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

Asian markets rose Thursday as investors gear up for the release of major US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the Federal Reserve's timetable for cutting interest rates.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina takes her fifth oath of office on Thursday, solidifying her dominance of national politics and underscoring her lack of a clear successor.

Taiwan's election had long loomed for US policymakers who feared a showdown with China. Ahead of the vote Saturday, Washington now largely expects to avoid near-term escalation -- but is taking no chances in the longer term.

Brunei's polo-playing Prince Abdul Mateen, one of Asia's most eligible bachelors, is set to marry his commoner fiancee on Thursday as part of a lavish 10-day celebration in the oil-rich sultanate.

Xiaoyu Fan smiled as she looked around a bustling China Pavilion at the Consumer Electronics Show Wednesday as gadgets like bladeless fans were displayed and deals were being made.

To the believers, the oft-promised autonomous car revolution is "clearly happening" -- they point to the myriad displays at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas that defy the industry's bad headlines.

Sally Hernandez, age 12, sobbed Wednesday as the New York hotel where she and her immigrant family were sheltering expelled them before she could say goodbye to the Girl Scout troop she belonged to at her makeshift home.

With city streets largely deserted apart from a massive military deployment, Ecuador found itself in a "state of war" Wednesday as drug cartels waged a brutal campaign of kidnappings and attacks in response to a government crackdown.

Walking fast, with their eyes alert and voices low, a few Ecuadorans flitted about fearfully Wednesday on city streets all but deserted amid an escalating conflict between the armed forces and violent drug gangs.

Nick Saban, the record-breaking coach of Alabama's storied college football team, announced on Wednesday that he is retiring.

Katie Ledecky launched the Olympic year with another dominant victory in the women's 1,500m freestyle on Wednesday at the Pro Swim series meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee.

USA national team striker Brandon Vazquez has joined Mexican club Monterrey from Major League Soccer's FC Cincinnati, the clubs announced on Wednesday.

Elon Musk's X has shed more than 1,000 staff globally from teams responsible for stopping abusive content online, according to new figures released Thursday by Australia's online watchdog.

Atalanta set up an Italian Cup semi-final with Fiorentina after winning 2-1 at AC Milan on Wednesday, while Lazio won 1-0 in a fiery derby with Roma which finished with three red cards.

US securities regulators gave the green light Wednesday to a group of bitcoin exchange-traded funds, a keenly anticipated decision expected to boost the cryptocurrency.

The United Nations Security Council demanded on Wednesday an "immediate" end to attacks by Yemen's Huthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea.

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday said he was shocked over the arrest of a former interior minister and his aide in a high-profile case that saw one of the detained men launch a hunger strike.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday suffered a setback in the first key parliamentary vote of the new legislature, highlighting the extreme fragility of the parliamentary alliances that returned him to office in November.

Global stock markets drifted on Wednesday, the eve of the release of key US inflation data and the start of the latest earnings season.

Liverpool produced another fightback after conceding first to take a 2-1 lead over Fulham into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final.

Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 after extra-time in a pulsating battle in Saudi Arabia to reach the Spanish Super Cup final on Wednesday.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, the top pick in last year's NHL Draft, will be sidelined six to eight weeks after having surgery on his fractured jaw, the team announced on Wednesday.

Track cycling star Harrie Lavreysen led the Netherlands to a fourth straight men's team sprint triumph on the opening day of the 2024 European championships in Apeldoorn on Wednesday.

Pete Carroll was dumped as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks after 14 seasons on Wednesday, three days after they missed the NFL playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

Gary Woodland battled a brain lesion for months last year, suffering fear of death and night seizures before surgery eased his worries and led to his PGA Tour return this week at Honolulu.

At the age of 36, Ecuador's fresh-faced new President Daniel Noboa has been thrust into a full-scale confrontation with narco gangs terrorizing the South American nation in a bloody battle for supremacy.

Greece will legalise marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, the prime minister said on Wednesday, but gave no timeframe on the sensitive issue in the staunchly Orthodox Christian state.

The United Nations raised the alarm on Wednesday over increasing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, blamed by Western countries on Huthi rebels, and the risk of escalation in the region.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed Wednesday former Sao Paulo boss Dorival Junior has been named coach of the Brazilian men's national team, taking over the five-time world champions after a string of poor results.

Antoine Griezmann became Atletico Madrid's all-time standalone top goalscorer with 174 goals after netting against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Amazon's gamer streaming unit Twitch on Wednesday announced that it was laying off 500 staff, reportedly one third of the company, as it struggles financially despite strong popularity among players.

US top diplomat Antony Blinken on Wednesday said Mahmud Abbas was committed to reforming the Palestinian Authority to potentially reunite war-torn Gaza and the occupied West Bank under its leadership.