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

US infant mortality surged in the months following the Supreme Court decision to overturn the national right to abortion, driven by a rise in the number of babies with birth defects, a study said Monday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken left for the Middle East Monday on a new push for an elusive Gaza ceasefire two weeks before US elections, seeing a new opportunity from Israel's killing of Hamas's leader.

Brazil superstar Neymar returned to action on Monday following more than a year out, with the Al Hilal forward appearing as a second-half substitute in his side's gripping 5-4 win against Asian champions Al Ain in the UAE.

The technology-driven TGL, an indoor golf league with PGA Tour talent, will debut January 7 under a schedule unveiled on Monday that could see Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods meet on January 27.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed victory at the Circuit of the Americas, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull demonstrated they have recovered some form after a mid-season dip but still have much to do to retain their titles.

Warren Gatland insisted on Monday he has no desire to "protect my own backside" while seeking to end Wales's losing streak in international rugby union.

Venezuela on Monday announced the arrest of a former oil minister accused of links to a firm controlled by US intelligence services -- the latest scandal to shake the crisis-hit country's energy sector.

Cameroonian president Paul Biya landed on Monday at the capital Yaounde's international airport, after several weeks out of the country amid rumours about his health, state broadcaster CRTV showed.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the remainder of the NFL season after an MRI exam showed he suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the team announced on Monday.

Disney said Monday it will name Bob Iger's successor as chief executive in early 2026 as it tapped former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman as chairman of the entertainment giant.

Donald Trump was in North Carolina on Monday slamming the federal response to a devastating hurricane, as his rival Kamala Harris pushed for moderate Republican votes in the closing stretch of a deadlocked White House race.

Electricity has been restored to half of Havana, the Cuban capital's power company reported Monday, four days after the start of a nationwide blackout that authorities have struggled to address.

Unai Emery is determined to ensure Aston Villa's Champions League success is not a flash in the pan as the Spaniard aims to "break barriers" at a club he has transformed.

Al-Qard al-Hassan, bombed by Israel over it's Hezbollah links, is a lifeline for mainly Muslim Shiite communities battling a years-long financial crisis that has locked Lebanese out of their bank deposits.

The world's biggest nature protection conference opened in Colombia on Monday with its president calling for urgent action and financing to reverse humankind's rapacious destruction of biodiversity.

A trial to determine whether Australian mining giant BHP is liable for one of Brazil's worst environmental disasters opened Monday in London, potentially triggering billions of dollars in compensation to be shared among hundreds of thousands of people.

Riot police in the Mozambican capital Maputo fired tear gas Monday to disperse a crowd protesting against alleged electoral fraud, days after two opposition allies were shot dead.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Monday he wants striker Kylian Mbappe to focus on scoring goals over pressing to help the team.

A trial opened in a French conference centre on Monday, with more than 20 defendants accused of defrauding 1,300 individuals with fake cryptocurrency and diamond investment schemes, as well as swindling top football clubs.

Electricity has been restored to half of Havana, the Cuban capital's power company reported Monday, four days after the start of a nationwide blackout that the authorities have struggled to address.

Major stock markets mostly dropped Monday on profit-taking and oil prices jumped as traders weighed fresh interest-rate cuts from China's central bank aimed at reigniting the world's second-biggest economy.

Israel has announced steps to boost aid deliveries to Gaza, but UN figures show a huge drop in supplies getting through to the war-battered territory and humanitarian workers doubt much is reaching those who need it most.

King Charles and Queen Camilla cap a six-day visit to Australia with a community barbecue and a military jamboree aside Sydney's iconic Opera House Tuesday.

England white-ball captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the one-day international leg of the upcoming tour of the West Indies after suffering a fresh injury setback, officials said Monday.

Moldova's pro-Brussels President Maia Sandu on Monday said her camp "won justly in an unjust struggle" in an EU referendum and first-round presidential elections marked by claims of Russian interference.

French drugmaker Sanofi's confirmation that it will sell a ctrolling stake in its consumer health unit to a US investment fund sparked a new political backlash Monday, stoked by fears the deal marks a loss of sovereignty over key medications.

The United States said Monday it wants the Israel-Hezbollah war to end "as soon as possible", as it pressed for the enforcement of a UN resolution that required the armed group to withdraw from south Lebanon.

Virgil van Dijk said he is in "discussions with the right people" over his Liverpool future as the club captain moves into the final months of his contract.

Vietnam's Communist Party chief told the country's rubber-stamp parliament Monday to press ahead with a drive against corruption, which analysts say has been used for internal faction-fighting.

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use the "pain" of their first defeat in six months as motivation in Tuesday's Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk.

South Africa posted 140-6 on Monday in an action-packed first day of the opening Test, after Bangladesh collapsed to 106 all out with Kagiso Rabada celebrating being the fastest to take 300 Test wickets.

Major stock markets dropped Monday and oil prices jumped as traders weighed fresh interest-rate cuts from China's central bank aimed at reigniting the world's second-biggest economy.