Qian Fang makes flowers at her home in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Feb 13, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

YINCHUAN- Qian Fang believes she will experience a very romantic Valentine's Day this year, as the roses she made with her own hands will be used by thousands of people to proclaim their love or propose marriage.

When the wheelchair-bound woman and her husband -- both without a steady job at the time -- started selling handmade fabric flowers in 2008 in the city of Yinchuan in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, they rarely sold more than five flowers a day.

Without a business permit, she had to be careful to avoid urban management authorities, who might fine her or confiscate her flowers. Qian said she was broke and had nowhere to turn at the time.

Qian got a break in May 2011, when she complained about her flowers being confiscated on Weibo.com, a popular Chinese microblogging site.

Her post caught a great deal public attention, with netizens accusing urban management authorities of being "cold-blooded" for not offering help to the disabled.

Under great public pressure, local urban management authorities visited the couple and promised to help them establish legal sales channels.

Since then, Qian has been able to sell flowers on the city's vehicle-free promenade undisturbed, although she still has no business permit.

"Thanks to the netizens, life has become easier for me," said Qian.

The 36-year-old woman was left with paraplegia after suffering a spinal cord injury when she was just one year old. Although she has been forced to depend on a wheelchair ever since, she was able to get a bachelor's degree and run a bookstore after graduating.

Her bookstore later went out of business due to competition from online bookstores, leading her to seek out and obtain website maintenance and psychotherapy qualifications. However, she still had a hard time making ends meet.

Qian Fang talks to a customer of paper flowers at her home in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Feb 13, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

"I learned to make flowers through an online tutorial and thought I could make my life more comfortable by selling them," said Qian.

Her roses became an online hit after she posted photos of the handmade flowers on her microblog. Qian makes roses, lilies, daisies and other flowers out of cotton flannel and sells each for just 5 yuan (0.8 U.S. dollars), even offering custom bouquets.

Qian originally planned to sell the roses on the street, but a cold snap that swept Yinchuan last week kept her at home.

"I was almost frozen stiff in my wheelchair and very few people glanced at my roses," Qian said.

Several of her microblog readers placed orders, but the biggest offer came from a local branch of China Mobile, one of China's largest telecom companies, which ordered 1,000 of the flowers for a Valentine's Day promotion.

"We noticed Qian Fang via her microblog and were touched by her story. We hope the roses can remind lovers to extend their love to those who need help," said Duan Xiaoyuan, a representative from the company.

Sheer sympathy has not been the only motivation for Qian's customers, as many have professed admiration for Qian and her husband's relationship.

Qian met her husband Wei Xiaobing in 1998, when he was an art major and frequent customer of her bookstore.

Although Wei's family initially opposed their marriage for fear that Qian would be a burden on Wei, he chose to resign from his job to take care of her while she taught herself about computer science and psychology.

Every day, Wei gets up at 5 a.m. to cook, clean and help Qian take a shower before taking her out in the wheelchair.

"He is like air and sunlight for me -- indispensable," Qian said.

Her husband's biggest wish at the moment is to raise enough money to buy a powered wheelchair for Qian.

"A wheelchair costs more than 10,000 yuan, but we only receive 300 yuan in government subsidies each month. I will have to save up for a long time," said Wei.

He said with a powered wheelchair, Qian will be able to move freely on her own and I can find a job.

"As a florist, I wish every day was Valentine's Day, so I could sell more flowers. However, lovers can treat each day as Valentine's Day if they've found their 'Mr. or Mrs. Right'," she said.

Qian and her husband don't plan on applying for a business permit or opening a shop to sell the handmade flowers, as they cannot afford to pay for taxes and rent. However, Qian says she's going to keep seeking out customers and making her flowers.

"I hope I can keep finding customers online," said Qian.

Europe's first Vega rocket lifts off from the European Space Agency (ESA) launch centre in Kourou, French Guiana, February 13, 2012. The Vega rocket blasted off from French Guiana on Monday in an inaugural flight aimed at giving Europe a vehicle for scientific satellite missions. The rocket took off from the European Space Agency's launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, on the northeast coast of South America at 7.00 a.m. (1000 GMT), with nine scientific satellites on board. [Photo/Agencies]

The new Vega rocket, designated Flight VV01, lifted off into orbit from the new launch site at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying nine satellites.

"The first Vega lifted off at 1000 GMT (11:00 CET, 07:00 local time) from the new launch pad, and conducted a flawless qualification flight," the statement said.

"It is a great day for ESA, its Member States, in particularly Italy where Vega was born, for European industry and for Arianespace," said Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of ESA, in the statement.

With Vega extending the family of launchers available at the spaceport, Europe now covers the full range of launch needs, from small science and Earth observation satellites to the largest missions like ESA's supply freighters to the International Space Station.

"In a little more than three months, Europe has increased the number of launchers it operates from one to three, widening significantly the range of launch services offered by the European operator Arianespace. There is not anymore one single European satellite which cannot be launched by a European launcher service," Dordain added.

The first qualification flight of the Vega launch vehicle is intended to qualify the overall lightweight rocket system.

"During the VV01 mission, a large amount of data would be collected on Vega's performance, as well as the environment experienced by the payloads. In the coming weeks, this information will be analysed in depth to confirm the full qualification of the Vega launch system, which will then be handed over to Arianespace for marketing and operations," the ESA said.

The launching marked the culmination of nine years of development by the ESA and its partners, the Italian space agency (ASI) and ELV SpA, the prime contractor for developing the vehicle, and added a new capability to Europe's fleet of launch systems.

Its main objective is to provide Europe with a safe, reliable and competitive capacity to carry science and Earth observation satellites into orbit, and complement the heavyweight Ariane 5 and medium Soyuz rockets.

Seven ESA member states including Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland support the program.

Named after the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere, Vega's development officially started in 1998. It is designed to cope with a wide range of missions and payload configurations in order to respond to different market opportunities and provide great flexibility.

The first commercial contract for Vega has already been signed by Arianespace, Vega's commercial operator and more are under negotiation.

Europe's first Vega rocket lifts off from the European Space Agency (ESA) launch centre in Kourou, French Guiana, February 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO)'s President Toshio Nishizawa attends a news conference in Tokyo February 13, 2012. Japan's trade minister threatened on Monday to block a plan to rescue Tokyo Electric Power Co with a $13 billion injection of public funds unless the government gets more say in running the struggling operator of the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant. [Photo/Agencies]

Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO)'s President Toshio Nishizawa (2nd L) and the company's senior members bow during a news conference in Tokyo February 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO)'s President Toshio Nishizawa attends a news conference in Tokyo February 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO)'s President Toshio Nishizawa (C) and the company's senior members bow during a news conference in Tokyo February 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The All-Star guard proving again he is basketball's ultimate showman as he lifted the Los Angeles Lakers to a 94-92 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday with some late game heroics.

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant has the ball swatted away by Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (L) during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

With charismatic newcomer Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks set to follow the Lakers into Toronto on Tuesday, the buzz around Sunday's matinee was very much focused on the phenomenon that has become known as 'Linsanity'.

But after Bryant came to the rescue with a jaw-dropping winner with less than four seconds to play, everyone was caught up in the grips of Kobe-mania.

"That's who he (Bryant) is," praised Lakers coach Mike Brown. "We are in a one-point game, a two-point game, the ball is going to be in his hands.

"We expect him to make the play and he did that tonight. When you have a guy like Kobe Bryant you are always going to give yourself a chance."

Recognized as one of the NBA's hardest working athletes and relentless perfectionist, Bryant is also described as one of the game's most ruthless competitors, willing do whatever it takes to win.

"Don't matter if you're in the backyard playing or on the main stage, he's going to try to take your neck off," Raptors DeMar DeRozan told reporters as he prepared to face Bryant "It don't matter where, it could be a snowy day against Eskimos. He's going to try to kill them all."

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant catches an inbound pass against Toronto Raptors small forward James Johnson (R) during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A campaign to encourage people to love their real partners on Valentine's Day and not woo their secret paramour is launched in Changsha in Central China’s Hunan province on Feb 13. A red scroll reads: "Don't derail on Valentine's Day, bring your love home." The campaign is held by Guo Zhong Cheng, a department store in Yuhua District. Its employees even read aloud a manifesto during the event to protest against secret lovers, protect families from destruction, and bring love home. [Photo/CFP]

A campaign to encourage people to love their real partners on Valentine's Day and not woo their secret paramour is launched in Changsha in Central China’s Hunan province on Feb 13.[Photo/CFP]

Qian Fang, a disabled woman who uses a wheelchair, prepares to make paper roses with the help of her husband ahead of Valentine's Day. No matter if they are young or old, many people will send roses to their loved ones to express their affection on this special day. Some couples prefer to book Qian's paper roses online instead of true ones, moved by her attitude to life. [Photo/Xinhua]

Qian Fang makes paper roses at home on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Qian Fang talks with a customer at home on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Qian Fang checks her micro blog at home on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia speeds down in the downhill portion of the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Super Combined event in Rosa Khutor near Sochi, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

* Kostelic wins super-combined World Cup

SOCHI, Russia - Ivica Kostelic scored one of the most frustrating victories of his Alpine skiing career when he won the Sochi super-combined and the specialty's World Cup but injured his knee in the process on Sunday.

Kostelic's father Ante blamed the injury on the icy Russian course and the many jumps on the Rosa Khutor downhill piste, which will be used for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Defending overall World Cup champion Ivica, whose career has been marred by several knee and back operations, was taken to a local hospital for tests before being flown home in a private jet for treatment.

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia uses a stick to climb up the podium after winning the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Super Combined event in Rosa Khutor near Sochi, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Despite the problem, Kostelic was a solid 15th after the morning downhill section and destroyed the opposition in the afternoon slalom to win in a combined time of two minutes 50.21 seconds.

It was Kostelic's fifth World Cup of his career and his second in succession in the super-combined.

He also increased his lead in the race for this season's overall title to 70 points over Swiss Beat Feuz.

Feuz, the winner of Saturday's downhill on the Olympic piste, was second in Sunday's race, 1.16 seconds behind Kostelic. Third place went to France's Thomas Mermillod-Blond, 1.77 off the pace.

Feuz sympathized with Kostelic, saying: "I sincerely hope his injury is not too bad. It would be a great shame for our fight to end in these circumstances.

"In any case, there was no beating him today; he skied an extraordinary slalom run."

With more speed events than technical races left in the season, Feuz had already looked to be at an advantage over Kostelic in the fight for the overall cup, even before the Croatian's injury.

American Bode Miller pulled out of the slalom run after only a few gates, suffering from the ankle pains which have troubled him for a couple of seasons.

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia reacts in pain during the podium ceremony for the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup Super Combined event in Rosa Khutor near Sochi, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A cat hangs on a clothes hanger for fun in Beijing on Feb 12, 2012. The cat gives the appearance of practicing Chinese kungfu.[Photo/CFP]

A cat hangs on a clothes hanger for fun in Beijing on Feb 12, 2012. The cat gives the appearance of practicing Chinese kungfu.[Photo/CFP]

A cat hangs on a clothes hanger for fun in Beijing on Feb 12, 2012. The cat gives the appearance of practicing Chinese kungfu.[Photo/CFP]

Elephants celebrate Valentine's Day at Xiangjiang Wild Animal Park in Panyu county, South China’s Guangdong province, Feb 14, 2011. [Photo/CFP] 

Chunzi the doe licks Changmao the ram in Yunnan Wild Animal Park in Kunming, Yunnan province on Feb 10, 2012. Wedding bells are on the horizon for Changmao (Long Hair) and Chunzi, a cross-species couple who are set to be married this Valentine's Day. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Elephants celebrate Valentine's Day at Xiangjiang Wild Animal Park in Panyu county, South China’s Guangdong province, Feb 14, 2011. [Photo/CFP] 

LIBREVILLE - Didier Drogba's ghosts returned to haunt him as Zambia won the African Nations Cup for the first time after beating Cote d'Ivoire 8-7 in a drama-filled penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Cote d'Ivoire's captain Dider Drogba reacts after his team lost their African Nations Cup final soccer match against Zambia at the Stade De L'Amitie Stadium in Libreville Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Stoppila Sunzu converted the winning penalty after three successive efforts had been missed in a long and nervy shootout that totalled 18 kicks.

But the goalless match might not have had to go to the shootout had Drogba not ballooned a 70th-minute penalty well wide to deny his team victory inside 90 minutes, repeating his miss in the 2006 final which the Cote d'Ivoire lost to Egypt.

The loss was another near miss for the Cote d'Ivoire's golden generation, who had been expected to win African football's top prize at the last four editions but failed every time.

Two of their English Premier League players - Kolo Toure and Gervinho - missed kicks in the shootout.

"We did not play well but we also had our chances. It is a huge disappointment, we had expected a different outcome," Cote d'Ivoire coach Francois Zahoui said.

Zambia, who had gone into the game as underdogs, won over the 40,000 crowd in the Friendship Stadium in the Gabon capital with their positive play against a surprisingly timid Cote d'Ivoire side who failed to take the initiative in the game.

"We told ourselves we would not be scared of them. We knew we had the team to win this and we wanted to make sure we did," goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene said.

After winning, the Zambian team held up banners remembering their side that died in a air crash not far from the stadium in 1993 and whose memory they had honoured on the eve of the game.

"I can't explain why we won, it was like there was special force with us," added a teary coach Herve Renard.

At times, Zambia showed complete disdain for their star-studded opponents, with showy tricks on the ball and some clever routines although they also lived dangerously in defence.

Zambia's Felix Katongo (R) is challenged by Ivory Coast's Max Gradel during their African Nations Cup final soccer match at the Stade De L'Amitie Stadium in Libreville, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Yaya Toure and substitute Max Gradel both went narrowly wide for the Cote d'Ivoire but it was Drogba who could have been the hero after Isaac Chansa had pushed down Gervinho in the penalty area in the 70th minute and the Senegal referee Badara Diatta bravely awarded a penalty.

But Drogba hit his shot well over and then seemed to sink into a sulk for the rest of the game.

He was brave enough, however, to take the fifth penalty for the Cote d'Ivoire in the shootout. The first 14 kicks were successfully converted before a reluctant Kolo Toure had his shot saved at 7-7 but Rainford Kalaba then missed for Zambia.

