Charges dropped against US teens whose teacher died during toilet paper prank
The teacher's family had asked for charges, including one of homicide, to be dropped "to prevent a separate tragedy from occuring" over the prank turned fatal. [Continue Reading]
'Like a trap you can't escape': The women who regret being mothers
From mourning the life they no longer have to feeling never-ending pressure, women tell the BBC why they regret becoming mothers. [Continue Reading]
Los Angeles asks for investigation into LA28 Olympics chief over Epstein ties
The LA city council voted unanimously for an investigation into LA28 chief Casey Wasserman over his Epstein ties. [Continue Reading]
Experts doubt Hegseth claim no need to ‘worry about’ Hormuz
Experts doubt Pete Hegseth’s claims that the US is working effectively to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. [Continue Reading]
Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen
Two votes. That was the margin by which Malaysia’s prime minister, a man with a supermajority in the 222-seat lower house, failed to pass a bill his own coalition had spent weeks publicly championing. After the numbers were read out, the cameras cut to Anwar Ibrahim. He was mid-laugh, chatting with his deputy. The bill, defeated on March 2, was supposed to be a quick win – a term-limit proposal capping any prime minister at two terms or 10 years in office, chosen precisely because it was... [Continue Reading]
With Endorsement, Trump Clears Oklahoma Senate Path
The move, as other Republicans confirmed they would not run, all but assured Representative Kevin Hern would succeed Senator Markwayne Mullin. [Continue Reading]
They were told it wasn't for girls, but these could be the future faces of F1
F1 Academy wants to nurture and develop female drivers who can compete at motorsport’s top level [Continue Reading]
Acid attack on Indonesian activist raises fears for democracy under Prabowo
Two men on a motorbike threw acid in the face of an Indonesian rights activist, leaving him badly hurt and prompting calls on Friday for a thorough investigation amid concerns of democratic backsliding in the country. Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the KontraS rights group, sustained serious injuries to his face, an eye, hands and chest in the attack in Jakarta late on Thursday. Andrie was riding a motorbike when he was approached by two men on a scooter, one of whom threw acid at him,... [Continue Reading]
Taoiseach begins US visit for St Patrick's Day events
Taoiseach Micheál Martin begins his official visit to the United States today, as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations. [Continue Reading]
Gulf migrants say they are 'safe and happy' amid missile and drone attacks
For many South Asian migrants across the Gulf, keeping quiet about Iran's attacks ensures they're able to pay the bills and feed their families. But is leaving even an option? [Continue Reading]
Will a national weed listing help control buffel grass?
Traditional owners and scientists want buffel grass recognised as a Weed of National Significance, but the cattle industry opposes the move because it relies on the species for fodder. [Continue Reading]
The solution to staleness in modern gaming is cross-pollination – Reader’s Feature
Worried that many long running franchises are running out of new ideas, a reader suggests that pastiche is the best way to keep them interesting. [Continue Reading]
US struck military targets on Iran's Kharg Island - Trump
The United States destroyed military targets on Iran's main oil hub of Kharg Island, US President Donald Trump said, threatening to strike its oil infrastructure if Iran continues attacks that have halted most ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. [Continue Reading]
TikTok Investors Set to Pay $10 Billion Fee to Trump Administration
The large fee is the latest example of the White House’s inserting itself into corporate deal making in unusual and aggressive ways. [Continue Reading]
Which Chinese stocks can help investors withstand Middle East war shocks?
