![Philippines to deploy floating barriers to contain oil spill](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/cd/ef/54/Philippines-to-deploy-floating-barr-255955.jpg)
Philippines to deploy floating barriers to contain oil spill
![Priestman out as Canada Olympic coach after more drone spying found](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/4e/aa/b2/Priestman-out-as-Canada-Olympic-coa-992492.jpg)
Priestman out as Canada Olympic coach after more drone spying found
![Five things to know about Venezuela](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/2f/77/e7/Five-things-to-know-about-Venezuela-971389.jpg)
Five things to know about Venezuela
![Hashimoto's Japan face Chinese threat at Paris Olympics](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/cb/57/ff/Hashimoto-s-Japan-face-Chinese-thre-895588.jpg)
Hashimoto's Japan face Chinese threat at Paris Olympics
Sports
Woodman-Wickliffe bids to bow out on Olympic high
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will bow out of the Olympics after Paris and the Kiwi legend would like nothing more than to help her side defend their gold from the Tokyo Games.
Sports
Convicted rapist puts beach volleyball under spotlight at Olympics
Beach volleyball begins at the Paris Olympics on Saturday in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and with the sport under the spotlight because of the inclusion of a Dutch player convicted of rape.
Last news
![Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Aya Nakamura: set for Olympics opening ceremony?](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/0b/53/ca/Lady-Gaga--Celine-Dion--Aya-Nakamur-121885_small.jpg)
Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Aya Nakamura: set for Olympics opening ceremony?
World-famous stars are in line to perform at Friday's opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which will take place along the Seine river.
![Two top figures in Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel in US custody](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/68/29/c4/Two-top-figures-in-Mexico-s-Sinaloa-218987_small.jpg)
Two top figures in Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel in US custody
Two top leaders of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel, including its co-founder Ismael Zambada Garcia, were arrested on Thursday in Texas, the US Department of Justice said.
![Locked-down Paris nervously awaits Olympics opening ceremony](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/72/61/38/Locked-down-Paris-nervously-awaits--987551_small.jpg)
Locked-down Paris nervously awaits Olympics opening ceremony
"It's going to be a beautiful success," says Claudine Vacelet confidently of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, before pausing. "Well, with the security issues, I suppose we'll only see whether it's a success at the end."
!['Thrones' meets Olympics in 'Those About To Die,' says director Emmerich](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/64/40/42/-Thrones--meets-Olympics-in--Those--114571_small.jpg)
'Thrones' meets Olympics in 'Those About To Die,' says director Emmerich
It is easy to see why "Those About To Die," Roland Emmerich's racy new TV drama set in Ancient Rome, is frequently described by critics as "Game of Thrones" with added chariot racing and gladiators.
![Venezuela girds for uncertain election with 'bloodbath' threat](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/bd/42/f7/Venezuela-girds-for-uncertain-elect-512151_small.jpg)
Venezuela girds for uncertain election with 'bloodbath' threat
Uncertainty hangs over presidential elections in Venezuela Sunday, with incumbent Nicolas Maduro vowing a "bloodbath" if he loses, which polls say is likely.
![American Bridgeman fires 63 to grab US PGA 3M Open lead](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/ac/09/22/American-Bridgeman-fires-63-to-grab-361868_small.jpg)
American Bridgeman fires 63 to grab US PGA 3M Open lead
Jacob Bridgeman birdied five of the last seven holes to grab a one-stroke lead after Thursday's opening round of the US PGA Tour's 3M Open.
Fraught election campaign closes in Venezuela
A fraught election campaign closed Thursday in Venezuela, mired in uncertainty after President Nicolas Maduro warned of a "bloodbath" if he loses -- which polls suggest is likely.
![Two top figures in Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel in US custody: Justice Dept](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/68/29/c4/Two-top-figures-in-Mexico-s-Sinaloa-259976_small.jpg)
Two top figures in Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel in US custody: Justice Dept
Two top leaders of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel, including its co-founder Ismael Zambada Garcia, were arrested on Thursday in Texas, the US Department of Justice said.
![Nigeria's army, security agency warn against Kenya-style protests](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/4a/6c/91/Nigeria-s-army--security-agency-war-813127_small.jpg)
Nigeria's army, security agency warn against Kenya-style protests
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria's armed forces on Thursday warned against Kenya-style violence in protests planned for next week over soaring living costs, with the military saying it would head off "anarchy".
![Canelo to defend super middleweight crowns against Berlanga](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/cb/4d/e0/Canelo-to-defend-super-middleweight-761119_small.jpg)
Canelo to defend super middleweight crowns against Berlanga
Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez announced on Thursday that he will defend three super-middleweight world boxing titles on September 14 against undefeated Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas.