Gervinho, who also did not want to take a kick, then missed before Sunzu won the cup for Zambia, who had suffered two previous defeats in the 1974 and 1994 finals.

It was the seventh Nations Cup final to be decided on penalties. The most recent was when Egypt beat the Cote d'Ivoire 5-3 in the 2006 final, which also ended goalless.

Zambia's goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene saves the winning penalty kick by Cote d'Ivoire's defender Kolo Toure to win the African Cup of Nations tournament at the Stade De L'Amitie Stadium in Gabon's capital Libreville, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Entertainers carry drums with the flags of the different African countries during a performance before the final match of the 2012 African Cup of Nations between Cote d'Ivoire and Zambia at the Stade De L'Amitie Stadium in Gabon's capital Libreville, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Zambia's national soccer team celebrate after winning the 2012 African Cup of Nations tournament final against Cote d'Ivoire at the Stade De L'Amitie Stadium in Gabon's capital Libreville, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Cote d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara (R) consoles his national soccer player Yaya Toure after they lost to Zambia in the 2012 African Cup of Nations tournament finals at the Stade De L'Amitie Stadium in Gabon's capital Libreville, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Ed Winter, assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, revealed little about the autopsy at a news conference, but said medical examiners found no visible signs of trauma or foul play.

He declined to comment on various media reports that Houston, 48, had drowned in her hotel bathtub, possibly after succumbing to drugs or alcohol. He added, "I'm not going to comment on any of the meds or prescriptions that were obtained."

"I'd just comment that she was found in the bathtub. ... I believe somebody removed her from the bathtub and the paramedics did CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on her."

He said toxicology tests, which would take six to eight weeks to conduct, would be necessary to determine what factor, if any, drugs or alcohol might have played in Houston's death.

He also said a "security hold" had been placed on the case, as has been done in previous high-profile investigations, to keep further details from being divulged.

The coroner's briefing came as the Grammy Awards opened a few miles away at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where rapper-actor LL Cool J payed tribute to the late pop star just after the start of the star-studded music show.

"We've had a death in our family and so at least for me ... the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for a woman we loved, for our fallen sister, Whitney Houston," he said.

His brief prayer was followed by a clip of Houston singing her hit, "I Will Always Love You," as the crowd responded with a standing ovation.

Houston, who enjoyed tremendous professional success but struggled with drug abuse for years, died on Saturday afternoon in a fourth-floor room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. She was at the hotel to attend an annual pre-Grammy gala held that evening by her mentor, record mogul Clive Davis.

The Grammy salute Sunday capped an emotional day for those closest to the pop diva and those who admired her as an entertainer. From the New Jersey church where Houston's singing career first took flight to the hotel where her life abruptly ended, family and fans expressed their grief on Sunday with prayer, tears and raw anguish.

Houston's only child, daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, was taken by paramedics from the hotel to nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Sunday suffering from anxiety, Beverly Hills police and fire officials said.

A fire department spokeswoman declined to disclose any information about the daughter's medical condition but said she was "awake and talking" at the time she was transported.

Brown, who was reported by celebrity news website TMZ.com as being enraged at authorities for not being allowed into the hotel room where her mother's body was found, was treated at the hospital for stress and released, a source close to the family told Reuters. A hospital spokeswoman declined comment.

CNN reported that Houston's ex-husband, R&B singer Bobby Brown, canceled a long-scheduled performance in Nashville, Tennessee, with his former band, New Edition, to fly back to Los Angeles and attend to the couple's daughter.

TEARS AND PRAYERS

At the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, Houston's hometown, fans and admirers gathered to celebrate her life during three Sunday services, portions of which were devoted to the singer and her family.    

Cards and flowers were tied to the railings of the church, where congregants hugged and cried at the entrance. Among those paying their respects was the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights activist.

"The suddenness of it all leaves us traumatized," said Jackson, who watched Houston grow up and sing at New Hope. It was in that red brick church on a quiet backstreet near downtown Newark where Houston's career began as a soloist in a gospel choir in the 1970s.

While the cause of Houston's death remained undetermined, media reports on Sunday focused on her public behavior in the hours before her death.

The Los Angeles Times said Houston, disheveled, sweaty and smelling of alcohol, was behaving erratically when she stopped by the Hilton two days earlier, accompanied by her daughter, for rehearsals. She was seen flailing her hands frenetically, skipping around the ballroom and wandering aimlessless through the lobby, the newspaper said.

Members of Houston's family expressed their grief in a brief statement saying they were "devastated" by her loss.

"This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly," it said. "We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends."

In a separate statement issued through People magazine, former husband Bobby Brown, with whom she had shared a long struggle with substance abuse, said, "I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston."  

Brown was described by an unnamed relative as "beside himself" with grief, according to the magazine.

On the West Coast, the First AME Church of Los Angeles, the city's oldest African-American congregation, held a special moment of silence in Houston's memory.

"Many of us were rooting and pulling for her because she has been a blessing to this generation with talent, with a special anointed voice," Pastor John Hunter told parishioners. "We will miss her. This world will miss her."  

Houston's songs were already dominating Internet music sales early on Sunday. Her album "Whitney Houston - The Greatest Hits" was the top seller in the music category on Amazon.com, and her signature hit, "I Will Always Love You," was the No. 1 download at iTunes.  

Over the course of a 30-year career in which she established herself as one of the most-admired and influential singers of her time, Houston won six Grammys, 30 Billboard awards and 22 American Music Awards.  

The soundtrack for the hit movie in which she starred, "The Bodyguard," was among the best-selling film soundtracks ever.

By the early 1990s, Houston's success on stage was accompanied by an increasingly troubled personal life. In 1992 she married singer Bobby Brown and their tumultuous 14 years together were marred by drug abuse and domestic violence.

The last 10 years of Houston's life were dominated by drug use, rumors of relapses and trips to rehab.

Singer Kirk Franklin kisses his wife Tammy as he holds his awards for "Best Gospel Album" and Best Gospel Song (Hello Fear) at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Singer Adele accepts her award for "Best Pop Solo Performace" at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters celebrates after winning "Best Rock Album" (Wasting Light) at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Singer Joyce DiDonato accepts her award for "Best Classical Vocal Solo" (Diva Divo) at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Liverpool's Luis Suarez reacts after missing a scoring chance against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The Uruguayan was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Evra in October but refused to shake the Frenchman's hand during Saturday's pre-match Premier League ritual, prompting widespread condemnation.

"I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realize I got things wrong," Suarez said in a statement issued by Liverpool.

"I've not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologize for my actions. I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

United manager Alex Ferguson branded the Uruguayan a "disgrace" while Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, who has backed his striker throughout the saga, gave a robust post-game interview where he argued with a television reporter.

Statements from the official website of Liverpool and Manchester United shows Suarez's apologies and Manchester United's acceptation of Liverpool's apologies, Feb 12, 2012. [Photo/sports.sina.com.cn]

Reds accepts Liverpool's apologies

In another statement issued on Sunday, Dalglish said: "It is right that Luis Suarez has now apologized for what happened at Old Trafford.

"To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.

"When I went on TV after yesterday's game I hadn't seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I'd like to apologise for that."

As the club tried to limit the damage after a raft of criticism from players, fans and the media, Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said in a third statement that Suarez had been wrong.

"We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so," said Ayre.

"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team mates and the Club. It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable."

The match itself, between two of England's great rivals, was a tense affair and scuffles took place in the tunnel at halftime and fulltime.

United accepted Liverpool's apologies in their own statement. "Manchester United thanks Liverpool for the apologies issued following Saturday's game," it read.

"Everyone at Old Trafford wants to move on from this. The history of our two great clubs is one of success and rivalry unparalleled in British football. That should be the focus in the future of all those who love the clubs."

Manchester United's Patrice Evra celebrates victory as Liverpool's Luis Suarez walks off during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

US first lady Michelle Obama plays mini-tennis during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, Feb 11, 2012. The first lady is concluding a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative. [Photo/Agencies]

US first lady Michelle Obama reacts to an errant swing from a boy as they play mini-tennis during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

US first lady Michelle Obama (C) dances the "platypus walk" next to Perry the Platypus, and Disney actors Debby Ryan and Rosero McCoy (R) during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

US first lady Michelle Obama shares a hi-five with a boy as they play mini-tennis during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

US first lady Michelle Obama plays mini-tennis during a "Let's Move!" faith and communities physical activity at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

US first lady Michelle Obama plays soccer during a "Let's Move! faith and communities physical activity event at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A 3D painting is seen at an exhibition held in a shopping mall in Fuzhou city, the capital of East China's Fujian province on Feb 12, 2012. This is two days before Valentine's Day which falls on Feb 14. [Photo/CFP]

A 3D painting is seen at an exhibition held in a shopping mall in Fuzhou city, the capital of East China's Fujian province on Feb 12, 2012. This is two days before Valentine's Day which falls on Feb 14. [Photo/CFP]

Patrick Chan of Canada competes during the men's free skate and goes on to win the overall men's competition at the ISU Four Continents Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Feb 10, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - Shaking off a poor morning practice session, world champion Patrick Chan nailed his men's free skate program on Friday to win the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.

The Canadian, also the 2009 winner, had a season-best 185.99 points to take the title with 273.94 points.

"This whole week was a big test for me," Chan said. "It wasn't easy, and it wasn't like I just walked in and thought I was going to have it in the bag. Coming into the long (program), I was very unsure and very nervous - more nervous than I've been in this past year and a half.

"But with the program, I just went with the flow. I knew that, if I just let things go, it would happen the way I wanted it to."

Two-time world champion Mao Asada of Japan won the women's short program.

Chan easily outpointed Japan's Daisuke Takahashi, the Vancouver Olympics bronze medalist and defending Four Continents champion. Takahashi earned 161.74 points in the free skate and 244.33 overall.

Takahashi was unable to stick to his program, turning a triple axel into a double early in his routine, but was still pleased with his showing.

"I missed two jumps, and my performance was not so good, but I am still happy," Takahashi said. "Overall, my performance (for the competition) was not bad, but I have many points to improve. I just need to continue to practice and work hard."

Chan spent the afternoon trying to settle his nerves by walking around downtown Colorado Springs - the city where he trains - and trying to regroup after a shaky morning practice.

"This week, I learned a lot about not getting hung up on little things from practice or on feelings from off the ice," Chan said. "This morning's practice was great for me, actually. I needed the mistakes to kind of wake me up, get me back on my feet and remind myself that this is not a walk in the park."

American Ross Miner, the 2012 US bronze medalist, survived a fall in the free skate to post a season-best 146.34-point score and earn the bronze with 223.23 points. He narrowly edged compatriot Adam Rippon, the 2012 US silver medalist and 2010 Four Continents champion, for a spot on the medal stand.

Associated Press

China's Song Nan competes in the free skate during the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Friday. Julie Jacobson / Associated Press

Chunzi the doe licks Changmao the ram in Yunnan Wild Animal Park in Kunming, Yunnan province on Feb 10, 2012. Wedding bells are on the horizon for Changmao (Long Hair) and Chunzi, a cross-species couple who are set to be married this Valentine's Day. [Photo/Xinhua] See the story

Chunzi the doe and Changmao the ram eat carrots together in Yunnan Wild Animal Park in Kunming, Yunnan province on Feb 10, 2012.  [Photo/Xinhua]

Chunzi the doe and Changmao the ram are seen in close touch in Yunnan Wild Animal Park in Kunming, Yunnan province on Feb 10, 2012.   [Photo/Xinhua]

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper pets a panda with his wife Laureen at a zoo in Chongqing Feb 11, 2012. Harper announced two giant pandas, Er Shun and Ji Li, will spend 10 years in two Canadian zoos. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrapped up a visit to China by announcing Saturday that Beijing will loan two of giant pandas to Canadian zoos. The pandas are the first to travel to Canada in more than two decades.

Harper visited a zoo in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality to say that the Chinese government is loaning the panda pair to Canada for the next 10 years, Harper's press secretary Carl Vallee said.

News photos showed Harper looking on as his wife carried a squirming baby panda.

The pandas are expected to arrive in Canada early next year and will go to the Toronto and Calgary zoos for five years each.

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper looks at a panda being held by his wife Laureen at a zoo in Chongqing Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper looks at a panda being held by his wife Laureen at a zoo in Chongqing Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Giant panda Er Shun is pictured at the zoo in Chongqing Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A diver dressed to look like Poseidon (L), kisses another dressed as the mermaid Marina, during a Valentine's day event inside an aquarium at the ocean park in Manila Feb 11, 2012. Valentine's day is celebrated on Feb 14. [Photo/Agencies]

A diver dressed to look like Poseidon (R), and another dressed as the mermaid Marina, swims during a Valentine's day event inside an aquarium at the ocean park in Manila Feb 11, 2012. Valentine's day is celebrated on Feb 14. [Photo/Agencies]

A dead dolphin lies by the shore at a beach in Lambayeque in Peru, Feb 10, 2012. At least 260 dolphins were found dead over an area 106 km (66 miles) long in the Lambayaque region. While the officials are still not sure why the mammals died, they have not ruled out the possibility that they were hunted. The head of Peruvian Sea Institute in Lambayeque, Edward Barriga, ordered samples to be sent to Lima for laboratory studies. [Photo/Reuters] 

A dead dolphin lies by the shore at a beach in Lambayeque in Peru, Feb 10, 2012. At least 260 dolphins were found dead over an area 106 km (66 miles) long in the Lambayaque region. While the officials are still not sure why the mammals died, they have not ruled out the possibility that they were hunted. The head of Peruvian Sea Institute in Lambayeque, Edward Barriga, ordered samples to be sent to Lima for laboratory studies. [Photo/Reuters]

Tommy, a Yorkshire Terrier, is held by its owner Fred Wolpert in the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City before the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb 10, 2012. The 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the country's oldest and largest dog show competition, takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb 13 and 14. [Photo/Reuters] 

Joe Buchannan of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania places his Cavalier King Charles Spaniels into a cage as he is helped by a doorman into the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City to check in for the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb 10, 2012. [Photo/Reuters]

Joan Behrend of Long Island, New York, carries her Pomeranian Honey Nut Cheerio, at the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City after arriving for the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb 10, 2012. [Photo/Reuters]

Ronnie Goldberg of New Jersey holds Butterfly Kisses, a Yorkshire Terrier, in the lobby of the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York after arriving for the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb 10, 2012. [Photo/Reuters]

Gilbert, a three-year-old Briard breed, leaps on his owner Delores Dement of Memphis, Tennessee as they arrive to check into the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City for the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb 10, 2012. [Photo/Reuters]

A family reads a brochure at a job fair in Weixian county, Hebei province, on Friday. More than 100 enterprises offered over 10,000 job opportunities at the fair, which was jointly organized by the labor and social security department and women's federation. Huang Tao/For China Daily

Chinese manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong finishes a 5,143-m test dive on Thursday morning July 28, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Jiaolong will have a 7,000-meter test dive this year, after several improvements in the submersible,” Jin Jiancai, secretary general of China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association, told China Daily on Friday.

