Ten-man Ghana overcame Brazil 4-3 on penalties in the Under-20 World Cup final in Cairo to become the first African side to win the tournament. Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu scored the winning penalty after Brazil's Maicon had fired over the bar when a successful spot-kick would have handed Brazil the title for a record fifth time. In a match of few chances, Ghana, who are also African champions, defied the odds to take the trophy out of Europe and South America ...

Felipe Massa has been forced to backtrack on comments he made claiming that new Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso was aware of Renault's plans to deliberately crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Alonso won that race after the safety car was brought out when Renault's No. 2 driver Nelson Piquet Jr spun out on lap 14, and Massa subsequently claimed it cost him that year's world title as he finished one point behind champion Lewis Hamilton. Motorsport's ruling body the ...

Both sounds come every few minutes, in between hugs, tears and kisses. Spencer has severe cerebral palsy and requires constant, 24-hour medical care. In Japan, a country that lacks sufficient medical services for disabled children, the only person to care for Spencer is his father. Morrey says his wife left, overwhelmed by the strain of their son's medical condition. That would be pain beyond what most parents could imagine. But Spencer's mother fled while pregnant with Morrey's daughter, Amelia. ...

The International Olympic Committee was preparing Friday to elect a host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, a prize so sought-after that presidents, sports legends and royalty have turned out to lobby for their country's candidate city. Four cities on four continents are in the running as IOC members gather at Denmark's modern Bella Center convention hall in Copenhagen. Each city will have about an hour to make a final presentation and answer questions before the voting begins Friday ...

President Obama's decision to head to Copenhagen, Denmark, later this week to make a push to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago is not without political controversy. Critics say Obama is making a risky move, since key issues -- ranging from Iran's nuclear ambitions and health care reform in Congress to deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan -- are pressing on the administration. "I think it's baffling that the president has time to travel to Copenhagen," said Sen. Kit Bond, ...

President Obama will travel this week to Copenhagen, Denmark, to make a big push for holding the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Chicago, Illinois, the White House said Monday. Obama will join other administration officials and first lady Michelle Obama in pitching Chicago to the International Olympic Committee on Friday, spokesman Robert Gibbs said. No other U.S. president has ever attended an IOC vote. Chicago is vying for the Summer Games against Madrid, Spain; Tokyo, Japan; and Rio de Janeiro, ...

The death toll from flooding in southern Brazil on Thursday climbed to 97, the state news agency said.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien scored one of the goals as Ghana defeated Sudan 2-0 in Accra on Sunday to become the first African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari gave the 'Black Stars' an early lead and Essien added a second soon after half-time, unleashing a drive that flew into the net at the near post. The result, coupled with closest challengers Benin and Mali drawing 1-1 in Cotonou a few ...

Luis Fabiano drilled in two goals and Luisao added another to lead Brazil to a 3-1 win over Argentina late Saturday and to give their squad a spot in the 2010 World Cup finals. Fabiano netted his two goals at the 30 and 68 minute marks, while Luisao scored just 24 minutes into the match. Jesus Datolo put Argentina on the board at the 66-minute mark with the team's lone goal. This defeat has complicated Argentina's hopes of reaching the ...

European champions Barcelona began the defense of the Spanish Primera Liga title with a 3-0 demolition of Sporting Gijon in the Camp Nou on Monday night. Barca were missing Lionel Messi, who is on international duty with Argentina, and injured key midfielder Andres Iniesta, but it made little difference against the visitors, who narrowly avoided relegation last season. Mali international midfielder Seydou Keita proved the main influence for the Catalan giants in the first half, setting up Bojan Krkic for ...