Syrian athletes will be allowed to attend this summer’s London Olympics but officials from the war-torn country will not be welcome, says UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

“I don’t think we should punish the athletes for the sins of the region. Syrian athletes will be taking part in the Games, and that is right,” Cameron said at a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday.

But representatives of the President Bashar al-Assad regime will not be welcome, he added.

“Britain has led efforts within the European Union and elsewhere to institute asset bans, travel freezes and punishing sanctions against this despicable regime and anyone covered by one of those travel bans will not be welcomed in London,” Cameron said.

His message of support for Syrian athletes came on the same day as a visit by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge.

Rogge is in London along with other IOC officials to see at first hand how final preparations for the Games (which start on July 27) are progressing.

Earlier this month, Rogge said there were between six and eight Syrian athletes who could potentially qualify for the Games, but warned that any athlete implicated in war crimes would be banned.

He added that the IOC was currently working with the United Nations (U.N.) to verify lists of those inside the country who are wanted for war crimes.

According the U.N.’s most recent estimates, more than 9,000 people have been killed since the conflict between Syrian forces and rebels began in March 2011.

Women’s tennis No. 1 Victoria Azarenka is looking forward to more success despite the end of her perfect start to 2012.

The Belorussian had won 26 successive matches going into Wednesday’s Miami Masters quarterfinal — the best start to a season since Martina Hingis went 37-0 in 1997.

However, the Australian Open champion suffered a shock defeat by French seventh seed Marion Bartoli, who will face world No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska in Thursday’s semis after the Pole ended the comeback of Venus Williams.

“What I’ve done in the last couple of months, I have to be really proud of myself,” the 22-year-old Azarenka told the tournament’s official website after her 6-3 6-3 loss.

“I could have maybe played better today, that’s for sure, but I gave it all I had. But Marion played really well today, and she deserves the win. What else can I say? I have to look forward.”

Defending champion Azarenka had won eight of her previous 10 meetings with the 2007 Wimbledon runner-up, including January’s Sydney International where Bartoli lost despite leading in both sets.

“I was up 5-2 in the first set and 4-1 in the second set, and I lost both,” the 27-year-old Bartoli said. “So I knew I had to stay really mentally tough and not show her anything.

“Even when I lost those three games in a row, I didn’t get down on myself — I had this positive energy. I was able to turn the match around again and step inside the court and play some great points.”

Fifth seed Radwanska booked her place in the last four with a commanding 6-4 6-1 win over former world No. 1 Williams, who was playing in her first tournament for seven months.

Seven-time grand slam winner Williams had not played on the WTA Tour since withdrawing from last year’s U.S. Open, having been diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome — an incurable condition which causes pain in the joints and fatigue.

“I didn’t have a good day,” said the 31-year-old Williams, who has won the tournament three times andw as runner-up in 2010. “Unfortunately, I just couldn’t press the issue. I don’t feel like she did anything special. I just couldn’t. I couldn’t get myself to do it today.

“If I’m not feeling my best, then it becomes mental and I have to fight, and you have to fight and fight and fight. Today I just I didn’t conquer it mentally. I have to be there mentally more than the next player.”

The winner of the Radwanska-Bartoli evening match will take on either former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki or four-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova, who meet in Thursday’s opening semifinal.

Meanwhile, two-time Miami champion Kim Clijsters is facing four weeks out after injuring her right hip during her third-round defeat to fellow Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.

“The current prognosis is that Kim will have to recover for four weeks first,” read a statement on the four-time grand slam winner’s website. ” As soon as she has returned to Belgium, she will have additional tests.”

The 28-year-old is aiming to return at the Madrid Masters in May ahead of the season’s second grand slam event, the French Open.

A glorious attacking display by Athletic Bilbao earned the Spanish side a 4-2 win at Schalke in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals at the Veltins Arena on Thursday.

Fernando Llorente put Athletic ahead in the 20th minute poking the ball home after a Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand mishandled the ball.

But the lead didn’t last long with Spain’s Raul latching onto a cross from Japan defender Atsuto Uchida to level the scores two minutes later.

