World number one Tiger Woods’ traumatic year received a welcome boost on Tuesday when he was chosen by captain Corey Pavin as one of the four wildcard picks to round out the 12-man American Ryder Cup team.

Woods - whose form has dipped after being embroiled in a sex scandal that resulted in a costly divorce - was named as a captain’s pick along with Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler for a clash against the European team on October 1-3 at Celtic Manor.

“I asked him (Woods) last night if he wanted to be part of the team and he said ‘absolutely,’” Pavin said during the announcement ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange. “I am happy that he is very excited about playing and he wants to be on a winning team.”

It will be the sixth Ryder Cup team for Woods, but the first one in which he needed a captain’s pick to represent his country.

The 14-time major winner Woods had finished atop the Ryder Cup standings every time since his first team in 1997 - though he missed the 2008 victory as he was recovering from knee surgery. He has 71 victories on the PGA Tour but a poor record in the Ryder Cup.

“I always love playing in Ryder Cup, being part of the team,” Woods said. “It is an experience you will never forget.

“It is one of those things I have been looking forward to.”

Woods and the three other wildcard picks will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton and Matt Kuchar, who all made the team on points after last month’s PGA Championship in Wisconsin.

“I’m very pleased to add these four to Team USA. My job is to put together the best team to represent the United States in the Ryder Cup,” said Pavin. “I’m trying to get the best guys to win.”

While Woods’ selection was not a surprise, Pavin’s decision to include rising star Fowler was.

Fowler is the first PGA Tour rookie to make the American team and the first captain’s pick to have never won.

The 21-year-old has three runner-up finishes in his 11 months as a professional but had an excellent record as an amateur in the Walker Cup, winning seven of his eight matches.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Fowler. “I can bring some youth to the team and hopefully get the guys pumped up. I can bring some energy.”

Cink made his fifth straight US team, while Johnson is competing for the second time.

“It came down to feelings. I have a gut feeling about Rickie,” said Pavin. “He’s a very good player. Rickie is my choice. Difficult thing, but this was my choice.”

Woods, who has been No. 1 for 274 straight weeks, let it be known that he wanted to be part of Pavin’s team at last month’s PGA Championship.

Woods world and with it his squeaky clean image fell apart when stories over extra marital affairs emerged after he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree outside his luxury Florida home late last year.

His divorce was approved two weeks ago and the problems in his personal life have also taken a toll on his golf game.

He is in the midst of his worst season as a pro, posting his highest score and his worst finish at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Woods finished in a tie for fourth at the US Open and Masters but he is still looking for his first victory of the season.

He has a modest career record of 10-13-2 at the Ryder Cup but Woods says there are signs that his golf game is finally shaping up ahead of this year’s event. He shot three rounds in the 60s at the Deutsche Bank for the first time this season.

“It is nice my game is coming around,” said Woods, who is 3-1-1 in singles play in Ryder Cup. “I feel my game is not very far away. It makes it a lot easier going into a pressure-packed environment.”

J.B. Holmes is among those who were left off the team. Holmes - part of the winning 2008 team - tied for 11th at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston on the weekend.

Anthony Kim - who was hugely impressive in the 2008 Ryder Cup but was out for three mon ths this season because of thumb surgery - Deutsche Bank winner Charley Hoffman and former US Open champ Lucas Glover also didn’t make it.

The United States won the Ryder Cup two years ago at Valhalla and will be attempting in Wales to win for the first time on foreign soil since 1993 at The Belfry.

“On the road, it’s very different,” Woods said. “You get booed a lot, you get jeered, and people say things they probably shouldn’t say. I’ve had that experience and understand how to deal with it and make it a positive thing.”

Sani Lulu, the former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and three others pleaded innocent on Tuesday to corruption charges involving six million dollars of a 2010 World Cup budget.

Lulu, alongside former vice-president Amanze Uchegbulam, a former secretary-general Bolaji Ojo-Oba and and ex-board member Taiwo Ogunjobi, face a 10-count charge of mismanaging 900 million naira (six million dollars) of the national squad’s World Cup budget.

They entered their not guilty pleas and a High Court in Abuja set out stringent conditions for them to be freed on bail.

The four, whose trial date is yet to be fixed, are also accused of paying out allowances to unauthorised officials.

They will also answer to charges of incurring a fine for a last-minute change of a World Cup training base for the national team and splashing out 400,000 dollars to stage a friendly against Colombia in London before the World Cup.

High Court judge Donatus Okorowo ordered each of the officials to produce two sureties and deposit a 100 million naira (660,000 dollars) bond by Wednesday in bail conditions.

One of the sureties must be a senior public worker, while the other will be of high standing in Nigeria.

The guarantors will have to present their tax clearance certificates for the past three years and also have fixed property in Abuja.

