A videotape that appears to link Colombia's Marxist rebels the Farc to the president of neighbouring Ecuador has been broadcast on Colombian TV.
The video allegedly shows a rebel commander claiming they helped fund the 2006 election of Ecuador's left-wing president, Rafael Correa.
Ecuador's government has strongly denied having any ties with the Farc.
The two countries severed relations last year after Colombian troops raided a rebel base across the border.
Correspondents say the videotape will further damage already dire diplomatic relations between the Andean neighbours.
Computer seized
The hour-long video of Farc leader Jorge Briceno, also known as Mono Jojoy, addressing his fighters was delivered to the offices of the Associated Press news agency by an unnamed Colombian government official and was later broadcast on national television.
AP said it was found on a computer seized in May in the Bogota home of a suspected Farc operative, and was decrypted last week.
It allegedly shows Jorge Briceno addressing his troops after the death last March of the Farc's founder Manuel Marulanda.
Briceno speaks of money delivered to the 2006 election campaign of Ecuador's President Rafael Correa as well as meetings with his emissaries.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott, in Colombia, says this is not the first time such assistance has been mentioned.
On computers seized from the Farc camp in Colombia's cross-border raid last year were references to payments to Mr Correa's campaign and meetings with people close to him.
Mr Correa has always denied any links to the Farc and the Ecuadorean government says Colombia has a long history of falsifying evidence.
Analysts add that even if the videotape is genuine, it does not prove that Mr Correa personally had any knowledge of contacts with the rebels.
Relations between the two nations have worsened recently with an Ecuadorean court seeking the arrest of the former Colombian defence minister who had ordered the raid into Ecuador.
Ecuador is also placing tariffs on Colombian exports.
Our correspondent says the new video will make the chances of re-establishing diplomatic relations between Bogota and Quito a very distant prospect.
Zinedine Zidane thinks Messi and Ronaldo are good, but his fellow Frenchman Franck Ribery is the best player in the world.
Real Madrid have seldom been out of the headlines this summer thanks to their record-breaking spending spree which has brought star players like Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.
One more prime target remains for Los Blancos though: Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.
Ribery has publically stated his desire for a move to Madrid, but his current employers are pulling all the stops to prevent his departure.
Former Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane, who now advises Real president Florentino Perez, has praised Ribery, singling him out as the best player in the world.
"There are very good footballers in the world, like Cristiano Ronaldo or [Lionel] Messi, but the best for me is Ribery," said Zidane.
"And I am not saying that because he is French, but because he is very good."
Zidane also blasted the use of the ‘Galacticos' tag, which he feels negatively affected the team during his time with the club.
"The president of Real wants the best players for his team, but he should not call them galacticos," argued the three-time World Player of the Year.
"I remember that we were called galacticos when [David] Beckham, [Luis] Figo, Ronaldo and I were playing and the result was very negative.
"People should say they are the best and that is it."
Brazilian authorities are demanding that more than 1,400 tonnes of hazardous British waste found in three ports be returned to the UK.
The Brazilian environment agency, Ibama, says that international treaties have been violated.
An investigation into how and why the waste was sent Brazil has been launched by the British government.
It has emerged that two companies named by Brazil as suspected exporters of the waste are owned by a Brazilian.
The waste, which included syringes, condoms, nappies and bags of blood, was found in about 90 shipping containers on three Brazilian docks in recent months.
The latest 25 containers found in a port near Sao Paulo were put on show for journalists on Friday.
'Not a rubbish dump'
The BBC's Gary Duffy said that inside them was everything from leftover food to cleaning products, creating a foul-smelling mess.
Among the rubbish were the names of many British supermarkets, and UK newspapers were also clearly identifiable.
Ibama officials say they want the waste sent back to the UK.
"We will ask for the repatriation of this garbage," said Roberto Messias, Ibama president.
"Clearly, Brazil is not a big rubbish dump of the world."
Reports in the UK media say the waste was sent from Felixstowe in eastern England to the port of Santos, near Sao Paulo, and two other ports in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The Brazilian companies that received the waste said they had been expecting recyclable plastic, The Times reported.
Ibama has named two British companies it suspects as being involved in the shipments.
The Brazilian director of those companies, who is based in England, told BBC Brazil that anything in the containers that was not plastic for recycling was the responsibility of his suppliers.
The British Embassy in Brazil said in a statement that it was investigating and would "not hesitate to act" if it was found that a UK company had violated the Basel Convention on the movement of hazardous waste.
Both the UK and Brazil are signatories of the treaty, which came into force in 1992.
UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told The Times he had ordered an investigation.
"If, having looked into this particular case, there are lessons that need to be learnt about enforcement, then we will do that," he said.
The former US TV news anchor Walter Cronkite, known to millions as "the most trusted man in America", has died at the age of 92.
An executive for the CBS news channel said Mr Cronkite died at his New York home with his family at his side.
He was reported to have been ill for some time.
Mr Cronkite presented the evening news programme for CBS from 1962 to 1981, helping the programme to become the most watched bulletin in the US.
His career covered such major global events as the assassination of former US President John F Kennedy, the moon landing, Watergate, former President Richard Nixon's resignation and the fall of Saigon.
In 1972, he was deemed by a poll of the US public to be, "the most trusted man in America", beating presidents, members of congress and other journalists.
He would end his broadcasts with his signature sign-off: "That's the way it is."
Mr Cronkite's opinion was so trusted by the US public that when he criticised the war in Vietnam, President Lyndon B Johnson is reported to have said: "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America."
Linda Mason, the vice-president of CBS, said Mr Cronkite had died at 1942 local time (2342 GMT) on Friday after a long illness.
