Defying a weak overnight session on Wall Street, the Australian sharemarket has notched its fourth consecutive day of gains, propelled primarily by a resurgent mining sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 advanced decisively, adding 41.10 points, or 0.47 per cent, to close at 8,861.70. The broader All Ordinaries index also climbed, rising 32.40 points, or 0.35 per cent, to settle at 9,184.20. In currency markets, the Australian dollar experienced a slight retreat, trading at 66.76 US cents. The trading session presented a mixed picture overall, with six of the eleven sectors finishing in positive territory. The materials sector emerged as the unequivocal leader, posting a robust gain of 1.09 per cent. The healthcare sector also contributed significantly to the market’s upward momentum. Mining behemoth BHP Group Ltd. was a standout performer, its shares surging 2.60 per cent to $49.37, edging it closer to overtaking Commonwealth Bank as the nation’s largest listed entity. Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group also closed higher, gaining 0.37 per cent and 0.44 per cent, respectively. BlueScope Steel witnessed a spectacular leap of 4.17 per cent to $31.00, fueled by ongoing takeover speculation. Simultaneously, South32 shares hit a two-year peak of $4.14, buoyed by skyrocketing copper prices. Market analyst Tony Sycamore from IG noted that the resilience of commodity stocks successfully insulated the local bourse from international weakness. ‘The resilience is largely thanks to the resurgent ASX200 Materials sector, which delivered its third successive fresh record high this week,’ Sycamore stated, highlighting an impressive 8.45 per cent month-to-date gain for the sector. Healthcare heavyweight CSL Ltd. jumped 1.03 per cent, while ResMed climbed 2.42 per cent. The energy sector managed to trade in the green despite a 5 per cent slump in oil prices due to eased geopolitical tensions concerning Iran. All four major banks reversed early losses to finish higher, with ANZ leading the charge with a 2.58 per cent gain. However, the information technology sector faced substantial headwinds, mirroring a sell-off on the tech-heavy Nasdaq. Life360, Xero, and Megaport all fell sharply, dropping between 3.95 and 5.12 per cent. In individual company news, Treasury Wine Estates shares slumped 4.85 per cent following a broker downgrade from Citi. Conversely, respiratory imaging firm 4DMedical soared 5.59 per cent after securing a $150 million institutional placement.
标签： Oceania
大洋洲
-
Horrific footage captures moment Melbourne truck driver bashed outside Clyde North home while family sleeps
A disturbing violent incident unfolded in Melbourne’s southeastern suburb of Clyde North early Thursday morning, leaving a local truck driver with significant injuries. At approximately 5:30 a.m., a 42-year-old man was preparing to depart for work from his Brumich Way residence when two unidentified assailants launched a surprise attack.
Closed-circuit television footage obtained by authorities depicts the harrowing sequence of events. The visual evidence allegedly shows one individual striking the victim in the head with sufficient force to propel him backward onto the roadway. A second assailant then joined the assault, with both men proceeding to punch and kick the defenseless victim while he lay incapacitated on the ground.
Despite sustaining a fractured skull and broken nose in the brutal beating, the victim demonstrated remarkable resilience by managing to return to his household where family members remained asleep during the altercation. His sister, Suman, provided a chilling account to Nine News, describing extensive blood distribution throughout the home and on the victim’s face. She characterized the assault as potentially lethal in intent, stating the attackers appeared determined to ensure his demise through targeted head trauma.
Victoria Police representatives confirmed the victim received hospital treatment for injuries classified as non-life threatening. Law enforcement officials conducted comprehensive area searches but failed to locate the perpetrators. Although the precise motivations remain undetermined, authorities have explicitly stated they are not treating this as a random act of violence. The criminal investigation continues with police urging residents possessing relevant information or additional surveillance footage to contact Crime Stoppers immediately.
-
Fatal back-to-back crane failures tied to same Thai firm: minister
Thailand’s infrastructure sector faces a severe crisis following two catastrophic crane failures within 48 hours, both linked to the nation’s prominent construction firm Italian-Thai Development. The tragic sequence began Wednesday when a massive launching gantry crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, resulting in 32 fatalities and 64 injuries in one of Thailand’s deadliest rail accidents in recent history.
