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

The International Monetary Fund officially launched the selection process to find the organization next leader on Wednesday, with current managing director Kristalina Georgieva widely tipped for a second five-year term.

The International Monetary Fund officially launched the selection process to find the organization next leader on Wednesday, with current managing director Kristalina Georgieva widely tipped for a second five-year term.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck an unbeaten century to guide Bangladesh to a comfortable six-wicket win in the first one-day international of a three-match series against Sri Lanka in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Rachael Blackmore on board Captain Guinness capitalised on red hot favourite El Fabiolo failing to finish to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

European stock markets rose Wednesday, with Paris and Frankfurt setting new records, while Wall Street churned after rising the previous day despite a mixed inflation report.

"How can I pay you?": In Cuba, the question goes beyond cash or card as citizens grapple with four different currencies, turning them into amateur traders as they try to squeeze the most value out of their money.

The US Treasury Department unveiled sanctions Wednesday against three individuals for undermining the "peace and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina" by helping to organize an "unconstitutional" celebration of Bosnian Serb identity.

Planet-heating methane released by the fossil fuel industry rose to near record highs in 2023 despite technology available to curb this pollution at virtually no cost, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.

Adidas reported its first loss in over three decades Wednesday due to the fallout from the end of its collaboration with Kanye West, but the company insisted it was starting to turn its fortunes around.

Why do humans experience menopause? It's a question that some women going through the symptoms might have asked themselves more than once.

Daniel Bruhl has the role of a lifetime as one of fashion's most iconic designers in "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld". He literally had to walk in the man's shoes to nail it.

Audio recordings of healthy reefs -- an underwater chorus of fish songs and crackles from snapping shrimp -- may help efforts to restore coral ecosystems harmed by climate and human impacts, scientists said Wednesday.

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or be banned from the United States.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on Wednesday the return of Michael Edwards as Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football would have no bearing on his decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season.

An elite French university was on Wednesday dragged into the national spotlight as its director quit over alleged domestic violence and a pro-Palestinian demonstration sparked accusations of anti-Semitism.

AC Milan are the latest Serie A football club to fall under the microscope of Italy's investigative authorities after raids on their headquarters as part of a probe into their 2022 sale to American investment fund RedBird.

Britain signed a trade agreement with Texas on Wednesday after it failed to secure a post-Brexit deal with the wider United States.

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or get banned from the United States.

Aaron Ramsey was on Wednesday named in Wales's Euro 2024 play-off squad, despite not starting a match for six months.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Wednesday that the return of Michael Edwards to the club as Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football will have no bearing on his decision to leave at the end of the season.

The European Parliament gave final approval on Wednesday to the world's most far-reaching rules to govern artificial intelligence, including powerful systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT.

European stock markets advanced on Wednesday, with Frankfurt setting a new record, while Wall Street struggled to hold onto gains made despite a less-than-stellar inflation report.

Music streaming giant Spotify on Wednesday announced it would be posting music videos on its platform in "select markets", entering an arena long dominated by YouTube.

German auto giant Volkswagen on Wednesday reported a forecast-beating rise in profits for 2023 as vehicle deliveries rebounded but warned of slower sales growth this year, sending its shares down.

Wales centre George North announced on Wednesday he will retire from international rugby after this weekend's Six Nations match against Italy, when both teams will be battling to avoid the wooden spoon.

The EU is set to better protect journalists from political pressure and surveillance under an unprecedented media freedom law approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Martin Odegaard has urged Arsenal to use their dramatic penalty shootout win over Porto as fuel as they chase a Champions League and Premier League double.

Wales centre George North announced on Wednesday he will retire from international rugby following this weekend's Six Nations match at home to Italy.

Lithuanian intelligence services on Wednesday said that the attack on Russian opposition figure Leonid Volkov, a close ally of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was likely "organised by Russia".

Europe's main stock markets rose Wednesday with Frankfurt scaling historic heights on hopes of interest rate cuts, while London gained ground as slender UK economic growth sparked talk of an end to recession.

Endangered giant redwood trees are thriving in the UK but could also be significantly contributing to capturing carbon emissions, according to research published on Wednesday.

Adidas on Wednesday reported a loss in 2023 due to the fallout from the end of its tie-up with Kanye West, but the company insisted it was starting to turn its fortunes around.