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The Yiddish Policeman’s Union. Michael Chabon. The premise sounds just too cute: the Jews, instead of settling in Israel, settle in southern Alaska (this was a real notion of FDR’s). The story opens just when the territory is about to revert to Alaska, and as a police detective, a shlumpy divorced malcontent–think Columbo with one third the animation–named Landsman gets going on a murder case involving a chess genius. Twenty pages in and you just know, from the authority with which Chabon spins his tale, that he’s not going to put a foot wrong....

The results were surprisingly close to what many would predict. Spain striker David Villa won the Golden Boot for scoring 7 goals, and the Golden Ball went to magical Brazilian Winger Kaka (yes, he’s heard jokes about his name before - it’s not new). The Final itself (held in Soccer City, Johannesburg) showed Brazil opening with their trademark samba freestyle technique that has ripped so many defenses apart in the past....

Among the event winners was 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel (GPI No. 16). Duhamel won the $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event, defeating 108 others en route to a $116,000 payday for the fourth win of his career. The Canadian remains one of the top poker players on tour, four-plus years after his momentous victory in Las Vegas. MORE: How poker helped shape Pat McAfee’s football career | Richard Seymour finishes 37th at WPT Jacksonville | Martin Jacobson wins WSOP November Nine...

In the final of the championship, Cuba defeated Canada 79 – 71 to win the gold medal. Cuba took the first and second quarter 20 – 15 and 25 – 15 respectively to go to the halftime break with comfortable 15-points lead. After the break, Canada tried to come back to the match by taking third and fourth quarter 17 – 13 and 24 – 11 respectively, but it was too late to stop Cuba to win the championship....

Bolivian president Evo Morales said Wednesday that Minister of Presidency Juan Ramon Quintana talked with Dakar’s organisers, who confirmed Bolivia is included in the rally’s route, reports Xinhua. The confirmation comes after a group of US congressmen and actor Sean Penn launched a campaign for Bolivia to be taken out of Dakar’s route until American citizen Jacob Ostreicher, accused of drug trafficking and money laundering and currently under house arrest in Bolivia, is released....

Williams racked up 2,177 yards and 18 TDs last season (not typos), but he lacks great speed (4.56 40-yard dash time at the Combine) and had zero catches in his college career (also not a typo). At 6-feet, 227 pounds, Williams could be a third-down/goal-line back in the NFL, and given his ability to run between the tackles, he could likely hold his own if he's forced into a starting role....

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (Week 13, Nov. 27, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC). The Niners drowned out the noise and pushed the ‘Hawks to the limit in the NFC title game in Seattle. There will be nothing familiaal about the teams’ first meeting in San Francisco’s new home on Thanksgiving. It just might be the first of three hard-hitting matchups of the division archrivals (again). Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (Week 9, Nov....

Here are the dates and times for all 16 TNF games, including a penultimate week doubleheader. All games on CBS will be simulcast on the NFL Network: Sept. 11 (Week 2): Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (8:25 p.m. ET, CBS) Sept. 18 (Week 3): Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (8:25 p.m. ET, CBS) Sept. 25 (Week 4): New York Giants at Washington Redskins (8:25 p.m. ET, CBS) Oct. 2 (Week 5): Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (8:25 p....

You can also get the full Olympic schedule here. Group A Russia Slovakia United States Slovenia Group B Finland Canada Norway Austria Group C Czech Republic Sweden Switzerland Latvia Feb. 12 12 PM ET Czech Republic vs. Sweden 12 PM ET Latvia vs. Switzerland Feb. 13 3 AM ET Finland vs. Austria 7:30 AM ET Russia vs. Slovenia 7:30 AM ET Slovakia vs. USA 12 PM ET Canada vs. Norway...

Based on today’s practice, Antonio Andrews, Chris Smith, Kyle Van Noy, and Aaron Colvin were the “winners” for their draft value. Quarterbacks Each quarterback showed a bit of what makes them a potential Top 100 pick during the day, but none stepped up as the clear cut top passer from the group. One of the biggest takeaway’s from the group, however, is the clear step down in velocity that David Fales of San Jose State has....