The date for the record-breaking dive has not yet been announced.

Before the attempt at a 7000-meter dive, the submersible will try a 3000-meter dive in the South China Sea in March or April.

Pressure increases one atmosphere (atm) for each 10 meters underwater. One atm means about 10 metric tons of weight on an area of one square meter, Jin explained.

If the dive is successful, it will mean that Jiaolong is capable of reaching almost all of the world's seabed, and will make China the record holder, surpassing Japan, whose Shinkai 6500 reached a depth of 6,527 meters in August 1989.

Jiaolong carried three people to a depth of 5,188 meters in international waters in the northeastern Pacific last year, indicating that the submersible is capable of reaching more than 70 percent of the Earth's seabed.

Local officials inspect cracks on a wall after a 5.3 magnitude earthquake in Hami prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Feb 10, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

The quake jolted Kazak autonomous county of Barkol, Hami prefecture, at 2:57 a.m. The epicenter, with a depth of seven km, was 44.9 degrees north latitude and 93.1 degrees east longitude, according to the Xinjiang earthquake networks center.

The county government said the epicenter was about 160 kilometers away from the town seat, and there was no report of casualties or damage.

Located in the east of Xinjiang, Kazak autonomous county of Barkol borders Mongolia to its north. The county is about 530 kilometers away from the region's capital Urumqi.

US First Lady Michelle Obama performs the Interlude dance during an event highlighting her "Let's Move" initiative attended by over 10,000 youths at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb 9, 2012. The first lady is on a three-day trip to mark the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative.[Photo/Agencies]

US First Lady Michelle Obama (C) performs the Interlude dance during an event highlighting her "Let's Move" initiative attended by over 10,000 youths at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

US First Lady Michelle Obama performs the Interlude dance during an event highlighting her "Let's Move" initiative attended by over 10,000 youths at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

US First Lady Michelle Obama (C) performs the Interlude dance during an event highlighting her "Let's Move" initiative attended by over 10,000 youths at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A picturesque sunrise above the sea off Yantai city, East China's Shandong province, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Sunrise dyed the sky red over the sea in Yantai, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

The sun rises above the sea in Yantai, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A picturesque sunrise above the sea off Yantai city, East China's Shandong province, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

The sun rises from the sea in Yantai, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Four huge public service billboards have been erected in China to warn couples to swoon their true lovers this Valentine’s Day and not their paramours. The "take love home" and "don't owe romantic debt" advertisements, put up on highways in Hebei province and Beijing, were funded by an anti-pornography website, Chinanews.com reported Thursday. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A store assistant holds a selection of gold-plated roses for sale in Suzhou, Feb 9, 2012. The products are processed from fresh roses as an attraction to customers ahead of the Feb 14, Valentine's Day. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A store sells gold-plated roses in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A store in Suzhou sells gold-plated roses to attract customers ahead of Valentine's Day, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Staffers at a hot pot restaurant in Beijing test their newly launched video service with their partners in the restaurant’s Shanghai branch, Feb 9, 2012. The service began early this month. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Staffers at a hot pot restaurant in Beijing simulate having dinner face to face by video with their colleagues in Shanghai during a test run. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Forensic technicians and police officers work around the dead body of a man at a crime scene in a neighborhood in Monterrey Feb 9, 2012. Two men were boarding a car when gunmen drove past and killed them, according to local media.[Photo/Agencies]

A police officer stands guard as forensic technicians stand near a taxi with the covered-up body of a dead man inside at a crime scene in Monterrey February 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A forensic technician ties a used police line together to seal off a crime scene in Monterrey Feb 8, 2012.A taxi driver was shot dead by gunmen almost at the same time when another group of hitmen attacked three taxi drivers in a different neighborhood, killing two and injuring one, according to local media.[Photo/Agencies]

Police officers from the State Attorney General's Office stand together in a hall before escorting suspects to a presentation to the media, in Monterrey Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Models present creations from the Richard Chai Love Fall/Winter 2012 collection during New York Fashion Week Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Actress Rose McGowan presents a dress by designer Marc Bouwer for the Heart Truth's Red Dress Fashion Show in New York, Feb 8, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Canadian artist Rick Genest, also known as "Zombie Boy", attends the show at the Duckie Brown Fall/Winter 2012 collection during New York Fashion Week Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A model presents a creation from the BCBG Max Azria Fall/Winter 2012 collection during New York Fashion Week Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A model presents a creation from the BCBG Max Azria Fall/Winter 2012 collection during New York Fashion Week Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A model presents a creation at the Costello Tagliapietra Fall/Winter 2012 collection during New York Fashion Week Feb 9, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Wang Qi, a worker at China Small Animals Protection Association (CSAPA), delivers food to dogs in Beijing on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

BEIJING - Last April over 500 dogs were rescued from the slaughter house just outside of Beijing. Over the course of the year many dogs have either been adopted or have died from disease. Of the dogs that are left, about a little over 200 are currently living under the care of the China Small Animals Protection Association, or CSAPA.

The dogs live in a CSAPA compound about half an hour from the city proper near the outskirts of the 6th ring road. At about 1.2 hectares the compound is home to over 700 dogs, dogs of all sizes and breeds, but most of them are mutts.

Paid for by volunteers and animal lovers, the CSAPA runs on donations from various benefactors and public support. Wang Qi, who has been with the CSAPA for over a year says that many of the dogs from the April 15 incident are doing well now.

"The dogs are always happy to see people, they get very excited," said Wang as two waist height dogs pounced on him. "The better tempered dogs get to run around the compound, its better for them than cages."

Wang says it is unfortunate that some dogs still remain in cages but the association is currently working on that problem. They are raising funds through donations and online sales of dog food to build a fence around the back part of their compound so some of the bigger dogs maybe able to run about.

"Ideally, we would want to adopt out the dogs, that way they can find a nice home," said Wang. "But these are big dogs, there are hardships in the adoption process, on top of that they are mutts and not purebreds."

"It is easy to adopt a dog; we need more people to adopt. The only requirements is that the adopter be able to support the dog and that we can come and do checks to see how the dogs are doing from time to time."

Currently the future of the dogs are uncertain, while they are fed and housed in the compound and the CSAPA does not put animals down, the CSAPA maybe forced to vacate their compound in the coming year. Wang says they are doing their best to make sure the dogs have a place to go, but right now finding a location is proving to be difficult.

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing February 9, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - President Hu Jintao and visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed on Thursday to further facilitate the bilateral strategic partnership and promote greater progress of cooperation in diversified areas.

The agreement was made during their meeting in the Great Hall of the People.

"The two countries should stick to the principle and spirit of the China-Canada Joint Statement and enhance dialogue in the political field in a bid to expand common ground," Hu said.

The China-Canada Joint Statement was issued during Harper's previous visit in 2009.

Hu called on both sides to respect each other's development paths chosen by their people, and respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns.

To boost trade links, Hu suggested full play be given to the strong complementarity of both economies while expanding cooperative areas.

Hu also proposed the enhancement of youth exchanges between both countries and the strengthening of coordination in global and regional affairs in order to promote recovery and sustainable growth of the world economy.

Harper, on his second visit since taking office in 2006, applauded the new progress of bilateral ties in recent years.

He said the two countries have seen an increasing consensus and common interests on many major issues.

Canada is committed to developing a strategic partnership with China based on respect and mutual benefit and hopes to maintain high-level exchanges and political dialogue, and enhance cooperation in such areas as trade, energy and investment, he said.

Harper also vowed joint efforts with China to address global and regional issues, to safeguard world peace and to boost new progress of global economic governance.

In a meeting with top legislator Wu Bangguo, Harper said his government highly values Canada-China relations and is committed to cementing win-win cooperation in trade and other areas.

Harper brought to Beijing a large delegation of cabinet ministers and lawmakers, as well as a large business delegation with representatives from the energy, transport, and education sectors.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said he regards parliamentary exchanges as an important part of the China-Canada strategic partnership.

"The NPC has set up sound cooperative ties with the Canadian Senate and the House of Commons. The regular exchange mechanism between the two countries' parliaments has achieved positive progress," Wu said.

He hailed the important consensus and progress the two countries made during Harper's current visit, adding that these achievements will inject new vitality to the bilateral win-win cooperation.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang also met with Harper later on Thursday and both attended a trade seminar for enhancing two-way trade.

Harper came to Beijing on Tuesday for a five-day trip as guest of Premier Wen Jiabao. The two premiers had talks on Wednesday and witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements regarding cooperation in trade, technology, education, forestry, energy and agriculture.

Harper will also visit south Guangdong Province and the southwest municipality of Chongqing.

China and Canada forged diplomatic ties in November 1970. They established their strategic partnership in September 2005 during Hu's visit to Canada.

The mudslides in Yongjing county, Gansu province, Feb 8, 2012. Huge mudslides occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Yongjing county, covering 120,000 cubic meters of land and pushing two cars into the Yellow River. The number of victims is still uncertain. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]  

Rescuers search for the drowned vehicles in Yongjing county, Gansu province, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Rescuers search the river for the missing cars in Yongjing county, Gansu province, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

One of the badly damaged cars is salvaged from the river in Yongjing county, Gansu province, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

The 29 abducted Chinese workers who were freed by Sudanese anti-government forces arrive in Beijing, Feb 9, 2012. They took a commercial flight from the Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 29 abducted Chinese workers who were freed by Sudanese anti-government forces arrive in Beijing, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 29 abducted Chinese workers who were freed by Sudanese anti-government forces arrive in Beijing, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

The 29 abducted Chinese workers who were freed by Sudanese anti-government forces arrive in Beijing, Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A visitor touches the power button of a heart sculpture at Times Square on Feb 7, 2011. Times Square is gearing up for Valentine's Day. Encouraging the city's lovers to visit the heart of Manhattan itself, the giant red installation is designed to pulsate brightly alongside the intense lights of New York. Ten feet tall and 10 feet wide, the cube is illuminated by LED lights that shine from the base when people touch the power button. [Photo/CFP] 

Visitors watch the heart sculpture installed at Times Square on Feb 7. [Photo/CFP]

Visitors touch the power button of a heart sculpture at Times Square on Feb 7. [Photo/CFP]

The power button encourages people to light up the heart sculpture at Times Square. [Photo/CFP]

Senior citizens nap on armchairs at a daycare center for the elderly in Yugu village of Jing'an District in Shanghai on Feb 9, 2012. Such centers for the elderly, located in communities, providing meals, medical services and bathrooms, are getting more popular in Shanghai, as young people become busier with work and cannot take care of their parents during the day. At present, there are more than 300 such daycare centers in Shanghai, and 20 new centers will be built this year. [Photo/CFP]

Lunch is served at a daycare center for the elderly in Yugu village of Jing'an District in Shanghai on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Senior citizens at a daycare center use computers in Yugu village of Jing'an District in Shanghai on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Senior citizens talk with each other while reading newspapers at a daycare center for the elderly in Yugu village of Jing'an District in Shanghai on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Senior citizens take naps on armchairs at a daycare center in Yugu village of Jing'an District in Shanghai on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Exercise is part of the program at a daycare center for the elderly in Yugu village of Jing'an District in Shanghai on Feb 9, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

First lady Michelle Obama participates in a tug of war with Jimmy Fallon (L) in the Blue Room of the White House Feb 7, 2012 during a "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" taping for the second anniversary of the White House "Let's Move!" initiative.[Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - Michelle Obama and "Late Night" host Jimmy Fallon turned the White House into a playground to promote the first lady's "Let's Move!" fitness campaign.

Mrs Obama and Fallon did pushups and twirled hula hoops. They competed at dodge ball and tug-of-war. And the first lady triumphed over the comedian in a climactic potato sack race.

After a defeated Fallon said, "It doesn't matter if you won or lost," the first lady replied, "It matters."

The segment was taped last month and aired early Wednesday on NBC's "Late Night" TV talk show program.

Mrs. Obama has been making the talk-show rounds to celebrate the second anniversary of her campaign against childhood obesity. In the past few weeks she has appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Rachael Ray."

Juventus' Jose Silva Caceres celebrates after scoring against AC Milan during their Italian Cup semi final soccer match at Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Stephan El Shaarawy equalized for the hosts just after the hour mark in the first leg only for Uruguayan Caceres to net a superb late winner for the Serie A leaders.

Juventus head coach Antonio Conte hailed his side's win despite the rotation he introduced to the team

"It's not just the result that counts, but the introduction of the newcomers who had a great game. I think this victory shows what hard work is behind the team, which allows us to rotate the squad without damaging the performance.

"This team has players who want to dream and know in order to achieve that dream they need to work, work, work," he said.

His Milan counterpart Massimiliano Allegri asked his side to stay calm after the tie.

"We have lost a few too many times recently, but must stay calm and confident of our own abilities, especially as we have an injury crisis on our hands and many players cannot rest the way they ought to.

"There is no pressure on us, because I know the strength of my squad. We've got to continue working to emerge from this situation," he said.

Milan, Juve's closest challengers in the league, were second best for much of the contest, although Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a second-half strike disallowed.

AC Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy (R) celebrates with his teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic after scoring against Juventus in their Italian Cup semi final soccer match at Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Zhang Xuexian distributes water at Zhangjiacun village in Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Feb 8, 2012. The village has been hit by drought for the third consecutive year, driving people to travel more than 10 kilometers to get water. Local governments said they are applying for relief money to help with the problem. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers wait for water distribution at Zhangjiacun village, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Women carry water home, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers wait for water distribution at Zhangjiacun village, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Factbox on England soccer manager Fabio Capello who resigned on Wednesday:

* Born 18 June, 1946, in Pieris (San Canzian d'Isonzo), Italy

Playing career

* Started his career with SPAL in 1964 before moving to AS Roma in 1967 and clinching the 1969 Italian Cup. He soon joined Juventus where he won league titles in 1972, 1973 and 1975.

