Celtics survive Lakers' late rally

BOSTON: After nearly squandering a 24-point lead, the Boston Celtics edged the Los Angeles Lakers 108-102 on Sunday to move two games from their first National Basketball Association title since 1986.

Controversies enliven Brazil Championship

RIO DE JANEIRO: The Brazilian Championship came to life at the weekend with a flurry of goals, refereeing controversies and a bizarre penalty.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Special Supplement

Qingdao making Olympic cultural effort

During the Olympic sailing competitions in Qingdao, athletes and tourists from home and abroad will enjoy local cultural activities and feel the ardent Olympic atmosphere.

Music among the many charms of coastal city

Olympic songs can be heard throughout Qindao as the city prepares for the 2008 Games.

Economy animated by arts

"Qingdao's culture industry has become a new engine driving the city's economic development," Jiang Zhengxuan, director general of Qingdao Municipal Cultural Bureau, said.

History lives on in old buildings, streets

"I really like Qingdao. The old buildings make me feel as if I'm standing in a German setting. The architecture, old streets and small fishing villages make Qingdao a unique city in China," said Michael, an American teacher at Qingdao University.

Sports

Eriksson takes over as Mexico coach

MEXICO CITY: Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was named as the new Mexico coach on Tuesday the day after leaving Premier League club Manchester City.

Johnson's strikeout landmark unable to prevent loss

NEW YORK: Arizona's Randy Johnson moved into second place on the career strikeout list but the pitcher was unable to prevent the Milwaukee Brewers from securing a fifth straight win with a 7-1 triumph over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Safina, Kuznetsova into semifinals

PARIS: Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia reached the French Open semifinals yesterday with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.