36+ min ago (498+ words) The journalist and editor also led the British Board of Film Classification and served as the senior lay member of the Church of England Andreas Whittam Smith, the co-founder of the Independent newspaper and a former president of the British Board of Film Classification, has died aged 88. Whittam Smith was also the first editor of the Independent and served as First Church Estates Commissioner, the senior lay member of the Church of England, from 2002 to 2017. A family spokesperson said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder of the Independent newspaper, on 29 November 2025, aged 88. "He was surrounded by his family until the end and will be dearly missed. "He is survived by his wife, Valerie; two sons, Benedict and Mark; and three grandsons." Much of Whittam Smith's early career was spent in financial…...

48+ min ago (665+ words) North Carolina beaten 42-19 by NC State in finale Belichick's debut season has been beset by problems Bill Belichick stood at the microphone in a crowded room of reporters. North Carolina's season had just ended with a lopsided loss to a fierce nearby rival to cap a four-win season. And the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach wasn't in much of a mood to talk about it. A little more than four minutes' worth, in fact. "Look, the season's just ended a few minutes ago, OK?" Belichick said after the 42-19 loss at NC State on Saturday night. "So now we're going to move into the offseason. That's what we're going to do." He offered few insights, too, down to what message he gave his first college team after a season of expectations ended in ugly fashion "I'll keep my message to the…...

49+ min ago (328+ words) Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May says gas corporations have created a "crisis" that Australian households have had to pay for. Follow today's news live Greens call for 25% gas export tax The Greens are calling for all gas exports to be taxed 25% and domestic gas supply to be prioritised as the country faces a future gas shortfall by 2028. The minor party " who just secured a deal with the government on the EPBC nature law reforms " say they will not support support any new gas fields. There is more than enough uncontracted gas being exported overseas, they say, to meet any future shortfalls. The 25% tax would replace the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) which the Greens say has failed to collect "meaningful" revenue from gas exporters due to "massive loopholes". Government and industry lies are quickly unravelling. We don't have a gas shortage,…...

53+ min ago (751+ words) Mois's Caicedo was too pumped up before his rash red card but the Blues" progress under Enzo Maresca is undeniable This was the resumption of a bitter rivalry. It felt spicy from the moment Marc Cucurella sent Bukayo Saka flying with the first foul of the afternoon and, although it ended with Arsenal still dominant in first place, they will look at Chelsea"s defiant response to Mois's Caicedo"s reckless red card and conclude that Enzo Maresca"s young side will be coming for them in the future. There were probably more reasons for Chelsea to feel positive at the end of this bruising 1-1 draw. Their dominance of Arsenal was once routine, back in the days when Didier Drogba would delight in dragging Philippe Senderos around Stamford Bridge, but the balance of power has shifted in recent years. Chelsea,…...

2+ hour, 9+ min ago (442+ words) Trump remained tight-lipped on details of call with Venezuelan president as tensions rise between countries Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that he had spoken with Venezuelan president Nicol's Maduro, but he did not provide details on what the two leaders discussed. "I don't want to comment on it. The answer is yes," the US president said when asked if he had spoken with Maduro. He was speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One. The New York Times first reported Trump had spoken with Maduro earlier this month and discussed a possible meeting between them in the United States. "I wouldn't say it went well or badly. It was a phone call," Trump said regarding the conversation. The revelation of the phone call comes as Trump continues to use bellicose rhetoric regarding Venezuela, while also entertaining the possibility of diplomacy. On…...

2+ hour, 15+ min ago (412+ words) American has won four straight World Cup slaloms Victory comes on home snow in Colorado Mikaela Shiffrin dominated her World Cup slalom on home snow in Colorado on Sunday to remain perfect in the discipline during the Olympic season. Shiffrin extended her winning streak in slalom to four races after also claiming the opening two races this season and the final event of last season. It was Shiffrin's record-extending 104th World Cup victory and her 67th in slalom " extending the discipline record, too. Skiing through moderate snowfall, Shiffrin added to her first-run advantage and won by 1.57 seconds ahead of Lena Duerr of Germany, who moved up from ninth after the opening leg. "Go Mikaela we love you," said one sign held up by fans in the finish area at Copper Mountain, a half-hour drive from Shiffrin's hometown of Edwards, Colorado. "I could…...

2+ hour, 24+ min ago (11+ words) Continue reading... Quick crossword No 17,339 Crosswords are saved automatically....

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2+ hour, 35+ min ago (945+ words) The Walkabout Creek hotel in Queensland's Gulf Country is still going strong " just don't expect crocodiles An enormous Bowie knife whirls through the air and thuds into a wooden bar, sending a shudder of excitement through the cluster of men wearing leather hats, blue jeans, flannelette vests and dirty tees carousing in an outback pub. Bursting through the front door, a man follows the knife, engaged, it seems, in mortal combat with a saltwater crocodile. But the drinkers erupt with laughter as the "mad bugger" " adorned in crocodile teeth and skin " wrangles the stuffed beast to the bar and orders two drinks: "One for me, one for me mate". Before the beers are poured, however, the man's eyes fall upon a woman. Her clean white shirt, flawless skin and Hollywood beauty so incongruous in this bar of rough and boozy…...

2+ hour, 36+ min ago (139+ words) Pope Leo delivered a speech in Lebanon on Sunday where he repeated his call for representatives to do their part to help achieve peace in the region. Speaking in a room with several senior government and religious figures, the Pope praised the Lebanese people for their resilience, adding "you always know how to rise again with courage".Pope Leo urges Lebanese leaders to make peace highest priority Continue reading... Pope Leo tells Lebanese leaders 'peace is a desire and a vocation' " video Pope Leo delivered a speech in Lebanon on Sunday where he repeated his call for representatives to do their part to help achieve peace in the region. Speaking in a room with several senior government and religious figures, the Pope praised the Lebanese people for their resilience, adding "you always know how to rise again with courage"....