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

The world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, set sail from Miami on its maiden voyage Saturday, carrying what amounted to the population of a small city.

Venezuela's political opposition demanded Saturday that the Supreme Court reinstate the electoral eligibility of one of its leaders, as anxiety swirled around this year's still unscheduled vote.

Ademola Lookman scored twice for Nigeria and Gelson Dala bagged a brace for Angola on Saturday to send their countries into a Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals showdown.

Reigning World Champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates shook off illness to capture a fifth US figure skating ice dance crown Saturday, continuing an undefeated season aimed at a world title repeat.

Firefighters in Argentina were battling an "out of control" blaze in a national park in Patagonia on Saturday, struggling to keep it from reaching two nearby towns.

Monaco had two men sent off but dug in for a 2-2 draw at Marseille in a pulsating Ligue 1 scrap in front of over 63,000 fans at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.

Scotland scrum-half Ben White handed head coach Gregor Townsend an injury scare on Saturday before next weekend's Six Nations coming off in Toulon's 25-23 French Top 14 win over La Rochelle with a shoulder injury.

Ademola Lookman scored both goals as Nigeria defeated old rivals Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday to march on to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he will quit his role at the end of the season after the team's title defence was derailed in a remarkable 5-3 defeat by Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga.

Juventus' bid for a first Serie A title in four years hit a stumbling block on Saturday after Empoli snatched a surprise 1-1 draw from their 10-man hosts.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he will quit his "cruel and unpleasant" job at the end of the season after his struggling team were beaten 5-3 by Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga.

The once bright green Andean forest where Maria Yadira Jimenez worked as a tour guide has been reduced to ashes.

Farmers' leaders in the Paris region on Saturday promised to mount a "siege" on the French capital next week to pressure the government into meeting their demands on pay, tax and regulations.

Venezuela's political opposition demanded Saturday that the Supreme Court reinstate the electoral eligibility of one of its leaders, as anxiety swirled around this year's still unscheduled vote.

Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner will face off in the Australian Open men's final on Sunday as the engraver prepares to carve a new name on the trophy.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he will leave his post at the end of the season after his struggling team were beaten 5-3 by Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga.

Barcelona's title defence was derailed as Villarreal romped to a sensational 5-3 victory in La Liga on Saturday with three late goals, and coach Xavi Hernandez said he was responsible for the Catalans' defeat.

AC Milan brought their match with Bologna to a brief halt on Saturday, summoning inspiration from American civil rights icon Martin Luther King to demonstrate solidarity with goalkeeper Mike Maignan who was racially abused last weekend.

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), shaken by accusations of staff involvement in Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, has provided essential aid for Palestinian refugees since 1949.

Milwaukee's new head coach, Doc Rivers, says "Fear the Deer" must be more than a catchphrase for the Bucks if they want to contend for an NBA title.

Barcelona's title defence was derailed as Villarreal romped to a sensational 5-3 victory in La Liga on Saturday with three late goals.

Farmers in the Paris region on Saturday promised to mount a "siege" on the French capital next week to pressure the government into meeting their demands on pay, tax and regulations.

Barcelona's title defence was derailed as Villarreal romped to a sensational 5-3 victory in La Liga on Saturday with three late goals.

Bayer Leverkusen were held to a goalless draw at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday as their lead over Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga was cut to two points.

Ukraine on Saturday pressed Russia to provide proof that a military plane shot down earlier in the week had been carrying dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as it claimed.

Tens of thousands of Germans turned out across the country on Saturday to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, just days after a string of protests against right-wing extremists.

A top Boeing executive has apologized for the problems highlighted by the mid-flight blowout of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines flight, as two airlines began returning the troubled 737 MAX 9 planes to service.

Virgil van Dijk said the news of Jurgen Klopp's departure from Liverpool at the end of the season was "hard to take", but the Reds' captain is hoping to send his manager out on a high.

Gelson Dala raised his Africa Cup of Nations goal tally to four with a brace for 10-man Angola in a 3-0 last-16 triumph over Namibia in Bouake on Saturday.

Juventus' bid for a first Serie A title in four years hit a stumbling block on Sunday after Empoli snatched a 1-1 draw from their 10-man hosts.

Thierry Neuville found "perfection" on the last stage of the day on Saturday to overtake his old rival Sebastien Ogier and edge into a slender lead in the season opening Monte Carlo Rally.

A late interception try by winger Stephane Ahmed helped Stade Francais edge a 30-26 victory at Bordeaux-Begles in the French Top 14 on Saturday to move up to second in the table.