Sunday 23 August 2015

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Retiring Clarke on par with Border, says Warne

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Shane Warne likened retiring Australian captain Michael Clarke to all-time great and former skipper Allan Border Monday as the nations media mourned the loss of the Ashes series.Clarke ended his international career with 8,643 runs in 115 Tests, including 28 hundreds, going out on a high with a comprehensive innings and 46-run win in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Sunday.But it was a bittersweet moment with England taking the five-match series 3-2.Clarke, along with retiring opener Chris Rogers, were given an honour guard as they left the field and Warne paid tribute to his close friend with a touching video tribute. Allan Border was the most meticulous in preparation and I think Michael Clarke rivals Allan Border for his preparation in leading up to a game, the spinning-bowling great said.He highlighted Clarkes unbelievable leadership after the death of fellow batsman and friend Phillip Hughes, who was struck on the head by a bouncer in a domestic Sheffield Shield match last year and never recovered. He was representing the family and Australian cricket, so to be able to handle that when it was one of his best mates, like his brother ... I thought the way he handled that stuff was unbelievable. Warne hopes Clarke will go on to mentor the next generation of Australian cricketers and said he will be known not only for his skill but his on-field showmanship. Clarke will be remembered as a fleet-footed batsman that was a fantastic player of spinners, was great to watch, was easy on the eye, was a flamboyant player, he said. The way he got his runs was pretty great to watch, and the way he did it was with a bit of flair and imagination.Despite a stellar career, Clarke, 34, had struggled recently with his final knock of 15 at The Oval capping a series where he managed just 132 runs at an average of 16.50, helping contribute to the series defeat.Fairfax Media lamented the loss of the series with Australia now needing to regroup ahead of a series in Bangladesh next month with batsman Steve Smith the new skipper.Even in the moment of victory on Sunday, the Australians did not know whether to laugh, cry or seek counselling, said Fairfax chief sports columnist Greg Baum.It was very much battle won, war lost.He added that generational transformation already was upon the Australian team, and when they convene again, it will be not only under a new captain, but as an almost unrecognisable ensemble from the one that began this series. The Sydney Daily Telegraph was equally disappointed with the Ashes outcome.Not even the smiles of one last victory for the retiring skipper could negate the deep-seated disappointment that this was the Ashes series that got away, cricket writer Ben Horne said.Once the initial afterglow fades, perhaps on the plane journey home, these players will be forced to face the gnawing reality that for a bit of common sense, they would have broken Australias 14-year Ashes curse on UK soil.

Blast rips through building at US military depot in Japan

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TOKYO (AFP) - A blast ripped through a warehouse at a US military post near Tokyo early Monday, according to Japanese officials and the Pentagon, triggering a fire, but no injuries had been reported.The explosion occurred at a building at the US Army Sagami General Depot in the city of Sagamihara, some 25 miles (40 kilometres) southwest of the Japanese capital. Dramatic video footage shot by a local woman showed large sparks shooting out like fireworks from a huge structural fire lighting up the night sky.She told public broadcaster NHK that thunderous explosions were heard repeatedly for 10 to 15 minutes.Orange sparks were rising quite high. I couldnt see smoke but smelled something like gunpowder, she told NHK.Aerial footage recorded by NHK about an hour after the fire began showed no flames rising outside the building, with a smaller orange blaze seen inside though its burnt roof.Japanese and American firefighters initially held off battling the fire to assess the contents of the building, and the blaze died out on its own about six hours after it started shortly before 1:00 am (1600 GMT).Daytime television footage showed part of the warehouses roof was burnt, and blackened metal.We coordinated with US fire units, and did not spray water as we waited for information related to what was inside, an official at the Sagamihara fire bureau told AFP.We later learned that the warehouse stored various things including oxygen tanks. But exact details were not immediately clear, he added.US Navy Commander Bill Urban, a spokesman, said the depot did not store ammunition or radiological material.The storage building is not designated as a hazardous material storage facility as some initial reports indicated. We are in the process of determining the exact contents of the building, he said earlier.The cause of the explosion was being investigated by the American side, the Sagamihara fire official said.The municipal fire bureau had dispatched 13 fire engine and other vehicles to the site, the fire official said.Firefighters had surveyed the area around the warehouse and had not noticed any physical damage to nearby buildings or toxic fumes, he added.The fire department had not received any reports of injuries.Washington, which for 70 years has been the guarantor of Japans security, has 47,000 service personnel stationed in the country as part of a defence alliance.A constitution imposed by a post-war US occupation force barred pacifist Japans military from combat except in self-defence.

