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

Costa Rican political scientist Laura Fernandez was sworn in as president on Friday, the latest right-winger to win power in Latin America on a promise to combat drug-related violence.

Keir Starmer vowed Friday to remain as Britain's prime minister after disastrous local elections saw his centre-left Labour party humiliated across the UK with disillusioned Britons backing hard-right and nationalist parties.

Formula One bosses have responded to the criticism of this season's power unit modifications by agreeing to "further evolutionary changes" before a revamp for the 2027 season, the FIA announced on Friday.

US President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia starting Saturday, saying he hoped it could lead to long term deal to end Moscow's war.

Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Italian Open in the second round on Friday by Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

A US fighter jet disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers to enforce a port blockade on Friday, prompting retaliatory attacks and rattling a shaky truce as Tehran weighed Washington's latest proposal to end the Middle East war.

The NFL has reached a seven-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association to replace a deal expiring at the end of this month, both sides announced on Friday.

Real Madrid announced on Friday they had fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros ($588,000) each after a training ground clash that left the latter needing hospital treatment.

An outbreak of the deadly hantavirus on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship is reviving conspiracy theories about vaccines, alleged depopulation campaigns and miracle cures that flourished during the Covid pandemic.

A report into a fatal airline crash by an independent US government investigative agency has renewed speculation that one of China's biggest aviation disasters was deliberate.

Finn Allen unleashed a blistering maiden IPL century to power a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders to a fourth win on the bounce with an eight-wicket rout of Delhi Capitals on Friday.

Johann Zarco again shone at his home race setting the fastest time Friday in qualifying for the French MotoGP Grand Prix, as reigning world champion Marc Marquez finished 13th.

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick called out NBA officials over their treatment of LeBron James, saying the 41-year-old has the "worst whistle" of any star player.

Julia and Roland Seitre, a French couple aboard the cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, said passengers remained calm, called their journey an "unlikely adventure", and urged against unnecessary drama.

Dutch veteran Anna van der Breggen pulled on the overall leader's red jersey after winning stage six of the women's Vuelta on Friday, taking a solo victory atop a steep final climb in driving rain.

The World Health Organization insisted Friday that the hantavirus outbreak posed a minimal risk to the general public, as countries prepared to repatriate passengers stuck on the cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak.

Stock markets diverged and oil prices rose Friday as fresh US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz jolted hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the crucial waterway.

Alexander Zverev eased into the third round of the Italian Open on Friday after comfortably dealing with fellow German Daniel Altmaier in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill believes his players are thriving on the challenge of chasing down Hearts to extend their dominance of Scottish football.

Carmaker Stellantis announced Friday it is considering selling an underutilised factory in Spain to its Chinese joint venture Leapmotor, which could save jobs in the short term but risks further strengthening Chinese automakers.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a two-day visit to Rome on Friday, where he sought to ease tensions with Pope Leo and urged Europeans to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Paul Magnier won the opening stage of the 2026 Giro d'Italia in Bulgaria on Friday in a bunch sprint, after a late crash left most of the peloton out of contention.

The Pentagon on Friday released a first batch of secret files documenting reported sightings of unidentified flying objects -- some dating back to the 1940s -- fanning speculation over whether extraterrestrial life exists.

US employment rose more than expected in April, alleviating some concerns about the health of the world's largest economy even as one measure of consumer confidence came in at its lowest-ever level.

A US warplane disabled two Iranian tankers to enforce a port blockade on Friday, after Washington's top diplomat said he was awaiting Tehran's response to the latest proposed deal to end the Gulf conflict.

Porsche said Friday it will close three subsidiaries, including an EV battery developer, with the loss of more than 500 jobs, in the latest sign of strains for the German luxury auto manufacturer.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo said his own future was not on his mind as he battles to save the club from relegation.

US employment rose more than expected in April while the unemployment rate remained steady, according to government data released Friday, with the world's largest economy firming recent labor market gains though analysts warned of underlying weakness.

Hundreds of fishermen in an Indonesian coastal town on the island of Java have been forced to stop going out to sea and told AFP their livelihoods are at risk due to soaring fuel prices.

The United States was awaiting Iran's response to its latest proposed peace deal on Friday, after both sides accused the other of triggering an overnight clash that rattled markets and revived fears of a return to fighting.

Stock markets diverged and oil prices steadied Friday as US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz jolted hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the crucial waterway.

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must re-focus for Sunday's "huge" Premier League clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

How big is the jet fuel threat to Europe's summer holidays? The EU says it is not facing shortages yet, but it is readying for the worst -- and weighing options including using US kerosene as a back-up.

Bournemouth have dropped Alex Jimenez from their squad and launched an investigation into the alleged social media conduct of the defender.

A large forest fire burned through the Chernobyl exclusion zone on Friday following a drone crash near the disaster-tainted nuclear plant the previous day, Ukrainian authorities said.

The Pentagon on Friday released a first batch of previously secret files documenting reported sightings of unidentified flying objects -- some as far back as the 1940s -- a move sought for decades by some Americans.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hit an attacking century as Bangladesh recovered from a shaky start to post 301-4 on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan on Friday.

Arne Slot said even three wins from Liverpool's final three Premier League games would not silence the critics after their shocking title defence as he focused on wrapping up Champions League qualification.

US employment rose more than expected in April, while the unemployment rate remained steady, government data showed, with the world's largest economy firming recent labor market gains but analysts warning of underlying weakness.