Protesters tear N. Korean flags, leader's photos in Seoul

Conservative activists tore photos of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un and attempted to burn its national flag in demonstrations here on Saturday against Pyongyang's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. A flurry of demonstrations took place on the streets as Kim's sister and...

On paper, Russia's Olympic podium chances strong despite ban

PYEONGCHANG: Russia’s team for the Pyeongchang Olympics could be as formidable as previous ones even though the government says it was decimated by an International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision to bar man of its medal hopefuls. Data compiled by Reuters suggests that, at least on paper,...

Kane heads Tottenham to derby victory over Arsenal

LONDON: Harry Kane’s 101st Premier League goal was the difference as Tottenham Hotspur earned a 1-0 win over Arsenal, to continue their fine recent form in north London derbies in front of a Premier League record crowd at Wembley on Saturday. Both teams struggled to get going in the first...

Skier Vonn in tears over memory of grandfather

American skier Lindsey Vonn burst into tears during her arrival press conference at the Winter Olympics on Friday when asked about the passing of her grandfather. Vonn’s 88-year-old grandfather Don Kildow passed away last month and the skier has spoken several times of his importance in...

At Games reception, a hopeful dessert and a hasty exit

PYEONGCHANG: At an Olympic dinner reception designed to break the ice between two nations still technically at war, the dessert said it all. Dark chocolate tempered in the shape of barbed wire lay over a map of the Korean peninsula rendered in thin blue chocolate, a representation of the...

Awkward diplomacy on show as 'peace' Games begin

PYEONGCHANG: The Winter Olympics sparked to life in a vivid, colorful ceremony of fire and ice in South Korea on Friday, though the diplomacy was tougher to choreograph in the stadium where leaders from nations that are sworn enemies sat close together. South Korea, which is using the Pyeongchang...

Pence avoids Olympics encounter with North Korean official as Korean athletes march together

PYEONGCHANG: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence made only a brief appearance at a reception marking the start of the Winter Olympics on Friday, avoiding a potentially awkward encounter with the ceremonial leader of North Korea attending the same event. The reception in the mountain resort of...

North Korean orchestra holds historic concert in S. Korea amid protests

A North Korean orchestra on Thursday gave a historic first concert in South Korea amid tight security and protests against the North's regime. One day before the start of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, the Samjiyon orchestra performed under the direction of Hyon Song-wol, thought...

Guinness World Record attempted for playing Ice Hockey at highest altitude

Leh: Attempting a Guinness Book of World record for playing ice hockey at the highest altitude, a two-day tournament was organised at Chibra Kargyam in Ladakh's Changthang region. As many as six teams, including five international teams from Canada, Germany, Russia, the USA and India, participated...

Federer can become oldest World No.1 in Rotterdam

Melbourne: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is on verge to become the oldest player to claim world number one spot in the men's tennis history after he accepted the late wildcard to play in next week's ATP event in Rotterdam. Federer, who has agreed to play in the Dutch hardcourt...

Sachin Tendulkar, his wife launch book on child health care

Mumbai: Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali Tendulkar launched a book on child health care titled 'Even When There Is A Doctor'. The book was launched on February 8 in Mumbai. Penned down by Dr Yashwant Amdekar along with Dr Rajesh Chokhani and Krishnan Sivaramakrishnan,...

Congress opens second investigation into USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal

Washington: U.S. lawmakers on Thursday began a second congressional investigation into the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Gymnastics (USAG) and other gymnastic organizations over a sexual abuse scandal that led to the conviction of the sport’s former top medical doctor. A U.S. House...

McLaren watching Hamilton's moves with interest

Lewis Hamilton’s former team McLaren are watching his contract situation with interest, even if the four times Formula One world champion and Mercedes have said they want to stay together. The 33-year-old Briton has a season left to run on his current contract but is expected to sign a new...

North Korea, U.S. set for uncomfortable encounter at Olympics as North delegation arrives

Pyeongchang: North Korea’s ceremonial leader and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence are set for their first face-to-face encounter on Friday when they attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s nominal head of state, landed...

US Olympic system failed abused gymnasts - USOC

The U.S. Olympic system “failed” the hundreds of young female athletes sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors Chairman Larry Probst said on Friday. “The Olympic system in the United States failed these athletes...

Barca reach King's Cup final again as Coutinho strikes

Barcelona reached the King’s Cup final for a record fifth year in a row on Thursday with a 2-0 second leg win at Valencia in which Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal for the club as they secured a 3-0 aggregate semi-final success. Valencia bossed the first half at a packed Mestalla...

U.S. Olympic swimmer accuses ex-coach of sexual abuse when she was 16

A former U.S. Olympic swimmer accused a former coach of the national team of sexually abusing her when she was 16, joining a chorus of young athletes in gymnastics and other sports who have come forward with similar allegations involving team officials. Ariana Kukors, who represented the...

No evidence of Ashes match-fixing, says ICC

LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday that it had found no evidence of match fixing in the third Ashes test between Australia and England last year. An investigation was launched following allegations in The Sun newspaper that underground bookmakers from India...

Crucial tie for Goa to be back in top four

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC have almost sealed the spot in the playoffs with their last win over Chennaiyin FC but their opponents for Friday's Hero Indian Super League clash - FC Goa still have got all to do if they want to join the league leaders in the top four.  Sergio Lobera's side...

ATK hurt Kerala’s chances with 2-2 draw

Kolkata: Bulgarian football legend Dimitar Berbatov scored his first goal in the Hero Indian Super League for Kerala Blasters FC but it counted for little in the end as the visitors were held 2-2 by ATK at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Thursday. Kerala Blasters twice took...

Don't know what I would do on the field without intensity: Virat Kohli

CAPE TOWN: Intensity is the hallmark of his batting and India captain Virat Kohli says he has no idea what he would do if that was gone, the primary reason behind his obsessive focus of physical fitness. The 29-year-old run-machine slammed his 34th one-day hundred in the third ODI against...

The IOC, WADA, CAS and the Russian doping story explained

In recent months the situation of claims and counter-claims with regard to Russian doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics has become more confusing than ever, with a barrage of acronyms -- IOC, WADA, CAS -- and scores of athletes involved in a spiral of accusations, bans and appeals that are continuing...