Daily News Channel
Pope Benedict XVI arrived Friday in Amman, Jordan, for a weeklong visit to the Middle East that he hopes will help "foster good relations between Christians and Muslims." It will be the first papal visit to some of Christianity’s most holy places since Pope John Paul II made the pilgrimage in 2000.
Lance Armstrong was cleared Friday to ride in this year’s Tour de France, health permitting, after the French anti-doping agency confirmed it would not be launching disciplinary procedures against the seven-time champion. The agency opted not to take any action against the 37-year-old American in connection with an incident in the French Riviera town of Beaulieu-sur-Mer on March 17. Although Armstrong is recovering from breaking his collarbone in March, he has indicated he hopes to be ready for the Tour de France in July.
London’s newest hotelier Mark Fuller is showing commendable bravado for someone about to open a luxury hotel during a global recession. “F*** the recession, let’s get on with it,” he says, while sitting on the roof terrace of the Sanctum Soho, a 30-room establishment dubbed the rock’n’roll hotel, as much for its “anything goes” service philosophy as the pedigree of its owners, which include the co-managers of heavy metal band Iron Maiden. “We do not recognize there is a credit crunch because we believe you should battle through it,” Fuller says, adding “If you get panicky and scary about things like this you’re no man at all.” Besides, he admits, three years ago when he started working on the concept of an ‘alluring haven of hedonism’ (as the hotel is described on its Web site), the credit crunch didn’t exist
For some concertgoers, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival really kicked into action on Day Two. Day One was leisurely and pleasant — the weather was mild, the acts were fairly mellow and the big headliner was Paul McCartney. On Day Two, someone took the dial and turned it up a notch, as the desert sun beat down a little harder, the music pumped a little louder and the crowds who packed the VIP tent threw a little more attitude.
Lance Armstrong could face punishment after being accused by the French anti-doping agency (AFLD) of breaking its rules during an unannounced test last month. According to a statement issued by the AFLD, the 37-year-old American “did not meet the obligation to remain under the direct and permanent observation” of the tester, taking a 20-minute shower before giving samples of blood, urine and hair.
Andy Murray on Sunday became the first player to win three times on the ATP tour in 2009.
Local favorite Stijn Devolder retained his Tour of Flanders title under clear blue skies on Sunday, powering away from his rivals for a comfortable victory in the 261.5km spring classic in northern Belgium.
Cyclist Lance Armstrong said Thursday the surgery to repair his broken collarbone proved to be more complex than doctors originally anticipated and that he will take his recovery "day by day." “I thought everything went very smooth,” he said in a video to his supporters about Wednesday’s three-hour operation. Doctors in Spain, where Armstrong injured himself Monday when he fell during a race, initially thought he had suffered a simple fracture. However, additional X-rays and CT scans in Austin, Texas, where he lives, proved otherwise
Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong will have surgery Wednesday to repair a broken collarbone he suffered in a fall during a comeback race in Spain this week, he said via Twitter.
Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong returned to the United States on Tuesday, a day after breaking his collarbone in a fall during a comeback race in Spain, he said via Twitter.