The tragedy deepened Thursday morning when another crane operated by the same company collapsed at the Rama II Expressway construction site near Bangkok, claiming two additional lives. Verified dashcam footage obtained by AFP captured the terrifying moment when the massive structure plummeted, generating massive dust clouds and sending debris across the busy highway as vehicles scrambled to avoid falling wreckage.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed Italian-Thai’s involvement in both incidents, expressing bewilderment at the consecutive failures. ‘We have to find out the facts, whether it was an accident or something else,’ the minister told local media. The company, one of Thailand’s largest construction contractors, has faced multiple deadly accidents at its sites in recent years.
The Rama II Expressway project, designed to connect Bangkok with southern regions, has earned the grim nickname ‘Death Road’ due to its history of fatal incidents. Prior to this week’s tragedies, the corridor witnessed a concrete beam collapse in March that killed several workers, a November 2024 crane accident that claimed three lives, and two additional fatal incidents in 2023 and early 2024.
At the Nakhon Ratchasima site, where the crane remains suspended from concrete pillars intended for the Thailand-China high-speed rail project, construction workers gathered Thursday to document the wreckage while relatives of victims conducted silent prayers. The Chinese-backed rail initiative represents a significant joint venture between the two nations.
Italian-Thai has issued formal condolences and committed to compensating victims’ families while covering all medical expenses. Thailand’s rail operator has ordered an immediate construction halt pending comprehensive investigation. Minister Phiphat has vowed accountability for all parties involved, including both Italian-Thai and their Chinese consultancy partners.
-
Jailed baby killer Benjamin Swann to plead guilty to unrelated injury charge, court told
A Melbourne court has been informed that Benjamin Joseph Swann, currently serving a 13-year sentence for child homicide, will admit guilt in a separate case of recklessly causing injury to another individual. The 31-year-old former carpenter appeared before Magistrate Kieran Gilligan where prosecutors confirmed the resolution of this additional case.
The assault incident occurred on January 6, 2024, in Manor Lakes—merely 13 days before Swann fatally injured 115-day-old Elijah, his former girlfriend’s newborn son. During Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution withdrew four charges, leaving a single count of recklessly causing injury to which Swann will formally plead guilty during a May hearing.
Swann received his current sentence in November after admitting to the January 20 homicide of premature infant Elijah, who had spent most of his brief life hospitalized. Justice James Gorton described how Swann, attempting to establish himself as a ‘father figure,’ was caring for the child when he inflicted fatal blunt force trauma to the infant’s head in a moment of frustration.
The court previously heard that Swann responded to the child’s distress by violently assaulting him, then attempted to shift blame onto the infant’s mother while showing no remorse. Justice Gorton characterized the killing as ‘a serious instance of this serious offence’ given Elijah’s vulnerable state.
Swann will remain eligible for parole after serving nine years and six months of his current sentence. The separate case will proceed to plea hearing on May 7, where sentencing will be determined for the earlier assault incident.
-
More Australians are ‘job hugging’ as confidence in the job market collapses
A significant shift is underway in Australia’s employment landscape as economic apprehensions and technological advancements reshape career mobility. According to recent LinkedIn research surveying 2,000 individuals, 59% of Australian professionals intend to remain in their current positions throughout 2026, signaling the emergence of a phenomenon termed ‘job hugging’.
The comprehensive study reveals that economic instability represents the primary factor driving this employment conservatism, with approximately 70% of respondents acknowledging intensified competition within the job market. Notably, four out of five Australian workers feel inadequately prepared to pursue new employment opportunities, while one-third express specific concerns regarding artificial intelligence’s evolving role in recruitment processes.
LinkedIn career specialist Brendan Wong observes that Australia’s workforce has transitioned from the ‘great resignation’ era to a period of professional retention. ‘The employment landscape has become increasingly competitive with fewer available positions,’ Wong explained. ‘Concurrently, artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping hiring practices and skill requirements.’
This trend presents unique challenges for employers, as professionals may maintain positions despite dissatisfaction. Wong emphasizes that organizations must address underlying retention factors through upskilling initiatives and internal mobility programs to maintain workforce engagement and productivity.
The research further indicates AI’s growing influence on employment criteria, with organizations increasingly prioritizing technical proficiency over traditional experience. ‘Artificial intelligence has transitioned from specialized advantage to mainstream necessity,’ Wong noted. ‘Professionals seeking career advancement should develop AI competencies while simultaneously enhancing human-exclusive skills including creative problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and adaptive thinking.’
