Michael B Jordan upends Oscars race as Sinners wins big at Actor Awards
The US star's best actor win for Sinners leaves the Oscars race too close to call. [Continue Reading]
Tens of Thousands of Lebanese Civilians Evacuate Beirut Amid Israeli Airstrikes and Rising Tensions
In a significant escalation of hostilities, tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians are reportedly evacuating from various neighborhoods in Beirut following a series of Israeli airstrikes and forced displacement orders. This crisis has unfolded amid heightened tensions, including a recent retaliatory attack on Israel by Hezbollah, a major political and military actor in Lebanon. Eyewitness reports from Al Jazeera indicate that heavy traffic has taken over the streets as residents attempt to flee the violence. Residents have described the atmosphere as tense, with many feeling compelled to leave their homes in fear of further attacks. Al Jazeera’s correspondence highlighted the... [Continue Reading]
'A tax on households': Economists warn Middle East war to spike oil
The average household could see $14 added to their weekly petrol bill, a prominent economist has warned. While oil prices have already spiked, analysts are hopeful the conflict will be short-lived, limiting the fallout. [Continue Reading]
Father who fell to his death zip-lining on 'bucket list' trip, inquest hears
A coronial inquest into the 2019 death of 50-year-old Dean Sanderson has heard the mining project manager was visiting Far North Queensland with his wife, after "a pretty terrible health situation". [Continue Reading]
Ex-teacher tells of 'deep pain' after alleged abuse of former student
A former teacher accused of sexually abusing a student has told a court he is "ashamed of my behaviour at that time" and says he was "temporarily blinded". [Continue Reading]
Bagram Air Base Targeted by Pakistan, Afghanistan Says
The Afghan military said it had thwarted a Pakistani airstrike on the former U.S. base, Bagram airfield, amid an intensifying campaign that has targeted dozens of military sites across the country. [Continue Reading]
In Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu, China and America See a Mirror Image
The Olympic athletes are the subject of uncomfortable public comparisons that present online narratives that overlap more than both sides may realize. [Continue Reading]
China’s Parents Are Outsourcing the Homework Grind to A.I.
Parents in China are turning to A.I. chatbots and other tools to help their children gain an edge and ease the fighting over homework. [Continue Reading]
China AI boosts cancer screening, rare disease diagnosis
Chinese companies are leading the way in personalised medicine, the development of healthcare treatments tailored for individual patients. MGI Tech last year unveiled the world’s fastest gene sequencing machine, while BGI Genomics has become the world’s biggest generator of data about human genes. Chinese biomedicine companies also have a world-leading pipeline of novel targeted therapies used in personalised or precision medicine (see previous China Future Tech). New technology, including... [Continue Reading]
Rolls-Royce boss ‘open’ to Germany joining UK’s fighter jet project
Tufan Erginbilgiç says decision is for the government but German participation remains a possibilityThe boss of Rolls-Royce has said he would welcome Germany helping to build Britain’s next-generation fighter jet, arguing that it would bring in more business for the project.The aircraft, designed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, is a joint effort between the UK, Italy and Japan. Rolls-Royce is building the engine for the jet, which has attracted fresh attention as plans for a rival Franco-German warplane edge towards collapse. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Labour council accuses minister of ‘moral bankruptcy’ over social care dispute
Hartlepool leaders ‘furious and appalled’ after meeting with Steve Reed about growing cost of social careThe housing, communities and local government secretary, Steve Reed, has been accused by a Labour council of showing “arrogance, indifference and moral bankruptcy” towards children in social care.In an unusually forthright attack, Labour leaders of Hartlepool council said they were “furious and appalled” at Reed after a meeting with him last week. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘Monumental’ Oscar-winning war film now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
It has a 'crushing' final act. [Continue Reading]
People are flocking to this ‘vibrant’ London borough — even though it’s expensive
There’s plenty to explore down this neck of the woods. [Continue Reading]
Simple and tasty recipes for cosy autumn nights in
We’ve crunched the numbers and these are five of your favourite ever autumn recipes to look forward to this season. [Continue Reading]
FIFO disability support workers to bridge geographical gap in regions
