Middle East crisis live: Trump claims Iran war will be over ‘very soon’ but Tehran says it will determine when
US president says war is ‘very complete’ and threatens worse strikes if passage of oil via strait of Hormuz is blocked; IRGC says it will not let out ‘one litre of oil’Oil prices drop sharply after Trump moves to reassure marketsTrump says Iran war is ‘very complete, pretty much’ as economic toll rises Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Bundaberg residents ordered to evacuate as Burnett River flooding threat rises to 7.5 metres due to heavy rainfall
Residents in Bundaberg, a coastal city in Queensland, Australia, have been ordered to evacuate immediately due to a significant flooding threat from the Burnett River, which is forecasted to rise to 7.5 metres by midnight. This directive follows days of heavy rainfall linked to a tropical low, creating alarming conditions across northern Australia. Authorities are implementing emergency measures as local river levels continue to escalate, affecting the safety of communities in the region. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued urgent warnings regarding the rising water levels. As of now, many residents are facing evacuation as the situation intensifies. The... [Continue Reading]
US-Israeli military campaign against Iran enters tenth day amid global market turmoil and fluctuating oil prices
The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, now entering its tenth day, is generating significant turmoil on global markets, with fluctuating oil prices and uncertain diplomatic signals from the US government. President Donald Trump, aiming to alleviate concerns among allies and the public, has provided a series of mixed messages regarding the operation's progress and objectives, creating a climate of confusion and anxiety. Following a day marked by a dramatic drop in US stock market indices and rising oil prices, Trump engaged with reporters in an effort to stabilize perceptions. He stated to the New York Post, "I have a plan... [Continue Reading]
U.S. Solar Installations Fell in 2025 as Trump Attacked Clean Energy
More solar energy was added to U.S. grids than any other technology, but the amount installed fell by 14 percent, according to a new report. [Continue Reading]
Australia to send missiles to UAE, surveillance plane to help Gulf defence
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said missiles and reconnaissance plane will be sent to region. [Continue Reading]
Philippines budget deficit hits record US$26.5 billion as corruption probe bites
An investigation into allegedly corrupt flood-control projects worth billions of pesos is beginning to ripple through the Philippines’ public finances, slowing infrastructure spending and adding uncertainty to the government’s investment-driven growth strategy. The budget deficit widened 4.68 per cent to 1.58 trillion pesos (US$26.5 billion) in 2025, Treasury Bureau data showed, surpassing 2024’s record of 1.51 trillion pesos. Despite slowing disbursements amid tighter scrutiny of public works... [Continue Reading]
US$17 billion question: why China and South Africa are so far apart on trade data
Whenever South African officials meet their Chinese counterparts to talk trade, the issue of the imbalance in China’s favour is almost certainly raised. But a discrepancy in the data from the two sides makes it hard to assess the trade gap. The latest Chinese customs data suggests that South Africa actually holds a surplus – exporting more to the world’s second-largest economy than it receives in return. According to the numbers from Beijing, China recorded US$30.58 billion in imports from South... [Continue Reading]
Prosecutors launch search of Epstein's former New Mexico Zorro Ranch
New Mexico state investigators search a secluded ranch where financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once entertained guests amid allegations that the property may have been used for sexual abuse and sex trafficking of young women. [Continue Reading]
Minns can't say when sinkhole-plagued M6 will open, legal action possible
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he does not know if the troubled M6 motorway will open while he is still in power. [Continue Reading]
Family of 14yo says Aidan Becker 'risked his life to save our son'
The family of a 14-year-old boy allegedly attacked in Mernda last week said Aidan Becker, who was fatally stabbed trying to protect the teenager, showed "extraordinary courage and compassion in risking his life to save our son". [Continue Reading]
E-payments to attract more riders, cut fare disputes: Hong Kong taxi industry
Mandatory e-payment in Hong Kong taxis could attract more residents and visitors to use the service, as about 90 per cent of drivers are ready to meet the requirement ahead of its implementation next month, an industry representative has said. Ryan Wong Cheuk-pong, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Council, said on Tuesday that drivers could also benefit from e-payments by reducing disputes over fares and no longer worrying about a lack of change. “E-payments have become a trend and many residents... [Continue Reading]
Missile in Deadly Iranian School Strike Appears to Be U.S.-Made, Photos Taken by Iran Show
Iranian state media posted mangled remnants it claims were from the Feb. 28 attack in Minab. An analysis shows they have the markings of a missile made by American manufacturers [Continue Reading]
Who Is Balendra Shah, The Rapper Set to Be Nepal’s Next Prime Minister?