Despite prevailing anxieties, the report identifies several expanding professional sectors including AI engineering, artificial intelligence management, and chief risk oversight. Positions supporting infrastructure development and energy transition maintain strong demand, alongside human-centered roles in mental health services and organizational development.
-
Three men flee after alleged Melbourne street brawl erupts into stabbing, two seriously injured
A violent altercation between two groups of men escalated into a daylight stabbing in South Melbourne on Thursday, leaving two individuals with serious injuries and sparking a police manhunt for three fleeing suspects. The incident occurred shortly before 11:30 AM local time at the intersection of Clarendon and Bank Streets, transforming a public thoroughfare into an active crime scene.
Victoria Police confirmed that responding officers discovered two victims suffering from wounds consistent with a stabbing. Emergency medical services promptly transported both men to a nearby hospital, where they are being treated for their serious, yet non-life-threatening, injuries. Preliminary investigations indicate that all parties involved were acquainted with one another, suggesting the conflict was not a random act of violence.
Authorities have established a perimeter as forensic specialists and detectives work to piece together the sequence of events that led to the brawl and subsequent stabbing. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement actively appealing to the public for assistance. They are urging any witnesses, or individuals who may have captured dashcam or mobile phone footage of the incident, to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers anonymously to aid in identifying and locating the three men who fled prior to the arrival of police.
-
AI-created Iran protest videos gain traction
A new wave of artificial intelligence-generated videos depicting fabricated protest scenes in Iran has emerged across social media platforms, according to research published Wednesday. These hyper-realistic deepfakes have collectively garnered approximately 3.5 million views while exploiting information gaps created by the Iranian government’s internet restrictions.
Disinformation monitoring organization NewsGuard identified seven distinct AI-generated videos circulating online, created by both pro-government and anti-regime actors. Among the most prominent examples was a clip distributed on X (formerly Twitter) showing women protesters destroying a vehicle belonging to the Basij paramilitary force, which has been deployed to suppress demonstrations. This particular video accumulated nearly 720,000 views.
Additional fabricated content included videos showing Iranian protesters symbolically renaming streets after former U.S. President Donald Trump, with one clip depicting demonstrators changing a street sign to “Trump St” amid cheers from the crowd. These developments occurred as Trump repeatedly discussed providing assistance to Iranian protesters, though he noted Wednesday that he had received information suggesting the government had halted its violent crackdown.
Simultaneously, pro-regime social media users circulated AI-generated content purporting to show massive government-supported counterprotests throughout Iran. Experts indicate these fabricated videos represent a dangerous new frontier in information warfare, where AI-generated “hallucinated” visual content increasingly overshadows authentic imagery during major news events.
The phenomenon highlights how partisan actors exploit AI tools to advance competing narratives during information vacuums. NewsGuard analyst Ines Chomnalez observed: “There’s a lot of news—but no way to get it because of the internet blackout. Foreign social media users are turning to AI video generators to advance their own narratives about the unfolding chaos.”
This incident follows a pattern of AI fabrications distorting breaking news events, including false narratives surrounding the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and a deadly shooting by immigration agents in Minneapolis. AFP fact-checkers additionally uncovered misrepresented imagery creating misleading narratives about the Iranian protests, including videos actually filmed in Greece and Nepal being presented as current events in Iran.
-
Greenlanders torn between anxiety and relief after White House talks
The geopolitical spotlight intensified on Greenland this week as high-level diplomatic discussions unfolded at the White House, revealing complex tensions between Arctic sovereignty and American strategic interests. Following President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about potentially acquiring the autonomous Danish territory, foreign ministers from both Denmark and Greenland engaged in critical talks with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The meeting, described by participants as an effort to clarify ‘misunderstandings,’ left Greenland’s 57,000 residents experiencing a spectrum of emotions from profound anxiety to cautious optimism. In the capital city of Nuuk, the national flag appeared ubiquitously—displayed in shop windows, apartment balconies, and vehicles—as a powerful symbol of unity during the diplomatic proceedings.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen acknowledged ‘fundamental disagreement’ with Washington regarding the Arctic territory’s future, while President Trump maintained optimistic about reaching some form of understanding. The political tension manifested commercially as well, with nationalist merchandise including ‘Greenland is not for sale’ t-shirts selling rapidly throughout local shops.