* Capello signed for AC Milan in 1976, picking up the 1979 scudetto before retiring.

* Won 32 caps for Italy between 1972 and 1976, scoring eight goals including the only one in Italy's first win against England at Wembley in 1973.

Coaching success

* After Arrigo Sacchi left AC Milan in 1991, Capello took charge and won the 1992 title with Milan, who remained unbeaten throughout the campaign.

* Milan won four league titles and the 1994 European Cup under Capello. He left in 1996 and moved to Real Madrid for the 1996-97 season where he won the Spanish title before returning to Milan for a short, unsuccessful stint.

* He joined AS Roma in 1999 and, with a team built around Francesco Totti, led them to their first championship in 18 years in 2000-01.

* In 2004 he signed a three-year contract with Juventus and won the 2004-05 league title in his first season in charge, retaining it the following season before the match-fixing scandal which eventually led to the club being stripped of the honours.

* He resigned as coach of Juventus in July 2006 and was named Real Madrid coach the following day.

* He spent millions on players but his Real team failed to live up to expectations in the first half of the season.

* In the second half of the campaign he brought David Beckham back into the team after sidelining him over his move to LA Galaxy. A strong run-in then allowed Real to overhaul arch-rivals Barcelona and take the league title.

* Capello was sacked in June 2007 with Real bosses saying his team had failed to play exciting football. He became an Italian television pundit.

England

* After England failed to qualify for the 2008 European championship, Capello was approached to coach the team, an offer he accepted in December 2007.

* He initially transformed England's fortunes with the team winning 18 of 24 games and securing a place at the 2010 World Cup in their qualifying campaign.

World cup failure

* England's preparations for the World Cup were hit when John Terry was stripped of the captaincy following a tabloid newspaper scandal.

* The World Cup began badly for England who drew their opening two games against United States and Algeria before limping into the knockout stages with a narrow win over Slovenia.

* Capello's reputation suffered as England were dumped out of the tournament in the last 16 in a humiliating 4-1 defeat to old rivals Germany.

* Capello survived in his job to lead England into the qualifying campaign for the 2012 European championship.

* England comfortably booked their place in the tournament, winning their qualification group with five wins and three draws from their eight matches.

* On Feb. 3 2012, the FA decided to strip the captaincy from Terry for the second time. The defender is due to stand trial in July for allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

* Capello criticized the FA's decision in an Italian television interview and resigned as England manager on Wednesday.

Three men crawl on the ground while chained by a woman during a publicity stunt in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, on Wednesday. The art majors called for respect for women by the performance. [Photo/CFP]

Two artists stage a performance to advocate respect for women, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Performance artists stage a show on the street of Wuhan to advocate respect for women, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

 

Fishermen use cranes to pull the carcass of a whale shark from the waters at a harbor in Karachi, Pakistan, on Tuesday. The 14-meter whale, weighing about 6 to 7 tons, was found dead in the Arabian Sea near Karachi. Photo by Asif Hassan/AFP

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper shakes hands with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing February 8, 2012. [Photo by Wu Zhiyi/Asianewsphoto]

"The negotiation on China-Canada investment protection agreement has concluded. We hope to sign the important document as soon as possible to facilitate two-way investment," Wen told visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the Great Hall of the People.

Harper came to Beijing Tuesday for his second China visit since taking office in 2006.

Calling the two economies highly compatible, Wen proposed to draw up an all-round plan on boosting bilateral economic cooperation based on joint research on economic complementarities.

He also urged discussions on the feasibility of signing a China-Canada free trade agreement.

"China is ready to expand imports of energy and resource products from Canada and enhance cooperation in clean and renewable energy, energy-saving, environmental protection, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy," Wen said.

The two countries should also explore cooperation in the areas of the judiciary, culture, technology, agriculture, finance and the polar ocean, he added.

Harper, who is bringing a large business delegation to China, said Canada welcomes China to expand investment in his country and expects closer bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, resources, finance and culture.

He vowed closer coordination with China in global and regional affairs and to boost bilateral ties to a new level.

Harper told Wen that Canada-China relations are long-lasting with strategic ties based on mutual respect.

Wen spoke positively of the growth of China-Canada relations since the forging of diplomatic ties in November 1970, citing frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced two-way trade and investment, and increasing exchanges in the areas of culture, education and technology.

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper shakes hands with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing February 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

"Under the new circumstances, the two countries should implement the consensus reached in the China-Canada joint statement, maintain mutual respect, equality and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and beef up understanding through dialogue," Wen said.

The China-Canada joint statement was issued during Harper's last China visit in 2009.

Prior to the talks, Wen hosted a welcome ceremony for Harper. They also witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements regarding cooperation in trade, technology, education, forestry, energy and agriculture areas.

Besides Beijing, Harper will also visit south Guangdong province and the southwest municipality of Chongqing during his five-day trip.

Canada and China celebrated their 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2010. China is Canada's second-largest trading partner and a key customer for Canadian natural resources and agricultural products.

Students wait to apply for registration at Beijing Film Academy, Feb 8, 2012. The annual enrollment registration for Beijing Film Academy kicked off Wednesday and will go for four days. The college, known as the cradle of China's filmmakers, plans to recruit 455 students this year. More than 25,000 students have registered on the Internet. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Liu Meixi, a 17-year-old applicant from southwestern Chongqing municipality, waits to register at Beijing Film Academy, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Students wait to apply for enrollment registration at Beijing Film Academy, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Students wait to apply for enrollment registration at Beijing Film Academy, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany waves after a show run event in Milton Keynes, central England, Dec 10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain - World champion Sebastian Vettel said on Monday his back-to-back title triumphs the past two years would count for little when the 2012 Grand Prix season gets underway in Australia on March 18.

On the day when Red Bull used the Internet to unveil its new "fourth generation" RB8 car, the 24-year-old German took time to dwell on his hopes of making it a hat-trick of world titles.

"It's difficult to say (what will happen). Every season we start from zero again," Vettel said.

"Unlike other sports, in tennis for instance, you're the number one in the world and there is a certain gap between you and the number two.

"You have this cushion and it doesn't matter if it's one year or another year, you still have it.

"Whereas for us it all starts from zero again, zero points, where everyone has the same chance and we are all building our new cars.

"Until we put them on track to race each other we don't really know. So we'll see, but I'm as confident as I can be at this point.

"Hopefully we will have a good couple of days testing with the car to prepare well for the season."

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany looks at his FIA trophy during the 2011 Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) gala night in Gurgaon on the outskirts of New Delhi, Dec 9, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Vettel had his second world title last year sown up by early October with three races still to go. Team-mate Marc Webber went on to take third place.

Together, their all-conquering Red Bulls dominated the constructors championship, finishing well ahead of McLaren and Ferrari.

Their performances prompted Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to declare that he would prefer if there were more competition in the sport and Vettel agrees that he has set himself near impossibly high standards.

"Obviously we had a great year (last year). We'll always look back to 2011 and think how special it was," he said.

"To be honest, you don't start the season with expectations to have the same or a similar season again.

"We know how hard it is to be that consistent, always there and finishing nearly every race on the podium.

"The target is obviously to try to do it again, to get everything out of ourselves, so we'll see how we get on with the new car.

"Obviously we hope our car is better than all the others, but it will be difficult because the cars will be fairly similar, with the gaps closer than they have been."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the aim with the new car was to improve.

"Of course, when you've achieved what we have, particularly in 2011, we've set a very high standard for ourselves," he said.

"But we're always looking to improve, we're always looking, in all areas, to try and do better.

"For Sebastian, he's still evolving, still getting stronger. We saw that in 2011 and I think we're only going to see that again in 2012.

"As he gains experience, knowledge and he matures, he's getting stronger and stronger."

The new RB8 car, designed by Adrian Newey and unveiled on the Internet, showed it to have the same "platypus" snubbed nose as all the other cars this season with the exception of McLaren.

Webber will have the first opportunity to take to the track in the new car when the first tests take place on Tuesday and Wednesday with Vettel taking over on Thursday and Friday.

Agence France-Presse

Li Na of China serves to Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria during their Paris Open tennis tournament at Coubertin stadium in Paris, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - French Open champion Li Na retired injured from her first-round match against Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova at the WTA Paris Indoor Open on Tuesday.

Third-seeded Li threw in the towel when she was 7-6 3-2 down as she was visibly suffering with a back problem and finally abandoned the match after receiving treatment courtside.

Li Na, the world number nine, has been struggling from a low competition form since her Paris Grand Slam victory last year, and the injury did no good to her preparation for a second French Open title and the upcoming Olympic Games.

Li Na of China retires from her match against Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria during their Paris Open tennis tournament at Coubertin stadium in Paris, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Also on Tuesday, former world number one and the tournament's fourth seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia pulled out with a thigh strain after failing to recover from a left thigh injury she picked up in a Fed Cup tie against Belgium last weekend.

"I am really disappointed not to play here," she told a news conference. "I don't know when I will be able to resume playing but I don't regret having played in the Fed Cup.

Li Na of China retires from her match against Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria during their Paris Open tennis tournament at Coubertin stadium in Paris, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria serves to Li Na of China during their Paris Open tennis tournament at Coubertin stadium in Paris, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Huangshan Mountain in East China's Anhui province, draws tourists, Feb 7, 2012. An abrupt temperature drop Monday evening coated the mountain in new frost. [Photo/Xinhua]

Huangshan Mountain is covered in new frost, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Pine needles are covered in icy frost on Huangshan Mountain, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

A photographer tries to capture the new frost on Huangshan Mountain, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese workers kidnapped in Sudan arrive in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The 29 workers were freed on Tuesday, after being abducted by rebels on Jan 28 in Sudan's South Kordofan state, where clashes between the Sudan People's Liberation Army-North and the Sudanese army have been going on for months. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese workers get off a plane chartered by the International Committee of the Red Cross after being held for more than 10 days in Sudan, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese workers kidnapped by Sudanese anti-government forces last month arrive in Nairobi, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Freed Chinese workers get in a van after arriving in Nairobi, Feb 7, 2012. The workers will receive a physical examination and have a brief rest in Nairobi before flying home, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. [Photo/Xinhua]

Residents empty shelves of bottled water in a supermarket in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province on Tuesday, fearing a reported chemical spill on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. A South Korean ship anchored in adjacent province of Zhejiang is suspected to be leaking the chemical phenol, sparking the rush for water due to chemical fears. [Photo/China Daily]

Bottled water is almost sold out in a supermarket over pollution fears in the Yangtze River, in Nantong, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Bottled water is almost sold out in a supermarket in Nantong, Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

People walk around braving freezing gale force winds and plummeting temperatures in Nantong, Jiangsu province on Feb 7, 2012. The mercury dropped to minus 5 degree Celsius on Tuesday. The local meteorological center issued a blue alert on Feb 5, warning of a drastic temperature fall in the next few days. [Photo/Asianewsphoto] 

People drive in the bitter cold in Nantong, Jiangsu province on Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

People ride bicycles despite freezing temperatures in Nantong, Jiangsu province on Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

People walk around braving freezing gale force winds and plummeting temperatures in Nantong, Jiangsu province on Feb 7, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Devotees chant as they carry milk jugs during the Thaipusam festival in Singapore Feb 7, 2012. Thaipusam, a Hindu festival observed on the day of the full moon during the Tamil month of Thai, is celebrated in honour of Lord Murugan.[Photo/Agencies]

Yashswini, a two-year-old girl, has her head shaved during the Thaipusam festival in Singapore Feb 7, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A devotee walks with his Kavadi, accompanied by his family members singing songs and playing drums, during the Thaipusam festival in Singapore Feb 7, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A devotee looks on after having his cheeks pierced with a trident skewer during the Thaipusam festival in Singapore Feb 7, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Students look at their new school buses at a primary school in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 6, 2012. Altogether 100 new school buses for 32 primary schools in the city's Liuhe district will roll into operation. The bus, with the chassis extending out from the front of the vehicle over the wheels, is said to have the highest safety rating of all school buses in China. In December last year, a school bus overturned and fell into a ditch in Jiangsu province, killing 15. Another school bus accident in the western Gansu province killed 21 people in November. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students of a local primary school take a ride on their new school bus, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students wave goodbye as they take a ride on their new school bus, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

A fleet of new school buses park in rows at a primary school in Nanjing, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students look at their new school buses at a primary school in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Aerial view of an isolated village cut off by snow in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina Feb 6, 2012. Europe's bitterly cold weather killed another 33 people on Monday, with Bosnia recording its eighth victim after an 87-year- old woman died of hypothermia. Farmers were having problems feeding cattle because of the snow and milk production had dropped by 15 to 30 percent in the country, the Bosnia's farmers association said.[Photo/Agencies]

The frozen Elbe river is pictured at the container terminal Altenwerder in the harbour of Hamburg, Feb 6, 2012. Bitterly cold weather sweeping across Europe claimed more victims on Sunday, brought widespread disruption to transport services, and left thousands without power with warnings that low temperatures would continue into next week.[Photo/Agencies]

An Easyjet passenger aircraft undergoes de-icing before takeoff at Schoenefeld airport in Berlin Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Fishing boats are seen on a frozen lagoon in Venice, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Students take cover under their desks during an earthquake drill at the Baclaran Elementary School Unit-1 in Paranaque city, metro Manila Feb 7, 2012. The drill aims to help students and school staff learn how to react properly during high-intensity earthquakes. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the central Philippine island of Negros on Monday, triggering landslides that toppled houses.[Photo/Agencies]

Students cover their heads as they run out of the school building during an earthquake drill at the Baclaran Elementary School Unit-1 in Paranaque city, metro Manila Feb 7, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A man is evacuated in the village of Biser, southern Bulgaria Feb 6, 2012. A dam wall broke and flooded a village in southern Bulgaria following heavy rains and snow melting. Four people drowned and over 50 were evacuated, the Interior Ministry said. Four more people died when their cars were swept away by high waters.[Photo/Agencies]

Europe's bitterly cold weather killed another 33 people on Monday and melting snow caused a dam wall to break and flood an entire village in Bulgaria.