Saudi officer killed in cross-border fire from Yemen

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RIYADH (AFP) - A Saudi army general has been killed in cross-border fire from Yemen, the armed forces announced Sunday, making him the highest-ranking officer to be killed in border attacks since March.Major General Abdulrahman bin Saad al-Shahrani, commander of the 18th Brigade, was inspecting troops deployed on the front lines along the southern region when the post came under random enemy fire, said the military said in a statement carried by the official SPA news agency. Shahrani was wounded in the attack and hospitalised, it said.The statement did not say when the attack occurred but added that Shahrani had died of his injuries on Sunday.Earlier, the SPA reported that a Saudi border guard had been killed on Saturday by a rocket fired from Yemeni anti-government rebels that hit a border post in the kingdoms Hazan region.More than 50 people, most of them troops, have been killed along the Saudi-Yemen border since the Riyadh-led military coalition began air strikes on Iran-backed rebels across the kingdoms impoverished neighbour in March.But Shahrani is the most senior Saudi officer to be killed in cross-border fire.

IS blows up temple in Syria's Palmyra: antiquities chief

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Islamic State group jihadists on Sunday blew up the ancient temple of Baal Shamin in the UNESCO-listed Syrian city of Palmyra, the countrys antiquities chief told AFP.Daesh placed a large quantity of explosives in the temple of Baal Shamin today and then blew it up causing much damage to the temple, said Maamoun Abdulkarim, using another name for IS.IS, which controls swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq, captured Palmyra on May 21, sparking international concern about the fate of the heritage site described by UNESCO as of outstanding universal value.The cella (inner area of the temple) was destroyed and the columns around collapsed, he said.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the countrys civil war, confirmed the destruction of the temple.Baal Shamin was built in 17 AD and it was expanded under the reign of Roman emperor Hadrian in 130 AD.Known as the Pearl of the desert, Palmyra, which means City of Palms, is a well-preserved oasis 210 kilometres (130 miles) northeast of Damascus.Its name first appeared on a tablet in the 19th century BC as a stopping point for caravans travelling on the Silk Road and between the Gulf and the Mediterranean.But it was during the Roman Empire -- beginning in the first century BC and lasting another 400 years -- that Palmyra rose to prominence.Before the arrival of Christianity in the second century, Palmyra worshipped the trinity of the Babylonian god Bel, as well Yarhibol (the sun) and Aglibol (the moon).Our darkest predictions are unfortunately taking place, said Abdulkarim.The jihadists carried out executions in the ancient theatre (of Palmyra), they destroyed in July the famous Lion Statue of Athena... and transformed the museum into a prison and a courtroom.IS had mined the ancient site in June before destroying the Lion Statue of Athena -- a unique piece made of limestone that stood more than three metres high (10 feet) that stood outside a museum.Funerary busts were also destroyed by IS in Palmyra.ISs harsh version of Islam considers statues and grave markers to be idolatrous, and the group has destroyed antiquities and heritage sites in territory under its control in Syria and Iraq.The latest developments come just days after IS jihadists beheaded the 82-year-old retired chief archaeologist of Palmyra.On Sunday the family of Khaled al-Assaad said the jihadists had mutilated his body after killing him execution-style on Tuesday.

