Chinese AI idol’s ‘pregnancy’ stunt sparks backlash, debate over digital boundaries
SCMP •

Chinese AI idol’s ‘pregnancy’ stunt sparks backlash, debate over digital boundaries

A Chinese AI girl group has sparked intense online backlash after announcing that one of its virtual members was “pregnant” to explain her departure. BABYQUEEN, a four-member, K-pop-style AI girl group managed in Liaoning province in northeastern China, formed in September and has around 1,100 followers. On October 13, the group posted an announcement written from member Mity’s perspective. Saying...

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter
SCMP •

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter

A Hong Kong mother accused of neglecting her 12-year-old daughter who had been chronically underweight has been spared trial as the prosecution agreed to place her on a good behaviour bond, with the justice department saying public interest is generally a key factor in such decisions. The South China Morning Post has learned that prosecutors at West Kowloon Court dropped a child abuse charge again...

Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK – podcast
The Guardian •

Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK – podcast

The bestselling author says her books will no longer be supplied to UK bookshops over fears of prosecution. Zoe Williams and Haroon Siddique reportFor now there might be a copy or two of Intermezzo left kicking around in your local bookshop – snap it up if you haven’t already, because soon that will be it.Last year, Sally Rooney said she would be using her royalties to support Palestine Action, a ...

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter
SCMP •

Hong Kong mother spared trial over neglect of chronically underweight daughter

A Hong Kong mother accused of neglecting her 12-year-old daughter who had been chronically underweight has been spared trial as the prosecution agreed to place her on a good behaviour bond, with the justice department saying public interest is generally a key factor in such decisions. The South China Morning Post has learned that prosecutors at West Kowloon Court dropped a child abuse charge again...

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

SCMP •

Saudi Arabia has decided to postpone its flagship investment conference until next year, organisers confirmed in a statement on Monday, following deadly attacks which rocked ‌the kingdom in recent weeks as the Middle East conflict widens, disrupting business. The Future Investment Initiative, or FII, was planned for October 26 to 29, but will now take place in 2027, with a new date to be announced...

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’ summit to 2027 after deadly attacks

SCMP •

Saudi Arabia has decided to postpone its flagship investment conference until next year, organisers confirmed in a statement on Monday, following deadly attacks which rocked ‌the kingdom in recent weeks as the Middle East conflict widens, disrupting business. The Future Investment Initiative, or FII, was planned for October 26 to 29, but will now take place in 2027, with a new date to be announced...

Zelensky accuses US of delaying missile deliveries as tensions rise

Zelensky accuses US of delaying missile deliveries as tensions rise

France 24 •

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the US on Monday of holding up deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles already paid for by European allies, as tensions with President Donald Trump’s administration deepened over military aid and intelligence sharing.

Helen Haines live updates: MP critical but stable as AFP look into charges carrying up to 10 years’ imprisonment

Helen Haines live updates: MP critical but stable as AFP look into charges carrying up to 10 years’ imprisonment

The Guardian •

A joint counter-terrorism taskforce is investigating the incident, which Anthony Albanese alleged ‘wasn’t an accident’‘Deeply appalled’: politicians condemn alleged attack after Helen Haines critically injuredHelen Haines, the principled MP respected across parliament‘It’s very clear that this was a deliberate act’, PM saysThe prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Haines’ alleged attacker “did a ...

Kumanjayi Little Baby: damning report finds ‘heartbreaking’ child protection failures before five-year-old’s death

Kumanjayi Little Baby: damning report finds ‘heartbreaking’ child protection failures before five-year-old’s death

The Guardian •

Northern Territory government announced sweeping reforms of child protection sector in May, just days after the Warlpiri girl was found dead• Warning: This article contains images of and references to Indigenous Australians who have diedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA report into the Northern Territory’s child protection sector has detailed “confronting” and “heartbrea...

Helen Haines loses leg after car allegedly did U-turn and struck her twice in Wangaratta

Helen Haines loses leg after car allegedly did U-turn and struck her twice in Wangaratta

The Guardian •

Independent MP is in critical yet stable condition, as police interview alleged attacker in Wangaratta incidentFollow our Helen Haines live blog for latest updatesWho is Helen Haines, the MP allegedly attacked in Victoria?Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcastThe man accused of attacking Helen Haines allegedly made a U-turn before ramming the independent MP twice in an alleged...