US President Barack Obama said Mr Cronkite had been "a voice of certainty in an uncertain world", and had set the standard by which all other news professionals were judged.
"He invited us to believe in him, and he never let us down," he said.
"This country has lost an icon and a dear friend, and he will be truly missed."
CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus said in a statement that Mr Cronkite had "guided America through our crises, tragedies and also our victories and greatest moments".
"It is impossible to imagine CBS News, journalism or indeed America without Walter Cronkite," he said.
Real Madrid star Raul has likened the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at the club with that of David Beckham.
Real are a club who have become accustomed to welcoming world stars in recent times and Raul believes the former Manchester United pair generated a similar amount of hysteria.
The Spanish giants are in Dublin preparing for the new season, with world record £80million signing Ronaldo set to make his debut against Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium on Monday.
"I was as excited when Beckham started to play with us as I am with the arrival of Cristiano," Raul said.
"I was very happy when I worked with Beckham and I think Cristiano is going to bring a lot of happiness to all the supporters. He will bring very good things and make a great contribution to the team."
Ronaldo has gone on record as saying he was worth the money Real president Florentino Perez spent to sign him, and Raul agrees.
"As regards the price paid for Cristiano, that's the price in the market," he added.
"There are not many Cristiano Ronaldos in the world and Real Madrid has made a great financial effort but Real Madrid wants the best team in the world.
"Cristiano behaves like all the rest of the team, he's a very well-loved player, one of the best players in the world.
"Women and children, they ask him for autographs and he always complies very nicely. What's important is he plays good football and he's very committed and whatever he does in his private life is his own business."
Real do not appear to have finished their summer spending spree yet and continue to be linked with Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Raul said on the subject: "I suppose that's a question for the technical team and the coach. They have to decide what's best for the Real Madrid team.
"Me personally? I would love Alonso to play with us. I think he's a great player."
Two-thirds of people across the UK know someone who has lost a job in the recession, a BBC survey suggests.
And four in 10 fear losing their job in the current climate, the survey of 1,048 people by ComRes indicates.
But while concerns about employment may be increasing, most people believe the worst may be over - despite believing the economic situation remains tough.
While 34% think things will worsen, 52% hold the view that the economy will not improve for a while yet.
A further 12% hold the optimistic view that things are improving.
The BBC commissioned the survey to mark its Taking The Pulse day, which is looking at how the recession is taking effect across the country.
However, when looking at people's attitudes across age and social groups, older and less wealthy people are more pessimistic.
Just 12% of people aged 65 and over expect their finances to improve over the coming year, compared with 36% of 18 to 24-year-olds.
Jobs fallout
Another key trend highlighted by the survey is the widespread effect of recent job losses - across all age, regional and social groups.
In total, 67% of respondents said they knew someone personally who had been made unemployed.
Worst affected were the people of Northern Ireland, where a huge 87% of people knew someone who had been axed from their post. Least affected was the North of England where just 60% knew someone hit by unemployment.
Unsurprisingly, 69% of people said it would be very damaging financially - for them or their household - if they were to lose their job. The group most concerned about such an eventuality was the 25-34 age group, with 88% voicing such fears.
The only group that seemed relatively unconcerned was the people aged 65 and over, with just 35% worried about the potential fall-out from job losses.
Concern about finances also appears to have percolated through to affect other aspects of people's behaviour.
Consumer concerns
Overall shopping habits have changed markedly, with 75% of those polled simply trying to spend less, 63% buying less on impulse than before and 51% less inclined to use a credit card or overdraft.
A further 46% try to put more money aside into savings, highlighting the fact that the public's love affair with debt culture may be coming to an end.
When it comes to the UK government, 50% of people believe it is likely to continue to rely on borrowing to balance its books.
Many of those quizzed (31%) also say any recovery, when it starts, will be down to the coordinated actions of governments across the world. Just 21% believed it was down to the British government's measures.
And while many people believe the worst is over, they are still keeping an eye out for those green shoots of recovery.
The key signs the public will be looking for are people spending more in the shops (70%), a rise in house prices (69%) and a rise in share prices (68%).
Real Madrid veteran Michel Salgado believes Cristiano Ronaldo will take the club to new heights.
Ronaldo is with his new team-mates on a nine-day tour of Ireland and could be set to play his first game for Madrid on Monday against Shamrock Rovers.
Salgado has been impressed by the FIFA World Player of the Year following his world-record move from Manchester United.
"He is like an aeroplane," said the defender. "He gives Madrid height, dribbling and speed.
"He's a jump in quality.
"He is one of the top 10 in world football and there's always room for these players here, that's why we have to be proud that he is at Madrid."
Madrid have spent over 200 million euros on Ronaldo, Kaka, Raul Albiol and Karim Benzema since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency in June.
Their summer spending spree looks set to continue with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Liverpool's Xabi Alonso apparently next on the shopping list.
Salgado is unsure if Madrid will succeed in their bid for the pair but would love to be able to count on the Spain midfielder as one of his team-mates.
"I don't know if Ribery will come, he is caught up in a small war with Bayern and it is better not to talk about the matter," added Salgado.
"I prefer to talk about Cristiano who is already ours and who will bring a very high level to Real Madrid.
"Xabi can bring us direction, calmness, and long and short passes. With quality and precision.
"He is a calm man who lives for and through football and would be important for this Real Madrid, but until he is a Real Madrid player we can't talk more."
Nokia, the world's biggest mobile phone maker, saw a 66% slide in quarterly profit as the economic downturn hit demand for handsets.
The news sent Nokia's share price sharply lower.
