Why Philippine, US forces tried to ‘scope’ a Chinese-linked steel plant in Mindanao
SCMP •

Why Philippine, US forces tried to ‘scope’ a Chinese-linked steel plant in Mindanao

Philippine military officials said on Tuesday that Filipino and US personnel had tried to access a closed Chinese-linked steel plant in Mindanao as part of planning for a future naval facility and joint military exercises, extending a dispute that had already drawn protests from Beijing over Manila’s handling of Chinese workers at the site. Sanjia Steel Corporation, which leases 22.6 hectares (56 ...

China event asks if Apec’s rules can close growing AI gap between rich and poor
SCMP •

China event asks if Apec’s rules can close growing AI gap between rich and poor

A “widening” AI gap between advanced economies and developing countries has sparked calls to use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation framework to develop an open, fairer and culturally sensitive governance system. Although the technology is often hailed as a great leveller in an era of sluggish economic growth, a conference held in southern China last weekend heard that many Global South countri...

Could Apec’s rules help close the growing AI gap between rich and poor?
SCMP •

Could Apec’s rules help close the growing AI gap between rich and poor?

A “widening” AI gap between advanced economies and developing countries has sparked calls to use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation framework to develop an open, fairer and culturally sensitive governance system. Although the technology is often hailed as a great leveller in an era of sluggish economic growth, a conference held in southern China last weekend heard that many Global South countri...

Australia news live: Ooshies drive sales boom as Woolworths profit soars; search continues for pilot who crashed into sea off NT

Australia news live: Ooshies drive sales boom as Woolworths profit soars; search continues for pilot who crashed into sea off NT

The Guardian •

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngela Jackson, the commissioner of the Productivity Commission, said the body stands by the interim report into the GST, which found the deal with Western Australia to be a costly mistake that should be reversed.Jackson spoke to RN this morning after WA premier Roger Cook said “east coast clowns” didn’t understand the s...

In Australia, Disney’s Ooshies send Woolworths whooshing ahead of Coles

In Australia, Disney’s Ooshies send Woolworths whooshing ahead of Coles

SCMP •

Ooshies were not just fun to collect – the tiny plastic Disney figurines were powerful enough to move sales between Australia’s supermarket giants. Woolworths Group said on Wednesday that Australian food sales jumped 7.6 per cent in the first eight weeks of the 2027 financial year, with its Ooshies promotion contributing an estimated 1.5 to 2 percentage points of growth. That accelerated from 4.6 ...

From Hasan Piker to Jesse Watters, El-Sayed seeks to focus on affordability amid scrutiny from both sides

From Hasan Piker to Jesse Watters, El-Sayed seeks to focus on affordability amid scrutiny from both sides

The Guardian •

Democratic Senate candidate for Michigan distances himself from Twitch streamer and debates Fox News hostThe Democratic candidate for Senate in the swing state of Michigan has spent the week trying to keep his affordability message front and center as scrutiny mounts from both ends of the political spectrum.In the span of two days, Abdul El-Sayed distanced himself from leftwing streamer Hasan Pike...

Suburban Rail Loop: Victorian government secretly increased public transport fares to help pay for controversial SRL

Suburban Rail Loop: Victorian government secretly increased public transport fares to help pay for controversial SRL

The Guardian •

Labor put ‘levy on all public transport fares in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria’ since January 2025, auditor-general saysThe Victorian government secretly increased public transport fares to raise money to help pay for the Suburban Rail Loop and other Big Build projects, the state’s auditor-general has revealed.The auditor-general’s report, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, also que...

Tributes pour in after country music legend Dolly Parton, 80, dies following ‘brief battle with cancer’ – latest updates

Tributes pour in after country music legend Dolly Parton, 80, dies following ‘brief battle with cancer’ – latest updates

The Guardian •

Reba McEntire, Lily Tomlin, Dionne Warwick, Kacey Musgraves, Donald Trump and others mourn star’s deathDolly Parton dies aged 80 | Celebrity tributes | A life in picturesParton’s peerless career turned country music cliches inside outShare your tributes and memories of Dolly PartonOur picture editors have collated Dolly Parton’s life in pictures:In the UK, top radio presenter Jo Whiley introduced ...

Billionaire investor says he used AI to write critique of former mentee Scott Bessent

Billionaire investor says he used AI to write critique of former mentee Scott Bessent

The Guardian •

Stanley Druckenmiller said he was ‘proud of using it’ as wider media grapples with parameters around AI useStanley Druckenmiller, a billionaire investor, said he used artificial intelligence to pen his viral Wall Street Journal op-ed in which he sharply criticized the interference of Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, in the US bond market.Many news outlets, including the Guardian, covered ...

Polygamous sect leader serving 50 years for child sex abuse gets another 24 years

Polygamous sect leader serving 50 years for child sex abuse gets another 24 years

The Guardian •

Samuel Bateman, 50, is convicted of three state child abuse counts after previous conviction on federal countsA polygamous sect leader already serving a 50-year federal sentence for orchestrating sex involving children was given another 24 years in prison Tuesday on separate state convictions for child abuse for hauling girls in an unventilated trailer in Arizona.Samuel Bateman, 50, was convicted ...

Mainland Chinese firms share risks to deliver Northern Metropolis success: analysts

Mainland Chinese firms share risks to deliver Northern Metropolis success: analysts

SCMP •

Mainland Chinese enterprises will play a key role in developing Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis by sharing financial risks and helping align the megaproject with national strategy, according to real estate and political advisers. Their analysis followed the award of the blueprint’s first pilot area in Hung Shui Kiu to HSK New Development, a consortium led by five mainland giants and local develope...