Chinese companies in several sectors – including energy, petrochemicals and agriculture – stand to benefit from surging oil prices and the yuan’s easing deflation, which analysts said could help investors find gains amid the negative effects of the Middle East war. Petrochemical companies on mainland China’s exchanges, including Satellite Chemical and Guangdong Redwall New Materials, raised product prices to reflect the surge in oil costs, a move that sent their stock prices soaring. Fertiliser... [Continue Reading]
Up to 16,000 Meta jobs at stake as Zuckerberg focuses on AI
Meta is planning sweeping lay-offs that could affect 20 per cent or more of the company, three sources familiar with the matter said, as it seeks to offset costly artificial intelligence infrastructure bets and prepare for greater efficiency brought about by AI-assisted workers. No date has been set for the cuts and the magnitude has not been finalised, the people said. Top executives have recently signalled the plans to other senior leaders at Meta and told them to begin planning how to pare... [Continue Reading]
Live: Bulldogs and Giants renew rivalry to kick off Saturday AFL action
The Bulldogs and Giants famously do not get along, and their latest confrontation at Docklands kicks off a massive day as round one continues. Follow live. [Continue Reading]
New archbishop to walk 87 mile route from London to Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally's six-day walk begins at Southwark Cathedral and travels along the Becket Way to Canterbury Cathedral. [Continue Reading]
Doomed hereditary peers spy chance to stay in the Lords
The Tories are deciding which hereditary peers to keep after being offered 15 seats in a compromise deal. [Continue Reading]
The Papers: Epstein files photo 'bombshell' and 'Iran war spirals'
The Middle East war and a photo Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Mandelson dominate Saturday's front pages. [Continue Reading]
‘Cannot wait until December’: Dennis Richardson calls for urgency over Bondi attack failures after quitting inquiry
Former spy chief says recommendations regarding intelligence agencies shouldn’t wait for royal commission’s final reportGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastImprovements to public safety and intelligence in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack “cannot wait until December”, former spy chief Dennis Richardson has said just days after he sensationally quit the antisemitism royal commission.“You cannot leave matters that go to public safety till the end of the year, particularly when you have a small section of the community living in such fear,” Richardson told an ABC podcast. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Boosting China-India ties should be pillar of Hong Kong’s five-year plan
By the second half of the 21st century, the Sino-Indian relationship will become the world’s most geopolitical, dislodging even the complex China-US cooperative rivalry. By 2050, the world’s three largest economies are likely to comprise some combination of China, India and the United States. PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts this exact order – with the US having the highest per capita income but the smallest population. Both Asian powerhouses enjoy significant theoretical complementarity. China... [Continue Reading]
More than 156kg of drugs seized in interstate operation
A months-long interstate police operation targeting alleged methamphetamine supply in Darwin has ended with a bust netting more than 156 kilograms of illicit drugs. [Continue Reading]
Watch: Why Kharg Island is a lifeline for Iran
BBC Security Brief's Mikey Kay breaks down why Kharg Island is so strategically important for Tehran. [Continue Reading]
Trump says U.S. bombed Kharg Island, striking core of Iran’s oil economy
About 90 percent of the country’s oil exports move through facilities on Kharg Island, located some 15 miles from the mainland in the Persian Gulf. [Continue Reading]
Trump tells South Korea he is only leader who can break North Korean deadlock
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and US President Donald Trump discussed the possible reopening of talks between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a meeting in Washington, Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday. Kim told Trump he was the only Western leader to have had dialogue with North Korea’s Kim and was currently the only person who could resolve issues on the Korean peninsula, Yonhap quoted Kim as telling reporters in Washington. “President Trump said he was curious if... [Continue Reading]
Lawsuit in Los Angeles examines social media companies' role in youth mental health crises
A landmark lawsuit has commenced in Los Angeles, focusing on the responsibility of social media giants Meta and Google in relation to the mental health crises affecting young users. Kaley, a participant in the trial, described a haunting experience where she spent as many as 16 hours daily on Instagram. Her story highlights the deepening concerns surrounding the effects of social media on mental health, particularly among adolescents. This case is set against the backdrop of over 2,000 similar lawsuits aiming to put pressure on these tech behemoths for their alleged negative influence on youth. The trial, which is expected... [Continue Reading]
Could fish and chip oil solve Australia's petrol problems?
Australia once produced 80 per cent of its own fuel. Now it imports the same amount, and an unlikely answer may be sitting in your local takeaway shop. [Continue Reading]
China game shop slammed for using live hamsters in claw machine, now utilising fish, turtles
A game centre in China has come under fire after it used real hamsters as prizes in its claw machines to attract customers. The venue, in a shopping centre in Shenzhen in southern China’s Guangdong province, was reported to have filled a machine with hamsters, instead of the normal plush toys. Its actions triggered an online backlash, with many people accusing the outlet of animal abuse. According to online footage, the hamsters cowered in the corner of the machine. Clips also reportedly showed... [Continue Reading]
If all video games were free what would people really play? – Reader’s Feature
Most free to play video games are online shooters but a reader asks what would happen if every game was free and anyone could play anything they wanted. [Continue Reading]
Meta reportedly plans sweeping layoffs as AI costs increase
Sources tell Reuters layoffs could affect 20% or more of company as plans reflect broader tensions within big techMeta is planning sweeping layoffs that could affect 20% or more of the company, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Meta seeks to offset costly artificial intelligence infrastructure bets and prepare for greater efficiency brought about by AI-assisted workers.No date has been set for the cuts and the magnitude has not been finalized, the people said. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Rotating home owners boast of 360-degree views and energy benefits
They may be costly to build, but rotating homes are loved for the way they can move with the sun, capture breezes from any direction and make the most of the scenery around them. [Continue Reading]
New York Academy of Art Gives Away Money Donated by Jeffrey Epstein
The school also said that it would review policies about philanthropy and donor engagement after new revelations about the disgraced financier were made public. [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong’s bid to win in AI: where are the road map and the guardrails?
