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The proposed gold mine in Northern Ireland's Sperrins area has become a contentious issue, with environmental concerns clashing with the promise of economic benefits. The mine, valued at £21bn, is backed by US-owned Dalradian Gold and could bring hundreds of jobs and significant tax revenue to the area.Fidelma O'Kane and Cormac McAleer, a retired social worker and community worker, are leading the opposition to the mine. They argue that it would desecrate an area of outstanding natural beauty, pollute local rivers, and harm the health of their children. The couple has been rallying support from other locals, with over 50,000 letters of objection submitted to the planning process.Dalradian Gold claims the mine will be carbon neutral and support a supply chain worth £1bn. The company says it will create 1,000 jobs and contribute £3bn in taxes. However, opponents dispute these claims and point to the potential risks to local wildlife, including otters, pine martens, and freshwater pearl mussels.The public inquiry into the mine's planning application will begin on April 13, 2026, and will run until early June. The inquiry's outcome will be crucial in determining the fate of the mine and the future of the Sperrins area.

Lachlan Kennedy has become the Australian 100m champion, winning the men's 100m final with a time of 9.96sec at the Sydney National Championships. This achievement marks his first national title, a significant milestone for the 22-year-old athlete from Queensland.Kennedy's performance was impressive, finishing 0.2sec ahead of Josh Azzopardi in second place. His winning time replicated his personal best from Friday's heat, dispelling concerns about slow conditions that followed his 10.05sec semi-final run."I needed the win, I needed to be national champ. I needed to say I had it," Kennedy said, expressing his relief and satisfaction at achieving his goal. He also mentioned his aspiration to run under 9.9sec this year and potentially break the Australian record of 9.93sec.In other events, Georgia Harris won the women's 100m with a surprise victory, overcoming recent injury struggles. Reece Holder secured his first national title in the men's 400m, while Ellie Beer won her fourth national title in the women's 400m.The women's 1500m final saw Claudia Hollingsworth awarded the title after an appeal against her disqualification was allowed. Hollingsworth, who will turn 21 on Sunday, intends to compete in the 800m final.

Dallas is positioning itself as a major player in the financial sector, with a bold initiative dubbed 'Y'all Street' aimed at stealing New York's financial crown. The city's aggressive push is backed by significant investments and incentives, including a $700m project by Goldman Sachs to build a new campus that will host over 5,000 staff.The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area has seen its financial sector workforce boom, surging 40% to 386,000 staff over the past decade. This growth has been fueled by multimillion-dollar subsidies and new fast-track business courts, as well as Texas's complete lack of corporation and income tax. Recent wins include a 10-year property tax break and $2.7m in grants that helped convince Scotiabank to relocate from North Carolina, bringing 1,000 jobs to the state.Nasdaq and the NYSE have also launched branches of their stock exchanges in Dallas, while a new Texas stock exchange (TXSE) is set to launch later this year with looser listing rules that are likely to appeal to right-leaning executives. The TXSE has even launched a TV ad campaign targeting New York, with a Texas longhorn shattering Wall Street's famous bull statue.Dallas's mayor, Eric Johnson, is serious about stealing finance jobs from New York, citing policy differences with liberal-leaning cities like New York as a major factor. Johnson's team is actively targeting firms put off by left-leaning policies, with a 10-person delegation sent to New York this month to meet and lure Wall Street executives southward.The city's pitches are intensifying, with a focus on being closer to big business clients and major tech firms that have shifted their center of gravity to Texas. Over the course of the 2020s, Texas surpassed California and became host to the largest number of NYSE-listed and Fortune 500 company headquarters of any American state.However, experts warn that the flood of wealthy bankers may put pressure on poorer families, particularly when it comes to rental prices. The surge in rental prices over the past 15 years has disproportionately hurt lower-income families, with rent eating up more than half their wages. Campaigners are now warning that, without targeted support, inequality across Dallas is likely to grow.To address these concerns, Dallas is trying to rapidly tackle the problem, with initiatives such as slashing parking requirements for new developments and rewriting building regulations to make it easier to push through smaller-scale developments for multi-family buildings.