Australia news live: Ooshies drive sales boom as Woolworths profit soars; Victoria secretly increased transport fares to raise money for Suburban Rail Loop

Australia news live: Ooshies drive sales boom as Woolworths profit soars; Victoria secretly increased transport fares to raise money for Suburban Rail Loop

The Guardian •

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngela Jackson, the commissioner of the Productivity Commission, said the body stands by the interim report into the GST, which found the deal with Western Australia to be a costly mistake that should be reversed.Jackson spoke to RN this morning after WA premier Roger Cook said “east coast clowns” didn’t understand the s...

Australia news live: Ooshies drive sales boom as Woolworths profit soars; Sydney Harbour Tunnel still partially closed after car fire

Australia news live: Ooshies drive sales boom as Woolworths profit soars; Sydney Harbour Tunnel still partially closed after car fire

The Guardian •

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngela Jackson, the commissioner of the Productivity Commission, said the body stands by the interim report into the GST, which found the deal with Western Australia to be a costly mistake that should be reversed.Jackson spoke to RN this morning after WA premier Roger Cook said “east coast clowns” didn’t understand the s...

Tributes pour in after country music legend Dolly Parton, 80, dies after ‘brief battle with cancer’

Tributes pour in after country music legend Dolly Parton, 80, dies after ‘brief battle with cancer’

The Guardian •

Reba McEntire, Lily Tomlin, Dionne Warwick, Kacey Musgraves, Donald Trump and others mourn star’s deathDolly Parton dies aged 80 | Celebrity tributes | A life in picturesParton’s peerless career turned country music cliches inside outShare your tributes and memories of Dolly PartonOur picture editors have collated Dolly Parton’s life in pictures:In the UK, top radio presenter Jo Whiley introduced ...

What is really behind Japan’s planned cabinet shake-up?

What is really behind Japan’s planned cabinet shake-up?

SCMP •

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi remains in a strong position despite a poll showing falling support for her administration, ahead of an expected cabinet reshuffle to bolster her coalition government. A new cabinet could help the government win over voters, reward ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers and win the support of junior coalition partner Ishin no Kai, analysts have said....

Australia news live: Ooshies trend sees profit boom for Woolworths; Sydney Harbour Tunnel still partially closed after car fire

Australia news live: Ooshies trend sees profit boom for Woolworths; Sydney Harbour Tunnel still partially closed after car fire

The Guardian •

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngela Jackson, the commissioner of the Productivity Commission, said the body stands by the interim report into the GST, which found the deal with Western Australia to be a costly mistake that should be reversed.Jackson spoke to RN this morning after WA premier Roger Cook said “east coast clowns” didn’t understand the s...

Canada imposes tariffs of up to 50% on billions in U.S. imports

CBS News •

A deepening trade war between the U.S. and Canada is once again driving up the cost of goods crossing the northern border. After the Trump administration imposed a 50% tariff on many Canadian products, Canada hit back with import taxes on billions of American-made goods. Nancy Cordes reports.

Australia news live: Ooshies trend sees profit boom for Woolworths; productivity commissioner says ‘line was crossed’ by WA premier in GST scuffle

Australia news live: Ooshies trend sees profit boom for Woolworths; productivity commissioner says ‘line was crossed’ by WA premier in GST scuffle

The Guardian •

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngela Jackson, the commissioner of the Productivity Commission, said the body stands by the interim report into the GST, which found the deal with Western Australia to be a costly mistake that should be reversed.Jackson spoke to RN this morning after WA premier Roger Cook said “east coast clowns” didn’t understand the s...

Australia news live: profit boom for Woolworths; productivity commissioner says ‘line was crossed’ by WA premier in GST scuffle

Australia news live: profit boom for Woolworths; productivity commissioner says ‘line was crossed’ by WA premier in GST scuffle

The Guardian •

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastProductivity Commission commissioner says attacks on body’s integrity ‘bridge too far’Angela Jackson, the commissioner of the Productivity Commission, said the body stands by the interim report into the GST, which found the deal with Western Australia to be a costly mistake that should be reversed.We are aiming, of cours...

US starts returning staff to some Middle East missions after Iran war evacuations

US starts returning staff to some Middle East missions after Iran war evacuations

SCMP •

US President Donald Trump’s administration is starting to send staff back to some diplomatic missions in the Middle East that were evacuated ‌or downsized amid tensions with Iran, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The posts in Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Baghdad, Iraq, are among those where staff will return, the sources said. Family members will also be allowed to return to ...

US starts returning staff to Middle East missions after Iran war evacuations, sources say

US starts returning staff to Middle East missions after Iran war evacuations, sources say

SCMP •

US President Donald Trump’s administration is starting to send staff back to some diplomatic missions in the Middle East that were evacuated ‌or downsized amid tensions with Iran, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The posts in Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Baghdad, Iraq, are among those where staff will return, the sources said. Family members will also be allowed to return to ...

Australia news live: PM shares Dolly Parton memory in tribute; Finocchiaro says NT can power datacentres with Beetaloo gas

Australia news live: PM shares Dolly Parton memory in tribute; Finocchiaro says NT can power datacentres with Beetaloo gas

The Guardian •

Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastProductivity Commission commissioner says attacks on body’s integrity ‘bridge too far’Angela Jackson, the commissioner of the Productivity Commission, said the body stands by the interim report into the GST, which found the deal with Western Australia to be a costly mistake that should be reversed.We are aiming, of cours...

Hong Kong’s property, financial markets face test under cross-border anti-corruption law

Hong Kong’s property, financial markets face test under cross-border anti-corruption law

SCMP •

China’s deliberation on its sweeping cross-border anti-corruption law may ripple through Hong Kong’s financial and property markets, as Beijing seeks harsher punishments for corrupt officials and broadens its scrutiny of the massive pool of wealth transferred overseas. Hong Kong remains in focus after the draft law was submitted on Tuesday to the standing committee of the national legislature for ...