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

Arsenal have agreed to sign England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in a deal worth at least £50 million ($68 million), according to reports on Wednesday.

France saw more than 7,300 excess deaths during heatwaves so far this year, health authorities said Wednesday, as the country has also endured a record number of hot days since mid-June, according to an AFP analysis.

Authorities in Belgium and Germany on Wednesday lifted the last remaining evacuation orders in the border region where firefighters appeared to be gaining the upper hand against the massive High Fens wildfire.

Ukraine's lawmakers approved the country's new defence minister on Wednesday, a month after a reshuffle that triggered a public backlash after the dismissal of his popular predecessor Mykhailo Fedorov.

The British press is once again in the spotlight for its methods, this time over accusations that its full-throttle coverage of plagiarism allegations against the Cambridge academic Jason Arday led to his untimely death.

The powerful sister of Kim Jong Un said Wednesday she was "unaware" of reported communication between her brother and Donald Trump, after the US president hinted at contact with the North Korean leader, but said ties between the two remained "excellent".

France saw more than 7,300 excess deaths during heatwaves so far this year, health authorities said Wednesday, as the country has also endured a record number of hot days since mid-June, according to an AFP analysis.

Russia and Ukraine each handed over 103 captured soldiers on Wednesday, both countries said, in the latest exchange between the warring sides.

The left wing of the Democratic Party on Wednesday celebrated its latest stunning upset with a US Senate primary win in Florida, extending its insurgent streak into President Donald Trump's home state as voters rejected several of his preferred Republican candidates in other primaries.

Carlos Sainz signed a "multi-year" contract extension with Formula One team Williams on Wednesday to quash speculation about his future.

Iran's armed forces warned Gulf countries against assisting the US military on Wednesday, hours after the United Arab Emirates announced it was severing economic ties with Tehran following new attacks on shipping.

Bernardo Silva said playing for Real Madrid "is not for everyone" after the Portugal midfielder was presented by the 15-time European champions on Wednesday.

One of FIFA's vice presidents has withdrawn his support from the world football body's embattled president Gianni Infantino, saying the "unexpected dismissal" of critic Kevin Lamour was the "final straw".

Warnings are multiplying that violence could break out between rival political camps ahead of Israel's October 27 election, with powerful figures including top government ministers accused of incitement against opponents.

Red Bull's Isack Hadjar has withdrawn from the Dutch Grand Prix due to injury and will be replaced on the grid by Liam Lawson of sister team Racing Bulls, the Austrian constructor announced on Wednesday.

Honorary Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness said Wednesday he was "speechless" after Jamal Musiala's second on-field collapse inside four days, calling the incident a "tragedy" and pledging to support the midfielder.

Robots sorting parcels and serving fried chicken enthralled visitors at a robotics expo in Beijing on Wednesday, where hundreds of companies set out their pitches for a future labour market transformed by artificial intelligence.

Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has arrived in Saudi Arabia after completing a move from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah on a contract running until 2031, a club official told AFP on Wednesday.

Leeds signed Switzerland defender Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday in a deal worth a reported £8.5 million ($11 million).

Mikel Arteta will sign a new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal "very shortly", the club's chief executive Richard Garlick said on Wednesday.

England bowler Ollie Robinson took a wicket with the first ball of the match as his double strike left Pakistan reeling before rain stopped play in the first Test at Headingley on Wednesday.

Stock markets mostly fell and oil prices climbed further on Wednesday as higher global bond yields, fuelled by inflation and debt concerns, took a heavy toll on technology stocks.

Britain's Queen Camilla has spoken about the difficulty of not revealing King Charles III had cancer when she visited a support charity shortly after her husband had been diagnosed with the disease.

Firefighters hacked their way through boggy terrain overnight to fully surround Belgium's largest wildfire in a century, but crews were still battling numerous flare-ups in the High Fens nature reserve.

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled plans Wednesday to offer those sleeping rough a way off the streets by Christmas, as part of his bid to curb homelessness.

Japan are aiming to win more medals than ever before at their home Asian Games next month in Nagoya, chef de mission Kosei Inoue said Wednesday after the team's inauguration ceremony.

England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to field in the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday.

The International Criminal Court on Wednesday lashed out at the United States after Washington slapped sanctions on President Tomoko Akane, calling it a "flagrant attack" on the court's independence.

Aston Villa announced on Wednesday they have signed Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italian defender Matteo Ruggeri as they strengthen their defensive options ahead of the Champions League.

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios said on Wednesday that he had made "a huge mistake" after testing positive for cocaine.

Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will be released by Monaco after a series of injuries, the French club said on Wednesday.

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Wednesday that the continent could not afford to miss out on the artificial intelligence revolution as the continent's growth model comes under increasing pressure.