Gas supplies to the European Union from Russia improved at the weekend but have not fully recovered, the European Commission said, as Italy convened a crisis committee to handle what it called critical shortages of Russian gas.

The dam wall broke and flooded the village in southern Bulgaria following heavy rain and snow melting. Four people drowned and more than 50 were evacuated, the Interior Ministry said. Four more people died when their cars were swept away by high waters.

"There are demolished houses and people in distress," the ministry said in a statement.

Bulgaria warned neighbouring Greece and Turkey that two other dams were expected to overflow later on Monday.

The cold snap has killed hundreds of people in Europe.

Nine died over the past 24 hours in Poland, bringing the total to 62 since the end of January. Temperatures fell to minus 24 Celsius at night in northeastern parts of the country.

In Croatia's Dalmatia region, more than 100 villages were cut off by snow in the hinterland of the Adriatic coast, the emergency service centre said, and more snow was forecast.

Rescuers reached some of the Dalmatian villages on Sunday.

In one village, a woman gave birth in her house with the help of a neighbour, while a midwife from a nearby town gave them instructions by telephone.

"The baby girl is fine and beautiful and I'll probably name her Snow White, given the circumstances," the mother, Marta Glavota, told 24sata news website.

Ten people have died in Serbia so far, Montenegro reported its second death and Croatia said four people had died.

In Serbia, where 11,000 people remain cut off and a state of emergency has been declared, temperatures were forecast to stay below zero until mid-February.

Bosnia was paralysed for the fourth day with snow blocking cities. Helicopters were delivering baby food and aid packages to isolated villages in eastern parts.

Farmers were having problems feeding cattle and the president of Bosnia's farmers association, Vladimir Usorac, said milk production has dropped by 15 to 30 percent in the country.

"People are trying to get through and feed the cattle. It's very difficult because of 2-metre snow and even 5-metre snow drifts so there is no access to cattle feed," he said.

Bosnia recorded on Monday its eighth victim, after an 87-year- old woman died of hypothermia.

DUTCH SKATE

But in The Netherlands, suffering its coldest spell in 15 years, the snow was good news for some.

Ice skaters swarmed onto frozen ponds and canals and National television broadcaster NOS on Monday launched the daily "Ice News" to report about skating conditions.

Skaters were hoping for the right conditions to hold the Elfstedentocht - the famous Dutch "Eleven Cities Tour" which is a 200-km race on natural ice - for the first time since 1997.

In the Czech Republic, temperatures of minus 39.4C were recorded in the southwest along the German border. Meteorologists expect temperatures to fall more overnight.

At least 20 people have died in the Czech Republic, after two homeless people were reported dead overnight.

A burst pipe temporarily shut down an important western rail corridor between Prague and the German border town of Cheb.

The cold weather has increased demand for gas, and the European Commission said on Monday Bulgaria, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Greece were now receiving normal import levels, while supplies to Romania, Germany and Italy were increasing, but were not yet fully restored.

"It has become better over the weekend. We are in close contact with the member states," EU energy spokeswoman Marlene Holzner told a regular briefing.

The Commission says the situation does not constitute a crisis, with countries being able to meet their needs using storage facilities and other market measures.

A dead horse which died of drowning lies on the ground in the village of Biser, southern Bulgaria Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

People stand near a destroyed house in the village of Biser, southern Bulgaria Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A Bulgarian army helicopter flies over the flooded village of Biser, southern Bulgaria Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

The Bulgarian army rescues two men stranded on their car on a flooded road near the village of Biser, southern Bulgaria Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Christ the Redeemer statue is lit up in different colors to represent the 150 countries that will participate in the World Youth Day on July 23-28, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Christ the Redeemer statue is lit up in different colors to represent the 150 countries that will participate in the World Youth Day on July 23-28, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Christ the Redeemer statue is lit up in different colors to represent the 150 countries that will participate in the World Youth Day on July 23-28, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Christ the Redeemer statue is lit up in different colors to represent the 150 countries that will participate in the World Youth Day on July 23-28, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Members of the International Fund for Animal Welfare's Marine Mammal Rescue team tend to a pair of common dolphins that were found stranded on Herring Cove Beach near Provincetown, Massachusetts in this Jan 16, 2012 handout photo obtained by Reuters on Feb 6, 2012. The hundreds of dolphins beaching themselves along the Cape Cod shores south of Boston since mid-January represent the largest stranding of a single species in the northeastern United States, according to animal welfare advocates. [Photo/Agencies]

Members of the International Fund for Animal Welfare's Marine Mammal Rescue team tend to a pair of common dolphins that were found stranded on Herring Cove Beach near Provincetown, Massachusetts in this Jan 16, 2012 handout photo obtained by Reuters on Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Members of the International Fund for Animal Welfare's Marine Mammal Rescue team tend to a pair of common dolphins that were found stranded on Herring Cove Beach near Provincetown, Massachusetts in this Jan 16, 2012 handout photo obtained by Reuters on Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

More than 100 students, who spent a week of their Spring Festival holiday studying math, physics and chemistry, enter the waiting room at Beijing West Railway Station on Jan 19, 2012. The Handan No 1 High School in North China's Hebei province defied a local government regulation forbidding schools to organize competition-oriented training courses in the province during the holidays and organized for its students to travel to Beijing for the week-long training program. They boarded train T5679 to travel the 442 kilometers back to Handan after completing the course. Handan No 1 High School chose to organize the cross-province course to get round the provincial rule which did not want to burden students. The youngsters were forced by their parents to attend the training classes, hoping to get a high score in various math, physics and chemistry competitions so as to get an edge when entering a higher school or college. [Photo/CFP]

Most students from Handan No 1 High School in North China's Hebei province had to sit on the stairs or stand overnight on the train due to failing to buy the seat tickets. [Photo/CFP]

More than 100 students from Handan No 1 High School in North China's Hebei province, line up to enter the waiting room at Beijing West Railway Station on Jan 19, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Students from Handan No 1 High School in North China's Hebei province, wait to enter the waiting room at Beijing West Railway Station on Jan 19, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

A resident watches ice cascade outside a building in Yakeshi city of Hulunbuir, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Feb 5, 2012. Temperatures in Hulunbuir plummeted to minus 50.7 Celsius after a cold front hit the city last Friday. The National Meteorological Center issued a blue alert on Monday, the lowest level in the country's four-scale alert system. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

The wall of a bathing center is covered in ice in Yakeshi city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

The railings outside a shop are frozen in thick frost in Yakeshi city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A resident looks out from a frosted window in Yakeshi city, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Waitresses, dressed as maidservants greet customers at a cosplay restaurant in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province on Feb 5, 2012. It is the first maid-character restaurant in Yangzhou, and attracts customers of different ages, especially young anime addicts. The culture of maid catering originates from Japan and is huge with anime fans. Cosplay is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Young waitresses dressed as maidservants welcome customers at a costume play or cosplay dining room in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province on Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Servers set the table at a cosplay dining room in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province on Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Waitresses, dressed as maidservants greet customers at a cosplay restaurant in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province on Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Waitresses serve dishes to a couple at a cosplay restaurant in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province on Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks hold the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

INDIANAPOLIS - The New York Giants reclaimed the greatest prize in North American sports with a nail-biting 21-17 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Inspired by their dynamic quarterback Eli Manning, the Giants erased an eight-point third-quarter deficit to steal the victory with a last-minute touchdown from Ahmad Bradshaw in a stunning repeat of their last Super Bowl win, also against the Patriots, four years ago.

"The greatest feeling in professional sports is to win the Super Bowl," said New York's Tom Coughlin, who at 65 became the oldest National Football League coach to win a Super Bowl. "What a wonderful experience it was to see the team come together like they did."

The Giants had looked to have no hope of even competing for the National Football League title after enduring a four-game skid late in the regular season that put them in danger of missing the playoffs.

They needed to win their last two games to make the playoffs but their fairytale captivated New York City and Mayor Michael Bloomberg immediately announced the team would be honored with a ticker-tape parade on Tuesday.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his second quarter touchdown pass against the New York Giants in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

For the Patriots, a second loss to their fierce New York rivals was unpalatable. "You don't feel good after you lose this game," said New England head coach Bill Belichick. "It was wild out there. Hey, it's the Super Bowl.

"I can't fault the effort of any of our players. They played as hard as they could ... We could have played a tiny bit better. It was obviously a very competitive football game."

With the memories of their last Super Bowl still fresh, Sunday's game was the Patriots' chance to avenge their shock loss from four years ago but once again they were denied in the cruelest fashion.

It was a game that lived up to all the hype and expectation as the two teams slugged it out in front of a crowd of nearly 70,000 people and an expected record television audience.

Dylan Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee, plays in the confetti after the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

New York Giants defensive back Brian Witherspoon (R) tackles New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead in second quarter action in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his second quarter touchdown pass against the New York Giants in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

New York Giants middle linebacker Chase Blackburn (L) intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski during the third quarter in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Madonna performs during the halftime show with Redfoo, aka Stefan Kendal Gordy of LMFAO, at the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Egyptian Football Association president Samir Zaher also was reportedly banned from leaving Egypt pending an investigation into the country's worst outburst of soccer violence.

Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri announced the decision during Thursday's emergency parliamentary session, a day after a match between Cairo giants Al-Ahly and host city's Al-Masry soccer teams in the Mediterranean city of Port Said turned deadly.

El-Ganzouri also says the governor of Port Said province and the area's police chief have resigned.

Witnesses had said that riot police stood by as supporters of home team Al-Masry rushed the field after their 3-1 win over Al-Ahly.

The incident, the highest number of victims in Egypt since last year, was the worst soccer disaster in the country and most of the deaths were among people trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, FIFA, soccer's world governing body, has demanded a full report into the violence amid claims that security forces and police did not do enough to intervene.

FIFA to reinstate EFA officials

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said on Sunday they will take steps to reinstate Egypt's Football Association (EFA).

Blatter, attending an extraordinary congress of the South American Football Confederation at its Paraguay headquarters, said the EFA's suspension after Wednesday's violence was a direct intervention into soccer affairs which FIFA could not accept.

"The information we have received at FIFA confirms the number of dead as 74. It was also confirmed that the (Egyptian) government intervened directly by suspending the (country's) soccer association," Blatter told a news conference.

"We are going to take up the case from tomorrow (Monday) so that this association is reinstated because it is the (body) that has the responsibility to organize the competitions and it must carry on (its work)," the president of world soccer's governing body said.

People hold burning incense and pray for good fortune on the morning of the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Yonghegong Lama Temple in Beijing, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

People burn incense to pray for good fortune on the Lantern Festival at Yonghegong Lama Temple, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A man holds burning incense and prays for good fortune at Yonghegong Lama Temple, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

People burn incense to pray for good fortune on the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Yonghegong Lama Temple, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

People burn incense to pray for good fortune on the Lantern Festival at Yonghegong Lama Temple, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

In the third-place match earlier on Sunday, the Netherlands defeated Germany 5-4. Japan defeated New Zealand 3-2 for fifth place.

AS Roma's captain Francesco Totti (L) applauds his teammates as Inter Milan's captain Javier Zanetti reacts during their Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The Roma game was scheduled for Saturday but the snow which has crippled Italy forced a one-day postponement. Roma showed how impatient they were with a commanding victory which moved Luis Enrique's side to within two points of fifth-placed Inter.

Juan gave the hosts a 13th-minute lead and Italy under-21 striker Borini, forging a name for himself in Serie A having gone under the radar while playing in England, scored his brace either side of the break.

Ranieri's return to Roma, from whom he resigned last term, became even more humiliating when Bojan Krkic made it 4-0 late on.

Flying Juve were surprisingly held to a home 0-0 draw with lowly Siena while uninspired champions Milan could not get past Napoli at a freezing San Siro where Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off on 64 minutes for slapping Salvatore Aronica.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was sent to the stands for complaining.

Juve and Milan, separated by a point at the top, will at least have been pleased that third-placed Udinese went down 3-2 at Fiorentina and Lazio, who are fourth, lost 3-2 at Genoa in another cracking game where Bosko Jankovic netted twice for the hosts.

"Lazio are a really great side but we deserved our win," Genoa coach Pasquale Marino told reporters after his side stayed ninth.

Parma won 2-1 at Chievo, Palermo beat Atalanta 2-1, Lecce and Bologna drew 0-0 and bottom side Novara played out another goalless stalemate at home to Cagliari.

All the matches were played in the afternoon to avoid dipping temperatures in the evening. Cesena against Catania on Saturday was postponed to a date to be fixed.

