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

Three-time NBA All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout by the Phoenix Suns that opens the door to joining the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

Beverage giant Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its US production, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday on social media.

Wall Street stocks finished higher Wednesday, overcoming a mid-session swoon after US President Donald Trump denied plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Swiss manager Rene Weiler was named head coach of DC United on Wednesday, the Major League Soccer club announced, pending his receipt of a US work visa.

United Airlines reported a drop in second-quarter profits Wednesday on higher costs and predicted a rise in travel as geopolitical worries ease.

Eight healthy babies have been born in the UK using a new IVF technique that successfully reduced their risk of inheriting genetic diseases from their mothers, the results of a world-first trial said Wednesday.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the WTA Canadian Open tournament in Montreal due to fatigue, Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday.

The European Union executive on Wednesday proposed a two-trillion-euro long-term budget focused on tackling overseas competition and Russian aggression, but it was quickly shot down by Germany, the bloc's largest member.

Nearly three in four American teenagers have used AI companions, with more than half qualifying as regular users despite growing safety concerns about these virtual relationships, according to a new survey released Wednesday.

Cristiana Girelli shot Italy into the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday with a brace, including a last-gasp winner, in the Azzurre's historic 2-1 triumph over Norway.

Syria announced that its army had begun to withdraw from violence-hit Sweida on Wednesday, following a wave of Israeli strikes on the capital and a US call for government forces to leave the majority-Druze southern city.

The main stage of the Tomorrowland music festival near Antwerp was totally destroyed by fire Wednesday, a day before thousands of electronic dance music lovers were due to descend on the Belgian event.

US President Donald Trump blasted his own supporters and "stupid" Republicans Wednesday as he went on the attack against anyone questioning his administration's handling of the case of dead sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein.

A Texas judge on Wednesday set a new execution date for an autistic man convicted in a problematic "shaken baby" case.

Goldman Sachs reported a jump in second-quarter profits Wednesday behind significant increases in financial advisory revenues that chief executive David Solomon said could presage an uptick in dealmaking.

US President Donald Trump blasted "foolish" Republican supporters Wednesday as he went on the attack against anyone questioning his administration's handling of the case of dead sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein.

The EU executive proposed on Wednesday a two-trillion-euro long-term budget bazooka focused on tackling overseas competition and Russian aggression at Europe's borders -- at the risk of a new showdown with farmers.

A crush at an aid centre in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people on Wednesday, with the site's operator blaming "agitators" within the crowd and the Palestinian territory's civil defence agency attributing the panic to Israeli gunfire.

Young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal inherited the club's number 10 shirt, previously worn by all-time great Lionel Messi, on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was not currently planning to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, but added that he did not rule it out.

Major stock markets stumbled on Wednesday after reports that US President Donald Trump was close to firing the head of the Federal Reserve in a dispute over interest rates.

In Javier Milei's Argentina, falling inflation has stimulated a boom in car and real estate sales and foreign-bound planes take off laden with tourists.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to miss up to 12 weeks recovering from a shoulder operation after the Spanish giants said Wednesday he had successfully undergone surgery.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suspended several lawmakers on Wednesday as he tried to reassert his authority over his ruling Labour party following a rebellion over welfare reforms.

June's heatwave has caused French Alps snow and glaciers to melt faster, causing water shortages at mountain shelters just before the summer tourist hiking season gets into full swing.

The EU executive proposed on Wednesday a long-term budget boosted to two trillion euros ($2.3 trillion) as Europe confronts complex challenges, from overseas competition to Russian aggression at its borders.

Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen won stage 11 of the Tour de France at Toulouse on Wednesday while defending champion Tadej Pogacar crashed 4km from the line.

Croatia captain Luka Modric said Wednesday he had penned a one-year contract with AC Milan to "stay competitive and in Europe".

At least 20 people were killed in a chaotic crush at an aid centre in southern Gaza on Wednesday, with the site's operator blaming "agitators" within the crowd and the territory's civil defence agency attributing the panic to Israeli gunfire.

Kosovare Asllani said Wednesday that Sweden should be getting more attention for their performances at the Women's Euro 2025 as the Scandinavians prepare for a blockbuster quarter-final against England.

World decathlon record holder Kevin Mayer said on Wednesday he would sit out the entire 2025 season due to the long-term hamstring injury which dashed his Paris Olympics hopes.

A volcano erupted on Wednesday in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest, weather authorities said, the ninth eruption to hit the region since the end of 2023.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has confirmed his club will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being demoted from the Europa League.

Ministers in the UK's last Conservative government have "serious questions to answer" over a secret resettlement plan for thousands of Afghans after a data breach endangered their lives, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday.

Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic joined Bournemouth in a deal worth a reported £25 million ($33 million) on Wednesday.

Real Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez will leave the club, the Spanish giants confirmed Wednesday.

British Open organisers the Royal and Ancient (R&A) refused to rule out a return to US President Donald Trump's Turnberry course if infrastructure challenges were overcome.

Following weeks of rumours, President Volodymyr Zelensky this week unveiled a government reshuffle, replacing his prime minister and defence minister as he aims to inject fresh energy into his team, with no end in sight to the war.

Two stars of the "Harry Potter" films, including actress Emma Watson, were each banned from driving for six months Wednesday after being caught speeding in separate incidents.