Massu downs gallant Guccione

CHILE'S Fernando Gonzalez handed his country a commanding lead beating an underdone Peter Luczak after Nicolas Massa downed Australia's Chris Guccione.

The Wave is a memorable drama

A strong drama set around the ease in which totalitarianism can be introduced into and readily absorbed by a society, either as a country – Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Spain – or as a group of school students.

US Treasury boss: Doing nothing is not an option

US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said today the country had no option but to put in place an expensive and bold rescue plan to save the economy.

France name strong Cup team

FRENCH hopes of a first-up Hopman Cup tennis triumph have been given a massive boost following confirmation that Alize Cornet will team up with Gilles Simon to represent the country.

Ashton Hammer blow

West Ham will be without Dean Ashton for tomorrow’s visit of Newcastle in the Barclays Premier League after the striker suffered an ankle injury in training earlier in the week.

Field goal gives Buffaloes upset

Aric Goodman made a 25-yard field goal in overtime to give Colorado a 17-14 victory over No. 21 West Virginia on Thursday night.

L.A. belts 3 HRs in four-pitch span

Kendry Morales, Mike Napoli and Brandon Wood hit solo home runs in order during a span of four pitches from Keith Foulke in the seventh inning and the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels withstood a late rally by the Oakland Athletics for a 6-4 victory Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep.

L.A. closer to NL West title

James Loney's line-drive single scored the go-ahead run in the 12th inning after Pittsburgh reliever Craig Hansen walked the bases full, and the Los Angeles Dodgers inched closer to winning the NL West by holding off the Pirates 4-3 Thursday.

Wilkins replaces Clarke at Chelsea

Chelsea have confirmed Ray Wilkins as the club’s new assistant first-team coach following the departure of Steve Clarke to West Ham.

D-Backs' Webb tabs 21st win

Brandon Webb pitched seven solid innings Wednesday night and added a key two-run double, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants 7-6 and gain ground in the NL West.

McCartney protected by Israeli secret service

Paul McCartney will be guarded by Israeli secret service agents at his historic concert in the country this month to ensure his protection following death threats by Muslim extremists.

SEC to Mountain West ... it's all a jumbled mess

You want to try picking conference winners? Several tried a few weeks ago, but now everything is jumbled. Dennis Dodd breaks down the dark horses for each, from the SEC to the suddenly powerful Mountain West.

Only way is up for vibrant St Pat's

Their 47-year wait for an away victory in Europe over, Dublin side St Patrick's Athletic FC travel to face Hertha BSC Berlin in the UEFA Cup as underdogs but with the ambition to pull off a "phenomenal" upset.

Snoop Dogg heading to Melbourne Cup

CONTROVERSIAL rapper Snoop Dogg wasn't sure if he could get into the country last week - now he is set to spark up the Melbourne Cup.

Clarke takes Hammers job

West Ham have appointed Steve Clarke as first-team coach after a compensation package was agreed with Chelsea today.

Brosnan may add to Bond effect in West Indies

A bevy of Bonds could well be living cheek-to-jowl in the sunny West Indies.

'Skins win as Campbell sinks Saints

Jason Campbell and Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense
succeeded in Week 2 as spectacularly as they failed in Week 1. Campbell went from
uncomfortable to prolific, completing 24 of 36 passes for 321 yards in a 29-24 victory
over the New Orleans Saints.

Campbell gives Zorn first win

Jason Campbell and Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense
succeeded in Week 2 as spectacularly as they failed in Week 1. Campbell went from
uncomfortable to prolific, completing 24 of 36 passes for 321 yards in a 29-24 victory
over the New Orleans Saints.

Another UK tour operator goes bust

A second British tour operator has gone bust days after the collapse of XL Leisure sent the travel industry into turmoil, the aviation regulator confirmed today.

Accountants to debate challenges at two-day conference

Accountants from around the country will gather in Kilkenny next weekend for a forward-looking conference.

Hammers give Zola losing start at the Hawthorns

West Brom 3 West Ham 2
Gianfranco Zola made an unhappy start to his reign as West Ham manager as Chris Brunt struck a late winner for West Brom at The Hawthorns.

