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

Australia will force Meta and Google to pay for news shared on their platforms under a new scheme unveiled Thursday, threatening to tax them if they refuse to strike deals with local media.

Taiwan said Thursday it detected 16 Chinese warships in waters around the island, one of the highest numbers this year, as Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taipei.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday appointed election denier Kari Lake to be the new director of Voice of America, the state-funded international media organization.

Tokyo plans to make day care free for all preschool children starting in September, the city governor has announced as part of efforts to boost Japan's low birth rate.

Taiwan said Thursday it detected 16 Chinese warships in waters around the island, one of the highest numbers this year, as Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taipei.

Equities swung in Asian trade Thursday following another record day on Wall Street fuelled by inflation data that reinforced expectations for a US interest rate cut next week, while traders also remained hopeful for more measures to stimulate China's economy.

Mohammed Naeem knew the Kabul street where he and his brothers built matching apartment buildings was too narrow, but he was still in disbelief as their homes were reduced to rubble to widen the road.

Faced with a stuttering economy, political turbulence in the eurozone and the prospect of renewed trade tensions with the United States, the European Central Bank is Thursday set to cut interest rates again.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday vowed to fight "until the very last minute", defending his shock decision last week to declare martial law and deploy troops to the country's parliament

Australia will spend US$385 million to establish a rugby league team from Papua New Guinea in its rugby league competition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday, a move designed to help ward off China.

Last week's slaying of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson has brought renewed attention to the widespread dissatisfaction with the American health care system, even as prominent leaders have condemned the killing.

Pope Francis travels to the French island of Corsica Sunday to visit the small Catholic community, just days after having skipped the reopening ceremony for Notre Dame cathedral.

In a patch of South America rich in lithium, used to make batteries for electric cars and other tech, Bolivia is lagging behind its neighbors in the race to mine the key metal.

The movers and shakers of the video game industry will gather Thursday in Los Angeles to celebrate the annual Game Awards, the sector's equivalent of the Oscars.

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is returning to coaching with the University of North Carolina, the US college confirmed on Wednesday.

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has signed a three-year $30-million deal to coach the University of North Carolina's college team, multiple US media reports said on Wednesday.

REED SOCIETE GENERALE GROUP INVESTS €10 MILLION IN LOOP VIA A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY AT A $4.75 CONVERSION PRICE.LOOP COMPLETES ITS INAUGURAL SALE OF AN INFINITE LOOP™ TECHNOLOGY LICENSE, GENERATING AN UPFRONT PAYMENT OF €10 MILLION.FORMATION OF A EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP TO DEPLOY INFINITE LOOP™ MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY.PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF THE INFINITE LOOP™ FACILITY IN INDIA AND FINANCE LOOP'S OPERATIONAL CASH REQUIREMENTS.LOOP MANAGEMENT TO HOLD UPDATE CALL AT 8:45 AM ET on December 13, 2024

Accurate Background, the world's largest independent provider of compliant background checks and monitoring solutions, announced it has strengthened its global leadership team with the appointment of Mark Thompson, Managing Director, Australia and Asia Pacific region (APAC). In support of Accurate's vision to make every hire the start of a success story, Mark will lead Accurate's growth teams in the region. Mark's experience in building high-performance teams, driving enterprise sales and client retention, and leveraging data-driven strategies aligns with Accurate's goals to rapidly expand in the APAC region. Reporting to Dan Shoemaker, Chief Revenue Officer, Mark will spearhead the development and execution of sales strategies to drive market share, client growth, and regional innovation.

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. (CIL) has successfully developed and implemented a game-changing benzene-d6 recovery program, addressing major pain points for manufacturers of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. This innovative service reduces costs, minimizes environmental impact, and conserves scarce deuterium supplies.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture rejected by the United States and Israel.

Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin said his side feared a "worst-case scenario" after Nico Schlotterbeck, the club's only fit centre-back, was stretchered off in Wednesday's home loss to Barcelona.

Manchester City's crisis continued with a 2-0 defeat away to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Pep Guardiola's old club Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund to clinch a spot in the knockout stage of Europe's elite club competition.

Mikel Arteta praised Bukayo Saka's "incredible talent" after the Arsenal forward's double inspired a 3-0 win over Monaco that moved his side closer to the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo said his team "want more" after locking up progress through the league phase with a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola admitted that he is questioning himself as his Manchester City team slumped to yet another defeat at Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.

American and European stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday after inflation data cemented expectations that the US Federal Reserve will trim interest rates next month.

Substitute Ferran Torres struck twice in 10 minutes to earn Barcelona a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and seal their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture rejected by the United States and Israel.

US lawmakers voted Wednesday after fraught negotiations to move forward with a contentious 2025 defense budget that raises troops' pay but blocks funding of gender-affirming care for some transgender children of service members.

Somalia and Ethiopia have reached a deal to end a nearly year-old bitter dispute following hours of Turkish-brokered talks in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.

Bukayo Saka's double fired Arsenal a step closer to the Champions League last 16 as the England forward inspired a 3-0 win against Monaco on Wednesday.

Manchester City were plunged further into crisis on Wednesday after falling to a 2-0 defeat at Juventus in the Champions League.