Hockey

Olympics-Ice hockey-Underdog Italy hope to beat some 'big guys', says forward Purdeller

MILAN, Feb 7 (Reuters) - ‌Italy's men's ice hockey team will leverage their underdog status to try ‌and surprise more illustrious opponents at the Winter Olympics for even just ‌one win for a potential quarter-final berth, forward Tommy Purdeller said on Saturday.

Rugby

Rugby-France call up nine uncapped players with Ntamack still out for Wales clash

PARIS, Feb 7 (Reuters) - ‌France coach Fabien Galthie named nine ‌uncapped players in a 42-man squad on ‌Saturday ahead of their second Six Nations encounter against Wales next week, while flyhalf Romain Ntamack and ‍Damian Penaud remained out for ‍different reasons.

Hockey

Olympics-Ice hockey-Germany beat Japan, Canada to begin women's title defence

MILAN, ‌Feb 7 (Reuters) - Nicola Hadraschek scored twice as ‌Germany secured their first win of the ‌women's Olympic ice hockey tournament, beating Japan 5-2 on Saturday, while defending champions Canada prepared for their delayed Milano ‍Cortina opener against Switzerland.

Indonesia

Indonesia arrests dozens in Bali gambling crackdown

JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities have arrested dozens of Indian nationals in a crackdown on online gambling operations on the popular tourist island of Bali, police said Saturday (Feb 7)

Nation

Malaysia, Saudi Arabia to sign defence cooperation agreement

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are set to sign a defence cooperation agreement during Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin's working visit to the kingdom beginning on Saturday (Feb 7).

Vietnam

Smoke-dried mummies in Vietnam – discovery of world scale

HANOI: The discovery of mummies preserved through the smoke-drying method in Vietnam and some other South-east Asian countries was a finding recognised as one of the world's top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2025.

Cricket

Cricket–Shepherd hat-trick fashions Windies win in T20 World Cup

KOLKATA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - West ‌Indies fast bowler Romario Shepherd claimed four wickets ‌in five balls, including a hat-trick, as the ‌twice champions thumped Scotland by 35 runs in a Group C match of the Twenty20 World Cup in Kolkata on Saturday.

World

French justice opens Epstein-linked probe against former culture minister

PARIS, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The French National ‌Financial Prosecutor's Office said on Saturday it had opened an investigation into former ‌Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang on suspicion of 'aggravated tax ‌fraud laundering', a move linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Other Sports

Olympics-Snowboard-Australian James keeps plans under wraps as he chases first gold

LIVIGNO, Italy, Feb ‌7 (Reuters) - Australia snowboarder Scotty James is keeping details of his halfpipe plans ‌to himself at the Milano Cortina Games as he chases the gold ‌medal that has eluded him in four Olympics.

Nation

Public service to go paper-free on Feb 9, says govt chief sec

BANGI: The public service will begin implementing a paperless approach for simple administrative matters starting Monday (Feb 9), in line with efforts to accelerate digitalisation in government administration, says Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Other Sports

Olympics-Alpine skiing-Swiss upstart Von Allmen stuns Odermatt to win downhill gold

BORMIO, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Swiss young gun ‌Franjo von Allmen produced a stunning descent of the fearsome Stelvio to win the Olympic Alpine skiing men's downhill on Saturday as illustrious ‌teammate and race favourite Marco Odermatt missed the podium.

Nation

Scoring of 14 ministries that failed to meet targets set for March 2026

BANGI: The process of assigning scores to 14 ministries identified as having failed to meet targets in implementing physical development projects will be carried out next month, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Japan

Takaichi talks tough on immigration on eve of vote

TOKYO: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged Saturday (Feb 7) to make Japan "more prosperous and safer", including through tougher immigration screening, in a final appeal to voters on the eve of snap elections.

Other Sports

Olympics-Cross-country-Karlsson leads Sweden 1-2 in women's skiathlon

TESERO, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Sweden dominated the women's skiathlon in the first cross-country ‌skiing race of the Milano Cortina Games, as Frida Karlsson took gold ‌and compatriot Ebba Andersson clinched the silver medal on Saturday.

Other Sports

Olympics-Biathlon-Don't underestimate Norway, says Dale-Skjevdal on eve of biathlon relay

ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - ‌Norway's Johannes Dale-Skjevdal says the team's rivals should not underestimate the traditional superpower when the ‌Olympic biathlon competitions get under way on Sunday, despite fans and media talking up the ‌chances of France, Italy and Sweden.

Thailand

Thailand is wracked by floods and quakes. But what’s holding it back is far harder to tackle

Rural voters express frustration, seeking effective policy implementation and technological advancements, while southern Thailand becomes a key election battleground.

Nation

Zamri Vinoth arrested, say cops

PETALING JAYA: Police confirm that controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth has been arrested.

Indonesia

Riau Police probe decapitation of critically endangered Sumatran elephant

JAKARTA: Riau Police have launched an investigation into the death of a Sumatran elephant found decapitated inside a pulp company's forest concession in Riau.

Other Sports

Olympics-Curling-Rock-solid Britain beat Canada to edge closer to playoffs

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb ‌7 (Reuters) - Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat continued their impressive start to the curling ‌mixed doubles competition at the Milano Cortina Olympics on Saturday, securing a 7-5 win ‌over Canada's Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman.

Other Sports

Olympics-New IOC chief meets Vance ahead of 2028 L.A. Games

MILAN, Feb 7 (Reuters) - ‌The International Olympic Committee described the presence of U.S. Vice ‌President JD Vance at Italy's Winter Games as a great sign ‌of U.S. commitment to the Olympic movement, noting that Vance had met the IOC's new boss for the first time.