newsmart – Latest News

scmp.com | 3 min. ago NEW

Hong Kong to propose criminal penalties for bid-rigging after deadly Tai Po fire

Hong Kong’s leader is expected to announce reforms introducing criminal penalties for bid-rigging on Thursday, when the government will also release the final investigation report into the Tai Po inferno, the South China Morning Post has learned. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his senior officials will announce the proposed measures and give an update on efforts to pursue “administrative accountability” at a press conference on Thursday, a government source said on Wednesday.

Senior...

iol.co.za | 10 min. ago NEW

Phoenix residents may endure daily water cuts until 2032, municipality says

Community leader Sham Maharaj said the 2032 deadline raised fundamental questions about how the crisis was allowed to persist for so long.

time.com | 20 min. ago NEW

Three Latino Leaders Reflect on Inspiration Across Generations

Nelson German, Julián Castro, and Sofia Carson honored their upbringings at TIME’s Latino Leaders dinner in Miami.

abc.net.au | 2 hrs. 21 min. ago

Rockliff voices support for ban on conversion practices as debate starts

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff calls it "many years in the making" as Tasmanian parliament debates joining other states in banning conversion practices, with the premier voicing his support for the minor party's bill.

koreatimes.co.kr | 4 hrs. 16 min. ago

Lee warns against 'irresponsible extremism' jeopardizing reforms

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday warned against "irresponsible extremism" that he said is demanding excessive reform, insisting such extremism may jeopardize effective reforms. Lee made the remarks on the social platform X in response to a user demanding he apologize for describing his critics as "irresponsible extremists."

"There are those who sincerely call for prosecution reform for the country and the people, but there are also those who, in reality, hinder prosecution reform by only calling for clarity or making excessive, inflammatory demands for their hidden political and personal agendas," the president wrote.

"Calling for 'all-or-nothing' approaches as if they are the only true leader of reform and attacking those who are genuinely seeking reform while inciting fears of failure to take advantage of the urgent desire of some people to reform is irresponsible extremism," he added. Lee's message was widely seen as targeting hard-liners within his ruling Democratic Party of Korea who accused Lee of backtracking on prosecution reform, the party's long-standing agenda.

Lee earlier

theguardian.com | 4 hrs. 38 min. ago

King Charles to discuss legacy of slavery with Commonwealth leaders at summit

Royal tour of Caribbean comes as Commonwealth nations renew calls for Britain to engage in reparation talksKing Charles has confirmed that he will discuss the legacy of slavery at a summit with Commonwealth leaders as he begins his Caribbean tour.The king arrived in the Bahamas to a ceremonial welcome and attended a youth rally at Clifford Park, the site where the country officially gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1973. Continue reading...

nytimes.com | 5 hrs. 16 min. ago

European Leaders Split Over Phone Call to Putin

The diplomatic outreach was part of an effort to push talks to end the war in Ukraine, though it was not welcomed by all European leaders.

businessinsider.com | 7 hrs. 51 min. ago

What smart people are saying about OpenAI's Exponential Time Hypothesis claim

OpenAI and Anthropic both said they've proven a long-held computer science theory false. Here's how math and tech leaders are responding.

abcnews.com | 7 hrs. 53 min. ago

Pope says 'there is no such thing as a holy war' in message to religious leaders

Pope Leo XIV has denounced the religious justification for wars raging around the world, saying “there is no such thing as a holy war.”

iol.co.za | 8 hrs. 13 min. ago

IN PICS: March and March leader urges supporters to reject ANC over immigration

March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma urged supporters not to vote for the ANC during a Durban protest focused on immigration enforcement, delivery jobs and alleged police conduct.

abc.net.au | 8 hrs. 17 min. ago

Live: Israel's PM Netanyahu likely to win most seats, exit polls show

Israelis have cast their vote for the nation's next prime minister overnight, but we won't know who the country's next leader will be for weeks. Join our experts for a live explanation of why.

theguardian.com | 8 hrs. 38 min. ago

Australian politics live: inflation expected to rise to 4.2%; eSafety head’s warning about women in senior roles

Follow live updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Greens leader, David Shoebridge, will address the National Press Club in Canberra today, promising to help Australians struggling with cost-of-living and answering questions about allegations against senator Jordon Steele-John.He will propose lifting the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to $26,000, meaning people earning a wage won’t pay tax on their first $26,000.

