The farewell tour took him around the world

Luciano Pavarotti's farewell tour two years ago brought the famous tenor to theatres and concert halls from Iceland to New Zealand.

The tenor was due to play in New Zealand late in 2005, and a single interview had been granted to a daily paper. It led to me travelling to Merano, in the Italian Alps, for an audience with the world's best-known tenor.

To a music writer more used to interviewing indie bands in central London watering holes, it was a glimpse into a far more genteel arm of the music business, and the respect the classical world afforded living legends like the man dubbed "Maestro".

Rio Ferdinand hopes that the performance against Israel is a sign of things to come from Steve McClaren's men.

England boosted their chances of qualifying for Euro 2008 with a convincing 3-0 victory at Wembley, but Russia and Croatia remain in the top two places in Group E.

The Manchester United man praised Saturday's display but is aware that the clash against Russia will be bigger test of England's quality.

"We've not done ourselves justice the last few games we've played, especially at Wembley and it was pleasing in a competitive game to get the result we wanted, score three goals and play well," Ferdinand said.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democrats in Congress are going on the offensive to force a U.S. shift in Iraq policy Wednesday as President Bush is expected to announce a troop drawdown on Thursday.

General David Petraeus testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told Congress this week he could see troop numbers sliding by 30,000 -- which would reduce the number of troops to "pre-surge" levels -- by July 2008.

Bush is to address the nation on his plans Thursday night.

Democrats were quick to point out that the recommended pullout is not a change in Iraq policy, but merely an end to the so-called "surge." Almost 30,000 additional troops were sent to Iraq beginning in January as a strategy to fight growing sectarian and insurgent violence to allow for political stability.

Federer is now two Grand Slam titles behind Pete Sampras's record of 14

World number one Roger Federer won a fourth consecutive US Open title with a hard-fought 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 win over Novak Djokovic.

The Swiss star trailed by a break in each set but Djokovic faltered at key moments in his first Grand Slam final.

Djokovic missed a total of seven set points but Federer found something near top form in the crucial tie-breaks.

And a lone break at the end of the third was enough to give Federer the 12th Grand Slam title of his career.