'Children are at stake': Shock closure of specialist autism centre
An email on Wednesday afternoon saying autism support service AEIOU would close immediately left Canberra father Ben Paine scrambling to find childcare and support services for his four-year-old daughter Maddie. [Continue Reading]
Live: Warriors host Raiders before AJ goes for try-scoring record
The Raiders travel across to Auckland to face the Warriors before Alex Johnston tries to equal or even break Ken Irvine's try-scoring record against the Roosters. Follow live. [Continue Reading]
'Everyone at Man Utd loves him' - Owen backs Carrick for job
Michael Owen says he "can't believe people are questioning" whether Michael Carrick should become the permanent manager of Manchester United. [Continue Reading]
Rastriya Swatantra Party wins 182 parliamentary seats in Nepal's general election, marking a significant political shift
Nepal's recent general election has witnessed a major political shift as the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, secured a sweeping victory. The final results indicate that the RSP has won 182 out of 275 parliamentary seats, marking a significant achievement in a country where a single party's majority has not been seen in decades. This result has thrown the political landscape into a state of flux, potentially reshaping the future of governance in Nepal. The results were announced following the elections held on 5 March, which came just six months after large-scale youth protests led to... [Continue Reading]
US Navy to Escort Oil Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Threats from Iran
In a significant development, the United States has announced that the US Navy will escort oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipment, in response to escalating threats from Iran. This decision comes as Iranian attacks on maritime traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf have recently intensified, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel and causing stocks to decline worldwide. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, discussions regarding the escort operations emerged during an interview with Sky News. Bessent emphasized that military escorts for tankers will commence when deemed militarily... [Continue Reading]
Malaysian businessman releases photo of armed officer to prove he was held at gunpoint
Businessman Albert Tei has released a photo purportedly showing a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer brandishing a firearm to back his claims that he had a gun pointed at him during a raid on his home last November. Speaking to reporters at the court complex in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Tei said the photo was sent to him on Monday via an unknown number. “I admit, the photo is not very clear but I believe it was taken from an MACC officer’s body camera,” he said. “What is the... [Continue Reading]
Donald Liao, the architect who shaped Hong Kong’s housing landscape, dies at 96
Donald Liao Poon-huai, one of Hong Kong’s most influential government architects and public housing visionaries who became the first Chinese official under British rule to serve as secretary for district administration, has died at the age of 96. His death was confirmed to the South China Morning Post by his family on Friday, with one member saying he died peacefully on Thursday morning at home, surrounded by family and friends. Known as a pioneer of Hong Kong’s subsidised Home Ownership Scheme,... [Continue Reading]
Everything is a political weapon since Trump’s re-election, says Germany’s ex-economy minister
Robert Habeck says world has moved on from weaponising energy to using tariffs, technology and more to inflict harmThe weaponisation of energy when Russia invaded Ukraine has given way to “weaponising everything” since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Germany’s former economy minister has said.Robert Habeck, the Green politician responsible for keeping the lights on during the last energy crisis, said the belief gas “would never be a political weapon” led successive German governments blindly into Putin’s trap by building the Nord Stream pipelines and selling strategic reserves to Gazprom, which Russia emptied before the invasion. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Hundreds of thousands of NHS staff in England attacked and harassed, survey shows
Health service’s 2025 staff survey found that one in seven had experienced violence from patients or the publicHundreds of thousands of NHS staff have been attacked, harassed, bullied, or subject to racism, latest NHS figures show.The health service’s 2025 staff survey found that one in seven had experienced violence from patients or the public, while more than a quarter reported harassment, bullying and abuse, the highest levels in three years. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Ottolenghi’s top secret test kitchen opened for the first time — and I nabbed an invite
It's like a foodie wonderland inside. [Continue Reading]
Nearly 330ft tsunami after asteroid struck 80 miles off coast of Yorkshire
'Within minutes, it created a 1.5km high curtain of rock and water.' [Continue Reading]
Crushed Isaac devastated over Cain’s death in Emmerdale cancer battle
The youngster has been through so much already. [Continue Reading]
Nicole Kidman’s Amazon Prime thriller Scarpetta is too absurd to work
The serial killer thriller had so much potential. [Continue Reading]
The ‘Santorini of Spain’ is a lesser-known gem that’s 21°C in April with £28 flights
Metro found return fares for £28 if you travel in April. [Continue Reading]
Brits ‘will not be ripped off’ by price gougers hiking up rates during Iran War
'We are determined to make sure that consumers are not ripped off during this situation.' [Continue Reading]
How Middle East conflict and soaring oil prices will affect Angola’s Chinese debt deals
As conflict in the Middle East pushes oil beyond US$100 per barrel, Angola and other African producers are in line to be among the main beneficiaries. On Thursday, following renewed tanker attacks, Brent crude oil prices surged back past US$100 a barrel, having reached a peak of US$119.50 on Monday, the highest level since 2022. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint through which about 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products flow daily, has crippled energy... [Continue Reading]