UK: First-time buyers 'priced out of rural area'

Homes in the country cost 15% more than properties in urban areas, pricing many first-time buyers out of the market, figures showed today.

Storms Wreak Havoc On Baseball Schedule

Storm systems throughout the country wreaked havoc on the baseball schedule, postponing six games Friday night and creating a weekend full of doubleheaders.

Denmark set sights on border crossing

With just 34km separating Copenhagen and host country Sweden, the Denmark coach Keld Bordinggaard has promised to "throw everything" at Serbia as uefa.com rounds up the reaction to the Under-21 play-off draw.

XL collapse sees rivals prosper on FTSE

The collapse of a rival operator buoyed holiday giants TUI Travel and Thomas Cook today as the FTSE 100 Index surged nearly 2% in the final session of the week.

Hammers stunned by sponsors' XL collapse

West Ham were today left to assess the damage after their shirt sponsors were placed into administration.

Fans' excitement costs East Carolina $10K

East Carolina is being fined $10, 000 by Conference USA after football fans charged the field to celebrate the Pirates' upset of West Virginia last weekend.

XL travel rivals see shares rise on FTSE

UK holiday giants TUI Travel and Thomas Cook were experiencing strong gains today as investors digested the collapse of rival operator XL.

More tour operators expected to go under

The collapse of tour operator XL is the latest blow to the UK air travel industry, which has endured a torrid summer with a number of companies closing down.

Kanye West in airport arrest

RAPPER Kanye West and one of his bodyguards were arrested today at Los Angeles International Airport after an altercation with paparazzi in which the rapper allegedly smashed a camera on the floor.

Rodriguez Saves 60th Game As Angels Beat Rangers

Francisco Rodriguez earned his 60th save and Garret Anderson homered and drove in three runs to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 Saturday night.

Red Sox Clinch Tie For Wild Card

David Ortiz hit a two-run homer, Daisuke Matsuzaka remained unbeaten on the road and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Sunday to clinch at least a tie for the AL wild-card.

Selanne Will Participate In Ducks' Camp

Teemu Selanne has signed a tryout agreement with the Anaheim Ducks
while negotiations continue on a standard contract for the 10-time
All-Star forward.

Phillies Beat Marlins To Regain 1st In NL East

The game was as tight as the NL East standings, and at the end of the night, the Philadelphia Phillies led both. Philadelphia went ahead, fell behind, rallied and held on Saturday, escaping threats in the final three innings to beat the Florida Marlins 3-2 and reclaim first place from the New York Mets.

Bryant Field Goal Lifts Bucs Over Bears

Brian Griese saved his big shot for the last moment. Griese set up Matt Bryant's winning 21-yard field goal in overtime with a 38-yard pass to Antonio Bryant, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied to beat the Chicago Bears 27-24 on Sunday.

Dempster Gets 17th Win As Cubs Roll

Ryan Dempster earned his 17th victory as the Chicago Cubs kept on winning a day after clinching the NL Central title, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 Sunday in their regular-season wrapup at Wrigley Field.

Danks, White Sox Shut Out Royals

John Danks and two relievers combined on a four-hitter and Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer as the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Sunday.

Americans Reclaim Ryder Cup From Europe

U.S. captain Paul Azinger sprinted up the stairs to the clubhouse
balcony and grabbed the biggest bottle of champagne he could find to
join an American celebration he felt was a long time coming in the
Ryder Cup.

Biffle Makes Late Pass For 2nd Straight Chase Win

Greg Biffle finished a middling regular season as a driver who just couldn't win. Now, he's the one who simply can't lose. Biffle
traded a lengthy winless streak for a winning one when it mattered
most. He made it a sparkling 2-for-2 in the NASCAR Chase for the championship
Sunday.

Yankee Stadium Going, Going, Gone After 85 Years

Even Yogi Berra knew this was the end. As baseball said farewell to Yankee Stadium, one of the game's most
beloved players stood beneath the stands in a full vintage uniform. Now
83, the man who coined the phrase "it ain't over till it's over" put
his own stamp on the day. "I'm sorry to see it over, I'll tell you that, " Berra said.