Akshay Rajagopal, a 11-year-old sixth-grader from Lincoln, Nebraska, took top honours at the 2008 National Geographic Bee held in Washington, DC on May 21, collecting a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership to the National Geographic Society for his winning efforts.

France squad penpix for Euro 2008.

Bharti Airtel is all set to face competition in its proposed bid for South African telecom major MTN Group. United Arab Emirates-based telecom company Etisalat today said that it might bid for the South African company, too. Etisalat is evaluating a possible bid for MTN as it seeks to boost revenues from the continent to at least a quarter of its total revenues in four years, Reuters reported quoting the company Chairman Mohammed Omran.

The MTN Group, the largest mobile operator in sub-Saharan Africa, might seek a 'non-compete agreement' with Bharti Airtel, India's largest private telecom company, to bar it from entering the 21-odd markets in which the Johannesburg-listed company operates, banking sources said.

Argentina remain top of FIFA's world soccer rankings in an unchanged top 10 following the publication of the latest standings on Wednesday. With none of the leading countries in action, the only change in the top 20 was Cameroon's climb of one place to 16th at the expense of Mexico, despite the Central Americans' 1-0 friendly win over China. Argentina lead the rankings by two points ahead of Brazil, with world champions Italy in the third. India are ranked 151.

Datacom Solutions, promoted by consumer electronic goods maker Videocon Industries, is close to roping in South African telecom major MTN group as a partner for its GSM foray in the country. According to sources, Datacom, which was scouting for a partner to bring in investments and technology, has short-listed MTN. Discussions with the South African company are in the final stage and a deal is expected to be signed soon.

Barcelona failed again to put pressure on leaders Real Madrid after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by city rivals Espanyol in the Primera Liga on Saturday. The Champions League semi-finalists have only managed one win in their last eight league matches. They stay second with 61 points, eight short of Real who can extend their lead at the top to 11 with a win at fifth-placed Racing Santander on Sunday.

If the world wants to tide over the present crisis, the farmers must shift their agriculture methods to confront soaring food prices that threaten to drive millions of poor people around the world into even deeper poverty. Basic foodstuff prices have all risen sharply in recent months, sparking violent protests in many countries. Unesco attributed the trend to increased demand in emerging market powerhouses China and India and alternative use of corn and soybeans for biofuels

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation on Wednesday said global commodity prices were far from easing in the short term owing to tight supply-demand situation and warned of flare ups over food shortage.The UN FAO director general said the world has 4-5 million tonnes (MT) of cereals stocks that can feed the global population for only 8-12 weeks.

Mohun Bagan would confer honorary life membership on German goalkeeping great Oliver Kahn, who is slated to play his last professional match for Bayern Munich against the Kolkata giants on May 27.

India is heading for a major rise in food prices especially rice and pulses. Following the global trend and anticipating a shortage, Central government has raised the minimum price for non-Basmati rice exports. Other countries like Egypt and Cambodia have imposed restrictions on export of rice. With rice being staple food in many countries export restrictions will affect prices in the importing countries. These countries are already facing social unrest over high food prices.

Rio Ferdinand will captain England in Wednesday's Paris friendly against France but coach Fabio Capello will not select his permanent skipper until his side begin their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Raul scored his 200th league goal to move Real Madrid eight points clear in the Primera Liga after a 2-1 comeback win over Espanyol on Saturday.

Barcelona closed to within two points of leaders Real Madrid after thumping Levante 5-1.

New Zealander Scott Styris ended up being sold for an embarrassingly cheap $175,000 in the IPL players' auction in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Europe's premier club tournament returns this week with several mouthwatering ties.

African Nations Cup hosts Ghana climbed 29 places to joint 14th in FIFA's world rankings following their third place finish at the tournament. India are ranked 144, while Argentina tops the list followed by Brazil.

Egypt successfully defended the African Nations Cup when they beat Cameroon 1-0 in Sunday's final with a goal 13 minutes from time by Mohamed Aboutrika. The Egyptians extended to six their record number of titles but not before overcoming a physically tough challenge from four-times champions Cameroon.

Holders Egypt are hoping their South American playing style will bring them success in the African Nations Cup final against Cameroon tomorrow. Most of Egypt's squad are home-based players but their free-flowing passing game has been lethal and they are confident of beating Cameroon again after winning in the 1998 final.

Champions Egypt are confident of pulling off a second African Nations Cup win over Cameroon when they meet in tomorrow's final, assistant coach Shawky Gharib said.

Egypt ended Ivorian dreams with a 4-1 win in Kumasi while hosts Ghana suffered a heart-breaking 1-0 loss to Cameroon.

Salomon Kalou scored a double as Ivory Coast cruised into the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup with a 5-0 demolition of Guinea.

Tunisia and Angola played out a goalless stalemate in Tamale to qualify for the African Nations Cup quarter-finals.

The Cameroon striker scored twice to help his side beat Sudan 3-0 and reach the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. Eto'o's first goal, a 27th-minute penalty, made him the highest scorer in the tournament's history with 15 goals.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga may bear a striking resemblance with the young Muhammad Ali but France like to seem him more as the new Yannick Noah.

Defending champions Egypt beat Cameroon 4-2 while Zambia had a one-sided 3-0 triumph over Sudan in Group C's opening encounters of the African Nations Cup.

Though India is ranked way down in the FIFA rankings, African footballers see the country as a springboard to their European aspirations.

Samuel Eto'o scored two late goals for Barcelona in a 4-0 romp at home to promoted Real Murcia in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

Barcelona have written permission from Cameroon to delay striker Samuel Eto'o joining the country's African Nations Cup preparations until Saturday, the Primera Liga club's coach Frank Rijkaard said on Tuesday.

Two of the three main Premier League title contenders will suffers as some of their players head for the African Nations Cup in Ghana.

A look back at the year in travel: do you remember all the innovations, near misses and crazy inventions? We've gathered the best stories.

Nigerians Chidi Edeh and captain Ranty Martins scored two goals each to earn the Goa team a convincing 4-1 victory in an ONGC I-League football match in Mumbai.

Samuel Eto'o led Barcelona to only their second away win of the season in a 3-0 victory over Valencia.

Nigeria and South Africa, who jostle for political and economic supremacy on the African continent, were drawn together in their World Cup qualifying group on Sunday. Although South Africa, as hosts of the 2010 event, qualify automatically for the finals, they are participating in the preliminaries because they also serve as qualifiers for the 2010 African Nations Cup finals.

The countries ranked below India include Bahrain, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Iran, Oman, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Pakistan, Chad and Yemen with the lowest gender equality of 45.1 per cent.

The endangered list includes the Western Hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) found in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

India's football campaign in the ongoing fourth Military World Games came to an end after Egypt defeated the hosts 1-0 in the quarter-final.

Barcelona, who are struggling for goals, host Olympique Lyon in Wednesday's Champions League opener in Group E.

Dempo Sports Club and Churchill Brothers registered convincing victories at the Federation Cup football tournament.

Real Madrid thrashed Villareal 5-0 while arch-rivals Barcelona beat Athletico Madrid 3-1 on Sunday.