Distress

Fire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands national park becomes state’s largest this year and threatens rare plantsA wildfire that broke out on an island in the Channel Islands national park has become California’s largest wildfire so far this year, burning through more than 10,000 acres, destroying historic structures and endangering rare plant communities that conservationists had struggled to reclaim.About six dozen firefighters have been deployed to control the blaze, which broke out on Friday, but their efforts have been undermined by strong winds. The fire is currently at 0% containment, according to a Cal Fire incident report. Continue reading...

Property prices are still rising at the entry level and as borrowing costs increase, the home ownership dream is even further out of reach The third Reserve Bank rate hike in a row has delivered a blow not only to mortgaged homeowners, but also to those hoping to break into the property market like Dani Hunterford and her husband.They have been saving for a deposit but have been left frustrated as another rate hike appears to put their homeowning dream out of reach again. Continue reading...

There were 66 deaths in custody and police operations in 2025 – 18 more than the previous yearWarning: This article contains references to Indigenous Australians who have diedThere were a record number of New South Wales deaths in custody and police operations last year, with almost a quarter of prisoner deaths recorded as self-harm, a coroners court report states.Of those who killed themselves, most were by hanging, despite millions being invested to remove ligature points. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Victims’ commissioner makes formal complaint after committee session left one attender ‘shocked, upset and extremely distressed’Victims of rape and sexual violence have told parliamentarians they felt anxious and distressed during a Westminster evidence session, with one stating that witnessing “pugnacious” questioning had resulted in her “breaking down, sobbing and struggling to breathe”.The victims’ commissioner has made a formal complaint to the chair of an influential group of MPs after a highly charged evidence session carried out by the public bill committee for the courts and tribunals bill about controversial changes to jury trials. Continue reading...

From September, trans girls, and trans young women who volunteer, will have to hand in their membershipsAngela has two daughters, aged 13 and 10, who both attend their local Girlguiding group. Like many girls their age, they enthusiastically collect their badges, make new friends and attend the organisation’s large summer jamboree every year.But as of September, Angela’s youngest daughter will have to leave Girlguiding because she is transgender. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Ryan Bridge is co-founder of Raise the Colours, which has been criticised for anti-immigrant rhetoricThe leader of a flag campaign group has been arrested on suspicion of causing religiously and racially aggravated harassment.Ryan Bridge is the co-founder of Raise the Colours, which has put up hundreds of union and Saint George flags across England and attracted criticism for spreading anti-immigrant rhetoric. He was arrested on Tuesday and released on police bail the following day. Continue reading...