Keith Li King-wah’s business once thrived during the 2010s. In a crowded field of more than 100 rivals, his programming consultancy, Innopage, easily secured contracts worth hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars to develop basic digital tools, such as a mortgage calculator, for corporations and government agencies. But those easy-money days are gone. The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed high-value coding into widely accessible and automated services,... [Continue Reading]
Iran war knocks out Thai Mideast rice exports, squeezing farmers harder
Thai rice exports to the Middle East were halted as the escalating war disrupts shipments to the nation’s largest market for the grain, further straining farmers grappling with rising costs and reduced overseas demand. Two ships carrying a combined 80,000 tonnes of rice bound for Iraq were suspended at a Bangkok port this week, with buyers instructing containers be unloaded and the grain returned to warehouses, Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said... [Continue Reading]
Melbourne to finally get Myki-less public transport on Monday – but only on four train lines
Commuters on Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat and Seymour lines will be first to test tap-and-go technologyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMelbourne is finally poised to join other Australian cities in the tap-and-go era, with the state government confirming public trials for contactless credit and debit card payments will launch for suburban rail commuters on Monday.Commuters on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat and Seymour lines will be the first to test the technology, allowing them to bypass the physical Myki card in favour of paying via a debit or credit card, smartphone or smartwatch. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Republic of Congo election: Who is running and what’s at stake?
Analysts say Congo Brazzaville's election are a mere formality as President Sassou Nguesso is set to extend his rule. [Continue Reading]
Cyclists, vintage fire engines first to hit $2.1 billion Sydney motorway
Traffic flows along the new M12 motorway for the first time, after four years of construction, with the toll-free road to service Western Sydney International Airport, due to open in October. [Continue Reading]
As fuel panic ensues, WA parliament erupts in insults about croissants, cream puffs
Question Time in WA is often loud, occasionally funny, and rarely productive. If this is how the people elected to look out for the best interests of West Australians behave at work, don't we deserve better? [Continue Reading]
Analysts say US threat of ‘no quarter’ for Iran violates international law
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there would be 'no quarter, no mercy' as US continues to pummel Iran. [Continue Reading]
'Sleeping' Indigenous burning technique awakens in Cape Hillsborough
A practice that has helped care for land for more than 60,000 years returns to Yuwibara Country in north Queensland. [Continue Reading]
Åberg holes two eagles, Day leads Aussies at The Players Championship
Swedish golfer Ludvig Åberg shot nine under par in the second round to take the lead of The Players Championship at 12-under. [Continue Reading]
Trump says US forces destroyed military targets on Iranian island handling oil exports
President says forces ‘obliterated’ military targets on Kharg Island and warned its oil infrastructure could be nextMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump said Friday that US forces have “obliterated” military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island and warned that the oil infrastructure there could be next.“For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” Trump wrote on social media. “However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.” Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Why does denim attract hordes of biting march flies?
Denim-wearing Louise Stokes was swarmed by the biting insects during a bushwalk near Pemberton, and it turns out clothing choice can play a significant role in deterring them. [Continue Reading]
Outback band launches debut EP inspired by language and culture
A group of young musicians from Queensland's Gulf country are turning stories and language into song, and are now set mentor other aspiring performers. [Continue Reading]
Shooting at Old Dominion University results in death of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a respected military figure and combat pilot
A deadly shooting at Old Dominion University has led to the tragic loss of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a well-respected military figure known for his extensive experience as a combat helicopter pilot. The incident took place in a classroom setting at the university, where Shah was shot and killed by a gunman reportedly targeting attendees at a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) event. According to court records, the assailant approached individuals inside the classroom and inquired whether they were present for the ROTC event, suggesting that the shooting was premeditated and aimed specifically at military personnel and those affiliated with... [Continue Reading]
Is Dubai's glossy image under threat? Not everyone thinks so
Dubai has been seen as a safe haven by expats, tourists and influencers - but that's now being tested. [Continue Reading]
She spent 16 hours a day on Instagram. It's up to a jury to decide if Meta is to blame
A landmark lawsuit will set the stage for thousands of people who say social media platforms are intentionally addictive. [Continue Reading]
Katherine schools to reopen Monday as flood disaster eases
Government schools in Katherine will reopen from Monday, while Katherine High School will operate under a "hybrid model", with the evacuation centre continuing on site. [Continue Reading]
How the Iran war exposed cracks in Trump's Republican coalition
The president's most dedicated supporters are on his side - but significant numbers of Republicans have serious doubts. [Continue Reading]
