SPORTS

British businesses are seeking government help as shops suffer an unprecedented number of thefts and violence by criminal gangs, addicts and people struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.

It is cricket's fiercest rivalry, watched by millions, sparking raucous celebrations in victory and wild accusations in defeat, but when India and Pakistan clash at the World Cup, there has been only one winner.

LIV Golf's bid to be recognised by the sport's global rankings body has been rejected, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) organisation confirmed on Tuesday.

In football-mad South America, where love for the game transcends social class, watching stars like Lionel Messi play has become inaccessible to most as ticket prices hit the roof.

Cricket's long Olympic exile could finally come to an end this week when Games chiefs meet in Mumbai to finalise the programme for Los Angeles 2028.

Cricket could feature in the Olympics for the first time since 1900 after organisers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games on Monday recommended its inclusion.

After four failed bids in the recent past, Turkey is finally set to be awarded the hosting rights for a major international football tournament this week when UEFA decides where Euro 2032 will be staged.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal have broken a significant barrier in their bid to win the Premier League after Gabriel Martinelli's late goal sealed a cathartic 1-0 victory against Manchester City.

Ireland's unprecedented Test winning run is as much to do with the "emotional intelligence" of head coach Andy Farrell as it is to do with the coaching on the training ground said veteran prop Dave Kilcoyne.

Fiji claimed the last place in the World Cup quarter-finals in the most dramatic of fashions on Sunday, suffering a shock 24-23 defeat at the hands of Portugal but picking up a bonus point which was enough to knock Australia out of the tournament.

Arsenal laid down an early marker in the Premier League title race by beating Manchester City 1-0 on Sunday, while Liverpool were held by Brighton in a pulsating 2-2 draw.

England survived a huge scare in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday, coming from behind courtesy of a late Danny Care try to beat Samoa 18-17.

India surged past a landmark 100 medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou with golds in archery and kabaddi on Saturday, on a bumper final full day of competition in Hangzhou.

The World Anti-Doping Agency warned the Olympic Council of Asia of "consequences" on Friday for allowing the North Korean flag to be repeatedly flown at the Asian Games, saying they were treating it "extremely seriously".

New Zealand handed defending champions England a nine-wicket thrashing at the Cricket World Cup on Thursday at the start of a marathon tournament likely to dictate the event's status in the future of the sport.

As Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar pack Saudi stadiums, a quieter but equally dramatic transformation is unfolding for women's professional football, which didn't even exist in the kingdom five years ago.

Morocco, Portugal and Spain will be joint hosts for the 2030 World Cup but games will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay as the footballing showpiece celebrates its centenary, FIFA announced on Wednesday.

While cricket fans in Afghanistan excitedly prepare for the World Cup in India, most of the country's women players are in limbo abroad.

Manchester United crashed to a second successive Champions League defeat on Tuesday, losing 3-2 at home to Galatasaray, while Lens stunned Arsenal and Jude Bellingham once again inspired Real Madrid.

The long-awaited return of European football to PSV Eindhoven has provided a welcome boost to the club, the city, and its historic corporate partner Philips, as they seek to recapture past glories.

If you can judge a tournament by the number of replica tops sold, the Cricket World Cup in India opening this week already has a winner -- home superstar batsman Virat Kohli.

Swapping their state-enforced veils for T-shirts reading "life" and "liberty", a group of Iranian women who have fled to France now help make wine that traces its roots back to ancient Persia.

Squash has never been in the Olympics despite decades of trying, but players and officials hope that the 150-year-old sport will finally get its big chance in 2028.

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is considering changing his bid and offering to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, according to reports on Monday.

Rory McIlroy brushed aside Saturday's controversy by leading Europe's early charge towards regaining the Ryder Cup from the United States on Sunday with all 12 matches on the course.

Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season came undone in a shock 2-1 loss to Wolves, as Manchester United slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Vaccine skeptics are attacking Travis Kelce for participating in a Pfizer advertisement, recycling conspiracy theories about Covid-19 shots as the NFL star is getting attention for his rumored romance with pop icon Taylor Swift.

Rory McIlroy helped secure Europe's first ever clean sweep of a morning session at a Ryder Cup as the hosts raced into a 4-0 lead over the United States after the Friday foursomes in Rome.

The post-retirement careers of the biggest sports stars can be fascinating to watch -- Viagra ads, property ventures, crypto projects -- but one option is becoming a sure-fire winner: put your face on the cover of a video game.