Southeast Asia enacts emergency measures amid escalating oil crisis and energy shortages due to conflict and Strait of Hormuz closure
Governments and businesses across Southeast Asia are rapidly enacting emergency measures as an escalating oil crisis caused by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran leads to energy shortages. This crisis is exacerbated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global oil shipments. Countries heavily reliant on fuel imports, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, are particularly vulnerable given their limited energy reserves. As a result, various governments are taking significant steps to mitigate the impending energy shortages. The Philippines has notably introduced a four-day work week for government offices to conserve... [Continue Reading]
Lost page of legendary Archimedes palimpsest found in France
It all started off as a joke, a French researcher told AFP. [Continue Reading]
US-Israel and Iran Conflict Intensifies with Over 1,300 Civilian Casualties Amid Ongoing Military Strikes
The conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has intensified, marking the 13th day of strikes that have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Reports indicate that at least 1,348 civilians have lost their lives amid the ongoing military actions, affecting the stability of the region and contributing to global economic volatility, particularly in oil markets. As tensions escalate, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has articulated three primary conditions for a cessation of hostilities: the recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights, the provision of reparations, and secured international guarantees to prevent future aggression. These statements... [Continue Reading]
Brian Joondeph’s Appointment to Air Pollution Advisory Board Draws Pushback
Brian Joondeph, a Colorado-based ophthalmologist and political commentator, has not published peer-reviewed research on air pollution science. [Continue Reading]
Bill Cosby, Out of Prison and the Public Eye, Faces Civil Trial
The entertainer whose conviction was overturned in 2021 still faces sex assault lawsuits from multiple women, including one playing out now in a California court. [Continue Reading]
San Francisco’s Chinatown Celebrated Eileen Gu. Others Are More Conflicted.
Conservatives have rebuked Ms. Gu, who was born in the United States but won Olympic medals for China. The reaction has sparked conversations among Chinese Americans about identity and straddling two worlds. [Continue Reading]
Trump Administration Suggests Tariff Refunds May Take Significant Time
The government must update a federal court on Thursday about its timeline for returning roughly $166 billion in illegal duties. [Continue Reading]
Drought-hit pastoralists plead for funds to move hay stockpiled 1,000km away
After years of drought, pastoralists in WA are desperate for fodder for their cattle. A charity has a supply in storage for them , but no money for fuel to transport it. [Continue Reading]
The Democrats Could Still Mess This Up
MS NOW anchor Chris Hayes says the party still can’t articulate its vision. [Continue Reading]
How Hegseth Came to See Moral Purpose in War as Weakness
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s bellicose and vengeful rhetoric describing the military’s war in Iran grew out of his experience in Iraq. [Continue Reading]
In Criminal Cases, Moss Is Often Underfoot and Overlooked
A group of scientists and law enforcement officials are pointing to the role moss can play to help solve crimes. [Continue Reading]
‘I’m Flabbergasted by the Relentless Pessimism’: 3 Opinion Writers on Iran
Is Trump triumphing or has he committed a grave error? A debate on the Iran war. [Continue Reading]
How Russia’s Scorched-Earth Attacks Put Ukraine’s Power Grid Near Collapse
Strikes on Ukrainian energy systems have tripled this winter. Continuous repairs and Western aid staved off a total breakdown. [Continue Reading]
Coders Coded Their Job Away. Why Are So Many of Them Happy About It?
