Pope Francis today urged athletes heading to the Rio Olympics to fight the "good fight", aiming not for medals but solidarity in a world "sick with cruelty".
	"I hope that the spirit of the Olympics can inspire everyone, both participants and spectators, to fight the 'good fight' and finish the race together," he said, citing a phrase from the bible about unwavering faith and the struggle against evil.
	The aim should be to "win as a prize not a medal but something more precious: the realisation of a civilisation in which solidarity reigns, based on the awareness that we are all one family, regardless of differences in culture, skin colour or religion".
	The 79-year-old Argentine was speaking two days before the Olympic opening ceremony in Brazil.
	"The world thirsts for solidarity, tolerance and reconciliation," he said as he greeted Portuguese-speaking pilgrims during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
	He said he hoped the games would help Brazilians "overcome difficult ...

Pope urges Rio athletes to 'fight the good fight'

PTI Automatic

German media group Axel Springer cut its full-year revenue forecast today after a first half burdened by costs from a Swiss joint venture.
	The board "slightly adjusted the revenue forecast and expects stable development rather than the slight growth originally predicted," the group said in a statement with its second-quarter results.
	Between April and June, Springer posted a net profit of 63.8 million euros (USD 71.5 million), a fall of 6.2 per cent compared with the same period in 2015 and short of the 81 million predicted in a Factset survey of analysts.
	Revenue increased by 0.7 per cent to 801.9 million euros, while underlying, or operating, profit as measured by EBITDA was steady at 147 million euros.
	That contributed to a first half that saw revenues grow just 0.5 percent to 1.59 billion euros, burdened by currency effects and "significant deconsolidation effects" from the founding of Springer's Swiss joint venture with fellow publisher Ringier.
	Adjusting for these effects, .

Axel Springer cuts revenue forecast

Scoreboard at lunch on the first day of the third Test between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston today:
     England 1st Innings
     A Cook lbw b Rahat Ali                   45
     A Hales c Sarfraz Ahmed b Sohail Khan    17
     J Root c Mohammad Hafeez b Sohail Khan    3
     J Vince batting                          16
     G Ballance batting                       18
     Extras (nb1)                              1
     Total (3 wkts, 26 overs)                100
     Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-48, 3-75,
     Bowling: Amir 8-1-36-0; Sohail 8-2-28-2; Rahat 8-2-33-1; Shah 2-0-3-0.

Birmingham, Aug 3 (AFP) Scoreboard at lunch on the first day of the third Test between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston today:

Sohail Khan led Pakistan's attack on his return to international duty as Pakistan dismissed England "pillars" Joe Root and Alastair Cook before lunch on the first morning of the third Test at Edgbaston today.
     At lunch, England were 100 for three, after Sohail had accounted for both opener Alex Hales (17) and star batsman Root (three) on his way to figures of two for 28 in eight overs.
     Rahat Ali then had England captain Alastair Cook lbw for a fluent 45.
     James Vince was 16 not out and Gary Ballance 18 not out.
     Right-arm quick Sohail was recalled for just his third appearance at this level in place of Wahab Riaz as Pakistan broke up the all left-arm pace attack they had deployed for the first two Tests of this four-match series.
     They also brought in Sami Aslam for struggling opener Shan Masood after England's crushing and series-levelling 330-run win in the second Test at Old Trafford.
     But it was Sohail who had the first chance to show his skills after ...

Sohail strikes as Pakistan knock over England 'pillars'

Ten drug convicts, including an Indian, spared during a chaotic execution in Indonesia were only officially informed they would not be shot hours after they had expected to face the firing squad, a lawyer said Wednesday.
	Despite international protests, one Indonesian and three Nigerian convicts were put to death shortly after midnight Friday on a prison island -- Jakarta's first round of executions for over a year.
	But another 10 death row prisoners, including Indonesians as well as nationals from Pakistan, India, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, were not executed, although authorities have suggested they will face the firing squad at a later date.
	It is still not clear why the group were pulled from the latest round and the process has attracted strong condemnation, with one lawyer calling it a "complete mess".
	Authorities have not given a clear explanation but theories have ranged from concerns over legal problems with several cases to a major storm that hit the island as officials were ...