China girl goes viral after confronting riding instructors for assigning vicious horses to friends
A young girl from central China earned widespread praise online after fearlessly confronting riding instructors over why they assigned her friends vicious horses. Nine-year-old Langlang from Huangshi in Hubei province has been travelling the world with her parents since she was a baby. While travelling in Egypt with her parents on March 4, she was taking a riding lesson with two friends at a local equestrian club. Although the pair were beginners, the coaches assigned them two ill-tempered... [Continue Reading]
Chair sits empty at hospital inquiry after witness uses ruling for no-show
James O'Brien from Honeywell, which is subcontracted to manage facilities at Newcastle's Calvary Mater Hospital, failed to turn up to an inquiry. [Continue Reading]
Matt Wright to pay court costs after claiming bug warrant 'might be a forgery'
Former Netflix star Matt Wright has been ordered to pay the Northern Territory Police Commissioner's court costs after claiming a warrant to bug his home "might have been a forgery". [Continue Reading]
Australian hospitals on alert after Iranian hackers attack Stryker
Hospitals across the nation are on alert after an Iranian cyber militia linked to the Islamic regime hacked a US multinational that supplies critical equipment to Australia. [Continue Reading]
Jump in illegal refuelling complaints as Hong Kong grapples with rising oil prices
Hong Kong authorities have received 221 complaints about illegal petrol stations in the first two months of the year, averaging about 111 per month – 42 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2025 – as drivers continue to grapple with rising fuel prices caused by the US-Israel war with Iran. The Fire Services Department said on Friday that prosecutions in January and February had risen even more sharply, increasing 85 per cent over last year’s monthly average, with illegal operators... [Continue Reading]
HKEX opens door for small innovative firms to list with biggest reforms since 2018
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has unveiled its biggest listing reforms since 2018, broadening its special listing regime for innovative companies and opening the door for smaller and more diverse firms to list in the city, the bourse operator said on Friday. HKEX proposed lowering the minimum threshold for companies to list under the weighted voting rights regime to a minimum valuation of HK$20 billion (US$2.6 billion), half the current requirement of at least HK$40 billion. It will... [Continue Reading]
Australia walks ‘very fine line’ with Gulf deployment amid Iran war
Australia’s decision to send a surveillance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to the Gulf highlights the difficult position the country now faces: supporting US and regional partners while trying to avoid being drawn deeper into the widening conflict. Analysts said the government was “walking a very fine line” with the deployment, signalling support for partners under Iranian attacks while stopping short of committing Australia to offensive operations. At the same time, they said Canberra was... [Continue Reading]
'A hole in many hearts': Family mourns mother and daughter killed in highway crash
Aniko Berguno says the crash that killed her elder sister Nora and her niece has left "a hole in many hearts for the rest of our lives," remembering her sister as someone who always put others first. [Continue Reading]
Nasa clears Artemis moon rocket for an April launch with 4 astronauts
Nasa cleared its moon rocket on Thursday for an April launch with four astronauts after completing the latest round of repairs. The 98-metre (322-foot) rocket will roll out of the hangar and back to the pad next week at Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre, leading to a launch attempt as early as April 1. It will mark humanity’s first trip to the moon in more than 50 years. The timing is interesting. From the end of March, US President Donald Trump is slated to visit China and meet with President Xi... [Continue Reading]
The US may move its anti-missile system out of South Korea - and it's sparking unease
Reports say the US may be moving parts of its Thaad system to the Middle East, despite Seoul's opposition. [Continue Reading]
How young Australian actors are forging careers in a tough industry
Young actors dream of careers on stage or screen but they know finding full-time work is a tough gig, despite plenty of famous Australians making it in Hollywood. [Continue Reading]
‘Two sessions’ webinar
This year’s ‘two sessions’, China’s biggest annual political gathering, featured the announcement of the lowest GDP growth target in decades and official approval for the 15th five-year plan. SCMP Plus hosted a webinar to discuss these developments with three experts from the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis. Other topics included the upcoming US-China presidential summit, President Xi Jinping’s purge of the military and efforts to reshape the economy. The panel... [Continue Reading]
Greater Bay Airlines to raise fuel surcharges, joining Hong Kong rivals as costs soar
Greater Bay Airlines will more than double its fuel surcharge on certain routes starting next week, becoming the last Hong Kong passenger carrier to raise prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The airline announced on Friday that it would raise prices due to “surging fuel costs,” with the new surcharges taking effect from March 18. The charge on the carrier’s flights to Hong Kong from all destinations except mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, the Maldives and the Philippines will rise... [Continue Reading]
An email blunder bruised Labor this week, but the heat is on the Liberals after a candidate's comments
With two weeks before polls, Labor were in damage control after a health email blunder. It should have been a chance for the Liberals to get ahead, but after controversial comments by a candidate it's the one left bruised. [Continue Reading]
French soldier killed, others wounded in attack in Iraq, Macron says
French president condemns 'unacceptable' attack in Kurdish region of northern Iraq. [Continue Reading]
Pakistan conducts air strikes in Kabul, targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, resulting in four deaths according to Afghan authorities