In the era of A.I. agents, many Silicon Valley programmers are now barely programming. Instead, what they’re doing is deeply, deeply weird. [Continue Reading]
Videos of ICE Shooting in Texas Capture a Confused and Fatal Encounter
Officials said a 23-year-old Texan had intentionally run over an officer, a claim his family and friend denied. Newly released footage leaves the truth murky. [Continue Reading]
War against Iran expands into Lebanon as Israel battles Hezbollah
The war is expanding into Lebanon, as an Israeli offensive to dismantle Hezbollah has displaced 800,000 people there, with more than 680 people killed. [Continue Reading]
A Call for Reporting Tips Rankles Pentagon Officials
A Washington Post appeal for information about the military qualified as prohibited “solicitation,” according to defense officials. [Continue Reading]
Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens
Southeast Asia is facing a growing cyber spillover risk from the widening US-Israel war with Iran, with security experts warning that state-linked hackers and criminal groups are seeking to exploit turmoil around energy, shipping and banking networks to hit targets far beyond the Middle East. The assessment comes as Iran said it would target economic and banking interests linked to the United States and Israel in the region after an attack on an Iranian bank, while the United Arab Emirates said... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong poised to grant first stablecoin licences to HSBC, Standard Chartered: sources
HSBC and a joint venture led by Standard Chartered are expected to be among the first companies to obtain Hong Kong’s stablecoin licences within two weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. The number of licences and timetable had yet to be finalised and remained subject to change, but sources said a possible date was March 24. The two banks declined to comment. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) last month revealed that a small number of stablecoin licences would be granted... [Continue Reading]
When Weight-Loss Drugs Don’t Work
Drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound have been hailed as miracle treatments. But one in 10 people are what scientists call “non-responders.” [Continue Reading]
Iranian regime-linked handler investigated by Australian police over alleged death threat
Protester alleges that Iranian handler ‘looked at us and then drew a line on his throat and pointed to us’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian police investigated a complaint involving an Iranian regime-linked handler for the country’s football team after a group of activists alleged he threatened to kill them at a Women’s Asian Cup match last week.The criminal investigation, confirmed by Queensland police, has led to renewed calls from the Iranian diaspora for tougher immigration screening processes to block people linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard... [Continue Reading]
Czech 2026 budget passes but defence outlays fall short of NATO pledge
Czech lawmakers approved the 2026 budget, keeping defence at 1.7% of GDP despite NATO and President Petr Pavel’s calls to reach the targets outlined by the US following a push from the Trump administration to aim for 5% of total spending. [Continue Reading]
Iconic TV and soap star Wendy Playfair dies months before 100th birthday
The star had an extensive career spanning decades. [Continue Reading]
China approves 'ethnic unity' law requiring minorities to learn Mandarin
The law states that children should be taught Mandarin before kindergarten, until the end of high school. [Continue Reading]
Why Oil Prices Surged Even After the Release of Strategic Reserves
Reserves or no reserves, the outlook remains bleak as long as a major oil and gas trade route remains virtually closed. [Continue Reading]
Woman and man, 40s, die in separate crashes in Meath
Two people in their 40s have been killed in separate road crashes in Co Meath. [Continue Reading]
Man, 40s, dies following collision on M3 in Meath
Two people in their 40s have been killed in separate road crashes in Co Meath. [Continue Reading]
John Lewis to pay first staff bonus for four years
The department store and Waitrose supermarket owner will give workers a bonus equivalent to an extra week's pay. [Continue Reading]
Iran war: What is happening on day 13 of US-Israel attacks?
Cyberattacks, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices are deepening the global consequences of the war. [Continue Reading]
Will Everton's formidable away form throw open title race?
