Australia politics live: independent Sophie Scamps delivers scathing criticism of ‘weak, piecemeal, pathetic’ gambling reforms as deal looms
The Guardian •

Australia politics live: independent Sophie Scamps delivers scathing criticism of ‘weak, piecemeal, pathetic’ gambling reforms as deal looms

Deal on gambling bill between Labor and Coalition expected after party rooms meet today. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChalmers calls gambling amendments ‘very substantial changes’Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the opt-out register on gambling advertising will be revenue neutral, because the gambling industry will have to cover the costs.These chan...

US diesel crack surpasses US$100 a barrel for the first time on supply disruptions
SCMP •

US diesel crack surpasses US$100 a barrel for the first time on supply disruptions

The US diesel crack, a key measure of refining profitability, hit an all-time high of US$102.20 a barrel on Monday as global supply disruptions from the wars in Iran and Ukraine run into peak agricultural consumption season. Measured as the premium ‌of US diesel futures over US West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures, the US diesel crack was trading at US$99.82 a barrel, up 2.4 per cent from Fri...

Is Hong Kong’s property market recovery running out of gas? UBS flags 4 risks
SCMP •

Is Hong Kong’s property market recovery running out of gas? UBS flags 4 risks

The Hong Kong property market’s recovery is forecast to moderate in both prices and rents in the coming months as disruptions brought about by artificial intelligence, slower population inflows and other factors are likely to impact the upturn, according to UBS. The Swiss investment bank said that in addition to AI and slower population growth, the city’s residential market could also be affected ...

Sydney Swans coach ‘extremely disappointed’ as club faces call on standing down players linked to alleged sexual assault

Sydney Swans coach ‘extremely disappointed’ as club faces call on standing down players linked to alleged sexual assault

The Guardian •

Police investigation into alleged sexual assault at hotel continuesNo arrests or charges laid; club is ‘working through everything’ Victoria police confirmed an investigation into an alleged sexual assault sparked by an incident allegedly involving Sydney Swans players is continuing, but no arrests or formal interviews have taken place and no charges have been laid.Swans players Isaac Heeney, Cha...

Sydney Swans coach ‘extremely disappointed’ as club faces call on standing down players over alleged sexual assault

Sydney Swans coach ‘extremely disappointed’ as club faces call on standing down players over alleged sexual assault

The Guardian •

Victoria police investigating allegation of sexual assault in the early hours of Monday morning at a Melbourne hotelFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Sydney Swans coach, Dean Cox, says he is “extremely disappointed” as the team and the AFL face a decision on whether to stand down several Swans players under investig...

Tupac Shakur murder trial: gang leader plotted killing to avenge beating of nephew, court hears

Tupac Shakur murder trial: gang leader plotted killing to avenge beating of nephew, court hears

The Guardian •

Prosecutors accuse Duane Davis of orchestrating 1996 shooting in retaliation for attack by rapper’s entourageThe trial of a former gang leader accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap star Tupac Shakur began in a Las Vegas courtroom on Monday, featuring testimony from a witness to the shooting and a former police officer.Duane “Keffe D” Davis is on trial for murder for his alleged role in ...

Princess Eugenie reveals baby daughter’s name with touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Princess Eugenie reveals baby daughter’s name with touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Times of India •

Princess Eugenie has revealed the name of her newborn daughter with a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have named their third child Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank. The royal said the name honours three people they love and admire, while also reflecting their connection to England and Portugal.

Trump lets 60-day deadline for Iran peace deal expire, threatens to ‘bomb’ Oman

Trump lets 60-day deadline for Iran peace deal expire, threatens to ‘bomb’ Oman

SCMP •

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would not seek to extend the memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming that while Iran wants to make a deal, “they’re not going to make the kind of a deal that I feel is necessary”. The agreement aimed to end the war and restore commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, but negotiations stalled as bo...

Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed Kuril Islands row after Putin visit

Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed Kuril Islands row after Putin visit

SCMP •

Moscow said on Monday it had summoned the Japanese ambassador after Tokyo condemned President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Russia’s far-eastern Kuril Islands, which are also claimed by Japan. Russian-Japanese relations have long been dogged by the contested islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and seized by the Soviet Union in 1945. Putin, 73, travelled to the islands after visi...

8/17: CBS Evening News

CBS News •

Hayden Panettiere died at 36; parts of Hawaii were buried in mud from Hurricane Lala.

3,000-year-old inscription naming Masn may help archaeologists identify the lost Egyptian city

3,000-year-old inscription naming Masn may help archaeologists identify the lost Egyptian city

Times of India •

A remarkable sandstone lintel inscribed with the titles of Ramesses II was uncovered at Tell Abu Seify. This inscription reveals valuable information about the restoration of a statue of Horus, the Lord of Masn. Such findings bolster the theory that this site may very well be the fabled lost city of Masn, showcasing evolution from a significant religious and military hub to an industrial quarry th...

