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In the northern rivers of New South Wales, many waterholes remain hidden from view, tucked away on private land. But for the author, one waterhole holds a special place in her heart – a place of solace, laughter, and lifelong friendships.The author's waterhole, nestled in a creek system, has been a gathering spot for her and her friends since their teenage years. Over time, the creek has undergone constant change, shaped by flooding and seasonal shifts. Yet, its allure remains strong, drawing the author and her friends back year after year.The waterhole, with its pebbled bank, swing-rope, and old cement staircase, is more than just a natural spot – it's a symbol of enduring friendship. Despite the passage of time, the author and her friends still converge on the waterhole, reunited by memories of laughter, adventure, and shared experiences.As they gather, their bodies bear the scars of life – a testament to the journey they've shared. In the water, they find solace and freedom, their troubles flowing away with the creek's gentle current. The experience is hypnotic and soothing, a moment of stillness in the midst of life's chaos.The author's reflection on the waterhole is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, friendship, and transformation. As she notes, 'We've been rearranged. Same but different. Ravaged by time but still shining.' In this waterhole, she and her friends have found a timeless sanctuary, one that continues to nourish their souls.

Ilia Malinin, known as the 'Quad God' for his exceptional jumping skills, has won his third consecutive world figure skating championship. The 21-year-old American skater delivered a commanding performance in the free skate, scoring 218.11 points to finish with a total of 329.40 points.Malinin's victory comes just a month after his surprising eighth-place finish at the Olympics, where he struggled with errors and pressure. However, in Prague's O2 Arena, Malinin showcased his composure and skill, landing five quadruple jumps, including a quad toe-triple toe combination and a backflip.The American skater's performance was well-received by the crowd, with Malinin stating, “I definitely felt very pushed and loved from the crowd,” and that he felt their support throughout his program.Malinin's win marks a significant redemption arc, as he overcame the disappointment of his Olympic performance to reclaim his title. He finished comfortably ahead of Japanese rivals Yumi Kagiyama (306.67) and Shun Sato (288.54).The absence of Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov and other top skaters allowed Malinin to take center stage, and he responded with a confident performance. His victory solidifies his position as a top figure skater in the world.

Nepal's new prime minister, Balen Shah, has taken office after a landslide win in the recent elections. Shah, a rapper-turned-politician, leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which is expected to have a two-thirds majority in parliament. This mandate comes with high expectations from young Nepalis who drove the 2025 Gen Z protests against corruption, poor governance, and lack of accountability.The RSP, barely four years old, and Shah, with no prior political experience except as mayor of Kathmandu, have a historic opportunity to deliver on the aspirations of young Nepalis. However, analysts and voters warn that with this opportunity comes significant risks. Political analyst Bishnu Sapkota notes that expectations are enormous, and it may be unrealistic for Shah to fully meet them.One of Shah's immediate challenges will be implementing the findings of the Karki Commission, which investigated the killings and property damage during the Gen Z movement. The commission's report, submitted on March 8, 2026, is expected to be made public and implemented quickly. This will require careful management of political reactions and potentially difficult decisions.Another challenge Shah faces is the relationship between him and Rabi Lamichhane, the founder of the RSP. Lamichhane faces allegations of fraud, organized crime, and money laundering, and has previously served jail sentences. Experts describe their alliance as a 'marriage of convenience' and note that differences could emerge later.Shah's popularity was the main factor behind the RSP's success, and analysts suggest that he may end up having a stronger grip on the party than its president. RSP leader Shishir Khanal emphasizes that Shah will lead the government, while Lamichhane will lead the party, and both will have to face challenges and manage expectations on their own respective fronts.In the first 100 days, the RSP plans to prioritize anti-corruption measures, including investigations into the wealth of senior officials and politicians since 1990. These steps respond directly to the demands of last year's Gen Z protests. Gen Z activist Yujan Rajbhandari notes that the new government must prioritize good governance and protect civic freedoms, or face pushback from the same movement that enabled its rise.Shah's critics have questioned his diplomatic skills, citing past social media posts attacking Nepal's neighbors, including India and China. However, analyst Sapkota argues that Shah's lack of political baggage could allow Nepal to pursue a more independent diplomacy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already signaled a willingness to work with Nepal's new leadership, and Shah has emphasized the importance of maintaining close relations with India.

