Outside St James' Park and the Angel of the North, Magpies fans explain significance of Wembley victoryAfter years and years of hurt, it was just glorious," said 67-year-old Paul Wearmouth outside St James' Park on the morning after the night before. It was tremendous. I'll be honest, I was crying. They were tears of jubilation."Wearmouth, a retired school caretaker, has been a fan of Newcastle United all his life and can tell you at length about how difficult a commitment that can be. Continue reading...

Ruling coalition continues its crackdown on LGBTQ+ people under its child protection' legislationHungary's ruling coalition is continuing its crackdown on the country's LGBTQ+ community, as members submitted a bill to parliament that would ban the popular Budapest Pride event and allow authorities to use facial recognition software to identify people attending.The bill, presented on Monday, is almost certain to pass as the coalition has a two-thirds majority in parliament. Continue reading...

Communist party aims to promote reasonable wage growth' and to reduce financial burdens amid Trump tariffs

The treasurer will say we deserve better as a long-term partner and ally' in major economic address on Tuesday one week before delivering budget

Actor-rapper will release project on 28 March, including the song Beautiful Scars which makes reference to his infamous Oscars slapWill Smith is to release his first album in 20 years later this month, as the actor continues to rebuild his career following his assault on Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.Writing on Instagram, he said the album Based on a True Story would be released on 28 March, adding: Been working on this project for a minute and I'm itchin' to get it out to y'all". Continue reading...

Palestinian experts and British archaeologists say more than two-thirds of heritage, cultural and archaeological sites in Gaza have been damagedHamouda al-Dahda stands in the ruins of Pasha Palace in Gaza City, where before the war the golden limestone walls of the 800-year-old building towered above him, the gardens shaded visitors, and the cool vaulted halls held hundreds of priceless historical artefacts.The palace was like a small paradise on Earth. Now, there is no life here at all and anyone who comes is sad. They can remember what it once was," the 40-year-old museum director says. Continue reading...

Christian organizations helped create Pepfar, credited with preventing 25m early deaths, particularly in AfricaChristian evangelical organizations instrumental in creating the US program that has saved millions of lives from HIV/Aids are pressing the Trump administration to rescue the scheme from crushing cuts to foreign assistance.The state department has said that the two-decade-old President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), which is estimated to have prevented 25m early deaths, is exempt from the cancellation of most US overseas aid. But the program is heavily reliant on logistical support from the US Agency for International Development (USAid), which has seen most of its projects killed off. Continue reading...

Reserve Bank opens submissions for redesign after theme chosen from 2,100 nominated

Radio National, Triple J, ABC Classic and ABC News Radio were all down due to a technical issue from about 8am AEDT on Monday, broadcaster says

This blog has now closedMan drowns in Hunter region waterholeA man in his 20s has drowned at a waterhole near Dungog in the Hunter region of New South Wales.We apologise for this break in our program, we will return to normal programming as soon as possible. Continue reading...

Labor government moves to rush through legislative fix to ensure orders affected by printing error' are enforceable

At least 10 hospitals in NSW risk being stripped of accreditation to train junior doctors as serious concerns' raised in Industrial Relations Commission court

Rising Tide campaigners were arrested at Newcastle's coal port in late 2024 after using kayaks and rafts to protest at facility

Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, 48, was working at an animal shelter when she found body parts of dogs' owner who had died of natural causes

Civil liberties report warns that Italy along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia intentionally undermining rule of law in nearly all aspects'Italy's government has profoundly undermined the rule of law with changes to the judiciary and showed heavy intolerance to media criticism", in an emblematic example of Europe's deepening democratic recession", a coalition of civil liberties groups has said.A report by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) said Italy was one of five dismantlers" - along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia - that intentionally undermine the rule of law in nearly all aspects". Continue reading...

Chancellor will meet regulators after calling for action to restrict their scope in bid to save businesses billionsRachel Reeves will meet UK regulators on Monday after calling for more action to restrict red tape and spur economic growth.The chancellor argued that government plans would reduce costly delays and disputes, saving businesses billions, and said regulators must accept a more streamlined decision-making process. Continue reading...

Highest possible rise for third year running comes as cash-strapped authorities try to repair finances and, for some, avoid bankruptcyMost households in England will be charged the maximum increase in council tax for the third consecutive year after local authorities confirmed their plans before the 2025-26 financial year.Nearly nine in 10 (88%) of 153 upper-tier authorities in England will impose a 4.99% increase in April, the most allowed without triggering a local referendum. Continue reading...

