Heathrow airport’s £33bn third runway plan chosen by government

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.

Downing Street has not confirmed any final decisions regarding the potential scrapping of jury trials for most cases, as justice secretary David Lammy considers this significant change, which would only retain juries for serious offenses like rape and murder.

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.