Australian rock band Powderfinger have announced an 18-date comeback tour across Australia, marking their first live performances in 17 years since their breakup. The Brisbane-based group will kick off the tour in September next year, playing stadium-sized big-top tents in cities including Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. The band expressed excitement about reuniting, noting that previous suggestions to tour never felt quite right until now.
Summary headline: Iconic Australian rock band Powderfinger announce reunion tour after 17 years
A BBC Africa Eye investigation has found that three mourners killed by Kenyan police during a national farewell for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kasarani Stadium were not involved in the violence that sparked the gunfire. Analysis of footage shows the victims were between 60m and 160m away from the scuffles when they were shot. Forensic analysis suggests an elite police unit responsible for presidential protection may have fired the fatal shots. Kenya's Independent Policing Oversight Authority is still investigating the deaths.
Summary headline: Kenyan mourners killed by police at Raila Odinga memorial not involved in violence, BBC Africa Eye finds
American ranchers and farmers in Nebraska are facing severe financial pressures due to rising costs for diesel, fertiliser, steel, and machinery, alongside falling cattle prices driven by administration policies such as foreign beef imports and tariffs. Despite economic hardships and frustration with market interventions, many agricultural producers maintain their support for Donald Trump due to shared conservative values and broader political views, though some are re-evaluating their allegiances.
Summary headline: US ranchers wrestle with soaring costs and their loyalty to Trump
US President Donald Trump is facing domestic and international criticism over a deal to import diesel from Russia in an effort to lower soaring fuel prices ahead of the midterms. Lawmakers from both parties, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and international allies have condemned the agreement, arguing it violates US laws and provides a financial lifeline to Vladimir Putin during the war in Ukraine. The US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April as part of the arrangement, while the White House defends the move as a necessary step to help American consumers and agricultural sectors.
Summary headline: Trump faces growing backlash over plans to import diesel from Russia
As rising bills stretch finances and lead to more missed credit card repayments, experts warn people to watch out for unscrupulous and unregulated debt firms. These companies may charge upfront fees, use high-pressure sales tactics, and push consumers towards paid debt solutions without properly explaining free, impartial alternatives available from debt charities and government-backed services.
Summary headline: Warning over misleading debt advice traps as more people struggle with repayments
According to Citizens Advice, roofing scams have become the most common type of scam reported to the charity, accounting for one in ten recorded scams over the past year. Fraudsters often use aggressive doorstep tactics, exploit the fact that roofs are hard to inspect, and leave victims with incomplete, unnecessary, or shoddy work, costing them thousands of pounds.
Summary headline: Roofing scammers con homeowners out of thousands of pounds, warns Citizens Advice
Although childhood cancer is rare, it is the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK, yet under a third of parents feel confident recognising the symptoms. Experts advise parents to watch for clusters of persistent or worsening symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, paleness, unexplained bruises, and growing lumps. A national awareness campaign highlights a 'rule of three' to help professionals improve diagnosis times, noting that early detection can lead to less intensive treatments and better outcomes.
Summary headline: Childhood cancer symptoms: What parents should look out for
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen is set to star in Quentin Tarantino's debut stage play, The Popinjay Cavalier. The 1830s-set comedy will premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End on 18 March 2027.
Summary headline: Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Quentin Tarantino's West End play
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that price spikes caused by the conflict in Iran pose a major challenge for Chancellor John Healey ahead of his first Budget. Higher inflation could erode public spending, forcing the government to choose between spending cuts, tax rises, or both, while maintaining a reduced financial headroom.
Summary headline: Iran war threatens Chancellor John Healey's Budget plans, IFS warns
Actor Robert Pattinson has been discussing his new A24 crime thriller film Primetime at the London Film Festival, where he portrays the host of the 2000s American TV show To Catch a Predator. Pattinson, who became a father in 2024, described the film's plot involving child abusers and predator catching as the most terrifying thing that can happen. The film's director, Lance Oppenheim, designed the movie as a fever dream to interrogate the public desire for punishment, while the real-life show host Chris Hansen has criticised the project.
Summary headline: Robert Pattinson describes new film Primetime and its plot as 'terrifying'
Microsoft President Brad Smith has stated that artificial intelligence is currently less regulated than everyday items like milk and washing machines. In an interview, Smith called for urgent global safety rules, independent government evaluation of AI products, and legal requirements for companies to report breaches involving rogue AI agents. His stance contrasts with US President Donald Trump, who has argued for self-regulation to keep pace with Chinese rivals. Smith also suggested that the UK is well-positioned to lead international AI regulation through its AI Safety Institute.