It made a net profit of 380m euros (£326m) in the April to June quarter, down from 1.1bn euros a year earlier.
Rival phone maker Sony Ericsson also reported a quarterly loss and warned that the rest of the year would remain difficult for the company.
'Tough quarter'
Nokia said it had put in a "solid performance" in "another tough quarter".
It said it was unlikely to be able to increase market share this year despite predicting earlier it would be able to.
"Competition remains intense, but demand in the overall mobile device market appears to be bottoming out," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia's chief executive.
Nokia's shares ended down 14.7% at 9.47 euros.
'Challenging'
Sony Ericsson made a loss of 213m euros (£183m; $300m) in the April to June quarter, slightly less than the 293m euros deficit in the first quarter.
"As expected, the second quarter was challenging and we still believe the remainder of the year will be difficult for Sony Ericsson," the firm said.
"Our performance is beginning to improve because of our cost reduction activities," it added.
The company has said it will cut a total of 4,000 jobs.
Analysts say that the mid-range music and camera phone Sony Ericsson focuses on, are less in demand than basic models or high-tech gadgets such as the iPhone.
Sony Ericsson said it expected the global market for mobile phone handsets to shrink by at least 10% from 1.19 billion units in 2008.
The construction of new homes in the US rose 3.6% between May and June to the highest level in seven months, official figures have shown.
This is the second month in a row that housing starts have risen following a post-war low in April.
Compared with the same month a year ago, however, June starts were down 46%, the Commerce Department said.
The number of single family homes being built jumped 14.4% in June, the biggest jump in over four years.
'Genuine surprise'
The number of new homes built totalled 582,000, many more than analysts had expected.
Figures for May were also revised upwards, from 532,000 to 562,000.
"These figures look like a genuine upward surprise, and support our view that housing construction activity is bottoming out," said Dean Maki at Barclays Capital.
For the April to June months, Mr Maki added that single family starts saw the biggest quarterly increase since the early 1990s.
The number of permits to break ground - considered an indicator of confidence in the building sector - climbed to its highest level since December last year.
Completions down
Some analysts, however, urged caution in the wake of the stronger-than-expected data.
"It is too soon to call a bottom to the housing market in the US," said the Centre for Economics and Business Research.
William O'Donnell, head treasury strategist at RBS Securities, argued that: "This is another piece of data for those seeing the recession ending soon."
"But housing starts are still within the range of the past six months and the completion rate is still down," he said.
Real Madrid hope Klaas Jan Huntelaar's future is sorted out sooner rather than later.
Club sporting director Miguel Pardeza has confirmed negotiations with Stuttgart regarding the Dutchman are at an "advanced" stage.
The former Ajax frontman only joined Madrid at the start of the year but he is one of the players who has been tipped to leave as the Spanish giants look to accommodate their new summer signings and recoup some money.
Huntelaar was not part of the Madrid squad that travelled to Dublin yesterday for their pre-season training camp as his future remains up in the air, and Pardeza is keen for a quick resolution to the issue if possible.
"It's in his position that the team have made the most reinforcements. Madrid are in advanced negotiations with Stuttgart and the best thing to do was to find a solution," Pardeza was quoted as saying on Spanish radio.
"I think the player was aware of these circumstances and he's decided to stay in Madrid a few days to see if the situation can be definitively resolved."
Pardeza also revealed German outfit Stuttgart are not the only club who have shown an interest in the 25-year-old Holland international, who was a prolific scorer at previous clubs Ajax and Heerenveen in his homeland.
"Huntelaar showed he was a good player at Ajax and many teams have asked about him," said Pardeza.
"I think it's important that the player can continue his career. He's young and next year there is a World Cup and I believe that any player who has limited chances has to look for a way so they can continue making progress as a professional."
Real Madrid general director Jorge Valdano has dismissed reports Arsenal have made a bid for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Dutch striker as a potential replacement for Manchester City target Emmanuel Adebayor.
North London rivals Tottenham are also reported admirers of Huntelaar, who is set to leave Real just six months after his arrival from Ajax.
Stuttgart have had an offer accepted by Real, but Huntelaar is rumoured to be stalling on a move to the German club as he awaits any further interest.
However, Valdano has confirmed that Stuttgart remain the only club to have made a concrete offer which is acceptable to Real.
"Only one formal offer exists and that is Stuttgart's," stated Valdano to the Spanish media.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel says he is happy to wait for Huntelaar to make a decision regarding a move to the Bundesliga.
Babbel said: "The important thing is that I know that we are working on a transfer, and not only that of Huntelaar, but also alternatives.
"He is a player that we really like, now it is down to him. But whether that is tomorrow or next week, that's not so important."
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has met US President Barack Obama for key talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit in London, officials say.
They said that the focus of the talks was on the president's new Afghan strategy and on ways of curbing terrorism in the South Asia region.
Mr Singh told the president that the two countries shared the "same dreams and the same vision".
The meeting was attended by large teams of officials from both sides.
Mr Singh only held one-to-one meetings with the president and the British PM at the summit.
Officials insist that this was because of time constraints and not because Mr Singh's poor health meant that he had to pursue a less rigorous schedule.
The PM has been recovering from heart by-pass surgery earlier this year.
Goodwill
President Obama paid tribute to India's "high stature" at the talks praising it for "unleashing powerful new economic forces which in large part were connected with the wisdom of Dr Singh".
He said that the US sees India as a "global partner" and together they could play a critical part in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
In October the US Congress ended India's three-decade-long nuclear isolation with an overwhelming Senate vote in favour of a civilian nuclear agreement with Delhi and officials say that Thursday's meeting will build on the goodwill that emanated from that.
