Syrian swimmer Sarah Mardini cleared by Greek court over migrant rescues
Mardini was among 24 volunteer rescuers acquitted by a Greek court on charges of migrant trafficking. [Continue Reading]
Breaking: Alleged attacker of WA Labor figure accused of separate 'unprovoked' assault
The man accused of assaulting former Labor strategist Tim Picton allegedly knocked another man unconscious two days prior. [Continue Reading]
MPs back challenge to ruling on forcing witnesses to front NSW inquiries
In December, the president of the legislative council said he would not seek to overturn a finding that laws allowing no-shows to be arrested were invalid, but this week he reversed course. [Continue Reading]
Jim Chalmers defends Fed boss Jerome Powell as Trump attacks
Treasurer Jim Chalmers defends US central bank boss Jerome Powell as professional and diligent after the Trump administration launched a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve chair. [Continue Reading]
No inquest to be held into deaths of workers killed by concrete slab
The family of the two men killed when a wall crushed them at the racecourse are disappointed there will be no inquiry into the events of the "terrible day". [Continue Reading]
South Korea's ex-president Yoon guilty of abuse of power in martial law bid
This is the first of the verdicts in the four trials linked to Yoon's shock decree in 2024. [Continue Reading]
Saudi to Sudan: Can Pakistan expand military footprint across Arab world?
Multiple countries have shown interest in Pakistani weapons and jets. But Pakistan won't find it easy to deliver. [Continue Reading]
Canada PM Mark Carney hails strategic China partnership in Beijing meeting with Xi Jinping
According to Carney, the relationship "will not only deepen our bilateral ties to the benefit of our peoples but will also—from our judgement—help improve the multilateral system—a system that, in recent years, has come under great strain." [Continue Reading]
Missing man's body found at Darwin's East Point after large-scale search
NT police say they have recovered the body of a missing 44-year-old man, following a large-scale search-and-rescue operation in a Darwin reserve. [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong’s Chris Tang defends police’s ‘difficult decision’ to shoot knife-wielding man
Hong Kong’s security chief has defended police’s “difficult decision” to shoot a man who brandished a knife and took a woman hostage in a shopping centre, praising their bravery and decisiveness in saving lives. After police fatally shot the 34-year-old man on Thursday, Security Secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung revealed the suspect was mentally unstable at the time, possibly influenced by drugs, with suspected substances found in his possession. “It is obvious that [the suspect] was acting insane... [Continue Reading]
Major Fire Erupts in Makeshift Homes Near Seoul's Wealthy District
A significant fire has erupted in Guryong Village, a makeshift settlement located near the affluent Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea. The blaze began at 5 AM local time on Friday, prompting authorities to raise the fire alert to the second-highest level, mobilising around 300 firefighters to combat the flames. The capital is witnessing yet another emergency situation as residents are forced to evacuate their homes in this area, identified as one of the last remaining shantytowns in the city. The fire department has reported no initial casualties, but numerous residents were seen fleeing their homes as thick black smoke... [Continue Reading]
Woman whose daughter died of drug overdose calls for changes to SA law
The mother of a woman who died of "mixed drug toxicity" is pushing for South Australia to implement penalties for those who do not call emergency services in a medical emergency. [Continue Reading]
Canadians and Chinese Leaders Discuss Strategic Partnership in Beijing
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping held critical talks in Beijing, marking the first meeting between the two nations' leaders in eight years. Carney's visit comes at a time when Canada seeks to diversify its trade relationships, particularly following the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods by the United States under former President Donald Trump. During the discussions, Carney referred to a "new strategic partnership" aimed at fostering cooperation between Canada and China, two countries that have had a complicated relationship in recent years. In his opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People, Carney... [Continue Reading]
Battles Over Truth Rage Online Amid Iran’s Internet Blackout
The shutdown of online discourse within Iran has allowed both the government and its critics to flood social media outside the country with disinformation campaigns and fake images. [Continue Reading]
Uber’s Quest to Crack Japan Leads Through a Rural Hot-Springs Town
The ride-hailing giant’s chief executive has made a bet on how it can finally grab a bigger piece of one of the world’s largest taxi markets. [Continue Reading]
Cloth wraps treated with ‘dirt cheap’ insecticide cut malaria cases in babies
Soaking fabrics in a commonly used insect repellent is a simple and effective tool as mosquito bites become more common during daytime, study showsFrom Africa to Latin America to Asia, babies have been carried in cloth wraps on their mothers’ backs for centuries. Now, the practice of generations of women could become a lifesaving tool in the fight against malaria.Researchers in Uganda have found that treating wraps with the insect repellent permethrin cut rates of malaria in the infants carried in them by two-thirds. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s son prompts calls for overhaul of Nigeria’s healthcare sector