Summary headline: AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president Brad Smith
Bei der Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt ist die AfD mit 43,8 Prozent der Stimmen als stärkste Kraft hervorgegangen, verpasst jedoch die absolute Mehrheit. Auf dem zweiten Platz folgt die CDU mit 17,2 Prozent. Die Regierungsbildung gestaltet sich schwierig, da alle etablierten Parteien eine Zusammenarbeit mit der AfD ablehnen und das BSW als einzige Partei Gesprächsbereitschaft signalisiert hat.
Summary headline: AfD gewinnt Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt mit Rekordergebnis, verfehlt aber absolute Mehrheit
Nach der Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt hat das BSW als einzige Partei ein Gesprächsangebot der AfD zur Regierungsbildung angenommen. CDU, SPD, Grüne und Linke hatten das Angebot zuvor abgelehnt. Der Landesvorstand des BSW stimmte einstimmig für das Treffen, bei dem unter anderem über Energieversorgung, Bildung und Friedenspolitik gesprochen werden soll.
A regional rights group, Emergency Lawyers, reports that at least 72 civilians prospecting for gold were killed in air strikes in Sudan's River Nile state near the Egyptian border. Eyewitnesses and survivors state that aircraft fired multiple missiles directly at miners' camps. Neither the Egyptian government nor Sudanese authorities have commented on the incident, which rights groups warn may constitute a war crime.
Summary headline: Dozens of gold prospectors killed in air strikes on Egypt-Sudan border, rights group reports
South Street in Wareham has been partially closed to vehicles and pedestrians after structural damage, including a collapsed ceiling and fallen masonry, was discovered at The Bear Hotel.
Summary headline: Street in Wareham partially closed following safety concerns at The Bear Hotel
Reform UK has announced proposals to close down the UK's asylum system for a full parliamentary term if it enters government, which would involve rejecting new applications, voiding existing ones, and marking claimants for deportation. The party also plans to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), repeal the Human Rights Act 1998, and disapply the 1951 Refugee Convention. Other political parties, including Labour and the Conservatives, responded critically or claimed the policies mirrored their own approaches.
Summary headline: Reform UK announces plans to suspend the UK asylum system for a full parliamentary term
Fourteen-year-old Ethan Griffiths from Maesteg, who was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma in January, suffered an aggressive relapse shortly after being declared cancer-free in May. Following advice from his father—who is also a cancer survivor—Ethan coped with the diagnosis by emotionally detaching himself and listening to music. He underwent a new clinical trial involving two drugs at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, which included intensive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Ethan returned home cancer-free in September and is currently focusing on slowly rebuilding his fitness and catching up on schoolwork.
Summary headline: Maesteg teenager Ethan Griffiths finds hope through clinical trial after cancer relapse
Actress Melanie Walters, known for her role in Gavin and Stacey, has been voted off Strictly Come Dancing alongside her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec. After landing in the bottom two for the first two weeks, the pair faced Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr in the dance-off, where the judges ultimately decided to send Walters home.
Summary headline: Melanie Walters becomes second celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has warned people to prepare for severe weather and potential flooding risks over the autumn due to long-range forecasts indicating wetter and windier conditions than usual. While one in seven properties in Wales is classed as being at risk of flooding, only 27% of those eligible are signed up to receive direct flood warnings. Communities such as Monmouth and Cardigan have highlighted the devastating impact of recent storms, prompting calls for residents to check their flood risks, create personal plans, and avoid complacency.
Summary headline: Prepare for the unthinkable warning issued over autumn flooding forecast in Wales
Trotz der von US-Präsident Donald Trump verkündeten "Energie-Waffenruhe" zwischen Russland und der Ukraine hat das russische Militär erneut ukrainische Energieanlagen sowie Ziele in Charkiw und der Westukraine angegriffen. Die Vereinbarung war von den Konfliktparteien zuvor nicht bestätigt worden, und der ukrainische Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj erklärte, im Vorfeld nichts davon gewusst zu haben, signalisierte jedoch grundsätzlich Gesprächsbereitschaft.
Summary headline: Russland greift trotz angeblicher "Energie-Waffenruhe" weiter Anlagen an