Kueng won the classic Lauberhorn downhill race over a shortened course on Saturday, giving the Alpine nation and most of the 29,000 fans lining the slope a fourth home victory within six years in their biggest sports event. In a tight race, Kueng's winning time of 1 minute, 32.66 seconds was 0.06 faster than Hannes Reichelt of Austria. Overall World Cup leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was one more hundredth further back and two-time Lauberhorn winner Bode Miller was fifth....

One word is dominating the build-up to Saturday’s mouth-watering UEFA Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona. MORE: Best international soccer rivalries | Ronaldo and Pogba headline transfer talk Juve and Barca have proven themselves the dominant forces in Italian and Spanish football this season, with both claiming domestic doubles. Now, it’s time for one of them to make history by adding the biggest trophy of them all to their hauls....

Click here for Live Cricket Score & Ball by Ball Commentary The 2014 edition saw Afghanistan take part in the tournament, and next year they could be joined by one among Nepal, Hong Kong or the UAE. He also revealed that the hosts haven’t been decided yet. Asia Cup will alternate between ODI and T20 formats The primary reason behind the switch in the format is because of the T20 World Cup next year which will be played in India....

Also, the trophy for this tournament is way more classy than the Cruiserweight one. Here are the 16 teams that will be entering the tournament, along with some thoughts and predictions on each one. Quick note: I know tapings have already happened but I don’t read spoilers so this is all done blind. It’s more fun that way, anyway. The Bollywood Boys Prediction: Loss in the quarter-finals The Authors of Pain Can these guys be stopped?...

For most of these guys, it’s playing time that’s holding them back. For others, it’s terrible plate discipline. For some, it’s a little from Column A and a little from Column B, with a lack of plate discipline keeping them from an everyday job. 2016 FANTASY BASEBALL RANKINGS:First | Second | Short | Third | Outfield | Catcher | Starters | Relievers | Prospects Bottom line, though, if any of these guys finds his way into the lineup, fantasy baseball owners should take notice....

We nailed a few who are still hot properties in drafts right now (DeAndre Washington, Devontae Booker, Spencer Ware, Christine Michael), but as is always the case, more have emerged throughout the preseason, be it because of injuries or performance. It doesn’t matter if you’ve already drafted or you’re still putting together your draft strategy, you have to consider adding these backs if they’re available. MORE: Ultimate fantasy football cheat sheet...

That last line above is exactly how the Cavs played- on top of their game- and it ensured that the Golden State Warriors were handed a real thumping of 120-90 in front of a jam-packed Quicken Loans Arena. Like a true leader, who backs his words with performances, James was the star of the show on Wednesday night, with 32 points and was backed by an equally superb Kyrie Irving, who netted 30 points....

Here’s how all the action unfolded: 1.Mixed Doubles: Akshay Dewalkar/Gabrielle Adcock(DDA) vs Vladimir Ivanov/Kamilla Juhl(MR) The opening game saw both pair win 2 out of their opening 4 points before Rockets pair went 4-2 up before a fast smash attacking the body from Ivanov ensured that they went 8-5 up at the interval. It didn’t help the Acer cause that they made hit several shots on to their own net and that meant that the lead continued to rise and eventually, the pair of Ivanov and Juhl clinched the game 15-6....

John Coates, who has made six trips to Brazil as part of the IOC's coordination commission for Rio, said the Brazilians are behind "in many, many ways" and are in worse shape than Greek organizers were in preparing for the 2004 Olympics. PHOTOS: See the best (worst?) #SochiFail pictures | Must-see closing ceremony images Despite the critical delays, the Australian said there is no backup plan and the games will take place in Rio....

At least one final will take place in each morning session, which includes the women’s 10,000-meter run on the first day of competition, Aug. 12, 2016. Other events include the men’s and women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, men’s 400-meter hurdles, men’s triple jump, men’s and women’s discus, and the women’s hammer throw. (Courtesy of IAAF) MORE: Track star Maggie Vessey to join WMG Usain Bolt has repeatedly changed his mind on whether 2016 will be his final year of competition....