Convicts in dark for hours about Indonesia execution reprieve

Sri Lanka are in no mood to let Australia off the hook as they look to follow up their first Test victory over the top side in 17 years, skipper Angelo Mathews said today.
	Speaking on the eve of the second Test in Galle, Mathews said last week's dramatic win in the series opener in Pallekele had banished the gloom in the home dressing-room after a string of defeats.
	And Mathews said his team had a game plan for each of the tourists' leading batsmen who have struggled to adapt to the extra turn on Sri Lanka's pitches.
	"The feeling is great in the camp after the beating we had got in the last six months," Mathews told reporters.
	"The guys were feeling a bit down and after the win at Pallekele we have got that extra confidence and extra energy going into this Test."
	Sri Lanka have endured a torrid 2016, losing their crown as T20 champions after being knocked out in the group stages, before a tour of England where they failed to win any of their nine internationals.
	But they showed .

Sri Lanka vow not to let Australia off hook

A Russian court today sentenced a former mayor, an opposition politician who had won against a pro-Kremlin candidate, to 12 years of prison on bribery charges critics say are politically motivated.
	Yevgeny Urlashov made headlines when he quit the ruling United Russia party and beat its candidate in 2012 mayoral polls in Yaroslavl, a city north of Moscow, in which he was endorsed by Russia's top opposition figures.
	He was then arrested in July 2013 and accused of extorting 18 million rubles (USD 270,000) from a businessman.
	"The court has sentenced Urlashov to 12 years and six months in a penal colony and ordered him to pay a 60-million-ruble (USD 900,000) fine," court spokeswoman Anna Mochinova told AFP.
	The judge said the court had considered it "necessary to impose the maximum penalty" because Urlashov's "criminal actions are particularly serious, undermining the government's authority", state news agency RIA Novosti reported.
	Russia's powerful investigative committee on ...

Russia court hands opposition ex-mayor 12 years for bribery

England all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the remainder of the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced today.
	Stokes suffered a calf injury while bowling during England's 330-run win in the second Test at Old Trafford, a win that saw them level the four-match series at 1-1.
	He was not considered for the third Test at Edgbaston, which started Wednesday, and officials have now confirmed he will take no part in next week's series finale at The Oval.
	Stokes's latest injury means he won't complete a Test match in the 2016 English season after a knee injury cut short his participation in the series opener against Sri Lanka at Headingley in May.
	However, an England spokesman said Stokes would "work towards being available for selection" for the one-day series against Pakistan which starts on August 24.

England's Stokes out of rest of Pakistan series

A huge sinkhole opened up in China, swallowing a section of road and passers-by and leaving at least one person missing, state media reported today.
	At least three people fell into the 30 metre long, 20 metre wide and nine metre deep sinkhole, which appeared during heavy rain in downtown Zhengzhou, in the central province of Henan, the Beijing Youth Daily said, citing witnesses.
	An initial investigation showed the collapse might have been caused by water pipes buried under the road breaking up due to the rain, provincial firefighters said in a social media posting.
	A man and a woman were brought out by rescuers after the sinkhole opened up but another woman, who was riding an electric bicycle with the man, was swept away by a raging torrent, the Beijing Youth Daily said.
	Zhengzhou's city government said it was unclear how many people fell into the hole, the paper added.
	Rescuers searching for the missing found three electric bicycles, bags, slippers and some clothes in the cavity 

China sinkhole swallows passers-by: report

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today picked a close confidante with staunchly nationalist views as the new defence minister, a move likely to raise concerns in China and South Korea.
	Lawyer-turned-politician Tomomi Inada, 57, becomes the second woman to oversee the defence ministry after Yuriko Koike, who served briefly in 2007. Koike was elected governor of Tokyo on Sunday.
	Inada, a four-term lawmaker, was formerly policy chief of Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and shares his hawkish views on Japan's 20th century history.
	Inada, who replaces Gen Nakatani, was named to the post as part of a partial revamp by Abe of his cabinet after the LDP's big win in upper house parliamentary elections last month.
	Her appointment came on the same day North Korea, a major security headache for Japan, fired a ballistic missile that landed just 250 kilometres off its coast -- hitting Japanese-controlled waters for the first time.
	Inada, a mother of two children, has a history of irritating ...

Japan taps nationalist Inada for defence chief

Venezuela's opposition steeled itself today for a new battle in its campaign to remove President Nicolas Maduro in a referendum, vowing nationwide rallies to pressure the crisis-hit government.
	Seventeen years after his late mentor Hugo Chavez launched Venezuela on the path of socialist "revolution," Maduro is clinging to the helm of a country in deep crisis.
	The once-booming country, home to the world's largest oil reserves, is gripped by severe shortages of food, medicine and basic goods that have triggered violence and looting.
	The opposition, which blames Maduro for the mounting chaos, wants to get rid of him with a recall referendum.
	It won a key battle yesterday when the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced it had collected nearly double the 200,000 signatures required to start the process.
	But it appears the war has just begun.
	Maturer's camp has vowed to fight tooth and nail. Complicating matters, the opposition says he controls both the electoral council and ...