France forward Kylian Mbappe showed no signs of his recent knee injury as he scored in a 2-1 friendly victory over Brazil on Thursday. The match, a World Cup warm-up, was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with a crowd of 66,215.Mbappe broke free to score in the 32nd minute, giving France an early lead. Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead in the 65th minute. Brazil reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the 78th minute through Bremer.The match was notable for Mbappe's return to action after a knee injury. He had sprained his left knee in December but played through January before missing almost a month. Mbappe confirmed on Monday that his injury was 'truly behind' him.The game also featured a mid-half 'cooling break' to allow players to rest and hydrate, a FIFA innovation for the 2026 World Cup. This break was included regardless of the temperature, which was in the mid-60s (15 degrees Celsius) on the day of the match.The victory for France came despite Dayot Upamecano being sent off in the 55th minute for a clear foul on a player with a path to the goal. The card was upgraded from yellow to red on video review.If France and Brazil both win their groups at the World Cup, they could potentially meet again in the final.

Australia's recent introduction of 'hate speech' laws has sparked controversy, with human rights groups warning that the legislation could be used to suppress legitimate criticism of Israel's actions in Palestine. The laws, which were rushed through the New South Wales federal parliament in January, specifically target speech considered anti-Semitic and carry a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment for those found guilty. Arif Hussein, senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, has expressed concerns that the legislation could be used to unfairly impact peaceful protest and speech regarding Israel's actions in Palestine. “There are serious concerns that the new laws could have a chilling effect on legitimate activism and protest and unfairly impact peaceful protest and speech regarding Israel’s actions in Palestine,” Hussein said. The laws have been introduced in response to a mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach in December, which killed 15 people. However, critics argue that the legislation prioritizes the protection of the Jewish community over other vulnerable groups. Greens party spokesperson Senator David Shoebridge has criticized the laws, saying they were 'deliberately designed to not protect' vulnerable communities such as Muslims, women, and LGBTQ+ Australians. “Unfortunately, the Albanese Labor government and the Liberals made the decision to protect just one religion,” he said. The laws have also been criticized for their broad and poorly defined criminal powers, which could be used against legitimate human rights groups, including those focused on Palestine. Police powers across Australia have also been strengthened to crack down on pro-Palestine protests, with reports of excessive force used against demonstrators. The controversy surrounding the laws highlights the challenges of balancing free speech with the need to combat hate speech and protect vulnerable communities.

Germany's Autobahn, the world's only democracy without a blanket speed limit on motorways, has long been a symbol of freedom and technological mastery for driving enthusiasts. Lutz Leif Linden, president of the Automobile Club of Germany (AvD), has reached speeds of 400km/h (249mph) on the road, describing the experience as 'like an airplane.'The country's love affair with fast cars dates back to the late 1800s, with Carl Benz patenting the first 'vehicle powered by a gas engine'. The success of the German car industry, which created jobs, gave citizens freedom to travel, and brought in tax revenues, has cemented motorized vehicles in the national psyche.Despite the International Energy Agency (IEA) urging drivers to slow down to cushion the price shock from the biggest blow to oil supply in history, Germans remain opposed to a blanket speed limit. Public opinion has shifted, with a majority supporting the Tempolimit among voters of all big parties except the far-right Alternative für Deutschland and the market-liberal Free Democrats.Researchers have made the case for slowing down in terms of money, fuel, and lives. A study found a speed limit of 130km/h would lead to nearly €1bn a year in societal benefits, cut greenhouse gas emissions from road transport by 2.2%, and reduce toxic air pollutants. However, opponents argue a blanket ban is unnecessary and cite the time saved over long distances and the appreciation of freedom to set their own speed.The industry has found itself in a crisis as high energy prices and competition from China on electric vehicles have resulted in factory closures and job losses. Germany led efforts to water down an EU ban on the sale of combustion engine cars from 2035. A spokesperson for VDA, Germany's biggest car lobby, described the climate impact of a blanket speed limit as 'minimal' and 'increasingly insignificant' as the car fleet becomes more electrified.

