World News Hub

‘Special-forces’ travel: Chinese woman wins admiration after climbing 5 famous peaks in 5 days

A woman from southwestern China has climbed five famous mountains in five provinces in five days, earning widespread admiration on social media. The climber, surnamed Peng, began her journey in her hometown of Guiyang, Guizhou province, on September 23, the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald reported. She climbed Mount Hua in northwestern Shaanxi province the following day, then Mount Heng in neighbouring S...

How Taiwan’s military manpower shortage is undermining its ability to fight

Taiwan’s military is grappling with a worsening manpower shortage, with its volunteer staffing rate remaining below the 80 per cent target for a third consecutive year and concerns mounting over the impact on combat readiness, according to the island’s legislature. The shortages extend deep into frontline formations – including infantry, artillery, missile and air defence units – raising questions...

Photos: Thousands detained in police crackdown on India’s youth protest

Demonstrators intercepted and detained as authorities crack down on 'cockroach' movement rally in central New Delhi.

Nepal floods: Chilling videos show bridges swept away, homes destroyed

A sudden flash flood in Gorkha district along the Budhi Gandaki River has wreaked havoc, causing severe destruction and displacing many families. With reports of multiple homes and bridges lost, at least ten individuals are currently unaccounted for. In light of the crisis, authorities have deployed rescue teams and helicopters to aid in evacuations.

🔴At least 109 migrants dead, more than 100 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti

A Vietnam War veteran turned discarded materials into Colorado's famous Cano's Castle

Cano's Castle, a roadside attraction in Antonito, Colorado, was built by Vietnam War veteran Dominic “Cano” Espinoza using discarded beer cans, hubcaps, screen doors and scrap metal. Construction reportedly began in 1980. More than four decades later, a fire in January 2022 destroyed the residential section of the property, although its two main towers survived.

Former Irish Olympic swimming coach and child abuser George Gibney to be sentenced

Gibney, 77, will face justice for abusing athletes in the 1970s and 80s after decades of effort to track and extradite himMore than half a century after he started sexually abusing children, and enjoyed prestige as Ireland’s Olympic swimming coach before fleeing to the United States, George Gibney is to face justice.The 77-year-old is to be sentenced at the central criminal court in Dublin on Mond...

Russia’s Yandex says data centre in Vladimir shut down after drone attack

Third strike on Yandex facilities in a week comes as Russia and Ukraine escalate attacks on tech infrastructure.

‘She was swaying, zoning out’: UK pets poisoned in record numbers by illicit drugs

Toxicology helplines report 42% increase in calls involving animals poisoned by drugs and nicotineA record number of pets are ingesting recreational drugs and requiring veterinary care in the UK, figures shared with the Guardian reveal.Last year, the UK’s only emergency poison centre for animals received its highest ever number of calls involving animals poisoned by cannabis, cocaine, magic mushro...

At least 139 migrants dead, more than 84 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died and 116 went missing after a boat carrying 350 people capsized off Djibouti en route to Yemen, the International Organisation for Migration said on Sunday.

At least 109 migrants dead, more than 100 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died and 116 went missing after a boat carrying 350 people capsized off Djibouti en route to Yemen, the International Organisation for Migration said on Sunday.

At least 109 migrants dead, scores missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died and 116 went missing after a boat carrying 350 people capsized off Djibouti en route to Yemen, the International Organisation Migration said Sunday.

'Going bankrupt': Iran shopkeepers struggle as war dims demand

Iran's economy has been battered by years of sanctions, but the conflict that began in February with US-Israeli attacks and an American blockade of the country's ports has put extra strain on daily life. Rising inflation, nearly 90 percent year-on-year in September according to official figures, and erratic currency exchange fluctuations have driven up the cost of everyday items. Food prices hav...

Trump urges Zelensky replacement as diesel row rages

Donald Trump called on Saturday for Ukraine to "get a new leader" after Volodymyr Zelensky slammed Washington's easing of Russian diesel sanctions, as the US president faces fuel price pressure weeks before midterm elections. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg tells us more.

At least 4 dead as cyclone Isaias drenches southern US

Four people died in the southeastern United States as post-tropical cyclone Isaias threatened flooding and tornado risks Saturday as it moved northward after making landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast.

France's Seixas claims Il Lombardia glory after world championship heartbreak

Disappointed with his performance at the World Championships two weeks ago, French cyclist Paul Seixas quickly made up for it at the final Monument of the season. He won the Tour of Lombardy, setting a new record as the race’s youngest-ever winner in the process.

Protesters take to the streets in Portugal over rising living costs and housing prices

A post from an Instagram account appearing to be linked to the protests that had promoted the demonstrations said people had "been squeezed by rising house prices and the cost of living" for years.

Missile attack on airport in Saudi Arabia's capital kills 12 people and injures over 300

Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of the country’s main international airport a day after a missile attack on the facility killed 12 people from several countries and left more than 300 injured

Man accused of child rape set to become police chief in small Louisiana town

Republican Christopher Paul is running unopposed for seat despite allegations he raped two girls 20 years agoA candidate for police chief in a small Louisiana town candidate is on course to be elected unopposed despite two charges of child rape pending against him, leaving his community to weigh whether to convert the position into an appointed office rather than one determined at the ballot box.C...

Surgeon faces deportation as Home Office revokes refugee status for Syrians

UK classifies Syria as safe to return to despite UN refugee body’s adviceA Syrian plastic surgeon is facing deportation from the UK after the Home Office revoked his refugee status, declaring it is now safe for him and his family to return to their home country.Despite Foreign Office guidance advising against all travel to Syria because of the “volatile” security situation, the government has clas...

After RAF Fairford incident, how big a threat to the UK is Iran?

Although there is scepticism about Tehran’s capabilities, it has become clear it wants Britain to feel it poses a riskBritain may have been only peripherally involved in the bombing of Iran that Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu started, but in the past fortnight it has become clear that Tehran wants to pose a threat inside the UK in response.In the aftermath of the confused incident near RAF Fa...

From Abby Choi to the ‘Hello Kitty’ killing: Hong Kong’s most shocking crimes

The alleged murder and dismemberment of Abby Choi Tin-fung in 2023, which prosecutors say was linked to a dispute over a luxury flat, has once again gripped Hong Kong as the trial over the 28-year-old socialite’s death entered its second week. Choi’s ex-husband, Alex Kwong Kong-chi, 31, and his elder brother, Anthony Kwong Kong-kit, 35, have pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of her bo...

Why are mainland China’s tax officials suddenly so interested in my Hong Kong MPF?

For the past few months, this newspaper has extensively covered China’s ongoing clampdown on tax avoidance, especially its push to tax the income of super-rich families held in offshore trusts. We never expected to become targets of the campaign ourselves. But there have been signs in recent weeks that officials are starting to take an interest even in the incomes of South China Morning Post journ...

In 2024, Glenn and Barbara Britt gave Dartmouth College $150 M, easing tuition costs for families

In 2024, Dartmouth College announced a scholarship bequest of more than $150 million from former Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt and his wife, Barbara Britt. The gift raised the annual family income threshold for zero parent contribution from $65,000 to $125,000, benefiting around 350 families each year. It also expanded scholarship support at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.

Ukraine steps up strikes on Russia's tech infrastructure

A Ukrainian drone attack shut down a data center run by Russian technology giant Yandex, the company said Sunday, the third strike on its facilities in four days as Kyiv widens its campaign against infrastructure inside Russia