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

United Nations officials on Friday said a US- and Israeli-backed distribution system in Gaza was leading to mass killings of people seeking aid and urged Israel to let UN humanitarian supplies to the war-stricken territory resume.

The National Hockey League and the NHL Players' Association announced on Friday they have agreed to a four-year extension of their collective bargaining agreement through the 2029-30 season.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had saved Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from assassination and lashed out at the supreme leader for ingratitude, declaring he would order more bombing if the country tried to pursue nuclear weapons.

Sean "Diddy" Combs's lawyer told jurors Friday in closing arguments that the music mogul's racketeering and sex trafficking trial was all about his accusers trying to score a big payday.

Barcelona forward Ansu Fati is expected to join French club Monaco on loan with an option to buy, sources close to the deal said Friday.

Lando Norris bounced back from his Canadian catastrophe with his customary smile on Friday after topping the times ahead of team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri as McLaren reeled off a solid 1-2 in practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Ott Tanak led the Acropolis Rally on Friday after an attritional day's driving in the Greek mountains.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace agreement Friday in Washington to end fighting that has killed thousands, with the two countries pledging to pull back support for guerrillas -- and President Donald Trump boasting of securing mineral wealth.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had saved Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khameni from assassination and lashed out at the supreme leader for ingratitude, declaring he would order more bombing if the country tried to pursue nuclear weapons.

Lewis Hamilton's difficult start to life at Ferrari continued on Friday as he was handed a warning by the race stewards after winding up 10th in second practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff on Friday suggested he was interested in signing Max Verstappen to partner George Russell in a potentially explosive driver line-up for the 2026 season.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he can now push through a raft of controversial policies after the Supreme Court handed him a "giant win" by curbing the ability of lone judges to block his powers nationwide.

Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi made an emotional return to Glastonbury Festival on Friday, two years after stopping a performance on the same stage as he struggled to overcome his Tourette symptoms.

Masai Ujiri, who oversaw a 2019 NBA championship run, has been axed as president and vice-chairman of the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) announced Friday.

Australia moved into a 171-run lead at lunch on the third day of the first Test at the Kensington Oval on Friday as dropped catches continued to plague the West Indies.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday branded a controversial Israel- and US-backed food distribution effort in Gaza as "slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid", calling for it to be ended.

Remco Evenepoel said his "feelings are good" ahead of the Tour de France as he warmed up by winning the Belgian national time-trial title for the second time on Friday.

Lando Norris bounced back from his Canadian catastrophe to top the times ahead of team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri as McLaren reeled off a commanding 1-2 in second practice on Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said police will not "break up" Saturday's Budapest Pride march despite issuing a ban, but warned attendees and organisers about the legal consequences.

Bordeaux-Begles head coach Yannick Bru said on Friday winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey will start this weekend's French Top 14 final against Toulouse after a "spectacular change" in his concussion symptoms.

A strike by elementary school teachers in Nigeria's capital is dragging into its fourth month, as workers demand to be paid the minimum wage enacted almost a year ago but yet to be implemented.

A divided US Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump a major victory on Friday by curbing the power of lone federal judges to block executive actions.

Five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek reached her first ever grass-court final on Friday defeating last year's Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals at Bad Homburg.

The US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a Texas law requiring pornographic websites to verify visitors' ages, rejecting arguments that this violates free speech and boosting efforts to protect children from online sexual content.

Brentford on Friday confirmed the appointment of former set-piece coach Keith Andrews as their new manager to replace Thomas Frank.

The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled 6-3 in favor of parents seeking the right to opt their children out of lessons involving LGBTQ-themed books on religious grounds.

Eight American researchers have arrived at a university in southern France, as the country pushes to offer "science asylum" to US academics hit by federal research spending cuts under Donald Trump.

Alexandra Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach a WTA Tour final after beating Varvara Gracheva 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 in the last four at Eastbourne on Friday.

Gaza's civil defence agency said that Israeli forces killed at least 62 people on Friday, including 10 who were waiting for aid in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

For the last few days Dior's new creative director Jonathan Anderson has been dropping clues on social media about the contents of his first collection for the fabled French house.

England supremo Rob Key expects Jofra Archer to slot back into an old routine should "one of the best bowlers in the world" make his long-awaited return to Test cricket next week.

Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were to tie the knot Friday at a sumptuous ceremony with the rich and famous on an island in Venice's lagoon, out of the sight and sound of protesters.