Pleas for scrutiny of system fraught with accusations of negligence after one-year-old’s death in hospitalNigerians have called for urgent reforms to the healthcare sector after the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son prompted an outpouring of grief and accounts of negligence and inadequate care.In a leaked WhatsApp message, the bestselling author said she had been told by a doctor that the resident anaesthesiologist at the Lagos hospital treating her son Nkanu Nnamdi had administered an overdose of the sedative propofol. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Rightwing leaders endorse Viktor Orbán in Hungarian election campaign video
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and France’s Marine Le Pen among figures showing support for Hungary’s prime ministerRightwing leaders from around the world have come together to endorse Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, hinting at the symbolism that the country’s elections hold for global far-right movements even as the populist leader lags in the polls.A campaign video published online by Orbán this week includes endorsements from nearly a dozen leaders including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, France’s Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alice Weidel. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
I discovered my girlfriend’s secret 400 days ago — I haven’t had sex since
It's time to get back out there. [Continue Reading]
‘Agatha Christie wrote Seven Dials 96 years ago – but it’s a modern Netflix thriller’
The three-part murder mystery has just arrived on Netflix. [Continue Reading]
U.S. Says It Erred in Deporting Student Traveling for Thanksgiving
The Trump administration acknowledged it mistakenly deported a college student to Honduras despite a court order barring the removal. But the government has not moved to drop the case. [Continue Reading]
Carney calls for China-Canada relationship that adapts to ‘new global reality’
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pitched a new China-Canada relationship that could bring security and prosperity for both nations, in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. “Together we can build on the best of what this relationship has been in the past, and create a new one that adapts to [the] new global reality,” Carney said during his opening remarks, adding that it could deliver stability, security and prosperity for both nations. Carney is on a state visit to China, the... [Continue Reading]
S Korean firefighters tackle huge blaze in last of Seoul’s ‘shanty towns’
No casualties reported as huge fire breaks out in makeshift homes on fringe of Seoul's upmarket Gangnam district. [Continue Reading]
Australia Faces Criticism Over Detention Practices and Antisemitism Issues
The recent findings from a United Nations committee have intensified scrutiny around Australia's immigration detention policies, particularly concerning practices at offshore facilities. The UN Committee Against Torture has concluded that Australia breached the Convention Against Torture by subjecting an Iranian asylum seeker to prolonged and harsh conditions during his detention at Manus Island in Papua New Guinea. This Iranian man initially arrived in Australia in 2013 and was subsequently moved to Manus Island for processing. His complaints to the UN detailed severe maltreatment, including violent assaults from security personnel, which severely impacted his physical and mental well-being. After years of... [Continue Reading]
Maroons captain calls time on Origin career to focus on club duties
Ali Brigginshaw announces she has played her last State of Origin game for Queensland as she looks to focus on one final NRLW season with Brisbane. [Continue Reading]
US and Japan Reaffirm Defence Cooperation Amid Regional Tensions
The relationship between the United States and Japan remains robust, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to mutual defence and regional security. During a recent meeting, US Pentagon chief Hegseth assured Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi that the alliance is unshaken, despite the shifting focus of the Trump administration towards the western hemisphere. Koizumi expressed confidence about the ongoing collaboration between the two countries, emphasizing their strategic partnership during these turbulent times in the Asia-Pacific region. Koizumi indicated that both countries are planning to enhance the presence of their forces in the Nansei Islands, which span from Okinawa to Taiwan. This... [Continue Reading]
Canada's Carney begins talks with Xi in Beijing
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping began talks in Beijing, marking the first meeting between the countries' leaders in China's capital in eight years. [Continue Reading]
Rescue and Legal Developments in Queensland Create Public Interest
The dramatic fall of an 18-year-old climber and ongoing legal proceedings surrounding a teenager's murder have captured public attention in Queensland, highlighting the complexities of emergency response and criminal justice in the region. On November 30, Jake McCollum embarked on what was supposed to be a routine solo bushwalk on Queensland's Mount Walsh. However, his adventure took a tragic turn when he accidentally fell 80 meters from a rocky pinnacle, suffering serious injuries including a fractured spine, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. Despite the severity of his situation, Mr. McCollum's quick thinking and the foresight of his parents led to... [Continue Reading]
Australia Faces Criticism Over Treatment of Detained Asylum Seekers
Australia's immigration policies have come under renewed scrutiny following a ruling by a United Nations committee that found the country breached the Convention Against Torture by subjecting an Iranian man to prolonged detention in Papua New Guinea. The man, who had initially arrived in Australia via Christmas Island, was transferred to Manus Island, where allegations of torture and poor living conditions emerged. The UN's Committee Against Torture highlighted the psychological and physical harm the man endured, including episodes where he suffered violence at the hands of guards. After nearly three years in harsh detention conditions, he was finally moved back... [Continue Reading]
Can Machado actually transfer the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump?
