The last grand slam for the year the US Open got underway with straight-sets wins for second seeds and tournament betting favourites Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters.

Argentina Legalizes Gay Marriage: Argentina legalized same-sex marriage Thursday, becoming the first country in Latin America to grant gays and lesbians all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexual couples. After a marathon debate, 33 lawmakers voted in favor, 27 were against it and 3 abstained in Argentina’s Senate in a vote that ended after 4 a.m. Since the lower house already approved it, and President Cristina Fernandez is a strong supporter, it now becomes law as soon as it is published in the official bulletin.

JOHANNESBURG : England and Paraguay arrived in South Africa hoping a favourable first-round draw can be the catalyst for a serious World Cup challenge. A recent survey here revealed England would be the second most popular team after Brazil among local supporters should the national side fail to go all the way in the June 11-July 11 tournament

INDIAN WELLS: Defending champion Rafael Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-6 (4) to reach the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in his first tournament since returning from a six-week injury layoff. Nadal used every inch of the court in beating Berdych for the sixth consecutive time. He mixed topspin with power off the forehand side, slipped in drop shots, and painted the corners with smashes

Dollywood is offering the “After 3:00 PM, Next Day FREE!” promo. From March 27 to October 29, 2010, the “After 3:00 PM” program allows you to enterDollywood after 3:00 PM and get in FREE to Dollywood the next operating day. Parking fees are not included

Hockey World Cup 2010, Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh rose to the occasion and converted two penalty corners as hosts India outplayed Pakistan in a thrilling Pool B match of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Sunday. With this victory, India avenged their 3-6 Champions Challenge defeat at the hands of the sub-continental rivals in Salta, Argentina last December.

BERLIN : Asian vets to Take on Hollywood Greats at Berlin Film Fest, Asian movies will take pride of place this week at the 60th Berlin Film Festival, one of world cinema’s top showcases, as new pictures by Roman Polanski and Martin Scorsese make their red-carpet premieres. Hollywood stars will rub shoulders with Asian legends in the snowy German capital for the anniversary edition of the 11-day Berlinale, which will kick off Thursday with “Apart Together” by Wang Quan’an of China. German director Werner Herzog (“Grizzly Man”) will lead a seven-member jury including Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger, which will choose among 20 nominees for the coveted Golden and Silver Bear top prizes on February 20

ZURICH: Spain Tops World Football Rankings; Egypt 10th, Spain has kept the top spot in FIFA’s world rankings list, and Africa Cup of Nations winner Egypt surged into the top 10. European champion Spain is followed by Brazil and Netherlands in standings published Wednesday. The top nine was unchanged after only No.

Luisana Loreley Lopilato de la Torre (born May 18, 1987, in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine actress and model, probably best known for portraying Mia Colucci in Argentine TV show Rebelde Way (2002-2003), but also in telenovelas like Chiquititas (1998-2001), Casados con Hijos (2005-2006), Alma Pirata (2006) and El Capo (2007), which were very successful, as well as on Encandilados, a mini-telenovela for cell phones. Currently, she is working on new telenovela 4?4 and film Papá por un Día

Derek Jeter Getting Married, Admirers of Yankees most eligible bachelor Derek Jeter could be cheering a World Series victory in November — then mourning his marriage a few days later. The New York Post reports Sunday that the star shortstop and girlfriend Minka Kelly will be married Nov. 5 on Long Island.