The deal enabled US companies to sell nuclear reactors, fuel and technology to India after a ban of more than three decades on such trade.
It also marked a major shift in US foreign policy towards a country where relations in the past have been marked by mutual distrust.
The two leaders were accompanied by large delegations and discussed the possibility of greater Indian involvement in Afghanistan, following the announcement last week by the US leader of a new strategy for the country in which he placed great emphasis on "fighting a common enemy".
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has begun a five-day visit to India aimed at strengthening political and economic relations.
She is currently in Mumbai, where she attended a private ceremony to honour the victims of last November's attacks which left more than 170 people dead.
She is staying in the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, where many of the victims died.
Mrs Clinton is also likely to press for better ties between India and Pakistan when she goes to Delhi on Sunday.
Observers say she will argue that the current US alliance with Pakistan is not at India's expense.
BBC regional analyst Jill McGivering says that at present, the US focus is on Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the battle against Taliban insurgents in both countries.
But the Obama administration is keen to address concerns in India that Delhi's interests are being neglected, our correspondent adds.
Drumming up business
BBC state department correspondent Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with Mrs Clinton, says the secretary of state is keen on people-to-people diplomacy and usually holds town hall events and meetings with civil society leaders on foreign visits.
Before the official part of the visit in Delhi on Monday, she will take time in Mumbai, the commercial capital, to meet business leaders and visit a women's NGO that helps to provide poor women with employment.
In the afternoon she will spend an hour at a school talking to volunteers at the Teach India programme, promoting education for the poor.
As her first engagement, she attended a morning ceremony to mark the Mumbai attacks, held in private and without press coverage.
It was held in the Taj Palace hotel where she was staying.
The attacks, in November last year, have become a major source of tension between India and Pakistan.
India wants Pakistan to punish those responsible and take tough action against militant groups.
The US has been working to bring the sides back into dialogue.
If tensions along Pakistan's border with India were reduced, the Pakistani military would be able to focus more fully on the north-west and dealing with its own insurgency there.
Pakistan is now promising to address the concerns about militants, but many in India are sceptical.
Our correspondent also says the visit is also partly about business.
The agreement which ended a three-decade ban on the sale of civilian nuclear technology to India was a centrepiece of the last Bush administration.
Now India is expected to name two sites where US companies can build nuclear power plants. It is business worth billions of dollars.
Jose Enrique is prepared to take a pay cut to negotiate a transfer out of Championship side Newcastle United.
The Spanish defender is the latest player to voice his disillusionment at St James' Park as the club are still looking for a new manager and new owners.
The 23-year-old admits he would jump at the chance to return to Spain with Atletico Madrid thought to be trailing the former Villarreal man.
"If there's any interest from a Spanish club I'll take the offer seriously," said Enrique.
"I have a very good contract at Newcastle but in football terms I'm not feeling good
"I'll give up money from my contract as long I'm able to go back to Spain. I want to be successful in my career and money's not my main target.
"Newcastle don't have an owner and we don't even have a manager and with the season starting in a month. Everybody wants Alan Shearer to continue but nobody knows what's happening.
"Things are not right and the situation isn't good. I'm annoyed because it's the fans who are suffering."
Mike Ashley's wait to sell Newcastle United is set to extend into another week at least.
Despite optimism at sustained interest from a series of potential purchasers, a breakthrough is far from imminent and the wait goes on for one of the consortia which have expressed an interest to hand over £100million and sign on the dotted line.
The men handling the sale for Ashley, whose Sports Direct company this week reported a 91% drop in profits, have been hopeful at various points over the last month or so of decisive progress.
However, that has simply not happened and that is a cause of intense frustration for all involved, not least manager-in-waiting Alan Shearer.
Representatives of a Malaysian consortium have twice visited the club, and it is understood an American group has also been on Tyneside.
But by far the most vociferous of the interested parties, who have all had to sign non-disclosure agreements, has been the Singapore-based Profitable Group.
On Friday they claimed they have made a formal offer and are awaiting a response from Newcastle.
Commercial director Steve McMahon, the former England midfielder, told the Evening Chronicle: "Our people have been in London all week working with lawyers and attorneys and we have made them a realistic offer.
"We have been pushing ahead and, make no doubt about it, the money is in place - we are for real.
"We initially made a tentative bid to begin with, and discussions then took place. We were told to come back, and that's what we have done.
"There has been a formal offer and we want to get things done and dusted as quickly as possible."
The use of the term "realistic" suggests the Profitable Group is not one of the consortia to have met Ashley's asking price.
Indeed, sources close to the deal have insisted from the moment they declared their interest publicly that they are not among the front-runners.
But McMahon was insistent, adding: "We have done all we can do and we have gone through the process we were asked to go through.
"We are just waiting to hear - and we hope to hear something today.
"If we can give Newcastle the kiss of life then we would love to do it.
"We feel we have been very realistic with our offer and we certainly have the funds to go through with it."
Until a deal is struck, no manager can be appointed and no transfer dealing in or out can begin with prospective new owners adamant they want to make those decisions.
But the current crop of players will continue their preparations for the new Coca-Cola Championship season at Darlington tomorrow with midfielder Damien Duff full of praise for caretaker boss Chris Hughton and coach Colin Calderwood.
Duff said: "Chris and Colin have been thrown in at the deep end but they are totally focused on the job.
"They are two great guys and all of the lads respect them. They have put on a tough pre-season, but it's been good and I'm sure we will reap the rewards of that.
"They are difficult circumstances, but they are both very professional and the players respect them for that.
