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

The head of Berlin's international film festival will stay in the post despite controversy over a film director's anti-Israel remarks at the event, the German culture minister's office said Wednesday.

New Zealand's Finn Allen blasted the fastest century in T20 World Cup history in Kolkata on Wednesday as his side hammered South Africa by nine wickets to reach the final.

US and European stock markets firmed and energy prices steadied Wednesday after President Donald Trump sought to ease oil supply concerns triggered by the conflict between the United States and Iran.

Here are the latest main events related to the war in the Middle East:

Kyle Steyn believes players and fans alike are in for an entertaining encounter when his Scotland side face tournament leaders France in Saturday's much-anticipated Six Nations clash in Edinburgh.

Terrified travellers fleeing war in Iran for the safety of neighbouring countries have described the extent of US and Israeli air strikes around the country, which have pummelled many regional cities as well as the capital Tehran.

Tottenham interim boss Igor Tudor insists fighting to avoid relegation is not real pressure as he urged his struggling team to show the "courage" required to win their survival battle.

British police on Wednesday arrested three men on suspicion of spying for China, including the husband of a lawmaker from the ruling Labour party.

The Argentine naval submarine that imploded in 2017, killing 44 sailors, was seaworthy, the highest-ranking of four former officers said Wednesday on the second day of their trial.

Dozens of bodies were recovered from an Iranian warship torpedoed by US forces on Wednesday, the fifth day of a regional war sparked by US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Marco Jansen hit an unbeaten 55 to lift South Africa from a precarious 77-5 to 169-8 against New Zealand in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday.

A UK warship due to be sent to Cyprus amid the US and Israel's war with Iran will not set sail from Britain until next week, Western officials said Wednesday.

The mayor of France's second-biggest city Marseille said Wednesday that Kanye West was "not welcome", after the music star known for his antisemitic rants announced a concert in June.

A US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing at least 87 sailors and leaving dozens missing, officials said.

A US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday, the Pentagon said, as more nations were sucked into the Middle East war.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV that hammered England last month, for Friday's Six Nations match at home to Wales.

US and European stock markets firmed and energy prices dipped on Wednesday after President Donald Trump sought to ease oil supply concerns triggered by the conflict between the United States and Iran.

The Israeli military is planning on at least "one or two" more weeks of strikes on Iran, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, the war's fifth day, while launching a fresh wave of attacks in Lebanon against Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants.

A ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading toward Turkish airspace via Iraq and Syria was destroyed by NATO air defence systems, Turkish officials said Wednesday.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday defended his handling of the US-Israeli war against Iran after President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack over the British leader's initial refusal to allow the Americans to use UK air bases.

Hungary wants guarantees from Russia that it will not charge Budapest more for oil and gas, despite global prices jumping due to conflict in the Middle East, Hungary's foreign minister said Wednesday.

Harry Brook conceded on Wednesday that India were favourites to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, but warned them that England's "perfect performance" was "just around the corner".

Luke Donald will captain Europe again at the 2027 Ryder Cup at the Adare Manor course in Ireland as he bids to become the first man to lead a side to three consecutive wins in the competition, officials announced Wednesday.

Barcelona will be without defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde for their Champions League last 16 tie against Newcastle after they were diagnosed with hamstring injuries on Wednesday.

More relieved passengers arrived home from the Gulf region on Wednesday as further flights resumed five days into the war triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Iran claimed total control of the key energy transit Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, the war's fifth day, as Israel hit Iran with fresh strikes and advanced into Lebanon against Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Alternative phones on offer at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) telecoms trade show in Barcelona this week aim to answer demand for devices that protect users' data and attention.

Adidas's shares slumped Wednesday after its 2026 outlook disappointed investors, while the German sportswear giant said any potential impact on its business from the Middle East war was still unclear.

The EU unveiled Wednesday new "Made in Europe" rules to help bolster the bloc's industries against fierce competition from China in a push held up for months by wrangling over plans some see as overly protectionist.

European stock markets firmed on Wednesday after a global rout driven by fears that surging energy prices from the Middle East war could fan inflation and hit the global economy.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had total control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy transit, as Israel launched a new wave of strikes on the Iranian capital.

Belgian rider Wout Van Aert claimed he suspects "sabotage" after his return to racing at the Samyn Classic was hit by a late puncture.

Israel ordered residents of a vast region of southern Lebanon to leave their homes on Wednesday, as the military expanded its campaign of air strikes and reportedly sent ground troops deeper into the country.

German agrichemical giant Bayer said Wednesday it made a loss of 3.62 billion euros ($4.20 billion) in 2025 after it booked extra charges related to claims that its popular weedkiller causes blood cancer.

India will need a "special performance" to beat a "street-smart" England in their T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai, bowling coach Morne Morkel warned on Wednesday.

Snaking queues of vehicles waited in Myanmar for shrivelling petrol supplies on Wednesday, with some gas stations shuttered as fuel stocks dried up due to the war in the Middle East.

Artificial intelligence has only had minor effects on employment in Europe so far, European Central Bank economists said Wednesday, but they warned the technology's future impact was uncertain.

Six months after joining anti-corruption protests that rocked Nepal, 23-year-old Amrita Ban will vote in Thursday's election, hoping the new government will realise the movement's demands.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had total control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy transit, as Israel launched a new wave of strikes on the Iranian capital.