UN's Ban Ki-moon in Nigeria in wake of attack on army chief

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ABUJA (AFP) - UN chief Ban Ki-moon began a two-day visit to Nigeria Sunday in the wake of a suspected Boko Haram ambush on the army chief, saying it was a time of hope despite the rise of extremism.Combating Islamist violence is expected to be high on the agenda as the secretary-general holds talks with President Muhammadu Buhari, whose inauguration in May sparked a massive upsurge in jihadist attacks.Across our world, we see insecurity, inequality, growing divides, Ban told a private meeting of state governors in Abuja, according to a UN statement.Here in Nigeria, you know the challenges all too well -- including the rise of extremism and the lack of equal opportunity. I know this is a deep and vital challenge in particular for the governors of the northeast... This is also a time of hope. I want to commend you and all of Nigerias leaders for the peaceful democratic transition of power. Ban touched down at Abujas international airport just hours after the military revealed Boko Haram fighters had ambushed a convoy carrying Nigerias army chief-of-staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.The senior officer, who was unharmed, was visiting troops Saturday when insurgents attacked in Faljari village, 45 kilometres (28 miles) east of Borno State capital Maiduguri, army spokesman Sani Usman said in a statement. The terrorists encountered an overwhelming firepower from the troops in which 10 of them were killed. The troops captured five terrorists, he said.During the encounter, sadly, we lost a soldier, while an officer and four soldiers sustained gunshot wounds. Boko Haram has stepped up its attacks in Borno and two neighbouring states in its northeastern heartland since Buhari came to power in May. The Islamists have also carried out deadly ambushes across Nigerias borders and in recent weeks suicide bombers, many of them women, have staged several attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.The fresh wave of violence has claimed more than 1,000 lives over the last three months, dealing a setback to a four-country offensive launched in February that had chalked up a number of victories against the jihadists. An 8,700-strong Multi-National Joint Task Force, drawing in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin, is expected to go into action soon.Military officials have said it will be more effective than the current alliance in the battle to end Boko Harams six-year insurgency, which has claimed at least 15,000 lives. This a crucial moment for Nigeria, said Ban, on his second visit to Africas largest economy since taking office in 2007.You face many serious challenges but you have also taken a hugely important step to move forward in a way that can respond to the aspirations of the countrys people.Before his departure the UN chief will lay a wreath to commemorate the fourth anniversary of a Boko Haram bombing at Abujas United Nations House, the headquarters for around 400 UN employees, that left 21 dead in June 2011. He is also due to dine with captains of industry and discuss democracy, human rights and countering violent extremism in a meeting at the foreign ministry.Ban last visited Nigeria in May 2011 to discuss the crises in southern Sudan and Libya with then leader Goodluck Jonathan. Buhari, who came to power on May 29 vowing to destroy Boko Haram, replaced his military leaders earlier in August, ordering his new chiefs-of-staff to end the insurgency within three months.The military under Jonathan was heavily criticised for poor handling of the insurgency and its failure to free more than 200 schoolgirls abducted from the northeastern town of Chibok in April last year.Ban is due to head to France late on Monday to discuss preparations for a major climate change conference to be held in Paris in December.

Koreas in marathon talks to end military standoff

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SEOUL (AFP) - Top-level North and South Korean negotiators talked through the night with no sign of an agreement Monday for ending a military standoff that has threatened to boil over into armed conflict.After a 10-hour marathon the previous night, the talks passed the 16-hour mark in a second session in the border truce village of Panmunjom, where the 1950-53 Korean War ceasefire was signed.The second round was clouded by South Korean claims that the North was seeking to influence the negotiating process with provocative military movements.South Koreas defence ministry said the North had doubled its artillery units at the border and deployed two-thirds of its total submarine fleet -- or around 50 vessels -- outside their bases.The North is adopting a two-faced stance with the talks going on, said a ministry spokesman who described the scale of the sub movement as unprecedented.We take the situation very seriously, he added.The negotiations in Panmunjom are being led by South Korean national security adviser Kim Kwan-Jin and his North Korean counterpart Hwang Pyong-So -- a close confidant of leader Kim Jong-Un.The gruelling hours reflect the challenge of reaching a compromise, with both militaries on maximum alert and flexing their weaponry across a border that has already seen one exchange of artillery fire.While the North moves around subs and artillery units, South Korean and US fighter jets have been carrying out simulated bombing sorties not far from the border.The roots of the standoff lie in landmine blasts on the border earlier this month that maimed two South Korean soldiers.Accusing Pyongyang of laying the mines, Seoul retaliated by switching on giant banks of loudspeakers that had lain silent for more than a decade and blasting high-decibel propaganda messages into North Korea.The North denied any role in the mine blasts and issued an ultimatum for the South to halt its psychological warfare or face attack.Analysts said the North would never apologise for the mine blasts, while South Korea would reject any compromise that might be seen to reward Pyongyangs belligerence.The two sides may be able to come up with a statement in which some sort of regret is expressed without explicitly naming the North, said Jeung Young-Tae, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul.But I dont think such a vague statement will work this time, Jeung said, stressing that the case of the maimed soldiers -- both of whom lost legs -- had become an emotional issue in the South.So I think the best outcome of this meeting will be an agreement for another high-level meeting in the future, such as defence ministerial talks, he added.That would still leave open the issue of the propaganda broadcasts, which Seoul has vowed to continue.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, a former South Korean foreign minister, urged both sides to redouble their efforts to reach a compromise.Technically, the two Koreas have been at war for the past 65 years, as the Korean War ended with a ceasefire that was never ratified by a formal peace treaty.There are nearly 30,000 US troops permanently stationed in South Korea, and the US militarys top officer on Saturday reiterated Washingtons commitment to the defence of its ally.

