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

Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi says "the Russians wanted his country to cease to exist" but instead over two years on from the invasion, "the opposite has happened" at the Paris Olympics.

Paris was on Thursday counting down the hours to the most ambitious Olympics opening ceremony in history on the river Seine.

The death toll from landslides in a remote region of southern Ethiopia has risen to 257, the United Nations said Thursday and the number could soar up to 500.

England captain Ben Stokes believes Mark Wood can become the first bowler to be clocked in excess of 100mph (161kmh) during a Test match following his Durham team-mate's thrilling display at Trent Bridge.

Russia's attempt to be restored to the gold medal position in team figure skating at the 2022 Beijing Olympics has been rejected, sport's top court said on Thursday.

United States skateboard great Nyjah Huston said Thursday that he is trying to stay cool at the Paris Games after wilting under pressure in the sport's Olympic debut three years ago.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he was ready to work with Joe Biden for the rest of his presidency, as the two leaders met for the first time at the White House for talks on a Gaza ceasefire.

Charlotte Dujardin's Olympic teammate and mentor Carl Hester has signed a letter "universally condemning" the British rider for abusing a horse.

Kamala Harris launched a blistering attack on Donald Trump and his "extremist" Republicans as she addressed teachers Thursday, seeking to rally a key part of the Democratic coalition behind her bid to take on the billionaire for the presidency.

Reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati scored one goal and helped create another as World Cup holders Spain came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in their first game of the women's Olympic football tournament on Thursday.

The United States sees no need to negotiate an international agreement on taxing the super-wealthy, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday, highlighting divisions on a plan that is top of the agenda at a G20 finance ministers' meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

Prince Harry, who has been embroiled in legal battles against British tabloids, said his "mission" against them partly caused his rift with the royal family, in an interview aired Thursday.

Oscar Piastri revealed a shared McDonald's and Monopoly session was all it took to wipe away any strain in his relationship with McLaren team-mate Lando Norris following his victory at last Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Tennis star Coco Gauff on Thursday said the Olympics were an opportunity for Americans to "come together" during a turbulent presidential race back home, as she prepares to carry the US flag at the opening ceremony in Paris.

American Airlines lowered its 2024 outlook Thursday on lingering effects of a botched booking system upgrade, but shares rallied as it touted a speedy recovery to last week's IT outage that plagued rivals.

France is preparing to welcome dozens of heads of state and government, royalty and US First Lady Jill Biden for the Summer Olympics that begin with a dazzling ceremony on the river Seine on Friday.

A fraught election campaign closes Thursday in Venezuela, mired in uncertainty with President Nicolas Maduro having warned of a "bloodbath" if he loses -- which polls say is likely.

The United States sees no need to negotiate an international agreement on taxing the super-wealthy, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday on the sideline of a G20 finance ministers' meeting.

The first competition at one of Paris' postcard Olympic venues opened on Thursday at the Invalides, the resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte, with the first records of the Games as Lim Si-hyeon topped women's archery qualifying.

Wall Street stocks rose Thursday as robust US economic growth boosted sentiment following a tech-led selloff, but European markets wavered following a raft of disappointing company results.

When a grenade shredded his leg during a hostage rescue mission in Gaza, Israeli soldier Barak wanted to shoot himself to avoid being taken captive by Palestinian militants.

Lando Norris said on Thursday he was "silly" for not moving over earlier to allow McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to pass him during last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix and added it "was a stupid thing to do."

Double Olympic champions Fiji showed again they are the team to beat in rugby sevens as they powered to a pulsating 19-12 win Thursday over the hosts at a packed Stade de France in Paris.

Kamala Harris released her first campaign ad Thursday and headed to Texas to address a teachers union -- a key ingredient in the Democratic coalition -- as she seeks to maintain her fast start in the bid to take on Donald Trump for the presidency this November.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House for separate meetings Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on a Gaza ceasefire deal, reflecting the upended political situation in Washington.

Germany's state-owned train operator Deutsche Bahn said Thursday that its year-on-year net losses soared 16-fold in the first half of 2024, reflecting the impacts of extreme weather, strikes and upgrades to its ageing network.

Wall Street stocks wavered Thursday as investors weighed robust US economic growth following a tech-led selloff, while European markets slipped following a raft of disappointing company results.

A video that has been widely shared on social media showing a purported Palestinian militant threatening attacks on France during the Olympic Games in Paris is a fake and could be of Russian origin, security sources and experts said on Thursday.

Two environmental protesters were found guilty on Thursday of throwing tomato soup over one of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings at London's National Gallery in 2022.

New Barcelona coach Hansi Flick on Thursday hailed the performance of the Spanish club's teenage winger Lamine Yamal at Euro 2024, calling it "unbelievable".

Ukraine has detained an 18-year-old man over the killing of a prominent former nationalist lawmaker who was shot and killed this month, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday.

Seven-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Caeleb Dressel said Thursday he has no confidence in the ability of authorities to ensure a fair contest in the pool at the Paris Games.