A joint state and federal government program will deploy fly-in fly-out allied healthcare workers to reduce geographical impacts on regional residents accessing disability support. [Continue Reading]
Emergency powers invoked as flood risk rises across Central Australia
An emergency has been declared as as a tropical low brings heavy rain, rising river levels and flooding risks to Central Australia and the Barkly region. [Continue Reading]
Afghanistan says it thwarted Pakistan airstrikes on Bagram airbase
Sporadic clashes reported in several provinces in Afghanistan as both sides give conflicting death tollsAfghanistan has said it had thwarted Pakistan’s attempted airstrikes on Bagram airbase, the former US military base north of Kabul, as cross-border fighting between the two countries stretched into a fourth day.Months of clashes have flared up again since Thursday, when Afghanistan launched attacks along the frontier and Pakistani forces hit back on the border and from the skies. Pakistan has declared it is in “open war” with Afghanistan. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Jessie Buckley wins for Leading Actress at Actor Awards
Jessie Buckley won the female actor in a leading role prize at the Screen Actors Guild gala in Los Angeles for her role in Hamnet. [Continue Reading]
6 injured in vessel explosion at Hong Kong’s Stonecutters Island
Six men have been injured in an explosion involving a vessel moored at Stonecutters Island in Hong Kong. According to police, the incident occurred at about 10.35am on Monday. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene, where all six people were taken from the vessel to Princess Margaret Hospital, sources said. The insiders added that the vessel’s engine was suspected to be behind the blast. [Continue Reading]
Iran strikes day 3: markets open with sharp sell-off in futures and Asian shares
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. US Dow futures dropped 400-570 points overnight, S&P 500 futures were down 1 per cent, while Nasdaq futures were down more than 1 per cent as the United States and Israel’s military campaign against Iran continued on Monday. Asian markets also opened lower amid fears of a broader Middle East escalation disrupting global supply chains and energy. China’s stock... [Continue Reading]
UK airbase in Cyprus hit by suspected drone strike causing ‘limited damage’
The apparent attack on RAF Akrotiri came hours after the UK agreed to let the US use British military bases to attack Iran’s missile sitesThe UK’s RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus was hit by a suspected drone strike, causing limited damage and no casualties, Cypriot authorities and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.A security alert put out to residents in the vicinity of Akrotiri by the British base’s administration advised residents to shelter in place until further notice “following a suspected drone impact”. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Desperate first home buyers are fuelling price ‘up-crash’ at lower end of market, experts say
Biggest house price increases in February come in smaller capital cities as buyers undeterred by interest rate hikesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHot competition for cheaper Australian homes has powered a relentless “up-crash” in prices despite rising interest rates, economists warn.Desperate first home buyers have bid up the price of affordable properties as they face off against investors, who have borrowed big despite government warnings they could lose tax discounts and deductions. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Iran ties after Khamenei, China’s Myanmar dilemma: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Why China’s ties with Iran will endure despite death of Khamenei 2. Why China’s Myanmar dilemma still persists, 5 years and 1 election later 3. Cathay Pacific suspends all Middle East operations after US-Israeli attack on Iran 4. Indonesia is getting an aircraft carrier. The Philippines isn’t.... [Continue Reading]
NT administrator 'very sorry' for 'trigger' posts but also 'not sorry'
New NT Administrator David Connolly has extended invitations to groups which say they will not work with him, in an attempt to repair divisions caused by controversial past social media posts. [Continue Reading]
Teen accused of driving during fatal crash left 'hanging from seatbelt'
A teenager accused of being the driver in a fatal crash outside the prime minister's home in Canberra gives a dramatic account of how he was left hanging upside down in the car. [Continue Reading]
Shark culls brought in after fatal attack cause division and anger in New Caledonia
Authorities say capture of bull and tiger sharks necessary to protect lives as environmentalists launch urgent legal challengeSome beaches in areas of New Caledonia are closed to swimming and the authorities have begun shark culling off the capital, Nouméa, after a fatal attack in the popular tourist spot – prompting a legal challenge to stop the operation and reigniting debate over public safety and marine conservation.The culling operation began on 23 February, after a man from New Caledonia riding a wing foil in a recreational area was attacked and killed. Preliminary investigations indicate the victim was attacked by a tiger... [Continue Reading]
