A SLOVENIAN student who was captured, tortured and killed by communists during World War II was beatified yesterday by Pope Benedict XVI’s state secretary at a Mass attended by thousands.

Former Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek, a popular politician who helped lead the country to independence in 1991 and later to European Union and Nato membership, died today, his office said. He was 57.

Bolton’s Idal Tal got the ball rolling, netting in the 19th minute, with star striker Roberto Colautti heading in number two before half-time.

Scotland manager Walter Smith is determined to use forthcoming friendlies to turn Hampden Park into a fortress for the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter today insisted security measures for next year’s World Cup will prevent the tournament being marred by a spread of the hooliganism witnessed recently in Italy.