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

Rodri will not be risked in Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final against Southampton this weekend even though he is recovering from a groin injury, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

With just one year left in his second five-year term, French President Emmanuel Macron has said he will quit politics in 2027 -- leaving observers and supporters guessing about his next moves.

German prosecutors Friday launched a spying investigation into phishing attacks targeting lawmakers on the Signal messaging app, with an MP saying the latest Russia-directed plot against Germany was a "wake-up call".

Mikel Arteta insists spluttering Arsenal still believe they can win the Premier League title despite surrendering first place to Manchester City.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Friday that injured teenage star Lamine Yamal would return to action at the World Cup this summer with Spain, even "stronger" than he is now.

Oil prices fell on Friday after it appeared a second round of Middle East talks was back on, bolstering prospects for an end to a war that has crippled energy shipments from the Gulf.

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said Friday there was still "a lot of belief" the Blues could turn their season around after a slump that resulted in the dramatic dismissal of Liam Rosenior.

Britain's Prince Harry on Friday visited deminers from the HALO Trust charity -- made famous by his mother, Princess Diana -- near the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where he tested how drones and AI-powered robots are transforming mine-clearance work.

Brazilian winger Estevao is out for the rest of the English season, with his participation in the World Cup in doubt, Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said on Friday.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has no intention of easing up on his players ahead of the World Cup as his Ligue 1 leaders look to defend their Champions League crown.

Budget airline Ryanair said Friday that it would reduce flights to and from Berlin starting in October and relocate aircraft based in the German capital, citing comparatively high costs and taxes.

Heating with geothermal energy, lighting with solar panels, cooking with biodegradable waste: how can we live with less oil and gas?

Despite heightened security measures, Jewish residents in northwest London remain on "high alert" after a spate of arson attacks on synagogues and community sites in recent weeks.

Claudio Ranieri has left his role as senior advisor to Roma's billionaire American owners, the Serie A club said on Friday, after a public row with coach Gian Piero Gasperini meant only one of the pair could stay.

The El Nino weather phenomenon, which pushed global temperatures to record highs the last time around, is expected to return in mid-2026, the UN said Friday.

German carmaker Porsche announced on Friday the sale of its stakes in sports car manufacturer Bugatti Rimac to a consortium led by a US fund founded by the Egyptian billionaire Sawiris family.

Oil prices extended gains Friday and stock markets largely declined as investors worried about a lack of progress in ending the Middle East crisis, with Tehran keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed and the US maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports.

A contentious bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales was set to fail Friday after running out of parliamentary time, having been stuck in the UK's unelected upper house.

Thousands squeezed into the world's biggest car show Friday, snapping selfies beside Chinese electric vehicles as automakers showcased AI, humanoid robots and flying-car ambitions in a cut-throat market.

French President Emmanuel Macron denied Friday that a troubled fighter jet programme with Germany was dead, telling reporters Paris and Berlin were still working on that and other defence projects.

Riyad Mahrez says Al Ahli have achieved "something incredible" in reaching back-to-back Asian Champions League finals, but warned his side not to underestimate tournament debutants Machida Zelvia when they meet for the trophy in Jeddah on Saturday.

Greece on Friday named over 250 beaches in environmentally important areas that must be left in their natural state, amid ongoing efforts to limit the impact of overtourism in its multi-billion-euro travel industry.

Tesla's much-touted autonomous "robotaxi", called the Cybercab, has started production, CEO Elon Musk said on Friday, the same week that the carmaker reported first-quarter profits that beat expectations.

All Blacks legend Richie McCaw said on Friday the city of Christchurch finally had "one of the last pieces of the puzzle" in its post-quake reconstruction as new stadium Te Kaha hosted its first rugby match.

Prices of rubber products have shot up due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the Middle East war, the world's largest condom maker and a leading glove manufacturer, both based in Malaysia, said on Friday.

After weathering unprecedented attacks from Iran, the wealthy Gulf states are now stuck between war and peace as talks stall and the vital Strait of Hormuz remains all but closed -- threatening economic recovery.

Arne Slot warned Friday that "margins are small" in the Premier League as Liverpool aim to strengthen their push for a place in next season's Champions League.

Tesla's much-touted autonomous "robotaxi", called the Cybercab, has started production, CEO Elon Musk said on Friday, a day after the carmaker reported first-quarter profits that beat expectations.

Has a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin worth $10 million and stolen by the Nazis during World War II turned up in France?

A large ice chunk is blocking the climbing route to Everest's summit, officials said Friday, risking delays in the summit season at the world's highest peak.

Chinese startup DeepSeek released a new artificial intelligence model with "drastically reduced" costs Friday, more than a year after it stunned the world with a low-cost reasoning model that matched the capabilities of US rivals.

Australian Rules Football said Friday that homophobia had no place in the game after an appeals board reduced a penalty for a player who used an anti-gay slur on the grounds such comments were "commonplace" in the sport.

Tokyo's metropolitan government is encouraging staff to wear shorts to work to cut reliance on air conditioning, an official said Friday, as concerns grow over high energy costs linked to the Middle East War.

Thousands snapped selfies beside sleek Chinese electric vehicles on Friday at the world's biggest car show in Beijing, where automakers are seeking to lure buyers in a cut-throat market.

Four months ago, the stars seemed to be aligned for veteran left-winger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in his quest for an unprecedented fourth term as Brazilian president.

China's artificial intelligence boom is in full swing, with the release of a new large language model (LLM) by top startup DeepSeek on Friday highlighting the country's rapid progress despite US export restrictions on advanced microchips.

As DeepSeek releases its first major new artificial intelligence model in over a year -- DeepSeek-V4 -- here are five things to know about the Chinese startup:

Bargain US carrier Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in 2025 for the second time in a year, could be spared by a controversial potential White House rescue package.

As he threaded his way through the scrub in Serbia's southern hills, Slobodan Velickovic stopped to inspect the small indigo berries that have made the Balkans a key part of the global gin industry.