Van Gogh dazzles at Netherlands' Kroeller-Mueller

AMSTERDAM (AP) — With the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam closed for renovations until April, the world's second-largest collection of the tortured Dutch master's work is stepping into the limelight.The Kroeller-Mueller museum in the eastern Netherlands is not as well-known but is still considered a jewel among connoisseurs. It has revamped the layout of its central rooms, giving more space and more...

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Soccer-Australia maul Taiwan to qualify for 2013 East Asian Cup

Dec 9 (Reuters) - Australia routed Taiwan 8-0 in Hong Kong to leapfrog North Korea and qualify for the 2013 East Asian Cup on Sunday. After the Koreans had blanked hosts Hong Kong 4-0 in Sunday's other match, Australia needed to win by five goals or more. The Socceroos did much more than that to top the qualifying tournament and join Japan, China and hosts South Korea in July next year. Adam Taggart...

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British police contact Australian police over radio station's hoax call impersonating queen

LONDON - British police say they have contacted Australian authorities about a possible investigation into an Australian radio station's hoax call to a U.K. hospital. The callers impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles and received confidential details about the former Kate Middleton's medical information. The call was recorded and broadcast. The prank took an ugly twist Friday with the...

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New Zealand coach Hesson's advice 'laughable' - Taylor

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Disgruntled former captain Ross Taylor has slammed New Zealand's team management, dismissing head coach Mike Hesson's advice as "laughable" and claiming he was not given enough support in his 18-month stint as skipper. Taylor was stripped of the Twenty20 and one-day captaincy last week on Hesson's recommendation, and rejected an offer to stay on as test skipper in the wake...

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Senior masters Sydney gale to win Australian Open

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Peter Senior drew on all his experience from 34 years as a professional golfer to master galeforce winds and win the Australian Open by a shot on Sunday, 23 years after he first held aloft the Stonehaven Cup. Gusting winds of up to 80 kilometers an hour whipped across The Lakes Golf Club all day, knocking over a TV tower on the 18th green and forcing the suspension of play for...

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UPDATE 1-Golf-Senior masters Sydney gale to win Australian Open

* Senior oldest winner of his national Open * Wind dominates final round * Rose fades to share of fourth (Adds detail, quotes) SYDNEY, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Peter Senior drew on all his experience from 34 years as a professional golfer to master galeforce winds and win the Australian Open by a shot on Sunday, 23 years after he first held aloft the Stonehaven Cup. Gusting winds of up to 80 kilometres...

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Chinese teenager Guan already too cool for school

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Few issues in the world of golf arouse more excitement than the potential of the Chinese market and schoolboy Guan Tianlang is learning fast that every promising talent from the country is going to be subject to intense scrutiny. The 14-year-old showed that he might just have the temperament to deal with that expectation when he posted a round of two-under par 70 at the Australian...

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Broncos surge continues as Manning reach milestone

OAKLAND, California (Reuters) - The surging Denver Broncos pounded the Oakland Raiders 26-13 on Thursday, stretching their winning streak to eight games as Peyton Manning reached another career passing milestone. Having already clinched the AFC West crown and established their credentials as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, the Broncos arrived in Oakland with their sights set on securing a first...

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Steelers' Roethlisberger to start against Chargers

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't taking any chances with their franchise quarterback's sprained right shoulder and dislocated rib. Though the Steelers confirmed Ben Roethlisberger will return to the starting lineup on Sunday against San Diego after missing three weeks due to injury, Roethlisberger will take the field with a little extra protection. Roethlisberger will play with a...

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Chargers play down talk of Turner, Smith firings

(Reuters) - The slumping San Diego Chargers said on Thursday that media talk of general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner being fired at the end of the season was "pure speculation". According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, club sources have confirmed that both men will go, a report that prompted Chargers president Dean Spanos to issue a statement. "There is only one person in this...

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