Teenage diving champ Daley's father dies of cancer

LONDON (AFP) – The father of British teenage world champion diver Tom Daley has died from cancer, it was announced on Saturday.

Robert Daley, 40, died "peacefully" on Friday, a British Swimming statement said, after suffering with brain cancer for several years.

In February, a tumour returned five years after he was first diagnosed with the illness.

"Tom Daley's father, Rob Daley lost his battle with cancer yesterday (Friday) 27th May at 21.35 hours (2035GMT)," the statement read.

"Rob Daley, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2006 passed away peacefully with his family at his side.

"His health has been fluctuating since February but he continued to fight until the last day, defying doctors' expectations.

"The family have asked for respect to their privacy during this very difficult period."

World platform champion Tom Daley, who turned 17 last week, was with his father on Friday and he wrote on his Twitter page: "I love you so much Dad".

Robert Daley, despite his illness, followed his son's career all around the world until last year's Commonwealth Games when he was forced to remain at home after a tumour returned.

But he was in Sheffield, northern England, last month to watch Tom and synchro partner Peter Waterfield win their first gold medal together in the World Series.

Robert Daley, who wanted to watch his son compete at the 2012 London Olympics, wore a T-shirt in Sheffield which read: "Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning."

Tom said after the event: "I am his oil".

Robert Daley leaves his wife Debbie and three sons Tom, William and Ben.

Tom added on his Twitter feed: "If I could be half the dad that my dad was to me then that would be my best achievement! I love you! Xx."

Indian movie star Rajnikanth hospitalized

NEW DELHI – The Indian movie star Rajnikanth has been hospitalized with stomach and respiratory infections but is recovering.

His wife Latha Rajnikanth says the actor has been in the hospital in the southern Indian city of Chennai for a week and was recently moved to the intensive care unit.

She told reporters on Thursday that her husband first complained of dehydration and a stomach infection and later developed a respiratory infection.

A statement from the Sri Ramachandra Medical Center said the star was admitted on May 13 and put in intensive care on Wednesday where he was responding well to treatment.

The 60-year-old has acted in more than 175 films since 1975. He is one of India's biggest movie stars, especially in Tamil and Telugu films in southern India.

$80K motorbike stolen in US found in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – An $80,000 motorcycle stolen in Texas last year from Hollywood screenwriter Skip Woods has been recovered in the southern Philippines, officials said Thursday.

The custom-made chopper was found Tuesday by police in Cagayan de Oro city, said Jose Justo Yap, regional director for the National Bureau of Investigation.

Woods, a collector of custom-made vehicles, wrote the screenplay for "Swordfish," "Hitman" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

His chopper was among 14 motorcycles, three all-terrain vehicles, two SUVs, a sports car, a shotgun and ammunition for assault rifles recovered by police in raids in Cagayan de Oro and nearby Bukidnon province, Misamis Oriental provincial police Chief Graciano Mijares said.

The U.S. FBI sought assistance in the recovery of Woods' motorcycle, Yap said.

An American private investigator representing Woods said the screenwriter was surprised that his motorcycle, which was stolen from the parking lot of his condominium in Houston, Texas, ended up half way around the world.

Woods was "really congratulatory. He is more than pleased," said the investigator, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing.

Police are looking for a Filipino who was selling the motorcycle online, Mijares said.

Yap said the man faces illegal firearms possession and smuggling charges.