Elton John recovering after appendix surgery
Sir Elton John is recovering following surgery to remove his appendix, his publicist has confirmed.
The 66-year-old underwent the operation at Monaco's Princess Grace Hospital on Thursday and has been recuperating at his home in Nice, France.
Sir Elton was forced to cancel a series of summer shows last month after being diagnosed with appendicitis, including a headline gig in London's Hyde Park.
He told The Sun he performed 10 shows "in agony" before he called doctors.
"I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time. I feel so lucky and grateful to be alive," he said.
The singer is expected to be well enough to be performing back on stage in September.
Last week, Sir Elton posted a message of thanks to his fans for their support on his website.
"I would like to thank the literally thousands of people who have sent me get well cards and messages over the past two weeks," he said.
"Your well wishes have touched me deeply and will play a big part in my recovery. I cannot wait to see you all and thank you in person when I resume my concert schedule later this year."
It was also announced the star would be the first recipient of the Brits Icon award, launched by Brit Awards organisers to celebrate major figures in music.
He will be presented with the honour at a special show in September.
Yankees star Alex Rodriguez in baseball doping ban
Baseball's highest paid star, Alex Rodriguez, has been suspended for 211 games, along with 12 other athletes, in the wake of a doping investigation.
The 38-year-old New York Yankees slugger has been banned until the end of the 2014 season.
Rodriguez is the most famous player linked to a Florida clinic, Biogenesis, which has been accused of supplying banned performing-enhancing drugs.
In July, player Ryan Braun was banned for 2013 for breaking drug rules.
Other players suspended on Monday included the Texas Rangers' Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers, and Everth Cabrera who plays with the San Diego Padres. They each received a 50-game ban.
Major League Baseball, the organisation governing the sport, said Rodriguez had been suspended for "his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, over the course of multiple years".
The statement also accused the player of "attempting to cover up his violations" by obstructing the investigation.
Rodriguez was accused of interfering with the Major League Baseball investigation into Biogenesis, resulting in a harsher penalty, correspondents say.
He has until Thursday to appeal the ban.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said on Monday: "Those players who have violated the programme have created scrutiny for the vast majority of our players, who play the game the right way.
"We continue to attack this issue on every front."
Rodriguez previously admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs while playing for a Texas team between 2001-03. He has denied using steroids since.
Rodriguez was named Most Valuable Player in baseball's American League three times.
He has not played this season while recovering from hip surgery, but had been expected to take the field on Monday in a game against the Chicago White Sox.
The accusations against the players emerged from a major investigation into a Florida drug clinic that is suspected of distributing performance-enhancing drugs to several professional baseball players.
After years of inflated batting statistics - and arm muscles - during what has become known as baseball's "steroids era", the extent of doping in the sport was laid bare in a 2007 report by former Senator George Mitchell.
Mr Selig subsequently strengthened the sport's drug testing policies and created an investigative branch to prosecute drug offences.
Many hoped the changes would usher in a new, "clean" era for the sport.
Apak among 31 Turkish athletes banned for two years
The Turkish Athletics Federation has given two-year suspensions to 31 athletes for drug offences, including Olympic medallist Esref Apak.
Hammer thrower Apak, who won silver in Athens in 2004, was one of three athletes listed who competed at the 2012 London Olympics.
Turkey's doping problems threaten to affect Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Olympics.
International Olympic Committee members will choose a winner on 7 September.
Worse could follow for the sport in Turkey when TAF completes its investigations into alleged doping by Asli Cakir Alptekin, the women's 1,500-metre gold medallist at the 2012 Olympics, and two other female team members in London last year.
The bans were expected after the International Association of Athletics Federations carried out tests before and during the Mediterranean Games in the Turkish city of Mersin in June.
Apak was one of eight athletes who tested positive following the European Team Championships in Gateshead the same month.
Last week, TAF chairman Mehmet Terzi resigned from the post he had held for nine years in the face of doping allegations directed at Turkish sportsmen and women.
"The athletes were found to be in violation of Turkey's strict anti-doping laws following testing undertaken by the Turkish anti-doping authority (TADA)," Ugur Erderner, president of Turkey's National Olympic Committee and a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) executive board, said in a statement.
"This work is part of a concerted, and much more aggressive, anti-doping policy in Turkey that has been in place for over six months and will be further reinforced with the re-accreditation of the Wada-licensed anti-doping laboratory in Ankara later this year."
The TAF listed the names of the suspended athletes on its website, without giving details of their offences.
Jockey Simone Montgomerie dies after fall
Jockey Simone Montgomerie has died following a fall at the Darwin Cup meeting in Australia.
The rider, 26, was among the frontrunners on Riahgrand when she was thrown from her mount about 100m from the finishing line.
The National Jockeys' Trust in Australia confirmed the Northern Territory rider was fatally injured.
