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

The Venice Film Festival kicks off this week, rolling out the red carpet for Julia Roberts and George Clooney in a flurry of worldwide premieres at the glitzy celebration on the sandy Lido.

Novak Djokovic fears his lack of physical conditioning may come back to haunt him as he chases a record 25th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) says that preparations for the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Saudi Arabia are "on schedule" after South Korea and China emerged as potential replacements.

Asian markets kicked off the week with a rally Monday morning, tracking gains made by Wall Street on Friday after the US central bank chief suggested coming interest rate cuts.

Tens of thousands of residents were being evacuated from coastal Vietnam on Monday, as Typhoon Kajiki barrelled towards landfall expected to lash the country's central belt with gales of around 160 kmh.

Aryna Sabalenka launched the defence of her US Open crown with a victory on Sunday while Novak Djokovic made a successful start to his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

The only guest to survive a toxic mushroom lunch with Australian murderer Erin Patterson said Monday he feels "half alive" without his wife, who was one of the three victims.

SpaceX called off a planned test flight for its Starship megarocket on Sunday, saying it needed time to troubleshoot problems, in the latest setback for Elon Musk's behemoth after a series of explosive failures.

Novak Djokovic opened his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown with a straight sets victory over Learner Tien at the US Open on Sunday.

Israeli strikes in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Sunday killed at least six people, according to the country's Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel throughout the Gaza war.

The United Nations Security Council will vote Monday on the future of the blue helmet peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon that has faced US and Israeli opposition.

For years, Egyptian jasmine picker Wael al-Sayed has collected blossoms by night in the Nile Delta, supplying top global perfume houses. But in recent summers, his basket has felt lighter and the once-rich fragrance is fading.

British rock legends Oasis kicked off the North American leg of their blockbuster reunion tour in Toronto on Sunday as ecstatic Canadian fans flocked to their first chance to see the band since 2008.

Australian toxic mushroom killer Erin Patterson faces her victims' relatives in court Monday before a judge sentences her for a triple murder that made headlines worldwide.

SpaceX canceled a planned test flight for its Starship megarocket on Sunday, saying it needed time to troubleshoot problems, in the latest setback for Elon Musk's behemoth after a series of explosive failures.

Alexandra Eala produced a jaw-dropping late comeback to carve out a piece of tennis history at the US Open on Sunday, becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam singles match with a first round upset of Danish 14th seed Clara Tauson.

Even though he is about to turn 39, Olivier Giroud promised "this is only the beginning" after striking in added time on Sunday to give Lille a 1-0 Ligue 1 win over visiting Monaco.

Tommy Fleetwood ended an agonizingly long wait for a first PGA Tour title on Sunday, out-dueling Patrick Cantlay down the stretch to win the Tour Championship and pocket the $10 million top prize and FedEx Cup playoffs crown.

Kylian Mbappe was again on target for Real Madrid as they overcame Real Oviedo 3-0 in La Liga on Sunday.

Olivier Giroud struck in added time on Sunday to give Lille a 1-0 win over visiting Monaco.

France's foreign ministry said Sunday it would summon the US ambassador after he criticised the government for what he said was its insufficient action against antisemitism in a letter to President Emmanuel Macron.

Israeli bulldozers uprooted hundreds of trees in the West Bank village of al-Mughayyir on Sunday in the presence of the Israeli military, according to AFP journalists who witnessed the scene.

Jonathan David made a goalscoring start to his Serie A career on Sunday, netting the opening goal in Juventus' straightforward 2-0 win over Parma.

Aryna Sabalenka launched the defence of her US Open crown with a battling victory on Sunday as American men's hopes Taylor Fritz and Blake Shelton advanced safely.

Israeli strikes in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Sunday killed at least four people, according to the country's Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel throughout the Gaza war.

Hannah Botterman has set her sights on becoming the "best loosehead prop in the world" following her outstanding display in England's Women's Rugby World Cup opener.

Irish rap group Kneecap, one of whose members faces a British terror charge for allegedly supporting Hezbollah, repeated their criticism of Israel's war in Gaza during a performance outside Paris on Sunday, despite objections from French Jewish groups and government officials.

Reigning champions New Zealand started their quest for a record-extending seventh Women's Rugby World Cup title with a 54-8 win over a gutsy Spain in York on Sunday.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes his side need to show more maturity after blowing the lead to draw 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday and remain without a win this season.

In-form home hope Ben Shelton got his US Open campaign off to a smooth start on Sunday with a comfortable straight sets victory over Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse.

Manchester United remain without a Premier League win this season after being held 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday, while a Jack Grealish-inspired Everton opened their new stadium with a 2-0 victory over Brighton.

Irish rap group Kneecap, one of whose members faces a British terror charge for allegedly supporting Hezbollah, repeated their criticism of Israel's war in Gaza during a performance outside Paris on Sunday, despite objections from French Jewish groups and government officials.

The US ambassador to France has written to President Emmanuel Macron to denounce his government's insufficient action against antisemitism, days after similar remarks from Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Donald Trump threatened to deploy National Guard troops Sunday to yet another Democratic stronghold, the Maryland city of Baltimore, as the US president seeks to expand his crackdown on crime and immigration.

Emma Raducanu bagged her first US Open victory since her fairytale 2021 title triumph on Sunday with a straight sets demolition of Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara.

Manchester United remain without a Premier League win this season after being held 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday, while a Jack Grealish-inspired Everton opened their new stadium with a 2-0 victory over Brighton.

Hamburg drew 0-0 away at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday in their return to the top flight after seven years in the second division.

A 16-day heatwave Spain suffered this month was "the most intense on record", the national meteorological agency said on Sunday.

A week after winning their Ligue 1 opener with 10 men, Rennes played almost the whole game at Lorient on Sunday with nine, but this time lost 4-0.