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

Australian spin king Nathan Lyon dismissed concerns Monday that England could use short boundaries for the upcoming Ashes to supercharge their attacking "Bazball" strategy, saying it worked both ways.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky secured fresh promises of military aid during weekend visits to France and Germany to boost his nation's weapons stockpile ahead of a widely expected counter-offensive against Russia.

One month since Sudan's conflict erupted, its capital is a desolate war zone where terrorised families huddle in their homes as gun battles rage in the dusty, deserted streets outside.

Barcelona secured the Spanish La Liga title for the first time since 2019 on Sunday.

Romelu Lukaku's return to sparkling form has given Inter Milan an extra weapon ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final decider with AC Milan.

Indonesia's men can restore pride to the country's football when they contest a major regional final Tuesday, following a deadly stadium disaster and humiliation at losing the right to host the U-20 World Cup.

Thai voters have delivered a clear rejection of nearly a decade of military-aligned rule, election results showed Monday, backing two pro-democracy opposition parties.

Asian markets mostly fell Monday as investors kept a wary eye on the talks to raise the US debt limit to avert a "catastrophic" default.

Australia's women's rugby union captain Shannon Parry announced her retirement Monday after a long career that saw her play in four World Cups and win Olympic gold.

At least 13 people were killed when a passenger van and a semi-truck collided on a highway in northeastern Mexico on Sunday, local authorities said.

France on Monday promised Ukraine dozens more light tanks and armoured vehicles after President Emmanuel Macron met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris as Kyiv readies for a widely expected counter-offensive.

Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson nabbed his second LIV Golf title Sunday, edging Cameron Smith and Branden Grace in a playoff at Cedar Ridge Country Club near Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Turkey braced Monday for its first election runoff after a night of high drama showed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan edging ahead of his secular rival but failing to secure a first-round win.

South Korean Ko Jin-young won the LPGA's Founders Cup for the third time on Sunday, clinching a playoff victory over Australia's Minjee Lee in Clifton, New Jersey.

Perth Stadium will host Australia's first Test of the 2023-24 summer in mid-December against Pakistan in one of the latest starts to their home season in decades, the schedule unveiled Monday showed.

President Joe Biden said Sunday he remains "optimistic" about finding an agreement with his Republican opponents to raise the US debt limit and avoid a default, which his administration warned would cause "catastrophic" consequences.

Australian Jason Day clinched his first PGA Tour victory in over five years on Sunday, winning the Byron Nelson tournament with a nine-under-part 62 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

Jayson Tatum poured in an historic 51 points on Sunday to lead the Boston Celtics to a 112-88 game-seven victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and into the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

Barcelona won La Liga for the first time since 2019 by thrashing Espanyol 4-2 on Sunday, wrestling the title back from rivals Real Madrid.

A retired civil servant who few outside Turkey have heard of has pushed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan into an election runoff -- the first of the country's post-Ottoman history.

Barcelona players were chased from the pitch by angry Espanyol supporters as they celebrated their La Liga triumph on Sunday, with coach Xavi Hernandez saying it was hard to "control" the team's emotions after winning.

Marseille won and Troyes' relegation fate was sealed in Ligue 1 on Sunday as Rennes paid tribute to former youth player Arman Soldin, the AFP video reporter killed in Ukraine.

Giro d'Italia leader Remco Evenepoel was forced to pull out of the race late Sunday after contracting Covid-19, gifting Geraint Thomas the pink jersey as the new overall leader.

Xavi Hernandez lifted his first major title as Barcelona coach with their La Liga triumph, earning himself time, but still has plenty to prove with the club hungry for European success.

Barcelona's La Liga triumph proves they are heading in the right direction, but the road back towards Europe's elite remains long and treacherous.

Barcelona won La Liga for the first time since 2019 by thrashing Espanyol 4-2 on Sunday, wrestling the title back from rivals Real Madrid.

Turkey's landmark election headed Sunday to a likely runoff following a stormy night in which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's secular rivals contested the ballot count.

Japan defeated France in the mixed team event at the world judo championships on Sunday to finish the tournament on top of the medals table with six golds.

President Joe Biden's administration again warned Sunday of "catastrophic" consequences for the US economy if the country defaults, as negotiations with Republicans over a debt deal are expected to resume in the week ahead.

Turkey's main opposition party embarked on an emotional rollercoaster on Sunday as a see-sawing vote count threatened to dash hopes of a first-round election victory over conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Paris Sunday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, after accepting a prize for his country's fight for "European ideals" during a visit to Germany.

Thai voters have delivered a clear rejection of nearly a decade of military-backed government, election results showed Monday, backing two major pro-democracy opposition parties who are now expected to open coalition talks.