Electropop artist Slayyyter has found success with her new album Worst Girl in America, a chaotic and over-stimulating concoction that scratches an anarchic itch in the listener. The album's sound is a far cry from her earlier work, embracing a midwest trash aesthetic that's both nostalgic and visionary.Slayyyter, born Catherine Grace Garner, has been making music for over a decade, but it's taken her several cycles of chasing hits and experimenting with different sounds to find her true voice. Her aim was simple but risky: to make something cool – fuck anything that sounds commercial, fuck TikTok. And it seems she's succeeded, with fans and critics alike praising her new direction.The album's singles, such as Crank and Cannibalism, have introduced a sound that's sharper, sleeker, and filthier, with a vibe tuned to a precise heartland sleaze. Slayyyter's music is a hedonistic kaleidoscope of motel parties, unfinished basements, trucker hats, and taxidermy, a unique blend of influences that's both captivating and refreshing.Slayyyter's journey to this point has been marked by burnout and depression, but she's emerged with a newfound sense of creative freedom and a determination to make music that's true to herself. As she says, “I’m not, like, looking for a mainstream moment. But if one happens, that’s great.”With Worst Girl in America, Slayyyter is poised to make a significant impact on the music scene, offering a fresh perspective and a bold new sound that's sure to resonate with fans and critics alike.

David Chase, the creative mind behind HBO's groundbreaking series The Sopranos, recently shared insights into how the show transformed both his life and television history. The 80-year-old creator revealed that his seminal work was born from personal pain, particularly stemming from his complex relationship with his mother.While in London promoting HBO Max's UK launch, Chase reflected on how The Sopranos elevated HBO from a little-known network focused on sports and standup comedy to a powerhouse of prestige television. Despite the show's monumental success, Chase remains characteristically modest, attributing much of the achievement to luck rather than his own genius."I'd been taking network notes and eating network shit for however many years, and I was done with it," Chase explained of his decision to create The Sopranos after years working on network television shows like The Rockford Files and Northern Exposure. The creative freedom offered by HBO proved transformative, with the network providing minimal notes throughout the series' run.Chase revealed that the show's central premise—a mob boss seeking therapy—was directly inspired by his own difficult family dynamics. "In 1967 at the height of the Vietnam war, my mother said to me, 'I'd rather see you dead than avoid the draft,'" he shared. "I had to create a whole TV series to get over it."The interview also touched on Chase's complex relationship with James Gandolfini, who portrayed Tony Soprano. While acknowledging their creative tensions, Chase defended Gandolfini's commitment to the role, emphasizing that the actor never refused to perform scenes despite his struggles with the character's darkness.When asked about his legacy nearly two decades after The Sopranos concluded, Chase offered a simple yet profound reflection after a long pause: "God is in the details."Looking ahead, Chase discussed his upcoming limited series about MKUltra, the CIA's experimental program that sought to weaponize LSD. The project will explore scientists Sidney Gottlieb and Jolly West, who became consumed by their research into psychedelic substances. "They all went crazy and it became like the big party drug of the 1970s," Chase noted of the scientists' descent.The creator also expressed disappointment about a previously announced project, "A Ribbon of Dreams," about early cinema, which was ultimately shelved after HBO insisted on filming in western Canada. "I thought, 'What are you talking about? I don't even want to go into this,'" Chase recalled of the network's decision.

England and Uruguay ended in a 1-1 draw during their friendly match at Wembley Stadium. James Trafford, the Manchester City goalkeeper, made a quiet debut but was beaten by Fede Valverde's equalizing penalty, earning a rating of 6.Tino Livramento was untroubled in defense, supporting the attack with energetic runs, though connections were lacking, also scoring 6. Harry Maguire had a solid return to the international scene with booming passes and a set-piece threat, rated 6.Fikayo Tomori was unruffled in his first England appearance since November 2023, despite a toothless Uruguay attack, earning 6. Djed Spence was fine defensively but struggled as a right footer at left-back, checking back frequently, rated 6.Jordan Henderson was occasionally bypassed in midfield and offered little on the ball before being substituted at half-time, scoring 5. James Garner had a decent debut, delivering dangerous corners, rated 6.Noni Madueke won some corners but often held onto the ball too long and went off injured, earning 6. Phil Foden failed to deliver as the No 10 and may worry about his World Cup place, rated 5.Marcus Rashford had an underwhelming night, mostly dribbling into dead ends, scoring 5. Dominic Solanke tested Fernando Muslera from long range and worked hard without looking likely to score, rated 6.The substitutes had varied impacts: Jarrod Bowen was quiet, Adam Wharton offered urgent passing and a crucial block, Cole Palmer had a lively cameo and delivered the corner for the goal, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed wide from a free-kick.