"Of course we would like to see the situation sorted, but for the time being, we all have to be professional and get on with the job of preparing for the new season."
Stay right here at espnstar.com for LIVE updates of Man United's first pre-season match against Malaysia.
Playing today at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, new signing Michael Owen could start up-front for Manchester United.
Manchester United squad
Edwin van der Sar, Tomasz Kuszczak, Ben Foster; Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, John O’Shea, Fabio da Silva; Nani, Zoran Tosic, arren Fletcher, Anderson, Darron Gibson, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs; Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Federico Macheda, Wayne Rooney.
Malaysia squad
Mohd Farizal Bin Marlias (Perlis), Mazlizam Bin Mohamad (Perlis), Amar Bin Rohidan (Perlis), Baddrol Bin Bakthiar (Kedah) Mohd Kyril Muhymeen Bin Zambri (Kedah) Mat Sabre Bin Mat Abu (Kedah) V. Thirumurugan (Kedah), Mohd Amri Yahyah (Selangor), Mohd Amirulhadi Bin Zainal (Selangor) Mohd Asraruddin Putra Bin Omar (Selangor), Indra Putra Mahayuddin (Kelantan), Norhafiz Zamani Misbah (Plus FC), Mohd Safiq Rahim (Plus FC), Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abd Razak (Negri Sembilan), Mohd Zaquan Abd Razak (Negri Sembilan), Kunalan a/l Subramaniam (Negri Sembilan), Mohd Sharbinee Allawee Bin Ramli (Terengganu), Mohd Bunyamin Umar (MyTeam), Mohd Azmi Bin Muslim (MyTeam), Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (MyTeam), Stanley Bernard (MyTeam), Syed Adney (MyTeam), Mohd Muslim Bin Ahmad (Harimau Muda/Malaysia Tigers), K.Gurusamy Govandar (Harimau Muda/Malaysia Tigers), Ahmad Shakir Bin Mohd Ali (Harimau Muda/Malaysia Tigers), Farderin Bin Kadir (Kuala Muda NAZA), Mahathevan Gengatharan (Shahzan Muda), Kamarul Afiq Bin Kamaruddin (Felda Utd).
Valencia have once again rejected any suggestions that there were any bids for star striker David Villa.
Intensified reports from Spain have suggested that Barcelona and Valencia have agreed on a deal surrouding Villa's transfer to Camp Nou.
But ex-president and now board member, Manuel Llorente, has told reporters that the club has yet to receive any bids from any club for the Spain international.
"There is absolutely no new development and we have not received any offers for Villa," he was quoted as saying by AS.
"For that reason, I do not have anything to say. The questions you ask me are always the same," he added in frustration.
Barcelona's lack of bid could be atributed to Samuel Eto'o refusal complete his transfer to Manchester City due to Barca's inability to give him a cut of the transfer fee.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta claims he is having trouble getting in contact with Samuel Eto'o to resolve his future.
Eto'o has only one year left on his existing contract with Barca and where he will be plying his trade next season has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few weeks.
Barca insist they are keen to keep the prolific hitman and have offered him a two-year deal, but the 28-year-old has also attracted interest from elsewhere with Laporta revealing last month that Manchester City had made a "stratospheric" contract offer to the player.
There has been no recent news on Eto'o's situation though, and Laporta claims he has not been able to speak to the former Real Mallorca and Real Madrid striker.
"I've called him a couple of times, but he hasn't picked up the phone. I don't know if he has changed his number or what," Laporta was quoted as saying on TVE's '59 segundos' programme late last night.
"The situation has saddened me because we've always had a clear and direct relationship. We offered him two years and we're waiting for his answer. I would like to be able to talk to him calmly."
Meanwhile, Laporta insisted his side's lack of transfer activity so far this summer is nothing to panic about.
While arch rivals Real Madrid have already splashed out close to £200million on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol, things have been much quieter at the Nou Camp.
Although they have been linked with a host of players, including David Villa, Franck Ribery, Javier Mascherano and Filipe Luis, Barca have yet to dip into the transfer market.
Laporta confirmed they are looking at strengthening the squad that won the treble last season but insists he is "calm" about the lack of new faces so far.
"We need a few small finishing touches: a left-back, a centre-back, a midfielder and a striker," he said.
"We already have a very competitive team, young and of high quality."
Two of the biggest names that Barca are looking at are Valencia hitman Villa and Bayern Munich winger Ribery, although neither player will come cheap.
On Villa, Laporta said: "He is a player who interests us, for whom we have made an offer. The offer is very good, but it's not for 50 or 60milllion euros, it's closer to 40."
Regarding Ribery, who Bayern have reportedly slapped an 80million euros price tag on, Laporta said: "He is a player who interests us at a logical price. Bayern do not want to sell him, although they already know to let us know if they do think about selling him."
Laporta was also asked about Madrid's world-record £80million signing Cristiano Ronaldo, to which the Barca president insisted he would rather have Lionel Messi.
"(Ronaldo) is a great professional and, but me I like Messi more," he said.
"I'm convinced he (Messi) is the best player ever. He is very happy at Barca, he is the emblem of the club and it's natural leader. We are delighted with him. He is incredible, great...priceless."
Inter Milan have confirmed they are in talks with Barcelona over the possible transfer of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the Nou Camp.
This deal which could cost Inter €40million would also see Samuel Eto'o as well as Alexander Hleb move the other way.
Inter president Massimo Moratti met his Barca counterpart Joan Laporta last night to discuss the future of both players.
"It was interesting for them (Barcelona) to know something about Ibrahimovic, and talk about Eto'o, two players of the same quality," said Moratti on the club's official website, www.inter.it.
