Uruguay’s lower house Wednesday approved a controversial bill that for the first time would put a government in charge of production and distribution of legal marijuana.

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy admitted for the first time Thursday he made a mistake in trusting a party colleague at the centre of a major corruption scandal but denied any wrongdoing and vowed to stay in power.

Vote counting was underway in Zimbabwe’s tightly fought election, amid high turnout and accusations of rigging by President Robert Mugabe’s allies who wish to extend his 33-year rule.

Australia are pondering whether to recall controversial batsman David Warner for their must-win third Ashes Test against England at Old Trafford starting on Thursday.

England are optimistic Kevin Pietersen will be fit to play in the third Ashes Test against Australia at Manchester’s Old Trafford ground starting Thursday.

India have remained tight-lipped about their intentions but Zimbabwe expect to face a changed team when the two sides meet in the fourth ODI here on Thursday.

Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman eliminated defending champion Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) on Tuesday at the $1.76 million ATP and WTA Washington Open.

Daniela Hantuchova roared into the second round of the WTA Southern California Open on Tuesday with a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing of Austrian Tamira Paszek.

Missy Franklin of the USA won the women’s 200m freestyle final at swimming’s world championships on Wednesday with Italy’s Federica Pellegrini second and France’s Camille Muffat in third.

Sri Lanka routed South Africa by 128 runs in the fifth and final one-day international in Colombo on Wednesday to wrap up the series 4-1.