Hong Kong customs seizes more fuel-smuggling trucks as Iran war lifts prices
Hong Kong customs officers have intercepted more cross-border trucks suspected of smuggling petrol into the city as fuel prices surge amid the war in the Middle East. Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat said on Wednesday that some of the vehicles had even enlarged their fuel tanks to carry more petrol for supplying illegal petrol stations. “In the past few weeks, we have uncovered many such cases involving cars that had enlarged their fuel tank capacity and made other modifications,”... [Continue Reading]
Joy prevails at WOMADelaide 2026
At Adelaide's global music weekender, tens of thousands transform everyday anxieties into a shared burst of joy. [Continue Reading]
Orange sees red over ag minister's claim that DPI has no HQ
The NSW Agriculture Minister says her department has no head office, despite one being opened with much fanfare in Orange six years ago. [Continue Reading]
Cattle, horses and crops washed away by NT floods
NT farmers counting the cost of livestock deaths and crop damage say they feel overlooked by the emergency flood response. [Continue Reading]
Woman charged with attempted murder after shooting at Rihanna's home
The woman posted about the singer online prior to the attack, the BBC's US news partner CBS reports. [Continue Reading]
Popovic eyes the finer details as Socceroos ramp up World Cup planning
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is known for his attention to detail and is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares his squad for the World Cup. [Continue Reading]
Iran war shock derails Thailand’s economic reboot under PM Anutin
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has finalised his coalition partners and tapped allies for cabinet posts, but the spillover from the war in the Middle East is already diluting the economic momentum his new government hopes to take into office. Anutin’s in-tray was already bulging with promises to address domestic woes, including high household debt and a slowdown in growth that has led to an anaemic 2026 forecast of between 1.5 and 2.1 per cent. But the unexpected energy price... [Continue Reading]
Halo trade reshapes Wall Street portfolios. Is China set to lead the heavy-asset era?
Halo, short for heavy assets, low obsolescence, has emerged as a major Wall Street theme in recent weeks. Investors are rotating from tech stocks to companies with real physical assets amid fears over artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions and rising prices of resources and infrastructure. Here’s what you need to know about how the strategy gained popularity and why it matters to China. What is Halo? The term was coined last month by Josh Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, to... [Continue Reading]
Australians hit by soaring petrol prices now face expected blow of interest rate rise
Economists predict RBA board will hike cash rate to 4.1% next week as inflation climbs and energy costs surgeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMillions of Australians could be hit with the twin blow of soaring petrol prices and higher mortgage repayments amid rising expectations that the US-Israel war on Iran will force the Reserve Bank to hike rates on Tuesday.Economists at three investment banks have shifted to now predict that the RBA board will increase the cash rate to 4.1% at the conclusion of its upcoming two-day... [Continue Reading]
Qatar warns Gulf security is tied to global stability
Qatar’s Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi warns that attacks on Gulf states risk escalation and threaten global energy security. [Continue Reading]
Horsham man charged over triple-fatal crash on Western Highway near Ararat
Two Victorians and a South Australian man died in the crash involving five vehicles on the Western Highway near Ararat. [Continue Reading]
Singapore man to be charged over TikTok videos on race, government
A 59-year-old man will be charged in a Singapore court on Wednesday over four videos he posted on TikTok between 2023 and 2025, the police and Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office said on Tuesday. The videos contained content which promoted ill will between different racial groups as well as false statements of fact, police and the POFMA Office said in a joint news release. He will be charged with two counts of defamation and one count of attempting to promote... [Continue Reading]
Live: Israel and Iran exchange strikes as missile threats escalate
Israel activated air defences on Wednesday after detecting multiple missile salvoes from Iran, while Iranian Revolutionary Guards targeted Israeli and US military sites across the Middle East. Civilians near Tel Aviv reported injuries, highlighting rising tensions and the widening scope of the regional conflict. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates. [Continue Reading]
Iranian women’s football team arrives in Malaysia from Australia
Members of the Iranian women's soccer team arrived in Malaysia after Australia granted asylum to some players. [Continue Reading]
Adelaide criminal lawyer vows to contest rape charge
Adelaide criminal defence lawyer Andrew Robert Graham says he will fight a charge of rape, saying the allegation "is untrue". [Continue Reading]
Tony Burke to speak to AFP about right-wing attack on Muslims
The home affairs minister says he will discuss an alleged right-wing attack on a Muslim community in regional Victoria with the federal police. [Continue Reading]
Elon Musk on course to become world’s first trillionaire as wealth soars
Elon Musk’s estimated US$839 billion net worth has made him the wealthiest individual ever recorded, Forbes said on Tuesday, as billionaires worldwide saw their combined fortunes surge in the past year to an all-time high of US$20.1 trillion. Musk topped the Forbes World’s Billionaires list for the second consecutive year after his fortune swelled by roughly US$500 billion over the past 12 months, driven by rising valuations at Tesla and SpaceX, which is targeting a public offering in 2026. He... [Continue Reading]