While it can be gifted, refused or displayed, the Nobel Peace Prize itself — once awarded — belongs to its original recipient forever. [Continue Reading]
Japan and US Strengthen Military Ties Amid Cold Weather in Region
Japan's Defence Minister, Yasuhide Koizumi, has highlighted the unwavering partnership between Japan and the United States during a meeting with US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. Koizumi stated that the alliance remains "completely unshaken," despite concerns regarding the future of US involvement in the Asia-Pacific region under the current administration, which has been focusing more on the western hemisphere. During their discussions, both officials examined the possibility of enhancing military cooperation, particularly within the Nansei island chain, which includes Okinawa and extends toward Taiwan. They agreed to prioritise joint military exercises and collaboration in their respective defence industrial sectors. This move... [Continue Reading]
High chance of cyclone forming off Kimberley coast
A tropical cyclone is highly likely to form off Western Australia's far north coast next week, with the Bureau of Meteorology closely monitoring conditions between the Kimberley and Northern Territory. [Continue Reading]
Rescues and Legal Battles Highlight Recent Events in Queensland
Recent events in Queensland have showcased both the desperate situations individuals can find themselves in and the complexities of the justice system. Two distinct cases highlight the resilience of the human spirit in crises and the ongoing struggle for justice in the face of tragedy. On November 30, Jake McCollum, an 18-year-old from Bundaberg, faced a life-threatening situation after plunging 80 meters from a rocky outcrop near the summit of Mount Walsh. The incident occurred during what was intended to be his first solo bushwalk. After suffering severe injuries, including a fractured spine and internal bleeding, McCollum was left stranded... [Continue Reading]
Canada’s PM Carney, China’s Xi Jinping hold first Beijing talks in eight years
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, the first leaders’ talks there in eight years. Carney hailed a “new strategic partnership” as Canada seeks to diversify trade after US tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump. [Continue Reading]
UN Finds Australia Violated Convention Over Asylum Seeker Treatment
A recent ruling by a United Nations committee has determined that Australia breached the Convention Against Torture through its treatment of an Iranian asylum seeker detained offshore on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. The UN committee's conclusion highlights concerns over Australia's international obligations regarding the treatment of detainees. The case revolves around an Iranian man who journeyed to Christmas Island in 2013 before being transferred to Manus Island for processing. Complaints filed with the UN allege that his time in detention was marred by severe conditions, violence, and self-harm, leading to lasting mental and physical health issues. According to the... [Continue Reading]
China’s quantum warfare weapons; ‘rising star’ quits US: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese military says it is developing over 10 quantum warfare weapons The People’s Liberation Army said more than 10 experimental quantum cyber warfare tools were “under development”, many of which were being “tested in front-line... [Continue Reading]
Chinese power stocks surge on State Grid’s record US$574 billion investment plan
Shares of Chinese electricity and grid equipment makers surged after State Grid unveiled a 4 trillion yuan (US$574 billion) plan to upgrade the country’s power networks, as surging demand and the global race in artificial intelligence drive investment in energy infrastructure. Baoding Tianwei Baobian Electric, which makes transformers, climbed 4.6 per cent to 14.50 yuan in Shanghai and power equipment manufacturer Henan Pinggao Electric jumped 4.8 per cent to 20.83 yuan. Suzhou Electrical... [Continue Reading]
Video Analysis of ICE Shooting Sheds Light on Contested Moments
Newly available videos and existing footage synchronized and assessed by The Times provide a frame-by-frame look at how an ICE officer ended up shooting and killing a motorist in Minneapolis. [Continue Reading]
Japan and US Strengthen Defence Ties Amid Weather Changes in Asia
