Hawks, floods and frogs against fascism: photos of the day – Tuesday

New South Wales is experiencing catastrophic weather conditions, prompting authorities to close over 20 public schools and issue total fire bans as bushfire risks reach their highest levels in years. The forecast includes soaring temperatures and damaging wind gusts, particularly affecting the lower central west plains district and southern Queensland.

Researchers have found that becoming a famous singer significantly increases the risk of early death, with an analysis indicating that well-known singers in Europe and the US die nearly five years sooner than their less famous counterparts. This suggests that fame itself, rather than the lifestyle or job demands, is a major contributing factor to this increased mortality risk.

A recent study claims to have provided the first direct evidence of dark matter, a mysterious substance that has been theorized to clump around galaxies and form a cosmic web throughout the universe. This research, led by astrophysicist Prof Tomonori Totani, suggests a significant advancement in understanding this elusive component of the cosmos.

A second teenage boy, aged 15, has been charged with murder following the stabbing death of a 17-year-old boy in Rouse Hill, Sydney. The incident occurred around 4:20 PM on Monday, resulting in the victim's death from stab wounds to the thigh after a confrontation in a park behind a school.

David Lammy has proposed a radical plan to eliminate jury trials for all but the most serious crimes in England and Wales, including rape, murder, and manslaughter. This initiative aims to streamline the judicial process but has faced significant backlash from senior lawyers who argue it could undermine the justice system.

JD Vance, potentially eyeing a run for the presidency in 2028, faces scrutiny over his ties to Palantir and its co-founder Peter Thiel, especially as public concern grows regarding the company's surveillance technology. This relationship could impact his political aspirations as voters become increasingly wary of privacy issues.

Pei Chung, a 34-year-old woman known as the 'dine-and-dash diva,' was arrested in Brooklyn after allegedly skipping out on bills at multiple high-end restaurants in New York City. This incident follows a pattern of similar behavior, with previous arrests for dining and dashing.

During a visit to Welland Academy in Peterborough, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced backlash after appearing to encourage students to chant 'six seven,' a phrase that has become a source of frustration for parents and teachers. Starmer later apologized, stating, 'I didn’t start it,' acknowledging the uproar it caused among the school community.