Indian Wells, California - The WTA will take a hard financial line with the Williams sisters, who have boycotted the Indian Wells Masters since a booing incident in 2001.

Tour boss Larry Scott says that Venus and Serena will pay the price for their continual absences from the required event. "There will be sanctions despite the personal issues of the Williams sisters," said Scott. "They will pay significant consequences."

The forthcoming Palm Pre and Web OS might just bring Palm some kind of a turnaround of fortunes, especially after the struggling company reported a 72 percent plunge in the smartphone revenue in the most recent quarter!

The Sunnyvale, California-based company reportedly generated $77.5 million in revenue, after a 42 plunge in the total sales of its smartphone devices to 482,000 units. The company's total revenue figures of $90.6 million also fell short of analysts' expectations of $105 million.

California (US), Mar. 20 : President Barack Obama has confirmed that a presidential dog in the White House will come sooner than later.

Confirming a timetable for the First Family''s acquisition of a canine companion, Obama told The Tonight Show host Jay Leno here that the dog would arrive after his planned trip to Europe in early April.

"When we get back, the dog will be in place," Fox News quoted Obama, as saying, and adding that his daughters Sasha and Malia were not the only ones looking forward to its arrival.

Indian Wells, California  - Andy Murray had his difficult moments before managing to snuff the candles on the 30th birthday celebrations of opponent Ivan Ljubicic 7-5,
7-6 (8-6) in the quarter- finals of the Indian Wells Masters on Thursday.

Indian Wells, California  - Defending champion Ana Ivanovic secured free passage into the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters on Thursday when opponent Sybille Bammer withdrew with a left shoulder injury.

The walkover puts the fifth-seeded Serb into a semi-final against breakthrough Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who knocked out Polish seventh seed Agnieszwa Radwanska 7-6 (10-8), 6-4.

"I'm very disappointed that I am not able to play," said the Austrian Bammer.