Decade-high level despite rush to beat stamp duty deadline will push sellers to restrict price rises, says RightmoveHomebuyers who miss this month's stamp duty deadline in England will benefit from a decade-high choice of properties this spring, with competition forcing many sellers to restrict price increases, according to a report.The average price of a property coming to market for sale across the UK has risen by 1.1% or 3,867 this month to 371,870, in line with the long-term average increase in March, according to the property website Rightmove. Continue reading...

Joint statement says important strides have been made since mass firing of workers by P&O Ferries three years agoThe UK government's employment rights bill has made important strides" to stop another P&O Ferries scandal happening - but more must be done, according to trade unions.The TUC, Nautilus and RMT unions said more measures to prevent unscrupulous" employers such as P&O Ferries from treating staff like disposable labour" were needed as they marked the three-year anniversary of the firing by P&O of UK workers. Continue reading...

Four times more buy-to-let firms than fast-food shops now registered at Companies House as landlords switch set-up to cut tax paymentsBuy-to-let businesses have become the largest single type of business in the UK - with nearly four times as there are fast food takeaways or hairdressers.There are more companies set up to hold buy-to-let property registered at Companies House than any other type of business, according to research from the estate agent Hamptons. Continue reading...

Alexandra Clarke, 26, was on a diving excursion near Koh Tao when blaze broke outA British tourist is missing in Thailand after the tour boat she was travelling on caught fire off the island of Koh Tao.Alexandra Clarke, 26, from Lambeth, south London, was onboard the Davy Jones Locker for a diving excursion. Continue reading...

PM faces backlash over plans to tighten eligibility, potentially leaving more than 600,000 claimants 675 a month worse offKeir Starmer is to defy growing anger by driving through welfare cuts for some of the UK's most severely disabled people, with an overhaul that could see more than 600,000 benefit claimants lose out on an average of 675 a month.Ministers are set to ditch plans to freeze personal independent payments (Pip) amid a backlash. But they will still tighten eligibility criteria for the benefit under big changes to be set out by the work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Body found in North Nowra area believed to be girl last seen on Sunday afternoon

Refugee Council analysis of figures released by MoJ shows there are 41,987 cases in backlog of tribunal courtsThe number of asylum seekers left in limbo as they appeal against a rejected asylum application has risen by nearly 500% over two years, putting renewed pressure on the taxpayer, an analysis by the Refugee Council has found.Figures released by the Ministry of Justice show that at the end of 2024 there were 41,987 asylum appeals in the tribunal courts' backlog, up from 7,173 at the start of 2023. Continue reading...

Prime minister's move against Shin Bet's Ronen Bar will prompt further accusations of authoritarianismBenjamin Netanyahu has announced he will seek to dismiss the director of Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, through a cabinet vote later this week, in a move that will prompt further accusations of authoritarianism.The Israeli prime minister said in a video statement on Sunday that ongoing distrust" made it impossible for him to continue to work with Ronen Bar, who has led Shin Bet since 2021. Continue reading...

Francis pictured for first time since he was admitted to hospital more than a month ago with pneumoniaThe Vatican has released the first photograph of Pope Francis since the 88-year-old was admitted to hospital more than a month ago with pneumonia in both lungs.The photo shows the pope, bare-headed, seated in a wheelchair and wearing a white robe and purple shawl, in front of a simple altar with a crucifix on the wall. Continue reading...

Government declares seven-day period of mourning after fire in eastern town of Koani kills at least 59North Macedonia has declared a seven-day period of mourning after a fire in a nightclub that left at least 59 dead and scores injured, as authorities detained 15 people for questioning and the interior minister said a preliminary inspection revealed the club was operating without a proper licence.At the end of a day in which the small Balkan country grappled with a disaster not seen in decades, its interior minister Panche Toshkovski said the venue in the eastern town of Koani where the pre-dawn blaze occurred appeared to be operating illegally. Continue reading...

Strikes began on Saturday with the aim of punishing Iran-backed armed group for attacks on Red Sea shippingUS officials have said airstrikes launched against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis will continue indefinitely, after a first round on Saturday killed at least 31 people and injured up to 100 more.The strikes, which aim to punish the Houthis for their attacks against Red Sea shipping, are Donald Trump's first such use of US military might in the region since he took power in January. Continue reading...

The Toxicator closed for about an hour on its first day after a burst pipe flooded the area nearby with sewageA toxic waste-themed ride at Alton Towers had to be temporarily closed on its opening day - after a burst pipe flooded the nearby area with sewage.Toxicator, the park's newest ride, was shut for about an hour on Saturday after the area nearby was evacuated. Continue reading...

