UK can create 5,400 jobs if it stops plastic waste exports, report finds

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.

Volkswagen has announced the completion of a new R&D centre in Hebei, eastern China, enabling the company to develop new cars entirely outside Germany for the first time in its history. This move aims to strengthen its position in the world's largest auto market.

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.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 4.1% increase in the national minimum wage, raising it from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour for workers over 21, effective from April. This change is expected to benefit approximately 2.4 million low-paid workers, increasing their annual earnings by around £900.

The UK government has faced criticism for conceding to the British Virgin Islands' request to restrict access to a company share ownership register, limiting it to individuals with a legitimate interest. This decision contradicts a 2008 UK law mandating broader access to the register. Discussions on this issue are set to take place between Foreign Office ministers and leaders of British overseas territories in London.