The veteran striker was on hand to score Schalke’s second of the night and the goal of the match in the 60th minute as he smashed home a sensational 20-yard volley.

A free-flowing game eventually yielded a fourth goal in the 73rd minute as Llorente headed home his second of the night with De Marcos firing Athletic ahead with nine minutes remaining.

An injury-time counterattack earned the away side a fourth when Markel Susaeta unselfishly squared the ball to Iker Muniain who swept the ball past a helpless Mathias Schober — who replaced the injured Hildebrand at halftime.

It was also a good night for Atletico Madrid as they beat Hannover 2-1 at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.

Colombian striker Falcao headed home from Gabi’s free-kick to give the home side an early ninth minute lead before Mame Diouf put the German side back on level terms seven minutes before the break sliding in to meet a Lars Stindl cross.

Falcao was involved in the winner, nodding down into the path of substitute Eduardo Salvio who then curled a shot past goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.

Spain’s third representative in the quarterfinals, Valencia didn’t fare so well, going down 2-1 away to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

Australian striker Brett Holman put the home side ahead on the stroke of halftime with a deft side-foot volley from a corner kick.

Valencia grabbed what could be a vital away goal six minutes after the break when Turkish international Mehmet Topal heading home from close range.

But it was AZ’s night as Maarten Martens slotted home neatly after receiving a cutback from Brett Holman.

Second half goals from Marat Izmailov (51st minute) and a 64th minute free kick from Emiliano Insua earned Sporting Lisbon a 2-1 win over Metalist Kharkiv. The Ukrainian side grabbed an away goal in injury time when Cleiton Xavier scored from the penalty spot.

All four second legs will be played on Thursday April 5.

group that includes former basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson will acquire the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 billion, the team said Tuesday night.

The price is the most ever paid for a North American sports franchise, according to MLB.com. The group will officially acquire the team, one of baseball’s most storied franchises, after the deal is approved by the judge overseeing the Dodgers’ bankruptcy.

The team has won the World Series championship six times and, for decades, boasted an intensely loyal fan base.

But in recent years, under the ownership of real estate developer Frank McCourt, the Dodgers made headlines more for their financial woes than for their home runs.

The team’s troubles began when McCourt and his wife, Jamie, decided to part ways. An acrimonious and expensive divorce battle followed.

The couple fought bitterly over ownership of the team. In April 2011, Major League Baseball took charge of the beleaguered team. Two months later, the team filed for bankruptcy.

In October, McCourt announced that he and his wife had reached a settlement. He is scheduled to pay her $131 million, MLB.com reported. Attorneys’ fees alone could reach $35 million.

In an effort to hold on to the team, McCourt tried to score a $3 billion television deal with Fox, but it was rejected by Commissioner Bud Selig.

Johnson said the sale will start a new chapter for the Dodgers.

“I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles,” said Johnson, a former Los Angeles Laker who is an icon in his own right.

Along with Johnson, the group acquiring the team includes Stan Kasten, a former executive with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, and Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter.

Some members of the group will also partner with McCourt to acquire Dodger Stadium and several other nearby properties for $150 million.

Legendary former Dodgers coach Tommy Lasorda applauded the sale, saying he has faith in both Johnson and Kasten.

“I’m very impressed with both of them, and I just hope that they can bring the championship to the greatest fans in all of baseball,” Lasorda said Wednesday.

The Dodgers finished in third place in the National League Western Division last season and did not make the playoffs.

The club has not won a World Series since 1988, when Lasorda was the manager.

Johnson “can do a lot” to boost the team, Lasorda said. “He can talk to the players individually. He can talk to them about winning. He knows what it is to win, and he can transfer that attitude and that success that he has enjoyed to the players.”

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig called Johnson “a living embodiment of so many of the ideals that are vital to our game and its future.”

“The interest in this franchise and its historic sale price are profound illustrations of the great overall health of our industry,” Selig said in a statement. “This has been a long, difficult process, and I once again want to thank the great Dodger fans for their loyalty and patience.”

Lakers owner Jerry Buss also issued a statement congratulating Johnson and his partners.