Viral clip of Malaysian man clinging to ex-wife’s moving car leads to arrest in Johor
A man has been arrested in Johor after an 11-second viral clip showed him clinging to the front of his ex-wife’s moving car before tumbling onto the road in full view of onlookers. Police said the suspect had clung to the car for around 2km (1.2 miles) and that he had tested positive for ketamine. The incident unfolded at about 3.30pm on Saturday outside a supermarket in Bandar Seri Alam, a township in Johor, the southern Malaysian state bordering Singapore, after an argument between the pair... [Continue Reading]
Inquest told details of man believed to be last to see Sydney woman alive
An inquest has heard Sydney woman Jessica Zrinski went missing in November 2022 after meeting a man she did not know in a pub car park. [Continue Reading]
In US strikes on Iran, North Korea sees nuclear vindication
Kim Jong-un will have seen the footage. A supreme leader of nearly 37 years, killed alongside members of his own family. Citizens celebrating in the streets. Rivals already angling for a role in the political transition. If the US-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday was intended to send a message to the world, analysts say North Korea almost certainly received it. Though the lesson likely learned – do not negotiate with the US and never be in Iran’s position... [Continue Reading]
Canberra man found guilty of rape and forcible confinement in ACT Supreme Court trial
In a recent legal decision, Sisituutuumata Fulivai, a 46-year-old man from Canberra, has been found guilty of multiple charges, including the severe crime of raping and forcibly confining a woman. The verdict was delivered by a jury in the ACT Supreme Court after a trial that was notably swift, taking less than a day for jurors to reach their conclusion. The court heard evidence detailing the horrific circumstances under which the victim was subjected to cruel treatment at a residence in Lyneham. Fulivai was convicted on a total of 20 charges related to this case, which highlighted significant issues pertaining... [Continue Reading]
Police watchdog issues extraordinary apology to family violence victim
IBAC's public apology to Jana Katerinskaja is a sharp reminder of the struggle for accountability victims of police-perpetrated family violence too often face. [Continue Reading]
The Leo Full Moon Eclipse stirs up all sorts of drama — your star sign’s tarot horoscope
Egos are soaring across the zodiac, which may lead to clashes. [Continue Reading]
Al Jazeera reports from Beirut as residents flee following Israeli strikes
Tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians are leaving areas in Beirut following Israeli strikes and forced displacement. [Continue Reading]
US using AI, B-2 bombers and suicide drones in Iran strikes
The United States unleashed an array of weaponry against Iranian targets on Saturday, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth fighters, and for the first time in combat, low-cost one-way attack drones modelled after Iranian designs. US Central Command released photographs showing Tomahawk missiles, F-18 and F-35 fighter jets alongside details of the strikes on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury. Artificial intelligence The Pentagon used artificial intelligence services from Anthropic,... [Continue Reading]
Fake Young-Byun Yo-han wedding photos highlight concern over hyperrealistic AI
Images claiming to be from the wedding shoot of South Korean Girls’ Generation group member Tiffany Young and actor Byun Yo-han spread rapidly online – before being confirmed as artificial intelligence-generated fakes. Soon after Young, 36, and Byun, 39, announced they had registered their marriage, photos reportedly of couple began circulating across social media and online communities under the title “Tiffany–Byun Yo-han wedding photos”. The images depicted Young in a pink-toned wedding dress... [Continue Reading]
Farmers fight to reclaim the word 'milk' from non-dairy alternatives
Australian dairy farmers say the plant-based drinks industry has "stolen" the word milk, and they are pointing to a recent court ruling as an opportunity to claim it back. [Continue Reading]
V'landys maintains there's life left in NRL Las Vegas party
ARL Commission chair Peter V'Landys is adamant Las Vegas can remain a success beyond 2027 and insists fans will continue turning up once their team returns for a second time. [Continue Reading]
Health minister grilled over damaged ceilings, mould in operating theatres
The review comes after a fungal infection cluster at a transplant ward at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital linked to two deaths. [Continue Reading]
Balen Shah: Rapper, mayor, Nepal’s next prime minister?
