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

Oscar-winning Mexican director Guillermo del Toro has birthed a monster with his new big-budget "Frankenstein" movie and joked Saturday that the effort had left him worn out ahead of the world premiere in Venice.

Canada underlined their status as one of the leading contenders for the Women's Rugby World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals with a game to spare after a 42-0 thrashing of Wales.

Chelsea took advantage of VAR controversy to beat Fulham 2-0 as the visitors were left to rue a series of costly decisions awarded against them at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

A fire started by protesters at a council building in eastern Indonesia killed at least three people, a local official said on Saturday, after the death of a man hit by a police vehicle sparked widespread demonstrations.

Moise Kean has signed a new contract with Fiorentina until 2029, the Serie A club announced on Saturday.

A former Ukrainian speaker of parliament who was a leading figure in the country's pro-European protest movements in 2004 and 2014 was shot dead on Saturday in western Ukraine, officials said.

Seymour Hersh, one of the most influential US journalists of the last 60 years, is the sometimes reluctant subject of a new documentary that probes his biggest scoops and occasional missteps, as well as his private life.

The Red Cross warned on Saturday that any Israeli efforts to evacuate Gaza City would put residents at risk, as Israel's military tightened its siege on the area ahead of a major planned offensive.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he believes midfielder Fermin Lopez will stay at the club despite links to a Chelsea switch, but could not be certain of it.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in the Chinese city of Tianjin on Saturday evening, Indian TV networks showed, a day before a summit that will be attended by leaders from more than 20 countries.

Alexander Isak's move to Liverpool moved a step closer on Saturday after Newcastle United signed German international striker Nick Woltemade for a club record fee reported to be worth up to £69 million ($93 million).

Russia launched "massive" strikes across Ukraine overnight, rescue services said on Saturday, a new blow to peace efforts that drew a fresh appeal from President Volodymyr Zelensky for US and European help.

Violent clashes have erupted across Indonesia, boiling into the biggest test of Prabowo Subianto's 10-month presidency, with at least four people killed in separate incidents.

McLaren drivers dominated the final practice session at the Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday, with Britain's Lando Norris outpacing teammate Oscar Piastri to set the fastest time.

Nearly half a million people have been displaced by flooding in eastern Pakistan after days of heavy rain swelled rivers, relief officials said Saturday, as they carried out a massive rescue operation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping began welcoming dignitaries including United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and Egyptian Premier Moustafa Madbouly on Saturday before a summit attended by leaders from more than 20 countries.

Thailand's lack of a formal government will not affect border security with Cambodia, the defence ministry said Saturday, as the kingdom scrambles to fill a power vacuum following the dismissal of the prime minister by the Constitutional Court.

For nearly two centuries, the white ferries gliding over the Bosphorus Strait have provided an iconic link for countless passengers travelling between Istanbul's European shores and its Asian side.

Three Scottish brothers stepped ashore in Australia Saturday after claiming a new record for rowing non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean, "over the moon" to be back on dry land.

At least three people were killed by a fire started by protesters at a council building in eastern Indonesia's Makassar city, a local official told AFP Saturday, after demonstrations across the country following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver hit by a police vehicle.

A US guided missile cruiser, USS Lake Erie, was seen crossing the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Caribbean Friday night, after the Trump administration deployed warships near the coast of Venezuela.

A "baggy green" Test cap worn by Australian cricketing legend Don Bradman has been bought for Aus$438,550 (US$287,000) by the country's National Museum, which called it an iconic slice of history.

At least three people were killed by a fire started by protesters at a council building in eastern Indonesia's Makassar city, a local official told AFP Saturday, after demonstrations across the country following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver hit by a police vehicle.

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic edged closer to a semi-final showdown at the US Open on Friday as Aryna Sabalenka avenged the memory of a bitter defeat to power into the last 16.

Novak Djokovic beat Britain's Cameron Norrie in four sets on Friday to became the oldest man to reach the US Open last 16 since Jimmy Connors in 1991.

Morocco have an unprecedented third African Nations Championship (CHAN) title in their sights on Saturday when they play Madagascar in the final at Nairobi's Kasarani stadium.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with the families of soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine and offered condolences for their "unbearable pain", state media said Saturday.

Brazil's far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro will learn soon whether he is headed to prison as his trial on attempted coup charges enters the final stretch despite pressure from his US ally, President Donald Trump.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the US Open on Friday after extending her remarkable streak of tie-break victories to defeat Canada's Leylah Fernandez.

Chinese rookie Miranda Wang birdied the last three holes to seize a two-stroke lead when darkness halted Friday's storm-hit second round of the LPGA FM Championship at TPC Boston.

Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe both crashed out in the third round of the US Open on a bleak day for a host nation without a men's Grand Slam champion in over 20 years.

A US appeals court on Friday ruled that many of President Donald Trump's tariffs, which have upended global trade, were illegal -- but allowed them to remain in place for now, giving him time to take the fight to the Supreme Court.

The Seattle Sounders are conceding nothing as they prepare to host football's "greatest player" Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final on Sunday.

A fierce debate has erupted in Germany around a neo-Nazi provocateur who was ordered to serve time in a women's prison after legally changing gender, and has now not shown up to serve the sentence.

Frances Tiafoe, a US Open semi-finalist twice in the past three years, crashed out in straight sets to Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round on Friday.

Argentine police on Friday raided the offices of the National Disability Agency and a pharmaceutical company at the heart of a corruption scandal embroiling President Javier Milei's influential sister.

Enzo Maresca will not ban Chelsea's players from social media after Alejandro Garnacho's impending move to Stamford Bridge raised questions about his online presence.

Budget US carrier Spirit Airlines said Friday that it will file for bankruptcy for the second time in a year, but will continue to fly, sell tickets and operate.

Ruben Amorim is adamant he will still be in charge of Manchester United after the forthcoming international break despite the mounting pressure on the beleaguered boss.