Portimao, Portugal  - The Formula 1 circus, which on this crisis year is set to cut its spending by some 30 per cent at the request of the FIA, launched the first joint tests Monday in Portimao, Portugal with a show that was in accordance with the new era: grey, lacklustre and somewhat disappointing.

"It is not at all sexy," an Italian journalist said of the new weapon in the hands of double world champion Fernando Alonso.

Lisbon - Spain and Portugal agreed Monday to make a joint bid to host the 2018 football World Cup.

A deal was reached in Lisbon by Spanish football federation president Angel Maria Villar and Portuguese counterpart Gilberto Madail, Portugal's news agency Lusa reported.

Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup and the European Championship in 1964, while Portugal were hosts of the 2004 European Championships, beating a bid from Spain.

Portimao, Portugal - Renault and Williams unveiled their cars for 2009 Formula

Lisbon - Controversy raged in Portugal on Thursday over statements by a leading Catholic clergyman who warned against marriages between Christians and Muslims.

Bishops sided with Lisbon patriarch Jose Policarpo, while human rights activists and people living in mixed marriages slammed him for intolerance.

Cardinal Policarpo advised young Portuguese Catholic women to "be careful" and to "think twice" before marrying Muslims.

Portimao, Portugal - Ivory Coast defender Arthur Boka has renewed his contract at VfB Stuttgart until 2012, the German Bundesliga club said on Thursday.