Pakistan has conducted air strikes in Kabul and adjacent border provinces, with Afghan authorities confirming the deaths of four individuals in the capital. The attacks occurred overnight, marking a significant escalation in Pakistan's military operations in Afghanistan, as reported by an anonymous Pakistani security official. This official indicated that the air strikes specifically targeted the Pakistani Taliban, commonly recognized as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in response to increased militant activity within Pakistan's borders. The spokesperson for Afghan authorities has denounced the military actions, asserting that Kabul was under attack from Pakistani forces. This claim is framed against the backdrop of... [Continue Reading]
Prosecution of trio linked to Dezi Freeman investigation stalls
Charges against people questioned amid a broader investigation into the fatal shooting of two police officers will not proceed due to a lack of evidence, Victoria Police has announced. [Continue Reading]
Northern Territory government freezes rental payments for public housing tenants affected by severe flooding in Big Rivers region
The Northern Territory (NT) government has announced a freeze on rental payments for public housing tenants impacted by severe flooding in the Big Rivers region. The unprecedented monsoonal rainfall has led to record-breaking water levels, intensifying the crisis for vulnerable Aboriginal communities in the area. This decision is viewed as a critical measure to support those affected by the flooding, which has caused significant displacement and hardship. Over the past two weeks, relentless rainfall has inundated remote communities, with the Daly River area suffering the most severe consequences. As of Wednesday, the river reached an alarming height of 23.93 metres... [Continue Reading]
US Treasury Department eases sanctions to allow sale of Russian oil at sea amid rising energy prices and Middle East tensions
The United States Treasury Department announced a temporary easing of sanctions allowing the sale of Russian oil at sea, a decision that coincides with soaring energy prices following US-Israeli military actions against Iran. The new measure permits the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels prior to a designated time of 12.01 AM Eastern Time on March 12, extending through to 12.01 AM on April 11. This unprecedented move took place against a backdrop of escalating turmoil in the Middle East, as the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory have resulted in a significant... [Continue Reading]
Hawthorn forward Moore found with 'crystalline substance', US police claim
Hawthorn forward Dylan Moore was allegedly found with a bag of a "crystalline substance" and a rolled up $100 dollar bill when he and teammate Connor Macdonald were arrested last year, Arizona police documents claim. [Continue Reading]
Nearly three-quarters of England’s woods inaccessible to public, study finds
Exclusive: Campaigners call for government to introduce right-to-roam bill that allows people to walk around their local woodlandsNearly three-quarters of England’s woods are off-limits to the public, buried government documents show.The study by Forest Research, which is a government-funded quango, found that 73% of English woodland is publicly inaccessible. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Europe Is in Danger, and It’s Doing Basically Nothing About It
European politicians have colluded in their dependency on a rogue America. [Continue Reading]
China’s Plan to Spur Consumer Spending Is a Mirage
China may never be able to realize its longtime promise to shift away from an overreliance on exports. [Continue Reading]
My partner’s revolting pyjamas are ruining our sex life
He's charming, but is that enough? [Continue Reading]
The Palestinians forced to demolish their own homes by Israel
Palestinians in East Jerusalem struggle to get building permits from Israel, leading to demolition orders. [Continue Reading]
Russell tops China practice before sprint qualifying
George Russell leads Kimi Antonelli to a Mercedes one-two in the only practice session at the Chinese Grand Prix before the sprint weekend starts to unfold. [Continue Reading]
Cambricon, China’s ‘little Nvidia’, to pay maiden dividend after profitable 2025
Cambricon Technologies, a Chinese semiconductor designer seen as a potential alternative to US giant Nvidia, will pay its maiden dividend after posting its first full-year profit since listing in 2020. Cambricon, dubbed “little Nvidia”, planned to distribute a cash dividend of 15 yuan (US$2.2) for every 10 shares held, totalling more than 632 million yuan, according to its filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Thursday. Another 20 million yuan would be allocated for share buy-backs, taking... [Continue Reading]
French soldier killed in Iraq as Iran war fallout continues to spread across region
Saudi forces intercepted more than two dozen drones on Friday after renewed Iranian threats against oil facilities, as the regional conflict killed a French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan. [Continue Reading]
US temporarily allows sale of some Russian oil
The United States is temporarily allowing the sale of Russian oil that is at sea, the Treasury Department said, as energy prices soared after US-Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the Middle East into war. [Continue Reading]
Gap in WA bikie laws makes it easier for paedophiles to associate
Changes in Western Australia's anti-consorting laws have had the unintended consequence of making it easier for convicted child sex offenders to associate with each other. [Continue Reading]
Philippines urges Asean to be global investment safe haven as Middle East war rages
Asean should position itself as a safe haven for investment amid worsening global volatility, the host country said as the region’s economic ministers kicked off their meeting in Manila on Friday. “Let us ensure that Asean remains a region where investment is met with certainty and where cooperation creates genuine opportunity for our people,” Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in her opening speech. Energy and financial markets worldwide have been upended with the Iran war in its... [Continue Reading]
Childcare centre fined $15,000 over death of child during nap time
The two-year-old boy, who was suffering from COVID and other illnesses, was found unresponsive at a Queensland childcare centre in 2022. [Continue Reading]
