Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo trains at Bekker High School in Magaliesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, the eve of the Fifa World Cup kickoff. PHOTO: AFP

Visitors inspect small airplanes at Berlin’s Schoenefeld airport during the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) on Thursday.

Sourav Ganguly will captain Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in a side featuring cricket great Brian Lara when they face the touring Pakistanis in a Twenty20 fixture at Lord’s on June 27.

Former champions France go into their opening World Cup game against Uruguay in Cape Town on Friday battling a salvo of criticism, with nothing but victory enough to satisfy the sceptics.

The D-day has arrived for World Cup hosts South Africa, who hope months of intense preparation can be translated into victory over Mexico on Friday in the opening 2010 World Cup match.

Experienced midfielder Gilberto Silva said on Wednesday that Brazil were “not here to have a good time” but win a sixth title as they prepared to start on their World Cup campaign in South AFrica.

The football World Cup, which kicks off on Friday, will be insured to the tune of an estimated $9 billion, according to the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.
Just one of the world’s leading players, at the height of their career and playing in a top league such as England’s Premier League or Italy’s Serie A, could be insured for $73 million, Lloyd’s said in a statement.

New research has found Jews share a genetic bond with Cypriots and Druze and confirms the Jewish diaspora maintained a strong DNA continuity despite its long separation from West Asia, scientists said

Is spray-painting a subway train with graffiti a matter of national security? Yes if you do it in Singapore, and you’d better be prepared for the consequences.

Reigning champions Italy arrived in South Africa on Wednesday to defend their crown after tournament favourites Spain showed off their firepower as they scored six times in their final warm-up game.