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

Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, in hiding since shortly after the country's disputed presidential election, is due to appear in court Monday in a criminal investigation launched by officials considered close to President Nicolas Maduro.

Paris has chosen the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue and the historic Place de la Concorde to host the opening ceremony for the Summer Paralympics on Wednesday.

Brazil was deploying military aircraft as part of a "war" against wildfires ravaging the southeastern state of Sao Paulo, with authorities warning on Sunday that arsonists were setting blazes.

The US Open starts on Monday at Flushing Meadows, with defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff in action, along with former champions Dominic Thiem and Sloane Stephens.

Paris on Sunday celebrated the 80th anniversary of its liberation from German troops in World War II with tributes, military marches and the hoisting of a flag at the Eiffel Tower.

USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley pulled off a surprise win at the BMW Championship with his final round even-par 72 enough to secure a one stroke victory Sunday at Castle Pines.

A safety advisor working for Reuters was killed in a missile strike on a hotel in eastern Ukraine, the global news agency said on Sunday, as Kyiv claimed further advances into Russia's Kursk region.

Spanish champions Real Madrid earned a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Sunday as Kylian Mbappe made his Santiago Bernabeu bow without finding the net.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia starred as Napoli got their first win under Antonio Conte on Sunday by beating Bologna 3-0, while Roma slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat to Empoli.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia starred as Napoli got their first win under Antonio Conte on Sunday by beating Bologna 3-0, while Roma slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat to Empoli.

Marseille were made to pay for wasteful finishing as Reims held them to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, while Lens continued their fine start to Ligue 1 under new coach Will Still with a win against Brest.

Standing opposite a mansion in the elegant English city of Bath, Tegan Shirdon marvelled at the window from where Penelope, one of the heroines of "Bridgerton", would eye her love interest Colin in the hit show.

French judicial authorities on Sunday extended the detention of the Russian-born founder and chief of Telegram Pavel Durov after his arrest at a Paris airport over alleged offences related to the popular but controversial messaging app.

The US Open brings down the curtain on the 2024 Grand Slam season with newly minted Olympic gold medallist Novak Djokovic aiming to add to his cache of major titles after failing to do so since bagging No. 24 at Flushing Meadows last year.

The Russian-born founder and chief of Telegram Pavel Durov was in French police custody Sunday, awaiting a court hearing after his arrest at a Paris airport over alleged offences related to the popular but controversial messaging app.

Russian-born tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov has founded wildly popular social networks as well as a cryptocurrency, amassed a multi-billion-dollar fortune and locked horns with authorities not just in Russia but around the world.

McLaren driver Lando Norris produced a superb performance to break the grip of previously unbeaten local favourite Max Verstappen at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.

Lydia Ko ended an eight-year wait for a major title with victory in the Women's British Open at St. Andrews on Sunday.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said his focus is on leading the Reds' transition under new manager Arne Slot this season despite doubt over his future at Anfield.

Arne Slot extended his perfect start as Liverpool manager with a 2-0 win against Brentford on his Anfield debut, while Noni Madueke hit a hat-trick and then apologised for a social media slur as Chelsea crushed Wolves 6-2 on Sunday.

Waking at dawn on Sunday to explosions and sirens, Abigail Levy checked the news and quickly understood there had been "an escalation" of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lens continued their fine start to Ligue 1 under new coach Will Still with a 2-0 home win against Brest on Sunday, while Rennes stumbled to a 3-1 defeat at Strasbourg.

Arne Slot enjoyed a winning bow as Liverpool boss at Anfield with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scoring in a 2-0 win over Brentford on Sunday.

China's coast guard said it rescued Filipino "personnel" who fell overboard Sunday after a Philippine vessel collided with one of its ships near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

More than 21 million Shiite Muslims took part in the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq this year, which reached its peak on Sunday with attendees displaying their support for Gaza.

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Sunday replaced various ministers, including from the foreign and defence portfolios, the Tunisian presidency said in a statement posted on Facebook without explanation.

Spanish champions Real Madrid earned a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Sunday as Kylian Mbappe made his Santiago Bernabeu bow without finding the net.

McLaren's Lando Norris said Sunday he would be "stupid" to think he can overhaul Max Verstappen for the Formula One championship, despite a dominant win at the Dutchman's home track.

Armand Duplantis and Jakob Ingebrigtsen thrilled spectators as they set world records at the Silesia Diamond League meeting on Sunday.

New Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany praised his team's mentality after Sunday's come-from-behind 3-2 win at Wolfsburg.

Disney/Marvel superhero comedy "Deadpool & Wolverine" clawed its way back to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $18.3 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Olympic champion Armand Duplantis improved his own pole vault world record by a centimetre at Sunday's Diamond League Silesia meeting, posting a mark of 6.26 metres on his second attempt.