SPORTS

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)Debt concerns in the US and Europe once again rattled local investors, with the Australian share market ending the trading week in the red. Ratings agency Standard & Poor´s today warned there is a one-in-two chance it could cut the United States´ prized triple-A rating if a deal on raising the government´s debt ceiling is not agreed soon. The deadline for the agreement is August 2nd. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 18.6pts or 0.4pct to 4542.7 while the S&P/A...

Australian Amanda Spratt has taken out overall honours in the Tour de Feminin in the Czech Republic after leading the tour fom start to finish.

True to her word, Hollywood socialite and reality TV star Kim Kardashian has indeed everything down pat for her dream wedding, with everything falling into place, including the wedding gift.

Repeated concussions from head knocks left New South Wales Waratah's Berrick Barnes to take an indefinite break from rugby this season.

Though the combined earnings of some Hollywood stars and big artists in the music industry constitute the big chunk of the $690 million earnings made by celebrities over the past twelve months, a few athletes have also been named among the highest paid young celebrities to have raked in millions from May 2010 to May 2011.

Coming to Australia this year with three of the best cricket teams on the planet - India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka - is the ODI tri-series after a four-year absence from cricket world.

The day after the NBA Finals, the Miami Herald ran a story about the Heat's disappointing loss. However, to everyone's surprise, a full-page ad under the story reads "Congratulations Miami" next to photos of Heat championship T-shirts and hats on sale from Macy's. A T-shirt on the add says "Heat 2011 NBA Finals Champions". The Heat's logo on a hat has the words "NBA Champions."

The Southern Stars proved their might as they advance to a 3-2 lead over New Zealand in the one-day series on Tuesday.

NFL star Bret Lockett has come clean in an interview with CNN and admitted that he has not seen Kim Kardashian.

Newly engaged couple Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries may both be in the sky now as they come one step closer to the big day, after they finalized the prenup agreement. But there would have been no 20.5 carat ring and much-talked about engagement if it were not for the cupid shooting both their hearts. Wonder who is the matchmaker of celebrity couple, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries?

The Australian Stingers women's water polo team have tuned up for this week's FINA World League finals with a hard fought 11-10 victory over Italy in Ostia, just outside of Rome last June 10.

With the qualifying over last May 19, all eyes are now on the FINA World League Super Finals this June. The final qualification matches were played at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre tonight with the big issue who was going to top the women's group of the Asia-Oceania zone.

Australian Frances Bondad won a BMW 640i convertible worth 102,500 Euros when she holed in one at the 16th in the final round of the Deloitte Ladies Open.

There is no way to read Allen Iverson’s mind as to why he wants an NBA comeback he has recently been reported telling the Associated Press. But the 4-time champion is sure trying his luck again to play basketball “homecourt”.

John Hemming, the MP who named Ryan Giggs in Parliament, has spoken out the reasons why he went on revealing the footballer's name in court.

After weeks of gossip, alleged affairs and even his Manchester United contract in question, Ryan Giggs has another thing to worry about - his sponsors falling back due to his tainted image.

Controversy hasn't left footballer Ryan Giggs as the father of Imogen Thomas breaks his silence about the gagging order and the blackmailing allegations.

After midlfielder Paul Scholes left Manchester United, sports commentators and experts say Ryan Giggs' career as a Man U footballer might also be on the line. After a poor performance during last Saturday's UEFA title match against Barcelona, The 37-year-old has been riddled with controversy, including the questionable longevity of his playing career.

The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters are honouring future Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal with a "Trotter Tribute" in recognition of his stellar 19-year NBA career. Shaq announced his retirement from the NBA today.

Many times NBA All-Star player Shaquille O'Neal is retiring from the National Basketball Association.

After the much talked-about bribing controversy of football's principal organization FIFA, Prince William has released his statement to postpone Blatter's re-election. William strongly shares his opinions after Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Duke of Cambridge and president of the Football Association released a statement through a Clarence House spokesman earlier today.

Just when news of Ryan Gigg's affair is starting to mellow down, a new detail about the story has been released. The Twitter user who allegedly "started" the fiasco was recently identified, and it's not who the papers are say it is.

Two of FIFA's largest corporate sponsors have released their statements regarding the bribing controversy surrounding the bidding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Coca Cola has been a corporate sponsor for the World Cup since 1978, while Adidas has been providing the league cash, support, products and sporting goods for 30 years.

Celebrated Soccerroo and Aussie soccer living legend Tim Cahill has a lot to say about how the country is treating its young aspiring athletes. Growing up in a town where soccer instructors didn't have faith in him, Cahill wishes to give broader chances to kids who want to be professional soccer players. The Australian soccer player is set to coach hundreds of kids in a program he has started.

Sad news for Hawthron Hawks fanatics - midfielder and veteran Chance Bateman, won't be appearing on near future games due to an injured ankle. Hawks manager, Mark Evans, confirms this unfortunate absence in a statement released today for ABC Melbourne.

Italian bet Fabio Fognini has announced today that he will be sitting down all of his future matches at the Roland Garros court. His withdrawal is due to the muscle pull on his left leg, an unexpected physical descent that made him finalize the "difficult" decision. Fognini's withdrawal automatically advances Serbian Novak Djokovic into the semifinals.

Australian sports minister Mark Arbib, along with other senior Aussie officials call for reforms with the way FIFA is managed due to the recent pay-off scandal of two football federation heads.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is still in the limelight for leading the FC Barcelona to this season's UEFA Champions League title, with power striker Lionel Messi's winning goal securing the club's victory. Guardiola describes the 23-year-old as the "best player" he's seen and continues his statement by adding Messi is "probably the best" he will ever have the privilege of coaching.

At 23 years old, Lionel Messi has achieved so much when it comes to his playing soccer. Scoring the winning goal for Barcelona in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United, the Italian-Argentinean just might be one of this generation's top players.