"We are trying to see if it is possible to enter both players in a deal.
"This meeting was something that is born out of the friendship between two presidents, who are trying to figure out if there is a possibility that we can work together."
According to the Catalan press, this transfer has already been confirmed.
Ibrahimovic, who finished as the top scorer in Serie A last season, has been at the centre of transfer speculation in recent months with Barca, Real Madrid and Manchester United all reportedly interested.
The 27-year-old is under contract with the Nerazzurri until June 2013 but earlier this year expressed his desire to leave the club.
"With regards to Ibrahimovic I think it's an issue that has arisen because of the wishes of the player," said Moratti.
The Inter president would welcome the arrival of Cameroon international Eto'o, who has failed to agree a contract extension with Barca with his current deal ending next summer.
"If a deal could be made then it would involve both players," Moratti added. "We will see, there´s time."
Moratti confirmed the two clubs have finalised the transfer of Brazilian defender Maxwell to Barca, while Inter are also in talks to sign winger Alexander Hleb from the Catalan giants.
"We've completed Maxwell´s transfer," said Moratti. "I'm happy he is going to play at a big club like Barcelona because he is a great player.
"Now we are trying to complete Hleb´s transfer."
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed if Michael Owen has been with Man United early in his career, he would not have suffered burnout.
Owen has travelled with the Red Devils to Malaysia, a country where he became famous for scoring goals for the England Under-20 team 12 years ago.
Speaking to the press before Man United took on a Malaysian select squad, Ferguson stressed that Michael Owen simply played too many games for Liverpool and England at the tender age of 17.
"We had Ronnie Wallwork and John Curtis playing in that England Under-20 squad in Malaysia in 1997 and when they came back we gave them six weeks off," said Sir Alex.
"But Michael went straight into the Liverpool first team then a year later was playing in the World Cup for England. That was unfair to a young player to have that kind of strain and intensity one summer after another."
"I wouldn't have done that but he was such a talent that Liverpool needed him in the team and then England needed him in the World Cup."
However, Ferguson believes Owen still has the goalscoring touch, saying, "Experience is vital and I know Michael will score a lot of goals for us."
"He will give us experience in the penalty box. That is what he has been great at for years."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that Iran faces "very tough sanctions" if it rejects offers of engagement over its nuclear programme.
The US was "laying the groundwork" for such measures if Iran refused dialogue or the process failed, Mrs Clinton told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
At the same time, the US was more than willing to reach out to Iran, she said.
Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but has been accused by critics of seeking nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, Tehran said in a statement it was ready for "constructive dialogue" with world powers on the issue, but insisted it would continue with its nuclear activities.
Last week, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would present a new package for discussion, but has yet to give details.
Tehran has continued to enrich uranium despite lengthy negotiations in recent years with major powers and despite the imposition of sanctions by the UN Security Council.
Earlier this month, the six powers co-ordinating policy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions urged the Iranians to engage in fresh talks on a diplomatic solution.
And in a video message last month, US President Barack Obama offered "a new beginning" to the Iranian people and leaders, saying his administration was committed to diplomacy.
'Full partner'
Speaking to US lawmakers on Wednesday, Mrs Clinton said the US was both pursuing a diplomatic path over Iran and laying the groundwork for possible sanctions.
She said that by engaging in diplomacy, the US would "gain credibility and influence with a number of nations who would have to participate in order to make the sanctions regime as tight and crippling as we would want it to be".
Dealing with the threat posed by Iran and its nuclear programme was a priority, Mrs Clinton said, and the US was now a "full partner" in international talks on the issue.
She was testifying before the House for the first time since her confirmation hearings in January.
The BBC's state department correspondent, Kim Ghattas, in Washington says Mrs Clinton's message underscores the dual-track approach the Obama administration is taking to dealing with America's long-term foe.
The idea is to reach out, our correspondent says, but to prepare for the possibility these efforts may fail.
It is a carefully calibrated message, as the Obama administration does not want Tehran to feel there is a deadline, but equally it cannot engage in open-ended discussions with the Iranians.
Washington also wants to make sure it has the international community on its side, our correspondent says, so that if the approach fails the Obama administration can turn to Europe, but also Russia and China, to say they need now to support the US in seeking tougher action.
Under former President George W Bush, there were no direct US nuclear talks with Iran.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes Michael Owen will prove a fine replacement for him in the Manchester United number seven shirt.
United brought in England striker Owen, a free agent after leaving Newcastle, to help fill the void left by Ronaldo's world record £80million move to Real Madrid.
SC: Ronaldo on Real success
Owen, 29, is looking to get his career back on track after falling down the England pecking order during four injury-ravaged years on Tyneside and Ronaldo expects him to make an impact at Old Trafford.
"Manchester United did well to give him the number seven," the Portuguese star said.
"He is a great player, an English player. He has everything to win there. He is at a fantastic club."
Ronaldo had been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu for around two years before United finally sanctioned his sale this summer.
Yet despite the 24-year-old's obvious excitement at signing for the Spanish giants, he insists leaving United was not an easy decision.
"I arrived at Manchester when I was 18 years old and I'd been there six years and I think it's a lot of time," he said.
"I won many things there, collective and individual trophies and awards, and I met very good people there, good friends - so it's not easy you know.
"Life is a challenge and I'm a man of challenges. I think it's a good move."
Ronaldo heads an impressive new wave of 'galacticos' to sign for Real Madrid this summer.
His move, plus those of Karim Benzema and Kaka from Lyon and AC Milan respectively, have taken Real's summer spending past the £180million mark.
