Hamburg - From morning sickness to ultrasound examinations, the symptoms and medical treatment that pregnant women experience are well known.

But what about pets? What should owners do when their dogs and cats get pregnant? Firstly, they should recognize that, as in humans, pregnancy is not an illness, said Thomas Steidl, a veterinarian from Tuebingen, Germany. But at the same time, owners should not take

their pet's condition too lightly.

Hamburg  - Oliver Bierhoff could be reunited with Juergen Klinsmann as the current Germany general manager appears interested in the same job at Bayern Munich once Uli Hoeness leaves.

"I would not rule out finding myself in the position of Bayern Munich general manager at some stage," Bierhoff was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Bierhoff and Klinsmann acted as general manager and coach, respectively, for the German national team from 2004 onwards. Klinsmann did not renew his contract in 2006 and is now coach in Munich.

Hoeness is set to step down as Munich general manager next year after three decades on the job and is expected to be elected club president to succeed Franz Beckenbauer.

Hamburg  - Former world champion Fernando Alonso has renewed his contract at Renault until 2010, the French Formula One team announced on Wednesday.

Team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr was given another one-year contract.

The Spaniard Alonso hopes to relive his glory of the past at the team for which he won the world title in 2005 and 2006. He spent the 2007 season at McLaren but was unhappy there and returned to Renault.

Hamburg - US-based piano maker Steinway & Sons unveiled Wednesd

Hamburg - An apology from Torsten Frings appears to have restored the peace to the German national team set-up after a mini-revolt threatened to upset the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Coach Joachim Loew had found himself having to deal with a number of brush fires in the last few weeks despite Germany's solid start to its World Cup qualifying campaign.

Late Tuesday he met Werder Bremen's Frings in Berlin to tell him in no uncertain terms he would have to prove himself if he wants to win back his place in the team.

Loew had last week summoned his captain, Michael Ballack, for talks after the Chelsea midfielder had made some highly critical comments in a newspaper interview.

Hamburg - Tottenham Hotspur hope to carry their rising Premier League form into the UEFA Cup on Thursday while Aston Villa seek a second win and Manchester City seek a good start into the competition.

Spurs were humbled 2-0 at Udinese in their opening group D match two weeks ago but now hope to rise from last place with a victory against Dinamo Zagreb.

City, who were idle on the first group match day, are at home as well, against Dutch side Twente Enschede in group A. Villa visit Slavia Prague after defeating former winners Ajax Amsterdam in their group F opener.