Tennis: Federer downs Djokovic for seventh Cincy title

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CINCINNATI (AFP) - Roger Federer moved into pole position for a US Open title run on Sunday, capturing his seventh Cincinnati Masters with a dominant 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 win over Novak Djokovic.The 34-year-old Swiss star added the Serbian world number one to a victims list which included Andy Murray in the semi-finals, capping a near-perfect week for the 17-time Grand Slam winner.Federer was playing his first tournament since falling to Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.He passed up the Montreal Masters won by Murray last week, preferring to rest and prepare at home.Its great, I didnt expect it, to be quite honest. I knew I had a chance, but I still felt more guys were going to have a better shot than I had because they had played Montreal before, Federer said.Usually that helps. But Ive realized over all the years that its just really difficult to win back-to-back Montreal and Cincinnati, or Toronto and Cincinnati.I chose to roll the dice a little bit and see how things were going to go. If they went great here then it was a great plan.If not, I was going to go back and practice and be really motivated for the US Open to start.The gamble paid off for Federer, who needed 90 minutes to subdue Djokovic.With the win he takes back the world number two ranking Murray seized for a week and will be seeded second behind Djokovic at Flushing Meadows for the seasons concluding Grand Slam which starts on August 31.Federer claimed his 87th career ATP title and his 24th trophy in a Masters 1000 event.Djokovic, meanwhile, was thwarted in his bid to become the first man to win all nine of the elite Masters 1000 titles as he endured his fifth final defeat at Cincinnati -- the lone Masters missing from his resume.The Serbian world number one has now fallen in the final of both of his tune-up events for the US Open, having lost to Murray in Montreal.He didnt muster a break point against Federer, whose superiority was clear in the first-set tiebreaker.Federers variety of shots included an aggressive return on selected second serves, in which he advanced almost to the service line to surprise the Serb.After seizing a 4-1 lead in the second set, Federer gave himself three match points with his seventh ace of the contest and converted on the first to the cheers of a partisan crowd.The 34-year-old -- who wasnt broken all week -- nudged ahead of Djokovic 21-20 in their head-to-head series.I think we really get the best out of each other, weve improved a lot over the years playing each other, Federer said.After struggling all week, Djokovic said he knew Federer would be a tough nut to crack.I knew coming in that he was going to be aggressive, no question about it. So I tried to handle it, he said.I did well until the tiebreak in the first set. After that, he was just the better player. I had some double-faults, dropped my service game.The way I played this week, its great I managed to reach the finals.Djokovic isnt giving up on his Cincinnati dream.This year I got to the final, its a step closer, he said. Im going to keep going, keep fighting to make history.Obviously its a great incentive and inspired me to come back and play my best tennis.Federer fancies his chances at the US Open in New York, where he won the last of his five titles in 2008.Ive got the confidence, Ive got the matches, and Im actually still feeling really fresh even after this week, because the matches have been rather short, he said.Because I didnt play both tournaments (Montreal and Cincinnati), I can really pace myself next week and see how much practice I actually really need.