“In addition to being a phenomenal success on the court in leading the Lakers to five NBA Championships, he has been a success in everything else he’s become involved with,” Buss said, “most notably his spectacular business career and also his educational campaign on behalf of HIV awareness.”

Forbes Executive Editor Michael Ozanian said that although his magazine valued the team at $1.4 billion before the sale, the $2 billion paid by Johnson’s group may turn out to be a good deal. It depends on the local television rights contract, which could be worth $3.5 billion over 10 years, he said.

McCourt stands to clear about $800 million from the sale, even after paying for the divorce, Ozanian said.

Andy Murray came from a set and a break down to beat Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic 4-6 6-3 6-4 on Wednesday to book his place in the semifinals of the Miami Masters.

The world No.4 looked to be heading for the exit when he received medical attention for a stomach complaint in the second set, but soon turned the match around breaking the Serb’s next service game before going on to clinch the set.

Murray, who left his A-game in the locker room for much of the match, still managed to impose himself enough to see off the ninth seed.

A break in the third game of the third set proved enough of an advantage as the Scot sealed victory and a meeting with the winner of the match between Rafa Nadal and France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Meanwhile, Agnieszka Radwanska halted Venus Williams’ run on her return to the court beating the American 6-4 6-1 to progress to the semifinals.

The Pole took one hour 21 minutes to beat Williams, who is appearing in her first tournament in more than six months since withdrawing in the second round of the U.S. Open in September.

Williams, who has been diagnosed with the auto-immune disorder Sjogren syndrome, is hoping to boost her world ranking (currently 134th) enough to compete in the upcoming London Olympics where only the top 56 women in the rankings are eligible.

“I think out of all the matches, today was probably the one where I had the least pressure in terms of someone who was going to maybe hit winners on me or pressure me. So it was disappointing not to be able to feel my best today,” Williams said.

Radwanska, who is seeded fifth for the Miami event, will face either world No.1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or seventh seed Marion Bartoli of France for a place in the final.

Weeks after a policy change that sparked privacy concerns, Google has rolled out a new feature that will give users a monthly update to help them keep track of their activity across Google’s multiple sites and tools.

It’s called Account Activity, and users can receive it via e-mail with a link to a password-protected personal page. The feature was announced Wednesday in a post on Google’s official blog.

“Every day, we aim to make technology so simple and intuitive that you stop thinking about it — we want Google to work so well it just blends into your life,” Andreas Tuerk, a product manager for Google, wrote in the post. “But sometimes it’s helpful to step back and take stock of what you’re doing online.”

The report is not automatic, meaning users will have to sign up to receive it.

Based on a sample report, information such as your number of Google searches, your most popular search topics and the number of e-mails sent and received will be included.

It also will show locations where your account was used and the devices that were used to sign into it, which Tuerk called an extra layer of security.

“Knowing more about your own account activity also can help you take steps to protect your Google Account,” he wrote. “For example, if you notice sign-ins from countries where you haven’t been or devices you’ve never owned, you can change your password immediately and sign up for the extra level of security provided by two-step verification.”

On March 1, Google instigated a new privacy policy in which it creates a single profile of each user based on their activity across all of its many products — from search to Gmail to mobile devices that run on Google’s Android operating system.

Privacy advocates, including some in Congress, fear that puts too much personal information in the company’s hands. But Google said it wouldn’t be collecting any new information — just collating what data it already had in a way that would be more clear and help create new products and features for its users.

Wednesday’s blog post from Google made no mention of the new privacy policy. But many tech observers were quick to make the connection, saying it looks like a way to make users more comfortable.

“If you’re confused about what Google does and doesn’t know about your online activity, take heart: Google is letting you in on the secret,” Network World writer Brad Reed wrote.

Others saw potential for another goal behind the rollout — reminding folks how ubiquitous the Web giant has become online.

“While the report is something of a data nerds’ dream, its timely arrival hints at another purpose,” wrote Sarah Perez of TechCrunch. “The new Account Activity report offers a way for users to see exactly what they’re doing on Google, and how much of their life involves the use of Google’s products.”

