Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday angrily rejected allegations of corruption that have threatened his political career, in his first public reaction to a phone-tap scandal that has gripped France. “I think it is now my duty to break…
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Reigning Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia matched the Bay Hill course record with a 10-under par 62 Thursday to seize command at the US PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational. World number two Scott, hot on the heels of top-ranked Tiger Woods just three…
Officials at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus, where England will go up against Italy in their respective World Cup opener on June 14, Thursday played down reports over-extensive use of fertilizer has damaged the pitch. The stadium, finally inaugurated…
Israel has moved forward in planning for more than 2,000 new housing units in six West Bank settlements, an official said Thursday, which is likely to further endanger peace talks with the Palestinians. Guy Inbar, a spokesman for the defence ministry…
Russian prosecutors on Thursday were investigating a journalist who jokingly appealed to President Vladimir Putin to send troops to his region of Vologda to liberate its population from corrupt officials. In a witty appeal posted on Facebook this month…
Germany’s triple Olympic champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch has announced her retirement following an injury-hit season that deprived her of the World Cup overall title but did win her the downhill crown in her final campaign. The alpine skiing legend, 29,…
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told AFP he hopes his side can overcome poor preparations to make an impact at the World Cup finals in Brazil, but admits that the draw has left them facing a huge task. Iran, who are known among fans as ‘Team Melli’, will…
The Pentagon was due to host Saudi Arabia’s deputy defense minister for talks Thursday as the two sides try to smooth over differences on US policy towards Iran and Syria. Prince Salman bin Sultan was scheduled to meet Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel as…
Tottenham Hotspur are right up against it as they travel to Portugal to face Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday, while Fiorentina will hope to get the better of Italian rivals Juventus. Tim Sherwood’s Tottenham side must overturn a 3-1 first-leg…
Frederic Michalak said Thursday he wanted to end his playing career at Toulon and make the French squad for the 2015 World Cup. The 31-year-old playmaker has had a chequered career at home and in South Africa, but since arriving back at Toulon in 2012…
Winger Arjen Robben says Bayern Munich have no plans to celebrate at Mainz 05 on Saturday, even if they are confirmed champions with a record eight Bundesliga matches to spare. Bayern hold a massive 23-point lead in the Bundesliga and will be confirmed…
Two objects possibly related to the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have been sighted, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Thursday in a potential breakthrough. Abbott told parliament “new and credible information” had come…
France on Thursday resisted pressure to suspend the controversial sale of two Mistral warships to Russia over the Crimea crisis, insisting it would not make any decision before October. “The delivery of the first boat is due in October, so the question…
Japan’s J-League is one of the safest and most welcoming football leagues but a furore over a “Japanese only” banner directed at foreign fans has caused deep embarrassment and highlighted questionable attitudes to race. Urawa will host Shimizu S-Pulse…
A secret Brazilian government report lists several security “risks” in having the country host the World Cup this year, including political protest and strikes, O Globo daily said. The office of President Dilma Rousseff told AFP the undated report was…
08:18 GMT – Arrive – A merchant ship was expected to arrive in the vicinity around 0700 GMT. 07:24 GMT – Reality – Anthony Brickhouse, associate professor of aerospace and occupational safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the United States…
New Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen kept the central bank firmly on the path set by predecessor Ben Bernanke Wednesday, shrugging off recent economic weakness as largely weather-caused. But she also took a crucial step to reshape how the Fed has…
South Africa’s 340,000-strong NUMSA union marched Wednesday to protest a new labour law it says will increase unemployment and poverty, amid a tense stand-off with the ruling ANC weeks before polls. Thousands of people striked and marched across the…
Russia’s intervention in Crimea has cost it “real economic pain,” the United States said Wednesday as it readied a new slew of sanctions to punish Moscow for taking over Ukraine’s southern peninsula. “The question at this point is not if we will do…
IMF chief Christine Lagarde Wednesday denied any wrongdoing as she was questioned for the third time by French prosecutors in a corruption case that has become a thorn in the side of one of the world’s most powerful women. Lagarde was grilled for more…