Balendra Shah’s party won a landslide in the election that followed Nepal’s Gen Z revolution. His style is pugnacious. [Continue Reading]
EU monitor: World logged fifth hottest February on record
The world logged its fifth hottest February on record, with western Europe drenched by extreme rainfall and widespread flooding, the European Union's climate monitor has said. [Continue Reading]
Queensland workplace safety regulator 'captured' by CFMEU, inquiry hears
Senior counsel assisting Patrick Wheelahan alleges Workplace Health and Safety Queensland became "improperly dominated" by the interests of the CFMEU. [Continue Reading]
Trump’s Gaza plan ‘on hold’ as Iran war halts disarmament talks
Talks to advance US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war have been on hold since last week when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran, sparking a broader Middle East war, three sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations said. The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative, which he has cast as a major foreign policy objective. It comes less than a month after he secured billions of dollars in pledges for Gaza from Gulf Arab... [Continue Reading]
Trump’s War in Iran, and Rising Gas Prices, Collide With Midterm Agenda
The attack on Iran has led to a surge in energy prices at a moment when the cost of living is a major issue heading into the fall elections. [Continue Reading]
Trump claims Iran planned to ‘take over Middle East’ before US attacked
US President Donald Trump cites “information and belief” for his claim that Iran would have taken over the Middle East. [Continue Reading]
What is a Wedgetail, the powerful aircraft Australia is sending to war?
One of Australia's most sophisticated military surveillance planes will be deployed to the Middle East, along with a crew of about 85 defence personnel to operate it. [Continue Reading]
China’s exports surge 21.8% in first 2 months of year
China’s export growth accelerated sharply in the first two months of this year, defying last year’s high base while experts pointed to the likelihood of strong momentum for the rest of the year. Exports jumped 21.8 per cent from a year earlier to US$656.58 billion in the combined figures for January and February released by customs authorities on Tuesday. This represented a significant acceleration from the 6.6 per cent growth recorded in December and the 5.5 per cent rise recorded for all of... [Continue Reading]
Darwin residents under boil water alert due to equipment failures amid flash flooding conditions
Darwin residents are currently facing a boil water alert issued by NT Health after the main drinking supply in the city experienced equipment failures amid flash flooding conditions. The alert compels residents to use cooled boiled water or bottled water for essential activities, including drinking, food preparation, and dental hygiene. This emergency follows significant issues with the pumping station at the Darwin River Dam. Following the stalling of pumps, the city is now urged to reduce water usage as authorities scramble to resolve the situation. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has reassured the public that there is no cause for panic,... [Continue Reading]
Bundaberg residents told to evacuate immediately as Queensland braces for major flooding
The BoM has forecast flooding of the Burnett River at Bundaberg could rise to 7.5 metres by midnightFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereResidents of the coastal Queensland city of Bundaberg have been told to evacuate immediately as the region braces for major flooding in the wake of a tropical low.It comes after days of heavy rain across northern Australia, with parts of the Northern Territory experiencing their worst flooding in decades, and Darwin residents asked to reduce water use after the Darwin River Dam... [Continue Reading]
Trump warns Iran of significant military escalation if it disrupts global oil supplies amid rising tensions in the region
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that military actions will escalate significantly if the nation disrupts global oil supplies. In a recent statement, Trump indicated that Iran would face a “much, much harder” response should it threaten energy stability, reflecting rising tensions in the region due to ongoing US and Israeli military operations targeting Iranian positions. This warning comes amidst reports of increased airstrikes by US and Israeli forces against Iran, an act that has escalated hostilities between the US-led coalition and the Iranian regime. The US has long been concerned about Iran’s influence... [Continue Reading]
Government warned now-closed 'horse and cart' Convict Bridge unfit for modern traffic
The Blue Mountains community warned the NSW government the Great Western Highway's historic Convict Bridge could not withstand modern day traffic prior to its closure last week. [Continue Reading]
Katherine flood recedes as heavy rainfall continues in the NT
Katherine flood levels recede to minor levels as the nearby Aboriginal community of Beswick faces major flooding and the Northern Territory braces for more heavy rainfalls. [Continue Reading]
Court rules 'no reasonable basis' for $ 2.3m lawsuit against SA Premier
