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

Thomas Ramos, who played the first two Six Nations matches this year at full-back, has been restored to the fly-half position for France's meeting with Italy in Rome, coach Fabien Galthie announced on Friday.

Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier won the fifth stage of the UAE Tour in a close finish on Friday as Tadej Pogacar retained the overall lead.

After steel and aluminium, US President Donald Trump has set his sights on slapping 25 percent tariffs on semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals.

Dozens of female chefs have condemned "pervasive" sexism in British restaurant kitchens, saying in an open letter that the industry needs more women in top roles.

Ireland No 8 Jack Conan expects to front up against a "galvanised" Wales when the two teams clash in the Six Nations Cardiff on Saturday, while Welsh flanker Tommy Reffell is keen to change the "outside noise".

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada announced two changes Friday to the starting line-up for the meeting with France in Rome in the Six Nations.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng raised mutual concerns on trade and economic issues in their introductory call Friday, as tensions between the world's two biggest economies simmer under President Donald Trump's second term.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said his side have to make extra time on the training ground count after a dreadful run of Premier League results.

Mikel Arteta admitted he is "obsessed" with winning the Premier League title as he urged Arsenal to keep the pressure on leaders Liverpool.

The draw for the Davis Cup play-offs was postponed to allow an investigation into the bizarre ending of the Belgium-Chile qualifying tie, the International Tennis Federation told AFP on Friday.

England No 8 Tom Willis says he's "unbelievably excited" to face Scotland as he prepares for his Calcutta Cup debut.

Pope Francis marked a week in hospital with pneumonia Friday, as speculation grew over the 88-year-old's ability to continue leading the Catholic Church.

Germany's far-left Die Linke party has enjoyed a late poll surge ahead of Sunday's elections, boosted by a spirited anti-fascist speech by its new rising star that quickly went viral.

Federico Brignone stormed to Friday's giant slalom in Sestiere on her return to action as newly-crowned world champion, as Mikaela Shiffrin flopped in her bid for a 100th World Cup win.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland remains a doubt for Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool after sitting out his side's Champions League exit to Real Madrid.

Chelsea were paired with FC Copenhagen of Denmark in the last 16 as the draw for the knockout phase of this season's UEFA Conference League was made on Friday.

A German anti-fascist activist accused of allegedly participating in violent attacks against neo-Nazis went on trial on Friday in Hungary, as nationalist premier Viktor Orban has vowed to clamp down on "far-left violence".

French skier Nils Alphand was evacuated by helicopter after a heavy fall on Friday during a World Cup training run in Crans Montana, Switzerland.

This year might have been a highpoint for LGBTQ representation in film, but an ill-fated Oscar nomination combined with Donald Trump's backlash against trans people have left the queer cinema community disappointed and on the defensive.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick showed his anger at the harassment of La Liga referees on Friday, after weeks of complaints from title rivals Real Madrid about Spanish arbitration.

Opener Ryan Rickelton struck a maiden one-day international hundred to guide South Africa to an imposing 315-6 in their Group B Champions Trophy clash against Afghanistan in Karachi on Friday.

The daughter of murdered British aid worker this week at the Paris trial of two of his presumed Islamic State group jailers recounted her anguish after her father went missing in war-torn Syria in 2013.

Enzo Maresca has given Chelsea a target of winning their last seven Premier League home games as the Blues boss sets his sights on Champions League qualification.

Swedish authorities said Friday they were investigating suspected damage to an underwater cable in the Baltic Sea, following a string of incidents experts believe are acts of sabotage orchestrated by Russia.

France's prime minister was under increasing pressure Friday after a former teacher at a Catholic school claimed Francois Bayrou was aware of claims of sexual abuse of young boys there in the 1990s but did not act on them.

Manchester United were drawn Friday to play Real Sociedad of Spain in the last 16 of this season's Europa League, while Rangers will take on Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, and Tottenham Hotspur face AZ Alkmaar.

Maro Itoje has urged England to seize their chances against Scotland while avoiding "blind rage" in Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

Kyiv and Washington are engaged in talks over a deal to hand the United States preferential access to Ukraine's mineral deposits, a source in Kyiv told AFP on Friday -- despite a dramatic spat between leaders Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump.

A notorious Russian prison complex that once housed jailed revolutionaries, toppled ministers and Soviet dissidents will be turned into a hotel, restaurants, museum and art gallery after being sold at auction on Friday, the site's new owner said.

Argentina announced two days of national mourning on Thursday after the bodies of two Israeli Argentine children who had been taken hostage by Hamas were handed over by the group.

Liverpool will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of this season's Champions League while Friday's draw also threw up a showdown between reigning champions Real Madrid and their city rivals Atletico.

Wales take on Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday on the back of a national record 14 straight Test defeats. The latest, against Italy, saw, Warren Gatland leave as coach by mutual agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).