There have been claims that the arrival of so many big-money stars may lead to friction in the dressing room but Ronaldo insists there are no problems in that regard.
"It is much better than what I expected," said Ronaldo, in Dublin ahead of Real's pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers next week.
"I am very happy to be in this working group.
"The players have made me very, very welcome and it is very important the way that they have welcomed me.
"You can read whatever in the papers, but when I am with Real Madrid the atmosphere is fantastic and I'd like to thank my colleagues for that."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned Iran the US will not extend its offer of engagement indefinitely.
In a foreign policy speech, Mrs Clinton said Iran must respond to President Barack Obama's overtures now.
If not, Iran could face more isolation over its nuclear programme, she added. She said the US was appalled by the way Iran had quelled post-poll protests.
Mrs Clinton, who visits India later this week, also announced plans to visit Pakistan in the autumn.
She said America would welcome those who renounced militancy in Afghanistan and that success there required close co-operation from neighbouring Pakistan to defeat the Taliban.
The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington says there were really no new ideas in the speech.
'No illusions'
He says there has been speculation in the US capital that Mrs Clinton's aim in the speech was to reassert her leadership in foreign policy.
It came after a week in which President Obama, Vice-President Biden and a trio of influential special envoys have enjoyed high profiles on the global stage, our correspondent notes.
He also says Mrs Clinton took a side-swipe at the Bush administration by saying that its policy of shunning Iran had not worked.
"Neither the president nor I have any illusions that direct dialogue with the Islamic Republic will guarantee success of any kind and the prospects have certainly shifted in the weeks following the election," she said at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.
"But we also understand the importance of offering to engage Iran and giving its leaders a clear choice: whether to join the international community as a responsible member, or to continue down a path to further isolation."
She added: "We remain ready to engage with Iran but the time for action is now. The opportunity will not remain open indefinitely."
Mrs Clinton said the US had watched last month's election in Iran with great admiration but was "appalled" by the government's heavy-handed response to protesters who disputed the result.
Violent street protests broke out in Iran after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected in the 12 June election.
Some 17 people were thought to have died during days of clashes.
Mr Obama has talked of engagement with Iran but has not made clear how that might take place.
Shortly after coming to office in January, Mr Obama said: "If countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us."
The US fears Iran's nuclear programme is a cover to build atomic weapons, a charge Iranian officials deny.
Enriched uranium can be used to make atomic weapons, but can also be used in nuclear power plants.
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he expects Owen Hargreaves to return from double knee surgery in September.
The England star has not featured since the start of last season following two operations to cure a tendinitis problem that has plagued him since before his move from Bayern Munich two years ago.
He was was ruled out of the current Far East tour as he continues his rehabilitation, although it seems Hargreaves will join up with his team-mates when they head to Munich for the Audi Cup at the end of the month.
"I think we are looking at the end of September depending on how he reacts," said Ferguson.
"We are happy with his rehabilitation so far and while he won't be ready to play in Munich, he will be able to train."
Hargreaves will be joined in Germany by Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia, who have also missed the trip to Malaysia, South Korea and China.
Vidic has not fully recovered from an ankle injury he picked up on international duty with Serbia last month, while Valencia has been unable to play enough part in United's early training sessions because he needed to go back to Ecuador to gain a UK visa.
"It gets frustrating but that is the system and you have to accept it," said Ferguson.
"His fitness levels weren't high enough for him to be considered for the tour."
Ferguson also confirmed another new-boy, Gabriel Oberton, will miss the first three months of the season with an injury which was already known about when he signed from Bordeaux.
Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani has called for the release of people who protested against the result of the recent election.
In his first Friday sermon since the vote, he also said large numbers of Iranians still doubted its result.
Iranian police have fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters gathered at prayers at Tehran University.
There were chants of support for Mir Hossein Mousavi, who was reported to have attended the prayers.
Mr Mousavi was a defeated candidate in the 12 June vote.
Large numbers of his supporters gathered in the streets of Tehran after the prayers - the first large opposition rally for more than a week.
It followed warnings from a minister against turning the occasion into a "stage for undesirable scenes".
Mr Rafsanjani is a key power broker in Iranian politics and has been a backer of Mr Mousavi.
During his sermon, which was broadcast live on state radio, he said something had to be done to allay people's doubts about the recent election result.
"In the current situation it is not necessary for us to have a number of people in prisons... we should allow them to return to their families," he said.
"We are all members of a family. I hope with this sermon we can pass through this period of hardships that can be called a crisis."
Call for vigilance
The Friday Prayers at Tehran University are a weekly event attended by thousands and normally broadcast live to the nation.
BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the fact that state TV did not carry a live broadcast of Mr Rafsanjani's sermon showed the government was extremely nervous about what he had to say.
It was the first time in two months that Mr Rafsanjani had led the prayers.
Although he did not voice his opinion during the unrest that followed the election, members of his family - including his daughter Faezeh - openly supported Mr Mousavi.
It could be a key moment in the confrontation between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government and members of the opposition, our correspondent says.
Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi on Thursday urged the "wise Iranian people" to be "vigilant that the Friday prayers not be turned into a stage for undesirable scenes".
Nuclear reshuffle
Violent street protests broke out in Iran amid accusations of fraud after President Ahmadinejad was re-elected in the 12 June election.
At least 20 people died and hundreds were arrested in the days that followed the poll.
The country's most senior political figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, upheld Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's landslide victory and demanded an end to protests.
Despite this, Mr Mousavi has remained defiant - demanding a re-run of the vote and describing the new government as illegitimate.