Australia politics live: federal police to investigate leaked melon memo; Labor wants nation to adopt AI ‘everywhere we can’

Australia politics live: federal police to investigate leaked melon memo; Labor wants nation to adopt AI ‘everywhere we can’

The Guardian •

Labor minister Andrew Charlton says Australia should do more to produce new AI models. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChalmers calls gambling amendments ‘very substantial changes’Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the opt-out register on gambling advertising will be revenue neutral, because the gambling industry will have to cover the costs.These change...

Claims Hegseth ‘on verge of losing job’ raise questions about future US-China defence ties

Claims Hegseth ‘on verge of losing job’ raise questions about future US-China defence ties

SCMP •

Speculation is growing that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is at increasing risk of losing his job, raising questions about the possible implications for US-China relations, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said Hegseth was “on the verge of losing his job”. They cite...

Lindsay Clancy had ‘thoughts of harming the children’, her mother testifies at trial

Lindsay Clancy had ‘thoughts of harming the children’, her mother testifies at trial

The Guardian •

Paula Musgrove stated her daughter had said medications were ‘destroying’ her mind and she was becoming ‘paranoid’The defense in the Lindsay Clancy filicide case called the defendant’s mother as one of its first witnesses Monday, after three weeks of prosecution evidence laid out, in often harrowing detail, events surrounding Clancy’s killing of her three children.Under questioning from defense at...

Lindsay Clancy had ‘thoughts of harming the children’, mother testifies at trial

Lindsay Clancy had ‘thoughts of harming the children’, mother testifies at trial

The Guardian •

Paula Musgrove stated her daughter had said medications were ‘destroying’ her mind and she was becoming ‘paranoid’The defense in the Lindsay Clancy filicide case called the defendant’s mother as one of its first witnesses Monday, after three weeks of prosecution evidence laid out, in often harrowing detail, events surrounding Clancy’s killing of her three children.Under questioning from defense at...

Australia politics live: Labor and Coalition party rooms to consider deal on gambling ads; Labor wants to adopt AI ‘everywhere we can’

Australia politics live: Labor and Coalition party rooms to consider deal on gambling ads; Labor wants to adopt AI ‘everywhere we can’

The Guardian •

Sarah Hanson-Young says opt-out system for gambling ads doesn’t acknowledge ‘how the internet actually works. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChalmers calls gambling amendments ‘very substantial changes’Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the opt-out register on gambling advertising will be revenue neutral, because the gambling industry will have to cover...

Melbourne’s Armenian-Lebanese eatery Zareh named Gourmet Traveller’s restaurant of the year

Melbourne’s Armenian-Lebanese eatery Zareh named Gourmet Traveller’s restaurant of the year

The Guardian •

Previous winners of the award have included Saint Peter, Attica, Orana by the late Jock Zonfrillo, and QuayArmenian-Lebanese eatery Zareh has been named Gourmet Traveller’s restaurant of the year, in a category of the annual industry awards that has historically been dominated by European-leaning cuisine and fine-dining establishments.The restaurant’s menu pulls from the Armenian, Egyptian and Leb...

China’s space race has a new problem: finding room for failure

China’s space race has a new problem: finding room for failure

SCMP •

There is something about the speed of consensus on China’s rocket failures that should give us pause. Within hours of Long March-7A rocket’s disintegration over the South China Sea on August 10, trade reports were pointing to an engine as the likely culprit. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) had said nothing of the kind. An official Xinhua report about three hours after...

Burnham scraps restrictions on disabled people’s bus passes in England

Burnham scraps restrictions on disabled people’s bus passes in England

The Guardian •

Move means holders will be able to travel free on local services at any time of day or night from April next yearDisabled people across England will be able to use their free bus passes at any time of day from next April, as Andy Burnham expands a policy he introduced as mayor of Greater Manchester.The prime minister has said the current weekday restrictions on when disabled people can use their b...

Election denier Tina Peters to be hired as elections consultant in conservative California county

Election denier Tina Peters to be hired as elections consultant in conservative California county

The Guardian •

Shasta county, hotbed of US election denialism movement, set to appoint ex-Colorado clerk who served prison termA northern California county that has become a hotbed of activism for those who sow doubts about the reliability of voting machines plans to hire Tina Peters, the prominent Colorado election denier recently released from prison, to work on elections.Clint Curtis, the top election officia...

Ecuador’s Noboa courts China on shrimp, copper without threatening US ties

Ecuador’s Noboa courts China on shrimp, copper without threatening US ties

SCMP •

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa arrived in Beijing on Sunday for his first state visit to China, an eight-day trip during which he will seek to lift suspensions on 14 Ecuadorian shrimp processors and secure fresh investment in energy and mining. Noboa will hold talks with President Xi Jinping and meet separately with Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, China’s top legislator, according to Beijing’s ...