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

Rescuers trying to find the orca-sized submersible that vanished on its way to visit the wreck of the Titanic are facing a gargantuan task that will test the limits of technical know-how, experts say.

Four people have died after lithium batteries for e-bikes sparked a fire in a New York building, officials said Tuesday, sounding the alarm over the skyrocketing number of such incidents.

Australia's dramatic two-wicket in the first Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday ensured a hugely-anticipated Ashes series got off to a thrilling start as skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon's unbroken stand of 55 turned the tables on England.

At least 41 people were killed Tuesday at a women's prison in Honduras, where violent clashes between rival gangs sparked a fire that tore through part of the facility, police said.

Nine Egyptians suspected of being people smugglers connected with the deadly sinking of an overloaded migrant boat off Greece have been charged with human trafficking and remanded, a Greek legal source said on Tuesday.

Deep-sea thrill-seeker Stockton Rush founded OceanGate in 2009 with the hopes of advancing submersible vehicle technology and taking travelers into the darkest depths of the ocean.

The UK will back Ukraine's economy to the tune of $3 billion over the next three years while it fights back against Russian forces, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 200th international appearance with the winner as Portugal beat Iceland 1-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying on Tuesday, while Erling Haaland netted twice for Norway.

Rescuers hoped Tuesday that the arrival of specialized deep-sea vessels and US Navy experts would boost desperate efforts to find the tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, as oxygen for the five on board rapidly runs out.

Ben Stokes said he felt "devastated" by England's dramatic two-wicket defeat in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston but insisted his aggressive approach could yet secure a series win over Australia.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said leading his side to victory in a dramatic Ashes opener at Edgbaston represented the "number one" win of his Test career.

Musician-turned-designer Pharrell Williams took over the oldest bridge in Paris, packed it with celebs and turned it into a pumping gospel nightclub as he made his historic debut for Louis Vuitton on Tuesday.

Sadio Mane scored two goals as African champions Senegal came from behind to defeat Brazil 4-2 in an international friendly in Lisbon on Tuesday.

Just 19 and heading for number one pick in the NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama is aiming to ride a wave of expectations to become the latest successful French export to the NBA.

World number two Nelly Korda returns from a lower back injury to compete in this week's Women's PGA Championship, trying to capture her second major title after missing four events.

Second-half goals from Luis Diaz and Juan Cuadrado took Colombia to a 2-0 friendly win over Germany on Tuesday, deepening home coach Hansi Flick's woes a year out from Euro 2024.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late winner on his 200th international appearance as Portugal beat Iceland 1-0 on Tuesday to maintain their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying.

Clashes between rival gangs at a women's prison in Honduras left at least 41 people dead Tuesday, police told AFP.

A desperate air and sea rescue effort to find the tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic quickened Tuesday, with officials warning that the five people on board had less than two days of oxygen left.

More than 2.5 million people have been uprooted by Sudan's conflict, the UN said Tuesday, but in the western Darfur region the bodies of those who couldn't escape lie face down in the dirt.

US President Joe Biden's son Hunter has reached a plea deal on minor tax and gun charges, concluding a five-year probe that involved persistent Republican allegations that major crimes were being covered up.

Rescue teams are scrambling to find five people on a tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic on Sunday.

Victor Wembanyama is only 19 and has not played a minute in an NBA jersey but the French teenager is poised to land an array of lucrative deals likely to make him one of the most commercially successful athletes in history.

Australia captain Pat Cummins led his side to a dramatic two-wicket win over England in the first Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

Nearly 40 countries at the United Nations backed LGBTQ families on Tuesday, at a time when some Muslim and African nations are contesting sexual orientation and gender identity language in UN forums.

Australia beat England by two wickets to win a thrilling first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

A verdict is awaited in a landmark US climate trial involving 16 young people accusing the state of Montana of violating their rights to a "clean and healthful environment."

Carlos Alcaraz survived a scare against lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech at Queen's Club on Tuesday as Andy Murray's winning streak on the grass was ended by Alex de Minaur.

Visitors to the museum of Rembrandt's house in Amsterdam will have the chance to get their own permanent work by the 17th century master this week.

A social media influencer who admitted bombarding Premier League star Mason Mount with messages in a four-month stalking campaign after he broke off their relationship was spared jail on Tuesday.

Rescue teams raced against time Tuesday to find a deep-diving tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic with five people on board and an estimated 40 hours of oxygen left.

Qatar and Kuwait's football federations on Tuesday denied allegations of racial abuse of rival players a day after their matches against New Zealand and Ireland were abandoned.