Announcing his decision to attend Friday prayers, Mr Mousavi said on his website, "I feel obliged to respond to the call of companions on the path to protecting rights to a noble and free life".
Meanwhile, Iran has announced a new atomic chief following the resignation on Thursday of Gholam Reza Aghazadeh.
Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's former envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will take up the post, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government announced.
It is not immediately clear why Mr Aghazadeh, the long-serving head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, stood down from the job, but he is said to be close to Mr Mousavi.
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is continuing his pursuit of Emmanuel Adebayor and John Terry.
Hughes remains determined to land the two men even though there are suggestions Adebayor is not keen to leave Arsenal for Eastlands while Chelsea are adamant Terry is not for sale.
Adebayor knows as well there is stiff competition for places in attack at City following the arrivals of Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz, with Craig Bellamy also on board.
Terry is Chelsea's defensive rock but Hughes believes the England international is ready for a new challenge.
"We do need new players," Hughes told the Gulf News during a promotional visit to Abu Dhabi. "We are still in discussions (over Adebayor) and the talks will continue.
"We have got attacking-minded players but we are looking to bring other players to the club before the transfer window closes.
"We are also looking to strengthen the defence. Every transfer deal is difficult and has different problems.
"There are areas which we need to address but we are happy with our progress."
Tevez believes City might need a season of consolidation before winning silverware.
Presented to the local media alongside Santa Cruz and fellow new signing Gareth Barry, he said: "We will take some time to settle down. I am confident that we will make a strong bid to be among the top four in the Premier League.
"In my opinion we may need a season more before we can seriously hunt for trophies.
"It will also take some time for the City fans to accept me. As for the fans at United, I hope they do understand me and my reasons for leaving.
"They loved me a lot and gave me a lot of support and I have a feeling it will be the same here at City."
Meanwhile, Hughes will also take his side to Abu Dhabi for warm-weather training this winter.
The trip will include a match against the United Arab Emirates national team on November 12.
Chief executive Garry Cook said: "This game is another way for us to interact with the community at a grassroots level."
Man City manager Mark Hughes has refuted claims from Sir Alex Ferguson that City have bloated transfer prices this season.
According to The Sun, the Manchester United manager has accused City of inflating the values of players into 'ridiculous' numbers.
Hughes has set the tone for this summer after City signed Roque Santa Cruz (£18m), Gareth Barry (£12m) as well as Carlo Tevez to bring their total spending to £144m since the Abu Dhabi takeover last season.
Now Hughes has hit back at Alex Ferguson for claiming Manchester City have inflated transfer prices. The Welshman has even claimed that his £26.5million capture of Tevez was a bargain.
Hughes also said that if any fee was inflated this summer it was the world-record £80m United received from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
He said: "I think in this current age, and given some of the other transfers this summer, notably Ronaldo to Real Madrid, Carlos will prove a bargain."
According to Hughes, City will have to spend big in order to be 'successful' and catch up with the 'Top Four'.
The City manager said: "All the squads and managers have spent large amounts to be successful. That has never changed. We are trying to be successful and, to do that, we have to spend money.
"We understand how people may view us at this time, when times are hard financially for a lot of people.
"But football sometimes bucks that trend, almost always, certainly at the top level.
"We're in the business of trying to make our club better and we must spend significant amounts of money to get significant players."
United have bust the British transfer record three times since 2001 on Juan Sebastian Veron (£28.1m), Rio Ferdinand (£29.1m) and Wayne Rooney (£30m).
They have done that with the benefit of Champions League money, which is the main cause of the gap between the Premier League's top four and the rest.
Hughes said: "We haven't had the benefit of Champions League money over a long period of time.
"And we haven't had the success to generate large amounts of money you need to build a squad that is capable of winning trophies.
"We're trying to do the best for our club. We have no view on what it is doing to the market for other clubs.
"To get good players here, we're going to have to spend money, that's the top and bottom of it."
After the capture of Tevez, City are also thought to be eyeing the signatures of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea captain John Terry.
Carlos Tevez has revealed he rejected the chance to join former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
The Argentina striker also confirmed that Chelsea and Liverpool had made inquiries about securing his services.
SC: Ronaldo on Real success
Instead Tevez opted for a move to Manchester City after his extended loan deal at United ended, signing a lucrative five-year deal at Eastlands.
"Real made an offer but there was no agreement," Tevez told the Nation newspaper during a promotional visit to Abu Dhabi with his new club.
"There were talks about deals and agreements but in the end it was only City. They showed lots of interest in me and are intent on growing and signing big players.
"I am sad to leave United but I am excited to join City. I'm thinking about the future and I will grow with this club."
Meanwhile manager Mark Hughes is continuing his pursuit of Emmanuel Adebayor and John Terry.
Hughes remains determined to land the two men even though there are suggestions that Adebayor is not keen to leave Arsenal for Eastlands while Chelsea are adamant Terry is not for sale.
Adebayor knows as well that there is stiff competition for places in attack at City following the arrivals of Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz with Craig Bellamy also on board.
Terry is Chelsea's defensive rock but Hughes believes the England international is ready for a new challenge.
"We do need new players," Hughes told the Gulf News. "We are still in discussions (over Adebayor) and the talks will continue.
"We have got attacking-minded players but we are looking to bring other players to the club before the transfer window closes.
"We are also looking to strengthen the defence. Every transfer deal is difficult and has different problems.
"There are areas which we need to address but we are happy with our progress."
Meanwhile Hughes will take his side to Abu Dhabi for warm weather training this winter.
The trip will include a match against the United Arab Emirates national team on November 12.
Chief executive Garry Cook said: "This game is another way for us to interact with the community at a grassroots level."
