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

Iranian campaigner Narges Mohammadi has for decades campaigned on the most sensitive issues in the Islamic republic, opposing pillars of the clerical system including capital punishment and the obligatory hijab, and defiantly refusing to give up her campaigning even behind bars.

Bangladesh head into their World Cup opener against Afghanistan on Saturday with coach Chandika Hathurusingha saying a place in the semi-finals is a "realistic" goal for his side.

Breakdancing made its Asian Games debut on Friday ahead of an even bigger landmark appearance at the Olympics in Paris, while India reached the men's cricket final in Hangzhou.

Peter O'Mahony is more likely to have his close friend Anthony 'Axel' Foley who died in Paris in October 2016 on his mind than reaching the 100-cap milestone when Ireland play Scotland in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.

Shanghai Masters third seed Holger Rune crashed out of the tournament in straight sets on Friday, becoming the second top-20 player to be knocked out that day.

India and Australia will play their 150th one-day international when both teams open their World Cup campaign in Chennai on Sunday.

Relatives and officials gathered in the central Syrian city of Homs on Friday morning for the first funerals of dozens of people killed in a drone attack on a military academy.

With its manicured lawns and ancient cross-stones, the church of Saint Gregory in Goris is a haven of peace in the chaos of a city full of Armenians fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh.

South Koreans hoping to taste authentic North Korean cuisine abroad may be out of luck, with Pyongyang-run restaurants across northern China saying they will refuse to serve their capitalist compatriots.

Hong Kong led the charge as most Asian markets posted gains Friday, shrugging off Wall Street losses ahead of key US jobs data due later in the day.

False claims about meat taxes, references to a debunked conspiracy theory and myths about bendy bananas -- are members of Britain's ruling Conservatives following Donald Trump's electoral playbook?

The 2026 Asian Games in Japan can "wipe away" public doubts over holding major sporting events, a senior official told AFP, following a wide ranging corruption scandal surrounding the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Indian rescuers are searching for over 100 people missing in a flash flood caused by a glacial lake bursting its banks, a risk scientists warn is increasing with climate change.

Luxembourg's residents may be classified as the wealthiest in the European Union, but the sky-high cost of buying or renting a home in the country has made living there nearly impossible for some.

Outraged residents say they will resist a "racist" Danish law which allows large numbers of people to be evicted from social housing in areas where the authorities say there are too many immigrants.

Dry conditions, particularly in China, caused a "historic" global drop in hydropower generation in the first half of 2023, a new analysis shows, highlighting the effects of climate change.

South Korean writer Eun Seo-ran was happily single, until a medical emergency made her want family around to help. But she took an unconventional route: legally adopting her best friend.

Former president Donald Trump shared classified information about US nuclear submarines with an Australian businessman shortly after he left office, in a meeting at his Florida private members club Mar-a-Lago, US media said Thursday.

India crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets on Friday to power into the gold medal match in Hangzhou as they bid to win the Asian Games title on their first attempt.

The World Anti-Doping Agency warned the Olympic Council of Asia of "consequences" on Friday for allowing the North Korean flag to be repeatedly flown at the Asian Games, saying they were treating it "extremely seriously".

India crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets on Friday to power into the gold medal match in Hangzhou as they bid to win the Asian Games title on their first attempt.

Boca Juniors beat Palmeiras 4-2 on penalties after their Copa Libertadores semi-final ended 1-1 on Thursday, to earn a place in the final against Brazilian club Fluminense.

Mongolian circus performers fly through a cavernous hall inspectors have warned could collapse any time, one of the few places left to train if they hope to travel the world with their country's spectacular big top shows.

England face Samoa in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday having already guaranteed their last-eight place but remain wary of the Pacific Islanders' traditional strengths.

The Venezuelan prosecutor's office said Thursday it had issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Juan Guaido and would ask for Interpol's help in his apprehension.

The West African nation of Liberia goes to the polls on October 10 to decide whether to give football legend George Weah a second term as president.

India kick off their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on Sunday in the 150th clash in one-day internationals between two of cricket's heavyweight superpowers.

Asian markets posted gains in early trade Friday, shrugging off Wall Street losses ahead of key US jobs data.

Ex-international football star George Weah is running for a second term as Liberia's president in elections on Tuesday, with peace and development among voters' main concerns.

With Pixie the Chihuahua curled nearby and studio walls covered in mementos, Jeff Katz leans into the radio microphone and delivers a rather less cozy message to his conservative audience: Joe Biden and Democrats are corrupt villains destroying America.

Nearly a month after floods hit Derna in eastern Libya, survivors are struggling to overcome the psychological toll, with many grieving the loss -- or still without news -- of loved ones.

Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen are dreaming of a Bundesliga title challenge, just a year since the Spaniard took over as coach with the club languishing near the relegation zone.