I’ve been a Mac user for about 11 years. And since I made the switch, I never thought the day would come when I’d say this:

I’m excited for the next version of Windows.

This fall, Microsoft will launch Windows 8, a radical redesign from the Windows you’ve grown accustomed to since Windows 95 made its debut 17 years ago.

Windows 8 has been reimagined from the ground up, and it’s built to run on both the traditional desktop and touchscreen tablets. At first glance, you’ll notice the classic Start menu is gone, replaced by a gorgeous tile layout full of your favorite apps and files. Microsoft calls this the “Metro” interface. Imagine it as a blown-up version of the Windows Phone 7 interface used on several smartphones now.

Those little tiles provide live updates with news, sports, weather, Twitter mentions and Facebook updates without you even having to open the app. In one quick glance, you can get all the information you need. It’s not the same old Windows.

And that’s what makes me so excited to try the final version of Windows 8 this fall. In a very un-Microsoft move, the company created the most radical redesign of the desktop in well over a decade.

It’s incredibly functional, too. A beta version Windows 8 is available as a free consumer preview, and I’ve been using it for the last few weeks. Right now, there are only a handful of prototype tablets that run Windows 8, so I’ve been using it on a laptop instead.

However, since the Metro interface is designed more for touch than a mouse cursor, there’s a bit of a learning curve with Windows 8. Scrolling through the Start screen can get confusing on a keyboard until you learn all the shortcuts.

But once you do, the experience is incredible, unlike any operating system I’ve ever used. It’s the perfect hybrid of old and new. While Apple attempts slowly to merge its mobile operating system into the desktop with new iPhone-like features, Microsoft made a bold move and jumped ahead to the future where most computing takes place on touch-friendly smartphones and tablets.

It’s enough to make an Apple fan like me drool.

But what if you’re worried you won’t be able to catch on to the new look in Windows 8?

The classic Windows is still there in Windows 8. Microsoft hid it behind the Metro interface. That means you get the same old taskbar, Start menu and desktop full of icons for your favorite apps. It’s a great way to ease the transition. Plus, some apps such as Excel and Powerpoint just work better on the classic desktop.

Of course, it’s far too early to tell if Microsoft’s gamble with Windows 8 will pay off. Consumers have been slow to adopt Windows Phones, and Windows 8 is essentially just a blown-up version of that.

But if Microsoft can get me this pumped up over a new product, then it must be doing something right.

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao says he intends to fight criminal charges that he failed to submit the proper tax documents for his earnings from boxing matches and his many commercial endorsements.

The eight-time world champion, who is also a politician, could face up to two years in jail if found guilty, but officials from the Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said the matter could be easily resolved if Pacquiao submits the proper documents.

Pacquiao’s lawyers said the boxer — who was in the United States training for a fight with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez when the BIR issued a subpoena last month — was not given enough time to comply with the request.

Pacquiao declared assets at the end of 2010 of 1.13 billion pesos ($26.3 million) and no liabilities, making him the country’s wealthiest lawmaker. He told a press conference on Monday that he had been marked out for harassment by the BIR.

“Why the BIR singled me out smacks of bad faith designed to tarnish my reputation,” he said.

His business manager Eric Pineda told CNN that Pacquiao had never avoided paying taxes.

“It’s just a matter of people jumping the gun,” he said. “They should have done this in private rather than going to the media in an attempt to get Manny’s attention.”

Philippines Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told local media that no one was above investigation by the BIR, adding that Pacquiao was taking the issue personally.

“I don’t think the BIR will dare harass an eight-time world champion,” Purisima said. “We love and respect [Pacquiao] and we wish him the best — he is a national icon. But at the same time we have a duty to make sure that we review everyone’s income tax return.”

The flamboyant boxer-turned-politician — arguably the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter — has recently been he subject of several colorful stories concerning his career.

Last week, Pacquiao said in a radio interview he had a dream in which God had told him to hang up his gloves, fueling speculation he may back out of a long-anticipated fight with American Floyd Mayweather.

Boxing fans have long sought a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao. The pair were in negotiations for a fight to be held later this year but talks fell through.