AS Roma's Fabio Borini (L) shoots and scores past Inter Milan's goalkeeper Julio Cesar and teammate Walter Adrian Samuel during their Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Folk entertainers perform a show to celebrate the Lantern Festival which falls Feb 6 this year in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province, Feb 5, 2012. The Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar year in the Chinese calendar. It is also known as the Little New Year since it marks the end of the series of celebrations starting from the Chinese New Year. [Photo/Xinhua]

A lighting installation in the shape of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest in the Temple of Heaven shines in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Inmates watch a folk show at a prison in central Henan province, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Women beat waist drums in Ansai county, Northwest Chian's Shaanxi province, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Folk artists stage a traditional performance of "Shehuo" to celebrate the Lantern Festival that falls on Feb 6, in Yuncheng city, northern Shanxi province, Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers perform on stilts during Lantern Festival celebrations in Zhongning county, Northwest China's Ningxia autonomous region, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

People walk besides a dragon-shaped lantern on display during Lantern Festival celebrations in Taipei Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

People walk under red lanterns on display during Lantern Festival celebrations in Taipei Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A man points to a festival lantern with his son in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

People walk in an area decorated with lanterns ahead of the Lantern Festival at Yu Yuan Garden in downtown Shanghai Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A woman's mask is covered by frost in Yakeshi city of Hulunbuir, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Jan 30, 2012. Temperatures in Hulun Buir plummeted to minus 45 centigrade after a cold front hit the city on Jan 30. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Lines of wedding cars inch into the square of the Taizhou municipal government, causing a traffic jam, Jan 30, 2012. The square was congested with hundreds of wedding cars, and the number reached a peak about 2 pm. It is a custom for Taizhou citizens to drive their motorcade a few laps around the square on their wedding day for good luck. [Photo/CFP]

Crowds practice laughing 'gymnastics' at a square in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, Jan 31, 2012. This kind of gymnastics, created by 73-year-old retired Zhong Yunxiang, requires participants to laugh loudly along with waving their arms and clapping hands to alleviate pressure and exercise the body. Zhong started learning to laugh in various ways to ventilate his sorrowful emotion after his wife passed away and has mastered more than 20 types of laughter. He also founded a laughter club in 2007, with more than 3,000 members presently. [Photo/CFP]

Performers wear children's face masks to act out a local folk-custom in a parade at a culture festival held in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province on Jan 31, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Divers perform a dragon dance at Underwater World in Zuohai Park in Fuzhou, South China's Fujian province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

More than 300 villagers use a long red cloth to form the "@" sign larger than 60 meters in diameter in a field to welcome the Chinese New Year in Yaozishang village, Yangqu county in Taiyuan city, North China's Shanxi province on Feb 1, 2012.[Photo/CFP]

A child carries a festival lantern at a market in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 2, 2012. Various kinds of lanterns are displayed in the market to welcome the Lantern Festival that falls on Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

China-made sport-utility vehicles (SUV) are handed over to a branch of the armed police force in Wuhan city, Capital of Central China's Hubei province on Feb 2, 2012. The four SUVs named "Xiaolong" with a highest speed of 115km/h were researched and developed by a Chinese company with 17 independent intellectual property rights, capable of climbing up a 45 degree slope .Its military version is bigger than the famous Hummer. [Photo/CFP]

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan stands in front of the new Embraer Legacy 650 executive jet he purchased, during a delivery ceremony with Embraer executives in Sao Jose dos Campos, February 3, 2012. Chan purchased the jet and was declared Embraer's brand ambassador in China. [Photo/Agencies]

A man hangs the cage with his pet bird from the branch of a tree next to another cage in a park in central Beijing Feb 3, 2012. A popular activity in China, owners carry their birds from their home to a park where they hang them from the trees allowing them to sing to each other. [Photo/Agencies]

Job seekers wait in line during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Shoppers walk near an illuminated make-shift palace underneath a large television screen showing an animated underwater scene that includes a whale swimming with fish at a shopping area in Beijing Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

People walk past a lantern decorated with a dragon pattern ahead of the Lantern Festival at Yu Yuan Garden in downtown Shanghai Feb 5, 2012. The festival marks the last day of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and falls on Feb 6 this year. [Photo/Agencies]

Miami Heats' Chris Bosh moves around Toronto Raptors' Ed Davis (R) during their NBA basketball game in Miami, Florida, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

LeBron James put his fourth-quarter uncertainties behind him with critical late plays that helped the Miami Heat survive a late scare from Toronto in a nervous 95-89 home win over the Raptors on Sunday.

James, who has endured struggles in the deciding moments of games dating back to the NBA Finals, scored a game-high 30 points including four straight in the final two minutes when his team needed him most.

Toronto launched a 12-0 run in the fourth to trim a 15-point deficit to just 85-82 with three and a half minutes remaining, but James responded with two free throws and a dunk to put the Heat in a comfortable position.

Miami Heat's Dwayne Wade shoots against the Toronto Raptors during their NBA basketball game in Miami, Florida, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Dwyane Wade added 25 points in the win, Miami's (18-6) seventh in eight games.

"We came into this game knowing we wouldn't be able to take any shortcuts and it would be a work game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "We would have to work the game for 48 minutes. We knew we would face a lot of zone (defence).

"We will take this win and move on."

DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 25 points while Jerryd Bayless and Linas Kleiza each added 17 for the visitors.

Toronto (8-17) appeared buried for good when they fell behind by 16 in the third but they made it interesting before slipping to their third loss in four games.

Bayless and Kleiza each hit three-pointers during the team's fourth quarter run and the Raptors tried to stymie the Heat with a zone defense.

Chris Bosh, who spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Raptors, had a quiet night with 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting.

The Miami Heats' LeBron James (L) moves against Toronto Raptors' Ed Davis during their NBA basketball game in Miami, Florida, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Women play drums and gongs during a performance to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, Feb 5, 2012. The Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 6 this year, marks the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.[Photo/Xinhua]

People perform dragon dance to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, Feb 5, 2012. The Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 6 this year, marks the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. [Photo/Xinhua]

Young girls dance as standing on iron frameworks carried by actors during a performance to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, Feb 5, 2012. The Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 6 this year, marks the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. [Photo/Xinhua]

People dance during a performance to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, Feb 5, 2012. The Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 6 this year, marks the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao waves to the crowd as he visits Shuili Village in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, Feb 4, 2012. Premier Wen made a visit to Guangdong, a southern province that took the lead in China's opening-up and reform, from Friday to Saturday on an inspection tour. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao smiles during an informal discussion with local farmers as he visits Shuili village in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province, Feb 4, 2012. Premier Wen made a visit to Guangdong, a southern province that took the lead in China's opening-up and reform, from Friday to Saturday on an inspection tour. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L, front) shakes hands with a worker as he visits the Baiyun Electric Group in south China's Guangdong province, Feb 4, 2012. Premier Wen made a visit to Guangdong, a southern province that took the lead in China's opening-up and reform, from Friday to Saturday on an inspection tour. [Photo/Xinhua]

A race steward checks motorbikes covered with snow, few hours before the start of the "Enduropale" motorcycle endurance race, on the beach of Le Touquet, France, Feb 5, 2012. About 1,000 motorbike and 500 quad bike riders gather in Le Touquet every year for the event. [Photo/Agencies]

A worker clears the entrance of the a hotel in Le Touquet, northern France, after heavy snowfall Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Pigeons sit on top of a frozen fountain in Munich Feb 5, 2012. Snow and temperatures close to -14 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit) have hit parts of southern Germany in the last few days. German met office DWD expects the icy high pressure front from northern Russia to last well into next week. [Photo/Agencies]

A man rides his bicycle past a jogger in the freshly-fallen snow in Vertou in France as sub-freezing winter temperatures continue in Europe, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A children is pulled through the snow on a dog-sled in Vertou in France as sub-freezing winter temperatures continue in Europe Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A woman looks at a frozen pond in Vertou as sub-freezing winter temperatures continue in Europe Fe 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A man walks in freshly-fallen snow in Vertou in France as sub-freezing winter temperatures continue in Europe, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Stable girl Emily Keogh leads a horse out to a field at a livery in Henton, southern England Feb 5, 2012. Heavy snow fell in some areas of Britain overnight, causing road closures and flight cancellations, and the Met Office warned of icy conditions, local media reported. [Photo/Agencies]

People form a human chain to commemorate World Cancer Day at Zocalo Square in Mexico City Feb 4, 2012. 5,298 people formed the chain during the event, according to the organisers. [Photo/Agencies] 

People holding yellow balloons commemorate World Cancer Day at Zocalo Square in Mexico City Feb 4, 2012. 5,298 people formed a human chain during the event, according to the organisers. [Photo/Agencies]

People form a chain of bras along Agua Dulce beach to represent Peruvians uniting in their battle against breast cancer, on World Cancer Day in Lima, Feb 4, 2012. Close to 220 bras were used in the event. [Photo/Agencies]

People form a chain of bras along Agua Dulce beach to represent Peruvians uniting in their battle against breast cancer, on World Cancer Day in Lima, Feb 4, 2012. Close to 220 bras were used in the event. [Photo/Agencies]

People dance under a chain of bras made to represent Peruvians uniting in their battle against breast cancer, on World Cancer Day at Agua Dulce beach in Lima, February 4, 2012. Close to 220 bras were used in the event. [Photo/Agencies]

 

Festival lanterns drew tourists in Zhuozhou, Hebei province on Feb 4, 2012. Beautiful lanterns were displayed to welcome the Lantern Festival that falls on Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Festival lanterns drew tourists in Zhuozhou, Hebei province on Feb 4, 2012. Beautiful lanterns were displayed to welcome the Lantern Festival that falls on Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

A fisherman waits for a catch in steam from an industrial outlet in the River Moscow in temperatures around minus 20 degree Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in Moscow Feb 3, 2012. Russia is experiencing a cold weather spell that has spread across western Europe, disrupting transport and claiming over 130 lives. [Photo/Agencies]

Snowflakes collect on a girl's face in Inner Mongolia. [Photo/Xinhua]

A young woman peers through a bus window in frigid Serbia. [Photo/Xinhua]

The scenes repeated across the Northern Hemisphere as severe cold winter swept many regions, with warnings of more cold weather to come.

A vicious cold snap has claimed over 250 lives across Europe. Ukraine has suffered the heaviest toll of 122 deaths, including many people who froze to death in the streets, as temperatures plunged to as low as minus 38 C. Nine Romanian children were taken into care after a baby died in an unheated house on Friday.

Japan also experienced record low temperatures.

Snowfall has been light in Beijing this winter, but that has not stopped its citizens from having fun on ice and snow. Irene Deng highlights the capital's winter sports options.

Snow has been rare in Beijing this year so far, but skating on ice, and frolicking in the snow are still favorite pastimes for those who enjoy the great outdoors despite the zero temperatures. In fact, it is thanks to the sub-zero temperatures that Beijing's many lakes, ponds and canals have frozen over, forming instant ice rinks for children of all ages. And for many native Beijingers over 50, the Shichahai rink is still the best spot for a few turns on the ice. The lake at Houhai, where the banks are ringed with bars and pubs, has been a winter park for skaters for many generations. Many Beijingers eagerly wait for it to freeze over so they can brush off the dust on their skates and go zooming around the lake again.

Skating and ice hockey are regular winter favorites at the Shichahai Rink. [Cui Meng / China Daily]

These days, there are more options. Besides skating, fun-lovers can go sledding or riding ice-cycles set on runners.

On this 60,000-square-meter ice rink, the fairy tale blue-and-white world blends ice with sky in the distance, and against this backdrop, Beijing plays.

Children with grandparents, families with pets, young couples courting, friends and college students in groups dot the landscape and bring it alive with their laughter and excitement.

"We have more people coming this year because the holidays fell within the same period when the temperature was low enough to freeze the river - Christmas, New Year and Spring Festival," says Li Hao, the man in charge of the ticket booth.

Li says the ice is as thick as 30 cm this year. Every night after the rink closes, they will pour water on the surface to make sure the ice is smooth for the next day.

Of all the activities on ice, sledding is the easiest and most popular, especially among children accompanied by parents or grandparents. Sleds here are different from the dogsleds so often seen on television. These sleds are chair-like vehicles set on mental runners.

Visitors play with fluffy snow foxes at the Yuyuantan Park's snow festival.[Provided to China Daily]

"There are about 200 sleds and we usually rent all out by the afternoon," says Li.

Zhao Yuemei, a 70-year-old Beijinger, sits on a sled, watching her little granddaughter playing on the slides. Munching on her stick of bingtang hulu - the candied haw so beloved of Beijing - the old woman says people of her age never knew the pleasure of sledding before 1949.

There had been a similar contraption called bingchuang (a sort of platform on metal or wooden runners rather like a giant skateboard), which worked to transport people from one side of the river to the other, like a primitive bus on ice.

"My home was near Shichahai in the 1940s. We usually took a bingchuang to get to the other side of the lake. It was fast and convenient in winter," says grandmother Zhao.

Shichahai has enjoyed fame and popularity since the 1940s, and people love it for its picturesque landscape surrounded by traditional courtyard houses that used to be the aristocratic homes of the emperor's relatives.

In the 1950s, skating was so popular in Beijing that even Chairman Mao Zedong skated there with his daughter. When Chinese skating athletes took the world championships in the 1960s, the craze to skate became white-hot. This was when Shichahai witnessed the largest number of people coming to skate.

"You couldn't even move because there were so many people on the rink at that time," recalls 65-year-old Yang, another regular skater here.

According to Liu Laoshi, who have been working at Shichahai ice rink for eight years, about 60 percent of people coming here today are not originally from Beijing.

"Many are visitors or workers in Beijing. Most of them are not good at skating. The native Beijingers I know are very professional on ice activities," Liu observes.

Of course, Shichahai is not the only place where you can frolic on ice, but it is a perfect place to skate amidst the ambience and background of Beijing's imperial past. For those who enjoy more modern architecture and real snow instead of ice, they will head out to the National Stadium, otherwise known as the Bird's Nest.

The third Snow Festival at the Bird's Nest will go on until Feb 19, and it offers a diversity of on-snow and on-ice games. The total area of about 3,000 sq m is divided into two areas: inside the stadium and outside.

The snow festival at the Bird's Nest offers a diversity of on-snow and on-ice distractions. [Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

Inside the Nest, children can indulge in snowball fights and parents can help them build snowmen.

"People can enjoy many popular on-snow games inside, such as real counter-strike on the snow battlefield, table football, bumper cars and a lot of games designed for families," says Ding Yansong, a volunteer who is a freshman at a Beijing-based college.

Just outside the Bird's Nest are slopes for ski lovers, snow mobiles, mini-Olympic games and a big tent set up for one particular on-ice game: curling. The objective in this game is to slide stones across a sheet of ice toward a target, a little like boules on ice.

"This is the second indoor curling field in Beijing. We just want to introduce curling to people," says Zhong Qing, a coach of Sweek curling club. Zhong says compared to last year they are getting a lot more visitors willing to learn more about this new sports.

"Most people come to our tent out of curiosity. We don't teach them complicated rules. What we want is for people get to know curling better," Zhong says.

If sports on ice and snow sounds too strenuous, how about some spectator entertainment? Beijing has that, too.

Five Antarctic penguins including two king penguins and three gentoo penguins are currently attracting large crowds at Taoranting Park in Xicheng district. These birds have become superstars and families line up to see these rare guests from the South Pole everyday.

The emperor penguins are charming the crowds at Taoranting Park in Beijing's Xicheng district. [Cui Meng/China Daily]

"We have been waiting for about 40 minutes. My son is so eager to get a closer look at these penguins that he couldn't sleep last night," says Li Xia, a young mother with her 2-year-old toddler.

After the penguins, there are still the snow foxes to visit at the Yuyuantan Park's snow festival.

It may not be a white winter in Beijing, but with modern technology and snow machines hard at work, you can be sure its residents are not missing out any of the fun and excitement either on ice or snow.

You may contact the writer at sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn.

