DUBLIN, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - When Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland clash here Wednesday it will be a renewal of a growing rivalry and the staking of a claim to be the challengers to the top two seeds in World Cup Qualifying Group Eight.

These teams met in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and Cyprus humbled the Irish in a 5-2 win in Nicosia.

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct 13, 2008 (AFP) - BJ Upton's three-run homer sparked Tampa Bay to a 9-1 triumph over Boston on Monday as the Rays took the lead over the World Series champion Red Sox in the American League Championship Series.

BAGHDAD, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday condemned attacks on Iraqis, including those against Christians in the northern city of Mosul, where a surge in violence against the community has provoked a mass exodus.

BRUSSELS, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Shares in Fortis bank were worth barely two euros when they resumed trading Tuesday for the first time since the group was broken up earlier this month, down over 60 percent from the previous closing price.

MADRID, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Spain's biggest bank Santander reached an agreement to acquire 75.65 percent of US lender Sovereign Bancorp, in which it already held a 24.35 percent stake, Santander said in a statement Tuesday.

The deal is worth 1.9 billion dollars (1.4 billion euros).

YANGON, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Myanmar authorities said Tuesday they had removed seven imported dairy products from store shelves -- one of them from China -- after they were found to contain traces of melamine.

HONG KONG, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Hong Kong will set up a new system for local banks to access capital, the city's financial secretary John Tsang said Tuesday, following international moves to boost confidence in the sector.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Oct 13, 2008 (AFP) - The Cleveland Browns' stuttering offense exploded in a 35-14 thrashing of the New York Giants on Monday, handing the Super Bowl champions their first defeat of the National Football League season.

ISTANBUL, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - Turkish Airlines (THY) has decided to buy up to 105 new aicraft to strengthen its fleet, chosing Airbus and Boeing as the possible suppliers, the company said in a statement.

The purchase will include 75 planes, with an option for another 35, the statement said, adding that deliveries were planned to begin in 2010.

TOKYO, Oct 14, 2008 (AFP) - The euro rose against the dollar and yen in Asian trade on Tuesday after European leaders took action to rescue the continent's banking sector, dealers said.

The euro changed hands at 1.3668 dollars, up from 1.3576 in New York late Monday. The single European currency rose to 140.52 yen from 138.50.