Pacquiao, 33, has a 54-3 win-loss record with two draws, while 34-year-old Mayweather has won all 42 of his professional fights, 26 by knockout.

Last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix was an encouraging race for Ferrari, with Fernando Alonso’s victory lifting some of the gloom which had descended over the legendary Italian team after a disappointing preseason.

But while double world champion Alonso celebrated an unlikely triumph in one garage, the mood was considerably more sombre in the camp of his teammate Felipe Massa.

The Brazilian has seen his position at Formula One’s most successful team constantly called into question, having struggled to recapture his best form after fracturing his skull during a freak accident at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The former Sauber driver’s downturn continued with a disappointing 15th-place finish at the Sepang International Circuit, having failed to finish the season-opening race in Australia after colliding with Williams’ Bruno Senna.

But Ferrari’s team principal Stefano Domenicali has backed the 30-year-old to answer his critics.

“I well remember that, four years ago, in fact right after a Malaysian Grand Prix, which was won for us by Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe was more or less in the same situation as today,” Domenicali told the team’s official website.

“The papers were demanding his immediate replacement and he managed to react in the best way possible, thanks to support from the team, which saw him win two of the next three races.”

In 2008, Massa was denied his first world title in heartbreaking circumstances.

He won the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix and began celebrating, but was denied the championship by one point as McLaren’s British driver Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock on the final corner to finish fifth and steal the glory.

“We remember how that particular season ended, with the Brazilian actually world champion, even if it was just for a few seconds, while we took our sixteenth Constructors’ title,” Domenicali said.

He also revealed that, instead of spending time with his family ahead of the next race in China on April 15, Massa is heading to Italy to work with the team at Ferrari’s home base.

“He will be in Maranello to work alongside the engineers to calmly analyze everything that happened in these past two races, trying to identify why he was not able to deliver what he is capable of,” Domenicali said.

“That’s the right spirit and we are here, ready to help him.”

Despite a positive result in Malaysia, Domenicali warned there is still work to do to ensure the F2012 car is competitive ahead of the next race in Shanghai.

“I asked all my people to push to the maximum to try to bring forward as much as possible the developments planned for the next few races,” he said.

“Having Fernando leading the championship means nothing, and we definitely don’t think all our problems have been made to vanish with the wave of a magic wand.”

Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid won 3-0 at APOEL Nicosia to all but secure their place in the European Champions League semifinals.

And Jose Mourinho’s side could well be joined in the last four by his former side Chelsea, who claimed a vital 1-0 success at Benfica courtesy of Salomon Kalou’s late strike.

APOEL have been the fairytale story of this season’s Champions League, entering the competition at the qualification stage they have continued to surprise more illustrious opponents to become the first Cypriot side to reach the quarterfinal stage.

David vs. the Galacticos: APOEL’s mission impossible?

But, against the Spanish league leaders, APOEL always looked second best, failing to register a single shot on target in the whole of the 90 minutes, while conceding a remarkable 72% possession to their opponents.

However, despite their dominance, Real needed three goals in the final 15 minutes to confirm their superiority.

And it was French international Benzema who finally broke the deadlock, heading home a cross from substitute Kaka.

Kaka himself added the second goal when slotting home a Marcelo pass, while Benzema secured a comfortable victory in the final minute when turning home Mesut Ozil’s cross.

Madrid now appear certainties to face either Bayern Munich or Marseille in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo continues to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around, following the dismissal of previous coach Andre Villas-Boas, as the London club secured a superb 1-0 victory at Benfica.

Villas-Boas had been criticized for not using Chelsea’s experienced older players enough during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

But his former assistant Di Matteo chose to leave top stars like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard on the bench — and his decision was vindicated with Chelsea’s first away win in Europe this season.

A tight match was settled 15 minutes from time when Ivory Coast international Kalou jabbed home Fernando Torres’ cross from close range as Benfica slumped to a rare home defeat.

Chelsea now only need a draw in the return leg to secure a last four showdown with either defending champions Barcelona or Italian seven-time winners AC Milan.