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

Ukraine's Olha Kharlan was disqualified in a decision labelled "absolutely shameful" by the Ukrainian presidency for not shaking the hand of her beaten Russian opponent Anna Smirnova at the Fencing World Championships on Thursday.

Nigeria stunned co-hosts Australia 3-2 on Thursday in the biggest shock of the Women's World Cup so far, while the United States failed to hit top gear in a stalemate with the Netherlands.

British professor Jim Skea told AFP on Thursday he will bring "a judicious blend of realism and optimism" to his leadership of the UN's climate expert panel, including a firm belief that humanity is not powerless to confront global warming.

The US economy defied expectations to see growth pick up in the second quarter, according to government data released Thursday, supported by business investment and resilient consumer spending.

Second-half goals from Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala gave Nigeria a stunning 3-2 win over Australia at the Women's World Cup on Thursday to leave the co-hosts in danger of an early exit.

The European Central Bank on Thursday raised borrowing costs a quarter percentage point, taking a key rate to its highest level since early 2001 as its battle against surging inflation reached the one-year mark.

France's Leon Marchand won the men's 200m individual medley on Thursday for his third gold medal of swimming's world championships.

Noman Ali took seven wickets to lead Pakistan's rout of Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs to clinch the second Test inside four days and sweep the series 2-0 on Thursday.

Ukraine's Olha Kharlan was disqualified for not shaking the hand of her beaten Russian opponent Anna Smirnova at the Fencing World Championships on Thursday.

Around war-torn Syria's biggest freshwater dam reservoir, fishermen say their catch is now a fraction of what it used to be as environmental pressures have decimated aquatic life.

Second-half goals from Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala gave Nigeria a stunning 3-2 win over Australia at the Women's World Cup on Thursday to leave the co-hosts in danger of an early exit.

Harry Brook counter-attacked in thrilling style after Australia picked up three early wickets on the first day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has completed his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, both clubs announced on Thursday.

Niger's armed forces chief on Thursday declared his support for troops who announced they had seized power, despite a defiant stand by the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum.

Noman Ali took seven wickets to lead Pakistan's rout of Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs to clinch the second Test inside four days and sweep the series 2-0 on Thursday.

Prince Harry's lawsuit against The Sun tabloid alleging unlawful information gathering can go to trial but will not include phone hacking claims, a High Court judge ruled on Thursday.

Stock markets mostly rallied and the dollar slid Thursday as traders bet on the Federal Reserve's latest interest-rate hike being its last.

Almost 800 irregular migrants drowned off Tunisia in the first half of this year as they tried to reach Europe by boat, a National Guard spokesman told AFP Thursday.

Turkey's central bank more than doubled its year-end inflation forecast to 58 percent on Thursday as its new Wall Street-trained governor vowed to keep raising interest rates after years of controversial policies.

Fencer Olha Kharlan became the first athlete representing Ukraine to compete against a Russian or Belarusian since Russia's invasion last year when she beat Anna Smirnova on Thursday at the world championships.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday offered free grain to six poor African countries as he launched a summit with leaders from the continent days after withdrawing from the Ukraine grain export deal.

Tributes streamed in Thursday from political leaders to pop stars for singer Sinead O'Connor, who was remembered for her powerful voice and her willingness to court controversy.

Pakistan spinner Noman Ali took six wickets in his tear through Sri Lanka Thursday as the tourists pushed for an innings victory in the second Test and a series sweep.

Australia captain Pat Cummins won his first toss of the series as he decided to bowl in the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at The Oval on Thursday.

Thousands of Shiite Muslims marched through Indian-administered Kashmir's largest city Thursday for a major religious procession permitted in the restive territory for the first time since a ban was imposed decades ago.

Fencer Olha Kharlan became the first athlete representing Ukraine to compete against a Russian or Belarusian since Russia's invasion last year when she took on Anna Smirnova on Thursday at the world championships.

Greek fire crews on Thursday scrambled to put out wildfires raging for two weeks around the country that left five dead before strong winds forecast for the day rekindle blazes.

Dutch firefighters Thursday battled for a second day to douse a blaze on a cargo ship off the Netherlands coast suspected to have been started by electric cars.

China said Thursday it opposed "malicious hype" concerning this week's removal of foreign minister Qin Gang, as it continued to avoid questions about the senior diplomat's disappearance.

Lindsey Horan denied the Netherlands a famous victory against the United States on Thursday in a 1-1 draw while co-hosts Australia were primed to face Nigeria and seal a place in the last 16.

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum on Thursday defiantly vowed to protect "hard-won" democratic gains after he was detained by elite troops who declared they had taken power in the troubled West African nation.

Shell and other energy majors posted sliding net profits Thursday after oil and gas prices weakened in the first half.