Daily News Channel
American cyclist Lance Armstrong, the only man to win the Tour de France seven times, crashed on the first stage of a five-day race in Spain on Monday and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Armstrong reportedly fell around 20 kilometers from the finish and was seen pointing to his collarbone, CNN’s Al Goodman reported from northern Spain. Organizers said Armstrong was taken to hospital and had withdrawn from the race.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are getting their group back together this spring for a reunion tour of Asia and Australia, according to a source close to the group. Reunion plans apparently began after Simon and Garfunkel played three songs together during Simon’s two-night gig at New York’s Beacon Theatre in February. Tour rehearsals begin in New York in May and the tour will launch in New Zealand around the first week of June, according to the source
Alberto Contador wrested the overall lead in the Paris-Nice cycle race on Friday with a commanding victory on the testing sixth stage. Contador was always expected to make his move on the “mini-Ventoux” in a summit finish to the stage at La Montagne de Lur and did not disappoint
Robin Williams will undergo heart surgery, according to his publicist. The 57-year-old comedian postponed his one-man show tour and entered a hospital for testing earlier this week after suffering a shortness of breath. Williams will undergo an aortic valve replacement, the publicist said
The match referee hailed as a hero for shielding a wounded colleague during an attack by gunmen on the Sri Lankan cricket team has criticized Pakistani security forces for failing to protect players and match officials. Chris Broad, a former England international, said he and colleagues had been left to be “sitting ducks” after the driver of the minivan in which they were traveling was killed in Tuesday’s ambush in Lahore.
At least six security personnel were confirmed killed and six members of Sri Lanka’s cricket team hurt Tuesday after gunmen attacked the team’s bus in Lahore, Pakistan.
As President Barack Obama prepares to green-light a plan to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 18 months, he’ll face skepticism from some military commanders who fear the withdrawal may be too hasty to maintain the country’s recent security gains. But the President ought to be reassured by the assessment of Marine Major General John Kelly, who just completed a 13-month tour as the top U.S.
Israel’s Andy Ram will be able to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships next week after being granted a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. The ATP had been under pressure to ensure Ram could compete after his countrywoman Shahar Peer was prevented from playing in the women’s event this week. ATP president and executive chairman Adam Helfant told PA Sport: “I am pleased that the efforts to secure Andy Ram’s visa to compete in the ATP World Tour 500 event in Dubai next week have been successful.
Five drug-trafficking suspects were killed and seven federal police officers were wounded Tuesday in clashes in the Mexican border town of Reynosa, police said. She’s expected to huddle with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda Wednesday evening before meeting with President Bambang Yudhoyono the following morning. Clinton will “discuss the close and growing partnership with Indonesia and perspectives on common interests in Southeast Asia,” according to the State Department Web site
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