Two decades of dominance

Two decades after being launched in Sapporo, Japan, the return of Asia's version of the Winter Olympics to the site of the 1972 Games was once again dominated by an elite club of a few countries.

Venus says retirement a long way off

NEW YORK - Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams, fresh off an inspirational run to the Australian Open final at age 36, sees no end in sight on the tennis court - even envisioning another Olympics alongside her sister Serena.

Taking a shot at respectability

After China's national men's hockey team was outscored 32-0 in its three games at the recent Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, head coach Hu Jiang blamed the poor performance on the absence of a domestic talent pool, declaring: "The national team does not have enough players from which to choose."

Trump slams 'witch hunt' over Sessions

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump accused Democrats on Thursday of conducting a "witch hunt" against Attorney General Jeff Sessions over contacts with Russia, as the veteran senator recused himself from any probe into the election campaign.

Saudi monarch shows he's selfie king

JAKARTA - Saudi Arabia's King Salman has embraced the "selfie", taking part in a number of lighthearted self-shot pictures and videos during his tour of Asia that contrast with the pomp of the monarch's trips abroad.

Court finds Mubarak innocent in killing

CAIRO - Egypt's top appeals court found former president Hosni Mubarak innocent on Thursday of the charges of being responsible for killing protesters during the 2011 unrest that ended his 30-year rule, the final ruling in a landmark case.

Malaysia issues arrest warrant for Air Koryo staff over airport murder

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian police issued an arrest warrant for an Air Koryo employee on Friday in connection with the investigation into an airport murder case, Malaysia's Bernama news agency reported.

IN BRIEF (Page 10)

Chinese exploited in 'intern' outrage

TOKYO - Fang, a 36-year-old Chinese woman, came to Japan a year ago on the promise of job training, decent pay and a chance to achieve a better life back home.

Toxic trouble banishes frogs to the fringes

SYDNEY - The Cairns Frog Hospital has been operating for 18 years in Australia and is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world.

Drought, conflict worsen food security in Africa

NAIROBI - The UN Food and Agriculture Organization warned on Thursday that drought and conflicts were worsening food security across Africa, especially in the east, amid strong global harvests.

Bangkok residents fight to rescue 'Green Lung'

BANGKOK - Leaping out from Bangkok's vast concrete sprawl is a kidney-shaped green space, home to hundreds of plant and bird species, and where cars are outnumbered by bicyles.