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

Sevilla crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday, throwing away a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat by PSV Eindhoven.

Ridley Scott's film "Napoleon" has stormed to the top of the French box office ratings, figures showed on Wednesday, despite sometimes savage reviews from critics in France who took aim at historical inaccuracies and the portrayal of the emperor.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday confirmed the French Alps and Salt Lake City as the sole candidates to host the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to return to practice just 11 weeks after undergoing surgery on a torn Achilles tendon, head coach Robert Saleh said on Wednesday.

Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders suffered a major setback to his goal of forming a governing coalition Wednesday when a key potential partner ruled itself out, uncomfortable with his extreme views.

China is not likely to consider a major invasion of Taiwan for now due to domestic challenges, the island's president Tsai Ing-wen said Wednesday, although Beijing is trying to sway its upcoming election.

Six exoplanets have been spotted in a perfectly synchronised dance around a nearby star, offering clues about the formation of our own Solar System, astronomers said on Wednesday.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday confirmed the French Alps and Salt Lake City-Utah as the sole candidates to host the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games.

Unai Emery hopes he is just getting started at Aston Villa after overseeing a remarkable transformation in the club's fortunes during his first year in charge.

Europe's main stock markets mostly rose Wednesday while Wall Street held onto gains as traders ramped up bets on the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in the new year.

Efforts intensified Wednesday to extend a halt in deadly violence in Gaza as a truce was set to expire, with a source saying militant group Hamas was willing to free more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

England captain Owen Farrell will not be available for the 2024 Six Nations after deciding to take a break from international rugby "to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing".

Russian forces were ramping up attacks in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, Moscow and Kyiv said, as they vie to secure elusive territorial gains before the end of the year.

England captain Owen Farrell will not be available for the 2024 Six Nations Championship after deciding to take a break from international rugby "to prioritise his and his family's mental well-being".

A French court on Wednesday acquitted France's justice minister in a conflict of interest trial that has been an embarrassment for President Emmanuel Macron's government.

Gazans are "in the midst of an epic humanitarian catastrophe before the eyes of the world," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday, while calling for an expansion of the current pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Ministers of the world's largest regional security body are to meet Thursday in Skopje as the 57-member organisation faces its most serious crisis since its creation as tensions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine remain heightened.

Liverpool are set to be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Diogo Jota for a spell after both picked up injuries during a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, manager Jurgen Klopp said on Wednesday.

China and the United States -- the world's two biggest greenhouse gas polluters -- will work together at the UN climate talks in Dubai, US envoy John Kerry said Wednesday.

Wall Street and Europe's main stock markets mostly climbed Wednesday as traders ramped up bets on the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in the new year after a top official sounded an optimistic note on the battle against inflation.

The Paris appeals court on Wednesday rejected a bid by Romania for the extradition of a descendant of the country's last kings, which had described an influence-peddling conviction against him as "political" persecution.

The speaker of Kenya's parliament has cracked down on what he described as inappropriate attire worn by MPs, even banning traditional African dress and safari-style suits favoured by President William Ruto.

Russian forces were ramping up attacks in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, Moscow and Kyiv said, as they vie to secure elusive territorial gains before the end of the year.

General Motors announced hefty new initiatives Wednesday to return billions of dollars to shareholders, lifting its stock price as it estimated the recent labor strike hit at $1.1 billion.

The Paris police chief has outlined drastic security measures for next year's summer Olympics, sparking an outcry from politicians Wednesday who said they were an attack on civic freedoms.

Luke Donald will remain Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 tournament at Bethpage Black in New York after masterminding this year's victory, team bosses announced on Wednesday.

In his small flat in Moscow, Igor was putting purple eyeliner and fake lashes on fellow drag queen Saffron, but their sessions trying out make-up tips could soon be illegal.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Diogo Jota are facing spells on the sidelines after sustaining injuries during Liverpool's 1-1 draw at Manchester City, manager Jurgen Klopp said on Wednesday.

Croatia was struggling to contain a whooping cough epidemic that health officials said Wednesday was due in part to a drop in inoculation rates linked to the growth of the anti-vaccine movement.

Japan's defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds stayed alive in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday after retiring striker Jose Kante scored a 90th-minute winner to sink China's Wuhan Three Towns.

Luke Donald will remain Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 tournament at Bethpage Black in New York, Ryder Cup Europe announced on Wednesday.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday defended his decision to snub Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accusing his Greek counterpart of playing to the gallery in a row over ancient sculptures.