News Briefs.

The foreign affairs select committee convenes this week to discuss the Peter Mandelson scandal. Mandelson, a former UK cabinet minister, has faced scrutiny over his involvement with a company linked to a foreign government. The committee's meeting comes amid concerns…

A diphtheria outbreak in the Northern Territory has spread to Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. Health Minister Mark Butler has described it as the biggest diphtheria outbreak in decades. The outbreak has prompted an urgent vaccination effort, with vaccines…

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) will use its own hate speech guidance rather than adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This decision comes after the Bondi royal commission's use of the IHRA definition sparked controversy. The…

Spring has arrived in Derbyshire, bringing with it a vibrant display of buttercups and dandelions. Mark Cocker, writing from Snitterton, notes the exceptional abundance of these flowers this season. The area's fields and meadows are awash with the bright yellow…

New South Wales police are set to adopt a UK model that prioritizes avoiding mental health incidents, following a series of fatal police shootings. The move aims to reduce the risk of such incidents by having health workers respond to…

The UK's first major exhibition on the 7 October Israel-Hamas conflict has opened in London. Organized by the UK Jewish community, the exhibition commemorates the attack on the Nova music festival. Elkana Bohbot, who survived the attack, has appealed to…

Belfast harbour operator is set to invest £1.3bn in infrastructure development. The investment comes as Northern Ireland's economy experiences growth. The port has already upgraded its offshore wind facilities. Further expansion plans include quays, ferry terminals, and cruise ship services.…

Billie Jean King, the renowned tennis champion, has graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, at the age of 82. King initially attended the university in the 1960s, but left to pursue her tennis career. During her time at Cal…

Russian rubles have been flowing into China's border towns, particularly Suifenhe, since the start of the Ukraine war. This influx of currency is a result of increased trade between the two nations. Suifenhe, a small city in China's economically depressed…

The Australian government is seeking updates on the welfare of 11 citizens taken from a Gaza aid flotilla. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working to confirm the safety and whereabouts of the Australians. They were among those…

Nancy Pelosi has endorsed San Francisco supervisor Connie Chan to succeed her in Congress. Pelosi, the former House speaker, had been silent on the issue until now. Chan is running to represent California's 12th Congressional District, which includes much of…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that a Chinese ship was hit while en route to the port of Odesa. The incident occurred amidst ongoing Russian attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. Kyiv has condemned recent nuclear drills in…

Australia's federal budget, delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, has sparked controversy over its proposed measures. Critics have labeled some policies as a "death tax" and expressed concerns about the impact on startups. However, these claims have been disputed by experts,…