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Cyclone Dovi caused power outages, mudslides and evacuations across New Zealand on Sunday, but neither the storm nor the music of Barry Manilow could dislodge anti-vaccine protesters camped outside parliament.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is poised to be re-elected on Sunday for a second straight term, after gaining a reputation as a tireless defender of democratic values at a time when resurging far-right extremism and the coronavirus pandemic were putting them to the test.

Canadian demonstrators led by truckers angry over Covid-19 restrictions defied police and kept occupying a key bridge Saturday, while thousands more rallied in the capital as a two-week-old protest showed no signs of abating.

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's close friendship with President Vladimir Putin and lucrative business dealings with Russia have for years been reluctantly tolerated at home.

Efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine via a frenzy of telephone diplomacy failed to ease tensions Saturday, with US President Joe Biden warning that Russia faces "swift and severe costs" if its troops carry out an invasion.

A star-studded Los Angeles Rams will seek to deny the giant-killing Cincinnati Bengals a Hollywood ending in the Super Bowl on Sunday as an NFL season full of plot twists reaches its climax.

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has adopted a unique measure in a bid to lift his falling popularity and resolve a series of political crises: he has ditched his iconic white cowboy hat.

Sam Bankman-Fried donned a suit and tie this week, abandoning his preferred hoodie and dark T-shirt for a hearing before US Senators.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk often touts the arrival of completely autonomous vehicles as imminent, but exactly how close that future is for the electric automaker remains murky.

Ignoring US concerns, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is due to arrive in Russia Tuesday for an official visit with highly awkward diplomatic timing, amid the tense standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine.

Rookie Sahith Theegala closed with a stunning par save to fire a two-under par 69 and seize a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Phoenix Open.

England fast bowler Stuart Broad on Sunday said his controversial axing from the team to tour the West Indies was delivered in a "five-minute phone call" which has "affected my sleep".

A brief meeting between Major League Baseball officials and players union representatives on Saturday did little to allay fears the 2022 season could be delayed over economic issues.

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel described winning the Club World Cup as an "incomparable feeling" as the European champions got their hands on the last major trophy missing from their cabinet.

Canadian police on Saturday worked to clear a key bridge of truckers protesting Covid-19 restrictions, even as authorities in Ottawa braced for renewed demonstrations expected to bring thousands to the federal capital.

Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas reached his first final since last year's French Open when he came back from a set down to defeat Czech qualifier Jiri Lehecka in the Rotterdam semi-finals on Saturday.

Chilean truck drivers angry over the death of a colleague in a roadside fight with hitchhikers blocked highways Saturday to demand more workplace safety.

Former guerrilla Hugo Torres Jimenez, one of 46 opposition figures jailed since last year by the Nicaraguan government of President Daniel Ortega, died on Saturday, his family said in a statement.

Efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine via a frenzy of telephone diplomacy failed to ease tensions Saturday, with the White House insisting that Russia faces "swift and severe costs" if its troops carry out an invasion.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell praised the "spirit" and "character" of his side after they came from 22-7 down early in the second-half to agonisingly lose 30-24 to France in a thrilling Six Nations clash on Saturday.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said he is not thinking about winning the Six Nations despite Saturday's impressive 30-24 victory over Ireland.

Inter Milan maintained their one-point lead at the top of Serie A on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at title rivals Napoli which gives AC Milan the chance to claim top spot.

Manchester City restored their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League as Raheem Sterling's hat-trick put Norwich to the sword 4-0, while Manchester United's chances of just making the top four stumbled again in a 1-1 draw against Southampton on Saturday.

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich said his side need to question their mentality after they slumped to a shock 4-2 loss at Bundesliga minnows Bochum ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Red Bull Salzburg.

Kai Havertz scored a penalty deep into extra time as Chelsea defeated Palmeiras 2-1 in the Club World Cup final on Saturday to complete their collection of major trophies.

Efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine via a frenzy of telephone diplomacy failed to ease tensions Saturday, with the White House insisting that Russia faces "swift and severe costs" if its troops carry out an invasion.

Manchester City powered 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League as Raheem Sterling's hat-trick inspired a 4-0 win against Norwich on Saturday.

Inter Milan maintained their one-point lead at the top of Serie A on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at title rivals Napoli which gives AC Milan the chance to claim top spot.

France beat Ireland 30-24 in Paris on Saturday to consolidate their status as favourites for this year's Six Nations title.

Dan Biggar hailed Wales' 20-17 win over Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday as one of the "best victories" of his career.

American golfer Charley Hoffman went onto Instagram to unleash a tirade over a penalty at the Phoenix Open that sparked discussion over Saudi-backed efforts to develop a rival tour.

Canadian police on Saturday began clearing a key bridge of truckers protesting Covid-19 restrictions, even as authorities in Ottawa braced for renewed demonstrations expected to bring thousands to the federal capital.