Charges against the four were brought by Nigeria’s anti-graft police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“We have established some infractions against the officials and they will now be prosecuted for these infractions,” Femi Babafemi, EFCC spokesman said earlier.

The officials were first quizzed by EFCC in July.

In the meantime, a Lagos High court has nullified the August 26 elections of the executive committee of the NFF because it was conducted in defiance of a court order.

“The purported election held into the elective offices of the NFA, trading under the name of NFF, on August 26, 2010, is hereby nullified,” declared Justice Okon Abang.

The court ordered the most senior secretariat staff to take over the NFF.

A car bomb and several roadside blasts killed three people and wounded dozens in Baghdad on Wednesday morning, health and security officials said.

In the deadliest attack, a vehicle packed with explosives was detonated and quickly followed by a roadside bomb near a bus terminal in the south Baghdad neighbourhood of Bayaa, killing two people.

Officials from the ministries of defence and interior, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more than 20 others were wounded, including 10 members of the Iraqi security forces.

And on Al-Sheikh Omar street in the centre of the capital, two near-simultaneous roadside bombs killed one person and wounded a dozen others, the interior ministry official and a doctor said.

The unrest comes a day after two American soldiers were gunned down by an Iraqi comrade following a row over a sports match, US and Iraqi military officials said.

Violence has spiked in Iraq in recent months, with July and August seeing the highest monthly death tolls here since mid-2008, according to figures released by local officials.

The country has been mired in a political stasis as no new government has formed since elections six months ago, and the latest attacks come a week after Washington declared an official end to combat operations here.

Nearly 50,000 American troops remain stationed in the country, though they have been charged with what has been labelled an “advise and assist” mission.

Spanish rider Joaquin Rodriguez seized the overall lead of the Tour of Spain after Tuesday’s 10th stage, won by his compatriot Imanol Erviti.

The Katusha rider replaced another Spaniard, Igor Anton, in top spot in the overall standings after he picked up two bonus seconds in an intermediary sprint in the 175.7-kilometre ride from Tarragona to Vilanova i la Geltru in northeast Spain.

He had done the same thing in Saturday’s 8th stage but that intermediary sprint was annulled due to a massive fall, and Rodriguez watched Anton take the red jersey.

“The team worked very well and we finally made it,” Rodriguez said Tuesday.

“All my teammates deserved it. It was very important for them to take the (leader’s) jersey and we will try to keep it until Madrid,” he said.

But he warned that on Wednesday’s mountainous stage “it will not be easy to control” the race.

Rodriguez has a two-second lead over Anton, while Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali is in third, four seconds behind the leader.

“The Katusha team deserved (the leader’s jersey) because they have done a lot of work,” said Anton. “You have to see the good side, we are not going to work so much from now on to defend the red jersey.”

Erviti pulled away from a group of breakaway riders about 20 kilometres from the finish and reached the line on his own.

He finished 37 seconds ahead of a group of seven riders led by Belgian Romain Zingle, with the main pack 1 minute, 38 seconds behind the winner.

The Spaniard admitted he had taken some risks in the final descent.

“I had a few seconds which allowed me to reach the line alone,” he said. “It was one of the best moments of my professional career.”

Tuesday’s stage was also marked by the expulsion of Luxembourg’s Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck and his Australian Saxo Bank team-mate Stuart O’Grady, who were dropped for breaking the team’s rules by going out for a drink.

Wednesday’s 11th stage takes the riders 208.4 kilometres from Vilanova i la Geltru to the ski resort of Pal in the tiny principality Andorra in the Pyrenees mountains.

A guard at a prison in northern Nigeria attacked by suspected members of an Islamist sect said Wednesday that nearly all inmates had been freed and an unknown number of people were shot.

“The prison is virtually empty with almost all the inmates freed last night by the attackers,” Salisu Mohammed told AFP by phone.

He said the prison in Bauchi had been holding more than 900 inmates and all but 37 escaped. Some 150 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were among those jailed there, and all but one went free, he said.

“They came in large number, heavily armed, and began shooting at the prison gate,” the guard said of the alleged sect members who attacked.

“We gave them a fight but we were overpowered. Some of us were hit while others fled.”

He said the attackers “gained access and moved from cell to cell, breaking in and freeing the inmates. They set fire to a section of the prison and burnt the vehicles parked outside the gate.”

Mohammed did not know how many people were shot. He said prison guards who fled returned to the jail after authorities gained control of the area and found the remaining inmates.

Authorities say the Boko Haram sect, which launched an uprising last year, attacked the prison on Tuesday night to free members of the group jailed there.

Last year’s uprising by Boko Haram, also known as the Nigerian Taliban, began with attacks on police posts.

It was crushed by a police and military assault, with hundreds eventually killed and the sect’s headquarters and mosque left in ruins.

