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

Many Ukrainians will on Monday celebrate Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from the Orthodox Church observance of January 7 in a snub to Russia.

Nearly three years after President Joe Biden took office vowing "America is back," the country's international image is taking a beating as his administration backs Israel in its war with Hamas.

Mesmerizing carousels and Ferris wheels designed by Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf that spin to music by Miles Davis or Philip Glass -- this is "Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy."

As Joe Biden's poll numbers flag ahead of next year's election, it might seem obvious for the president to look to the pop-star billionaire who endorsed him in 2020, and whose every move is endlessly cataloged by US media.

Former world champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker re-established their heavyweight title credentials with victories on the same Riyadh bill on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive and severely damaged the Cincinnati Bengals' chances of making the NFL post-season with a 34-11 win over their AFC North rivals on Saturday.

Yuki Matsui, a three-time season saves leader in Japan's Pacific League, signed a five-year Major League Baseball contract with the San Diego Padres, the US club announced on Saturday.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua proved too strong for Otto Wallin notching a technical knockout after five rounds of their non-title fight in Riyadh on Saturday.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua proved too strong for Otto Wallin with a technical knockout after five rounds of their non-title fight in Riyadh on Saturday.

Pakistan's injury woes went from bad to worse Sunday with off-spinner Abrar Ahmed the third player in as many days to be ruled out of the second Test against Australia.

Joseph Parker outboxed fellow former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in a unanimous points decision win in Riyadh on Saturday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points to lead the Milwaukee over New York 130-111 on Saturday, stretching the Bucks' NBA win streak to seven games.

Inter Milan maintained their four-point lead at the top of Serie A with Saturday's 2-0 win over Lecce, as Napoli crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Roma which the troubled champions finished with nine men.

The United States on Saturday voiced deepening concern over the fate of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has not been heard from since early December.

Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool's gripping 1-1 draw against Premier League title rivals Arsenal was marred by the serious injured suffered by Kostas Tsimikas when the Reds defender collided with his manager.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points to lead the Milwaukee over New York 130-111 on Saturday, stretching the Bucks NBA win streak to seven games.

Arsenal will spend Christmas Day on top of the Premier League after they held title rivals Liverpool to a pulsating 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday, while Manchester United crashed to a dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham that piled pressure on Erik ten Hag.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has cleared NFL concussion protocol and will join his team for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay in a pivotal contest for both playoff contenders.

Arsenal ensured they will spent Christmas Day on top of the Premier League as they held title rivals Liverpool to a pulsating 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday.

Inter Milan maintained their four-point lead at the top of Serie A with Saturday's 2-0 win over Lecce, while rising star Lewis Ferguson ensured Bologna would be a top-four club over Christmas.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany congratulated Rebecca Welch for a "milestone" achievement after she became the first woman to referee an English Premier League football match by taking charge of the Clarets' 2-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.

A 32-year-old woman from Alabama who was born with two uteruses and became pregnant in both gave birth to twin girls on different days, she announced on Friday.

Western embassies in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa urged restraint on Saturday, after several leading opposition members called this week's election a "sham" and called for protests.

Atletico Madrid climbed to third place in La Liga on Saturday as they beat Sevilla 1-0 despite playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men.

Gaza officials said Saturday that more than 200 people had been killed in Israeli strikes in 24 hours, as violence rages on after a UN resolution demanded more aid into the besieged territory.

Manchester United crashed to a dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday that piled pressure on under-fire boss Erik ten Hag, while Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee a Premier League match when Fulham met Burnley.

Sitting outside her makeshift shelter in eastern Chad, Sudanese refugee Mariam Adam Yaya warmed up tea on some firewood in a bid to quell the pangs of hunger.

Doping-tainted swimming star Sun Yang looks set to miss the Paris Olympics after China published its selection criteria for the 2024 Games.

Victor Osimhen on Saturday signed a contract extension with Napoli until 2026, ending months of speculation over whether he would commit to the ailing Italian champions with Premier League suitors circling.

Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee an English Premier League football match when she blew the whistle on Fulham's game against Burnley at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag pleaded with his Manchester United flops to "stick together" and keep calm after their dismal season hit a new low in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against West Ham.

Siya Kolisi's Racing 92 hammered promoted Oyonnax 66-10 on Saturday to move six points clear at the summit of the French Top 14.