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

Gianluca Vialli's death on Friday robbed Italian football of an iconic figure of its golden era, a powerful yet studious centre-forward who won almost every honour and was one of the English Premier League's first big-name foreign imports.

Former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy striker Gianluca Vialli has died aged 58 of pancreatic cancer, his former clubs announced on Friday.

Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani said he was "thinking only about winning" the World Baseball Classic title after being named in Japan's squad for the March tournament on Friday.

German pharmaceutical company BioNTech, which developed a trailblazing Covid-19 vaccine, will trial a cancer treatment in Britain using the same mRNA technology, the company said on Friday.

Former world number one Daniil Medvedev set up an Adelaide International semi-final against either Novak Djokovic or Denis Shapovalov Friday with a commanding performance in the countdown to the opening Grand Slam of the year.

Former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy striker Gianluca Vialli has died aged 58 of pancreatic cancer, his former club Sampdoria announced on Friday.

A brief ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin but dismissed by Ukraine as an empty gesture was due to have taken effect on Friday in what would be the first full pause since Moscow's invasion in February 2022.

British energy giant Shell on Friday said windfall taxes imposed by the European Union and UK following a surge in profits would cost the group about $2 billion.

Asian investors struggled Friday to maintain the week's positive momentum as they eyed sharp losses on Wall Street that came after forecast-beating jobs data suggested the Federal Reserve would have to keep lifting interest rates.

Usman Khawaja said it would be "harsh" if he was denied the chance of claiming his first Test double century by a declaration in Australia's third Test against South Africa.

Spinners Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi grabbed two wickets apiece Friday as New Zealand closed in on victory in the second Test against Pakistan in Karachi.

Former world number one Daniil Medvedev set up an Adelaide International semi-final against either Novak Djokovic or Denis Shapovalov Friday with a command performance in the countdown to the opening Grand Slam of the year.

Understaffed and underfunded clinics stand half-empty in parts of the Chinese countryside even as hospitals in major cities heave under an unprecedented Covid wave -- an illustration of the stark disparities in the country's healthcare system.

Japan-bound All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo'unga warned Friday that New Zealand rugby faces a chronic talent drain unless authorities allow overseas-based players to represent their country.

In announcing a "bilateral" ceasefire before it existed, Colombian President Gustavo Petro may have weakened his government in ongoing peace talks with armed groups, experts say.

The Boston Celtics broke out of their funk on Thursday as Jayson Tatum's 29-point triple-double propelled them to a 124-95 victory over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Iga Swiatek was left in tears as Jessica Pegula stunned the world number one Friday before Frances Tiafoe gave the United States a commanding lead over Poland in the semi-finals of the inaugural United Cup.

The entire third day of the final Sydney Test was washed out Friday forcing a reappraisal of Australia's push for a series clean sweep over South Africa.

Higher borrowing costs are leading to fewer US home sales, but prices are staying elevated in a holdover from the torrid peak-pandemic market.

The twisting road that leads to Indonesia's future capital is lined with dense rainforest and pockets of plantations, punctuated every so often with monkeys enjoying a laze out on the tarmac.

The Boston Celtics broke out of their funk on Thursday as Jayson Tatum's 29-point triple-double propelled them to a 124-95 victory over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

World number five Aryna Sabalenka held off Marketa Vondrousova to book her place in the Adelaide International semi-finals on Friday in a boost to her Australian Open preparations.

Iga Swiatek was left in tears after Jessica Pegula stunned the world number one on Friday to give the United States a 1-0 lead over Poland in the semi-finals of the inaugural United Cup.

He has lived in fear of heavy shelling for months, but it was only on Thursday that 73-year-old Vladislav Victorovych first considered fleeing his home near Ukraine's front line.

TikTok faces an uncertain year ahead in the United States as anti-China Republicans take greater control in Congress demanding tighter scrutiny for the highly popular video sharing app.

In Tokyo's Asakusa tourist district, caricaturist Masashi Higashitani is dusting off his Chinese as he prepares for an influx of travellers after Beijing ends inbound quarantine rules.

Asian investors struggled Friday to maintain the week's positive momentum as they eyed sharp losses on Wall Street that came after forecast-beating jobs data that suggested the Federal Reserve will have to keep lifting interest rates.

Shanghai engineer Roy Wang has a pressing task now that the border between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland is being reopened -- rekindling his long-distance relationship after a painful separation.

Former Suriname leader Desi Bouterse on Thursday admitted in court that he heard gunshots on the day 15 political prisoners were murdered in 1982, but again denied that he ordered their executions.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a powerful ally of President Vladimir Putin, is embracing the rhetoric of the mediaeval crusades in urging support for Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Rain washed out the entire morning session on the third day of the final Sydney Test Friday, with Usman Khawaja stranded short of his double-century against South Africa.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, closing in on the top spot on the NBA's all-time scoring list, leads the fan voting for the league's All-Star Game in the first returns announced Thursday.