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

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on Thursday named four uncapped players in New Zealand's matchday 23 for the first of three Test matches against France.

US officials on Wednesday downplayed a White House announcement that Washington was pausing some weapons shipments to Ukraine, after the war-battered country was caught off-guard and appealed for clarity.

The Peruvian clinic that treated Colombian mega-star Shakira for an abdominal condition in February has been fined $190,000 over the leaking of her medical record, local health authorities announced Wednesday.

Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking Wednesday but convicted of a less serious prostitution charge after a high-profile marathon trial in New York.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that finance minister Rachel Reeves would remain in her role for "a very long time to come" after she appeared visibly upset in parliament as rumours swirled around her future.

Republican leaders in the US Congress delayed a key vote for hours on Donald Trump's signature tax and spending bill Wednesday as they scrambled to win over a group of rebels threatening to torpedo the centerpiece of the president's domestic agenda.

Major US stock indices closed at fresh records Wednesday following a US-Vietnam trade deal, while oil prices jumped after Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Norway downed hosts Switzerland in their opening fixture of Women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a tough encounter to move top of Group A.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to eradicate Hamas, even as the Palestinian militant group said it was discussing new proposals from mediators for a ceasefire in Gaza.

British amateur Oliver Tarvet said facing Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon was the "most special day" of his life, but the world number 733 has no intention of turning professional just yet.

Ukraine appealed to the United States for clarity on Wednesday after it was caught off-guard by a White House announcement that Washington was halting some arms shipments to the war-battered country.

Shubman Gill led from the front once more with a second hundred in as many matches as India captain to keep England at bay at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

An object that appears to be from beyond our Solar System has been spotted hurtling towards the Sun, which if confirmed would be the third visitor from the stars ever detected, the European Space Agency said Wednesday.

Carlos Alcaraz spoiled Oliver Tarvet's Wimbledon adventure as the defending champion moved into the third round with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over the British amateur, while last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini became the latest star to crash out on Wednesday.

Why is Mars barren and uninhabitable, while life has always thrived here on our relatively similar planet Earth?

Jasmine Paolini was the latest victim of Wimbledon's spate of giant-killings as last year's runner-up suffered a shock second-round exit against Russian world number 62 Kamilla Rakhimova on Wednesday.

Tesla reported another hefty drop in auto sales Wednesday, extending a difficult period amid intensifying electric vehicle competition and backlash over CEO Elon Musk's political activities.

Finland got Women's Euro 2025 up and running on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over 10-player Iceland, as hosts Switzerland get set for their opening clash against Norway.

Shubman Gill led from the front once more with a second hundred in as many matches as India captain to keep England at bay at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Wednesday it was discussing proposals for a Gaza ceasefire received from mediators, after US President Donald Trump said Israel backed a 60-day ceasefire in the war-ravaged territory.

Carlos Alcaraz spoiled Oliver Tarvet's Wimbledon adventure as the defending champion moved into the third round with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over the British amateur on Wednesday after Aryna Sabalenka stemmed the tide of shock exits.

His gaze to the ceiling in exultation and hands miming prayer, Sean Combs appeared overjoyed as the jury foreman cleared the music mogul's name of sweeping charges that took a life-sentence in prison off the table.

Carlos Alcaraz ended Oliver Tarvet's Wimbledon fairytale as the defending champion moved into the third round with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over the British amateur on Wednesday.

Bangladesh suffered a stunning batting collapse under lights as Sri Lanka snatched a 77-run victory in the first one-day international in Colombo on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he had struck a trade deal with Vietnam under which the country would face a minimum 20 percent tariff and open its market to US products.

A US senator renewed calls Wednesday for a bribery probe into Paramount following its reported $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a lawsuit the entertainment giant initially described as meritless.

A concert by a singer known for pro-Nazi sympathies will draw a record-breaking 450,000 fans to Zagreb this weekend and Croatian authorities on Wednesday warned people to steer clear as the event jams its streets.

A punishing early summer heatwave that has already scorched western and southern Europe spread east Wednesday, bringing extreme weather warnings to Germany and reportedly causing motorways to buckle.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has urged Alexander Zverev to talk to his family about his mental health issues before they "destroy" him.

The Hong Kong government said Wednesday it will propose legislation to recognise a limited set of rights for same-sex couples whose marriages are registered abroad, as it seeks to comply with a landmark court ruling.

Wall Street on Wednesday largely shrugged off data showing an unexpected drop in US private sector jobs and US President Donald Trump ruling out a fresh tariffs delay.

Aitana Bonmati is on the road to recovery from the viral meningitis scare which has kept her out of Spain's Euro 2025 opener against Portugal, coach Montse Tome said on Wednesday.

While Tadej Pogacar is a clear favourite to win the Tour de France, director Christian Prudhomme says the design of the route should provide a tight struggle all the way down to the wire.

Tesla reported another hefty drop in auto sales Wednesday, extending a difficult period amid intensifying electric vehicle competition and backlash over CEO Elon Musk's political activities.

Carlos Alcaraz will aim to avoid one of Wimbledon's greatest upsets against British amateur Oliver Tarvet on Wednesday after Aryna Sabalenka stemmed the tide of shock exits.

England captain Ben Stokes again proved his worth as a Test-match partnership-breaker at Edgbaston on Wednesday by denying India dangerman Yashasvi Jaiswal his second hundred of the series.

Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking on Wednesday but convicted of a less serious prostitution charge after a high-profile seven week trial in New York.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she hopes there are "no more upsets" at Wimbledon after reaching the third round with a hard-fought 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 win over Marie Bouzkova on Wednesday.

Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Wednesday it was discussing proposals for a Gaza ceasefire received from mediators, after US President Donald Trump said Israel backed a 60-day ceasefire in the war-ravaged territory.