South Korea said Wednesday it would penalise a key Iranian bank and put all financial transactions with Tehran under strict government supervision as part of sanctions over its nuclear programme.

Foreign ministry spokesman Kim Young-Sun said the government would impose a “heavy penalty” on the Seoul branch of Bank Mellat, which allegedly facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions for Iranian nuclear, missile and defence entities.

Kim did not elaborate but Yonhap news agency said the bank would likely face a two-month suspension.

The package of sanctions also includes the blackballing of 102 Iranian entities including 14 other banks and 24 individuals, and the strengthening of inspection of cargoes related to Iran.

The measures also call for Seoul to restrict new investment in the Middle Eastern nation’s energy industry but do not ban oil imports.

Sierra Leone’s government said Monday it has revised its agreement with diamond miner Koidu Holdings, doubling its share in profits to 60 percent as part of a broad review of mining accords.

“The agreement has put us on a stronger footing as Koidu Holdings was having 70 percent of the share of benefits while the government had only 30 percent,” Mining Minister Alpha Kanu said.

“But the new agreement will allow the government to realise a 60 percent share of all net benefits,” he said.

Government will receive an additional 18 million dollars (14 million euro) a year as part of the new agreement under which Koidu will also provide 100,000 dollars annually to train Sierra Leoneans.

Rent has also increased from 50,000 US dollars to 200,000 dollars a year.

The review is part of a promise the government made when taking office in 2007, in an effort to improve profits from mining.

The minister said royalties for all mining companies had been increased from three percent to 6.5 percent and export duties from four percent to five percent.

Koidu Holdings is owned by a private international investment group BSG Resources Limited which has offices in London and Johannesburg.

According to Kanu an average of 10 million dollars worth of diamonds were exported into Sierra Leone per month in the first half of 2010.

The mineral-rich west African nation has worked hard to clean up its diamond industry after illegal trading of conflict-funding “blood diamonds” fuelled a decade-long civil war which ended in 2002.

England wrapped up a 2-0 Twenty20 series victory over Pakistan after the tourists suffered the embarrassment of being dismissed for 89 to add to their off-field problems here on Tuesday.

World Twenty20 champions England finished on 90 for four to complete a six-wicket win with 36 balls to spare, having won by five wickets here Sunday.

Pakistan’s total was their worst in 40 matches at this level while England’s seventh straight Twenty20 international win saw them equal a record held jointly by South Africa and Pakistan.

“It was irresponsible the way we played,” said Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. “England are the world champions. We have to take more responsibility and show more pride.”

By contrast, elated England skipper Paul Collingwood said: “It’s a special achievement and we obviously did it during the best time which was during the World Cup.

“We are just doing a lot of things really good - and we still have a lot of intent with the bat as well. Hopefully that continues into the future.”

Yorkshire seamer Tim Bresnan, the man-of-the-match, took three wickets for 10 runs in 3.4 overs as Pakistan fell well short of their previous worst Twenty20 international score of 125 for nine in 20 overs against Australia at Melbourne in February.

England had held Pakistan to 126 for four on Sunday.

But they did even better in this match as Pakistan were bowled out with eight balls of their innings left.

Stuart Broad, left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom and off-spinner Graeme Swann took two wickets each, while left-arm spinner Michael Yardy’s four overs cost just 10 runs.

Umar Akmal’s 17 was the top score for 2009 World Twenty20 winners Pakistan.

The tourists, after Afridi won the toss, collapsed to 22 for four off five overs — after taking 11 off the first from Sidebottom.

Bresnan started the slump with Kamran Akmal, for the second match in a row, top-edging a pull which was well caught by Swann.

Mohammad Yousuf, already dropped once, fell for two when he hooked Bresnan to Ravi Bopara at deep square leg as he too exited in similar fashion to the way he’d departed Sunday.

The big-hitting Afridi was out fourth ball when trying to carve Broad and was caught by Eoin Morgan.

Umar Akmal cheered up Pakistan fans in a meagre crowd of just 5,821 with a straight six off Swann and repeated the dose in Swann’s next over.

However, he was bowled the following ball trying to smash a slower delivery.

Bresnan ended the innings when he yorked Shoaib Akhtar.

England briefly wobbled in reply, losing two wickets on 26, and then two more in quick succession to be 63 for four.

But Morgan (18 not out) and Yardy (six not out) saw England home.

Pakistan’s tour has been overshadowed by a ’spot-fixing’ scandal that has seen Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif all suspended by the International Cricket Council after allegedly conspiring to deliberately bowl no-balls during last month’s fourth Test at Lord’s.

England, who won the Test series 3-1, will look for another victory against Pakistan when the teams meet in the first of five one-day internationals at Chester-le-Street on Friday.

Afridi, trying to remain upbeat added: “We are still making mistakes, but on this stage I just want one victory because one victory will keep the morale of my team high.”