Venezuela opposition plots next moves against Maduro

Greece's immigration minister called today on the European Union to draw up a back-up plan in case Turkey reneged on a controversial deal aimed at stemming the influx of migrants.
	"We are very worried. We need a Plan B in any case," Yannis Mouzalas told Germany's Bild daily.
	Due to its geographic proximity to Turkey, Greece has become a key gateway country for migrants seeking to reach Europe. At the height of Europe's migrant crisis last year, thousands of asylum seekers landed every day on Greek Aegean islands close to the coast of Turkey.
	Arrival numbers have since plunged following an EU-Turkey deal reached in March, in which Ankara agreed to take back Syrian migrants arriving in Greece in exchange for billions of euros in aid and visa-free European travel for Turkish citizens.
	But relations between Ankara and the West have deteriorated over criticism against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's massive crackdown following a failed coup.
	Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut ...

Greece urges 'Plan B' in case EU-Turkey migrant deal fails

The Philippines told its fishermen today to steer clear of a fishing ground in the disputed South China Sea to avoid harassment from Chinese authorities.
	The warning came despite a recent ruling by a UN-backed tribunal in favour of the Philippines, as it dismissed China's territorial claims to large swathes of the waters.
	Beijing angrily rejected the court's judgement and on yesterday it announced penalties for "illegal" fishing in its waters including the disputed areas.
	"We are aware that China is occupying Scarborough Shoal, so let us wait for clarity on how our fishermen can return there without being subjected to harassment anymore," Manila's foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose told reporters.
	Jose said that while the tribunal ruling was clear, the "reality on the ground" was different.
	"The reality is that China is there so we must discuss this," he said.
	Asked if this meant Filipino fishermen should avoid the shoal for now, Jose said: "This is for the safety of ...

Avoid China-claimed shoal, Philippines tells fishermen

North Korea fired a ballistic missile directly into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time today, drawing an outraged response from Tokyo and ramping up tensions with the United States and South Korea.
	The US military said the North had actually launched two Rodong intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off.
	The launches followed a North Korean threat of "physical action" over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, and came just weeks before the start of large-scale, joint South Korea-US military exercises.
	Japan said the one missile had landed in the Sea of Japan, some 250 kilometres (155 miles) off its northern coast and within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
	"It's a serious threat against our country's security," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. "This is an outrageous act that cannot be tolerated."
	The United States condemned what it called a clear violation of 

N Korea fires missile into Japan waters for first time

Former Olympian Muhammad Ashiq looks daily at the trophies he won in a glittering cycling career for Pakistan decades ago. "Perhaps most people think that I have died," he laments.
     "I just recall that I have shaken hands with... Former Pakistani prime ministers, presidents, chief executives," the 81-year-old tells AFP tearfully.
     "Why and how they all forgot me, I cannot believe."
     Ashiq, who competed for Pakistan at the 1960 and the 1964 Olympics, now scrapes by as a rickshaw driver in the teeming eastern city of Lahore.
     He began his sporting career as a boxer, switching to cycling in the 1950s when his wife complained about his injuries.
     He competed in Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964 and though he won no medals, he was hailed as a national hero for Pakistan.
     "I was so happy... I considered myself lucky to represent Pakistan in the Olympics," he says.
     But when his cycling career ended, so did his luck.
     He took a PR job but left it for health ...

From cycling hero to rickshaw rider

Brazil has barely got over its World Cup disaster and now it is counting on Barcelona star Neymar to finally deliver a treasured first football Olympic gold medal.
     Olympic gold is the only international title to elude Brazil in an illustrious history that has seen A Selecao win five World Cups.
     And Brazilian football is in desperate need of a pick-me-up after the humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany at their own World Cup two years ago and a group stage exit at the Copa America Centenario in June.
     Golden boy Neymar has been untarnished by the failures.
     Two broken vertebrae in his back suffered near the end of a quarter-final win over Colombia left Brazil without their talisman against the Germans two years ago.
     And as part of an agreement between Barcelona and the Brazilian federation, Neymar skipped the Copa America -- which sealed Dunga's fate as Brazil coach for the second time -- to ensure he is fresh for the Olympics.
     - Starlets in support -
 

