Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv sanctions three Chinese companies accused of helping Russia

Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday, claiming they were involved in the production of advanced Iskander missiles. The sanctions list, which also includes Russian companies, names Beijing Aviation & Aerospace Xianghui Technology, Rui Jin Machinery and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining, all registered in China. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on X: […]

Small businesses on the frontline as global uncertainty and rising costs pinch

For Marcus Booth-Remmers, Easter guarantees a sugar hit in more ways than one. From his cafe and factory in the Adelaide Hills, the chocolatier has spent the weeks leading up to the holiday period busily handcrafting and selling a range of specialty chocolate eggs, bunnies and bilbies. “It is one of the absolute busiest times […]

Court rules against Republican lawmaker in lawsuit over censure for post about transgender athlete

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A federal court has ruled against a Republican lawmaker from Maine who sued the state’s Democratic House speaker after being censured for a social media post about a transgender athlete. Rep. Laurel Libby posted about a high school athlete who won a girls’ track competition. Libby included a photo of the […]

Donald Trump orders the release of Robert F. Kennedy assassination records

The US National Archives has released thousands of pages of records related to the assassination of Senator Robert F Kennedy, according to the agency’s website, following President Donald Trump’s order to publish previously classified information. The National Archives released more than 10,000 pages of records in connection with Kennedy’s killing, according to details on its […]

Donald Trump hints China tariffs could end soon, TikTok deal on hold

Donald Trump hints China tariffs could end soon, TikTok deal on hold US President Donald Trump suggests the end of tit-for-tat tariff hikes between the US and China. He also hinted at a delay in a deal over the fate of TikTok. Trump’s comments indicate a reduced willingness to impose higher tariffs on dozens of […]

Life-size Nier: Automata sword going on sale, includes 2B’s voice if you swing it the right way

To buy, or not to buy 2B’s starting sword? The Nier franchise is marking its 15th anniversary this year. With Nier: Automata being the most popular, critical, and commercial success in the Square Enix series, it’s obviously a very big part of the celebration plans, and those plans include a very big sword. Protagonist 2B […]

Coachella YouTube Livestream Drives Global Fan Engagement for Artists

To decorate their Coachella stage like a beach party in their seaside home region of La Guaira, Venezuela, Rawayana hauled in inflatable SUVs, palm trees and tiki huts — all designed to make the Grammy-winning band’s YouTube festival livestream last weekend more colorful and magnetic. “It’s a live TV broadcast,” says Carlos Framil, Rawayana’s co-manager. […]

Tories urged to make committee hearings a ‘torture chamber’

OTTAWA — A “torture chamber” for the government. “Social media content generators.” ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The New Pornographers drummer charged for child pornography

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Irish holidaymakers warned border agents can demand passwords and scroll through your phone

The United States remains one of the most popular destinations for Irish travellers, with tens of thousands of us jetting off every year to soak up the bight lights of New York, the sun-soaked beaches of Florida and cultural hotspots like Boston. Whether it’s for a city break, a family getaway or a summer spent […]

Netflix has added dystopian drama with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

It is directed by Doctor Who legend Russell T Davies 13:56, 18 Apr 2025 Years and Years is now streaming on Netflix(Image: BBC) Netflix has dropped a dystopian sci-fi drama set in Manchester that fans are calling “one of the best things” they’ve watched in years. Years and Years, directed by Doctor Who creator Russell […]

Darth Maul Animated Series Coming to Disney+

Announced during the 20th anniversary Lucasfilm Animation panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan, a new “Star Wars” Darth Maul animated series is coming to Disney+ in 2026. Darth Maul Animated Series Coming to Disney+ Titled “Maul – Shadow Lord, the new series will see the return of Sam Witwer to voice the villain. Witwer first […]

China dismisses Zelenskyy’s claim it has supplied weapons to Russia

China’s foreign ministry has dismissed as “groundless” the accusation by Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the country had been supplying weapons to Russia. The comments, made at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday, came a day after the Ukrainian president said China was supplying weapons to Russia, including gunpowder and artillery, and that Chinese representatives […]

Dramatic rise in fake political content on social media as Canada prepares to vote

More than a quarter of Canadians have been exposed to fake political content on social media that is “more sophisticated and more politically polarizing” as the country prepares to vote in a federal election, researchers have found, warning that platforms must increase protections amid a “dramatic acceleration” of online disinformation in the final weeks of […]

We are known for dressing absolutely everyone at Glastonbury

Sophie Ackers said it has been a crazy journey but her brand is “stronger than ever” 08:39, 18 Apr 2025Updated 09:29, 18 Apr 2025 Sophie Ackers started her fashion business in 2017(Image: Colin Lane) A Liverpool woman who launched her business with only a few hundred pounds is now “dressing absolutely everyone at Glastonbury”. Sophie […]

