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

Over 200,000 minors are estimated to have been sexually abused in Spain by the Roman Catholic clergy since 1940, according to an independent commission published Friday.

Bayern Munich captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will make his comeback in Saturday's home Bundesliga match with Darmstadt, having missed almost a year with a broken leg, coach Thomas Tuchel said on Friday.

Dutch skipper Scott Edwards hopes the Netherlands can benefit from coach Ryan Cook's inside knowledge of Bangladesh to help rescue their fading World Cup dreams.

Global media outlets are facing near-unprecedented challenges in their coverage of the Israel-Hamas war as conflicting propaganda, social media pressure and charged public opinion require them to exercise extreme caution.

European stock markets struck a mixed note Friday after a rally in Asia in the wake of strong US tech earnings, while traders steeled themselves for key US inflation data.

England scrum-half Ben Youngs says he feels honoured to end his international career "on my own terms" when he plays his final Test match in the World Cup third-place playoff on Friday.

Bundee Aki, whose performances for Ireland in achieving the Six Nations Grand Slam and at the World Cup have earned him a nomination for world player of the year, extended his contract with the IRFU to 2025 on Friday.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham said Australia had reverted to type following a shaky start as the trans-Tasman rivals geared up for a World Cup clash in Dharamsala on Saturday.

Jorge Martin thrilled and later spilled as he topped the timesheet at Friday's second practice in Thailand's MotoGP, while championship leader Francesco Bagnaia secured 7th spot.

New Zealanders are "generally cynical" and conservative but All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said Friday he can sense there is "a lot of excitement" back home ahead of his team's bid for a record fourth World Cup title.

The UN warned Friday that "many more will die" in Gaza from catastrophic shortages after nearly three weeks of bombardment by Israel in response to Hamas staging the deadliest attack in its history.

Bangladesh spearhead Taskin Ahmed said Friday "there's nothing much for bowlers" at the World Cup as runs flow in India's batting paradise.

An alliance of ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar launched coordinated attacks on the military across the country's north on Friday, posing a fresh challenge to the junta as it struggles to quell resistance to its rule.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said there is a "high chance" that Sandro Tonali could be involved in Saturday's Premier League fixture at Wolves despite being handed a 10-month ban by Italian authorities for breaching betting rules.

EU leaders meeting in Brussels Friday discussed bolstering support for Ukraine, as they strived to focus on helping that country against Russia's invasion even as Middle East turmoil steals global attention.

Swedish home appliances maker Electrolux said Thursday it plans to cut some 3,000 jobs as it reported lower sales in the third quarter.

US vehicle company Cruise has suspended all operations of driverless cars, the subsidiary of auto giant General Motors said Thursday, days after California authorities halted testing of its driverless cars in the state.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins believes Saturday's World Cup clash with New Zealand will be a battle between "mates" as the push for semi-final places enters a critical phase.

King Charles III embarks Tuesday on a four-day trip to Kenya, his first visit as monarch to a Commonwealth nation, where any comments he makes on Britain's colonial past will be closely scrutinised.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said there is a "high chance" Sandro Tonali could be involved in Saturday's Premier League fixture at Wolves despite being handed a 10-month ban by Italian authorities for gambling.

Tesla mechanics in Sweden walked off the job on Friday to protest against the electric carmaker's refusal to sign a collective wage agreement, the metalworkers union said.

Australia captain Pat Cummins on Friday hailed fast bowler Mitchell Starc as a "rare" talent for his record of taking a wicket in every World Cup match he has played.

Forward Lark Atkin-Davies claimed four of England's seven tries as the Red Roses routed Canada 45-12 in Dunedin on Friday to chalk up their second win of the women's WXV1 tournament in New Zealand.

UK bank NatWest displayed "serious failings" in its treatment of the banking affairs of arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage, an independent probe found Friday.

All Blacks fans will gather to watch the World Cup final against the Springboks on Saturday, but there was a time when their rugby team's links to apartheid-era South Africa bitterly divided New Zealanders.

Italian energy giant Eni said Friday its net profit fell 67 percent to 1.91 billion euros in the third quarter of 2023, hit by falling oil and gas prices.

Israeli infantry backed by warplanes mounted an incursion deeper into Gaza, the army said Friday, as it readies for a ground offensive against Hamas for the deadliest attack in the country's history.

Malaysia's royalty on Friday chose an influential sultan from the southern state of Johor to be the country's next king.

In October 1943 Tove Udsholt, who had just turned three, had fled Copenhagen with her mother to escape the Gestapo. She ended up alone, but a small fishing village took her in.

Australia approved on Friday the aerial shooting of wild horses in one of the country's largest national parks, resuming a contentious practice that authorities described as "essential" to protect native wildlife.

In a workshop packed with historic memorabilia, from rusty petrol pumps to vintage enamel signs, Carl Burge skillfully applied the finishing touches to the red British telephone box he was restoring.

Fans of baseball's Hanshin Tigers are at fever pitch ahead of Saturday's start to the Japan Series, with the country's most passionately supported team desperate to win only their second national title.