Lachlan Kennedy made history at the Sydney Olympic Park national championships by becoming the first Australian 100m sprinter to break the 10-second barrier on home soil, clocking a time of 9.96sec with a modest tailwind of +0.2.The 22-year-old Queenslander stormed out of the blocks and surged through the finish line, lowering his personal best by two hundredths of a second. This achievement is significant as it's the first time a local has run under 10 seconds for 100 metres in an event in Australia.Kennedy expressed his excitement, stating, 'Honestly, I didn’t really even expect it. I was just super relaxed, super – not cruisey, I was definitely pushing it – but it just felt easy.' He believes he has potential to go under 9.9sec as soon as this year.In other events, Cam Myers came close to a new national record in the 1500m, running 3:29.85, less than half a second off the 2023 mark set by Olli Hoare.The women’s 1500m final was marred by drama when Jess Hull tumbled over on the final straight after being clipped by rival Claudia Hollingsworth. The incident sparked two protests and an appeal to be heard on Saturday.Hull, visibly deflated, finished at the back of the pack. Her father and coach, Simon, voiced his displeasure, claiming his daughter was 'robbed.' The result remains in limbo pending the appeal.

York City, affectionately known as the Minstermen, are on the cusp of achieving a significant milestone in their football history. With 101 points on the board and an impressive 109 goals scored, they are firmly in the sights of a Football League return, a decade after their relegation.Their journey to this point has not been without its challenges. A near miss last season served as a catalyst for the current campaign, which has seen them dominate the National League. A recent last-gasp win against Altrincham has put them two points clear of Rochdale at the top of the league with three games to play. The tantalizing prospect of a final-day shootout for the one automatic promotion spot against Rochdale on April 25 has their fans on the edge of their seats.Despite their attacking prowess, York's run-in has required a different skillset, with their past three games delivering narrow wins: 2-1, 1-0, and 1-0. The team's resilience and determination are evident in the words of defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott, whose 96th-minute header clinched the recent victory. He emphasized the team's never-say-die attitude, stating, 'We never stop until the final whistle.'As the pressure mounts, York's manager, Stuart Maynard, insists that the team's approach has not changed, but acknowledges that opponents are now more focused on stopping them. The upcoming match against Tamworth on Saturday will be a crucial test of their resolve.The heartbreak of last season's failure to secure promotion has driven the team forward, with Fagan-Walcott highlighting the learning curve and the team's newfound robustness. The majority owners, Julie-Anne and Matthew Uggla, have played a pivotal role in turbocharging the club's fortunes, investing in both the team and the city.York's captain, Ollie Pearce, has been instrumental in their success, top-scoring with 32 National League goals and providing nine assists. With York just eight goals shy of eclipsing the National League scoring record for a single season, their fans are eagerly anticipating what could be a historic moment for the club.

The recent revival of Malcolm in the Middle, titled 'Life's Still Unfair', has left audiences and critics alike in awe of its miraculous comeback. The show, which originally aired from 2000 to 2006, has been revived with a four-episode special, and it's clear that the magic is still very much alive. Bryan Cranston, who played the lovable but chaotic father Hal, is at the top of his game, delivering a performance that's being hailed as one of the best of his career. His portrayal of a drug-induced ego death is particularly noteworthy, showcasing his incredible range as an actor. The show's revival is not just a nostalgic throwback; it's a well-crafted extension of the original series. The story picks up 20 years after the original series ended, with Malcolm (played by Frankie Muniz) having grown up and moved away from his chaotic family life. However, circumstances force him and his secret teenage daughter back into the fold, leading to a series of hilarious and heartwarming moments. Frankie Muniz shines in his return as Malcolm, bringing a depth and nuance to the character that's impressive. His performance in the emotional climax of the series, where he confronts his mother, is particularly noteworthy, showcasing his talent and dedication to the role. The show's success is a testament to the enduring power of comedy and the talented cast and crew. With its fast-paced humor, emotional depth, and standout performances, 'Life's Still Unfair' is a must-watch for fans of the original series and newcomers alike. The revival is currently streaming on Disney+, and it's clear that this is a limited series that will leave viewers wanting more. Here's hoping that the success of 'Life's Still Unfair' will lead to a full new series, giving fans the opportunity to revisit the lovable but chaotic world of Malcolm in the Middle.

Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, announced on Friday that the country will release additional oil reserves early next month, equivalent to roughly 20 days' worth of oil, to ensure a stable supply of crude oil. This move comes as concern grows over energy shortages caused by the crisis in the Middle East.This will be the second time Japan has dipped into its strategic reserves since the US-Israel war on Iran started in February. Last month, Takaichi approved the release of 50 days' worth of oil, the government's biggest ever release, in an attempt to head off a spike in prices.Japan has enough oil in reserve to last 230 days, but it also imports 95% of its crude oil from the Middle East, most of which is transported through the Strait of Hormuz. The country is trying to secure oil from locations that do not ship via the Strait of Hormuz, amid uncertainty over whether the waterway will fully reopen after a two-week conditional ceasefire announced by Donald Trump this week.By May, Japan should be able to secure more than half of its oil imports via other routes, Takaichi said, although she did not provide details. The industry ministry has said that potential new sources for imports could include Yanbu on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast and the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.The decision to tap into oil reserves for a second time came as pressure grew on Japan's government to resist US pressure to become militarily involved in the conflict. More than 100 demonstrations were held across the country on Wednesday, with protesters urging Takaichi to abide by the postwar constitution, which forbids Japan from using the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, finding ways to lower your grocery bill has become more important than ever. Retail workers are sharing their insider knowledge on how to save money at supermarkets, street markets, and charity shops.Be Savvy About Store DiscountsMany supermarkets offer yellow-stickered items that are reduced in price due to nearing their expiration dates. These discounts can be significant, with reductions of up to 75% off. Alasdair Baker, who runs The Penny Pincher, advises shopping for these items in the late afternoon or early evening when the biggest reductions are typically applied.View image in fullscreenTiming matters … you’ll find the biggest reductions on yellow-sticker items in the late afternoon and early evening. Be AppySome grocery stores use apps such as Too Good To Go and Olio to offer discounts or free food to avoid food waste – but it can be a gamble as to what you get.Use Common SenseIf you buy something reduced on the day it is expiring, that doesn’t mean you need to eat it that day. There is a difference between “best before” dates, which are about food quality and the more important “use by” dates, which are about food safety.Be Cautious About ‘Bogof’ Deals“There aren’t as many buy one, get one free [bogof] deals now, because of new rules that came into place last year,” says Baker. These restrict promotions of products high in fat, sugar or salt.Avoid Big BrandsThe ends of supermarket aisles often feature big brands, says Baker. “They are not placed there randomly: the companies pay an awful lot of money. The idea is to try to coax people into buying those products more often.”Sign Up for a Store Card“It’s sad that we now have to essentially sell our data to the supermarkets in exchange for affordability – but such is life in 2026,” says Jenny Rogers. “If you have a store card, it is also worth getting the supermarket app, as a lot of stores will give you one or two personalised offers a week, or periodic free delivery for members.

OpenAI has put on hold plans for a landmark UK investment, Stargate UK, citing high energy costs and regulation, in a blow to the government which has put AI at the centre of its growth strategy.The Stargate project was part of the UK-US AI deal announced last September, in which US companies appeared to commit £31bn to the UK’s tech sector. The project aimed to support Britain in building out “sovereign compute” – infrastructure that would allow the government and other UK institutions to run AI models on datacentres in the country.Victoria Collins MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for science, innovation and technology, said: “This is a wake-up call for the government to manage energy costs in the UK and foundation infrastructure.”The Labour MP Clive Lewis said: “When a government has no economic strategy worthy of the name and no real industrial vision, it becomes vulnerable.”An OpenAI spokesperson said: “We see huge potential for the UK’s AI future, and we support the government’s ambition to be an AI leader. We continue to explore Stargate UK.”High energy costs, rising further because of the US-Israel war on Iran, are expected to delay or derail AI datacentre projects worldwide. The UK’s industrial electricity prices were already the highest in Europe before the start of the war.