The sweet story of how a chance meeting led to Australia’s ‘old baby cake’ going viral on Chinese social media

When Paul Adam sees a long queue forming in front of his patisserie in the northern suburbs of Sydney, “That’s when I know I’m going to start working hard,” he says. In the weeks since one of his cakes went viral across several Chinese social media platforms, that has been nearly every day. The gluten-free […]

Mazda’s New EV Has a Range-Extending Gas Engine

The EZ-60 doesn’t look like your typical Mazda SUV, and that’s because it’s not really a Mazda. This upcoming Tesla Model Y rival is closely related to the Deepal S07, a product of Changan, Mazda’s joint venture partner in China. After official images revealed the design earlier this month, technical specifications have now surfaced via […]

Quake or fake? Science frowns as India’s earthquake prophets cause stir with cat & cardboard theories

It isn’t just Seismo, though. India is seeing a rise in self-proclaimed earthquake forecasters, who use everything from animal behaviour to solar radiation to anticipate the next big shake. They come armed with public X accounts, unverified methodologies, and a promise to succeed in predicting earthquakes hours or days in advance.  On 31 March, days […]

Firstup: JD Vance in Italy, Luigi Mangione in court, US-Japan to hold joint patrols… the headlines today

It’s going to be a busy Friday. US Vice President JD Vance is in Italy where he will meet Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. Meanwhile, Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing a healthcare CEO, is set to appear in federal court. Japanese and the US are set to conduct joint patrols after a spate of […]

China-founded e-commerce sites Temu and Shein say they’re raising prices due to tariffs

Save for later China-founded e-commerce sites Temu and Shein say they plan to raise prices for U.S. customers starting next week, a ripple effect from President Donald Trump’s attempts to correct the trade imbalance between the world’s two largest economies by imposing a sky-high tariff on goods shipped from China. Temu, which is owned by […]

Trump meets with Italy’s Meloni

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is in “no rush” to reach any trade deals because he views tariffs as making the United States wealthy. But he suggested while meeting with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni that it would be easy to find an agreement with the European Union and others. Trump played […]

From Lululemon to Birkenstocks, viral videos are urging shoppers to buy direct from China. Should you do it?

Open this photo in gallery: TikTok videos such as these have multiplied in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 145-per-cent tariffs on Chinese goods, with creators claiming to work with factories behind major brands such as Lululemon, Nike and Dior.Supplied Save for later Standing outside what appears to be a shopping centre in the […]

Eby urges Canadians to ‘keep the pressure up’ despite California’s charm campaign

Canadians need to “keep the pressure up” on the United States by buying local and avoiding travel there, despite a recent push from California to draw visitors from Canada, British Columbia’s premier says. David Eby says he had a “really good conversation” with California Governor Gavin Newsom this week as the state launched a campaign […]

Eby urges Canadians to ‘keep the pressure up’ despite California’s charm campaign

Canadians need to “keep the pressure up” on the United States by buying local and avoiding travel there, despite a recent push from California to draw visitors from Canada, British Columbia’s premier says. David Eby says he had a “really good conversation” with California Governor Gavin Newsom this week as the state launched a campaign […]

Eby urges Canadians to ‘keep the pressure up’ despite California’s charm campaign

Canadians need to “keep the pressure up” on the United States by buying local and avoiding travel there, despite a recent push from California to draw visitors from Canada, British Columbia’s premier says. David Eby says he had a “really good conversation” with California Governor Gavin Newsom this week as the state launched a campaign […]

Eby urges Canadians to ‘keep the pressure up’ despite California’s charm campaign

Canadians need to “keep the pressure up” on the United States by buying local and avoiding travel there, despite a recent push from California to draw visitors from Canada, British Columbia’s premier says. David Eby says he had a “really good conversation” with California Governor Gavin Newsom this week as the state launched a campaign […]

Eby urges Canadians to ‘keep the pressure up’ despite California’s charm campaign

Canadians need to “keep the pressure up” on the United States by buying local and avoiding travel there, despite a recent push from California to draw visitors from Canada, British Columbia’s premier says. David Eby says he had a “really good conversation” with California Governor Gavin Newsom this week as the state launched a campaign […]

Eby urges Canadians to ‘keep the pressure up’ despite California’s charm campaign

Canadians need to “keep the pressure up” on the United States by buying local and avoiding travel there, despite a recent push from California to draw visitors from Canada, British Columbia’s premier says. David Eby says he had a “really good conversation” with California Governor Gavin Newsom this week as the state launched a campaign […]