Tennis: Serena captures 2nd straight Cincinnati title

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CINCINNATI (AFP) - Serena Williams continued to work her way up the list of WTA tennis legends, winning her 69th career title with a straight-set win over Simona Halep at the WTA Cincinnati tournament.The world number one claimed her second straight Cincinnati trophy and moved past Aussie legend Evonne Goolagong into fifth place in the all-time WTA win list in the Open Era. Martina Navratilova heads the list with 167 singles crowns. The 33-year-old American rallied past third seed Halep 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) on Sunday for her fifth title of 2015.I think that playing Simona really tested me, and I felt like I was up for the challenge and up for the test, Williams said.I definitely feel there is room for improvement.Halep, who handed Williams one of the worst losses of her career at the 2014 WTA Finals in Singapore, will surpass Maria Sharapova as the second ranked player in the world when the new rankings come out Monday.Williams will be bidding for history at the US Open as she attempts to complete a rare calendar-year Grand Slam in singles. She came back from an early first-set deficit to take charge against Halep.Williams is looking forward to the start of the US Open in eight days.I prefer to have this pressure than the pressure of not winning, she said. Not everyone can handle that pressure, but Im OK with it. I would rather be in this position than another one.Williams went down an early break but reclaimed it and then some to win the opening set. The second was much more combative as Halep held her own from the baseline.But Williams turned up the heat in the tiebreaker to finish the job in 99 minutes with 15 aces.Williams now stands 21-4 in Cincinnati as she moves on to New York for training. The American has won all five of her 2015 finals - three Grand Slams, a Miami title and now Cincinnati.

Football: Real Madrid held on Benitez bow, Barca win in Bilbao

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MADRID (AFP) - Rafael Benitezs reign as Real Madrid boss got off to a poor start as his side of star names were held 0-0 by newly-promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday.Los Blancos are already two points behind Barcelona as the champions exacted revenge for their Spanish Super Cup defeat to Athletic Bilbao thanks to Luis Suarezs solitary second-half strike.Sporting were playing their first game back in the top flight for three years, but roared on by a vociferous home support they matched the visitors.They could even had taken a famous three points had Antonio Sanabrias first-half header been deemed to have crossed the line.Its clear that the first-half wasnt good at all. In the second-half the team controlled possession a lot more, we took the initiative and in the few chances we had we didnt take them, Madrid captain Sergio Ramos told Canal Plus. Benitez started with Gareth Bale in a more central position, but the Welshman was again disappointing as Madrid failed to create clear-cut chances before the break.Indeed it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Sanabrias headed effort came back off the underside of the bar and appeared to just clip the goal line on its way back out.Sporting also had the first chance of the second period when Carlos Carmona sent a bullet header inches past the post.However, the Asturians then had to withstand wave upon wave of Real attack in the final half hour.Cristiano Ronaldo was uncharacteristically wayward in front of goal as he somehow failed to direct James Rodriguezs inch-perfect cross on target.The World Player of the Year missed an even better chance 15 minutes from time from another fine cross by Danilo.Sporting keeper Ivan Cuellar salvaged a point for his side with a stunning save to turn Ronaldos fiercely struck effort behind.In Bilbao, Lionel Messis troubles from the penalty spot continued as he saw a first-half spot-kick saved by Gorka Iraizoz.However, his strike partner ensured that miss didnt prove costly as Suarez volleyed home early in the second-half to hand the champions all three points.These matches are vital if you aspire to win the league, said SuarezWe won the game and that is the important thing. We had to wait for the moment to create chances.Luis Enriques men were returning to the ground where they were thrashed 4-0 in the first leg of the Super Cup just nine days ago.They were also without the suspended Gerard Pique, whilst Neymar wasnt fit to take part after just returning to training following a bout of the mumps.The game burst into life when referee Carlos del Cerro Grande controversially pointed to the spot when Suarez went down under a challenge from Gorka Elustondo.However, Messi failed to open the scoring from the resulting spot-kick as Iraizoz dived to his right to make a brilliant save.The Argentine has now missed five penalties for club and country in the past year and failed to find the net in 14 of the 63 penalties he has taken for Barca.Iraizoz produced an even better stop moments later to prevent Suarez sweeping home Sergi Robertos cross to ensure Athletic went in level at the break.The Uruguayan wasnt to be denied just eight minutes into the second-half, though, as he connected sweetly on his left-foot with Jordi Albas cross.However, the visitors suffered another injury blow when Sergio Busquets was stretchered off with an ankle problem and were left hanging on with a makeshift back four.Ibai Gomez had the Basques best chance to equalise 10 minutes from time, but he blasted over when the ball fell invitingly inside the Barca box.

