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

Canada said Thursday it was significantly curbing immigration targets in an effort to "pause" population growth, a shift that comes as public support for immigration declines.

Ukraine said Thursday that North Korean troops have arrived in the "combat zone" in Russia's Kursk border region, where Moscow has struggled to push back Ukrainian forces for months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday his relationship with the United States after the presidential elections would depend on what attitude Washington adopts, as he welcomed comments by Donald Trump on his desire to end the Ukraine conflict as "sincere".

The United States on Thursday ordered the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to step up use of artificial intelligence to advance national security, in the first such strategy to counter threats from rivals such as China.

World champion and three-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar on Thursday penned a new deal with UAE which will run until 2030, the team announced.

Former world number one Maria Sharapova and the US doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan were announced on Thursday as 2025 inductees to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Israel said Thursday it will send negotiators to Qatar this weekend for talks seeking to reach an elusive Gaza deal, as the death toll soared from a sweeping Israeli operation in the Palestinian territory's north.

UK finance minister Rachel Reeves announced Thursday changes to fiscal rules to open up billions for investment in the centre-left government's maiden budget, but warned of tax rises and spending cuts.

Panama's Adalberto Carrasquilla and Haiti's Melchie Dumornay were named as CONCACAF's Men's and Women's Players of the Year, the confederation said on Thursday.

The International Criminal Court on Thursday accused member state Mongolia of failing to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during a trip there last month, and referred the matter for further action.

Sailors can be a superstitious bunch and Sam Davies, one of 40 skippers to set off next month on the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world yacht race, is no different.

Kamala Harris will stage a star-studded rally Thursday alongside Barack Obama and rock legend Bruce Springsteen, as she launches a series of battleground state concerts to juice support in the final days of a nail-biting US presidential election.

Humanity is 'paying a terrible price' for inaction on global warming, with time running out to correct the course and avoid climate disaster, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Thursday.

The IMF wants to know more about a cross-border payments system discussed by the BRICS group of countries this week and aimed at boosting non-dollar transactions, the Fund's managing director said Thursday.

Sales of new homes in the United States last month exceeded analyst expectations Thursday, logging the fastest pace in more than a year on the back of cooler mortgage rates.

A Paris conference Thursday on aid for conflict-stricken Lebanon raised around $800 million for humanitarian aid but saw little diplomatic progress as fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah.

Austrian lawmakers on Thursday elected for the first time a far-right politician as parliament president despite the Jewish community criticising the nominee for having paid "hommage to Nazi criminals".

American Airlines reported a loss Thursday on costs connected to a new labor contract, but described travel demand as solid as it lifted its full-year earnings forecast.

England fought back to reduce Pakistan to 73-3 on the first day of the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi Thursday, after off-spinner Sajid Khan took six wickets.

European and US stocks mostly rose on Thursday thanks to well-received earnings updates including from automaker Tesla.

Gaza's civil defence agency said Thursday more than 770 people have been killed in the north of the territory since Israel launched an assault aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping there.

The United States and Qatar on Thursday announced a resumption of negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said mediators were exploring new options after months of failing to seal a US-led plan.

United Nations leader Antonio Guterres pleaded on Thursday for a "just peace" in Ukraine, calling in a speech in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin for an end to more than two years of fighting.

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said Thursday that tennis has become so popular in China that players are struggling to book courts and find coaches.

Washington Sundar said he "will never forget" his return to the India side after taking seven wickets Thursday as New Zealand were spun out for 259 on day one of the second Test.

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Rodrygo will miss El Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday after suffering a thigh injury in this week's Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund.

The first Ankara attack victims were being buried Thursday, just hours after Turkey struck PKK militants in Iraq and Syria whom it blames for the assault on a defence firm that killed five.

England fought back to reduce Pakistan to 73-3 at close on the opening day of the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi on Thursday, with home spinner Sajid Khan grabbing six wickets.

Britain's King Charles III's remote private estate in the Scottish Highlands could become an exclusive location for weddings, if an application to the local council is approved.

Washington Sundar dazzled on his return to India's side with seven wickets New Zealand were spun out for 259 on day one of the second Test on Thursday.

The United States unveiled Thursday a framework to address national security risks posed by artificial intelligence, a year after President Joe Biden issued an executive order on regulating the technology.

The EU parliament awarded the bloc's top rights Sakharov prize on Thursday to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her ally, former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.