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

Reigning champion and world number one Iga Swiatek swept into the French Open final on Thursday after unheralded Karolina Muchova saved a match point before stunning second seed Aryna Sabalenka.

On many ordinary days, one can gaze down the National Mall from the Washington Monument and clearly see the dome of the US Capitol offset by blue sky.

Steve Smith insisted he was looking forward to England continuing with their 'Bazball' style during the Ashes, saying "they haven't come up against us yet" as Australia maintained their grip on the World Test Championship final against India on Thursday.

Reigning champion and world number one Iga Swiatek will face unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova in the French Open final after defeating Brazilian 14th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (9/7) on Thursday.

EU nations on Thursday reached agreement on a long-stalled revision of the bloc's rules to share the hosting of asylum seekers and migrants more equitably.

A ruby sold at Sotheby's in New York on Thursday for $34.8 million, setting a new record price at auction for the precious stone.

Nearly all of 35 countries accounting for more than four-fifths of global greenhouse gas emissions got low marks for their net zero plans in a peer-reviewed assessment published Thursday.

The United States and Britain on Thursday announced a new strategic pact as their leaders rededicated the "special relationship" to counter Russia, China and economic instability.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saudi Arabia was not being forced to choose between Washington and Beijing, striking a conciliatory tone in Riyadh following tensions with the long-time ally.

Steve Smith scored his 31st Test century before Australia captain Pat Cummins sparked India's collapse in the World Test Championship final on Thursday.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires triggered a fresh wave of disruption across American sports on Thursday, forcing more postponements and raising questions about this weekend's scheduled horse racing showpiece, the 155th Belmont Stakes.

Karolina Muchova came from 2-5 down in the final set and saved a match point to defeat world number two Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 in the French Open semi-finals on Thursday.

Pat Robertson, the soft-spoken fundamentalist preacher whose huge television network helped turn America's Christians into a powerful political force, died on Thursday at the age of 93, his organization announced.

Manchester City have been named as Europe's most valuable football club, ousting Real Madrid, in a report published on Thursday, before this weekend's Champions League final.

Pat Cummins led from the front as Australia ripped through India's top order in the World Test Championship final on Thursday.

US President Joe Biden has named a government coordinator to handle the thorny issue of book bans in schools -- one of a series of initiatives announced Thursday by the White House to support the LGBTQ community during Pride Month.

What happened when a US lawyer used ChatGPT to prepare a court filing? The artificial intelligence program invented fake cases and rulings, leaving the attorney rather red-faced.

EU interior ministers meeting Thursday struggled to reach an agreement on a long-stalled revision of the bloc's rules to share the hosting of asylum seekers and migrants more equitably.

Unheralded Karolina Muchova saved a match point as she stunned world number two Aryna Sabalenka to reach the French Open final on Thursday, while Iga Swiatek hopes to stay on course for a third Roland Garros title.

Russian Formula One driver Nikita Mazepin has lost the latest round of his High Court battle after being subjected to sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.

Fiorentina on Thursday demanded tough action from UEFA after their captain Cristiano Biraghi was struck in the head by an object thrown by West Ham fans during the Europa Conference League final in Prague.

KISS star Gene Simmons called Thursday for lawmakers in Northern Ireland to return to government, in an unlikely intervention in the UK province's dysfunctional politics.

Around 40 standing stones thought to have been erected by prehistoric humans 7,000 years ago have been destroyed near a famed archaeological site in northwest France to make way for a DIY store, an angry local historian has revealed.

Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic saved a match point and battled back from 2-5 down in the final set to shock world number two Aryna Sabalenka and reach her maiden Grand Slam final at the French Open on Thursday.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to shroud US cities in a noxious haze Thursday, forcing flight delays and cancellations to outdoor activities as environmental groups called for urgent action to tackle climate change.

Resisting the hype, Apple defied most predictions this week and made no mention of artificial intelligence when it unveiled its latest slate of new products, including its Vision Pro mixed reality headset.

Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard paid tribute to the victims of Thursday's knife attack in the French Alps after winning the fifth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine in the region.

England captain Ben Stokes says he wants to be involved in an Ashes series that goes "beyond cricket" as he prepares to face Australia in a five-match series.

Ukraine and Russia accused each other of shelling rescuers and evacuees in the flood-hit Kherson region on Thursday as Moscow said its forces fought off a Ukrainian offensive in another part of the front line.

He conquered the New York stage, married a Hollywood star and directed a daring new film version of "Carmen". But Benjamin Millepied says he had to give up the American Dream to return to France.

Oleg Orlov, co-chair of the human rights group Memorial, went on trial in Moscow Thursday over criticism of Russia's Ukraine campaign, which could see him jailed for up to five years.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone destroyed the 400m hurdles world record when she claimed world championships gold on home soil last year and the American now has her sights set on the long-standing best in the 400m flat.