Rebel News - Independent News and Analysis

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal has booked his third successive trip to US Open semifinal without the loss of a set at Flushing Meadows.

The world number one thrashed his fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday.

For a nation devastated by floods and embarrassed over a cricket corruption scandal, Pakistanis are pinning their hopes on an unlikely sporting star to give the country something to cheer.

After a month of fasting for Ramadan, Pakistani Muslims will celebrate Eid this weekend and many will also hope that Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi can add to the festivities by becoming the first tennis player from his country to win a grand slam title.

A teammate of the three Pakistan cricketers suspended on corruption charges who reportedly claimed that players had been fixing matches has said his comments were "largely inaccurately reported."

Sunday's issue of the News of the World newspaper quoted Yasir Hameed, the team's opening batsman, as saying Pakistan players are throwing matches in return for huge sums of money.

A teammate of the three Pakistan cricketers suspended on corruption charges who reportedly claimed that players had been fixing matches was "trapped" into making the remarks, a former Test player has claimed.

The News of the World newspaper on Sunday quoted Yasir Hameed, the team's opening batsman, as saying Pakistan players are throwing matches.

The opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games is due to take place in less than a month in India's capital, New Delhi. But organisers are in a race of their own to complete unfinished projects. Nilanjan Chowdhury reports.

Football-related violence in Belgium's capital has led to the arrest of almost 280 fans during the Euro 2012 qualifying match between Belgium and Germany.

The German football federation, DFB, says clashes broke out between police and supporters in the centre of Brussels on Friday night, according to DPA.

Iran's national soccer team has defeated China 2-0 in an international friendly match at the Tianhe Stadium in China.

Iran had the upper hand in almost every minute of the game and performed well as the players were in harmony and well-coordinated, Fars News Agency reported on Friday.

Despite impressive games by Hamed Haddad and Arsalan Kazemi, Iran loses against the US 51-88 at the preliminary round of 2010 FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Americans have won all the four games against Croatia, Slovenia, Brazil and now Iran on Wednesday and automatically advance to the elimination Round of 16 as the top seed in Group B.

Iran's basketball team will play against the United States in its fourth Group B match on Wednesday at the preliminary round of the 2010 FIBA world championship in Istanbul, Turkey.

Iran's basketball coach Veslin Matic said on Tuesday that "Iran has participated in the FIBA World Championship to make its dreams come true," adding, "The match between Iran and the US is not a political game."

Three Pakistan players named by a British newspaper as being involved in a betting scam will travel to London to meet the head of their country's cricket board.

Captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif are due to meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday before rejoining the squad.