BBC Sport examines whether Everton can win for a fifth time in six away games at Premier League leaders Arsenal. [Continue Reading]
Southeast Asia shuts offices, limits travel as oil crisis deepens
Countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam heavily depend on fuel imports and have limited energy reserves. [Continue Reading]
Indonesia, Australia to expand security cooperation with Japan, PNG
Indonesian defence minister says Morotai Island in North Maluku province may be site of future joint training facility. [Continue Reading]
Queensland’s ‘from the river to the sea’ laws likened to Bjelke-Petersen era anti-protest regime
Health minister Tim Nicholls corrects claim alleged Bondi terror attack gunman Naveed Akram used controversial phrase, as laws roundly criticisedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice arresting pro-Palestinian protesters for using the phrase “from the river to the sea” had “all the hallmarks of an authoritarian police state”, according to a Greens MP, amid widespread backlash against Queensland’s new hate speech laws.The controversial laws went into effect yesterday after passing a vote in parliament last week. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
France walks ‘fine line’ as US-Israel war on Iran escalates
President Macron has criticised the onslaught and questioned the war's legality but ultimately blamed Iran. [Continue Reading]
Co-founder of Copenhagen's Noma steps down after abuse allegations
René Redzepi, co-founder of a restaurant repeatedly named the world's best, has announced he is stepping down after reports was abusive to staff at the famed Copenhagen restaurant. [Continue Reading]
Russia and US hold first direct talks since tensions escalated over Iran conflict, described as productive by Russian negotiator
Russian officials reported a significant diplomatic engagement between Russia and the United States, marking the first direct talks since the escalation of tensions related to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The discussions took place in Florida and were characterized as "productive" by Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev. This meeting comes on the heels of the United States lifting some sanctions on Russian oil, a decision made to stabilize global prices amid the chaos ensuing in the Middle East. During the meeting, Dmitriev thanked US negotiators, including global envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum, emphasizing that the teams... [Continue Reading]
Coroner to examine whether 'unusual' death of Elizabeth Struhs was preventable
The Queensland coroner will examine interactions the Struhs family had with government agencies before the eight-year-old's death at the family's Toowoomba home in 2022. [Continue Reading]
Analysis: The war on Iran is at a crossroads
Iran is raising the costs of a continued war, for the US and Gulf nations. But could it , and the US , escalate further? [Continue Reading]
Tesla set to start supplying UK homes with electricity
Elon Musk's Tesla can soon start supplying British homes with electricity after it was granted a licence today, bringing a new competitor into the market at a time of heightened worries over rising bills. [Continue Reading]
Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills at least eight and injures many in Ramlet al-Baida area housing displaced families
In a significant escalation of military tensions in the region, an Israeli airstrike targeting displaced families in Beirut has resulted in at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries. The strike occurred in the Ramlet al-Baida area, where individuals had sought temporary refuge amid ongoing conflicts. Witnesses report that they were roused from sleep by the sound of approaching jets, only to experience the devastating impact of the strike shortly thereafter. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirmed that the airstrike injured 31 individuals, with many more affected by the chaos and destruction. The attack is part of a broader initiative... [Continue Reading]
Over 160 complaints filed after Mayday shifts Hong Kong show: Consumer Council
Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has received at least 174 complaints after Taiwanese rock band Mayday cancelled one of its coming concerts at Kai Tak Sports Park and rescheduled it for later, sparking frustration among fans. The Consumer Council said that as of 5pm on Thursday, it had received complaints from 80 residents and 94 from outside Hong Kong, involving a total sum of HK$485,333 (US$62,010). The largest local claim amounted to HK$7,900, whereas the largest non-local case concerned... [Continue Reading]
Orbán claims Ukrainians ‘threatened’ his family as anti-Kyiv campaign ramps up before election
Prime minister makes claim as accusations mount that he is using row with Ukraine for political gain in run-up to electionsHungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has accused Ukrainians of plotting to attack his family, as an increasingly bitter standoff between Kyiv and Budapest continues.Orbán and his allies appear to be using the dispute for maximum political gain before the election due next month that could end the 16-year rule of his nationalist government. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
The Pussycat Dolls confirm reunion: 'We're celebrating where we're at as women'
Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt announce a new single and world tour. [Continue Reading]
New service to assist SMEs with post-Brexit challenges
A new service is being launched to assist Irish small and medium businesses in dealing with post-Brexit red tape and logistical challenges when exporting to Britain. [Continue Reading]
He wanted to run ‘errands’ – I wish I’d run a mile
His first ‘errand’ involved stopping at an enormous house in Kensington and knocking on the door. [Continue Reading]
