Australia slows down ‘backpacker visas’ in fresh migration crackdown
SCMP

Australia slows down ‘backpacker visas’ in fresh migration crackdown

Australia is slowing the issuance of new “working holiday” visas popular with backpackers as the government looks at policies to cut migration to the country. “They are still being processed, but they are being processed more slowly than they were previously,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Sunday. The visas allow people to come to Australia to work and travel for a set period of time, a...

2 more drills with ‘harsher scenarios’ planned for revamped Huanggang crossing
SCMP

2 more drills with ‘harsher scenarios’ planned for revamped Huanggang crossing

Hong Kong will hold two more drills later this month at the revamped Huanggang border crossing, with up to 20,000 civil servants to be involved in testing the new immigration clearance gates under “harsher scenarios”, according to the city’s security chief. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Monday that authorities had identified problems, including a lack of notices and benches,...

2 more drills with ‘harsher scenarios’ planned this month for revamped Huanggang port

2 more drills with ‘harsher scenarios’ planned this month for revamped Huanggang port

SCMP

Hong Kong will hold two more drills later this month at the revamped Huanggang border crossing, with up to 20,000 civil servants involved to test the new immigration clearance gates under “harsher scenarios”, according to the city’s security chief. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Monday that authorities had identified problems such as the lack of notices and benches, as well a...

Middle East live: PM's office in Iraqi Kurdistan targeted by drones from Iran

Middle East live: PM's office in Iraqi Kurdistan targeted by drones from Iran

France 24

The prime minister's office in Iraqi Kurdistan was targeted by two Iranian drones overnight, authorities said Monday. The attacks were launched from Iranian territory and no casualties were reported, the Kurdistan Regional ​Government security agency said. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates. 

Hayden Panettiere, actor in Heroes and Nashville, dies aged 36

Hayden Panettiere, actor in Heroes and Nashville, dies aged 36

The Guardian

Panettiere’s death was announced by her father, who called her ‘an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her’Hayden Panettiere, the actor known for her roles in television shows such as Heroes and Nashville, has died aged 36.Panettiere’s death was confirmed in a statement from her representative to the Guardian on Sunday night, after it was fi...

More than 12,000 await aid after deadly Indonesian quake

More than 12,000 await aid after deadly Indonesian quake

France 24

More than 12,000 people displaced by a deadly earthquake in eastern Indonesia were on Monday awaiting much-needed aid as they camped out at schools, police stations and government offices, with many stuck outside. 

Nearly 13,000 displaced after deadly Indonesian quake

Nearly 13,000 displaced after deadly Indonesian quake

France 24

Thousands of people displaced by a powerful earthquake in eastern Indonesia awaited much-needed aid on Monday as they camped out at schools, police stations and government offices, with many stuck outside.

Australian politics live: Labor pledges new ‘opt-out register’ for gambling ads; Hill says using super to buy a home gets ‘gold medal for stupidest policy’

Australian politics live: Labor pledges new ‘opt-out register’ for gambling ads; Hill says using super to buy a home gets ‘gold medal for stupidest policy’

The Guardian

Anika Wells has also confirmed Labor will clamp down on inducements and inducement advertising. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHume says housing the ‘best indicator of economic security’ in retirement over superThe deputy Liberal leader, Jane Hume says the Coalition will reconsider whether Australians should be able to access more of their supera...

Hong Kong merchant jailed for trying to kill wife, daughters amid debt woes

Hong Kong merchant jailed for trying to kill wife, daughters amid debt woes

SCMP

A Hong Kong merchant has been jailed for five years and four months for attempting to murder his wife and three daughters by burning charcoal in their public rental flat after struggling to repay debts totalling nearly HK$900,000 (US$115,000). The High Court on Monday sentenced Wong Pak-ting in what the presiding judge described as a “tragic” case. The 45-year-old pleaded guilty in May to four cou...

Photos show Cambodian children attend school in floating villages along the Tonle Sap lake.

ABC News

On Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, getting anywhere has always meant navigating the water. It isn’t any different for schoolchildren. Most mornings, a gas-powered boat chugs through Kampong Prahok floating village, steered by students often no older than those climbing aboard. They pull up alongside floating homes, as peers in crisp uniforms clambe...

Far-right Ben-Gvir urges Israel to kill ‘30 to 40 every night’ in Gaza

Far-right Ben-Gvir urges Israel to kill ‘30 to 40 every night’ in Gaza

SCMP

An extremist Israeli lawmaker in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition publicly advocated for killing “30 to 40” people in Gaza each night, comments that surfaced Sunday and were quickly shared by Palestinian media. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir made the statement while speaking to a former Gaza-held hostage, Rom Braslavski, on Braslavski’s podcast. The two were discussing ...

China embraces ‘Grandpa Cute’; policewoman probed over uniform dance: 5 weekend reads you missed

China embraces ‘Grandpa Cute’; policewoman probed over uniform dance: 5 weekend reads you missed

SCMP

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Why Chinese youth are turning to an 84-year-old Cambridge professor for support 2. Chinese officials rattled by White House chaos weeks ahead of Xi-Trump summit 3. How Southeast Asia’s monarchies s...