Myanmar’s junta leader Than Shwe was to meet Wednesday with President Hu Jintao of China, the regime’s main trading partner and diplomatic ally, two months ahead of polls decried in the West as a sham.

Than Shwe, whose regime has drawn international condemnation for its human rights record and political repression, arrived in China Tuesday for a four-day visit that will also include visits to Shanghai and the country’s south.

Rumours surfaced last month in the isolated state that the 77-year-old junta chief — in power since 1992 — had retired as part of a major military reshuffle, but his trip to China showed he was still leading the army.

While the West has slapped Myanmar with sanctions and criticised plans for its first election in 20 years in November, China is the junta’s main trading partner and a top investor in its sizeable natural resources.

On Tuesday, Beijing praised Myanmar as a “friendly neighbour” and reminded the international community not to meddle in the election, which has been dismissed by activists and the West as a charade to solidify the junta’s power.

“China and Myanmar are friendly neighbours and this year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.

She said China hopes “the international community can provide constructive help” for the polls and “refrain from any negative impact on the domestic political process of Myanmar and on regional peace and stability”.

Jiang called the election an “important step in proceeding with democracy”.

Than Shwe was to meet Hu at 5:00 pm (0900 GMT) at the Great Hall of the People. The junta leader was to meet Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior Chinese leaders Thursday before heading to Shanghai to visit the World Expo.

The Myanmar strongman was also to visit the southern boomtown of Shenzhen on the border with Hong Kong before heading home on Saturday.

Neither Chinese nor Myanmar officials have provided any details about the agenda for Than Shwe’s meetings in China. Beijing had said earlier they would discuss bilateral relations and their respective “domestic developments”.

China has long helped to keep Myanmar afloat through trade ties, arms sales, and by shielding it from UN sanctions over rights abuses as a veto-wielding member of the Security Council.

In return, China is assured of a stable neighbour and access to raw materials such as teak and gems from Myanmar, which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

Ties frayed last year when fighting between junta forces and rebel ethnic armies drove tens of thousands of refugees over the border into China, which issued a rare admonishment to Myanmar.

But in November, China’s top oil producer began construction of a pipeline across Myanmar.

And last week two Chinese warships made a rare visit to Myanmar, which Beijing’s state press said was aimed at promoting ties between the allies’ armed forces.

A senior Chinese army official on Tuesday emphasised the “great importance” of bilateral military ties, according to Xinhua news agency.

Human Rights Watch has urged China to press Myanmar on the elections issue, saying Beijing’s policy towards the junta is “inconsistent with its claims to be a responsible power”.

The abrupt departure of HSBC chairman Stephen Green to become Britain’s trade minister sparked widespread speculation on Wednesday over who will lead Europe’s largest bank.

Green, a 28-year veteran at Asia-focused HSBC, was appointed Minister of State for Trade and Investment by Britain’s coalition government Tuesday.

He will take up his new role in early 2011 after stepping down from HSBC’s top job before the end of this year.

Financial industry speculation has pointed to the bank’s chief executive Michael Geoghegan or former Goldman Sachs president John Thornton as Green’s most likely successors, according to reports.

However, a hurdle to Geoghegan, 56, getting the chairmanship is his current position as chief executive, the Wall Street Journal said on Wednesday.

He was recently relocated to Hong Kong to emphasise the bank’s Asian focus.

“In the (United Kingdom), tapping an executive director for the role of chairman is seen as poor corporate governance and could antagonise bank regulators and politicians,” the Journal said on Wednesday.

Green has been a vocal supporter of prudent corporate behavior at HSBC, which is one of the few large banks that did not tap government bailout funds during the global financial crisis.

Placing Geoghegan in the chairman’s seat could see Stuart Gulliver, HSBC’s highly-paid investment banking chief, promoted to chief executive, the Financial Times said.

Others speculated that the bank would appoint a non-executive director with Thornton, who is an HSBC board member and non-executive chairman of HSBC North America, as a likely contender for the chairman’s job.

But given HSBC’s quest to distance itself from the excesses of investment banks during the financial meltdown, Thornton’s association with scandal-plagued Goldman Sachs could be a strike against his appointment, one person familiar with the bank told the Journal.

Former HSBC chief David Eldon told the daily Hong Kong Economic Journal: “As everyone knows, (HSBC) has been seriously studying for some time whether the chairman post should be a non-executive role.”

Other possible candidates could include non-executive directors Simon Robertson, 69, and Rona Fairhead, 48, the current chief executive of Pearson PLC’s Financial Times Group and head of the HSBC board’s audit committee, reports said.

HSBC said in a statement that it had already been working on its chairman’s succession for some months, including hiring external advisers to find a candidate.

“It was always the Board’s intention that it would be in a position to approve a successor to Mr Green before the end of the year, and that timetable remains on schedule,” the statement said.