Car allegedly did U-turn and struck Helen Haines twice with bystanders rushing to help MP

Car allegedly did U-turn and struck Helen Haines twice with bystanders rushing to help MP

The Guardian •

Independent MP is in critical yet stable condition, as police interview alleged attacker in Wangaratta incidentFollow our Helen Haines live blog for latest updatesWho is Helen Haines, the MP allegedly attacked in Victoria?Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcastThe man accused of attacking Helen Haines allegedly made a U-turn before ramming the independent MP twice in what some ...

Crude holds near $110 per barrel as Middle East tensions keep supply concerns alive

Crude holds near $110 per barrel as Middle East tensions keep supply concerns alive

Times of India •

Currently hovering around $110 a barrel, oil prices are influenced by escalating geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Saudi Arabia. Washington's recent move to relax restrictions on Russian energy exports has shifted market impressions. Attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthis on Saudi facilities have further heightened stability concerns. As a result, prices remain resilient above $100, prompting...

Beau Lamarre-Condon had surgery after alleged double murder but before disposing of bodies, court told

Beau Lamarre-Condon had surgery after alleged double murder but before disposing of bodies, court told

The Guardian •

Police officer had operation at St Vincent’s hospital two days after Jesse Baird and Luke Davies were shot dead in Paddington terrace in early 2024Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBeau Lamarre-Condon’s alleged attempt to dispose of two bodies was briefly interrupted so he could undergo surgery, a Sydney court has been told.Lamarre-Condon, 31, has been accused of fatally s...

EU unveils strategy to boost Arctic presence

EU unveils strategy to boost Arctic presence

France 24 •

The EU is to unveil plans to bolster its foothold in the Arctic Tuesday, as it grapples with pressure from Russia and the United States in the key strategic region.

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

SCMP •

As South Korea seeks to attract more visitors to tap into the global popularity of K-pop, a lawmaker has warned that taxi overcharging of foreign tourists could tarnish the country’s image, with official figures pointing to a perceived lack of punishment against offenders. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Mo Gyeong-jong cited Seoul city government data on Sunday showing only 204 of 6,481 complai...

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

South Korea’s Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

SCMP •

As South Korea seeks to attract more visitors to tap into the global popularity of K-pop, a lawmaker has warned that taxi overcharging of foreign tourists could tarnish the country’s image, with official figures pointing to a perceived lack of punishment against offenders. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Mo Gyeong-jong cited Seoul city government data on Sunday showing only 204 of 6,481 complai...

Japan launches mission to explore Mars' moons and bring back samples

Japan launches mission to explore Mars' moons and bring back samples

France 24 •

Japan launched a spacecraft on Tuesday on a five-year mission to explore Mars' mysterious moons, Phobos and Deimos, and bring back samples for the first time. The $578 million project aims to deliver dust, soil and rocks to Earth in 2031, potentially shedding light on how the moons formed and the origins of life.

Brendan Nugent named as driver apprehended over alleged attack on Helen Haines

Brendan Nugent named as driver apprehended over alleged attack on Helen Haines

The Guardian •

Police allege 43-year-old Tarrawingee man who drove Toyota LandCruiser was arrested at the scene in WangarattaFollow our Helen Haines live blog for latest updatesWho is Helen Haines, the MP allegedly attacked in Victoria?Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcastHelen Haines’ alleged attacker has been named as 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, Guardian Australia has confirmed.Nugent is ...

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

SCMP •

Cell Press, one of the world’s leading scientific publishers, has launched an investigation after prominent Chinese biologist Rao Yi accused the editor-in-chief of a top medical journal of soliciting bribes from mainland authors. “Several important international academic journals have seen editors, and even editors-in-chief, soliciting and accepting bribes,” said Rao, a tenured chair professor at ...

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

Cell publisher investigates editor accused of soliciting bribes from China

SCMP •

Cell Press, one of the world’s leading scientific publishers, has launched an investigation after prominent Chinese biologist Rao Yi accused the editor-in-chief of a top medical journal of soliciting bribes from mainland authors. “Several important international academic journals have seen editors, and even editors-in-chief, soliciting and accepting bribes,” said Rao, a tenured chair professor at ...

The evolution of China’s active defence doctrine

The evolution of China’s active defence doctrine

SCMP •

The British Army’s miraculous escape from Nazi Germany’s encirclement at Dunkirk is considered by some to be the greatest military retreat in modern history and a prime example of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Yet years before Dunkirk, the military retreat by the Chinese Red Army, known as the Long March, was more impressive and consequential. While the Dunkirk evacuation remains in H...