Jan Hudec of Canada goes airborne in the men's Alpine Skiing World Cup downhill event in Les Houches near Chamonix, French Alps, Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein reacts following her third fastest time in the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill on the Kandahar course in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Tina Maze of Slovenia speeds down the slope during the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill on the Kandahar course in Garmisch-Partenkirchen Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Elisabeth Goergl of Austria reacts following her 6th place in the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill on the Kandahar course in Garmisch-Partenkirchen Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Andrea Fischbacher of Austria speeds down the slope during the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill on the Kandahar course in Garmisch-Partenkirchen Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Lindsey Vonn speeds down on her way to take the fastest time in the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill on the Kandahar course in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Job seekers waits in line during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A job seeker (L) talks with an employer during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Job seekers look at employment information during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Job seekers wait in line during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A job seeker attends a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Job seekers fill in application forms during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Job seekers look at employment information during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A job seeker fills in application forms during a job fair at Shanghai Stadium Feb 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Cars in Rome unprovided with snow chains or snow tyres were banned from the roads covered by feet of snow, while schools and public offices stayed closed in the capital and other cities to prevent casualties and allow teams of snowplows to clean roads.

Women stand in snow on a road in Rome, Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

"The situation inside Rome is under control, but the real problem is the capital being isolated from the outside as highways are blocked," Mayor Gianni Alemanno told Rai state television. He said such an extraordinary snowfall had not occurred since 1985.

The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill remained closed to prevent accidents, Director of the Colosseum Rossella Rea was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency.

A number of trains were cancelled or delayed, stranding thousands of passengers at stations for hours. In northern Milan, the railway station was temporarily left open in the night to protect tens of clochards from below-zero temperatures, after one of them was found frozen to death.

Bologna and Ancona international airports were temporarily closed, while many flights were grounded or delayed throughout the country.

According to local media reports, many places in the northern hinterland of Rome remained completely isolated and were left without electricity as power lines were cut.

"We are in absolute emergency, with some districts of our town totally submerged by meters of snow," Mayor of the town of Meldola in Emilia Romagna Gian Luca Zattini told Rai.

"Some nearby places remained completely isolated and without electric current, so that emergency teams had to bring medicines to elderly and ill people blocked for hours at their homes," he said.

Temperatures were around 10 degrees below zero in many cities, reaching 30 degrees below zero on Mount Rosa.

In the worst hit regions, such as central Emilia Romagna and Marche, local authorities were running short of salt used to melt the ice and snow.

According to local media, five people were killed in Italy following the wave of bad weather, including a man who was found dead in his car covered in snow in southern Isernia, and an elderly woman who froze to death at night in northern Savona.

According to forecasts, snowfalls will affect the capital also on Saturday.

Because of the bad weather, a number of Italian Serie A and B soccer matches were also cancelled or postponed to later this month.

A man walks in snow in Rome, Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan stands in front of the new Embraer Legacy 650 executive jet he purchased, during a delivery ceremony with Embraer executives in Sao Jose dos Campos, February 3, 2012. Chan purchased the jet and was declared Embraer's brand ambassador in China. [Photo/Agencies] 

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan (R) shares a toast with Embraer Executive Jets President Ernest Edwards during the delivery ceremony of his new Legacy 650 executive jet in Sao Jose dos Campos, February 3, 2012. Chan purchased the jet and was declared Embraer's brand ambassador in China. [Photo/Agencies]

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan stands in front of the new Embraer Legacy 650 executive jet he purchased, during a delivery ceremony with Embraer executives in Sao Jose dos Campos, February 3, 2012. Chan purchased the jet and was declared Embraer's brand ambassador in China. [Photo/Agencies]

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan holds a berimbau, or a one-stringed musical instrument used in capoeira, that he received as a gift from Embraer CEO Frederico Fleury Curado during the delivery ceremony of his new Legacy 650 executive jet in Sao Jose dos Campos, February 3, 2012. Chan purchased the jet and was declared Embraer's brand ambassador in China. [Photo/Agencies]

Park rangers, fishermen and residents push a whale into deep water after it was found at the Paracas National Reserve in Pisco, south of Lima February 3, 2012. The whale, which belongs to the Ziphius cavirostris species, is 7 metres (23 ft.) long and weighs 2,500 kg (5,512 lb), according to National Service of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP). It was found by park rangers close to the shore on a beach in Paracas. [Photo/Agencies] 

Indian disaster response personnel search as onlookers gather around derailed cars of a passenger train following an accident at Sathi Sarapa village near Gauhati, India, Feb 3, 2012. At least three people are confirmed dead while more others are feared killed and over 50 were injured in a train mishap near the northeastern Indian state of Assam's capital Gauhati Friday morning, said witnesses and officials. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Indian disaster response personnel search as onlookers gather around derailed cars of a passenger train following an accident at Sathi Sarapa village near Gauhati, India, Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Indian disaster response personnel search as onlookers gather around derailed cars of a passenger train following an accident at Sathi Sarapa village near Gauhati, India, Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Indian disaster response personnel search as onlookers gather around derailed cars of a passenger train following an accident at Sathi Sarapa village near Gauhati, India, Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) pose in front of a model of a tunnelling system during their visit to a plant of the Herrenknecht Tunnelling Equipment company in Guangzhou Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pictured during a visit to the plant of Herrenknecht Tunnelling Equipment company in Guangzhou Feb 3, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) pose in front of a model of a tunnelling system during their visit to a plant of the Herrenknecht Tunnelling Equipment company in Guangzhou Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) and Martin Herrenknecht (L) chairman and managing director of Herrenknecht Tunnelling Equipment Co Ltd, are pictured during their visit to a plant of the company in Guangzhou Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(R) , German Chancellor Angela Merkel pose for a photo during their visit to a plant of the Herrenknecht Tunnelling Equipment company in Guangzhou Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(R) , German Chancellor Angela Merkel pose for a photo during their visit to a plant of the Herrenknecht Tunnelling Equipment company in Guangzhou Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Riot police stand guard as soccer fans chant anti-ministry of interior slogans during a protest condemning the death that happened on Wednesday at Port Said stadium, near the Interior Ministry in Cairo, in front of the parliament in Cairo February 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

CAIRO - Egyptian Health Ministry said Friday that some 1,482 were wounded in clashes that erupted Thursday night between police and protesters near the Interior Ministry building in central Cairo.

The ministry said 835 of the injured were treated on the spot, while the other 647 were sent to hospitals, according to official MENA news agency.

During the clashes, the security forces fired tear gas canisters to prevent the crowds from reaching the building.

A new wave of protests has hit several areas of Egypt. In Suez, two people died and dozens were injured after protests erupted outside the provincial government institutions.

Local security authorities said thugs should be blamed for the clashes.

The protests were triggered by a riot of football fans in Egypt's Port Said Stadium after a match on Wednesday night, in which 74 people were killed and hundreds injured.

Protesters chant anti-government slogans during a protest condemning the death of soccer fans at Port Said stadium, near the Interior Ministry in Cairo, February 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A man hangs the cage with his pet bird from the branch of a tree next to another cage in a park in central Beijing February 3, 2012. A popular activity in China, owners carry their birds from their home to a park where they hang them from the trees allowing them to sing to each other.[Photo/Agencies]

A man hangs the cage with his pet bird from the branch of a tree next to another cage in a park in central Beijing February 3, 2012. A popular activity in China, owners carry their birds from their home to a park where they hang them from the trees allowing them to sing to each other.[Photo/Agencies]

A man walks down a footpath carrying cages containing his pet birds from a park in central Beijing February 3, 2012. A popular activity in China, owners carry their birds from their home to a park where they hang them from the trees allowing them to sing to each other.[Photo/Agencies]

Students graduating in 2012 crowd a job fair in Weifang, East China's Shandong province, Feb 3, 2012. Over 40,000 students attended the fair. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]  

Students graduating in 2012 crowd a job fair in Weifang, East China's Shandong province, Feb 3, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Villagers dressed in folk costumes dance with drum and gong music to welcome Chenghuang or Town God in Hu county, Northwest China's Shaanxi province on Feb 2, 2012. The cultural ceremony is a non-material cultural heritage protection program held in Wutong village and other 18 villages of Hu county. The show attracts thousands of locals and visitors. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

People wear unique boats during a folk-custom parade at a culture ceremony staged in Hu county, Northwest China's Shaanxi province on Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Actors perform cultural programs at the square of Wutong village, Northwest China's Shaanxi province on Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Actors perform the lion dance at the square of Wutong village, Northwest China's Shaanxi province on Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphotos]

Performers perform a folk-custom show, riding donkeys, at the square of Wutong village, Northwest China's Shaanxi province on Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Actors perform cultural programs at the square of Wutong village, Northwest China's Shaanxi province on Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

 You are welcome to share your Spring Festival photos with us. photos@chinadaily.com.cn

Photos by Xu Xinlei

English grandmaster Nigel Short (R) wins the 10th Tradewise Chess Festival in Gibraltar, Jan 2, 2012, after beating Chinese grandmaster Hou Yifan (L) in a blitz playoff. Both players had finished on 8/10. The 17-year-old Hou made history by beating the legendary and almost invincible Judit Polgar of Hungary, the strongest female player of all time, in round seven of the Gibraltar tournament. [Photo/titan24.com]

Chinese grandmaster Hou Yifan (R) and Latvian grandmaster Shirov Alexei (L) compete during the 10th Tradewise Chess Festival in Gibraltar, Jan 2, 2012. Hou makes history in women's chess to beat Nigel Short. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese grandmaster Hou Yifan (L) beats Vietnam's grandmaster Le Quang Liem (R) during the 10th Tradewise Chess Festival in Gibraltar, Jan 2, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

A porcelain tower shines above the city of Jingdezhen, known as the "Porcelain Capital" in East China's Jiangxi province, Feb 2, 2012. The tower is 59 meters tall and 11 storeys high. Previously a town, Jingdezhen has been producing porcelain for more than 1,600 years. [Photo/CFP]

A blue and white porcelain tower stands over the city of Jingdezhen, Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Lanterns in the shape of flowers hang in a market in Nanjing, Feb 2, 2012. Various kinds of lanterns are displayed in the market to welcome the Lantern Festival that falls on Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A child carries a festival lantern at a market in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A child looks at rabbit-shaped lanterns at a market in Nanjing, Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Flower-shaped lanterns hang in a market in Nanjing, Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Brussels' famous Manneken-Pis statue is seen in central Brussels Feb 2, 2012. The Manneken-Pis, a bronze statue of a young boy urinating that is a symbol of Brussels and a major tourist attraction, has had to stop peeing because of sub-zero temperatures, Belgium's tourist office said on Wednesday.[Photo/Agencies]

A tourist poses for a photograph in front of Brussels' famous Manneken-Pis statue in central Brussels Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Tatiana Ivanova of Russia heads to a third place finish during women's World Cup Luge in Whistler, British Columbia, Dec 10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Shelley Rudman of Britain jumps onto her sled during the women's World Cup Skeleton in Whistler, British Columbia, Feb 2, 2012. Rudman placed third in the race. [Photo/Agencies]

Eliza Tiruma of Latvia heads down the track at dusk during women's World Cup Luge in Whistler, British Columbia, Dec 10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Canada's Mellisa Hollingsworth heads for a first place finish at sunset during the women's World Cup Skeleton in Whistler, British Columbia, Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Austria's Christina Hengster and Anna Feichtner crash into the final corner upside down during their women's World Cup Bobsleigh in Whistler, British Columbia, Feb 2, 2012. Neither athlete was injured in the crash. [Photo/Agencies]

Elizabeth Yarnold of Britain passes through beams of light coming through the track covers during a training session for the World Cup Skeleton in Whistler, British Columbia, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

African and Brazilian immigrants in Argentina take part in a ceremony praying for blessings from the god of water along La Plata river in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

African and Brazilian immigrants in Argentina take part in a ceremony praying for blessings from the god of water along La Plata river in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

African and Brazilian immigrants in Argentina take part in a ceremony praying for blessings from the god of water along La Plata river in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

African and Brazilian immigrants in Argentina take part in a ceremony praying for blessings from the god of water along La Plata river in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

African and Brazilian immigrants in Argentina take part in a ceremony praying for blessings from the god of water along La Plata river in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

Models present creations by Vicky Martin Berrocal during the International Flamenco Fashion Show SIMOF in the Andalusian capital of Seville Feb 2, 2012. The show will run until Feb 5. [Photo/Agencies]

A model wears a creation from designer Andres Sarda's Fall/Winter 2012 collection during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Madrid Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Models present creations by Vicky Martin Berrocal during the International Flamenco Fashion Show SIMOF in the Andalusian capital of Seville Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Models present creations by David Alvarez & Purificacion Ramos during the International Flamenco Fashion Show SIMOF in the Andalusian capital of Seville Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Models present creations by Arte y Compas during the International Flamenco Fashion Show SIMOF in the Andalusian capital of Seville Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Models wearing creations by Curro Duran are seen backstage during the International Flamenco Fashion Show SIMOF in the Andalusian capital of Seville Feb 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Photos show the frozen waterfalls in Tekesi county, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo/Xu Jizhi and Tian Hao]

Customers look at a large high heel made by cholocate displayed at the Hyundai Department Store in Seoul on Feb 1, 2012. The 2-meter-high shoe, in time for Valentine’s Day, took 14 days and 60 kilograms of chocolate to make. [Photo/Xinhua]

Customers look at a large chocolate high heel displayed at the Hyundai Department Store in Seoul on Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Customers look at a large chocolate high heel displayed at the Hyundai Department Store in Seoul on Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Crowds practice laughing 'gymnastics' at a square in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, Jan 31, 2012. This kind of gymnastics, created by 73-year-old retired Zhong Yunxiang, requires participants to laugh loudly along with waving their arms and clapping hands to alleviate pressure and exercise the body. Zhong started learning to laugh in various ways to ventilate his sorrowful emotion after his wife passed away and has mastered more than 20 types of laughter. He also founded a laughter club in 2007, with more than 3,000 members presently. [Photo/CFP]

Crowds practice laughing 'gymnastics' at a square in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, Jan 31, 2012.[Photo/CFP]

Divers perform a dragon dance at Underwater World in Zuohai Park in Fuzhou, South China's Fujian province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Divers perform a dragon dance at Underwater World in Zuohai Park in Fuzhou, South China's Fujian province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Divers perform a dragon dance at Underwater World in Zuohai Park in Fuzhou, South China's Fujian province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

A dragon's head appears out of water as divers perform a dragon dance at Underwater World in Zuohai Park in Fuzhou, South China's Fujian province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

