SEOUL, South Korea — The escalating legal troubles facing Bang Si-Hyuk, the billionaire founder and chairman of HYBE, the agency behind global K-pop supergroup BTS, are raising fresh questions about potential ripple effects on the group's highly anticipated full-group activities and world tour as police seek an arrest warrant over alleged investor fraud tied to the company's 2020 initial public offering.
SYDNEY — Australian motorists faced rising fuel prices on Wednesday as global oil costs climbed due to renewed uncertainty in the Middle East, with average unleaded petrol prices hovering around AUD 1.89 per litre nationally and diesel reaching AUD 2.76 per litre in many areas, despite the government's temporary excise reduction providing some relief at the pump.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Strait of Hormuz remained in a state of high tension on Wednesday as the United States seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach its naval blockade, prompting Iran to fire warning shots at passing vessels and reassert control over the critical waterway, driving oil prices sharply higher and leaving global energy markets on edge.
SYDNEY — Australia's real estate market entered 2026 riding strong momentum from the previous year, but early data and revised forecasts point to a widening divide between booming mid-tier capitals and cooling major eastern cities, even as national dwelling values continue to climb.
LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic, still sidelined by a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, brought energy and support from the Los Angeles Lakers bench during their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, even as he remains out for Game 2 on Tuesday night.
NEW YORK — Alphabet Inc. Class C shares edged higher in morning trading Tuesday, climbing 0.26% to $336.28 as Wall Street prepared for the tech giant's first-quarter 2026 earnings report scheduled for April 29, with focus on Google Cloud growth, AI advancements and the impact of massive capital spending plans.
SYDNEY — As international visitor numbers climb toward pre-pandemic highs in 2026, Australia's iconic landmarks and natural wonders continue to top bucket lists for travelers seeking beaches, reefs, outback adventures and vibrant cities. Tourism authorities report strong recovery, with Sydney and Melbourne leading arrivals while the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru remain must-see draws for their unique appeal.
OpenAI has given the world a preview of its new image generation model, ChatGPT Images 2, which debuts real-world intelligence and improved capabilities.
LOS ANGELES — The long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" hit theaters with a star-studded premiere and mixed early reactions Tuesday, offering dazzling musical sequences and a breakout performance by Jaafar Jackson while drawing criticism for its sanitized portrayal of the King of Pop's complicated life.