Health secretary's comments that too many people are written off' prompts warnings against stigmatising peopleWes Streeting's comments that there is an overdiagnosis" of some mental health conditions has prompted experts to warn against stigmatising and punishing people.The health secretary also said too many people were being written off", as he was questioned about the government's welfare measures. Speaking to broadcasters, Streeting was repeatedly challenged on whether ministers were leaving disabled people uninformed for too long about the plans - and whether they would freeze the personal independence payment (Pip) as part of their welfare package this week. Continue reading...

French president says France, UK and others could each deploy a few thousand troops' to key locations to show Ukraine long-term support'Emmanuel Macron has said France, the UK, and other nations providing security guarantees for Ukraine after any eventual ceasefire would not be aiming to deploy a mass" of soldiers, but instead could send contingents of several thousand troops to key locations in Ukraine without needing Russia's permission.The French president told regional French newspapers, including Le Parisien and La Depeche de Midi, that several European countries, and indeed non-European ones" had expressed their willingness" to join a possible deployment to Ukraine to secure a future peace agreement with Russia. Continue reading...

Peter Reynolds, who runs a business in Afghanistan, was held along with his wife last month and needs heart pills, says his daughterThe life of a 79-year-old British man imprisoned along with his wife by the Taliban is in serious danger, his family have warned.Peter Reynolds and his wife, Barbie, 75, who run a training business in Afghanistan, were detained last month when they travelled to their home in Bamiyan province. Continue reading...

Several people killed in Kansas dust storm while scattered tornadoes cause fatalities in MissouriViolent tornadoes ripped through parts of the US, wiping out schools and toppling semitractor-trailers in several states, part of a monster storm that killed at least 35 people as more severe weather was expected.In western Kansas, a dust storm was reported to have killed eight people as high winds produced blowing dust over the interstate, causing collisions of more than 71 vehicles on the I-70. Continue reading...

More than 150 people injured after blaze broke out in the early hours at Pulse club in town 60 miles from SkopjeAt least 59 killed in North Macedonia nightclub fireNorth Macedonia's public prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski has said five prosecutors would investigate the fire.At the moment, orders have been issued for collecting of evidence" and some people were being interviewed, Kocevski said. Continue reading...

Adrian and Joanne Fenton hit with penalty after calling police when they found a boy hiding inside bike-rack coverA couple who were fined 1,500 after reporting a boy who had stowed away on the back of their motorhome for their journey from France to Essex have had the penalty cancelled.Adrian and Joanne Fenton from Heybridge were fined by the Home Office for failing to check that no clandestine entrant was concealed" when they returned to their home across the Channel. Continue reading...

Australians are hooked on tax perks while road fatalities and emissions are surging and spending on petrol and insurance increasing

Interior minister says blaze at pop concert in eastern town of Koani probably caused by pyrotechnicsFifty-nine people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a fire that broke out in a nightclub in North Macedonia early on Sunday.The blaze in the small eastern town of Koani is thought to have erupted when special-effect pyrotechnics caused the roof of the Pulse nightclub to go up in flames. Continue reading...

At least 31 killed and up to 100 injured after Trump orders strikes on Sana'a and Saada in response to shipping attacksUS officials have said airstrikes launched by Donald Trump against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis may continue for weeks, after a first round on Saturday killed at least 31 people and injured up to 100 more.The strikes, which aim to punish the Houthis for their attacks against Red Sea shipping, are Trump's first such use of US military might in the region since he took power in January. Continue reading...

The pandemic forced many people in England and Wales to reflect how they might die with dignity, and the numbers of those wanting to die at home is on the riseWhen Marlene Viggers was told her newly diagnosed cancer was untreatable, she said she wanted to go home to die. She was the matriarch of the family, she held everything together, and she wanted to have her family all around her," said Neil Andrews, her son-in-law.For the next few weeks, until Marlene died in January 2022 at the age of 73, she was given round-the-clock care by her closest relatives supported by Marie Curie, the end of life charity. Continue reading...

Trusts work with the Royal Horticultural Society to create outdoor refuges for staff and patientsFor Hayleigh Austin-Richards, it is a place to have a cry, breathe fresh air and remind herself there is something magical about butterflies. As often as she can, the ward manager of Chapel Allerton's stroke rehabilitation unit in Leeds visits the hospital's Garden for Recovery", originally created for the Chelsea Flower Show and installed last summer.Austin-Richards's job can be hectic and tough, and she sees people going through some of the worst moments of their lives. The garden is a refuge: It's quiet. The way it's designed, it brings you in and shelters you in it. You feel like you're in the middle of nowhere," she said. Continue reading...