Japan hit by worst earthquake and tsunami in its history in 2011 – from the SCMP archive
This article was first published on March 11, 2011. By Greg Torode, Martin Wong and Agencies A farm building engulfed in flames as it disintegrated in giant waves; a minibus tumbling end over end, pushed ahead of a 10-metre wall of water - the tsunami triggered yesterday afternoon by the largest earthquake in Japanese history produced scenes of horror along the country’s northeast coast. At least 1,000 people were killed as the wall of water swept away everything in its path. The death toll is... [Continue Reading]
Why Iran is targeting the UAE more than other countries
The United Arab Emirates is reporting more Iranian attacks than any other country as Tehran continues to retaliate against US and Israeli strikes. [Continue Reading]
AFP officer pleads guilty to making false sworn legal statements
Detective Leading Senior Constable Trent Madders was due to face trial next week, accused of perjury, concealing evidence and perverting the course of justice, related to incidents in June 2019 and August 2020. [Continue Reading]
Indian traveller stranded in Qatar takes long road to Riyadh
Varun Krishnan was flying from Chennai to Barcelona when Iranian attacks stranded him in Doha. [Continue Reading]
Daylesford crash inquest hears doctor has concerns for driver's memory
The diabetes doctor of the driver responsible for a 2023 collision in the Victorian town of Daylesford, that killed five people, tells a coronial inquest that he is "concerned" for his patient's memory. [Continue Reading]
Commercial rat baits to be banned from supermarket shelves
Rat baits could soon be restricted to licensed operators, after a change in regulations from the Australian Pesticides and Vetinary Medicines Authority. [Continue Reading]
Two people drown at beach south of Wollongong
A man and a woman visiting from the UK have died after being pulled from the water at an unpatrolled beach in New South Wales. [Continue Reading]
UN determines Russian deportation of Ukrainian children are crimes against humanity
A UN investigation has found Russia's deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children since Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022 amounts to crimes against humanity. [Continue Reading]
How Trump and His Advisers Miscalculated Iran’s Response to War
In the lead-up to the U.S.-Israeli attack, President Trump downplayed the risks to the energy markets as a short-term concern that should not overshadow the mission to decapitate the Iranian regime. [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong stocks extend rebound as proposed release from oil reserve soothes fears
Hong Kong stocks rose on Wednesday as fears over surging oil prices eased and Chinese tech names rebounded after a deep rout. The Hang Seng Index gained 0.5 per cent to 26,028.00 as of 9.36am. The Hang Seng Tech Index edged up 0.6 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index were little changed. Oil prices fluctuated after the Wall Street Journal reported that the International Energy Agency proposed the largest ever oil release from its strategic reserve. The... [Continue Reading]
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho faces scrutiny after FBI raid on his home and office leads to administrative suspension
Alberto Carvalho, the recently suspended Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), continues to face scrutiny following an FBI raid on his home and office. Through his legal representatives, Carvalho has stated that he believes his actions were appropriate and has expressed respect for the ongoing investigative process. Reports suggest that the FBI conducted a search at Carvalho's residence and workplace, prompting his administrative suspension. The exact reasons for the investigation have not been officially disclosed, but the raid typically indicates serious allegations or suspicion of wrongdoing, requiring urgent attention from federal authorities. In the wake of Carvalho’s... [Continue Reading]
Woman charged with attempted murder in shooting at Rihanna’s Los Angeles home
A Florida woman accused of firing gunshots at Rihanna’s home in Los Angeles was charged Tuesday with one count of attempted murder and other felony offences including 10 counts of assault on a person with a semi-automatic firearm. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that the singing superstar, her partner A$AP Rocky, their three small children and her mother were all on the property at the time. The district attorney’s office said Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, was charged in the shooting Sunday... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel Launch Intensified Airstrikes in Tehran Amid Ongoing Conflict
In a significant escalation of military actions, the United States and Israel have initiated what has been described by the Pentagon and local Iranian sources as the most intense airstrikes of the ongoing conflict. This wave of assaults particularly focuses on various targets in Tehran, shortly following reports of large explosions in the Iranian capital. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), their operations against what they refer to as the "Iranian terror regime" have entered a new phase. The IDF announced via its official Telegram channel that it has commenced a new round of aerial strikes aimed at Iranian... [Continue Reading]
Brisbane Roar tells Iranian players 'Queensland is your home now'
A-League clubs reach out to the Iranian women's players granted asylum, offering training, support and a new "home". [Continue Reading]
'Bloody glorious' farewell for beloved drag star Maxi Shield
A pair of purple stilettos sat atop her white casket while family and friends shared their favourite memories of her. [Continue Reading]
The US-Israeli war on Iran threatens global energy. How is Asia preparing?
