Hong Kong consumer watchdog urges better elderly services after 9,206 complaints

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has called on businesses to improve services for elderly customers after receiving more than 9,200 complaints in the past three years, including a woman who spent HK$400,000 (US$51,294) on beauty treatments. The Consumer Council said on Thursday that improving services for seniors would help boost the spending potential of the “silver economy”, a priority for the city’s government amid a rapidly ageing population. “The council urges traders to review their sales... [Continue Reading]

Trump says Iran has 'stopped' killing protesters. Is he right?

Washington could intervene militarily in Iran, the Trump administration has suggested, but it remains unclear whether that will happen.  [Continue Reading]

Recent Violence in Minneapolis Linked to Federal Immigration Actions

A series of violent incidents in Minneapolis has escalated tensions between federal law enforcement and local communities. This follows the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good, a woman shot by an officer from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which led to protests and growing unrest. On Wednesday evening, federal agents shot a man during an enforcement action in north Minneapolis, an event that has drawn considerable public scrutiny. The individual, identified as a Venezuelan immigrant, was reportedly shot in the leg as he resisted arrest. According to officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the immigration agent acted... [Continue Reading]

Violence Escalates in Minneapolis Amid Immigration Enforcement Conflicts

Recent incidents in Minneapolis have brought to light the growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, particularly following the shooting of a Venezuelan man by federal agents. This shooting comes just a week after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. On Wednesday evening, federal immigration agents carried out a traffic stop that escalated into violence. As federal agents attempted to arrest the man, he allegedly resisted and violently assaulted an officer, leading to the agent firing shots that struck the man in the leg. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, as legal... [Continue Reading]

Recent Shootings Highlight Ongoing Immigration Tensions in Minneapolis

Recent events in Minneapolis have sparked renewed debates over immigration enforcement and the use of excessive force by federal agents. On Wednesday evening, a shooting involving federal law enforcement officers occurred during an operation aimed at apprehending a Venezuelan national, just one week after a woman, Renee Nicole Good, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The Minneapolis city officials confirmed that a man was shot in the leg during a confrontation with federal immigration agents, although the specifics of what led to the shooting are still unclear. Eyewitnesses reported that federal agents deployed smoke and... [Continue Reading]

Live: UN Security Council to meet for 'a briefing on the situation in Iran'

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was told “on good authority” that the killing of Iranian protesters has “stopped”, and Tehran indicated that there was "no plan for hanging" protestors. The UN Security Council will meet Thursday afternoon to discuss the situation in Iran. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments. [Continue Reading]

Major Legal and Security Developments in Australia Spark Public Concern

Two significant cases have recently emerged in Australia, drawing public attention and concern. One case involves the conviction of Tom Silvagni, the son of a renowned AFL player, while the other concerns a series of explosive devices found in Canberra. Tom Silvagni was convicted last year of two counts of rape, receiving a sentence of six years and two months. The County Court determined that Silvagni had assaulted a woman twice in January 2024, having gained access to her bed by impersonating another man. Furthermore, Silvagni attempted to conceal his actions by manipulating an Uber receipt. He has since filed... [Continue Reading]

Teenager charged over alleged online threats to kill PM, NSW premier

WA Police charge a 19-year-old man after he allegedly uses social media to send messages, threatening to kill Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns. [Continue Reading]

Recent Developments in Venezuela Amid Political Shifts and U.S. Policies

James Luckey-Lange, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen, recently regained his freedom after being held in Venezuela's notorious prison system since early December. His release, along with several other detained Americans, is viewed as a significant shift in the dynamic between the interim government of Venezuela and the United States. The State Department issued a statement welcoming the release, marking it as a step towards improved relations under the current leadership in Venezuela. Luckey-Lange, whose family had not heard from him for weeks, was traveling through South America following the deaths of both his parents. He was reportedly conducting research on gold... [Continue Reading]

Trump says he’s been assured Tehran has stopped killing protesters as Iran closes its airspace – live

US president says ‘important sources’ also told him executions not going ahead as Iran extends order closing its airspace to commercial flightsFull report: US and UK military to withdraw some personnel from Middle East amid Iranian threatsIran crisis explained: what we know so far Analysis: why western diplomats are wary of predicting regime’s end days Podcast: Massacres and executions: what are we hearing from inside Iran?Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the crisis in Iran.Donald Trump says he has been assured that the killing of Iranian protesters has been halted, adding when asked about whether the threatened US military... [Continue Reading]

