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

Brazil's Congress on Thursday overturned President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's veto of a law dramatically reducing the prison sentence of his arch-rival Jair Bolsonaro, the second major defeat for Lula in as many days.

The Iranian film crew behind "Roya", which recounts the torment and trauma of a political prisoner in Tehran's Evin prison, urged the Iranian people "not to be forgotten" at the film's German premiere.

Honda’s trackside racing boss Shintaro Orihara said Thursday that he is confident they have found solutions to the power unit problems that undermined Aston Martin’s start to the 2026 F1 season.

Chelsea women's boss Sonia Bompastor said retired Blues captain Millie Bright should be celebrated after the former England defender revealed the mental struggles caused by the abuse she has faced.

The United States on Thursday slapped sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo's long-serving former president Joseph Kabila, backing allegations he has assisted Rwandan-linked rebels who have seized vast parts of his country.

The international jury of the upcoming Venice Biennale Art Exhibition resigned Thursday in a row over the organisation's decision to allow Russia to participate in this year's event.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled on Thursday as he kicked off the global football body's summit in Vancouver.

Trainer Todd Pletcher hopes his early favorite Renegade can overcome the dreaded inside post on Saturday to capture the 152nd Kentucky Derby.

Gyms and cafes have reopened in Tehran as life returns to a familiar rhythm under a ceasefire following weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes, but for IT worker Mayhar such everyday amenities are out of reach as financial pressures mount.

Sparkling cameos by skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler complemented a stellar display with the ball and in the field, carrying Gujarat Titans to a four-wicket victory over defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.

The US Congress on Thursday approved funding for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ending a record-breaking partial government shutdown that has disrupted critical agencies for more than two months.

Myanmar's junta chief-turned-president on Thursday ordered deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest, five years after sweeping her into detention in a 2021 coup.

Valtteri Bottas on Wednesday revealed he deliberately endured a dangerous near-starvation diet to control his weight during his second season as a Formula One driver with Williams 12 years ago.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed Thursday to boost security for the Jewish community following the latest attack against it, while urging Britons to unite against antisemitism.

The first direct flight between the United States and Venezuela in seven years landed Thursday in Caracas, a new sign of a thaw after Washington deposed leftist leader Nicolas Maduro.

Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention since a 2021 military coup, with her announced movement to house arrest a tantilising update that still leaves her isolated from the public eye.

The Turkish COP31 president-designate said Thursday the clean energy transition will be a top issue at the climate summit but simply telling nations to phase out fossil fuels "is not realistic".

Italy's player and coaching associations on Thursday joined Serie A in endorsing Giovanni Malago, who headed the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, for the presidency of Italy's football federation (FIGC).

Myanmar's junta-chief turned president on Thursday ordered deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest, five years after sweeping her into detention in a 2021 coup.

Tadej Pogacar continued to dominate the Tour de Romandie on Thursday, winning a sprint finish to take the second full stage the day after winning the mountainous opener.

Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries about a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, before slumping later in the session.

King Charles III paid respects to fallen US troops at a military cemetery on Thursday, the final day of a state visit aimed at healing ties between Britain and the United States strained by the war in Iran.

Up-and-coming Belgian Alexander Blockx ended the title defence of Casper Ruud by defeating the former world number two 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open semi-finals on Thursday, while Mirra Andreeva booked her spot in the women's final.

Elusive street artist Banksy on Thursday confirmed he was behind a new work drawing crowds in central London: a statue of a suited man striding into the void while holding a flag that blocks his view.

German artist Georg Baselitz, whose expressive paintings and sculptures stirred controversy in West Germany before winning global acclaim, has died aged 88.

President Donald Trump hailed Charles III as the "greatest king" at a White House farewell Thursday -- and said the United States needed more people like Britain's monarch.

Mexico is seeking "irrefutable" evidence to back up the shock US drug trafficking charges against a sitting governor and other officials before proceeding with extradition requests, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's hopes of securing re-election as the head of world football received a massive boost on Thursday after pledges of support from the African and Asian regional confederations.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes local Dutch players will be the "secret sauce" for his Rotterdam franchise in a new European Twenty20 competition.

Waddling across a Warsaw expressway, a brood of wild sea ducks brought traffic to a halt as volunteers held motorists at bay -- an annual ritual to protect the bustling Polish capital's famous ducklings.

Long an emblem of the summer road trip, squashed bugs on the car have become less numerous over the years, many people say -- causing concern about the health of the world's insect populations.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is cutting funding for the breakaway LIV Golf league after the 2026 season, a spokesperson from the fund told AFP on Thursday.