US President Donald Trump says the war on Iran may not last much longer. But across Asia, government actions are racing to shield themselves from the fallout – revealing a region gripped by anxiety that an energy shock could revive the spectre of stagflation. Under mounting economic pressure and record oil market volatility, Trump said on Monday that the US-Israeli war on Iran could be over “very soon”, though not within the coming week. The most exposed Asian economies – including South Korea... [Continue Reading]
Bennie Thompson Defeats Young Challenger in Mississippi Primary
The victory by Mr. Thompson, the state’s longest-serving Black Democrat, offers a counterpoint to the broader push nationwide for younger leadership in Congress. [Continue Reading]
Harvey Weinstein calls prison ‘hell’ in interview behind bars
Disgraced movie mogul and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein says life in prison is “hell” in an interview where he repeatedly claimed he was not guilty of any crimes. The man who once effectively ruled Hollywood before a spectacular fall from grace at the start of the #MeToo movement said he is trapped in his cell at New York’s Rikers Island, with only guards for company. “It’s too dangerous for me to be around anyone else. Other inmates get to go to the yard. But every time I’m out there, I... [Continue Reading]
Craig Freeman to stand trial over 1991 death of wife Melinda
Mr Freeman was charged last year for the murder of his then-wife, who was found dead in their home in Melbourne's north 30 years ago. [Continue Reading]
Fine for Melbourne aged care home where 45 residents died from COVID
St Basil's aged care in Fawkner has been fined $150,000 for failing to provide adequate training to staff in 2020. [Continue Reading]
Games Inbox: Should Capcom remake Resident Evil 6?
The Wednesday letters page is upset at the rising cost of amiibo, as one reader thinks that Project Helix is the right direction for Xbox. [Continue Reading]
Iran war live updates: Regime issues threat against protesters; US ‘destroyed’ mine laying ships near strait of Hormuz
Iran’s police chief says protesters will be treated as ‘enemies’ and that security forces remain stationed in the streetsHow have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?The International Energy Agency has proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history, in an effort to bring down crude prices that have soared in the last 10 days, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.The release would exceed the 182m barrels of oil that IEA member countries put onto the market in two releases in 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Journal said, citing officials... [Continue Reading]
Queensland land valuations leap more than 50pc in some areas
The value of some Queensland blocks leap 50 per cent, raising the possibility council rates and land tax bills will follow. [Continue Reading]
‘No endgame’: Why US Democrats say Iran war hearing has them worried
Lawmakers say the White House has not clearly explained why the US entered the conflict, or how long it may last. [Continue Reading]
Heaviest day of strikes on Iran as markets predict end
The United States and Israel pounded Iran with what the Pentagon and Iranians on the ground called the most intense airstrikes of the war, despite global markets betting that President Donald Trump will seek to end the conflict soon. [Continue Reading]
New Nationals leader Canavan vows to 'fight back' for Australians
With a populist economic message, the new Nationals leader said local manufacturing and higher birth rates were key as he rejected the labels of "left" and "right" politics. [Continue Reading]
Queen Camilla delivers message of support to survivors of all types of violence
Queen Camilla has delivered a speech marking International Women's Day with a message to survivors of all types of violence, saying: "Please know that you are not alone." [Continue Reading]
Muslim community in shock after police opt not to arrest man accused of crashing Ballarat Iftar dinner
Tony Burke expected to discuss incident with Australian federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett on WednesdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Muslim community is reeling after police opted not to immediately arrest a man accused of crashing an Iftar dinner and hurling racist abuse.The 37-year-old man, described as partially undressed, forced his way into an Iftar dinner gathering at a community hall in the Ballarat suburb of Alfredton in Victoria on Sunday. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong tycoon urges prudent approach to development amid global uncertainty
A Hong Kong property tycoon has called for a more prudent approach to the city’s development rather than accelerating projects amid global uncertainties, saying the industry’s willingness to invest in the Northern Metropolis hinges on the health of the market. Far East Consortium chairman David Chiu Tat-cheong also described the megaproject’s new land disposal approach – which requires winning bidders to handle multiple developments on a large plot – as good intentions with unintended negative... [Continue Reading]
How America’s Iran miscalculation hands China a strategic advantage
The US launched its war against Iran on February 28, convinced that decapitating Tehran’s leadership would produce swift political capitulation. A week later, Iran was still firing missiles across the Gulf, some 150 oil tankers were stalled at the Strait of Hormuz and an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander has threatened to set ablaze any vessel attempting passage. A recent analysis in The Diplomat argues the strikes signal the end of China’s westward strategic march. The diagnosis captures... [Continue Reading]