Personal accounts captured the emotional impact of these geopolitical maneuvers. Vera Stidsen, a 51-year-old educator, expressed apprehension about the sudden international attention: ‘It’s very frightening because it’s such a big thing. I hope we can continue living peacefully without disturbance.’ Conversely, Ivaana Egede Larsen, 43, reported feeling measurable relief after watching press conference coverage, noting how Trump’s ‘direct, aggressive rhetoric’ had created widespread unease among citizens.
The discussions highlighted Greenland’s strategic importance in Arctic resource development and shipping routes, bringing unprecedented attention to the island’s autonomous governance under Danish sovereignty. While no agreements emerged from the meeting, residents like Frederik Henningsen, 64, maintained hope for peaceful resolution: ‘They didn’t make an agreement but I want to live in peace.’
-
S&P Global warns Australian states’ credit ratings are at a 25-year low
A stark financial warning has been issued for Australian state governments as they continue COVID-level expenditure patterns, accumulating unprecedented public debt levels. According to a recent analysis by credit rating agency S&P Global, state governments have amassed approximately $660 billion in collective debt, representing 24% of state GDP.
Martin Foo, a leading analyst at S&P Global, characterized the situation as governments “spending like they’re still in pandemic lockdown,” despite the end of COVID restrictions. The agency reports that combined state cash deficits have ballooned to approximately 16% of revenue in 2025, matching the pandemic lows of 2021.
The debt trajectory shows alarming growth, with projections indicating state government debt will have roughly tripled between 2019 and 2027. Credit ratings have deteriorated to their lowest point in 25 years, with both New South Wales and Queensland receiving negative outlooks for 2026. The Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania have already been downgraded to AA’ in 2025.
Foo identified several structural challenges contributing to the fiscal crisis, including contentious public-sector wage negotiations, increasing community demands for entitlement spending, and political resistance to tax increases or economic reforms. While the average state government rating remains at AA+, S&P Global warns of continuing decline without significant fiscal policy adjustments.
The Northern Territory was notably excluded from these calculations, suggesting the overall Australian state debt situation might be even more substantial than reported. This developing fiscal crisis poses significant challenges for economic stability and future governance across Australia’s states and territories.
-
Australian Open to inject $600m into Melbourne economy amid record crowds
Melbourne’s economy is poised for a monumental boost as the Australian Open tennis tournament is projected to deliver an unprecedented $600 million windfall to local businesses. According to newly released data from the National Australia Bank (NAB), this year’s event is expected to surpass last year’s economic impact by a significant 7 to 10 percent margin, establishing new benchmarks for sporting event revenue generation.
The comprehensive analysis reveals particularly dramatic gains in Richmond’s hospitality sector, where accommodation providers experienced a remarkable 90 percent surge in turnover while restaurant revenues climbed by 18 percent. Similarly, South Yarra witnessed a 50 percent increase in accommodation business and a 17 percent rise in dining establishments’ revenue during the tournament period.
NAB Executive for Metro Specialized Business Julie Rynski emphasized the event’s evolution beyond tennis, noting that ‘The Australian Open has truly become the ‘Happy Slam’ and is no longer just purely a tennis tournament – it’s a full-blown summer festival.’ The tournament now features world-class matches alongside children’s zones, immersive activations, an extensive live music program, and pop-up restaurants from Melbourne’s premier dining establishments.
The 2025 tournament already demonstrated massive growth with 1,218,831 attendees throughout the three-week event, substantially exceeding the 2024 attendance of 1,110,657. Preliminary data for the current season shows even more promising numbers, with opening day attendance reaching 29,261 spectators—nearly quadruple last year’s figures—followed by 34,209 and 36,973 attendees on subsequent days.
Despite the overwhelming positive economic indicators, NAB officials issued warnings about ticket scams targeting enthusiastic fans. ‘Unfortunately, criminals will target tennis fans desperate for tickets. If you see tickets for sale on social media, that’s a major red flag – only buy from authorized resellers,’ Rynski cautioned.
The Australian Open has now achieved parity with other major Australian sporting events including the Australian Grand Prix and AFL Grand Final in terms of economic impact and cultural significance, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Melbourne’s summer economy.