Emergency warning for Great Ocean Road as storm sweeps cars to sea

Cars have been swept to sea and residents isolated by floodwaters after more than 100 millimetres of rain was dumped in some parts of the popular holiday region. [Continue Reading]

Federal Agents in Minneapolis Involved in Shooting Amid Controversy

In a tumultuous week for Minneapolis, reports have emerged of a shooting involving federal agents during an enforcement action aimed at an undocumented immigrant. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, just days after the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, leaving the community in shock and anger. Local officials confirmed they were aware of the shooting but have yet to provide detailed information regarding the circumstances and identities of those involved. Witnesses reported that the shooting took place at approximately 7 PM local time, as federal agents approached a Venezuelan immigrant who was in the country illegally.... [Continue Reading]

Why Australia is investing in military bases in the Philippines

Experts say these agreements are clear signs of how important an ally the Philippines is becoming in the Indo-Pacific region amid jitters of US security guarantees.  [Continue Reading]

Chinese military says it is developing over 10 quantum warfare weapons

China’s military says it is using quantum technology to gather high-value military intelligence from public cyberspace. 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 missions”, according to the official newspaper Science and Technology Daily. The project is being led by a supercomputing laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology, according to the report, with a... [Continue Reading]

Scathing review finds aging WA hospitals reliant on 'reactive maintenance'

An audit of WA's health infrastructure finds the state's aging public hospitals are too reliant on reactive maintenance, with no dedicated funding to keep them up to scratch and little data to inform future decisions. [Continue Reading]

Au Pair Testifies of Lurid Plot in Virginia Double-Murder Trial

Juliana Peres Magalhães wrapped up testimony on Wednesday in the case against Brendan Banfield, her former lover, who is accused of killing his wife and another man. [Continue Reading]

Immigration agents shoot man in Minneapolis as tensions in city run high

Minnesota city says it’s aware of a shooting as residents continue to reel in aftermath of Renee Nicole Good’s killingFederal immigration agents shot a man on Wednesday evening during an enforcement action in Minneapolis, according to multiple sources in networks of legal aid and observer groups.In a statement posted online, the city of Minneapolis said it was aware “of a shooting involving federal law enforcement in north Minneapolis” and was working to confirm additional information. What led to the shooting and the identities of those involved have not yet been released. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]

'Smellanie' the corpse flower set to attract thousands to Adelaide Botanic Garden

A corpse flower at the Adelaide Botanic Garden is generating excitement but it is actually among five of the rare plant to bloom in the city this summer. [Continue Reading]

James Luckey-Lange Among Americans Freed in Venezuela

James Luckey-Lange, 28, was released this week with several other U.S. citizens from the country’s notorious prison system after going missing in December, his family said. [Continue Reading]

Tom Silvagni's rape conviction appeal grounds revealed

Details of the 23-year-old's appeal bid have been released, with Silvagni arguing a judge erred in describing certain evidence as "incriminating conduct" during his rape trial late last year. [Continue Reading]

xAI restricts Grok chatbot after sexualised AI images spark global concern

Elon Musk’s AI company xAI has imposed limits on its Grok chatbot’s image editing capabilities after hyper-realistic sexualised images — including depictions of minors — circulated online. The restrictions apply to all users, including paid subscribers, and block image generation in jurisdictions where such content is illegal. [Continue Reading]

Federal Agent Shoots Immigrant in Minneapolis, Homeland Security Says

The agent shot a Venezuelan man who was resisting arrest, an official said. The shooting comes a week after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in the city. [Continue Reading]

New Agreement Lowers Tariffs for Chinese Electric Vehicles in Europe

Recent developments have unveiled a significant agreement between European authorities and Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, potentially reshaping the automotive landscape in Europe. This new understanding marks a departure from punitive anti-subsidy tariffs that previously could reach as high as 35.3 percent. Analysts suggest that this agreement will avert a price war among mainland carmakers, allowing them to foster their brand reputation more effectively. Key players in the Chinese electric vehicle market, including BYD and Leapmotor, are expected to benefit from the European Commission's acceptance of their price commitments. Instead of facing steep tariffs, these manufacturers can sell their vehicles... [Continue Reading]

China’s C919 airliner put through paces by test pilots from European aviation regulator

European aviation evaluators have begun test flights of China’s home-grown C919 airliner in Shanghai, the Post has learned, as the manufacturer of the narrowbody jet presses ahead with its bid to secure Western safety certification – a crucial step in the journey to global adoption and being able to compete with industry leaders Boeing and Airbus. Two test pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have conducted verification flights, according to a source with knowledge of the... [Continue Reading]