![Harris 'will not be silent' on Gaza after tough talks with Netanyahu](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/fd/dc/30/Harris--will-not-be-silent--on-Gaza-817815_small.jpg)
Harris 'will not be silent' on Gaza after tough talks with Netanyahu
Kamala Harris signaled a major shift on US Gaza policy Thursday, with the presidential hopeful telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seal a peace deal and insisting she would not be "silent" on the suffering in the Palestinian enclave.
![Babe Ruth jersey breaks world record for sports item at auction](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/8e/23/57/Babe-Ruth-jersey-breaks-world-recor-411641_small.jpg)
Babe Ruth jersey breaks world record for sports item at auction
A jersey belonging to American baseball legend Babe Ruth broke the world record Thursday for most expensive sports object sold at auction -- and the sale has not even ended yet.
![Plan to tax super-rich divides at G20 meet in Rio](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/a0/68/d8/Plan-to-tax-super-rich-divides-at-G-475777_small.jpg)
Plan to tax super-rich divides at G20 meet in Rio
Brazil's vision for a global deal to tax the ultra-rich sparked divisions Thursday at a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Rio de Janeiro, where Washington dismissed the need for an international accord on the matter.
![Could Harris's abortion advocacy be a US election game changer?](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/85/b8/0c/Could-Harris-s-abortion-advocacy-be-147992_small.jpg)
Could Harris's abortion advocacy be a US election game changer?
Long before President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris had established herself as the administration's leading advocate of abortion rights.
![California governor orders homeless encampments dismantled](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/cb/d7/6f/California-governor-orders-homeless-441882_small.jpg)
California governor orders homeless encampments dismantled
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the dismantling of homeless encampments on state land, one month after the US Supreme Court overturned protections for unhoused residents sleeping outdoors.
![Wildfire engulfs parts of main town in Canada's Jasper National Park](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/ce/f0/f7/Wildfire-engulfs-parts-of-main-town-221192_small.jpg)
Wildfire engulfs parts of main town in Canada's Jasper National Park
An "out of control" wildfire has devoured up to half of the main town in western Canada's popular Jasper National Park, authorities said Thursday, with 400 foreign firefighters called in to help battle the blaze.
![Historic French club Bordeaux to become amateur after bankruptcy](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/8a/aa/79/Historic-French-club-Bordeaux-to-be-142446_small.jpg)
Historic French club Bordeaux to become amateur after bankruptcy
Former French Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux on Thursday said they will become an amateur club for the first time in almost 90 years after filing for bankruptcy.
![Video game actors to strike in California](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/d7/52/46/Video-game-actors-to-strike-in-Cali-141944_small.jpg)
Video game actors to strike in California
Hollywood's video game actors will go on strike early Friday to demand safeguards against artificial intelligence, the US actors' union announced.
![Biden, Harris push Netanyahu on Gaza ceasefire](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/9e/ca/59/Biden--Harris-push-Netanyahu-on-Gaz-394229_small.jpg)
Biden, Harris push Netanyahu on Gaza ceasefire
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree a Gaza ceasefire Thursday, with friendly greetings masking tense ties as well as questions over Biden's relevance.
![USA, World Cup holders Spain win women's Olympic football openers](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/dd/8a/4d/USA--World-Cup-holders-Spain-win-wo-294461_small.jpg)
USA, World Cup holders Spain win women's Olympic football openers
Reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati scored one goal and helped create another as World Cup holders Spain beat Japan 2-1 in their first game of the women's Olympic football tournament on Thursday, while record four-time gold medallists the United States beat Zambia 3-0.
![Paris holds its breath for Olympics opening ceremony and superstar Nadal](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/69/7c/fb/Paris-holds-its-breath-for-Olympics-584752_small.jpg)
Paris holds its breath for Olympics opening ceremony and superstar Nadal
Paris was on Thursday counting down the hours to the most ambitious Olympics opening ceremony in history on the river Seine, as tennis icon Rafael Nadal was fighting an injury battle which could shatter his gold medal dreams.
![Olympic rugby sevens: five takeaways going into semi-finals](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/b4/d2/44/Olympic-rugby-sevens--five-takeaway-248122_small.jpg)
Olympic rugby sevens: five takeaways going into semi-finals
Antoine Dupont helped France to a semi-final showdown against South Africa on Saturday while Fiji survived an Irish scare to set up a last-four match-up against Australia in the Olympic rugby sevens tournament.
![Divine Dupont drives France to Olympic rugby sevens semis](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/1b/78/3c/Divine-Dupont-drives-France-to-Olym-227117_small.jpg)
Divine Dupont drives France to Olympic rugby sevens semis
Global rugby superstar Antoine Dupont inspired France to a thrilling 26-14 Olympic sevens quarter-final win over Argentina Friday on a pulsating night at the Stade de France that also saw the mighty New Zealand suffer a shock exit.
