Saturday, Sharapova was quickest out of the blocks, racing to a 2-0 lead and then having Henin at 0-40 on the Belgian's serve.

But Henin, enjoying the majority of support from a crowd wrapped up against the chill wind, managed to hold on and then reeled off three more games to take a 4-2 lead in blustery conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Sharapova offered to extend the match further when she broke for 4-3 but time and again failed to come into the net when Henin was struggling at the back of the court.

Image: Justine Henin
Photographs: Reuters

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Henin kept the unforced errors down to a minimum and waited for her chance, sealing victory in two hours 10 minutes when a Sharapova backhand drifted wide.

"I was out of first serves," Henin said in a courtside interview after her first serve success rate slumped to 48 percent.

"She caught me cold and I was actually expecting it. I had to react, I was a bit slow.

"In the first set, my tactics paid off and then I let her take control. She is a champion. I have a lot of admiration for her. It was a good test. I am so happy to still have an opportunity to win here.

"It was a difficult third-round match, but I'm the world number 23 so I'm not spared by the draw."

She now faces Australian seventh seed Samantha Stosur for a place in the quarter-finals.

Image: Maria Sharapova

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Experienced Italian Francesca Schiavone reached the quarter-finals of the French Open for the first time in nine years when she beat Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday.

On a chilly Parisian morning, the 17th-seeded Schiavone, who featured in the claycourt Grand Slam last eight in 2001, was made to work by Kirilenko who knocked out defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the previous round.

The demonstrative Schiavone, who raised her arms in the air after a cunning lob and applauded a fine Kirilenko volley, ended the contest on her opponent's serve after one hour and 51 minutes.

She will next face World No 3 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

Image: Francesca Schiavone in action against Maria Kirilenko

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Second seed Venus Williams was unexpectedly sent packing from the French Open on Sunday when Russian 19th seed Nadia Petrova mastered the gusty conditions in a no-nonsense 6-4, 6-3 fourth-round win.

The American, a finalist in Paris in 2002, could not derail Petrova's consistent claycourt game on a windswept Centre Court as the Russian reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2005.

Petrova, who saved three match points in the previous round against local hope Aravane Rezai, made up for an early break in the second set and wrapped up the win after one hour and 30 minutes.

"It's my most dramatic French Open," Petrova, who reached the last four here in 2003 and 2005, told a courtside interviewer.

"Before yesterday's match I did not sleep all night. I'm very happy I came back strong on that Centre Court. I'm in very good condition physically."

Explaining her first defeat by Petrova in five meetings, Williams said her game had malfunctioned in the cold.

"I feel like I had a day where I wanted to hit the ball crosscourt and it went down the line, sometimes it happens," the 29-year-old said. "Sometimes when it's too cold it's hard to feel the racket."

Petrova will next face fellow Russian Elena Dementieva, the fifth seed, for a place in the semi-finals.

She has a 7-7 record against Dementieva.

Image: Nadia Petrova

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World No 3 Caroline Wozniacki came out on top in a three-hour tussle to down Italian Flavia Pennetta 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 in the fourth round of the French Open on Sunday.

The Dane, who reached the last eight of a Grand Slam on one previous occasion when she lost the US Open final last year, had more fuel in the tank as the 14th-seeded Pennetta stalled in the decider.

Wozniacki, who broke Pennetta's serve 10 times, won the last four games and ended the contest on her third match point when Pennetta netted a forehand.

She will next face another Italian, 17th-seeded Francesca Schiavone, for a place in the last four.

Dementieva ended the dream run of qualifier Chanelle Scheepers, the first South African to reach the fourth round for 13 years, in an error-strewn opener on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Image: Caroline Wozniacki

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Top seed Roger Federer tamed a swirling wind and close friend Stanislas Wawrinka during a clinical straight-sets victory to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open on Sunday.

Federer, who teamed up with Wawrinka to win the doubles gold for Switzerland at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was at his masterful best to post a 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 victory and move into the last eight without dropping a set.

Wawrinka had a chance to blot the defending champion's copybook when he went a break up in the second but Federer predictably hit back and secured the set on a tiebreak.

It was all too much for Wawrinka who destroyed a racket frame in frustration and Federer rolled through the third, clinching victory in one hour 56 minutes when he smashed the ball away into an empty court.

Federer now faces Robin Soderling, the man he beat to complete his career Grand Slam here last year, after the dangerous Swede destroyed Croatia's Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4 6-2.

French hopes died when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retired injured after losing the first set against Mikhail Youzhny.

Image: Actress Salma Hayek and husband Francois-Henri Pinault, watch the match between Federer and Wawrinka