House prices rose for a fourth consecutive month in December, ending 2024 on a “strong footing”, Nationwide said, with the cost of an average home hitting £269,426. The building society’s monthly tracker found prices in December rose 0.7% on the previous month and were up 4.7% on an annual basis. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist,…
A suspect known to Fijian police has been questioned over an alleged sexual assault of a Virgin Australia flight crew member amid ongoing investigations. Fijian authorities were investigating allegations the crew member was assaulted while celebrating New Year’s Eve, and separately, that another crew member was robbed. “These alleged incidents are regrettable,” Fiji’s deputy prime…
British pop star Robbie Williams’s free Melbourne gig will prompt city road closures, as fans began gathering more than eight hours before the performance. Williams, who is in Australia to promote his recently released biopic, announced the free pop-up show on Wednesday evening. He is due to take to the stage at Federation Square at…
Police in South Korea have raided Muan international airport, the scene of Sunday’s plane crash, in which 179 people died, as well as the office of the airline that operated the flight, media reports said. Jeju Air flight 2216 was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it issued a mayday call and…
Last year was Australia’s second-hottest on record going back to 1910 and the warmest for night-time temperatures, according to official Bureau of Meteorology data. The average temperature across the country in 2024 was 1.46C above the long-term average, calculated from 1961 to 1990, and was second behind the 1.51C record set in 2019. Night-time temperatures…
Australian country music singer Chad Morgan, known as the “Sheik of Scrubby Creek” after one of his most famous songs, has died aged 91. Known for his humorous country songs and toothy smile – which inspired Barry Humphries’ design for his character Sir Les Patterson – Morgan’s music career spanned more than 70 years, releasing…
Australian country music singer Chad Morgan, known as the “Sheik of Scrubby Creek” after one of his most famous songs, has died aged 91. Known for his humorous country songs and toothy smile – which inspired Barry Humphries’ design for his character Sir Les Patterson – Morgan’s music career spanned more than 70 years, releasing…
A search has resumed for a missing hiker a week after he was last seen, with hiking poles and rubbish found as New South Wales rescue workers scour the rugged terrain. Hadi Nazari, 23, was descending a challenging trail in Kosciuszko national park about 2.30pm on 26 December when he was last seen by friends,…
The Swiss socialite and cosmetic surgery aficionado Jocelyne Wildenstein, sometimes known as “Catwoman” due to her extensive plastic surgery, has died, her partner said on Wednesday. “It is with heavy heart and with great sadness that Mr Lloyd Klein announces the unexpected death of his beloved fiancée and longtime companion, Jocelyne Wildenstein,” the fashion designer…
An armed man killed at least four people and wounded four others on Wednesday in the western Montenegrin city of Cetinje, police and local media said. A statement said the man opened fire in a bar and fled the scene armed. Police identified him only by his initials, AM, and said he was 45 years…
