A perfect day in Las Vegas

A slice of desert that has transformed itself into one of the most lavish places on earth, Las Vegas is a neon-clad metropolis where dreams come down to the turn of a card. But look beyond the lights of the Strip for local flare and natural beauty.
Morning

Start the day off in true Vegas fashion at Le Village Buffet(3655 Las Vegas Blvd S; Paris Las Vegas). French classics such as crêpes and brie cheese are served alongside local standards including peel-and-eat jumbo shrimp.reported by A PAKISTAN TIMES

Before leaving ‘Paris’, take the elevator to the top of the mock Eiffel Tower for panoramic views of the Strip. Stay long enough to catch the quarter-hourly performances of the Bellagio fountains, a clichéd but quintessential Vegas experience.
Midday

It’s time to walk off the extra calories. Head over to the brand new CityCenter Las Vegas (3730 Las Vegas Blvd S), a collection of modernist hotels, residences, malls and casinos that is the Strip’s most luxurious offering to date.

Brushed metal, sparkling glass and polished stone accentuate the dramatic architecture of the Aria Resort & Casino. High limit tables lure in the serious punters, while swish lounges swarm with buzzing socialites.

European Athletics 2010: Brit Farah wins 10,000m gold

European Athletics Championships 2010
Venue: Barcelona Dates: 27 July - 1 August
Coverage: Watch live on BBC HD, BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Sport website (UK users only); Live coverage on BBC Radio 5 live; Highlights of the biggest events on demand online (UK only).
Mo Farah clinched Great Britain's first gold medal of the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona by storming to victory in the men's 10,000m. reported by A PAKISTAN TIMES

Farah, 27, came home in a time of 28 minutes, 24.99 seconds, finishing ahead of fellow Brit Chris Thompson, who made it a GB one-two in the event.

The bronze went to Italy's Daniele Meucci who lost out to Thompson by a fraction of a second on the line.

It was GB's first-ever European 10,000m gold and Farah's first major title.

He had to settle for silver at the 2006 European Championships in Gothenburg in the 5,000m, so gold in Barcelona represented redemption for the Somalia-born athlete.

Lance Armstrong retires from cycling for second time

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has announced he is to retire from cycling for a second time.

The 38-year-old American quit the sport in 2005 before returning last year but he announced last month that 2010 would be the last time he rode the Tour.reported by A PAKISTAN TIMES

Armstrong finished 40 minutes behind winner Alberto Contador in 23rd place.

"This race has been good to me but I can't lie - I'm ready to retire part two," said Armstrong, who crashed on a number of occasions during the race.

"I was just glad that three weeks of suffering is over and I get to go home. I don't have to stress about racing every day.

"I have a lot of happiness, a lot of good memories, just a lot of good times here.

Goalkeeper David James delays Celtic signing talks

England World Cup goalkeeper David James has delayed a visit to Glasgow for possible signing talks with Celtic because of a family issue.

Manager Neil Lennon considers the 39-year-old to be the ideal replacement for Artur Boruc, now at Fiorentina.

Lennon has Pole Lukasz Zaluska and American Dominic Cervi but wants a major figure in goal as he continues to rebuild the team.reported by A PAKISTAN TIMES

James' former club Portsmouth withdrew an offer they made to him in May.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce confirmed his interest in James on Saturday, giving the veteran the opportunity to continue to play in the Premier League in England.

James made 138 appearances for Pompey and, according to club administrator Andrew Andronikou, wanted to be their player-manager.

However, Steve Cotterill was appointed to the Portsmouth hot seat and the Fratton Park side have decided to withdraw the offer they made to their keeper after he failed to commit his future to them.

S Korea-US military exercise begins in the Sea of Japan

The US and South Korea have begun a major military exercise in the Sea of Japan, despite threats of retaliation from North Korea.
The navy and air force manoeuvres involve 20 ships, 200 planes and 8,000 US and South Korean personnel.

Washington and Seoul say they want to send a clear signal to the North following the sinking of a South Korean warship in March.

An international investigation said a North Korean torpedo sank the ship.
However, the claim has been angrily denied by Pyongyang.
reported by A PAKISTAN TIMES
On Saturday, North Korea threatened to use its nuclear deterrent in a retaliatory, "sacred war" in response to the exercise.

The BBC's John Sudworth, who is aboard one of the warships, says the show of strength is intended to rattle Pyongyang's military and political elite.

But some observers are questioning whether the display of military power will simply galvanise the hardliners inside the isolated country, he says.

North Korea's inflammatory rhetoric is nothing new, he adds, but the rising tension is causing concern, with China urging all parties to show restraint.

The South Korean defence ministry said the manoeuvres had been relocated from the sensitive Yellow Sea to the Sea of Japan following protests from China, North Korea's ally.

Geo’s reporter Anwar hurt in Hyderabad ambush

Updated at: Sunday, July 25, 2010
HYDERABAD: Unknown assailant(s) opened fire at Geo News’ van, injuring reporter Anwar Kamal and driver Naseem seriously here at Thandi Sarak, A PAKISTAN TIMES reported late Saturday.

Two were rushed to a local hospital where they are being provided medical aid.

According to details, Anwar Kamal along driver Naseem was on his way to Hyderabad on Geo’s van after covering a news event relating to Dadu-Manchar Lake, when unknown gunmen on motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire at van.

The ambush took place in front of GOR police station, a woman police station, but the assailants could not be identified who, all of a sudden, succeeded to flee the crime scene, sources said.

Anwar Kamal received a bullet on his left shoulder, hospital sources confirmed to media.

DIG Hyderabad Fayyaz Laghari said security at all the city’s entrance and exit points has been beefed up.