Her father, Peter Montgomerie, trained 2005 Melbourne Cup runner-up On A Jeune.
After her fall in the Wolf Blass Lightning Plate race, the remainder of the Darwin Cup meeting, which had a crowd of about 20,000, was abandoned with three races remaining.
Montgomerie was treated by two doctors and paramedics at the course before being transported to Royal Darwin Hospital, but died shortly after arrival.
"Terrible day for all," said the National Jockeys' Trust on Twitter. which also called for people to pray for her family.
Brett Dixon, chairman of Darwin Turf Club, said there would be an investigation into the death.
"The Darwin Turf Club along with the entire industry offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Ms Montgomerie", he said.
Former British-based jockey Kerrin McEvoy said Montgomerie's death was a "tragedy".
"I'm shattered by the news. I know Simone really well, we actually did pony club together," he said.
"My condolences go to the Montgomerie family. She's a beautiful girl, it's just a tragedy."
Tottenham sign £26m striker from Valencia
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the £26m club-record signing of striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia.
The 28-year-old has signed a four-year contract after passing a medical and becomes Spurs' third summer signing.
Soldado has 11 caps for Spain and scored 30 goals in 46 appearances for Valencia club last season.
A Spurs statement said: "We are delighted to confirm the signing of Roberto Soldado from Valencia after he successfully completed his medical."
Soldado is expected to be available for Tottenham's final pre-season friendly, which is against Espanyol at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
The club's previous transfer record was the signing of midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians for nearly £17m earlier this summer. Spurs have also added winger Nacer Chadli from FC Twente for a fee thought to be around £7m.
Soldado was born in Valencia but began his career at Real Madrid, scoring 63 goals in 120 league appearances for their B side, Real Madrid Castilla.
He joined his hometown club three years ago after a spell at Getafe and went on to score 80 goals in 146 appearances for Valencia.
Soldado has also become an established member of the Spanish national squad and helped his country to the runners-up spot at this summer's Confederations Cup.
His arrival will boost an attack that has only Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor as recognised first-team centre-forwards.
Bolt ready to regain 100m gold at World Championships
Usain Bolt says it is "very important" he regains the 100m title at the World Championships in Moscow, which start this weekend.
The 26-year-old won the title in Berlin in 2009 but was disqualified in Daegu in 2011 for a false start, allowing compatriot Yohan Blake to take gold.
"Of course it's very important [to win back the title]," said Bolt.
"Right now I'm in good shape, focused, feeling well, training hard and I'm ready."
The Jamaican is overwhelming favourite to not only regain gold in the 100m, but also retain his 200m title - particularly with a number of his usual rivals not competing in Moscow.
Blake will not get an opportunity to defend his 100m title after he withdrew from the championships with a hamstring injury.
Former world champion Tyson Gay and Jamaica's ex-100m world record holder Asafa Powell both failed drug tests in July, and have opted to miss the event in the Russian capital.
And although Bolt was beaten by American Justin Gatlin in June at the Diamond League meeting in Rome, Bolt recorded the quickest 100m time this year - 9.85 seconds - at the Anniversary Games.
The six-time gold medallist has also posted of this year's fastest time in the 200m after running 19.73 seconds in Paris in July.
"I want to keep winning every race that I compete in and the 100m and 200m finals in Moscow will be the biggest races for me this year," added Bolt.
"My season has been good, I'm getting stronger every week and my execution and speed endurance is steadily improving."
The World Championships begin on 10 August, with the 100m final on 11 August and the 200m final taking place on 17 August.
BP denies US allegations of fixing natural gas market
US regulators have told BP to respond to allegations of natural gas market manipulation and threatened the firm with fines of close to $29m (£19m).
BP has 30 days to respond, but said the allegations were "without merit".
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Office of Enforcement alleges the offences took place in the Houston Ship Channel from September to November 2008.
FERC first posted the allegations in 2011 and is stepping up its inquiry.
The regulator claims that BP's Texas-based Southeast Gas Trading desk bought and sold physical gas at the Houston Ship Channel and Katy gas trading hubs, in a way designed to increase the value of BP's financial position.
Specifically, it "alleges that BP accomplished its fraud by using transportation capacity between the two markets uneconomically".
But Geoff Morrell, BP vice-president and head of US communications, said: "BP natural gas traders did not engage in any market manipulation in late 2008.
"BP is disappointed that the FERC has brought this action and we will vigorously defend against these allegations."
Mr Morrell added: "The FERC bases its allegations on a recorded two-minute phone conversation between a BP trainee and BP natural gas trader that the regulator has taken completely out of context.
"The recording does not support any allegation of wrongdoing. In fact, the trainee involved in the conversation states that his characterisation was incorrect and the trader never agrees with nor condones the trainee's statements.
"The trader also reacts strongly to the trainee's comments and interrupts him because the trainee's comments - as the trainee admits on the call - are incorrect and inappropriate.
