LONDON, Sept 26, 2007 (AFP) - Arsene Wenger could barely disguise his delight after seeing his youthful second string Arsenal team knock Premier League high-fliers Newcastle out of the League Cup.

The French coach claimed that any player in his team could now be counted upon to help his team win domestic and European silverware after his team's stylish 2-0 victory at Emirates on Tuesday sent his team into the fourth round.

SOFIA, Sept 19, 2007 (AFP) - Bulgarian authorities on Wednesday confirmed a new outbreak of Newcastle disease in poultry in the northwest of the country.

The outbreak occurred in the northwestern village of Smolianovtsi, where about 1,000 chickens, turkeys and geese have already been culled to prevent the disease from spreading, the national veterinary service said in a statement.

Local veterinarians have also begun vaccinating poultry in a 10-kilometre (6.3-mile) surveillance zone around the outbreak, it added.

SOFIA, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Bulgarian veterinary authorities confirmed Thursday new outbreaks of Newcastle disease in poultry in the northwest of the country, where cases of the disease were reported in late-August, the state BTA news agency said.

The illness, which can cause respiratory problems, swelling and, in extreme cases, death in birds, and conjuctivitis or flu-like symptoms in humans, had spread from the village of Kravoder to small backyard farms in the region.

SOFIA, Aug 31, 2007 (AFP) - Bulgaria's veterinary service confirmed Friday an outbreak of Newcastle disease in poultry in the northwest of the country, the farming ministry said in a statement.

Local veterinary authorities in the village of Kravoder sent bird samples for testing to the national lab Tuesday after 33 birds in two separate farms died with Newcastle-like symptoms, it said.

The national lab in Sofia confirmed Friday that the birds had died of the milder version of bird flu which is highly contagious among birds but poses no hazard to humans.

TALLINN, July 31, 2007 (AFP) - Estonian authorities imposed a quarantine Tuesday on a poultry farm after an outbreak of Newcastle disease, which is highly contagious for birds but poses no risk for humans.

The move by the governor of Viljandi, a region in the south of the Baltic country, followed official confirmation that the virus had struck the Abja Muna farm, the Baltic News Service (BNS) agency reported.

The local government said it had established a three-kilometre (two-mile) danger zone around the farm and a surveillance zone of a further 10 kilometres.

LONDON, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Kieron Dyer could leave Newcastle because of family problems, according to club manager Sam Allardyce.

The 28-year-old England international has been linked with a move to West Ham amid claims that personal issues have made him unhappy with life on Tyneside.

Allardyce held talks with Dyer over the weekend and discovered that a family problem is at the root of the midfielder`s desire to quit St James` Park.

LONDON, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Kieron Dyer could leave Newcastle because of family problems, according to manager Sam Allardyce.

The 28-year-old England international has been linked with a move to West Ham amid claims that personal issues have made him unhappy with life on Tyneside.

Allardyce held talks with Dyer over the weekend and discovered that a family problem is at the root of the midfielder`s desire to quit St James` Park.

NEWCASTLE, England, July 24, 2007 (AFP) - Freddy Shepherd stepped down as Newcastle chairman on Monday after 15 years with the Premiership club.

Billionaire businessman Mike Ashley`s takeover meant Shepherd`s reign on the St James` Park board was certain to end sooner rather than later and he has been replaced by Chris Mort.

Shepherd was initially kept on by Ashley to ensure a smooth transition but Mort, a lawyer, was already Newcastle`s deputy chairman and he admitted there was no need for Shepherd to remain on the board.

NEWCASTLE, England, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Newcastle suffered another injury blow on Sunday when England midfielder Joey Barton was ruled out for six weeks after breaking a metatarsal in his left foot.

The 24-year-old picked up the injury in Saturday`s 1-1 friendly draw at Carlisle and with the club opening their Premiership season at Bolton on August 19, he will miss the opening weeks of the new campaign.