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

"What are you doing here? Don't you know it's the curfew?"

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday lauded the "significant progress" made by his ruling African National Congress from the ruins of apartheid 30 years ago to a landmark election this year.

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt consolidated his place atop the overall World Cup standings with a second downhill victory in three days in Wengen on Saturday.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique says he doesn't need to replenish his squad in the transfer market despite the French champions missing a number of players.

Sofia Goggia hailed an 'emotional' first downhill win of the season as the Italian banished her demons at Altenmarkt-Zauchensee the Austrian resort where the former Olympic champion has struggled in the past.

Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te vowed Saturday to stand "on the side of democracy" and defend the self-ruled island from "intimidation" from China, which has branded him as a threat to peace in the flashpoint region.

Australia cruised to a 2-0 victory in their Asian Cup opener against India on Saturday, Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos scoring from close range to launch their title bid.

Sri Lanka needs to lift its game on fielding to have a shot at this year's T20 World Cup title, newly installed short-format captain Wanindu Hasaranga said Saturday.

Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro on Saturday batted away concerns the Super Eagles' attacking prowess is not matched in other areas of their team as they prepare to begin their Africa Cup of Nations bid.

France's new foreign minister Stephane Sejourne on Saturday renewed his country's support to Ukraine, choosing Kyiv for his first official visit abroad, as the war with Russia nears a second anniversary.

Burnley signed Chelsea's Ivory Coast forward David Datro Fofana on loan until the end of the season on Saturday.

Taiwan's ruling party candidate Lai Ching-te, branded a threat to peace by China, on Saturday won the island's presidential election, a vote watched closely from Beijing to Washington.

Italy's former Olympic champion Sofia Goggia overcame a "few flaws" to claim her first downhill win of the season in Austria on Saturday.

Nestled in the heart of historic Cairo, a cultural centre synonymous with the Egyptian capital's art scene has been razed, the latest heritage site torn down for contentious development projects.

The United States carried out a fresh strike Saturday on a Huthi rebel target in Yemen, the US military said, after the Iran-backed militants warned of further attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

France's new foreign minister Stephane Sejourne on Saturday renewed his country's support for Ukraine as he visited Kyiv in his first official trip abroad with the Russian invasion nearing a second anniversary.

Taiwan's frontrunner presidential candidate Lai Ching-te took a clear lead in the vote count Saturday, according to partial results, after China warned electing him would lead to "war and decline" for the self-ruled island.

Jurgen Klopp may have to wait a while for the return of Wataru Endo after the Liverpool ace vowed on Saturday to win the Asian Cup with Japan.

Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko and young Czech Jiri Lehecka completed the perfect build-up to the Australian Open on Saturday by claiming the Adelaide International titles.

Health officials in Hamas-ruled Gaza said Saturday that Israeli strikes overnight killed at least 60 people in the besieged territory, which was also grappling with a telecommunications blackout on the war's 99th day.

Vote counting was under way Saturday in Taiwan's presidential election, held in the shadow of threats from China that choosing the wrong leader could set the stage for war on the self-ruled island.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez admitted Saturday that "hungry" rivals Real Madrid are in better form but insisted his side are strong and can retain the Spanish Super Cup.

Big-hitting Jiri Lehecka bounced back from losing the first set to beat Jack Draper Saturday in the Adelaide International final and claim a maiden ATP Tour title.

Vote counting got under way Saturday in Taiwan's presidential election, held in the shadow of threats from China that choosing the wrong leader could set the stage for war on the self-ruled island.

A "pain-free" Novak Djokovic begins his Australian Open defence against a teenage qualifier on Sunday as he bids for an unprecedented 25th major crown, but women's top seed Iga Swiatek faces a much trickier assignment.

On a freezing January morning, dozens of discarded Christmas trees collected after the holidays are tossed into Stockholm's glacial waters, recycled to provide a welcoming habitat for marine life.

Novak Djokovic said Saturday he had overcome a worrisome wrist injury ahead of the Australian Open while revealing one of the secrets to his success in Melbourne was hugging trees.

Carlos Alcaraz says the challenge of toppling 10-time champion Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open gives him "extra motivation" as he aims to end the Serbian's long reign in Melbourne.

Israel pounded Gaza on Saturday as the Palestinian territory suffered under a dire humanitarian situation and grappled with a telecommunications blackout on the 99th day of the war.

Fast-rising American Emma Navarro upset two-time champion Elise Mertens to secure her first WTA title on Saturday with a battling 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 win at the Hobart International.

China's Carl Yuan grabbed six birdies in a five-under par 65 to share the halfway lead in the US PGA Tour's Sony Open with An Byeong-hun and Austin Eckroat on Friday.

Golden State stars Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry shook off slow starts to power the Warriors to a much-needed 140-131 NBA victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday.