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

Hundreds of climate protesters on Saturday blocked a distribution hub for Chinese online giant Alibaba and an airport for private jets in Belgium, activists said.

A Vatican court on Saturday sentenced a once powerful Italian cardinal to five years and six months in jail for financial crimes at the end of a historic trial.

A male British Olympic athlete is under investigation by anti-doping authorities after being mentioned in court papers linked to the case against US therapist Eric Lira, The Times has reported.

Former South African president Jacob Zuma on Saturday drove a new split in the ruling African National Congress, calling for a boycott of the party in a landmark 2024 election.

With nearly 130 hostages still held by Hamas 10 weeks after its unprecedented attack on Israel, AFP has taken a focused look at the lives of two women among the captives.

The Israeli army said Saturday that three hostages mistakenly killed by soldiers carried a white flag and cried for help in Hebrew.

Artificial rain was used for the first time in Pakistan on Saturday in a bid to combat hazardous levels of smog in the megacity of Lahore, the provincial government said.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique predicted his new-look side will shift up a gear in February now that they have secured qualification for the knockout round of the Champions League.

For two decades, British artist Martin Lever took his inspiration from Asia and his adopted home of Hong Kong.

Kuwait saw a quick transition to a new emir on Saturday following the death at 86 of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah after three years in power.

Dominik Paris claimed a home victory at the Val Gardena World Cup downhill on Saturday, his first ever win at the famous Saslong piste in the Italian Dolomites.

Swiss racer Jasmine Flury achieved the first World Cup downhill victory of her career on Saturday as the other stars of the discipline finished outside the leading places in Val d'Isere.

A UK destroyer has brought down a suspected attack drone in the Red Sea, defence minister Grant Shapps said Saturday, amid rising maritime tensions in the region.

A Vatican court delivers its verdict on Saturday in a historic trial focused on an opaque London property deal, with a once-powerful cardinal among 10 defendants facing jail for alleged financial crimes.

The Israeli army was on Saturday investigating the killing of three hostages which it said had been mistakenly identified as a threat by soldiers, an incident that sparked protests in Tel Aviv.

President Andry Rajoelina took the oath in a packed stadium on Saturday to start a new term as Madagascar's leader, rebuffing an opposition boycott and international concerns over the island's future.

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah served as Kuwait's emir for just three years but spent decades in top posts through the House of Sabah's tumultuous rule of the oil-rich state.

The emir of oil-rich Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, died on Saturday, the royal court said, after three years in power. He was 86.

Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith dug in to stretch Australia's lead and take the first Test away from Pakistan Saturday, as veteran spinner Nathan Lyon moved within one wicket of the 500-mark.

The new head of Turkey's central bank said she has been priced out of Istanbul's property market by rampant inflation, leaving no choice for the former finance executive but to move back in with her parents.

Pakistan were bowled out for 271 on the cusp of tea in the first Test at Perth Saturday to trail Australia by 216 runs as veteran spinner Nathan Lyon moved within one wicket of the 500-mark.

DR Congo's democracy has been backsliding ahead of elections this month, according to rights defenders, as prominent journalists languish in prison and the murder of an opposition politician remains unsolved.

A Greek art museum this week handed over its halls exclusively to women artists, in a pioneering exhibition titled "What if women ruled the world?"

French sensation Victor Wembanyama came out on top in his first tussle with NBA superstar LeBron James Friday as the San Antonio Spurs snapped their 18-game losing streak with a 129-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders will agree to boost "maritime security cooperation", according to a draft statement seen by AFP from a summit that kicked off Saturday against the backdrop of growing tensions in the South China Sea.

Israel on Saturday mourned the deaths of three Gaza hostages killed when troops mistook them for a threat, with the military expressing remorse over a "tragic" incident that sparked protests in Tel Aviv.

French sensation Victor Wembanyama came out on top in his first tussle with NBA superstar LeBron James Friday as the San Antonio Spurs snapped their 18-game losing streak with a 129-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mitchell Marsh removed dangerman Babar Azam and Nathan Lyon claimed his 498th Test wicket as Pakistan suffered a mini collapse in the first Test at Perth on Saturday.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado filed an eleventh-hour court appeal on Friday to overturn a ban on her holding public office, as she seeks to run against President Nicolas Maduro in the 2024 elections.

Israel said its troops had killed three Gaza hostages after mistaking them for a threat, with the armed forces expressing "deep remorse" over a "tragic incident" that sparked protests in Tel Aviv.

"Friends" actor Matthew Perry died from an accidental ketamine overdose, medical examiners said Friday, concluding their investigation into the death of the beloved but troubled TV star.

Pep Guardiola will consider a potential move to replace Kalvin Phillips if the England midfielder leaves Manchester City in January.