South Australia's Supreme Court has thrown out former MP Annabel Digance's $2.3 million lawsuit against the state and Premier Peter Malinauskas, but found it was still open for her to pursue complaints about the conduct of SA Police. [Continue Reading]
Trump says some sanctions to be lifted on oil producers amid Iran war
Crude oil prices plunge below $90 a barrel following an earlier surge to almost $120 in price swing over 24 hours. [Continue Reading]
Champions, captains and icons: The Iranian players granted asylum
Australia has granted five Iranian players asylum after their Women's Asian Cup campaign. So, who are they? [Continue Reading]
New Zealand Covid response among world’s best but ‘scars’ remain, inquiry finds
Royal commission says response led by Jacinda Ardern was broadly ‘appropriate’, in a wide-ranging report featuring recommendations for future pandemicsA royal commission into New Zealand’s Covid response has found it was one of the best in the world but acknowledged the period had left “scars”.The second of two inquiry reports on the pandemic was released on Tuesday and focused on the period between February 2021 to October 2022, when the government changed from an elimination strategy to one of suppression and minimisation of the virus. It also examined vaccine safety and the government’s immunisation programme, lockdowns and tracing and testing... [Continue Reading]
Rising prices, mixed messages: Iran war is fraught with political risk for Trump
The war's price, measured in damage to the economy and in political costs to Trump, is still coming into view. [Continue Reading]
Iran says no future negotiations with US after ‘bitter experience’
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told PBS News that talking or negotiating with the US is no longer on the agenda. [Continue Reading]
Wealth, drugs and rape: US luxury real estate stars convicted of sex trafficking
Three brothers, including two of America’s most successful luxury real estate brokers, were convicted of sex trafficking charges on Monday after a five-week trial over accusations that they used drugs and force to rape scores of women they had dazzled with their wealth and opulent lifestyle. The verdict came after 11 women testified they were sexually assaulted by one or more of the brothers: twins Oren and Alon Alexander, 38, and Tal Alexander, 39. All three of the men shook their heads as the... [Continue Reading]
Trump threatens to hit Iran harder if it blocks energy supplies
US President Donald Trump threatened to escalate attacks on Iran if it disrupted global oil supplies. [Continue Reading]
Vague and contradictory Trump says Iran war ‘won’, but not ‘won enough’
After oil prices surged on Monday the US president sought – and failed – to offer a clear vision for when the largest US intervention in the Middle East in years will endMiddle East crisis liveAt one of the most consequential moments of his two terms in office, wartime president Donald Trump on Monday delivered a vague and contradictory forecast for how long the United States will continue to fight in Iran and what the ultimate goal of the US military campaign there will be.With oil hovering above $100 a barrel for much of Monday and Middle Eastern allies fearing... [Continue Reading]
Three Australians sentenced to prison in Bali for involvement in fatal shooting of Melbourne man Zivan Radmanovic
A court in Bali, Indonesia, has sentenced three Australian citizens, Mevlut Coskun, Paea I Middlemore Tupou, and Darcy Jenson, to prison terms for their involvement in the fatal shooting of Zivan Radmanovic, a 32-year-old from Melbourne. The sentences handed down are 16 years for Coskun and 12 years each for Tupou and Jenson. The incident occurred in 2025, with prosecutors revealing that the defendants were allegedly hired by an unidentified individual to carry out the shooting. The case has drawn significant media attention, particularly due to the circumstances surrounding the events that led to the shooting. The three men were... [Continue Reading]
Trump’s Iran war will reinforce North Korea’s view that nuclear weapons are the only path to security
As speculation mounts that Kim Jong-un and Trump could meet this month, analysts say Pyongyang will continue to see nuclear weapons as a matter of survivalNorth Korea’s launch last week of a missile from a naval destroyer elicited an uncharacteristically prosaic analysis from the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un. The launch was proof, he said, that arming ships with nuclear weapons was “making satisfactory progress”.But the test, and Kim’s mildly upbeat appraisal, were designed to reverberate well beyond the deck of the 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel the Choe Hyon – the biggest warship in the North Korean fleet. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Attempted bombing at Gracie Mansion raises security concerns as two men linked to ISIS are arrested
An attempted bombing at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York City, has raised serious concerns about security and terrorism in the region. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has addressed the incident cautiously, offering limited comments after the arrests of two men allegedly motivated by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing concerns regarding domestic terrorism and radicalization within the United States. According to reports, the two men arrested are believed to have planned an attack at the mansion, although detailed motivations and operational specifics remain unclear. This... [Continue Reading]
