World stocks hit 5-1/2 year lows and oil hit 22-month troughs on Thursday on worries over bank giant Citigroup and U.S. automakers, though they trimmed losses on an increased Saudi stake in Citi and a Swiss rate cut.

The world must fight the "scourge of hostage taking" in the wake of the hijacking of an oil super-tanker by pirates off Somalia, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Thursday.

"World of Warcraft" has become a phenomenon among role-playing interactive online games with its unrivaled success leaving competitors racing to draw gamers into new virtual worlds.

LONDON, England (AP) -- England's Football Association hired ATP Europe chief executive Andy Anson on Thursday to lead its bid committee as it seeks to host the 2018 World Cup.

Reigning world champion Luke Kibet has confirmed that he will run the Singapore Marathon next month, boosting an event that has plans to grow into a recognised international event.

Honduras defeated Mexico 1-0 with the help of an own goal on a waterlogged field to advance in 2010 South Africa World Cup qualifying at the expense of Jamaica.

Freddy Adu scores his first goal as a member of the national team as the U.S. gets a in a 2-0 win over Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier.

Australia kept their 100 percent World Cup qualifying record intact with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Bahrain while Group One rivals Japan secured a crucial 3-0 victory in Qatar.