Football: Keane stars as Galaxy rout Lampard-less City

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CARSON (AFP) - Ireland international striker Robbie Keane was the star as Los Angeles Galaxy thrashed New York City FC 5-1 in the Major League Soccer battle of the big-spenders here Sunday. Galaxy skipper Keane scored two goals and set up two more to help secure all three points for his team in a one-sided contest between the two most expensively assembled sides in the MLS. Keanes second, the Galaxys fifth, was the clubs 1000th goal in MLS competition.US international Gyasi Zadres, Mexican striker Giovani Dos Santos and midfielder Sebastian Lletget scored the Galaxys other goals. The pre-match build-up had been dominated by hype surrounding the renewal of the rivalry between the Galaxys former England captain Steven Gerrard and Citys Frank Lampard. However hopes of a midfield duel between the former Liverpool and Chelsea stars were scuppered before kick-off when City omitted Lampard from their match-day squad due to injury. Nevertheless City did hand a start to former Italy and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo, who showed some silky touches despite a mostly frustrating afternoon as Los Angeles got on top. Although City had the first decent attempt on goal, David Villas angled shot saved by Galaxys former Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts, it was mostly one-way traffic thereafter. Ireland record goalscorer Keane created the opener for Zardes on 36 minutes when a quickly taken Galaxy freekick caught City napping. The ball was transferred quickly to Keane on the right flank, who picked out the unmarked Zardes who headed past City keeper Josh Saunders with ease. On 54 minutes Keane made it 2-0, latching onto a superbly weighted pass from strike partner Dos Santos to finish. Keane returned the favour 13 minutes later, springing the City offside trap with a through ball for Dos Santos who made no mistake for 3-0. Gerrard, who had a quiet game, provided the assist for the Galaxys fourth, touched in from close range by Lletget. City hit back with a consolation penalty scored by Villa in the 80th minute, but Galaxy responded almost immediately with Keanes second, slicing apart the City defence with ease. A clever backheel from Lletget released fullback Robbie Rogers down the left flank, and the defender calmly rolled an inch-perfect pass into the path of the unmarked Keane who duly tucked away his second for 5-1.Keane might have had a hat-trick in the closing minutes, when Gerrard burst into the box and squared unselfishly for the Irishman.But instead of going for goal, Keane attempted to pass back to Gerrard allowing City to clear and the chance was gone.

Golf: Love wins Wyndham as Woods' season ends

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GREENSBORO (AFP) - Tiger Woods couldnt end his victory drought, but 51-year-old Davis Love ended his on Sunday with a one-stroke win in the Wyndham Championship that made him the third-oldest winner in US PGA Tour history.All eyes were on Woods at Sedgefield Country Club, where the 14-time major champion was in contention Sunday for a first US PGA Tour win since 2013.The former world number one, coming off a missed cut at the PGA Championship that marked his third straight early exit from a major, needed the victory to make the US PGA Tours FedEx Cup playoffs.Woodss chances effectively ended with a triple-bogey seven at the par-four 11th hole. That was followed by a bogey at the 12th, and even a storming finish that included four birdies in his last six holes wasnt enough.Woods closed with an even-par 70 for 13-under 267, his tie for 10th his best finish of a disappointing 2015 campaign.While Woodss US season is over, Love is headed to the playoffs after grabbing his first US PGA Tour victory since 2008.Incredible was Loves verdict on the win, achieved with a six-under par final round of 64 that included eagles at both of Sedgefields two par-fives.His 17-under total of 263 gave him a one-shot win over Jason Gore, the overnight leader who carded a one-under 69.South African Charl Schwartzel carded a 66 for 265 where he was joined by Englands Paul Casey (67) and American Scott Brown (68).Loves third Greensboro title -- after wins in 1992 and 2006 at Forest Oaks Country Club -- was finally secure once Gore missed his 50-foot birdie attempt at the final hole.Loves 21st career victory saw him jump into the top 125 in the FedEx Cup rankings, earning his spot in the opening event of the series, next weeks Barclays.At 51 years, four months and 10 days old, Love trails only Sam Snead and Art Wall as the oldest winners on the US tour.Snead was 52 years old when he won the last of his eight Greensboro titles in 1965, while Wall was 51 years and seven months old when he won in Milwaukee in 1975.Love started the day four shots off the lead and finished his round with four birdies and two bogeys in addition to his two eagles.Woods began the day two adrift, but couldnt get things going as he parred the first six holes.He dropped a shot at the par-three seventh, where his tee shot sailed into the crowd.After a birdie at the ninth Woods made the turn three off the lead held by Gore and Woodss playing partner Brown, who had aced the par-three third.Things got worse for Woods at the 11th, where his approach left him off the green and his attempt to pitch on rolled through the green and into the opposite rough.He ended up three-putting for triple-bogey.

