A person’s ability to focus on everyday tasks is affected by short-term exposure to air pollution, a study has found. Researchers analysed data from cognitive tests completed by 26 participants before and after they were exposed either to high levels of particulate matter (PM) using smoke from a candle, or clean air for an hour.…
A Sydney man has said he was “totally amazed” when snake catchers removed a bumper haul of 102 venomous snakes from a single spot in his backyard. David Stein called in snake relocators after seeing what he estimated were six red-bellied black snakes on a large mulch pile on his property in the western Sydney…
Senior civil servants must find cuts in their Whitehall budgets or risk losing their jobs under new rules, ministers will announce on Thursday. Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister, will unveil a set of performance standards intended to ensure value for money in Whitehall. Under the new policy, senior civil servants will have to demonstrate…
Israel’s defence minister says countries which opposed military operations in Gaza should take Palestinians leaving voluntarily Reuters has more detail on Israeli defence minister Israel Katz’s latest comments. “I welcome president Trump’s bold plan, Gaza residents should be allowed the freedom to leave and emigrate, as is the norm around the world,” Israel’s Channel 12…
The two men accused of attempting to light a Newtown synagogue on fire have been refused bail. Adam Moule, 33, and Leon Sofilas, 37, who are co-accused, appeared via video in Downing Centre local court on Thursday when their individual solicitors made applications for them to be released on bail. The pair are alleged to…
AstraZeneca has reported a jump in annual profits boosted by strong sales of its cancer, lung and immunology treatments, a week after it decided not to go ahead with a planned £450m investment in Merseyside, prompting a series of recriminations with the government. Britain’s biggest drugmaker, which is also the largest listed company, said revenues…
A dog treat made from lab-grown meat has gone on sale at Pets at Home in a move the retailer claims is a world first. Chick Bites are made from plant-based ingredients combined with cultivated meat, which is produced by growing cells and does not require the raising or slaughter of animals. The manufacturer, Meatly,…
A British conman who featured in a Netflix documentary will go on trial on Thursday accused of deliberately ramming two French police officers with his car as he attempted a getaway. Robert Hendy-Freegard, 53, nicknamed the Puppet Master because of his career as a serial swindler, made his escape after injuring the gendarmes at his…
Anderson asked ‘is there a Lebanese race in your view or not?’ Anderson is being quizzed about the makeup of the ABC’s workforce. He agrees it is composed of “many cultures, races and communities”, and he is asked if he agrees there is a Lebanese race. Fagir: Do you yourself have any doubts that there…
Large parts of Japan have been blanketed with snow, as the lowest temperatures this winter disrupted rail and air travel, amid warnings that more heavy snowfall was expected through the weekend. Residents struggled to dig out cars that had been buried by snow in just a few hours, with the meteorological agency describing the cold…
