From silence to song: Iran team's anthem at soccer's Women's Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) – The Iran women’s soccer team sang and saluted as its national anthem played ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup contest against Australia on Thursday, a contrast to the silence before its opening game.

Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña has a finger injury

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – The Houston Astros sent All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña to see a hand specialist on Thursday for further examination of an injury to his right ring finger that has made his immediate availability for the World Baseball Classic unclear.

US adds Monique Billings and Rae Burrell for FIBA World Cup qualifier

Monique Billings and Rae Burrell were added Thursday to the U.S. women’s basketball roster for the FIBA World Cup qualifier next week in Puerto Rico.

Lewis Hamilton renews push for an Africa F1 grand prix

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has renewed calls for a Formula 1 grand prix to be held in Africa.

Winter Paralympics 50th anniversary: Chinese dominance expected

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) – The Winter Paralympics come to Milan Cortina to celebrate their 50th anniversary, with China looking to extend its dominance as a Paralympic powerhouse and Ukraine and other nations boycotting the opening ceremony over the return of the Russian flag and anthem.

Elimination of April transfer portal window could cause return of spring games

The disappearance of the spring transfer portal window creates the opportunity for a reappearance of spring football games in campuses across the country.

Real Madrid out to end two-game losing streak before Man City rematch

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – After back-to-back defeats, Real Madrid will try to get back on the winning path in La Liga before it faces its new European nemesis.

Malinin wins fair play award for his grace in defeat to Shaidorov at Winter Olympics

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) – American figure skater Ilia Malinin was awarded the Milan Cortina Olympics fair play award on Thursday for his sportsmanship after finishing off the podium.