![Defiant Verstappen to stick to 'vocal' style after Hungarian Grand Prix fall-out](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/f8/5a/99/Defiant-Verstappen-to-stick-to--voc-060791_small.jpg)
Defiant Verstappen to stick to 'vocal' style after Hungarian Grand Prix fall-out
Max Verstappen declined to apologise for his language and stood his ground on Thursday when questioned about his aggressive behaviour at last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
![Vance 'cat ladies' comment triggers fury from Harris supporters](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/ef/04/4d/Vance--cat-ladies--comment-triggers-194224_small.jpg)
Vance 'cat ladies' comment triggers fury from Harris supporters
US Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance is learning the hard way the internet doesn't just love cats but also childless cat ladies, as comments resurfaced in which he claimed those without offspring were less fit to govern.
![Could Harris's abortion advocacy be an election game changer?](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/85/b8/0c/Could-Harris-s-abortion-advocacy-be-226344_small.jpg)
Could Harris's abortion advocacy be an election game changer?
Long before President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris had established herself as the administration's leading advocate of abortion rights -- a stance Democrats hope could prove decisive in November.
![Nadal injury doubt for Olympics, says coach Moya](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/38/6e/9b/Nadal-injury-doubt-for-Olympics--sa-114219_small.jpg)
Nadal injury doubt for Olympics, says coach Moya
Rafael Nadal has suffered a thigh injury to put his participation at the Paris Olympics in doubt, his coach Carlos Moya said on Thursday.
![OpenAI to challenge Google with new search functionality](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/00/b0/32/OpenAI-to-challenge-Google-with-new-697929_small.jpg)
OpenAI to challenge Google with new search functionality
OpenAI on Thursday said it was putting its artificial intelligence engine to work in a challenge to Google's market-dominating search engine.
![Biden pushes Netanyahu in tense ceasefire talks](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/4d/30/f4/Biden-pushes-Netanyahu-in-tense-cea-029511_small.jpg)
Biden pushes Netanyahu in tense ceasefire talks
President Joe Biden pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to quickly reach a Gaza ceasefire Thursday, with a friendly handshake masking tense ties and questions over the outgoing US leader's relevance.
Fraught election campaign comes to a close in Venezuela
A fraught election campaign closes Thursday in Venezuela, with the country mired in uncertainty after President Nicolas Maduro warned of a "bloodbath" if he loses -- which polls suggest is likely.
!['We're not cheats', insist Canada after Olympic football spying scandal](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/b9/16/c5/-We-re-not-cheats---insist-Canada-a-523112_small.jpg)
'We're not cheats', insist Canada after Olympic football spying scandal
Canada defender Vanessa Gilles insisted her team were "not cheats" despite a spying scandal before their 2-1 opening win over New Zealand in the Olympic women's football competition on Thursday.
![Humanity suffering from 'extreme heat epidemic,' UN chief warns](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/59/cb/12/Humanity-suffering-from--extreme-he-173114_small.jpg)
Humanity suffering from 'extreme heat epidemic,' UN chief warns
Humanity is suffering from an "extreme heat epidemic," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Thursday, calling for action to limit the impacts of heat waves intensified by climate change.
![Gauff 'concerned' about height difference with fellow flagbearer LeBron](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/a5/6c/8d/Gauff--concerned--about-height-diff-285335_small.jpg)
Gauff 'concerned' about height difference with fellow flagbearer LeBron
Coco Gauff joked on Thursday that she is worried about the height difference with her fellow Team USA flagbearer LeBron James, ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
![Olympics serves as reminder Ukraine still exists, says sports minister](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/ab/aa/21/Olympics-serves-as-reminder-Ukraine-212221_small.jpg)
Olympics serves as reminder Ukraine still exists, says sports minister
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 holds its breath before Olympics opening ceremony](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/69/7c/fb/Paris-holds-its-breath-before-Olymp-251312_small.jpg)
Paris holds its breath before Olympics opening ceremony
Paris was on Thursday counting down the hours to the most ambitious Olympics opening ceremony in history on the river Seine.
![UN says Ethiopia landslide death toll could reach 500](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/ee/d7/e6/UN-says-Ethiopia-landslide-death-to-321411_small.jpg)
UN says Ethiopia landslide death toll could reach 500
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 Stokes backs Wood to break 100mph barrier in Test cricket](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/53/88/25/England-captain-Stokes-backs-Wood-t-251017_small.jpg)
England captain Stokes backs Wood to break 100mph barrier in Test cricket
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 fail in bid to regain 2022 Olympic skating gold](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/0b/b7/14/Russia-fail-in-bid-to-regain-2022-O-767908_small.jpg)
Russia fail in bid to regain 2022 Olympic skating gold
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.
![Skateboarding great Huston vows to keep cool under Paris Olympic pressure](https://www.thenationaltimes.au/media/shared/articles/00/d5/d3/Skateboarding-great-Huston-vows-to--571808_small.jpg)
Skateboarding great Huston vows to keep cool under Paris Olympic pressure
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.