"The trader also promptly reported the conversation and BP's compliance personnel acted appropriately in examining the trading at issue."
The total potential FERC fines include a penalty of $28m and $800,000 in profits and interest made in the alleged trading.
FERC had its powers boosted in 2005 following the California energy crisis and the Enron scandal.
Last month, it settled a power market manipulation case with JPMorgan Chase for $410m.
It also recently brought charges against Barclays for $453m relating to alleged manipulation of western US energy markets.
Barclays has said it will fight the charges.
HSBC mulls banker pay rises to combat bonus cap rules
HSBC is considering raising its bankers salaries in a bid to limit the impact of new rules which will cap bonuses at a maximum of double their salary.
Chairman Douglas Flint said increasing salaries was "one of the possibilities" of a "whole range of things" the bank was considering to maintain its competitive position.
"We have to be competitive," Mr Flint said, as the bank unveiled a 10% rise in pre-tax profits to $14.1bn (£9.2bn).
The rise came despite revenues falling.
The regulations, implemented by the European Union, will come into force from the start of next year.
Mr Flint said that around 80% of the bank's profits came from non-European markets, making it "very uncomfortable" in regions, such as Asia and the US, where its competitors did not face the same restrictions.
"These legislative changes...could have a highly damaging impact on our competitiveness position in many of our key markets, including those outside Europe," Mr Flint said.
HSBC said it would consult on how to best protect its competitive position.
The bank shaved 13% from its operating costs, helped by the sale of non-core businesses and lower bad debts.
"We have successfully progressed the repositioning of the business," said chief executive Stuart Gulliver.
HSBC is aiming to streamline the bank's operations by focusing on high-growth markets in Asia. The firm said it had closed or sold 11 non-core businesses since the start of the year. In total, it has sold or closed 54 businesses since 2011.
By May, the bank had cut 46,000 jobs. It said that it would reduce its headcount to between 240,000 and 250,000 over the next three years.
The profit was slightly below analysts' expectations and the shares, which have risen by over 40% in the past year, fell more than 3% after the results were issued.
HSBC was boosted by a 35% drop in loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions, compared with the same period last year.
"These results confirm the value which is being delivered from the continuing reshaping of the group and enforcing appropriate cost discipline," added Mr Gulliver.
HSBC said that despite the slower worldwide economic growth currently, it was "well positioned" to take advantage, once it picked up.
HSBC said it would pay a second interim dividend of $0.10 per share, taking the total for the first half to $0.20, up 11% on a year ago.
Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, said all the key figures, including headline profit and return on capital, were either "strong or improving".
"The statement is safe and dependable, as is the current aspiration of banking investors."
South Korean concern as US overturns Apple iPhone ban
The South Korean government has said it is concerned about the US's move to overrule a sales ban of some older Apple and iPad models.
In June, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple infringed a patent of rival Samsung.
President Barack Obama's trade representative then vetoed the decisionbecause of its "effect on competitive conditions in the US economy".
South Korea said the move would affect the protection of patent rights.
It was the first time since 1987 that a presidential administration had vetoed an ITC import ban. The ban was set to take effect on 5 August.
The South Korean media denounced the US move as being "protectionism".
And the South Korean trade ministry said in a statement: "We express concerns about the negative impact that such a decision would have on the protection of patent rights."
It also called on the ITC and the Obama administration to make "fair and reasonable decisions".
Samsung now faces a decision on Friday to decide whether some of its phones and tablets infringed on Apple's patents and should be banned from imports into the US.
Apple and Samsung, the top two global smartphone makers, have been locked in a global patent war since 2011.
The now-overturned patent related to 3G wireless technology and the ability to transmit multiple services correctly and at the same time. The ITC ordered a halt on all imports and sales on AT&T-sold models of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3, iPhone 3GS as well as the iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G.
Some of those devices are no longer on sale in the US.
--BBC
China services sector growth steadies in July
China's services sector expanded slightly in July, an HSBC survey showed, indicating that growth in the sector had steadied.
The HSBC non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) stood at 51.3, unchanged from June. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion.
The services sector accounts for nearly 43% of China's overall economy.
The data come amid concerns that China's economic growth rate may slow further in the coming months.
The world's second-largest economy has seen its pace of growth slow for two quarters in a row.
"China's service sector has stabilised at a relatively low level of growth," said Qu Hongbin, an economist at HSBC.
HSBC said that new business orders recovered from a 20-month low, but warned that profit margins in the sector continue to be squeezed.
"Without a sustained improvement in demand, services growth is likely to remain lacklustre, putting downside pressures to employment growth."
A similar official survey released over the weekend showed growth in China's non-manufacturing sector quickened in July.
The government's non-manufacturing PMI rose to 54.1 last month from 53.9 in June, the National Bureau of Statistics said.