Neymar tasked with delivering Brazil's elusive gold

Sri Lanka's first win over Australia in two decades proves the islanders have the talent to step into the boots of their recently retired greats, according to Test cricket's most successful bowler Muttiah Muralitharan.
     Speaking to AFP ahead of the second Test in Galle which begins tomorrow, Muralitharan reflected in glowing terms on batsman Kusal Mendis and spin bowler Lakshan Sandakan's key roles in last weekend's thrilling victory in Pallekele even though both are newcomers to Test cricket.
     Muralitharan, who is a member of the Australia squad's tour coaching staff, has been involved in a war of words with Sri Lanka's board, bitter that his old employers have not sought out his advice themselves.
     But the man whose 800 Test wickets remains a world record six years after retiring has been keeping a close eye on Sri Lanka's rebuilding efforts after the departure of some of the finest players in their history.
     Despite his current role for Australia, Muralitharan was ..

Sri Lanka proving life after legends - Murali

For as long as athletes have been battling for gold medals, they have been taking fortifying tonics -- some stomach-churning, others downright dangerous -- with little concern for their health.
     As revelations of Russian doping have shown going into the Rio Olympics, top-level competitors are willing to take almost any concoction to go faster, higher stronger, despite risks to body, mind and reputation.
     Ancient Greek Olympians, researchers say, ate sheep's testicles for a testosterone boost, while gladiator physician Claudius Galen prescribed the boiled hind hooves of Abyssinian asses, flavoured with rose petals.
     "Besides using strychnine ... The athletes of antiquity also used hashish, cola plants, cactus-based stimulants and fungi, with varying success," San Francisco-based lawyer Yush Lee wrote in a research paper on doping and the law.
     Fast forward nearly 3,000 years and it is more of the same, albeit with a new arsenal of performance-enhancing elixirs.
     In .

Doping for gold, Olympians ignore health risks

Rafael Nadal committed himself to playing singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the Olympics despite serious concerns over whether or not his left wrist injury will survive the gruelling challenge.
     "After discussing it with my team, I have decided I will play everything that I can. We are here and practice has gone well -- more or less," said the 30-year-old Spaniard after an intense, 90-minute training session with compatriot David Ferrer.
     "It's not an ideal situation -- there are always risks."
     World number five Nadal spent a lengthy period after his practice session on centre court discussing his plans with the team doctor and team captain Conchita Martinez.
     He is scheduled to play doubles with Marc Lopez and mixed doubles with French Open champion Garbine Muguruza.
     "Yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) have been my strongest training in two months and the wrist has not gotten worse," he added.
     Nadal hasn't played at all since he was forced to quit ..

Nadal to play singles, doubles and mixed in Rio

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has urged his top order "to go big" in the third Test against England at Edgbaston starting today.
     England levelled the four-match series at 1-1 with a crushing 330-run win in the second Test at Old Trafford -- a margin of victory that was testimony to the tourists' batting woes.
     It was all a far cry from Pakistan's 75-run win in the first Test at Lord's, which featured an inspiring century from Misbah.
     Poor starts have been a problem for Pakistan in this series.
     But Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood are not the first Pakistan opening pair to struggle in English conditions.
     Indeed you have to go back to 1996 for the last time a Pakistan first-wicket duo put on a 50 stand in a Test against England in England.
     Masood has become something of a 'bunny' for James Anderson, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker.
     He has fallen six times for just 15 runs in 57 balls to Lancashire paceman Anderson dating back to last year ..

Misbah tells Pakistan to 'go big' against England

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pressed the US in a television interview broadcast today to extradite preacher Fethullah Gulen, saying waiting to get the alleged coup plotter was "intolerable."
	Erdogan complained in the interview with Mexico's Televisa television that US authorities were asking for documents for the extradition of Pennsylvania-based Gulen, whom he accuses of being behind last month's failed military putsch.
	"You have to be blind and deaf not to understand that he is behind all of this," Erdogan said.
	"If we request the extradition of a terrorist then you should fulfill that," he said. "If you start asking for documents and what not, then it's a huge obstacle in our way of fighting terrorism."
	"But at the moment we are running into the difficulty of not being able to receive a terrorist that we are asking to be extradited," he said.
	Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999 and has denied any involvement in the July 15 putsch ...

AFP

AFP

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