Athletics: Fraser-Pryce goes for record third 100m win

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BEIJING (AFP) - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will look to follow Usain Bolt by winning her third 100 metres world title when she takes centre-stage at Beijings Birds Nest stadium on Monday.A day after fellow Jamaican Bolts thrilling win over Americas Justin Gatlin at the world championships, Fraser-Pryce is strongly favoured to add to her titles from 2009 and 2013.Victory at the Birds Nest, where she won the first of her two Olympic titles in 2008, would also make the 28-year-old the first woman to be crowned world 100m champion three times.The 1.52m (five foot) Jamaican has bounced back from an indifferent 2014 to win three Diamond League races in 2015 and post the years fastest time of 10.74sec.Her biggest threat looms from Americas Tori Bowie, who was joint-fastest with the Jamaican in Sundays heats, and English Gardner, whose 10.79sec is the second quickest this year.Meanwhile Frances Renaud Lavillenie, the Olympic champion and world record holder, is bidding to end his world championship hoodoo in the mens pole vault.Lavillenies previous world challenges fell flat in Berlin, Daegu and Moscow but he has come back strongly this season after a shoulder injury, recording a personal-best outdoor mark of 6.05 metres in Eugene.Defending champion Raphael Holzdeppe has also returned from injury and has hit form just at the right time for Beijing, while Canadas Shawn Barber will also look to pounce on any sign of weakness from Lavillenie, who beat Sergey Bubkas world record of 6.15m by 1cm indoors in Donetsk last year.In the womens triple jump, Colombian Caterine Ibarguen is the heaviest of favourites to retain her title after winning an astonishing 28 straight competitions.And in the mens 400m heats Kirani James, the reigning Olympic champion, will resume his battle with Americas LaShawn Merritt, who won Olympic gold at the Birds Nest in 2008.

Cycling: Nibali kicked off Vuelta, Chavez takes lead

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CAMINITO DEL REY (AFP) - The 2014 Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali was disqualified from Spains Vuelta on Sunday for being towed by his team car while Colombian Esteban Chaves claimed the second stage and overall lead.Italys Nibali, a three-time Grand Tour winner, had been one of a number of riders caught up in a crash 30 kilometres from the finish line of the 158.7km ride from Alhaurin de la Torre to Caminito del Rey.Having been distanced from the peloton he managed to make up the lost ground only to lose over a minute on general classification rivals Nairo Quintana, Chris Froome and Alejandro Valverde on the final category three climb to the finish.However, television footage emerged soon after the end of the stage showing Nibali accelerating rapidly alongside his Astana team car as he attempted to make it back.We have been informed by the decision of the technical judge, director general of the Vuelta, Javier Guillen, told reporters.The act carried out by the rider is bad for cycling, for the rider, for the Vuelta and its image because we lose one of the favourites.Astana have been embroiled in a string of controversies due to failed doping tests in recent years with their WorldTour licence for this year nearly revoked by the sports governing body the UCI.We have spoken with the judges and their decision was clear to disqualify Nibali, said Astana sport director Stefano Zanini.We asked for leniency, asking for a time sanction but not to disqualify him.The judges decided that an action of this type creates a precedent for other riders. Nibali was also involved in a series of clashes with Froome at the Tour de France last month with the Sky rider declaring the Italian unsportsmanlike for an attack as Froome suffered a mechanical problem.Froome was disqualified in similar circumstances from the Giro dItalia in 2010 for holding onto a motorbike.Chaves edged out Dutchman Tom Dumoulin in a sprint finish to win Sundays stage in a time of 3hr 57min 15sec ahead of Irelands Nicholas Roche in third.Tour de France champion Froome lost four seconds to Nairo Quintana on the run.It is my first win in a three-week tour. Its incredible, said Chaves.I hope to hold onto the red jersey (the overall leader) for as long as possible.Froome is attempting to become only the third man to win the Tour de France and the Vuelta in the same year. However, it was Quintana who took an early lead in the battle for the general classification victory as he came in one place ahead of Froome in sixth just 36 seconds behind the leaders.I tried to go from far out. It was a climb for explosive riders, I tried but the heat affected me, said Quintana.I saw that Chaves was stronger than those of us in the breakaway, he is a very smart rider and I am happy that one of my compatriots won.

