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

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos told Australia's parliament his country was on the "frontline" of a battle for regional peace Thursday, pledging resolve as he sought support in maritime disputes with China.

Norway's King Harald V, aged 87 and in poor health, is "improving" from an infection that forced him to be hospitalised while on holiday in Malaysia, according to his office.

The Italian island of Sicily has declared a state of emergency over a drought which has withered crops, desiccated pastures and led to water restrictions.

If you want a snappy death, one expert's advice is to leap into a river near the Australian city of Darwin -- within minutes, you'll be in the jaws of one of the hundreds of crocodiles that stalk its murky waters.

Marilina Barreca has two grim options: feed her cows tainted fodder or set them to graze on barren hillsides as Sicily battles a crop-devastating drought which is sucking reservoirs dry.

Former West Indies star Chris Gayle hopes the T20 World Cup will help cricket crack the lucrative American sports market and lift the game onto a new global level.

Tadej Pogacar opens his season Saturday at the Strade Bianche in Italy targeting a win at the gravel race that will also act as preparation for his assault on a Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double.

A "general search" of vehicles and passersby was under way late Wednesday in Chad's capital after gunfire erupted near an opposition party's headquarters.

In Sao Teotonio, a small country town in southwest Portugal, there are more Indian and Nepalese restaurants than Portuguese ones.

India's Reliance Industries and Walt Disney have agreed to merge their Indian media businesses, creating a $8.5 billion entertainment giant in the world's most populous nation.

More than 150 students crowded into a room at an Austrian high school to hear an unlikely duo speak -- imam Ramazan Demir and rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister.

The organisers of the Paris Olympics are set to take the keys for the athletes' village on Thursday a day ahead of schedule, reinforcing growing confidence that they will be ready for the Games.

Most striking doctors have not returned to work despite a deadline, South Korea's health minister said Thursday, warning of legal action if medics do not end work stoppages that have plunged hospitals into chaos.

Peter Doherty can look back on his junkie days with some objectivity now he's clean and happily married to the woman who spent almost a decade filming his most degraded moments.

Noah Lyles, Karsten Warholm, Mondo Duplantis and Femke Bol head a star-studded line-up at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow as the best from track and field take an important first step towards the Paris Olympics.

Noah Lyles' road to his ambitious aim of "all the Olympic medals" at the Paris Games winds through Glasgow this weekend, with the top US sprinter seeking 60m glory at the world indoor championships.

Regulators on Wednesday said materials with harmful chemicals known as "PFAS" are no longer being sold to package microwave popcorn or other greasy foods in the United States.

Smartphone in hand, Mexican law student Gerardo Vera records a short political news video for TikTok aimed at younger voters who will be a major force in this year's presidential elections.

Wesley Burris was fast asleep in bed when the world's first atomic bomb exploded just 25 miles from his front door.

ACT Brumbies are looking for a statement win over the powerhouse Waikato Chiefs as Super Rugby descends on Melbourne this weekend, while the Canterbury Crusaders attempt to get their season back on track.

Steve Smith was out just before lunch as Australia made reached 62-1 after being asked to bat by New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington on Thursday.

The US spacecraft that touched down on the Moon last week and is currently running on solar power will soon be "put to sleep" once lunar night kicks in, mission officials said Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he will travel to South Korea this month as it holds the Summit for Democracy, a signature initiative of President Joe Biden.

Erik ten Hag accused Nottingham Forest of deliberately targeting Bruno Fernandes in Manchester United's FA Cup fifth round win on Wednesday as he slammed "pathetic" criticism of the midfielder.

Seven wildfires were raging in Texas, including one of the largest in recent state history, authorities said Wednesday, as properties were destroyed and multiple evacuation orders were issued, particularly in the north.

The US Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to hear Donald Trump's claim that as a former president he enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution, as the 2024 White House candidate faces dozens of state and federal charges.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out three batters in two scoreless innings in a dazzling pre-season debut Wednesday for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have bet big that the 25-year-old Japanese star will be a Major League Baseball ace.

Electronic Arts on Wednesday said it is cutting about 5 percent of its workforce, as belt tightening continues in the video game and tech industries.

Manchester United will host Liverpool in an FA Cup quarter-final blockbuster after the bitter rivals took contrasting routes to their fifth round victories on Wednesday.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday urged the world to "act rapidly" on Haiti, at a Caribbean summit where political agreements were announced on a possible way forward for the crisis-torn nation.

US President Joe Biden remains "fit for duty" with no new health worries, his doctor said Wednesday after the 81-year-old's last medical ahead of an election in which his age is a key issue.

Inter Milan continued their march towards the Serie A title with Wednesday's 4-0 thumping of Atalanta which extended their league lead to 12 points, while Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted five of Napoli's six at Sassuolo.