Maximo Napa says he survived by eating cockroaches, birds and a turtle - and thinking about his motherA Peruvian fisher was found alive after drifting at sea for 94 days, a navy official said on Saturday, as he was discharged from hospital after his ordeal.Maximo Napa, 61, was rescued in his small fishing boat on Tuesday after being spotted by an Ecuadoran vessel off the coast of Chimbote in northern Peru. Continue reading...

Health secretary says too many people are being written off' and that is driving ministers' changes to welfareThe health secretary, Wes Streeting, has said he believes there is an overdiagnosis" of some mental health conditions as well as too many people being written off" - factors he said were the key drive for the government's welfare measures.Speaking to broadcasters, Streeting was repeatedly challenged on whether ministers were leaving disabled people uninformed for too long about the plans - and whether they would freeze the personal independence payment (Pip) as part of their welfare package this week. Continue reading...

Jack Aaron, whose past comments on controversial leaders led to widespread criticism, is now overseeing candidate selectionA Reform UK general election candidate who said Hitler was brilliant" at inspiring people and described Bashar al-Assad as gentle by nature" is now in charge of the party's vetting process.Jack Aaron's comments about the Nazi leader and Syrian dictator came to light last year when he stood for Reform in the Welwyn Hatfield constituency. He also claimed Vladimir Putin's use of force in Ukraine was legitimate". Continue reading...

A debate is raging over the future of a council building used for art exhibitions as public services in the Sussex town are squeezedWhen the doors closed on two art shows in the Sussex town of Lewes last weekend, a record number of people had crossed the threshold of Southover House to look at works by Picasso and Grayson Perry.For 18 months, the former council office building has housed a pop-up outpost of Charleston, the former home of key members of the Bloomsbury group, which is nearby in the village of Firle. Continue reading...

Planning application reignites row over statue on Edinburgh's Royal Mile of Elsie Inglis, Scottish suffragist and maternal health pioneerEdinburgh's Royal Mile and its surrounding streets are not short of monuments. In a 30-minute round trip, visitors can rub the nose of Greyfriars Bobby, spit on the Heart of Midlothian and touch David Hume's toe, all thought to bring good luck. On the way, they might stop for a selfie with Wojtek the Bear, an honorary member of the Polish army who went on to live in Edinburgh Zoo, while the Scott Monument, built to honour Sir Walter, looms overhead.According to campaigners, though, there is something missing: women. There are no freestanding statues of women in the city centre, and only a handful in the surrounding area. So when a fundraiser was launched in 2017 to secure a Royal Mile statue for Elsie Inglis, Scottish suffragist and maternal health pioneer, it quickly gained momentum. But when plans were finally unveiled last month, a bitter row was reignited about the choice of a male sculptor and his vision for the statue. Continue reading...

Whistleblower says over 1,000 inmates in England and Wales considered for the scheme which bypasses Parole BoardCriminals who have reoffended or broken probation restrictions are being re-released from prisons early on the government's direction under new measures to ease overcrowding.Justice sources say jails are hurtling towards another capacity crisis despite Labour's ongoing early release scheme and attempts to shift more offenders into open prisons. Continue reading...

School leaders attacked as an unaccountable elite' after years of below-inflation pay rises for teachersA record 775 heads of school academies in England were given pay packages worth more than 150,000 in 2022-23, sparking allegations of an unaccountable gravy train".Figures published last week by the Department for Education (DfE) reveal that nearly a third of academy trusts (30.8%) rewarded at least one staff member with a pay deal worth in excess of 150,000, including pension payments and benefits. This compares with just 12% in 2018-19. Continue reading...

Don Farrell points out most Australian beef exported to US goes to fast food giant McDonald's

Virtually unknown in the west, Ne Zha 2 is the world's highest-grossing animation at 1.6bn - outdoing Inside Out 2 - just weeks after its releaseJust a few years ago, the biggest star of the Chinese box office was a brave army commander. Last year it was a woman who rediscovers herself through boxing. But in 2025 the hero that has caught everyone's attention - and broken international box office records - is an animated demon child.Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animation written and directed by Yang Yu, is a whirlwind of a film. The plot, inspired by Chinese mythology, follows the story of Ne Zha, a demon child raised by humans. He is on a quest to obtain a precious elixir to restore the physical state of his friend, the dragon prince Ao Bing, whose body has been destroyed by a lightning strike. Continue reading...