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

The exceptionally rare Bleu Royal gem is set to become one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold by auctioneers Christie's when it goes under the hammer on Tuesday.

FC Cincinnati booked their place in the semi-finals of the MLS Cup Eastern Conference playoffs on Saturday after defeating New York Red Bulls on penalties to complete a 2-0 first-round series victory.

Donald Trump rose to political power touting the business acumen he says made him a fortune.

Unbeaten Jessica Pegula defeated US Open champion Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-1 on Saturday in an all-American semi-final to reach Sunday's championship match at the season-ending WTA Finals.

White Abarrio won the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, cementing trainer Rick Dutrow's return from a 10-year suspension with a confident victory in the showpiece of the $31 million Breeders' Cup slate.

Matt Kuchar followed an early charge with a late collapse but shared the lead with Camilo Villegas after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship.

Turkey's main opposition party on Sunday dumped its embattled leader in favour of an untested former pharmacist following a disappointing election defeat to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Auguste Rodin, under a brilliant ride from jockey Ryan Moore, gave trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-extending seventh Breeders' Cup Turf victory on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.

White Abarrio won the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday, cementing trainer Rick Dutrow's return to racing in the wake of a 10-year suspension for medication violations.

John Kennedy struck a spectacular extra-time winner as Fluminense ended their long wait for a first ever Copa Libertadores crown on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Argentina's Boca Juniors.

Racing 92 grabbed top spot in the Top 14 table after a hard-fought 22-20 win over Lyon on Saturday, dislodging Stade Francais.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said football is "inexplicable" after Ronald Araujo's 92nd minute winner snatched Barcelona an undeserved 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad on Saturday in La Liga.

Both of Saturday's Ligue 1 games finished goalless as fourth-placed Lille were unable to sink Marseille and Lens stuttered in Lorient.

Ronald Araujo headed home in the 92nd minute to snatch Barcelona an undeserved 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday in La Liga.

Elon Musk on Saturday unveiled details of his new AI tool called "Grok," which can access X in real time and will be initially available to the social media platform's top tier of subscribers.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes said poor set-up decisions were to blame on Saturday as their hopes melted in the sun as Max Verstappen dashed to victory in the sprint at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala is surprised by the budding chemistry up front in the German champions' forward line, after his side won 4-0 at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters rallied in London, Paris and Berlin on Saturday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza after Iranians took to the streets against the United States and Israel.

The US PGA Tour, which has banned LIV Golf players from its events, will allow members to compete in a LIV Golf qualifying event, according to multiple reports on Saturday.

Thousands demonstrated in Israel on Saturday, as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his government's lack of preparedness for the October 7 attacks and its handling of the ensuing hostage crisis.

Mikel Arteta branded Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle "a disgrace" after Anthony Gordon's winner was controversially allowed to stand by VAR.

President Volodymyr Zelensky denied on Saturday that Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russian forces had hit a stalemate, as hours later Kyiv said it had struck a shipyard in the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula.

Cody's Wish opened Saturday's nine-race Breeders' Cup slate in dramatic style, charging from last to beat front-running Preakness winner National Treasure in a photo finish for the Dirt Mile.

Novak Djokovic rallied to defeat Andrey Rublev 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 in a gripping Paris Masters semi-final on Saturday, earning a shot at a record-extending seventh title in the final against Grigor Dimitrov.

Novak Djokovic rallied to defeat Andrey Rublev 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 in a gripping Paris Masters semi-final on Saturday, earning a shot at a record-extending seventh title in the final against Grigor Dimitrov.

Arsenal were beaten in the Premier League for the first time this season at Newcastle on Saturday as Bruno Fernandes' stoppage time winner at Fulham eased the pressure on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Newcastle ended Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season as VAR controversially allowed Anthony Gordon's goal to stand in the Magpies' explosive 1-0 victory on Saturday.

Max Verstappen continued his winning habit with another well-measured victory for Red Bull on Saturday when he triumphed in the sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal as Serie A leaders Inter Milan edged Atalanta 2-1 away in a rain-lashed slog in Bergamo on Saturday.

Harry Kane scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 away on Saturday, closing the gap with leaders Bayer Leverkusen to two points.

AFP on Saturday called on Israel for "an in-depth and transparent investigation" into the exact involvement of its army after a strike severely damaged its office in Gaza City, which has been shelled for weeks.

Stade Francais went top of the Top 14 table after thrashing Castres 39-16 on Saturday while European champions La Rochelle slumped to another defeat in a disastrous start to their season.