Japan’s government on Thursday announced a new virus state of emergency stretching throughout the Olympics, as reports said organisers could bar fans from almost all events at the Games. With just two weeks until the July 23 opening ceremony, coronavirus infections are rising in the capital, and the spread of the more infectious Delta variant […]
2021
Keep politics out of the Games: Olympics chief
Olympics chief Thomas Bach pleaded Wednesday for politics to be kept out of the Games, saying they would otherwise become as divisive as other areas of society. The Olympic movement needs to be kept neutral and cannot be expected to solve civil liberties issues that politics had failed to fix, Bach said in a video […]
Italy and Spain clash in Euro 2020 semi-final as English anticipation builds
Italy and Spain meet in a blockbuster first semi-final at Euro 2020 before an expected crowd of 60,000 at Wembley on Tuesday as anticipation builds ahead of host nation England’s last-four tie against Denmark. Tuesday’s game is the latest episode in a burgeoning rivalry between Italy and Spain with the nations meeting in a fourth […]
England fans dare to dream of Euro 2020 glory as Denmark semi looms
England is gripped by Euro 2020 fervour as Gareth Southgate’s men prepare to take on Denmark for a place in the final of a major tournament for the time in 55 years. England will walk out to a wall of noise at Wembley on Wednesday with the bulk of a crowd of 60,000 willing them […]
England ready to end semi-final jinx at Euro 2020, says Southgate
Gareth Southgate says England are ready to end their semi-final hoodoo as they prepare to face Denmark in the last four of Euro 2020, bidding to reach their first final at a major tournament since 1966. England topped their group and beat old foes Germany in the round of 16 before ratcheting up expectations with […]
NBA star Doncic leads Slovenia into Tokyo Olympics
NBA star Luka Doncic delivered a triple-double to lead Slovenia over Lithuania 96-85 on Sunday and into their first Olympic basketball tournament. Slovenia punched their ticket to Tokyo with the victory in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania. Doncic, 22, scored 15 of his 31 points in the second quarter and added 11 […]
Italy aiming to honour injured Spinazzola with Euro 2020 glory
Lorenzo Insigne says Italy are gunning for Euro 2020 glory in honour of left-back Leonardo Spinazzola, who is out of a tournament he has lit up after injuring his Achilles tendon in the Azzurri’s thrilling quarter-final win over Belgium. Spinazzola, 28, was stretchered off after 79 minutes and is expected to be sidelined for several […]
Mirza makes ‘difficult decision’ over son for Olympic call of duty
Sania Mirza will become the first Indian woman to compete in four Olympic Games but she admitted Thursday it will be “difficult” to be separated from her young son while she is in Tokyo. Family members are banned from going to this month’s Games as Japanese authorities aim to reduce the risk from Covid-19 as […]
Badminton boss vows ‘highest level’ competition at Tokyo Games
Badminton’s top official vowed Thursday the “highest level” of the sport would be played at the Tokyo Olympics despite the challenges of holding the Games during the coronavirus pandemic. The Olympics, delayed from last year due to the virus, will take place under strict rules, with overseas fans banned and local spectators limited. Like most […]
New law gives Punjab Assembly powers to arrest journalists, bureaucrats, lawmakers
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has amended a law to give it powers to arrest and prosecute journalists, bureaucrats and lawmakers. The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab Privileges (Amendment) Act, 2021 was tabled by Pakistan People’s Party’s MPA Usman Mehmood as a private member’s bill. Under the Act, Sergeant-at-Arms now has the power to arrest any […]