The National Times - News around the clock from Sydney, Australia and around the world

The head of the United Nations made a fresh appeal for the Gaza ceasefire to be extended, warning against a "catastrophic" return to war as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce was to expire on Saturday.

Philip Billing kept Napoli right on Inter Milan's tail at the top of Serie A after scoring a late equaliser in Saturday's exciting 1-1 draw in Naples.

Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a "stable" condition, with no repeat of the previous day's breathing crisis, the Vatican said Saturday.

Marco Jansen said South Africa can stay focused and overcome their poor form in knock-out matches after they reached the Champions Trophy semi-finals by beating England on Saturday.

Coach Brendon McCullum backed Jos Buttler to play a big role for England after standing down as the team's white-ball captain following a dismal Champions Trophy campaign.

The United States on Saturday denounced what it said were Venezuelan naval vessels "threatening" an ExxonMobil unit in maritime territory claimed by Guyana.

Crystal Palace striker Jean Philippe-Mateta was hospitalised by a "reckless" challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts during the Eagles' 3-1 win in the FA Cup fifth round, while Bournemouth reached the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out victory against Wolves on Saturday.

A few kilometres from the front line in eastern Ukraine, Nadija, an army lieutenant, told AFP she felt "empty" after watching the clash between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.

Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn scored a try as a second-string Toulouse side hammered Vannes 63-21 on Saturday to extend their lead at the summit of the French Top 14 table.

Jean Philippe-Mateta said he is doing well and hopes to be back soon after being hospitalised by a horrific challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

Stefanos Tsitsipas won his first title in almost a year and broke a finals hoodoo as he cruised past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 in the Dubai final on Saturday.

Residents of the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion took stock of the damage Saturday after a devastating cyclone barrelled through the overseas French territory, killing four people.

Serhou Guirassy scored as Borussia Dortmund boosted their slim top-four hopes with a 2-0 win at St Pauli on Saturday, while RB Leipzig's slide continued with a home loss to Mainz.

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips on Saturday said his team's recent victories more than past records gave them confidence in their final group game against India in the Champions Trophy.

Volodymyr Zelensky insisted on Saturday that Donald Trump's support was still "crucial" for Ukraine despite an undiplomatic row with the US president that left Kyiv's European allies scrambling for new responses to Russia's invasion.

Norway's Soren Waerenskjold won the season opening Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Belgian cycling classic on Saturday when the 197km race over 11 hills came down to a bunch sprint.

South Africa qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy on Saturday with a convincing seven wicket win over a hapless England in a Group B match in Karachi.

More than fifty years passed between the last Apollo mission and the United States' return to the lunar surface, when the first-ever private lander touched down last February.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish branded the challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts that left Jean Philippe-Mateta in hospital as "the most reckless" he has ever seen.

European leaders backed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky after a White House showdown with US President Donald Trump that has cast doubts on efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Henrik Kristoffersen kept his head to deliver a flawless second run and seal his first giant slalom win of the season in Slovenia on Saturday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday that at the start of his reign nobody expected the Catalan giants would be fighting for three trophies in March.

Cars more than 15 years old will soon be barred from refuelling in New Delhi, the city's government said Saturday, as part of measures to reduce the Indian capital's hazardous pollution levels.

At least four people have died in the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion during the passage of a devastating cyclone that sowed destruction across the overseas French territory, officials said on Saturday.

Pope Francis, hospitalised for two weeks with pneumonia in both lungs, spent a peaceful night after suffering a breathing crisis, the Vatican said Saturday, as Catholics prayed for his speedy recovery.

Germany's Emma Aicher secured her first career women's alpine ski World Cup win on Saturday in the downhill at Kvitfjell.

Henrik Kristoffersen led the times after the men's World Cup giant slalom first run at Kranjska Gora in Slovenia on Saturday.

At least four people died from their injuries in India after an avalanche hit a remote border area, officials said Saturday, as rescuers deployed helicopters to search for the remaining five missing.

Olympic champion Lydia Ko battled to the top of the leaderboard with a four-under-par 68 after the third round of the HSBC Women's World Championship on Saturday in Singapore.

Thousands of scantily clad revellers danced through Sydney on Saturday for the 47th annual Mardi Gras parade, transforming the Australian city into a vibrant sea of colour and costumes.

The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce is drawing to a close on Saturday, but negotiations on the next stage, which should secure a permanent ceasefire, have so far been inconclusive.

Six-time world champion Marc Marquez won the sprint race Saturday at the season-opening Thai MotoGP for a dream debut with the factory Ducati team.