Kia Carnival escape one of 12 since US firm took control of Australian immigration detention, damning report finds
Staffing levels at centres ‘critical’ under Management and Training Corporation, prisons watchdog says Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAt least 12 escapes have occurred since a US private prison operator began running Australia’s immigration detention network, including by a high-risk detainee who was mistakenly placed in an unsecured Kia Carnival with a makeshift weapon, a scathing report has found.The prisons watchdog, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), on Tuesday released a damning report about the running of the onshore immigration detention centres during their transition to Management and... [Continue Reading]
Teenager who killed Ipswich woman Vyleen White appeals 16-year sentence
The 17-year-old boy, who cannot legally be named, pleaded guilty to Vyleen White's murder and several other offences last year. [Continue Reading]
Military Intervention Against Iran Enters Second Week Amid Ongoing U.S. and Israeli Operations
The military intervention against Iran, which began with significant operations on February 28, continues into its second week, highlighting ongoing U.S. and Israeli military objectives in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump recently addressed congressional Republicans, asserting that the conflict could conclude “pretty quickly” as he lauded the successes of military actions undertaken during the campaign, termed Operation Epic Fury. Trump characterized the military engagement as a necessary measure to eliminate perceived threats. Initial phases of the conflict saw large-scale air and missile assaults targeting Iranian military assets, including crucial air-defense systems, missile launching sites, and naval facilities. The operation's... [Continue Reading]
Five things I do (as a therapist) when anxiety takes over
No-one is harder on me than me. Anxiety thrives on this. Along the way, I've built a toolkit that helps me regulate, reconnect and come back to myself. [Continue Reading]
Labor moves to block some temporary visa holders travelling to Australia amid Middle East war
Proposed legislation would allow home affairs minister to prevent people from certain places – such as Iran – entering the country Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor is toughening immigration laws to stop people from some countries travelling to Australia on some temporary visas and seeking to stay permanently because of the Middle East war.The assistant citizenship minister, Julian Hill, introduced urgent amendments on Tuesday, hours after home affairs minister, Tony Burke, facilitated asylum applications from members of the Iranian women’s football team. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Could foreign judges give China’s legal system the expertise to go global?
China should bring in judges from overseas and expand arbitration pilot programmes to extend the international reach of its legal system, according to a former senior justice official. Xiong Xuanguo, who was vice-minister of justice from 2016 to 2023, said China’s legal system was not integrated with others around the world, making it difficult for the country to enforce its court judgments abroad. To tackle the problem, China should train its arbitrators to meet global standards and also hire... [Continue Reading]
High-profile real estate brothers convicted in sex trafficking case
Prosecutors accused the brothers of using their wealth to lure women to parties and luxury homes, then taking advantage of them. [Continue Reading]
Fertiliser prices skyrocket for Aussie farmers as Middle East conflict rages on
The Middle East conflict is driving up the cost of an essential fertiliser for Australian farmers, but there are other factors more likely to affect grocery prices. [Continue Reading]
'No-brainer' rezoning plan could see 18,300 new Sydney homes
The NSW government on Tuesday unveiled plans to rezone the 113-hectare Burwood North precinct, positioning it as a residential hub between Sydney's CBD and Parramatta. [Continue Reading]
Trump Seeks to Calm Oil and Gas Markets but Says Iran War Will Go On
The president said the U.S. could accompany tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary to keep oil flowing. “We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough,” he said. [Continue Reading]
The Papers: 'Drive less to save on fuel' and 'War is near end'
Experts warning fuel could hit £2 a litre and Trump saying the Iran war is near its end lead Tuesday's papers. [Continue Reading]
As Alex Johnston approaches eternity, rugby league must brace itself
As Alex Johnston moves to the edge of forever in his chase of the all-time try-scoring record, rugby league must brace itself for a chance that only comes around once or twice a century. [Continue Reading]
How a daring escape by Iranian soccer players secured their asylum in Australia
Australian officials waited on the sidelines of the Iranian football team's final game in the Gold Coast on Sunday, signalling to players help was available if they wanted to talk. The government has granted asylum to five athletes who escaped from their hotel with assistance from Australian Federal Police. [Continue Reading]
