Froome solidifies lead in mountain stage

Chris Froome took a big step toward winning a third Tour de France as Nairo Quintana’s challenge wilted on Wednesday’s first Alpine stage. Russia’s Ilnur Zakarin won the 184.5-km 17th stage from Bern to Finhaut-Emosson in Switzerland ahead of Sunday’s stage 15 winner Jarlinson Pantano of Colombia. Froome put in a burst inside the final […]

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Two New Zealand newspapers withdraw applications for Olympic accreditation

New Zealand’s two largest newspaper groups are not sending journalists to cover the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro because of a dispute with domestic broadcasting rights-holder Sky TV and the New Zealand Olympic Committee over accreditation terms they say will unfairly restrict coverage. NZME, which owns the New Zealand Herald, and Fairfax New Zealand, which […]

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Boston’s Uehara put on 15-day DL

Koji Uehara, who took over the closer’s role for Boston when Craig Kimbrel was injured, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Red Sox with a right pectoral strain. Right-hander Noe Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday to replace the right-handed Uehara on the 25-man roster. The 41-year-old Uehara is […]

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Toyama inks point producer Okada

The Toyama Grouses have boosted their roster with the addition of shooting guard Yu Okada as they prepare for their first season as a B. League first-division squad. Toyama made the announcement on its website on Wednesday. The Grouses earned a championship runner-up finish in the bj-league’s final season, falling to the Ryukyu Golden Kings […]

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Russia says decision on Olympic ban expected Sunday

Russia’s top Olympic official expects a final decision by Sunday on whether the entire Russian team will be banned from next month’s games in Rio de Janeiro over allegations of state-sponsored doping. The International Olympic Committee said its executive board will meet via teleconference on Sunday to consider the issue, but added that a final […]

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Two-time Stanley Cup winner Richards retires

Forward Brad Richards is retiring after 15 NHL seasons during which he established a reputation for offensive consistency and won two Stanley Cup championships. Following one season with Detroit, the 36-year-old announced his retirement in a two-page release issued by the NHL Players’ Association on Wednesday. From Prince Edward Island, Richards was a 10-time 20-goal […]

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