Prominent neo-Nazi figure denied bail again over alleged threat to MP

High-ranking neo-Nazi Joel Davis has told a Sydney court the Nationalist Socialist Network "no longer exists" as he was again denied bail for allegedly threatening a federal MP. [Continue Reading]

‘Dangerous’ pipe bombs found detonated on Canberra footpaths, police say

Police believe no one hurt but urge public not to pick up explosive devices and say more may be foundFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNearly a dozen pipe bombs, some of them already detonated, have been found on footpaths and in parks in the nation’s capital, sparking a major police investigation and warnings not to touch the potentially explosive items.ACT police Det Acting Insp Anna Wronski could not say where the pipe bombs came from or who was behind them, but said the matter was being taken... [Continue Reading]

Antonio Arena has put the football world on notice, but will he play for the Socceroos?

In Italy, he has earned the nickname Il Baby Bomber because of his size, strength and impact on the game. But where do his international allegiances lie? [Continue Reading]

How the new passport rules for UK dual citizens will work

Your guide to new UK and Ireland passport rules for dual citizens and general entry changes beginning in February. [Continue Reading]

Live: Australian Open draw to reveal tournament paths for locals and world's best

The Australian Open is almost here — but first we have the draw, which will determine the mouth-watering first round match-ups and what the possible finals could look like. Follow live. [Continue Reading]

Long-awaited EU-Mercosur trade pact set for signing

The European Union and South American bloc Mercosur are set to sign an agreement, more than 25 years in the making, to create one of the world's largest free trade areas. [Continue Reading]

BTS fans in Malaysia ecstatic over comeback concerts but fear scalpers

The announcement that BTS will return to Malaysia after more than a decade has sent K-pop fans into a frenzy, with many calling it a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The South Korean supergroup will stage two concerts in Kuala Lumpur on December 12 and 13, marking its first appearance in the country since 2015, when it performed its Red Bullet Tour at Mega Star Arena. This will also be BTS’ first-ever concert in Kuala Lumpur as its previous Malaysia performance was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. For... [Continue Reading]

Hong Kong, Shenzhen ‘to deepen’ ties in finance and AI to build world-class fintech hub

Hong Kong and Shenzhen can work closely to empower finance with artificial intelligence, delegates said on Thursday at the China Conference: Greater Bay Area, an event hosted by the South China Morning Post. Joseph Chan Ho-lim, undersecretary for Financial Services and the Treasury in the Hong Kong government, said Hong Kong and Shenzhen were seeking deeper cooperation between finance and technology. Chan said at the event in Qianhai, a bonded zone in Shenzhen, that Hong Kong, as a... [Continue Reading]

Musk’s Grok barred from undressing AI images after global backlash

Elon Musk’s platform X on Wednesday announced measures to prevent its AI chatbot Grok from undressing images of real people, following global backlash over its generation of sexualised photos of women and children. The announcement comes after California’s attorney general launched an investigation into Musk’s xAI - the developer of Grok - over the sexually explicit material and multiple countries either blocked access to the chatbot or launched their own probes. X said it will “geoblock the... [Continue Reading]

Games Inbox: Is the PS5 Pro console still worth getting?

The Thursday letters page wonders how a game as bad as Code Violet can come to be, as one reader muses on the surprisingly short glory years of Halo and Gears Of War. [Continue Reading]

Two Palestine Action protesters end 73-day hunger strike

The BBC understands that one of the protesters was taken to hospital earlier on Wednesday in a poor condition. [Continue Reading]

Canada’s Mark Carney seeks reset on pivotal trip to China

Canadian leader's visit comes after nearly a decade of strained ties between Ottawa and Beijing. [Continue Reading]

Trump’s 500% tariff push raises risk of India-US trade freeze

US President Donald Trump’s backing for a Senate bill that would allow tariffs of up to 500 per cent on goods from countries buying Russian oil has raised the prospect of a near-freeze in trade between India and its largest export market, as New Delhi continues to absorb steep US duties imposed last year. Trump last week gave the green light to the proposal, which targets any country that continues to buy Russian oil, petroleum products or uranium, a move seen as part of Washington’s effort to... [Continue Reading]

Why WA's controversial fishing ban has hit a nerve like no other

Western Australia's ban on demersal fishing has left fishers frustrated. Will the government be able to soften the blow for an angry industry? [Continue Reading]