Continue reading...

abcnews.com | 9 hrs. 31 min. ago

Number of people fleeing Ethiopia into Kenya rises to 36,000 as local leaders appeal for support

The United Nations says that 36,000 people have fled violence in Ethiopia into Kenya

ft.com | 9 hrs. 51 min. ago

Putin speaks with Norwegian and Finnish leaders

Call is first contact at this level in more than a year as Russia and Ukraine prepare for US-brokered peace talks

euronews.com | 9 hrs. 52 min. ago

Putin call pits Finland and Norway against Denmark and Sweden

Nordic unity broke on Tuesday after the leaders of Finland and Norway held a 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin. The Danish and Swedish prime ministers publicly cast doubt on the diplomatic overture.

thehindu.com | 10 hrs. 16 min. ago

A.P. teachers’ body demands implementation of Old Pension Scheme

The federation leaders allege that the Central and State governments are systematically undermining public education while favouring private institutions

thehindu.com | 10 hrs. 16 min. ago

Candidates push on with campaigns despite Cyclone Arnab disruptions

While some candidates braved the rain to continue their door-to-door campaigns, others used the weather-enforced break to meet community representatives, seek the support of professional associations and hold discussions with party leaders and cadre

smh.com.au | 10 hrs. 52 min. ago

‘Not another suburb for luxury housing’: Liberals to unveil Long Bay housing plan

Opposition leader Kellie Sloane will on Wednesday announce a new Long Bay Delivery Authority would be established within 100 days if the Liberal Party wins government next year.

thehindu.com | 11 hrs. 21 min. ago

U.P. Chief Electoral Officer apologises for ‘tone, language and sharpness’ of social media posts

When AAP leader Sanjay Singh questioned CEC Gyanesh Kumar on how ‘Ramhit Yadav’ became ‘Ram ne Yadav ko Maara’ in the U.P. Legislative Council election voter list, the Chief Electoral Officer admitted his responses had not been ‘the kind of communication expected from an official handle’

scmp.com | 11 hrs. 25 min. ago

Rubio invokes China, Russia to defend disputed Venezuela oil deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Washington’s oil agreement in Venezuela as an alternative to Chinese and Russian involvement, pushing back against criticism from opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Rubio said most of the oilfields controlled by the company partnering with Washington had previously been held or operated by Chinese or Russian firms.

He argued that the agreement would help revive production while securing US access to reserves in...

dailymail.com | 11 hrs. 31 min. ago

Fresh chaos on Reform-run Staffordshire County Council as it gets a FOURTH leader since last year's local elections

Reform won a majority on the council in May 2025 as Nigel Farage's party took the local authority from the Tories.

nypost.com | 11 hrs. 35 min. ago

Massive voter turnout in Serbia as student movement threatens to topple longtime populist leader

Serbian voters turned out in record numbers on October 25 in snap parliamentary elections, marking the biggest threat to populist President Aleksandar Vučić’s decade-long rule. Driven by a massive student-led protest movement that formed following a deadly 2024 train station collapse in Novi Sad, early morning voter turnout more than doubled compared to the previous...

newyorker.com | 11 hrs. 57 min. ago

Texas Democrats Venture Into No Man’s Land

Democrats around the country dream of a blue wave in Texas. Organizers and voters say they need more of an irrigation system. Can the Party leaders build it?

al-monitor.com | 12 hrs. 4 min. ago

On election day, Israeli settlers look beyond Netanyahu to far right

At a polling station in the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba, home of far-right firebrand Itamar Ben Gvir in the southern West Bank, voter Lishay Cooper said the country needed a tougher leader than famously hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Netanyahu has made mistakes, we can't count on him," the 22-year-old bookstore employee told AFP.