A zoo official prepares to tie the mouth of Oni, an African lion, after it was successfully anesthetized at Taman Satwa Jurug in Solo, Indonesia's central Java province, Jan 31, 2012. Oni escaped from his cage and then attacked and killed a camel before he was subdued and anesthetized on Tuesday, local media reported.[Photo/Agencies]

Zoo officials examine a dead camel after it was attacked by an African lion at Taman Satwa Jurug in Solo, Indonesia's central Java province, Jan 31, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

People create a 432-meter bamboo dragon to celebrate upcoming Lantern Festival in Xinju county, Zhejiang province, Feb 1, 2012. As Chinese Lantern Festival draws near, people all around China have started to hold various sorts of traditional activities to celebrate the occasion. The Chinese Lantern Festival falls on Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

People create a 432-meter bamboo dragon to celebrate upcoming Lantern Festival in Xinju county, Zhejiang province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cao Zhenrong, a festive lantern artist, and his wife make a dragon-shaped lantern in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cao Zhenrong hangs dragon-shaped lanterns at a booth in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Lanterns are displayed in Yuexiu Garden in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, Jan 28, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Lanterns are displayed in Yuexiu Garden in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, Jan 28, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Lanterns are lit to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, Jan 30, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Lanterns are lit to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, Jan 30, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

A Chinese folk artist performs at a temple fair to celebrate the upcoming lantern Festival in Qingdao in East China's Shandong province, Jan 31, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

A Chinese folk artist performs at a temple fair to celebrate the upcoming lantern Festival in Qingdao in East China's Shandong province, Jan 31, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

A woman shows dragon-shaped steamed bread in Yuncheng, North China's Shanxi province, Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Steamed flowers are displayed to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival in Yuncheng, North China's Shanxi province, Feb 2, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Ukrainian heavyweight boxers Vladimir (L) and his brother Vitali Klitschko pose with their world championship titles belts during a photo call at their training camp in the western Austrian village of Going, Feb 1, 2012. Vitali Klitschko will fight Dereck Chisora of Britain on Feb 18 in Munich, and his brother Vladimir will fight France's Jean-Marc Mormeck on March 3 in Duesseldorf. [Photo/Agencies]

Ukrainian heavyweight boxers Vladimir (L) and his brother Vitali Klitschko pose with their world championship titles belts during a photo call at their training camp in the western Austrian village of Going, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A man is being gored by a bull as others run during the annual Candlemas celebrations in Tlacotalpan Feb 1, 2012. A pack of bulls is let loose to rampage through the streets for hours as crowds taunt them as part of the week-long religious celebration.[Photo/Agencies]

People take refuge on top of a car from a bull during the annual Candlemas celebrations in Tlacotalpan Feb 1, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A man pours beer at an exhausted and bleeding bull during the annual Candlemas celebrations in Tlacotalpan Feb 1, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

China's Bohai Sea, one of the busiest seaways in the world and covering a vast area of 78,000 square kilometers, has turned into a massive ice rink, Feb 1, 2012 in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province. Approximately 20,782 sq km has frozen, according to the State Oceanic Administration of China. As temperature plummeted in the recent days, 27 percent of the sea has frozen and the ice in certain areas goes as thick as 30 centimeters, causing several fishing boats to get stuck. [Photo/CFP]

Fishing boats incased in ice in China's Bohai Sea on Feb 1, 2012 in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province. Approximately 20,782 sq km of the sea has frozen, according to the State Oceanic Administration of China. [Photo/CFP]

Surging sea water frozen on a fishing boat stuck at Beihai port in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Surging sea water frozen on a fishing boat stuck at Beihai port in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Valencia snatched a 27th-minute lead at their Mestalla stadium when Jeremy Mathieu found space down the left wing and Jonas clipped the Frenchman's low cross high into the net past goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto.

Pinto was lucky to be still on the pitch after television replays showed he handled the ball outside his area in the 18th minute but the referee waved play on.

Barcelona's players celebrate after Carles Puyol scored against Valencia during their Spanish King's Cup semi-final first leg soccer match at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Barca captain Carles Puyol equalised 10 minutes before the break when he met a deep Cesc Fabregas corner and nodded past Diego Alves, who had come out to collect the ball but watched it sail over his head.

Alves, who has an impressive record saving spot kicks, made amends 11 minutes into the second half when he flung himself to his left and parried away Messi's penalty, awarded after Miguel felled Thiago Alcantara in the area.

Barca substitute Daniel Alves smashed a shot against the post after a brilliant one-two with Messi around 15 minutes from time but neither side were able to find another goal ahead of next week's second leg at the Nou Camp.

"He (Messi) is a player who doesn't give you much of a clue about which way he is going to shoot," Valencia keeper Alves said in a television interview.

"You just have to hang in there and try to deceive him and today I was happy to be able to help the team," the Brazilian added.

It was Barca's third successive draw, coming after they were held to a 0-0 stalemate at Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday and last week's 2-2 Cup quarter-final draw at home to holders Real Madrid that sent Pep Guardiola's side through 4-3 on aggregate.

Guardiola, who was without the injured Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Pedro and opted to rest playmaker Xavi, told a news conference it was the best performance against Valencia he had seen from his players since he became coach in 2008.

"We created a lot of problems for them and they have always done the same to us, at home or away," the former Barca and Spain midfielder said. "It was a great result but the tie is not decided and now we need to win the return leg and see if we can make the final."

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (C) fights for the ball between Valencia's Jeremy Mathieu (R) and David Albelda (L) during their Spanish King's Cup semi-final first leg soccer match at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The eventual winners will play 23-times Cup winners Athletic Bilbao -- Barca hold the record with 25 - or third-tier Mirandes in the final.

Mirandes, only the second team from Spain's Segunda B to reach the last four of the Cup in its present format, gave themselves hope of pulling off another upset with a late goal in Tuesday's first leg at their tiny stadium in Miranda de Ebro as a Fernando Llorente double gave Bilbao a narrow 2-1 success.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus poses with her Australian Open tennis tournament women's singles trophy and the trophy for being WTA world number one next to the Yarra river in Melbourne, Jan 29, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MINSK - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Victoria Azarenka for winning the Australian Open women's title on Saturday and awarded her the Order of the Motherland.

"Vika - you are the pride of the whole nation!" Lukashenko said in a statement, released by the government press service.

"The Motherland is captivated by your great achievement, which is already written in the history of the Belarussian and world sports.

"The whole country, holding its breath, was following your battles on the (Melbourne Park) courts and was rooting for you. In these cold January days you have lighted up Belarussian hearts with your will to win, skill and grace," he added. "Once again, I would like to congratulate you on your victory."

The US-based Azarenka became the first Belarusian to win a grand slam singles title when she crushed Russia's Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-0 in the Australian Open final on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Minsk native also became the first player from her country to top the world rankings.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus poses with her Australian Open tennis tournament women's singles trophy beside the Yarra River in Melbourne, Jan 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Lhalu Wetlands in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, Feb 1, 2012. The total area of wetlands in Tibet is 6 million square hectares, 10 percent of all the wetlands in the country. [Photo/Xinhua]

Lhalu Wetlands is located in the southwestern part of Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Shelducks fly over wetlands in Lhasa, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Shelducks at wetlands in Lhasa, Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Protective eyewear is displayed at the Marine West Military Expo at Camp Pendleton, California Feb 1, 2012. The expo is one of the year's largest annual display of new military equipment.[Photo/Agencies]

A soldier looks at a MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) robot at the Marine West Military Expo at Camp Pendleton, California Feb 1, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A soldier walks past a display of weapons at the Marine West Military Expo at Camp Pendleton, California Feb 1, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A soldier looks at knives at the Marine West Military Expo at Camp Pendleton, California Feb 1, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

A cafe employee poses for a picture as she drinks from a cup, containing coffee latte with cinnamon powder illustration of Russia's Prime Minister and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin seen on the milk skin, at the Kofein cafe in Moscow Feb 1, 2012. The coffee chain offered its visitors to take part in a symbolic presidential election by ordering a cup of coffee displaying their favorite candidates, while showing the results of votes on a screen nearby. The Russian presidential elections are scheduled for March 4. [Photo/Agencies]

Cups, containing coffee latte, are on display, with cinnamon powder illustrations of presidential candidates Vladimir Putin (C top), Gennady Zyuganov (R top), Vladimir Zhirinovsky (L bottom), Sergei Mironov (R bottom) and Mikhail Prokhorov seen on the milk skin, at the Kofein cafe in Moscow Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Cups, containing coffee latte, are on display, with cinnamon powder illustrations of presidential candidates Vladimir Putin (C top), Gennady Zyuganov (R top), Vladimir Zhirinovsky (L bottom), Sergei Mironov (R bottom) and Mikhail Prokhorov seen on the milk skin, at the Kofein cafe in Moscow Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

More than 10,000 students applying for art majors in Shandong College of Art and Design flock to the college to register for their exam in Jinan, East China's Shandong province, Jan 31, 2011. The 2012 gaokao, or college entrance examination, for art majors kicks off on Feb 2 in Shandong. There are more than 80,000 applicants applying for art majors in Shandong province in 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

A security guard tries to maintain order at Shandong College of Art and Design in Jinan, East China's Shandong province, Jan 31, 2011. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Students wait outside Shandong College of Art and Design, ready to register for their examination in Jinan, East China's Shandong province, Jan 31, 2011. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Students wait outside Shandong College of Art and Design ready to register for their examination in Jinan, East China's Shandong province, Jan 31, 2011. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

More than 300 villagers use a long red cloth to form the "@" sign larger than 60 meters in diameter in a field to welcome the Chinese New Year in Yaozishang village, Yangqu county in Taiyuan city, North China's Shanxi province on Feb 1, 2012.[Photo/CFP]

A view of China's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping station Gaoantun in Beijing, Jan 31, 2012. Gaoantun charging station, located in the eastern Beijing district of Chaoyang, has been installed with more than 10 types of EV charging or battery swapping machines, covering all charging modes that are available in China.[Photo/CFP]

A man walks past China-made buses in Colombo January 31, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Chinese built luxury super low flow buses are to ease the traffic congestion in Sri Lanka, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

The first-ever public transport service with Chinese built buses covering the main routes entering the capital city Colombo is part of a pilot project to promote public transportation to passengers who use private vehicles.

Udayasiri Ariyaratne, Deputy General Manager of the Micro Holdings a local automobile manufacture said that more buses are to be imported to provide luxury bus service to the Sri Lankan passengers.

"Our aim is to provide comfortable transport service to all the people while reducing the number of vehicle entering the capital," he said.

Ticket prices of the new service will be two and half higher than the normal bus fair charged from the passengers.

The new bus service run during peak hours in the morning and evening is to reduce traffic and travel time and give greater comfort to commuters, officials said.

Almost all Sri Lanka's public transport services are using Indian buses. The leading Indian bus company Ashok Leyland which has a big share in the Sri Lankan bus market have sold over 8,000 buses over the past 6 to 7 years.

Dragon lanterns fill a square in Lanzhou, Gansu province on Jan 31, 2012, to mark the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. During the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, parks and squares in Lanzhou are decorated with all kinds of lanterns, attracting hundreds of thousands of residents to join the atmosphere of the Spring Festival. Lanterns depicting Chinese dragons and other shapes to symbolize auspicious and good fortune will be put on show until the Lantern Festival on Feb 6, 2012.[Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Residents in Lanzhou, Gansu province, marvel at lanterns on Jan 31, 2012, to mark the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

New England Patriots fans Nick Lowery (L) and Hanna Love watch from the stands during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Jan 31, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Patriots' Belichick says being an assistant with Giants' Coughlin was 'the best relationship I have ever had'

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and New York Giants counterpart Tom Coughlin won a Super Bowl together 21 years ago, but on Sunday (Monday morning Beijing time) they will be doing all they can to outsmart each other in the championship game.

The relationship between the two experienced coaches with a combined four Super Bowl wins as (NFL) head coaches dates back to the days when they worked as assistants for the New York Giants

Between the 1988 and 1990 NFL seasons, Belichick was a defensive coordinator for the Giants and in charge of the secondary while Coughlin was a receivers coach.

It was a combination that Belichick described in warm and affectionate detail on Monday after his team's first Super Bowl practice at the Indianapolis Colts' training facility.

"We worked together every day in one-on-ones and seven-on-sevens ... I would run the coverages in the way he wanted them run, based on who we were playing, and he would run the patterns the way I asked him," said Belichick.

"I would say that as an assistant coach it was the best relationship that I have ever had with another counterpart in that way."

More than just running simulations of an upcoming offense, Coughlin offered Belichick's defensive backs insight into the thinking and the strategy that receivers would be armed with.

"We had a very good give-and-take on a daily basis, whether it was in training camp or whether it was on a weekly or daily game preparation basis ... we were able to help each other out and help each other coach their position better," he said.

"It was not only good between us but it transcended the units we were coaching and the players that we had. It was a great working relationship with Tom, it was outstanding, it really was."

The partnership reached fruition with the Giants' Super Bowl win over Buffalo to conclude the 1990 season, and then they went their separate ways.

Coughlin spent three years as head coach at Boston College before landing his first NFL head coaching position with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Belichick stayed in the league and took charge of the Cleveland Browns.

But the lessons learned from their time with the Giants have clearly influenced Belichick as he has sought to instill the same exchange of information in his own staffs over the years.

An NFL microphone is seen before the arrival of New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Jan 31, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

"I wish that every position coach could have that with their counterpart on staff. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. But that was really exceptional, I learned a lot from Tom, relative to the offensive point of view, the passing game," he said.

Belichick, who has won three Super Bowls with the Patriots but lost four years ago to Coughlin's Giants, also knows he is up against a man who has honed his skills as a head coach.

"I respect a lot of things about Tom - his evaluation of talent, the way he attacks teams, his consistency, his discipline, his team's toughness and resilience."

Reuters

A mural is set up as part of Super Bowl XLVI festivities in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jan 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

 

A fisherman takes dead fish out of the Minjiang River in Wankou village, Fujian province, Jan 31, 2012. The fishing industry there has been threatened by the spread of water hyacinth in the river since Jan 16. [Photo/Asianewsphoto] 

Little fish die of air shortage in the Minjiang River, which has been threatened by the spread of water hyacinth since Jan 16. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Minjiang River is being threatened by the spread of water hyacinth since Jan 16. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]