NASA conducts first-ever medical evacuation from space station

NASA carried out its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station after an astronaut required care, bringing four crew members back to Earth earlier than planned. The early return temporarily reduces the station crew, limiting spacewalks until a replacement team arrives. [Continue Reading]

The junior tennis champ who beat Sinner and an AFL star to win $1m

Jordan Smith comes from a tennis-mad family in Sydney and is now a millionaire thanks to a couple of days' work at the Australian Open. [Continue Reading]

US Senate defeats war powers resolution designed to rein in Trump

Only three Republicans joined with Democrats to vote in favour of the resolution, resulting in a tie broken by JD Vance. [Continue Reading]

Boeing Knew About Flaws in UPS Plane That Crashed in Louisville, N.T.S.B. Says

In a report Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board said fractures that appeared to have led the left engine to separate from the plane’s wing had occurred at least four other times. [Continue Reading]

Stunned Albanese says Coalition ‘playing politics’ as Ley calls hate speech reforms ‘pretty unsalvageable’

Opposition leader says government took ‘a month to deliver this bad bill’ as Labor criticises Liberal ‘hypocrisy’ on proposed hate lawsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe opposition leader, Sussan Ley, has said the Albanese government’s proposed hate speech and anti-vilification legislation appears “pretty unsalvageable” and rejected suggestions of hypocrisy by the Coalition after weeks of calls for new laws to tackle antisemitism.After demanding parliament be immediately recalled in the wake of the Bondi beach terror attacks on 14 December, Ley on Thursday morning flagged the Coalition would... [Continue Reading]

Twenty one English councils ask for election delays

Nearly a third of eligible authorities have want to postpone local polls scheduled for May. [Continue Reading]

Portland man shot by Border Patrol pleads not guilty to assaulting agent

Luis David Nino-Moncada, shot the day after Renee Good was killed, denies using vehicle as weapon against officerA man shot and wounded by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland last week has plead not guilty to charges of aggravated assault against a federal officer and damaging federal property.Luis David Nino-Moncada, who was taken into custody after sustaining an injury in the arm from the shooting, was indicted on Tuesday and entered his plea on Wednesday. The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Nino-Moncada, who is of Venezuelan descent, entered the US illegally and used his vehicle... [Continue Reading]

Adelaide festival apologises to Randa Abdel-Fattah and invites her to participate in 2027 writers’ week

Apology comes as former Adelaide festival board member accuses Louise Adler of hypocrisy after she resigned citing free speech concernsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe new Adelaide Festival board has issued a public apology to Palestinian-Australian academic Randa Abdel-Fattah, and has promised she will be invited to Adelaide Writers’ Week in 2027.Abdel-Fattah immediately accepted the apology, posting on Instagram that it was a vindication “of our collective solidarity and mobilisation against anti-Palestinian racism, bullying and censorship”. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]

Time to end bid-rigging in Hong Kong with criminalisation and tougher enforcement

Recent events in Hong Kong, particularly the tragic blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last November, have focused society’s attention on reforms to the legal system, especially those concerning building management and maintenance. Corruption and improper practices in the tendering process for large-scale building renovation or maintenance have also become a hot-button issue. In response, the government has established an independent committee to uncover the causes of the fire and examine... [Continue Reading]

Without pension reform, China is leaving its rural elderly out in the cold

“Rural heating problems in Hebei cannot wait any longer” declared a recent report in Farmers’ Daily. It described a disturbing reality in parts of northern China: elderly villagers who would rather shiver through freezing temperatures than turn on their heaters, because they simply cannot afford the cost. For many urban readers, this may sound implausible. For millions of rural elderly, it is routine. On the surface, the problem appears to be a side effect of China’s well-intentioned... [Continue Reading]

Calls for Legal Reforms Amidst Rising Climate Challenges

In light of profound legal gaps and shifting climate conditions, a coordinated effort is emerging to address civil rights violations and apartment living standards, especially in the context of rapidly increasing temperatures due to climate change. Recent experiences of residents and legal scholars alike underscore the need for urgent reforms. Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of the University of California, Berkeley Law School, and Burt Neuborne, a professor emeritus at New York University, have highlighted a dire issue regarding the accountability of federal officers in the United States. They note that when federal agents violate a citizen's constitutional rights, such individuals... [Continue Reading]

Fire leaves Harcourt family searching for home in tight rental market

Four weeks after unpacking their last box, a Harcourt family fled fire with only their passports and clothes — and now face a difficult search for a new rental. [Continue Reading]