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Bernard breaks 100m time once again

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Alain Bernard broke the 100 meter freestyle world record for the second time in two days, setting a new mark of 47.50 seconds in the final at the European swimming championships.

The 24-year-old Frenchman took one-tenth of a second off his record of 47.60 in Friday’s semifinals, which shattered Pieter van den Hoogenband’s mark set at the 2000 Olympics.

Bernard was relatively unknown before these championships. He finished ninth in the 100m freestyle at last year’s world championships and seventh in the 2006 Europeans.

Now he has emerged as one of the favorites at the Beijing Olympics in August. Now I know I’m the man to beat, he said. I have been searching for this level for years.

Bernard powered to the 50-meter mark in 22.53 seconds, more than three-tenths of a second inside his own record time, and swam the second 50m in 24.97.

As he turned to look at the scoreboard displaying his new record, Bernard sat on the lane marker, spread his muscular arms wide and roared in delight.

World short-course record holder Stefan Nystrand of Sweden was second, nearly a second slower than Bernard in 48.40, and world champion Filippo Magnini third in 48.53.

Alain Bernard’s time is fantastic, of course, Magnini said. But I think I can also clock a time of 47.5 or 47.6 seconds, maybe not here, but in Beijing. E-mail to a friend

found here.

Trescothick quits international cricket

LONDON, England — England opening batsman Marcus Trescothick has decided to retire from international cricket with immediate effect.

The 32-year-old’s decision comes after he quit two international tours due to health problems.

Trescothick also recently pulled out of his county Somerset’s pre-season tour to Dubai because of a recurrence of a stress-related illness.

Trescothick said: I have tried on numerous occasions to return to the international stage and it has proved more difficult than I expected.

I want to extend my playing career for as long as possible and I no longer want to put myself through the questions and demands that go with trying to return to the England team.

Trescothick added: I have thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for England, and I am very proud of having been selected for 76 Test matches and over 120 ODIs.

It has been a great privilege to represent my country and I am grateful to the game of cricket for giving me the opportunity to excel at a sport that I enjoy so much.

My desire to play cricket is as strong as it ever was. But, due to the problems that I have experienced, travelling abroad has become extremely stressful for me.

I now think that it is in the best interests of all concerned that the issue is put to rest so that the England team can concentrate on moving forward, and I can concentrate all my efforts on playing well for Somerset. It is a very big season for the club and I am looking forward very much to playing a full part.

England managing director Hugh Morris paid tribute to Trescothick’s contribution to the national side. I would like to place on record my thanks to Marcus for the enormous contribution he has made to the England team in both Test and one day international cricket, said Morris.

I fully respect and understand his decision to retire from international cricket and wish him every success in his future career with Somerset. E-mail to a friend

found here.

U.S. sailor in custody in Japan

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) — A U.S. sailor sought for information about a taxi driver’s killing near a Navy base has been taken into custody and charged with desertion, according to the U.S. Navy.

He has not been named as a suspect in the death of a 61-year-old taxi driver found on Wednesday with stab wounds to the neck a mile from the U.S. Navy base at Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, the Navy said.

The sailor, whose name was not released, was being held in U.S. custody at the Navy base.

A credit card believed to belong to a U.S. service member was found in the cab, the national Kyodo news agency of Japan reported on Friday.

Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters on Friday that the U.S. military had informed him that one of its service members may be involved.

The U.S. Navy announced on Friday that the sailor had gone missing and was being sought for desertion.
found here.

Taiwan votes, with China on minds

TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) — Voters in Taiwan on Saturday headed to the polls to vote in presidential elections, with the recent violence in Tibet in the backdrop and Taiwan’s own relations with China on the front burner.

Ma Ying-jeou, a Nationalist Party candidate and frontrunner, is opposing the Democratic Progressive Party’s Frank Hsieh. Both favor closer ties with China but differ on details. Ma wants the benefits of China’s robust economy, while Hsieh wants to go slower and hold back in some areas.

The mainland Chinese government has made clear that closer ties would only be a first step — it considers Taiwan, on the island of Formosa southeast of the mainland, an inseparable part of China and constantly pushes for eventual reunification.

The issue of relations with China always casts a shadow over politics in Taiwan, and the recent anti-government riots in Tibet have reminded Taiwanese of the ramifications of declaring independence. China has threatened to go to war, should Taiwan declare formal independence. Watch the election spotlight on China relations

Tibet, in western China, was an independent country when China took control in 1949, the same year Taiwan split from the mainland in a civil war. Separatist aspirations and anti-government sentiments remain strong among many Tibetans.

Hsieh, pointing to China’s response, says the same thing could happen to Taiwan if it gets too close to Beijing.

Ma disagrees.

Taiwan is not Tibet. Neither it is Hong Kong. We are a sovereign country and a democratic country.

Ma favors a peace treaty with Beijing and the negotiation of a common market to boost already robust trade ties between two sides, The Associated Press reports.

China for Taiwan is the great threat, but also presents a great opportunity, said Ma, who has been attempting to win supporters among the portion of the Taiwanese public that is suspicious of closer relations with China. He has been campaigning Hsieh’s power base in the south, where the largest city is Kaohsiung.

Hsieh — who declined an interview with CNN — said last year that he wants to protect Taiwan, protect our way of life, to make sure we are not swallowed by China. Watch both Hsieh and Ma make their final pitches on election eve

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said the nation hopes to resume peace talks across the straits as soon as possible. Any questions can be addressed, including such major issues as ending the hostile state between the two sides.
found here.

Taiwan votes, with China on minds

TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) — Voters in Taiwan on Saturday headed to the polls to vote in presidential elections, with the recent violence in Tibet in the backdrop and Taiwan’s own relations with China on the front burner.

Ma Ying-jeou, a Nationalist Party candidate and frontrunner, is opposing the Democratic Progressive Party’s Frank Hsieh. Both favor closer ties with China but differ on details. Ma wants the benefits of China’s robust economy, while Hsieh wants to go slower and hold back in some areas.

The mainland Chinese government has made clear that closer ties would only be a first step — it considers Taiwan, on the island of Formosa southeast of the mainland, an inseparable part of China and constantly pushes for eventual reunification.

The issue of relations with China always casts a shadow over politics in Taiwan, and the recent anti-government riots in Tibet have reminded Taiwanese of the ramifications of declaring independence. China has threatened to go to war, should Taiwan declare formal independence. Watch the election spotlight on China relations

Tibet, in western China, was an independent country when China took control in 1949, the same year Taiwan split from the mainland in a civil war. Separatist aspirations and anti-government sentiments remain strong among many Tibetans.

Hsieh, pointing to China’s response, says the same thing could happen to Taiwan if it gets too close to Beijing.

Ma disagrees.

Taiwan is not Tibet. Neither it is Hong Kong. We are a sovereign country and a democratic country.

Ma favors a peace treaty with Beijing and the negotiation of a common market to boost already robust trade ties between two sides, The Associated Press reports.

China for Taiwan is the great threat, but also presents a great opportunity, said Ma, who has been attempting to win supporters among the portion of the Taiwanese public that is suspicious of closer relations with China. He has been campaigning Hsieh’s power base in the south, where the largest city is Kaohsiung.

Hsieh — who declined an interview with CNN — said last year that he wants to protect Taiwan, protect our way of life, to make sure we are not swallowed by China. Watch both Hsieh and Ma make their final pitches on election eve

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said the nation hopes to resume peace talks across the straits as soon as possible. Any questions can be addressed, including such major issues as ending the hostile state between the two sides.
found here.