His sunglasses and songs are the rage, but the ex-Kathmandu mayor has his sights on Nepal's top job. [Continue Reading]
US shipbuilding revival looks dead in the water, China’s Li Yanqing says
Li Yanqing, executive vice-president and secretary general of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (Cansi), discusses the impact of US trade policies, global market cycles and China’s strategic pivot towards high-quality manufacturing. As a shipbuilding veteran who also serves as chairman of the ISO/TC 8 ships and marine technology committee, which oversees international standardisation for shipbuilding and marine operations, Li is a prominent voice for China’s industry on... [Continue Reading]
Iran's next supreme leader may have been waiting for this moment to rise
Behind the scenes of Iran's clerical authoritarian regime, cogs have been churning for years, if not decades, to ensure its survival in the event it was decapitated. While Ali Khamanei's followers mourn his death, a plan to replace him is already being enacted. [Continue Reading]
Wilcannia residents await federal funding to advance long-discussed weir project despite state allocation of $70 million
The residents of Wilcannia, a town located on the Darling River in New South Wales, are facing yet another setback in their long-standing campaign for a new weir. The project, which has been under discussion for over 30 years, has met with delays as both state and federal governments navigate the complexities of funding. While the New South Wales government has allocated $70 million towards the modernization of the weir, it has stated that the project cannot advance without a further $60 million contribution from the federal government. Community frustrations have mounted as the federal government remains non-committal, insisting that... [Continue Reading]
WA town covered in flying dust as storm passes through
A photographer from a coastal mining town in WA described the "cyclonic" winds as a thick dust storm blanketed her town. [Continue Reading]
US and Israeli Forces Conduct Airstrikes on Iranian Military Facilities Amid Escalating Conflict
This weekend saw an escalation of military conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel following a series of airstrikes that resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction. Imagery from satellite providers like Planet Labs illustrates the aftermath of attacks primarily focused on Iranian military facilities, including the Tabriz missile base located in northwestern Iran. Reports indicate that these strikes were a part of a coordinated effort by US and Israeli forces, targeting key installations to curb Iran's military capabilities. According to official announcements, the airstrikes have caused extensive damage, particularly at the Tabriz missile base, which is categorized as... [Continue Reading]
What is known about strike on Iranian girls' school
Iran says the death toll from an attack on a girls' school it claims was launched by the US and Israel has surpassed 165. [Continue Reading]
What’s on the wish list for China’s private sector ahead of the ‘two sessions’?
Ahead of China’s annual legislative meetings – typically a window into Beijing’s top-level policy agenda – this is the fourth entry in a series examining the complex economic recalibration driving China’s growth philosophy and its wide-ranging implications for local governments, financial investors and private enterprises. China’s private businesses, many still facing cash flow problems amid a prolonged property slump, want treasury bonds and legal obligations on state-owned enterprises and... [Continue Reading]
Concerns for ‘declining’ fur seal spotted at Cooks River in inner Sydney
Long-nosed fur seal seen on banks of waterway in city’s inner west similar to those occasionally found outside Sydney Opera HouseFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA seal has been spotted in an inner western Sydney river, prompting a response from wildlife rescue teams who worry it may be in poor health.However the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said there were no obvious health concerns, and they were keeping track of the animal’s movements. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Man found guilty after sexually assaulting woman he held captive
A man accused of holding a woman captive until she fled naked into a Canberra street is found guilty in the ACT Supreme Court. [Continue Reading]
Israel strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon after Iran-allied group launches missiles over the border
Conflict spreads to Lebanon as Hezbollah targets Israel over killing of Khamenei and IDF responds with strikes on Beirut Latest updates: US-Israel war on Iran Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, after the Iran-backed group launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.Residents of Beirut were awoken by the sounds of about a dozen blasts at 3am on Monday, as Israel struck three different locations in the southern suburbs of the capital. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
