Moreton

Orlando review – a confident romp through Handel’s flimsily plotted opera

Longborough Festival Opera, Moreton-in-MarshSinéad O’Neill’s production is persuasive and Beth Taylor’s performace as Orlando is extraordinary in this tale of unrequited love, madness and magicThe woodland outside Longborough’s theatre, deep in the Cotswolds, sneaks inside and on to the stage for its season-opening production of Orlando. With a story that sometimes seems little more than an excuse for a series of showpiece arias, it’s not an obvious choice for the festival’s first Handel...

Orlando review – a confident romp through Handel’s flimsily plotted opera

Longborough Festival Opera, Moreton-in-MarshSinéad O’Neill’s production is persuasive and Beth Taylor’s performace as Orlando is extraordinary in this tale of unrequited love, madness and magicThe woodland outside Longborough’s theatre, deep in the Cotswolds, sneaks inside and on to the stage for its season-opening production of Orlando. With a story that sometimes seems little more than an excuse for a series of showpiece arias, it’s not an obvious choice for the festival’s first Handel...

Tasmania's population boom has gone bust — and it spells trouble

People aren't moving to Tasmania anymore, and that has implications for the economy Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:47am In short: Tasmania's population growth has slowed sharply since its pandemic‑era boom, with the state now recording the lowest growth rate in the country. Experts warn natural population decline and an aging population could pose long-term economic and workforce challenges. The Tasmanian government says it is on track to meet a target of 650,000 people by 2050, while commentators say...

Off-duty nurse describes desperate fight to save girl who died in Formby beach tragedy

Off-duty nurse describes desperate fight to save girl who died in Formby beach tragedy Chiedza Nyanjowa, 15, got into difficulty in the water at Formby Beach on bank holiday Monday and was rushed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in a critical condition. She died on Saturday. Now one of the off-duty nurses from the scene has spoken out One of the two off-duty nurses who battled to save the life of a 15 year old girl who got into difficulty in the water at Formby has spoken out about the...

Three-year-old plunges from window in Merseyside as air ambulance scrambled

86 NatWest, Lloyds, Halifax and BoS banks closing in June 2026 - starting Monday

86 NatWest, Lloyds, Halifax and BoS banks closing in June 2026 - starting Monday The latest swathe of branch closures will take place within the next four weeks More bank customers will be facing the closure of their local branch in June as some of Britain's biggest high street banks change the way they deliver their services. Financial giants Santander and NatWest announced earlier this year that they are shutting scores of branches with customers using more online banking services....

Wildlife carer puts $5 bounty on Indian mynas, the 'cane toads of the sky'

Frustration over approach to dealing with Indian myna driving grassroots action Fri 5 Jun 2026 at 5:59am In short: A patchwork approach to managing a pest species is fuelling community action and frustration over the lack of state or federal response. The Indian myna is an introduced bird and competes with native wildlife. There are calls for more councils to offer bounties, or for the state or federal governments to implement a coordinated management program.