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

Fast-moving floodwaters rose Wednesday in eastern Australia, inundating homes and leaving residents stranded on their roofs overnight, as authorities warned more rain was expected in coming days.

Japan's farm minister resigned Wednesday after a gaffe about rice drew public fury in a country experiencing soaring prices of the cherished staple.

A team of doctors and vets in Pakistan has developed a novel treatment for a pair of elephants suffering from tuberculosis that involves feeding them at least 400 pills a day.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 and grab a 1-0 lead in their NBA Western Conference finals series on Tuesday.

The geishas glide with measured steps across a wooden stage, offering a glimpse of a long-misunderstood tradition that is becoming a rare sight in Japan.

Perched 45 metres (148 feet) high, young apprentice electricians replace a connection atop a pylon. In the UK, National Grid recruitment is at full power as its electricity network adapts for renewables.

As construction crews using heavy excavators demolished a major highway bridge in Berlin, pensioner Guido, like many Germans, greeted the dusty spectacle with grim satisfaction.

Beijing condemned on Wednesday new US warnings on the use of AI chips made in China, vowing it would take steps against "bullying" efforts to restrict access to high-tech semiconductors and supply chains.

Canada sought to send a firm message with a Ukrainian minister's presence at the start of a G7 finance leaders gathering Tuesday, where war in Ukraine and economic turmoil from US President Donald Trump's tariffs remain top of mind.

In 1994, Cuban artist Jose Fuster started plastering his home with colorful mosaic palms, animals and Picasso-esque figures. An oddity became a trend: today the entire town of Jaimanitas is a celebration of his ceramic art.

At Everglades National Park in Florida, severe drought dries up not only the habitat that wildlife depends on, but the tourism industry in the largest wetland in the United States.

Magdalena Martinez has lived next to the Indio River all her life, but a planned dam aimed at shielding the Panama Canal from drought now threatens to swallow her home.

"I can't wait to make 10 more movies," Kristen Stewart told AFP the morning after making what Rolling Stone called "one hell of a directorial debut" at the Cannes film festival.

Canada's Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne expressed cautious optimism Tuesday at the start of a G7 finance leaders' gathering in his country, even as the advanced economies grapple with fallout from trade turbulence.

A new study has revealed that conventional meat-based pet food carries a largely unrecognized environmental cost - contributing significantly to land use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and climate breakdown. The review, just published, found that pet food production is closely tied to the livestock industry, which is responsible for at least one-fifth of annual global GHG emissions.

Top finance leaders from the G7 group of nations gathered in Canada for talks beginning Tuesday, with the war in Ukraine and economic turmoil unleashed by US President Donald Trump's tariffs at the top of minds.

Oasis fans attending the band's upcoming UK reunion concerts could spend more than £1 billion ($1.3 billion) combined on tickets and outgoings such as transportation and accommodation, Barclays bank estimated Wednesday.

Epic Games on Tuesday said its hit game "Fortnite" has returned to Apple's digital App Store after being sidelined for years due to a legal battle with the iPhone maker.

European countries ramped up pressure on Israel to abandon its intensified campaign in Gaza and let more aid into the war-ravaged territory, where rescuers said fresh attacks killed dozens of people on Tuesday.

Guards in Costa Rica have intercepted an unusual prison drug delivery, catching a cat as it jumped over the periphery fence at night with marijuana and crack taped to its body.

Kevin De Bruyne said he was proud of his part in making Manchester City the dominant force of English football over the past decade after playing in his final home match at the Etihad on Tuesday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he expected Russia to present a Ukraine ceasefire outline within days that will show if it is serious, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of buying time.

Manchester City gave Kevin De Bruyne a fond farewell in a vital 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday to boost their chances of Champions League football next season.

US President Donald Trump told rebel Republicans Tuesday to back his so-called "big, beautiful bill," despite criticism that its tax cuts will increase America's yawning budget deficit.

US President Donald Trump unveiled plans for a "Golden Dome" missile shield system on Tuesday to protect the country against attacks, saying it should be operational in about three years.

NFL players have been given the green light to take part in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics following a vote by team owners on Tuesday, the league confirmed.

Peppa Pig, the cartoon piglet known to millions of children for her muddy adventures, now has a baby sister named Evie, a UK television show said on Tuesday.

Top finance leaders from the G7 nations gathered in Canada starting Tuesday, in talks set to be clouded by economic worries stemming from US President Donald Trump's tariffs, while concerns about Ukraine remain at the fore.

George Wendt, the American actor best known for his role as the curmudgeonly Norm Peterson in "Cheers", has died, a representative said Tuesday.

The mother of Sean "Diddy" Combs's ex-partner Cassie testified Tuesday about threats and violence experienced by her daughter during her decade-long relationship with the music mogul.

The United States will limit Covid-19 boosters to people over 65 or those at risk of serious illness, while requiring vaccine makers to run fresh clinical trials before offering shots to younger and healthier individuals, officials said Tuesday.

Google on Tuesday said it was beefing up online searches with even more generative artificial intelligence, as it presses on with embracing AI despite fears for its ad-based business model.