Australia win fifth Test, England take Ashes 3-2

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LONDON (AFP) - Australia beat England by an innings and 46 runs to win the fifth and final Ashes Test on the fourth day at The Oval on Sunday.England, made to follow-on, were bowled out for 286 in their second innings after initially being skittled out for 149 in reply to Australias first innings 481, which featured captain-elect Steven Smiths 143.However, England -- who had already regained the Ashes -- won the five-match series 3-2.This match saw Australia captain Michael Clarke and opening batsman Chris Rogers, who will now both retire from international cricket, bow out of the Test arena as winners.Australia, after losing the toss, produced a far more resolute first-innings batting display than in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge where they collapsed to 60 all out, with Stuart Broad taking eight for 15 to set up Englands Ashes-clinching innings and 78-run victory.As well as Smiths second hundred of the series, which saw him become the first Australian to score more than 500 runs in an Ashes series in England since Matthew Elliott in 1997, David Warner (85), Adam Voges (76) and Mitchell Starc (58) all score fifties.In reply, several England batsmen contributed to their own dismissal with poor strokes away as the recalled pair of Peter Siddle and Mitchell Marsh both took wickets in a meagre total of 149 all out.Made to follow-on, England saw captain Alastair Cook make a gutsy 85 in more than five-and-a-half hours before he fell late on Saturdays third day.Sundays play was halted by rain shortly before lunch which kept the players off the field for just over two hours, with England 258 for eight.But it wasnt long before Siddle ended the match by having Moeen Ali caught behind for 35.Victoria paceman Siddle finished with fine innings figures of four for 35 in 24.4 overs -- including 12 maidens.

Guptill ton guides Black Caps to ODI win over South Africa

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POTCHEFSTROOM (Agencies) - Martin Guptill hit an unbeaten century as New Zealand cruised to an eight-wicket win in the second one-day international against South Africa at Potchefstroom on Monday.Guptill made 103 not out, reaching his ninth one-day international with the winning boundary as New Zealand won with 5.5 overs to spare after bowling out South Africa for 204.The win squared the three-match series, with the decider to be played in Durban on Wednesday.Doug Bracewell led a disciplined bowling performance as the South African batsmen failed to come to terms with a slow pitch.Bracewell, playing in his first one-day international in more than two years, took a career-best 3 for 31 with his accurate medium-pacers.Guptill and Tom Latham made the victory target look easy with an opening partnership of 126, a record one-day first wicket stand for New Zealand against South Africa.The previous record of 114 had been set by Mark Greatbatch and Rod Latham - Toms father - in Auckland during the 1992 World Cup.Latham made an impressive 64 off 81 balls before he was caught at deep square leg off leg-spinner Imran Tahir.Guptill, who was dropped three times in making his first 40 runs, went on to see his team to victory in a 134-ball innings. He hit nine fours and three sixes.New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said his bowlers had to adapt their plans after realising how slow the pitch was.We knew we had to play above ourselves to get back in the series. The way the guys executed was fantastic - a great effort with the ball, then the way the openers batted.New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne struck twice in his first two overs, dismissing Hashim Amla and Morne van Wyk to put South Africa on the back foot.The hosts never recovered fully despite a career-best 70 by Farhaan Behardien.Bracewell took the next two wickets in a spell of two for 18 in six overs, with Rilee Rossouw (39) and David Miller (5) both falling to catches when they mistimed drives on a slow pitch.South Africa slumped to 5 for 107 in the 24th over when captain AB de Villiers also fell to a mistimed shot, chipping Elliott to short midwicket after making 31.Behardien and Vernon Philander put on 54 for the seventh wicket before the innings subsided, with the last three batsmen run out.We didnt score enough runs, said De Villiers. Theres a lot to play for in Durban.
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