The Pentagon's recent discussions with Japanese officials have underscored the ongoing commitment between the United States and Japan in maintaining regional security. In talks led by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Koizumi, both nations reiterated their strong alliance despite concerns surrounding future US commitments in the region. Koizumi remarked that their collaboration remains “completely unshaken,” emphasising the need for continued cooperation during a period of global uncertainty. During their meeting, the two officials acknowledged the significance of enhancing their military presence in the Nansei island chain, which includes crucial territories such as Okinawa and extends towards... [Continue Reading]
Australia's Legal and Human Rights Challenges Highlighted This Week
The Australian government's treatment of asylum seekers and its handling of recent incidents involving hate speech and murder allegations have raised significant legal and ethical questions. A UN committee recently issued a landmark ruling stating that Australia breached the Convention Against Torture by subjecting an Iranian man to prolonged offshore detention, amplifying ongoing debates regarding the country's immigration policies. The case centers on an Iranian asylum seeker who arrived on Christmas Island in 2013 and was later transferred to the Manus Island detention center in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Testimonies revealed that he endured severe conditions, including violence that left... [Continue Reading]
This tiny, walking shark is doing something never seen before
Known best for their ability to "walk" on the sand and coral where they usually live, new research shows epaulette sharks could also defy assumptions in other ways. [Continue Reading]
10 tennis courts' worth of poppies stolen in recent theft, police say
Investigations are continuing into the theft of a large quantity of poppy capsules from a Tasmanian farm. Police have confirmed the harvested area equates to 10 tennis courts, or 2,500 square metres. [Continue Reading]
Social media study challenges blanket bans, links teen wellbeing to 'balanced' use
The findings of a newly released study have challenged one-size-fits-all rules and blanket bans, as the Australian government's social media ban for children under 16 has been in effect for over a month. [Continue Reading]
China’s supercooling tech packs 40% more punch into chips used in military radar
Chinese scientists have unlocked a revolutionary supercooling innovation in semiconductor technology, paving the way for a 40 per cent leap in the performance of gallium nitride-based radar systems, which are widely used in China’s most advanced stealth aircraft. The new Chinese-made chips can handle extreme power loads in the X and Ka bands – frequencies critical for advanced radar systems, satellite communications and next-generation wireless computer networks. “This is the most significant... [Continue Reading]
Top faith leaders urge PM to scrap new racial hatred offence
A broad of coalition of Australia's most influential religious leaders have urged the prime minister to scrap Labor's proposal to outlaw the promotion of racial hatred. [Continue Reading]
Live: White House says Iran halted 800 executions, warns all options remain on table
A White House spokesperson said Thursday that Iran had backed away from plans to execute 800 protesters following intervention threats from President Donald Trump, but warned that “all options” remain on the table for the United States. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments. [Continue Reading]
What we know about the US and European military presence in Greenland
Here is what we know about the US military footprint in Greenland, and how the increase of troops from Denmark and its allies stacks up. [Continue Reading]
Japan, US vow ‘unshaken’ defence alliance despite Trump’s pivot from Asia
The defence chiefs of Japan and the United States on Thursday agreed that the bilateral alliance is “unshaken” and pledged to reinforce its deterrence capabilities amid concerns in Asia that Washington’s focus is shifting from the region. Following his meeting with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon near Washington, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he was reassured that the administration of President Donald Trump remains committed to peace and stability in the... [Continue Reading]
Behrouz Boochani says Iranian refugees are 'suffering' in Australia
The United Nations committee has determined Australia breached its international legal obligations by allegedly exposing an asylum seeker from Iran to torture in immigration detention. [Continue Reading]
Peak Jewish body considers further legal action against Islamic preacher
A video has been referred to the peak body’s lawyers to seek advice about possible contempt proceedings. [Continue Reading]