"We need someone stronger."

thehindu.com | 12 hrs. 25 min. ago

Jaishankar to travel to U.S. for G20 Foreign Ministers’ meet, Quad this week

Meetings to prepare for Quad leaders’ summit in November, G20 Summit in December; South Africa’s exclusion by U.S. could be raised;

iol.co.za | 12 hrs. 33 min. ago

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma calls on March and March supporters to reject ANC

March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma urged supporters not to vote for the ANC at the Durban protest.

thehindu.com | 13 hrs. 3 min. ago

Political leaders pay homage to Marudhu brothers at Kalaiyarkovil

Over 500 women carried milk pots and some fulfilled their vows by piercing their cheeks and carrying kavadi on the occasion of guru puja; police make tight security arrangements

mirror.co.uk | 13 hrs. 12 min. ago

Neil Kinnock praises Andy Burnham's Brexit debate for 'treating citizens like adults'

EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock also insists freedom of movement - a controversial issue during the 2016 Brexit vote - is essential to boosting the economy and improving public services

cbsnews.com | 13 hrs. 21 min. ago

Israeli police arrest man with knife near left-wing leader

A man with a knife was arrested at an Israeli election event for left-wing leader Yair Golan as Israelis vote in a crucial election.

abcnews.com | 13 hrs. 33 min. ago

Tanzania’s jailed opposition leader ends hunger strike after meeting with his brother

Tanzania’s jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu has ended a brief hunger strike after prison authorities allowed him to meet privately with his younger brother

scmp.com | 13 hrs. 53 min. ago

German leader’s China visit latest sign of foreign diplomacy pivot beyond Beijing

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has begun his state visit to China in the eastern province of Anhui, spotlighting a growing trend among visiting foreign leaders to look well beyond Beijing. Steinmeier arrived in the provincial capital Hefei early on Tuesday to begin a five-day state visit, marking his first trip to China in nearly eight years and confirming an exclusive report by the South China Morning Post earlier this month.

When foreign dignitaries bypass Beijing for provincial...

iol.co.za | 13 hrs. 59 min. ago

Mbalula vows to intervene in Malema’s war of words with MySol

ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, promised to intervene in the public tension between EFF leader, Julius Malema and North West mining mogul, Solomon “MySol” Madibela.

bbc.co.uk | 14 hrs. 15 min. ago

Norway and Finland leaders hold rare call with Putin

This is the first time European leaders have had direct communication with Russia's president in more than a year.

mirror.co.uk | 14 hrs. 39 min. ago

Massive Israel voter turnout and Netanyahu battles for political survival

Israeli officials reports a major 15% increase on voter turnout as the wartime country decides on whether Benjamin Netanyahu should stay in power or make way for a new leader

bbc.co.uk | 14 hrs. 58 min. ago

Ex-Britain First leader arrested in HMO attacks investigation

Ashlea Simon says she was arrested at Manchester Airport in connection with her identifying HMOs.

thehindu.com | 15 hrs. 15 min. ago

Business leaders reject nationalistic tech races at The Hindu Semiconductor Summit 2026

iol.co.za | 15 hrs. 27 min. ago

DA councillor shot dead outside his home in Zamdela

Metsimaholo Caucus Leader, Michael Thulani Mbana was shot and killed on Monday evening.

bbc.co.uk | 15 hrs. 42 min. ago

Mbappé sorry for 'ill-judged' Mao remark after backlash in China

The France star had referred to the former Chinese leader as a "dictator" during an interview about memes.

marketwatch.com | 16 hrs. 59 min. ago

Why reported Khamenei call for end to ‘neither war nor peace’ moved markets — a bit

Iran’s supreme leader was quoted as saying it’s time for a deal. There’s a long way to go.

thehindu.com | 17 hrs. 54 min. ago

Chip war exposes India’s semiconductor vulnerabilities, industry leaders say

U.S.–China tensions underscore need for domestic technology capabilities and resilient supply chains; industry flags gaps in materials, manufacturing expertise and specialised talent