Latest - Canoe Racing New Zealand has postponed its national canoe sprint championships.
Lisa Carrington on her way to the national K1 200m title at Lake Karapiro. Photo: Vera Bucsu
The regatta was due to start at Lake Karapiro in Cambridge on Friday.
Canoe Racing NZ has made the decision today as lanes and infrastructure for the nationals needed to start being set up tomorrow morning.
Its advice was that "Auckland was extremely unlikely to move to Alert Level 1 by Friday".
"A case emerging may extend or escalate lockdown and thousands of tests have not been analysed," a Canoe Racing NZ statement said.
"We know this will be hugely disappointing news for our whole community. However, we are working on a rescheduled date for the 2021 nationals and we hope to make an announcement on this later in the week."
Osaka charges into Australian Open semifinals
The brute force of Naomi Osaka crushed the artistry of Hsieh Su-wei as the Japanese third seed charged into the Australian Open semifinals with a 6-2 6-2 win.
Naomi Osaka. Photo: Icon Sportswire
On a warm and muggy day at Rod Laver Arena, Osaka attacked Hsieh's weak serve with gusto and the Taiwanese giantkiller quickly wilted under the pressure of her Grand Slam quarter-final debut.
Osaka had a torrid time in her last Australian Open clash with Hsieh in 2019, having to come back from a set and a break down on the way to claiming the championship.
So the Japanese third seed was thrilled with her form against the Taiwanese maverick in a 66-minute clinic.
"Yeah, definitely really happy," 23-year-old Osaka said on-court.
"Really happy with how I played today. Every time I play her it's a real battle and, despite the score, this was again a real battle today."
Osaka's reward will be a semi-final against either Serena Williams or Simona Halep, the pair having a rematch of the 2019 Wimbledon final in the evening session at Rod Laver Arena.
- Reuters
Vunivalu suspended for bringing Queensland Rugby Union into disrepute
Queensland's stood down prized recruit Suliasi Vunivalu for their Super Rugby season opener against the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday.
Suliasi Vunivalu diving for a try in the 2020 NRL grand final. Photo: NRL Photos
The former Melbourne Storm winger has been suspended for bringing the Queensland Rugby Union and the game into disrepute.
Vunivalu has been charged with allegedly pushing a security guard at a licensed venue in Brisbane.
The QRU has also issued Vunivalu a formal written warning, a $10,000 fine and the club will provide him with counselling and support.
"Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union takes its position within the community very seriously and aims to uphold the highest standards of behaviour at all times," the QRU said in a statement.
Liverpool drop to sixth in the Premier League
Chelsea won 2-0 at home against Newcastle in the English Premier League this morning to take them into fourth-place in the table.
Photo: AFP
German striker Timo Werner finally ended his three-month long goal drought in the league, scoring the second of the game from a corner.
Meanwhile high-flying West Ham continued their impressive run of form with a 3-0 win over last-placed Sheffield United, taking the Hammers into fifth-place in the table.
Chelsea and West Ham have both jumped above Liverpool, who've slipped to sixth.
The reigning champions are now 13 points behind league leaders Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Alonso leaves hospital to continue recovery at home
Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has left hospital in Switzerland four days after being hit by a car while riding a bicycle, his Alpine team said.
Fernando Alonso. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Footage from Spanish television network Cuatro showed Alonso leaving the hospital in Berne, where he had undergone surgery to treat a fractured jaw sustained in the crash near his home in Lugano.
The 39-year-old double world champion is due to make his Formula One comeback this season with the Alpine (formerly Renault) team after two years out of the sport.
"After a period of 48 hours observation at hospital ... Fernado Alonso has now been discharged to continue his recovery at home," Alpine said in a statement.
"He will now have a short period of complete rest before progressively resuming training to undertake preparation for the start of the season."
He is expected to be fit for the season opening race in Bahrain on March 28.
- Reuters
Jordan donates millions for US clinics
US basketball great Michael Jordan has pledged $13.8 million to help build two medical clinics for uninsured communities in his home town of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Michael Jordan. Photo: Photosport
The clinics are slated to open in early 2022.
Jordan, who grew up and attended high school in Wilmington, had previously donated $9.7 million to set up family clinics in Charlotte to support vulnerable communities.
"I am very proud to once again partner with Novant Health to expand the Family Clinic model to bring better access to critical medical services in my hometown," Jordan, 57, said in a statement.
"Everyone should have access to quality health care, no matter where they live, or whether or not they have insurance."
In June, Jordan had pledged $138 million over the next decade to organisations dedicated to ensuring racial equality.
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion who led the Chicago Bulls' dynasty in the 1990s, is a Basketball Hall of Famer who owns the Charlotte Hornets.
- Reuters