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

A Turkish court on Wednesday handed a Swedish journalist an 11-month suspended sentence for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but remains behind bars awaiting trial on a second more serious charge.

Fierce debate raged in Spain on Wednesday over the role its reliance on renewable energy may have had in this week's blackout which disrupted millions of lives, though officials sought to downplay any potential link.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Wednesday a judicial inquiry into claims of deliberate delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes three decades after the end of white-minority rule.

Stocks slid on Wall Street on Wednesday, pulling European indexes off earlier highs after the US economy contracted in the first quarter, heightening fears about the fallout of President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz on the world's largest economy.

Africans in search of a better future became the latest casualties of Yemen's decade-long conflict after a deadly strike blamed on the United States hit a migrant detention centre, killing dozens of people.

President Donald Trump lashed out at his predecessor's economic record Wednesday after US financial markets fell on the news that the American economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year.

A UK-wide decline in bug splats recorded on car number plates indicates an "alarming" fall in the number of flying insects, UK scientists said in a survey published Wednesday.

Mexico's economy returned to growth in the first quarter of 2025, avoiding a recession despite deep uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, official data showed Wednesday.

White wings flashing overhead in the sunlight, conservationist Olivier Nsengimana points out Rwanda's grey crowned cranes, migratory birds that have made an extraordinary comeback in the Great Lakes region.

Ange Postecoglou said Tottenham have an "unbelievable opportunity" to end a miserable season with a trophy as he prepares his team to face Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

Microsoft President Brad Smith called Wednesday for a swift resolution of trade tensions between the United States and Europe, during an interview with AFP in Brussels.

Britain's iconic Tower of London will be covered in a cascading installation of 30,000 red ceramic poppies to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.

The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year due largely to a surge in imports as businesses and consumers stockpiled ahead of the introduction of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.

Stock markets retreated into the red Wednesday after the US economy contracted in the first quarter, a stark reminder of the risks President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz could hold for the world's largest economy and its main trading partners.

The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports as businesses and consumers stockpiled ahead of the introduction of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.

Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid on Wednesday lauded IPL's teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his fearless approach and strength, but warned him of life in the spotlight.

Defiant Mikel Merino says Arsenal have "proved we can win anywhere" and insists they can still reach the Champions League final after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-four tie.

Bangladesh won the second and final Test against Zimbabwe by an innings and 106 runs on Wednesday, a decisive victory in less than three days to level the series.

Iga Swiatek kept her Madrid Open title defence alive, as she avenged her Australian Open defeat to Madison Keys with a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against the American in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Son Heung-min will miss the first leg of Tottenham's Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, manager Ange Postecoglou said on Thursday.

The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of this year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports ahead of the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump.

India will conduct its first official caste census since independence, the government announced on Wednesday, a move likely to have far-reaching consequences for its politics and contentious affirmative action policies.

Several thousand people rallied in support of Burkina Faso's ruling junta Wednesday, days after the military authorities said they had uncovered a "plot" to overthrow the government.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will not have a controlling interest in the Premier League club next season, making the move ahead of their potential return to European football.

The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of this year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports ahead of the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump.

Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams said his team will give their "soul" to beat Manchester United on Thursday and reach the Europa League final.

Swedish police have arrested a teen suspect after three youths aged from 15 to 20 were killed in a shooting at a hair salon, authorities said Wednesday, amid rising concern over gang violence in the Scandinavian nation.

Pakistan said on Wednesday it had "credible intelligence" that India was planning an imminent military strike and vowed to retaliate, as worries of spiralling conflict grew over a deadly attack in Kashmir.

A week before the conclave to choose a new pope opens, preparatory talks intensified Wednesday as cardinals sounded out potential candidates -- with many hoping the election will be quick.

Germany's Mercedes-Benz and US-European group Stellantis, whose brands include Jeep, Peugeot and Fiat, joined other automakers Wednesday in suspending their annual financial guidance because of uncertainty over US tariffs.

Prince William and his wife Catherine marked their 14th anniversary by releasing a romantic photograph of themselves on the Scottish island of Mull, as the princess continues her cancer recovery.

Israel struck Syria on Wednesday in what it called a "warning" against attacks on the Druze minority, in a military intervention that came as sectarian clashes spread near Damascus, killing 13 people.

The chief executive of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), Jacques Raynaud, has told AFP that while the current format of the Champions Cup "is not perfect", it is still "very good".

Iran on Wednesday executed a man convicted of espionage for Israel and involvement in the killing of a Revolutionary Guard but activists said he was sentenced to death after an unfair trial and a confession obtained by torture.

Stock markets mostly rose Wednesday ahead of key US economic and earnings reports that could offer fresh insights into the health of the world's largest economy amid Donald Trump's tariffs.

Germany's struggling economy grew faster than expected at the start of the year, data showed Wednesday, in a boost for the incoming government of conservative Friedrich Merz even as US tariffs threaten to derail the nascent recovery.

Jannik Sinner has insisted that he did not receive preferential treatment from anti-doping authorities as he prepares for his return to action at next week's Italian Open in Rome following a three-month ban which caused anger among a section of the men's tennis tour.

The eurozone economy expanded more than expected at the start of the year, official data showed on Wednesday, despite US President Donald Trump's tariffs but global trade tensions threaten more pain and near stagnation in 2025.

France hooker Peato Mauvaka will miss Toulouse's Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux-Begles and will likely miss the remainder of the season because of a knee injury, the Top 14 leaders announced on Wednesday.