SPORTS

For the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Under-23 World Championships in Uberlandia, Brazil and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Under-23 World Championships Open in Tijuana, Mexico, the first to fourth sets will be played up to 21 points instead of the usual 25. The fifth set remains a 15-point affair.

Rafael Nadal is aiming for number one in the ATP world rankings at the end of year, and his performance at the 2013 China Open will have a lot to say in his mission to finish at the top of the heap in 2013. On Wednesday afternoon, he faces Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round of the tournament held in Beijing, China.

WNBA player, Diana Taurasi of Phoenix Mercury has become an Internet sensation after planting the infamous “basketball kiss” to opponent, Seimone Augustus of Minnesota Lynx. And the WNBA star expressed delight and surprise at the same time after her kiss ‘catches fire” in the world wide web. The video featuring the rare “basketball kiss” has gone viral since it went online.

Ryan Anderson, who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, couldn’t even start to talk about the tragic death of girlfriend reality TV star Gia Allemand.

The lone NBA team in Canada is ready to roll for the new season. The Toronto Raptors Media Day 2013 opened Monday as new faces were introduced to the press and fans as well as the returning players who will again be part of the core of the team which hopes to challenge for a playoff spot this year.

In the Braves' 4-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night, Chris Johnson slid headfirst to first base after hitting a 1-2 grounder, but was out quickly after shortstop Jimmy Rollins made a dive and throw. Johnson lay facedown on the ground, then picked himself up and walked back to the dugout.Clearly losing his temper, Johnson flipped his helmet towards the bench to consolation pats from teammates. Suddenly, Terry Pendleton grabbed and shoved him.

FC Schalke 04 Manager Jens Keller thinks that the element of surprise from FC Basel 1893 will be limited as he and Basel boss Murat Yakin has just exchanged tactical nous in the recently held UEFA coaches' meeting in Nyon.

Coming into Monday's game, the Tampa Bay Rays were riding the wave of a seven-game winning streak to get one of the two last slots for a wild card play-in game. Even though they lost their last two games to the bottom-feeding Toronto Blue Jays, it was some distance from their 4-13 slide prior to September 11, when they were just about fighting for their lives.The Texas Rangers were similarly struggling just to stay afloat -- they had a good start to September, when a sudden 2-12 stretch t...

After competing in the 2013 U.S. Open and winning the coveted championship title, Rafael Nadal is now participating as one of the top contenders in the China Open, along with Novak Djokovic and other top tennis players in the world.

Despite a contract that runs through 2014, the Chicago Cubs have decided to let go of two-year manager Dale Sveum, the club announced on Monday.

Borrussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp will not be on the sidelines to serve a one-match ban, as his team faces an improving Olympique de Marseille side on matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League.

What do cool-headed, rational Texans fans do after a loss that hurt big time, aside from hanging a large "Cut Schaub" sign on a bridge at I-45? Burn the quarterback's jersey, of course.

The Heat are aiming for their third straight NBA title in new season. Images from the Miami Heat Media Day 2013 give clues on how this Miami dynasty can be built. View slideshow now.

On Thursday, IBT-Australia posted an article about Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant having some social media feud.

Arsenal FC boss Arsene Wenger emphasised that home form may play a decisive factor to advance from the group stages as they host SSC Napoli on Tuesday on matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League.

Bryant and the rest of the Lakers unofficially opened the new chapter of Hollywood basketball- the first season since the Dwight Howard drama—in the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day 2013 last Saturday.

The new NCAA season is drawing closer, and on Friday, teams already started their official practice sessions. While a lot of teams will rely on their upperclassment on the way to conference championships, some blue-chip freshmen are out to make an immediate impact on the college game.

Italian manager Roberto Mancini will now take the shots at Turkish club giants Galatasaray AS, after penning a three-year deal ahead of the latter's Champions League clash with Juventus on Wednesday.

Looks like Amare Stoudemire went under the knife again. The difference this time is that it is not officially reported by the New York Knicks front office leading to wild speculations that the hush-hush procedure is meant to hide the actual status of the 30-year-old power forward’s ailing knees.

Brooklyn could be following in the footsteps of his football superstar dad, David Beckham.

Okay, boys! Do not start bawling like babies. After many months of speculation, it can now be declared that Kate Upton is officially unavailable.

Retired professional basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stars in a new commercial ad for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

New York Knicks Amar'e Stoudemire knows how to spend quality time with his family.

Chelsea FC will be facing their Round of 16 adversary during the 2012/13 Europa League, FC Steaua Bucaresti on matchday 2 of the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League.

Pending the National Basketball Association (NBA) owners’ approval, the league will see a return to the old format for the NBA Finals replacing the 2-3-2 format, which has been used since 1985.

How much are you willing to give for your parents?

It’s a match-up of two unbeaten teams when the Miami Dolphins visit the Superdome of the New Orleans Saints on primetime Monday. Both squads are looking for their fourth win in as many games and both hope they continue their excellent starts after a forgettable performance last season.

In true Georgia style, the student section, called the "Spike Squad", came out in full force for Saturday's home game. The Spike Squad is usually seated at the front row of section 109 whenever Georgia plays at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. For the game against LSU, though, they had a more-than-welcome guest: men's basketball coach Mark Fox.

In the wake of his firing from the USC football head coaching position, Lane Kiffin was not only thrown out of -- and under -- the bus; he's been getting flak from almost everyone associated with the program. Including, yes, the kids he had been trying to recruit to get to attend USC.