While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Feb 11
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US Vice-President Mike Pence (centre) talks to South Korea's President Moon Jae-in during the short track speed-skating event.
PHOTO: AFP
Amid Olympic thaw, Mike Pence says allies are united in isolating North Korea
US Vice-President Mike Pence on Saturday said the United States, South Korea and Japan were in complete agreement on isolating North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, even as the two Koreas deepened their diplomatic detente at the Winter Olympics.
"There is no daylight between the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan on the need to continue to isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically until they abandon their nuclear and ballistic missile programme," Pence told reporters during a flight to the United States following his visit to South Korea, where the Olympic games are being held.
A senior administration official aboard Pence's plane also told reporters that South Korea and Japan "are solidly with our alliance and the need to continue and intensify economic sanctions."
The official said Pence and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, while watching speed skating together on Saturday night, discussed intensifying sanctions.
Hope Hicks, the quiet one in Trump's White House, suddenly feels the glare
In a White House full of noise, she is the quiet one. Not the TV gladiator, not press room warrior, not a general. Certainly not the Mooch.
Hope Hicks, the discreet aide always at President Donald Trump's side whose desk is just outside the Oval Office, is his right-hand woman. Improbably, the former model, at only 29, has worked with Trump longer than anyone he is not related to at the White House.
But now Hicks is suddenly frying under the spotlight of scandal, a central figure in two White House controversies - the Russian investigation and the departure of a senior White House aide accused of physically abusing two ex-wives.
North's 'army of beauties' seduces as Koreans suffer hockey rout
North Korea's cheerleaders serenaded South Korean fans with tender love songs on Saturday as a joint Korean ice hockey team's emotional Olympic debut ended in tears before the sister of Kim Jong Un.
The first Kim dynasty member to visit the south since the 1950-53 Korean War, Kim Yo Jong sat alongside South Korean President Moon Jae-in to watch the Koreans suffer an 8-0 shutout by Switzerland in Pyeongchang.
However, the result mattered less than the political symbolism as around 200 of North Korea's famed "army of beauties" charmed a crowd of 3,600 besotted locals with nostalgic oldies - and even broke out a Mexican wave.
Football: Brilliant Aguero scores four to lift City 16 points clear
Sergio Aguero scored four goals as Manchester City extended their Premier League lead to 16 points with a 5-1 rout of Leicester City on Saturday.
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for the hosts, converting Kevin De Bruyne's teasing cross in the third minute before Jamie Vardy equalised against the run of play with a slight deflection beating Ederson.
City started the second period in rapid fashion, Aguero scoring twice within five minutes with both goals assisted by the brilliant De Bruyne.
Tennis: Venus powers US to early lead in Fed Cup
Venus Williams swept aside Arantxa Rus in straight sets to take the defending champion United States 1-0 up in their Fed Cup first-round tie against the Netherlands on Saturday.
Cheered on by her younger sister Serena, who is poised to make her own comeback to the sport after a year away and the birth of her daughter, seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus made relatively light work of her 124th-ranked opponent to win 6-1, 6-4.
The 38-year-old, who enjoyed a renaissance year in 2017 when she reached two Grand Slam finals, showed signs of slowing down towards the end of the second set even as her advantage in skill and raw power were on display.
