Five die in Italian Riviera train-gas blast

A gas explosion from a cargo train carrying fuel tanks killed at least five people and injured 35 others Monday night in a town in western Italy, a local government official said. The train, traveling from La Spezia to Pisa, was carrying gas tanks and derailed while passing through the station in the coastal town of Viareggio, the official, Antonio Garufi, told CNN

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Venus through as Ivanovic quits in tears

Twice defending champion Venus Williams moved closer to a Wimbledon title hat-trick on Monday when fourth-round rival Ana Ivanovic left in tears after quitting their Court One match through injury. Serbia’s former world number one lost the first set 6-1 against third-seeded American rival Williams and was serving in the first game of the second when she was forced to stop because of a thigh problem. Thirteenth-seed Ivanovic returned to court after treatment to win the game, but then quit the match — handing Williams a place in the last eight in a highly-emotional moment.

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Bocanegra praises United States work-rate

United States captain Carlos Bocanegra has praised his side’s work-rate and commitment, as he spoke to CNN from the team bus travelling to Johannesburg to take part in this weekend’s Confederations Cup final. Talking to CNN’s Sports Anchor Pedro Pinto following the sensational 2-0 victory over European champions Spain on Wednesday evening, Bocanegra said: “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy but the guys stuck together and it was really special for us. “We might not be as technically gifted as other countries but it’s something we pride ourselves on — our work rate

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Berlusconi Faces Crisis After Allegation He Slept With ‘Escort’

By most modern democratic standards, Silvio Berlusconi’s wild 15-year political ride would seem closer than ever to crashing. The 72-year-old Prime Minister is facing a swirl of questions linked to his personal life, including the latest allegations that a high-paid escort stayed with him at his Rome residence the night of Nov. 4 as results were coming in of Barack Obama’s election victory.

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Federer makes confident start at Wimbledon

Roger Federer began his quest for a sixth Wimbledon title and record 15th grand slam with a straight sets win over Yen-hsun Lu of Taiwan. The Swiss maestro survived going a break down in the opening set to win 7-5 6-3 6-2 in one hour 44 minutes on Monday.

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Italy crash out after heavy defeat to Brazil

Brazil thrashed Italy 3-0 to send the world champions home from the Confederations Cup as the United States also reached the semifinals after beating Egypt 3-0 in the other Group B match on Sunday. The 2006 World Cup winners trailed 3-0 at halftime in Pretoria to a Kaka-inspired Brazil as a Luis Fabiano double and an Andrea Dossena own goal dealt them a hammer blow. Brazil could afford to take the foot off the pedal after the break, but Italy could not score the goal which would have put them through.

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Chrysler’s New Boss: Sergio Marchionne

Whenever Sergio Marchionne talks about his latest calling–fixing auto companies written off as basket cases–he doesn’t sound anything like most auto types. For a start, he’s a lawyer and an accountant rather than a car engineer, and instead of getting bogged down in long discussions about the merits of one particular type of engine or gearbox, he likes to talk about Apple

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Spain win again to extend unbeaten streak

Spain have drawn level with Brazil’s record by going 35 matches unbeaten, after second-half goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente gave them a 2-0 Confederations Cup victory over host nation South Africa in Bloemfontein. The result ensures the European champions comfortably reach the semifinals of the competition as group winners, while South Africa also progress to the last four after New Zealand and Iraq draw 0-0 in Saturday’s other Group A match in Johannesburg. Vicente Del Bosque’s side were last beaten in November 2006 and they will better Brazil’s unbeaten streak, achieved between 1993 and 1996, if they win Wednesday’s semifinal

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